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 · 26 September 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay a specified sum to a certain individual in full settlement of such individual's claims against the United States. Directs the Civil Service Commission to recompute the annuity and certain other benefits of such individual.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1977
Continues the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs through December 31, 1979. Authorizes the expenditure of additional funds, not to exceed $250,000 per annum, by the Select Committee.
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
Amends the Federal Water Project Recreation Act to declare it the policy of Congress that full consideration be given to outdoor recreation and fish and wildlife enhancement in the planning and construction of water resources development projects, and that such activities shall receive support and encouragement. Requires such projects to furnish initial and continuing recreation facilities and land and water areas therefor. Directs that such facilities be included in determinations of the economic benefits of such projects. Sets forth the requirements for the furnishing and administration of land and water areas associated with recreation and fish and wildlife purposes and the cost allocation procedures between Federal and non-Federal interests for such purposes. Exempts small boat harbor projects, national recreation area projects, and fish and wildlife projects from specified requirements of the Federal Water Project Recreation Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Designates specified lands in the Gallatin and Beaverhead National Forest in the State of Montana as Wilderness. Allows for the correction of clerical and typographical errors in the legal description of the boundaries of such lands.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Amends the definition of "employee" under the Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act to specify the coverage of such Act with respect to persons engaged in the manufacture, sale, repair, or service of recreational or fishing boats.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Declares it the sense of the Senate that the Privacy Protection Study Commission should be commended for its report, "Personal Privacy in an Information Society," and that the Congress should implement the Commission's recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1977
Grants survivor benefits to dependents of present or former members of the armed forces who die before becoming entitled to retired pay for non-regular service. Stipulates that such amount be 55 percent of the retired pay to which such member would have been entitled. Adds 10 U.S.C. 1448(e).
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide, in the case of retirement savings accounts, for an automatic annual adjustment of the $1,500 maximum deduction for individuals ($1,750 for certain married individuals) to the nearest multiple of $50 for increases in the cost- of-living in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1977
Establishes the Long Island Sound Heritage to be made of parcels of water-related land areas which have unique scenic, historic, architectural, cultural, conservation, ecological, and scientific value. Lists areas located in the States of Connecticut and New York which shall be considered for initial inclusion in the Heritage. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop plans for the acquisition, development, protection, maintenance, and administration of those areas which comprise the Long Island Sound Heritage. Provides for the acquisition of land for the Heritage.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 1977
Foreign Surveillance Prevention Act - Directs the President, whenever an individual with diplomatic immunity is engaged in electronic surveillance for a foreign power: (1) to inform certain Members of Congress; (2) to inform the targets of the surveillance unless to do so would compromise intelligence gathering by the United States; (3) to demand that such surveillance cease unless to do so would compromise intelligence gathering by the United States; and (4) to declare such individual to be persona non grata if the surveillance is not ceased and to demand that such individual leave the United States unless to do so would seriously damage national security.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1977
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 to establish a price support for sugar beets and sugarcane at a level not in excess of 90 percent nor less than 60 percent of the parity price of processed sugar products.
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 · 12 July 1977
Makes it unlawful for any Federal official or employee, with the exception of employees of the Central Intelligence Agency or the National Security Agency, to require or request any other employee or any person seeking employment to take a polygraph test. Makes it unlawful for any person engaged in any business in commerce to require or request an employee or applicant to take a polygraph test or to use such a test unless fully consented to by an employee. Permits aggrieved persons to seek injunctive relief in Federal courts.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1977
Optional Educational Simplification Act - Declares the purpose of this Act to be to provide an optional program of consolidation and simplification of certain Federal assistance programs to State and local educational agencies, and to provide such agencies with greater flexibility in the use of such assistance. Title I: Special Needs Programs - Directs States desiring to participate in such a program to design their programs to; (1) meet the special educational needs of children from low income families; (2) provide health, nutritional, and educational services of such children, including preschool children and those previously enrolled in Headstart or Follow Through programs; (3) meet the educational needs of migratory children, including preschool children; (4) meet the educational needs of handicapped children, and establish standards for such programs; and (5) provide bilingual instruction for children with limited English speaking ability, and such instruction and bilingual vocational training programs for adults. Specifies how a State shall allocate funds to local educational agencies for each of such programs under this Title. Title II: Vocational, Adult, and Continuing Education and Employment Training - Authorizes Federal grants to assist States to; (1) extend programs of vocational, homemaking, and consumer education; (2) develop new programs of vocational education; (3) develop and carry out programs to overcome sex discrimination and sex stereotyping in vocational education programs; and (4) provide part-time employment for youths in order for them to continue vocational training. Sets forth the programs for which funds provided under this Title may be used. Requires a State desiring to participate in such consolidation program authorized by such Act to develop programs for adult basic education and for children in adult correctional institutions. Requires a participating State to show how its education training programs relate to manpower programs established under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973. Authorizes to be appropriated for each fiscal year ending prior to October 1, 1982, funds for such programs. Provides for the distribution of Federal funds to local educational agencies by the States for programs under this Title, and defines how they are to be allocated. Title III: Special Emphasis Projects - Requires a participating State to provide funds to local educational agencies for: (1) school library resources; (2) instructional equipment; (3) model elementary and secondary school programs; (4) counseling, testing, and guidance services; (5) nutrition and health services in low income area elementary and secondary schools; (6) programs aimed at lowering the dropout rate in secondary schools with high dropout rates; (7) strengthening the leadership resources of State and local educational agencies; (8) encouraging the use of the metric system; (9) education of gifted children; (10) career education; (11) educational equity for women; (12) drug and alcohol abuse projects; (13) curriculum materials on American ethnic groups and their contributions; (14) the Teacher Corps; (15) programs aimed at children with reading deficiencies; and (16) environmental activities. Directs that local educational agencies establish the needs and priorities of such programs. Provides for the allocation of State funds under this Title to local agencies. Title IV: General Provisions - Provides for the reserving of certain funds from the amounts appropriated to carry out programs consolidated by such Act, and the allocation of such reserved funds among those States participating in the consolidation program. Directs the United States Commissioner of Education to pay to each participating State an amount equal to the amount expended in that State for carrying out the State plan adopted pursuant to this Title. Provides for a participating State to receive a planning grant for use in preparing the comprehensive plan required by such Act. Authorizes appropriations for each fiscal year ending prior to October 1, 1981, to make these planning grants. Requires a State desiring to receive a grant for such consolidation program to; (1) designate a State agency to administer the financial assistance made available under this Act; (2) develop a four-year plan with an annual update; and (3) submit such plan or update to the Commissioner for his approval. Authorizes grants to States for the costs of administering the consolidation program. Requires a participating State to establish certain procedures for use in developing its comprehensive plan designed to assure: (1) the identification of children and adults with special educational and vocational needs; (2) determination of priorities by local education agencies; (3) participation of interested citizens, local government units, appropriate State agencies in the development of the plan; (4) coordination of consolidation funds with State, local, and other Federal funds extended for similar purposes; and (5) publication of the final plan or annual update. Deems a State plan to meet the necessary requirements if it includes; (1) the goals and program objectives; (2) the assessments of needs determined above; (3) the types of individuals to be served and the estimated enrollment of each program; (4) procedures to assure the proper distribution of funds as authorized by such Act; (5) a description of the program's administrative structure; (6) procedures for monitoring the local educational agencies; (7) procedures that the State will use to insure that any local educational agency receiving funds under such Act will annually develop or update a comprehensive plan for the use of such funds; (8) procedures for auditing local educational agency expenditures under such Act; (9) Minimum expenditures of funds from non-Federal sources; (10) procedures to assure that funds made available under such Act supplement and not supplant State and local funds; (11) due process procedures, including withholding of funds, available to a State against a local educational agency which has failed to implement a comprehensive program plan; and (12) an appeal process within the State for a local educational agency dissatisfied with such State's compliance with such Act. Provides for an annual evaluation of a State's program by the Commissioner. Authorizes the Commissioner to conduct annual monitoring programs of States' programs, and to establish procedures to rectify areas of noncompliance. Directs the Commissioner to provide technical assistance upon request of State and local educational agencies. Directs the Commissioner to issue grants to participating States for interstate programs of educational research and planning, and common administrative problems. Authorizes appropriations of $3,000,000 for each of the fiscal years ending prior to October 1, 1982, to carry out such provision. Directs that the consolidation program authorized by this Act be administered by a separate Federal administrative unit to be established within 60 days after enactment of this Act. Provides the Commissioner with certain enforcement procedures against participating States, and provides such States with judicial recourse against such action. Authorizes the use of funds paid to a State under this Act for construction purposes where such construction funds would have been available under a program consolidated under this Act. Subjects funds made available under this Act to certain civil rights requirements. Provides the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare with certain enforcement procedures against local educational agencies not in compliance with such requirements. Provides for the participation of eligible children in private nonprofit elementary and secondary schools and Indian tribal schools in the programs authorized under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1977
Federal Employee Administrative Hearing Rights Guarantee Act - Guarantees to those employees in the executive branch of the Federal Government, and to employees of the government of the District of Columbia, who have completed the probationary or trial period, and whose positions are not of a confidential or policy determining character, a prompt evidentiary hearing before an impartial individual before removal or suspension without pay. Stipulates that the employee must be given 30 days' advance written notice of the action sought except when the individual is involved in a criminal action. Requires the employee to be furnished, at the time the 30 day notice is provided, with copies of all evidence relevant to the proposed action. Requires a hearing before an administrative law judge, at which time the employee may be represented by counsel, present evidence, and cross-examine witnesses. Directs that the employee be furnished a copy of the verbatim transcript of the hearings, and a written decision by the administrative law judge.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1977
Federal Employee Right to Representation Act - States that any statement made by or evidence obtained during questioning of an employee of an Executive agency may not be used as evidence in the course of any action for suspension, removal, or reduction in rank or pay subsequently taken against the employee, unless such employee has been advised in writing of the fact that such employee is under investigation for misconduct and has been informed of his or her right pursuant to this Act to have a representative of his or her choice present during such questioning. States that such employee may appeal any adverse personnel action taken against him or her in violation of this Act to the Civil Service Commission. Requires the appropriate administrative authority to take such action as the Commission recommends. States that the representative of an employee of the Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, or the Federal Bureau of Investigation must be an employee of the same agency as the employee and must be approved by that agency for access to the information involved in the investigation. States that for employees of such agencies any appeal shall be only to the President. (Adds 5 U.S.C. 7171, 7172, 7173)
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 · 14 June 1977
Postal Reorganization Act Amendments - Changes the organizational structure of the United States Postal Service by: (1) naming the Postmaster General chief executive officer and vesting in the Postmaster General the powers formerly held by the Board of Governors; (2) revising the procedures for adjustment of rates and services whereby the Postal Service is authorized to request the Congress to authorize appropriations to defray the estimated costs of the Postal Rate Commission, or to propose a change in the nature of postal services; (3) requiring that all proposed capital investments by the Postal Service be reviewed by the Post Office and Civil Service Committee of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and (4) requiring the Postal Rate Commission to submit to the President annually a separate budget for its operating expenses. Prohibits reducing the frequency of mail delivery service below the frequency which was in effect on April 21, 1977. Prohibits the closing between March 15, 1977, and December 31, 1979 of specified post offices regularly serving 35 or more families. Permits the closing of smaller post offices during such period only with the written consent of 60 percent of the regular postal patrons at least 18 years of age.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1977
National Climate Program Act - Requires the President to establish a National Climate Program to: (1) obtain, analyze, and disseminate climate data; (2) perform research to improve understanding of climate and the causes of fluctuations and anomalies in climate, and develop models for predicting climate changes; (3) develop methods to detect and predict such changes, to give early alerts of incipient anomalies, and to evaluate prediction techniques; (4) support and conduct assessments to the impact on human activities of climate changes; and (5) disseminate information on climate predictions. Authorizes the Program to make grants to education institutions for the establishment of climate study centers, and for regional studies programs. Requires the President to designate a Federal agency, referred to as the "lead agency," within which the Program will be administered. Requires the head of the lead agency to establish a National Climate Program Office to administer the Program. Stipulates that the President shall ensure that representatives of Federal agencies, conducting activities relating to the Program, are designated to serve on a Management Council for the Program which shall advise the lead agency, the Office, the State Department, and the President on specified matters relating to climate, and participate in developing the Program's budget. Requires the head of the lead agency, in consultation with the Management Council, to appoint an Advisory Council consisting of representatives of diverse interests relating to the Program to perform certain advisory and reporting functions. Requires the Office to publish a preliminary five-year plan including goals, priorities funding requirements, and the involvement of Federal agencies. Sets forth procedures for budget development. Permits authorized Federal officers or agencies to enter into contract or grant arrangements to exercise functions vested in them under this Act. Sets forth restrictions with respect to patents on inventions made or conceived under such contract or grant arrangement. Authorizes $50,000,000 for appropriation to Federal departments and agencies for fiscal year 1978 for the purpose of conducting the Program.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1977
Grants a Federal charter to the National Ski Patrol System, Incorporated. Declares that the purpose of such corporation is to promote public safety in skiing.
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 · 11 May 1977
Inland Energy Development Impact Assistance Act - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to establish an inland energy development impact program in the Department of Commerce. Includes among the assistance provided under such program to States, local governments, and Indian tribes which are affected as a result of energy development activities: (1) technical assistance; (2) grants for comprehensive growth management and monitoring plans; (3) loans and loan guarantees for required new public facilities and services; and (4) grants for impact crises. Creates an Inland Energy Impact Fund within the Department of the Treasury.
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
Amends the Rural Development Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants for research related to the production and marketing of industrial hydrocarbons derived from agricultural commodities and forest products. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of four pilot projects for the production and marketing of such hydrocarbons by guaranteeing loans not to exceed $15,000,000 per project to public, private, or cooperative organizations. Authorizes, for the research grant program, the appropriation of up to $24,000,000, not more than $3,000,000 of which may be awarded to the colleges and universities of any one State.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1977
1981 White House Conference on Aging Act - Declares it the policy of the Congress that the Federal Government should work with the States and citizens to develop recommendations and plans to meet the needs of older persons. Requires that programs developed under this resolution place emphasize upon the right of older persons to free choice and self-help in planning their futures. Authorizes the President of the United States to call a White House Conference on Aging in 1981 to develop recommendations for research and action in the field of aging. Requires the Conference to include representatives of Federal, State, and local governments, professional and lay people working in the field of aging including older persons themselves. Directs that a final report of the White House Conference, containing a comprehensive statement of a coherent national policy on aging and the recommendations of such Conference, be submitted to the President and Congress within a specified time. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in administering this resolution. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory committee to the Conference and such other technical committees as may be necessary to carry out such Conference.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1977
Comprehensive Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act - Title I: Educational Assistance Program Amendments - Redefines the qualifying service period of an "eligible veteran" to be the period from August 4, 1964, to January 1, 1977; and redesignates as an "eligible peacetime post-Korean veteran" anyone whose qualifying service period fell between January 31, 1955 and August 5, 1964; and entitles both "eligible veterans" and "eligible peacetime post-Korean veterans" to all benefits, services and loans available under the educational assistance program. Sets conditions for extending the ten-year delimiting period for receipt of assistance up to a maximum of two additional years. Provides that counseling offered by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to veterans eligible for educational assistance may include assisting any veteran: (1) to select the occupation or training objective suitable to him in terms of his personal circumstances, characteristics, financial resources, dependent responsibilities and other relevant factors; (2) to select the occupation or training objective which will provide him, after he has developed the required job skills, with reasonable opportunities for employment and with job satisfaction; (3) to select the educational or vocational objective; and (4) to develop a program of education that will lead to a recognized and predetermined educational, vocational, technical or professional objective within the veteran's period of entitlement. Directs the Administrator to take such measures as may be necessary, including denial of applications or disapproval of courses, to insure that no aspect of the educational assistance program is used for the purpose of income supplementation, unemployment compensation, or adjusted compensation. Allows continued payments to veterans enrolled in institutions not complying with provisions of this Act if such veterans are not at fault for the noncompliance. Provides an accelerated educational assistance allowance, not to exceed twice the ordinary monthly amount, to be granted, after appropriate counseling, to an eligible veteran or person who demonstrates need for the acceleration. Stipulates the categories of persons most likely to need a program of acceleration. Limits any program of accelerated assistance allowances to five years. Title II: War Orphans' and Widows' Educational Assistance Program Amendments - Allows the ten-year period of eligibility for educational assistance to run from the later wedding date of a spouse already determined to have a service-connected disability. Entitles eligible war orphans and widows to accelerated educational assistance allowances. Title III: Administration of Educational Benefits - Extends the coverage of existing administrative provisions of the educational assistance program to all branches and extensions of an educational institution. Directs the Administrator to establish between himself, the State approving agencies and nationally recognized accrediting agencies and associations, an exchange of information pertaining to activities of educational institutions, especially to the enforcement of approval standards and enrollment restrictions, and fraudulent and other criminal activities on the part of persons connected with the institution; and directs the Administrator to furnish the U.S. Attorney General, the Department of Defense, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Communications Commission and other Federal, State and local agencies such information and assistance as may be necessary to preclude abuses or enhance the effectiveness of the programs established hereunder. Requires educational institutions to transmit to State approving agencies catalogs or bulletins certified as true, current, and correct both in content and policy by an authorized school official. Requires the State approving agencies to find as a condition of approval adequate standards of progress established and clearly defined, and to find that an institution and its programs of education are in every aspect, portion, element, and division in full compliance with the law. Revises the criteria for approval of nonaccredited courses to require that applications contain, among other things: (1) names and titles of presently and previously associated institutions that have been cited for or involved in illegal, unethical, deceptive or misleading practices; (2) specific entrance requirements; (3) institution policy and regulations relative to leave, absences, class cuts, makeup work, tardiness and interruptions for unsatisfactory attendance; (4) requirements for graduation, including those courses directly related and those not directly required for attainment of a particular educational or vocational objective; (5) a statement of recognition or acceptance by any prominent institutions, associations, agencies and employers associated with the type of work or skill to be learned; (6) policy and regulations relating to the refund of the unused portion of tuition and fees in the event of a student's withdrawal or discontinuance; (7) a detailed description of the space, facilities and equipment of all branches or extensions of the institution; (8) procedures for evaluation, certification or recognition of military training, education, skills and experience; and (9) an accurate and detailed completion rate for courses and placement rates for graduates in the specific skill or work for which they were trained. Requires all advertising, promotion, sales techniques, claims and personnel employed by or representing the institution and branches or extensions offering nonaccredited courses to be in compliance with all applicable State and Federal licensing regulations and laws. Permits the Administrator to disapprove any institution or program of education approved as accredited if it fails to comply with any of the appropriate provisions of the law. Makes any advance payment of initial educational assistance or subsistence allowance conditional, and denies such advance payments to those entitled to receive accelerated payments. Requires the application for conditional advance payments to indicate that the eligible veteran or person had requested such, that it is necessary and appropriate to meet specific expenses, and that such expenses shall reasonably equal or exceed the amount of conditional advance payment. Requires the Administrator to set up an appeals procedure for administrative proceedings involving property loss resulting from a decision to terminate or modify an eligible veteran's or person's educational benefits. Increases from $3 and $4 to $8 and $10 respectively the fees paid to educational institutions in reimbursement for reports and certifications. Directs the Administrator to refer to the U.S. Attorney General any deliberate, premeditated or willful misconduct or illegal action of a significant nature or involving a significant sum of money stemming from overpayments occasioned by a false or misleading report by an educational institution. Sets new conditions for the enrollment of an eligible veteran or person in a program of correspondence or residence-correspondence. Denies approval of enrollment in an institution in any way affiliated with a proprietary institution or profitmaking operation which affects any program of education provided eligible veterans and persons unless such program meets all the requirements of the law. Requires the Administrator to notify any eligible veteran or eligible person of any available vocational assistance alternatives and of any legal recourse when it disapproves an institution or discontinues anyone's educational assistance. Requires the Administrator, when he has determined that the interruption or failure of a person's program was due in whole or in part to problems of personal adjustment, to advise such person of available counseling services and vocational, educational and psychological assistance. Establishes with the Veterans Administration an Interagency Veterans' Advisory Task Force to advise and assist the Administrator, among other things, in: (1) the review of the effectiveness and coordination of all rights and services authorized for veterans; (2) the development and implementation of studies of the effectiveness of laws applicable to veterans and eligible persons; (3) the monitoring and evaluation and preclusion of abuses of veterans' adjustment assistance programs; (4) the investigation of patterns of allegations indicating that veterans are being denied rights, benefits, or assistance; and (5) the appraisal of Federal laws, appropriations and policies meeting the readjustment needs of veterans. Directs the Task Force to serve as a national clearinghouse for information and assistance relating to the needs of veterans, and to serve as an advocate for the correction of problems and the preclusion of abuses. Establishes within the Task Force a section on enforcement and implementation of laws, a section on the evaluation and accreditation of military experience, and an Advisory Committee to take over the duties and responsibilities of the current advisory committee, with special emphasis on the inclusion and participation of veterans receiving or requiring readjustment assistance. Empowers the Task Force and its sections to issue subpenas. Requires the Task Force to report to Congress within one year of enactment its findings and recommendations for post-Vietnam era readjustment assistance programs. Sets maximum aggregate education loan amounts for eligible persons with no, one, or two or more dependents. Title IV: Miscellaneous Veterans Program Amendments - Requires the Veterans Administration to adjust its adjudication criteria and under no circumstances to determine eligibility for veterans' benefits for ex-servicemen with other than honorable discharges with either less lenient or more restrictive criteria and procedures than those used by the various military departments in the review and upgrading of other than honorable discharges. Title V: Employment and Training of Disabled and Vietnam-era Veterans - Includes within the term "veteran of the Vietnam era" as used in connection with special training and employment programs for such veterans, those veterans who were discharged more than 48 months prior to their application for employment. Title VI: Veterans' Administration: Miscellaneous Amendments - Directs the Administrator to initiate a comprehensive outreach and information program to inform veterans of the programs and services made available by this Act. Directs the veterans' representatives to carry out such outreach and information assistance services. Requires both the Administrator and the veterans' representatives especially to assist veterans whose educational benefits have ended because of the expiration of their delimiting period to obtain alternative means of completing their education and training.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1977
Declares it the sense of the Senate that the President discuss with Canada the impact of recent provisions of the Canadian tax code on the United States broadcasting industry.
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 · 18 April 1977
Indian and Alaska, Native Housing and Community Development Act - Creates, in the Department of Housing and Urban Development, an Office of Indian and Alaska Native Affairs, through which the Secretary of HUD shall carry out functions relating to Indian and Alaska Native housing and community development. Creates the office of Assistant Secretary for Indian and Alaska Native Affairs. Directs the Assistant Secretary to submit specified reports to Congress, and conduct an annual conference on Indian and Alaska Native Housing.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1977
Solar Energy and Energy Conservation Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individuals alternative income tax deductions or credits for insulation installation, heating improvements and conversion to solar heating and cooling in their principal residences. Allows a tax credit for the same improvements in commercial buildings.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1977
Amends the Rural Development Act of 1972 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to implement a nationwide rural source water quality assistance program. Requires affected localities to submit rural source water quality plans to the Secretary for approval. Stipulates that plans developed pursuant to this act shall be consistent with plans and programs under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act and other appropriate State programs. Authorizes the Secretary to appoint an advisory board to assist in carrying out the provisions of this Act. Directs the Secretary to prepare annual reports on the program in connection with budget preparation for fiscal years 1979 through 1990. Stipulates that the provisions of this Act shall terminate on September 30, 1991.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1977
National Food Stamp Reform Act for the Elderly - Amends the Food Stamp Act of 1964 to permit recipients of social security, supplemental security income, or unemployment compensation benefits to apply for food stamps and be certified for eligibility at social security or unemployment compensation offices. Requires certification, subject to change-of-income conditions, for a period of one year for households containing one or more elderly persons but no wage earners. Eliminates charges for food stamps and replaces "authorization to purchase" cards with "issuance authorization" cards.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Entitles a Federal employee whose position is reduced in grade to have the grade of such position treated as if such reduction had not occurred so long as such position is continued to be filled by such employee without a break in service. (Adds 5 U.S.C. 5366)
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Corrections Construction and Programs Development Act - Title I: Findings and Declaration of Purpose - States Congressional findings with regard to State and local corrections and declares the purpose of this Act to be to provide additional resources to State and local governments to upgrade correctional facilities and programs. Title II: Supplemental Grant Program under Part E of Crime Control Act - Authorizes the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration to make supplemental grants to States submitting approved applications for correctional facility grants under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Social Security Cost-of-Living Improvement Act - Requires an annual cost-of-living increase in Federal old-age, survivors, and disability benefits under the Social Security Act. Defines the base periods from which the need for such increases shall be determined. Directs the Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, to develop a special Consumer Price Index for the elderly.
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 · 4 April 1977
Employment and Training Amendments - Modifies fund allocation guidelines under the public service employment and emergency jobs programs of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 1977
Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act to prevent any rule or regulation concerning public lands and national forest lands including their management, rise, and protection, from taking effect until the expiration of 90 days after the issuance of such rule and then only if Congress has not adopted a concurrent resolution of disapproval.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1977
Occupational Safety and Health Act Amendments - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to require the Secretary of Labor to publish technological and economic feasibility studies of a proposed safety or health standard in the Federal Register at least 30 days before such standard is promulgated. Requires the Secretary to publish annual reports of the most prevalent classes of industrial and occupational violations. Extends from 15 to 30 days certain enforcement procedures. Prohibits the assessment of a civil penalty for a citation given for a nonserious violation during an initial inspection. Authorizes the Secretary to make consultative visits to workplace upon an employer's request.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Critical Lands Resource Conservation Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into agreements, for two years initially and thereafter annually renewable, with owners and operators of land in the Great Plains area to promote conservation of soil and water resources through conversion of cropland from soil depleting uses to conserving uses including the production of soil conserving cover crops. Requires an owner or operator, among other things: (1) to devote to a soil conserving cover crop up to 50 percent of a farm's cropland acreage which had been planted to soil depleting crops in any of the two years preceding; (2) to plant a legume, or an annual, biennial, or a perennial cover crop; (3) to divert from production a designated portion of one or more crops; (4) not to harvest any crop from or graze the designated acreage, unless the Secretary determines otherwise in order to alleviate disaster-caused distress; (5) to give assurance that the land was not acquired in order to put it in this program; (6) to forfeit all rights to further payments and to refund past payments upon violation of the agreement, or upon transfer of right and interest in the farm unless the transferee assumes all obligations; and (7) not to adopt any practice which would tend to defeat the purposes of the agreement. Requires the Secretary in consideration of such agreement to pay to the owner or operator an annual adjustment payment at a rate not in excess of $30 per acre. Directs the Secretary to use the services of local, county, and State committees and the technical services of the Soil Conservation Service and soil and water conservation districts. Requires adequate safeguards to protect the interests of tenants and sharecroppers for sharing in annual adjustment payments. Authorizes the Secretary to use the facilities, services and authorities of the Commodity Credit Corporation in discharging the responsibilities of this program, including payment of costs of administration.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1977
Sets the basic workweek of Federal firefighters at 336 hours for each period of three consecutive biweekly pay periods until December 31, 1977, at 324 hours per period from such date until December 31, 1978, and the lesser of 324 hours and one and one-half the number of hours determined by the Secretary of Labor to be the average number of hours in tours of duty in work periods of the preceding year of persons employed by public agencies as firefighters and law enforcement personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1977
Rural Housing Act - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to extend the availability of refinancing of indebtedness for rural housing assistance to elderly or handicapped families. Defines elderly or handicapped families for purposes of this Act. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a system of escrow accounts to enable borrowers to make periodic payments for taxes, insurance, and other necessary expenses. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to conduct specified programs of research, study and analysis of rural housing. Authorizes the Secretary to make expenditures from the Rural Housing Insurance Fund in order to correct construction defects or to pay claims of the owner of property arising from such defects. Empowers the Secretary to foreclose on mortgages only if the borrower has been given prior notice. Makes changes with respect to the Secretary's power to make rules and regulations. Authorizes increases in assistance to specified rural housing programs for fiscal years 1978 and 1979. Extends rural housing loans for elderly and handicapped families to include congregate housing facilities for families who require some supervision and central services. Requires that at least 60 percent of insured rural housing loans benefit persons of low income. Makes changes in the guaranteed housing loan program and the homeownership subsidy for low and moderate income persons. Makes it mandatory for the Secretary to provide rural rental assistance. Creates the position of Assistant Secretary for Equal Opportunity in the Department of Agriculture. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to increase the funds available for grants for water and waste facilities. Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to withhold assistance for specified programs from any otherwise eligible borrower who fails to incorporate energy conservation features into any structure commenced by such borrower after January 1, 1978.
![Official portrait of Sen. Melcher, John [D-MT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000635_200.jpg)