United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1977
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior should impose a moratorium with respect to any increase in the charges currently being made for grazing livestock on public lands for such a period as may be necessary to permit the appropriate committees of the Congress a reasonable opportunity to hold hearings on the proposed new formula.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1977
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that all employees covered by such Act who are members of a bona fide religion which has historically held conscientious objections to joining or financially supporting labor organizations shall not be required to join or so support any such organization as a condition of employment.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 1977
Agricultural Commodities Utilization Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to permit any participant in an acreage set-aside or land diversion program to plant and harvest on such set-aside or diverted acreage any agricultural commodity which is to be used or sold by such person for the purpose of being converted into industrial hydrocarbons and blended with gasoline or other fossil fuels for use as motor oil or industrial fuel. Directs the Secretary to establish a production set-aside program making incentive payments for such purposes for years when appropriate set-aside or land diversion programs are not in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1977
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development should not implement the proposed reorganization of the field and insuring offices of the Department of Housing and Urban Development prior to the time when the appropriate committees of the Congress have had an opportunity to hold hearings on such reorganization.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1977
Declares it the sense of the Senate that the President should instruct the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, (1) to submit to the General Assembly a resolution to deny sanctuary to international airline hijackers; (2) to direct the United States delegation to the United Nations to secure international cooperation in reducing, and eliminating, airline hijackings and other acts of terrorism and toward enhancing airport security systems; and (3) to call upon all United Nations members to adhere to the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 1977
States that during the year following the enactment of this Act the Secretary of the Interior shall neither withhold water delivery from any beneficiary of a Federal reclamation project nor initiate any proceeding intended to require the sale of privately owned bonds within any project, for purposes of achieving conformity with acreage limitations or residency requirements of reclamation law. Prohibits the Secretary from approving the sale of excess lands during the year following the enactment of this Act unless final excess land regulation become effective.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 1977
Mineral Development Act - Title I - Declares it the purpose of this Act to establish a system to provide for and encourage the development of certain mineral resources on United States public lands. Defines the terms used in this Act. Title II: Existing Mining Claims and Mill Sites - Stipulates that unpatented mining claims or mill or tunnel sites located prior to the effective date of this Act shall become null and void unless patent applications have been filed within five years after the approval of this Act. Details criteria governing entitlement to mineral and mill site patents. Title III: Provisions for New Claims - Repeals prior mining laws. Establishes procedures governing the filing and validity of new mining claims. Imposes minimum labor requirements to maintain such claims. Authorizes annual payments to the United States in lieu of actual labor to maintain claims. Details eligibility criteria and procedures for obtaining patents for valuable mineral deposits. Stipulates that nothing in this Act shall exempt owners of mining claims from applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws. Title IV: Bureau of Land Management Records - Establishes procedures governing the maintenance of required records concerning mining claims at local land offices of the Bureau of Land Management by the Secretary of the Interior. Title V: Acquisition of Lands - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to sell as exchange Federal lands. Requires public notice of purposed exchanges. Stipulates that land acquired under this title shall be available for mineral location and mineral leasing. Title VI: Reserved Minerals - Reserves the right of the United States to use of the surface resources of lands leased pursuant to this Act. Stipulates that persons engaged in mining on lands where minerals were reserved to the United States shall be liable for damages to surface resources. Establishes procedures to allow for suspension of claims pending public hearings where a proposed mining claim might substantially interfere with power development or power site uses of the land. Stipulates that such determinations and final orders shall be issued by the Secretary of the Interior. Title VII: Administration - Stipulates that the provisions of this Act shall be administered in conformity with the Administrative Procedure Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1977
Designates the South Portal Federal Office Building of the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare at 200 Independence Avenue Southwest, Washington, D. C., as the "Hubert H. Humphrey Building."
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1977
Tuition Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a credit against an individual's income tax in an amount equal to 50 percent of the sum of the amounts paid by him to educational institutions as tuition (though no more than $500 for any single individual) for the attendance of the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or any of his dependents with respect to whom he is entitled to a personal exemption.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1977
National Helium Conservation Policy Act - Title I: Helium Act Amendments - Amends the Helium Act to declare that the purpose of such Act is to develop a national helium conservation policy designed to encourage and facilitate, the conservation and storage of the Nations' helium reserves. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make all reasonable and necessary arrangements to insure that the helium which could be extracted by existing private and Government facilities is saved and not wasted into the atmosphere or reinjected into natural gas streams. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations for the licensing of sales and transportation of helium in interstate commerce after extraction from helium-bearing natural gas or helium-gas mixtures, when the President determines that the national interest so requires. Directs Federal agencies to purchase all major requirements of helium from non-Federal sources, to the extent supplies are readily available at reasonable prices, terms, and conditions. Directs the Secretary to store and conserve helium produced by Government owned facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to sell such amounts of helium as determined necessary for essential Federal, medical, scientific, military or commercial uses, under certain circumstances. Requires that the Secretary maintain the Government inventory of helium in storage, until determined it is in the national interest to sell stockpiled helium. Directs the Secretary to report annually to the Congress on the activities conducted pursuant to this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Department of Energy to report to Congress annually on the effectiveness of the national helium conservation policy. Authorizes the appropriation of $240,000,000, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act, to remain available until expended. Title II: Helium Inventory Deduction - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a taxpayer to deduct certain helium production and storage expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 1977
Exempts disaster payments made in connection with the 1977 crops of wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, and rice from the payment limitations contained in the Agricultural Act of 1970 and the Agricultural Act of 1949.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Gospel-Hump Roadless Area Land Allocation Act - Designates specified lands in the Nez Perce National Forest, in the State of Idaho, as the Gospel-Hump Wilderness Area. States that specified contiguous lands shall be developed according to a multipurpose resource development plan. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to appoint a seven-member Advisory Committee on the Management of the Gospel-Hump Area.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to review the suitability of the Gospel-Hump Area in the Nez Perce National Forest, Idaho, for preservation as wilderness. Establishes the Advisory Committee on the Management of the Gospel-Hump Area.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Regulatory Reduction and Congressional Control Act - Requires any rule promulgated by a Federal agency to be submitted to Congress accompanied by: (1) an economic impact analysis disclosing the costs and benefits expected to result from such rule; (2) a paperwork impact analysis disclosing the information-gathering requirements and the nature and number of records persons will be required to keep under such rule; and (3) a judicial impact analysis disclosing the probable consequences of such rule on the operation, work load, and efficiency of the Federal courts. Permits such rules having specified penalties or economic impacts to become effective only if approved by both Houses of Congress. Permits other rules to become effective if not disapproved by either House within 60 days of promulgation. Limits the life of any such rule to five years, after which time it must be rejustified or repromulgated.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1977
Regulatory Flexibility Act - Requires Federal agencies to: (1) assess the costs of private information collection and compliance which are or would be imposed by existing or proposed agency rules; (2) compare such impositions with the importance of the public policy achieved or to be achieved by such rules; and (3) determine whether such rules should apply to the same extent to individuals, and organizations of various sizes and resources. Requires, in the event that it is determined that such proposed rules, will have a substantial effect on any significant number of small businesses, that such rules be submitted to the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. Requires such Office to comment on the impact of such proposed rules on smaller enterprises. Requires such comments to be made public and available to Federal personnel responsible for reviewing such rules. Directs that proposed rules be issued in two or more parts when the analysis of such rules indicates the desirability of applying varying requirements for performance or reporting depending on the resources of the organization or individual required to comply with such rules.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1977
Extends, by two months through January, 1978, the compulsory completion date of federally assisted construction activities undertaken to mitigate the impact of the drought of 1976-1977. Terminates the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to provide drought relief on November 30, 1977. Increases the number of uses to which funds authorized by law to facilitate emergency actions to mitigate the impacts of the 1976-1977 drought may be put. Removes limitations on the amount which the Secretary may extend to any State water resource agency for drought relief.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to settle claims for damages less than $2,500 arising from acts for which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall be found responsible.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1977
Amends the National Weather Modification Policy Act of 1976 to extend to June 13, 1978, the date for submission of the report of the Secretary of Commerce on weather modification.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1977
Amends the Act authorizing construction of Dulles Airport, Virginia, to expand the definition of airport under such Act thereby enlarging the jurisdiction of the United States Park Police at such airport and authorizing certain other actions.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1977
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize the Federal Communications Commission to enforce the requirement of objectivity and balance imposed on the Corporation for Public Broadcasting with respect to the funding of programs of a controversial nature to be produced by such Corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1977
National Crude Oil Supply and Transportation Act - Expresses the intent of Congress that the continuation of a transportation system to deliver Alaskan crude oil to Northern Tier or inland States be accomplished through expedited administrative procedures. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a time schedule for the completion of required environmental impact statements in order to select a crude oil transportation system by February 1, 1978. Establishes criteria to be considered by the Secretary in selecting a transportation route. Directs the Secretary and other appropriate Federal officials to take all actions necessary to provide rights of way, permits, leases, and other authorizations necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the transportation system approved under this Act. Declares that the actions of Federal officers and agencies under this Act shall not be subject to judicial review by the courts. Allows for claims that: (1) actions under this Act will deny Constitutional rights; and (2) actions taken are beyond the scope of authority conferred by this Act, provided that such claims are filed within 60 days following the date of the challenged action. Vests exclusive jurisdiction to hear such claims in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, acting as a special court. Stipulates that any judicial proceedings should be completed at the earliest possible date. Declares that nothing in this Act shall authorize or imply an exemption from provisions of the antitrust laws.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Amends the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act to raise the maximum license fee for commission merchants, dealers and brokers from $100 to $300, and to raise from $100,000 to $150,000 the minimum invoice value of specified goods any person must buy or sell or negotiate the sale of in order to be deemed a dealer or broker.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act Amendments - Amends the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act to direct the President to appoint an interagency committee to determine which materials are to be acquired under such Act and what classification each such material shall be assigned. Stipulates that there are three such classifications as follows: (1) Class A materials are those essential and necessary materials not produced or produced in limited quantities in the United States which are obtained primarily from foreign sources; (2) Class B materials are those essential and necessary materials produced in the United States but which are not available in sufficient quantities and are obtained to a substantial extent from foreign sources; and (3) Class C are those essential and necessary materials which are produced in substantial quantities in the United States and are obtained to a lesser extent from foreign sources. Stipulates that the stockpile objectives for Class A materials shall be equal to three years domestic net imports; for Class B materials two years' domestic net imports; and for Class C materials one years' net imports of such material. Requires that such objectives be reviewed every four years by the interagency council. Stipulates that a revised objective for such material shall be made only if the average annual quantity of imports of such material during the previous five years increased or decreased by more than ten percent. Directs the Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force to direct the Administrator of General Services to establish a barter program for the acquisition of strategic and critical materials. Stipulates that no funds may be appropriated or obligated for the procurement of materials under such Act unless funds have been specifically authorized for such purpose. Establishes within the Treasury a Strategic and Critical Materials Procurement Fund. Stipulates that all moneys received on account of sales of materials under such Act shall be covered into the fund. Sets forth the uses for which funds may be expended. Directs the Administrator of General Services to submit an annual report to the Congress regarding such fund.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
Federal Officials' Antidefamation Act - Renders a person who with actual malice, makes a false and defamatory communication concerning a Federal official liable for damages in a Federal court defamation suit.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1977
Amends Title XVI (Supplemental Security Income for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act to make benefits under such Title payable to a resident alien only if such alien has continuously resided in the United States for at least five years. Exempts from such residency requirement a resident alien whose blindness or disability commenced after the date of his admission.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1977
Emergency Product Liability Act - Title I: General Provisions - Expresses the sense of Congress that it is necessary to provide national standards for product liability litigation in order to reduce the effects of the product liability crisis. Title II: Limitations of Product Liability Litigation - Limits the time for commencing product liability actions to two years after the date upon which the injury was sustained or discovered and prohibits the commencement of any action later than seven years after the date upon which the product was purchased. Exempts manufacturers and sellers of products from liability for damages caused by misuse of a product or modifications of a product made subsequent to manufacture or sale without the consent of the manufacturer or seller. Exempts manufacturers or sellers of products from liability for injuries or damages caused by a product when the plan or design, or the methods, standards, or techniques of manufacturing the product conform with the prevailing state of the art applicable to the product. Title III: Relation to State Law - Preempts any State law which is inconsistent with the provisions of this Act. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to exempt from the coverage of this Act any State which adopts the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1977
Diesel Fuel and Gasoline Conservation Act - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 to authorize sellers of goods under a uniform zone delivered pricing system to grant backhaul allowances to buyers (1) the backhaul function is actually performed by the buyer; (2) the allowance is no greater than actual savings in delivery costs; and (3) such allowances are available to all customers on a nondiscriminatory basis.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1977
Medical Freedom of Choice Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to eliminate the requirement that persons filing an application with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare include as part of application for approval of a new drug full reports of investigations which show whether or not such a drug is effective. Eliminates the power of the Secretary to disapprove a new drug on the basis that such drug will not have the effect it is represented to have under the conditions of use prescribed, recommended, or suggested in the proposed labeling of the drug. Prevents the Secretary from withholding exemption for an experimental drug for investigative purposes on the basis that such drug will not be effective in a research context. Eliminates the authority of the Secretary to withhold approval of an application with respect to any new animal drugs on the basis that full reports of investigations on such drug have not proven it effective. Prevents the Secretary from withdrawing approval of a new animal drug on the basis that it poses an imminent hazard to health of man or animals because of a lack of substantial evidence that the drug will have the effect it purports or is represented to have under the conditions of use prescribed, recommended, or suggested in the labeling of it.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1977
Declares it the sense of the Senate that there should be no diplomatic recognition of Cuba or lifting of the trade embargo against Cuba until Congress has determined that Cuba has (1) made compensation for United States property expropriated in 1959 (2) released and repatriated United States prisoners held on political charges, (3) demonstrated progress toward the observance of human rights, (4) withdrawn Cuban troops and military advisors from Africa, and (5) assured the United States of cooperation in hijacking situations, and (6) assured the United States of the security of the United States Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
Western States Conservation Act - Amends the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act to expand the present Great Plains area soil conservation program to include the seven Western States of Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Permits conservation plans submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture by land owners and operators to include measures for improving irrigation systems to conserve water. Removes the present $300,000,000 ceiling on authorizations for such programs. Requires land owners or operators contracting with the Secretary to agree to forfeit all rights to payments for losses sustained because of natural disaster if such losses were sustained in connection with lands on which permanent conservation measures had been installed under a contract with the Secretary and such measures were destroyed by the owner or operator after expiration of such contract.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1977
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act and the Wagner-Peyser Act of 1933 to direct that the rules and regulations governing the labor certification process for the temporary employment of aliens in the United States in Agricultural occupations shall be made only by the Governor of each State.
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 · 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 · 13 May 1977
Amends the Gold Reserve Act of 1934 to prohibit the sale, alienation, or commitment of gold by the Secretary without prior approval by Act of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Requires Congress to assure that the total outlays of the Government, during any fiscal year, do not exceed the total receipts of the Government during such fiscal year. States that by the fourth fiscal year after the ratification of this amendment the budget shall be balanced. Permits expenditures to exceed national revenues in time of declared emergency, but states that such expenditures shall never exceed receipts by more than ten percent. Provides that during the fifth fiscal year thereafter, the total receipts of the Government shall exceed outlays by an amount equal to five percent of the Federal indebtedness at the beginning of the fifth fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1977
Expresses the gratitude and appreciation of the Senate to Cora Rubin Lane for her long and outstanding service to the Senate on the occasion of her 100th birthday.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to expand the coverage of the supplementary medical insurance program to include physician extender services to the extent recognized under State law.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1977
Requires that a separate sentencing hearing be held when a defendant is found guilty of, or pleads guilty to, an offense for which one of the possible sentences is death. Sets forth procedures for such hearings. Directs imposition of the death sentence where the jury or, upon approval by the court and the Government of a defense motion, the court alone finds that aggravating circumstances exist and outweigh any mitigating factors. Includes among mitigating factors (1) significant impairment of capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of the conduct constituting the offense or to conform to the requirements of law; (2) youthfulness; and (3) substantial duress. Includes among aggravating factors (1) commission of the offense during the commission or attempted commission of one of enumerated crimes; (2) previous conviction of a Federal offense or of one of certain State offenses for which a sentence of life imprisonment or of death is authorized; (3) previous conviction of two or more violent felonies; (4) commission of the offense in any usually cruel manner or for consideration, and (5) commission of the offense against one of specified Federal or foreign officials. Prohibits the carrying out of a death sentence on a pregnant woman. Authorizes the imposition of a death sentence upon a person for gathering or delivering defense information to aid a foreign government only when specified weapon or defense systems are involved. Sets forth procedures and standards for court of appeal review of death sentences. Excludes from the procedures set forth in this Act prosecutions under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
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 · 22 April 1977
Establishes within the Department of Agriculture an Advisory Committee on Timber Sales Procedures to study the methods by which the Forest Service sells timber and to make independent recommendation with respect to establishing procedures by which the Service will be able to sell timber in a manner which will, over the long term, provide for community stability and which will provide the most stable return to the Federal Government while maintaining diversity in terms of sizes, types and locations of operations and facilities which process timber. Terminates such Advisory Committee upon its submission of its findings and recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture and to the appropriate committees of Congress. Repeals the provision of the National Forest Management Act of 1976 which directs the Secretary to take appropriate action to obviate collusive practices in bidding for trees, portions of trees, or forest products from National Forest System lands.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1977
Academic Freedom Act - Requires any regulation affecting any institution of higher learning to be published in the Federal Register and include an educational impact statement. Prohibits enforcement of any regulation which fails to maintain academic requirements for graduate or undergraduate admissions. Restricts the authority and enforcement powers of Federal officials with respect to educational programs or activities of institutions of higher education receiving Federal financial assistance.
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
National Food Stamp Reform Act - Extends the Food Stamp Act of 1964 through fiscal year 1982. Excludes from the definition of "food" which may be purchased with food stamps alcoholic beverages, tobacco, ice cubes, artificial food colorings, powered and liquid cocktail mixes, carbonated beverages, cooking wines, and chewing gum; and any other food, class of food, food product or condiment which the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the President of the National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council (Food and Nutrition Board), determines to have an negligible or low nutritional value or to be an insignificant enhancement of palatability. Includes residents of federally subsidized housing for the elderly in the definition of "household." Redefines "elderly person" as someone 65 years or older (currently, 60 years of age). Defines "nutritionally adequate diet" as a diet sufficient to feed a family of four persons, consisting of a man and a woman between 20 and 54 years of age, one child between ages nine and eleven and one child between six and eight, and which meets additional specified conditions. Directs the Secretary to establish uniform national standards of eligibility for participation by households in the food stamp program. Requires the income standards of eligibility in every State to be the nonfarm income poverty guidelines prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget, adjusted annually; but limits the standards for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam to those of the 50 States. Sets a 90-day accounting period for certification or recertification of food stamp applicants. Limits the maximum allowable financial resources (liquid and nonliquid assets) of a household to $1,500, except that, for households or two or more persons with one or more members 65 years or older, such resources are limited to $2,250. Specifies holdings excluded from the determination of such resources. Requires household income for purposes of the food stamp program to be the gross income of the household less: (1) a deduction of $25 a month for any household in which there is at least one elderly person; and (2) an additional deduction equal to 15 percent of all earned income to compensate for taxes, mandatory deductions, and work expenses. Includes in gross income: (1) all monetary payments to or on behalf of any household member except payments made for medical costs; (2) all income tax refunds and Federal income tax credits; (3) the value of all in-kind items; and (4) the value of all benefits received under any publicly or privately funded assistance program. Excludes from gross income: (1) payments for medical costs made on behalf of the household; (2) compensation for services performed by a student residing with the household who is not yet 18; (3) Uniform Relocation Assistance payments; (4) infrequent or irregular quarterly income; (5) all loans except deferred repayment education loans; and (6) the cost of producing self-employed income. Authorizes the Secretary to establish temporary emergency eligibility standards for households which are victims of a disaster. States that no household shall be eligible for participation in the Food Stamp program which includes an able-bodied adult between the ages of 18 and 65 who: (1) incurs a reduction of income as a result of voluntarily reducing his or her number of hours of employment without good cause; (2) fails to register for employment at a State or Federal employment office; (3) has refused to accept employment or public work within 30 miles of the person's principal residence; (4) fails to actively seek employment; or (5) is enrolled in an institution of post-secondary education as a substitute for full-time employment. Excludes from this class of ineligible individuals mothers with dependent children, primary or secondary school students, post-secondary level students or trainees' employed part-time, enrollees in a drug addiction or alcoholic treatment program, and persons working at least 30 hours per week. States that refusal to work at a plant site because of a strike or other labor dispute shall be deemed to be a refusal to accept employment. Declares that no person shall be eligible who is not a citizen or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. States that no minor shall be considered a household member if such minor resides in a household in which no other member has a legal duty to support him unless: (1) the individual who had such a duty is financially unable to perform it; or (2) no individual with such duty exists. Requires each household receiving food stamps to report its income at least once each month. Declares that no household that knowingly transfers liquid or nonliquid assets for the purpose of qualifying or attempting to qualify for the food stamp program shall be eligible to participate in the program for a minimum of 90 days. States that no person who receives supplementary security income benefits under title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act. State supplementary payments under such title, or payments under specified provisions of title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of such Act, shall be considered a member of a household for any month, if for such month, such individual resides in a State in which the Supplemental Security Income benefit has been increased specifically to include the bonus value of food coupon allotments. Requires food coupons to be designed with spaces for the user to sign upon receipt and redemption. Requires coupon users to present suitable identification; including signature and photograph, when redeeming coupons at approved food stores. States that the value of the food coupon allotment to which eligible households will be entitled shall be an amount sufficient to allow a household to purchase a nutritionally adequate diet. Requires the semi-annual adjustment of the value of an allotment based on changes in the cost of food. Establishes as the charge a household shall pay for its coupon allotment the lesser of: (1) the percentage of its income which would be expended for food by an average household of its size and income range in the same region of the country; or (2) 30 percent. Provides, under the requirements for State plans for the administration of the food stamp program, for closer State supervision of eligibility by households. Requires the State agencies administering the program to conduct nutrition education programs for recipients. Directs each State agency to establish an earnings clearance system for the purpose of checking the actual income and assets of a household against those reported by the household. Provides that if a State agency does not comply with the provisions of the Food Stamp Act, the Secretary may refer the matter to the Attorney General with a request for an injunction, or he may direct that there be no further issuance of coupons in the political subdivisions where such failure has occurred until such time as satisfactory corrective action has been taken. Establishes a national system for providing information to State agencies in order to assist them in preventing households from receiving food stamps in more than one State or in more than one political subdivision within a State. Sets a civil penalty not in excess of $10,000 for each violation of the Food Stamp Act of 1964 or regulations issued pursuant to it by specified persons, including State agencies. Directs the Secretary to pay to each State agency out of funds appropriated by Congress an amount equal to 75 percent of all direct costs of State food stamp program investigations, prosecutions, and State activities related to recovering losses sustained in the food stamp program. Specifies information to included in the Secretary's annual report in addition to information already given.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Establishes a national dam safety program. Directs each Federal agency to regulate the safety of dams which are either owned by the United States and operated by the agency involved, or which are located on lands owned by the United States for which the involved agency is responsible. Allows Federal agencies to enter into agreements with States to permit State enforcement of a State dam safety program for those dams within the State owned by a non-Federal entity. Requires Federal agencies to examine, inspect, and repair specified dams within their jurisdiction. Directs such agencies to: (1) review plans for dam construction or modification; (2) inspect performance of such work; (3) retain data of such construction; and (4) issue certificates of approval. Requires such Federal agencies to issue regulations for dam safety in accordance with guidelines established by the Secretary of the Army. Makes compliance with this Act and applicable regulations a requirement for construction and operation of dams subject to this Act. Directs the Secretaries of the Army, the Interior, and Agriculture to furnish aid and advice to States requesting assistance in implementation of dam safety programs.
![Official portrait of Sen. McClure, James A. [R-ID]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000346_200.jpg)