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United States · Official source
562 records where Sen. Metcalf, Lee [D-MT] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1978
Commends Lee Williams for his long, faithful, and exemplary service to the United States Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1977
Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require the Secretary of Agriculture to submit to the House Committee on Agriculture and the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry quarterly reports evidencing that all foreign plants exporting meat have been inspected by inspectors appointed by the Secretary and are in compliance with such Act and the regulations issued thereunder.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1977
Resources and Conservation Act - Requires the President to annually transmit a Resources and Conservation Report to Congress setting forth: (1) the condition of natural resources with particular reference to attainment of the optimum multiple purpose use of such resources; (2) current and foreseeable trends in the management and utilization of natural resources; (3) the adequacy of available resources for fulfilling human, economic, and national security requirements of the Nation; (4) a review of all conservation programs; (5) the extent of United States dependence or imports for critical minerals and metals; and (6) a program to assure adequate resources for the country's needs and to provide for the development, conservation and use of natural resources. Establishes within the Executive Office of the President a Council of Resources and Conservation Advisers to assist the President in the preparation of such report, and to advise the President on matters regarding natural resources development and conservation. Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to enable the Council to perform its duties under this Act. Authorizes appropriations of $2,000,000 annually for salaries for the members, officers, and employees of the Council. Establishes a Joint Committee on Resources and Conservation to make a continuing study of matters relating to the Resources and Conservation Report and to file annual reports with the Senate and House of Representatives containing its findings and recommendations with respect to each of the main recommendations made by the President in the Report. Authorizes appropriations of up to $600,000 to fund the activities of the Joint Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1977
Declares that there be no reduction of customs duties on textile, apparel, or fiber products and that such products be excluded from the current Tokyo Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations in Geneva.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1977
Postpones until December 31, 1978, the effective date of the final regulations developed from proposed regulations published in the Federal Register dated August 25, 1977, relating to acreage limitation provisions of Federal reclamation laws. Allows the Secretary of the Interior to approve voluntary sales of excess lands in any irrigation district (except in Westlands Water District, California) if the Secretary finds that such sales are in compliance with the proposed regulations. States that the time period of any existing recordable contract will not be affected by this resolution, except for those which expire during the period which begins on the date of enactment of this Act and ends December 31, 1978, which would be granted an additional six months.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1977
Declares three individuals lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1977
Omnibus Antiterrorism Act - Title I: Reorganization of Executive Office of the President - Establishes a Council to Combat Terrorism in the Executive Office of the President. Includes among the Council's functions (1) assisting the President to implement this Act, (2) assisting in the preparation of lists of countries aiding terrorist enterprises and of dangerous foreign airports, and (3) coordinating Federal efforts to combat terrorism. Directs the President to: (1) report to Congress on each act of terrorism which involves or affects United States citizens; and (2) impose sanctions against countries on the list of countries aiding terrorists and against airports on the list of dangerous foreign airports. Title II: Reorganization of the Department of State - Establishes a Bureau for Combating International Terrorism in the Department of State. Urges the President to seek international agreements which assure cooperation in combating terrorism. Lists provisions which should be given priority in negotiating such agreements. Requires the President to: (1) develop programs to insure full implementation of the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation; (2) approve all defense article sales and credits made to any individual or group; and (3) include the names of all types of explosives on the United States Munitions List. Title III: Reorganization of the Department of Justice - Establishes an Office for Combating Terrorism in the Department of Justice. Directs the President to extend existing safety and security requirements to supplemental means of air transportation. Requires that all explosives contain identification and detection taggants. Title IV: Aircraft Sabotage and Piracy - Amends provisions of title 18, U.S. Code, that specify prohibited acts regarding the destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities to, among other revisions, set forth penalties for committing violence against a passenger which is likely to endanger an aircraft in service and for communicating false information which results in endangering the safety of an aircraft in flight. Sets forth penalties for a person found in the United States who has committed against or aboard a foreign aircraft an offense in violation of the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation. Authorizes civil penalties for carrying an accessible weapon aboard an aircraft and for imparting or conveying information known to be false regarding one of specified crimes aboard an aircraft. Specifies minimum penalties for threatening to commit air piracy or any other of certain crimes aboard an aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 12 October 1977
Telephone Privacy Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit unsolicited commercial telephone calls to a telephone subscriber who has notified the telephone company that he does not wish to receive such calls. Directs the Federal Communications Commission to prescribe regulations specifying the manner in which a telephone subscriber shall notify the telephone company that he does not wish to receive unsolicited calls. Prescribes criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Excludes from the definition of unsolicited commercial telephone calls, those calls made in response to an express request of the individual called or in connection with an overdue debt or contractual obligation.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1977
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to construct hydroelectric powerplants at specified locations. Stipulates that the power generated by such facilities shall be delivered to the Secretary of Energy for distribution and marketing through existing Federal hydroelectric power marketing systems. Authorizes appropriations in specified amounts for the construction of each facility under this Act. Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be required by the Secretary of Energy to interconnect such facilities.
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 · 30 September 1977
Establishes the Jackson Hole Scenic Area in the State of Wyoming. Creates the Jackson Hole Scenic Area Commission to formulate a plan for the designation and acquisition of lands for such Area and to carry out the plan upon its adoption.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1977
Declares that the President should establish a Commission on Domestic and International Hunger and Malnutrition which should: (1) collect and generate information and resources on food, hunger, malnutrition and related concerns; (2) assess current programs affecting domestic and international hunger and malnutrition; (3) analyze and report its findings and recommendations to the President, the Congress, and the public; and (4) assist the President and the Congress in implementing its recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1977
Mining Law - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to authorize the prospecting, exploration, and development of hardrock mineral deposits in leasable lands in accordance with this Act; except that no permit, license, or lease shall be issued on lands within the National Park System, the National Wildlife Refuge System, the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, or the National Wilderness Preservation System, which are open to mineral entry and location under the Mining Law of 1872 and related Acts, upon the effective date of passage of this Act, unless the Secretary determines: (1) that exploration, development, and production may be conducted in a manner consistent with the purpose of which such system was established; and (2) that any surface disturbance can be restored to its original or other similarly appropriate condition consistent with the purpose for which such system was established. Stipulates that no permit shall be required for prospecting on leasable lands. Directs the Secretary to require a person to obtain a permit for on the ground prospecting for hardrock minerals on: (1) leasable lands within the National Park System, the National Wildlife Refuge System, the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, or the National Wilderness Preservation System, which are open to mineral entry and location under the Mining Law of 1872, and related Acts, upon the effective date of passage of this Act; (2) lands withdrawn from mineral entry under the Mining Law of 1872, and related Acts, unless the Secretary revokes the withdrawal; (3) leasable lands where the United States owns the mineral estate but not the surface estate and the surface owner has not given consent; (4) leasable lands designated as "areas of critical environmental concern" pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, or lands similarly designated in land management plans prepared pursuant to the Forest and Range Land Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974; (5) urbanized areas and lands designated for military use; (6) areas included in any license or lease issued under this Act; and (7) acquired lands. Authorizes the Secretary to issue to any qualified person an exclusive license to explore for one or more hardrock minerals in a designated area of leasable lands not otherwise withdrawn or excluded from exploration. Prohibits any person from exploring for hardrock minerals in the leasable land without such a license. Requires that such licenses be issued only after competitive bidding in the case of leasable land classified as suitable for competitive bidding. Permits exploration on all leasable lands except those which have been: (1) withdrawn from mineral entry under the Mining Law of 1872, and related Acts, if the withdrawal remains in effect; or (2) included in any exploration license or lease issued under this Act if the exploration would conflict with such license or lease. Establishes an aggregate acreage limitation for licenses held or controlled by one person at 5,120 in any one State. Sets forth procedures and requirements for application for licenses. Exempts information submitted by applicants from the Freedom of Information Act. Prohibits the licensee from removing any minerals for sale. Establishes standards for extension of exploration licenses. Authorizes the Secretary to issue to the holder of a license a lease for any leasable lands included within such license for the development and production of one or more hardrock minerals. Sets forth procedures and requirements for applying for such a lease. Directs the Secretary to issue a lease to an applicant for all lands in the application that are likely to contribute to mineral development, if the Secretary determines that the proposed operation: (1) is compatible with the land use plan for the area, as provided in this Act; (2) will not violate any applicable laws and regulations; and (3) will have an overall value which, in the Secretary's judgement, exceeds its overall costs. Stipulates that in making this judgment, the Secretary shall take account of environmental costs, the value of mineral production expected, the value of foregone surface uses, and other relevant considerations. Specifies the minimum annual rental rate and royalties to be paid by the lessee. Conditions such a lease on diligent development and continued operation. Sets the lease term at 20 years, with unlimited extensions. Establishes an aggregate acreage limitation for leases held or controlled by one person at 51,200 nationwide. Prohibits the issuance of licenses or leases under this Act unless the lands contained in the licenses or leases have been included in Federal land-use plans prepared by the Secretary, or in the case of lands within the National Forest System, the Secretary of Agriculture, and license or lease issuance is compatible with the plan. Requires licensees and lessees to submit, as appropriate, either an exploration plan or a mining plan to the Secretary for approval prior to taking any action which may cause more than minimal surface disturbance under an exploration license or a lease issued under this Act. Establishes special licensing and leasing requirements and procedures for small miners. Defines a small miner as an individual engaged in mineral prospecting, exploration, or development operations alone or as part of a partnership composed of not more than three individuals, at the time rights are received under this Act. Stipulates that no corporation may qualify as a small miner or as a partner. Authorizes the Secretary to allow or, where the Secretary determines it is economically feasible, to require that a person holding a lease issued pursuant to this Act of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 extract and dispose of associated or related minerals other than the mineral deposit for which that person's lease has been issued. Requires that leases issued under this Act provide for the use of so much of the surface of the leased area as may be reasonably required for the actual extraction, removal, and processing of the mineral or minerals subject to the lease, upon such terms and conditions as the Secretary may require. Authorizes the Secretary, pursuant to the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, and the head of any Federal surface managing agency, under other applicable law, to lease other lands not included in a lease issued under this Act which are required to extract or process the leased mineral or minerals, upon payment of fair market value and upon such terms and conditions as may be prescribed. Directs the Secretary to issue regulations to insure that all prospecting, exploration, development, and production authorized by this Act are conducted in a manner that minimizes environmental damage to the maximum extent feasible, taking into account environmental and economic costs. Directs the Secretary to require: (1) that an appropriate reclamation plan be prepared and approved in advance of more than minimal disturbance to the surface; (2) that all license and lease areas be reclaimed as contemporaneously as practicable; and (3) that reclamation work be completed in accordance with applicable performance standards with reasonably prescribed time limits. Requires the Secretary to adopt performance standards with respect to open pit and underground mining and dams constructed for the impoundment of tailings. Stipulates that when the surface of an area otherwise open for prospecting, exploration, or leasing under this Act is owned privately, the Secretary shall consult with the surface owner prior to issuing a permit, license, or lease for those lands. Establishes standards for compensation of surface owners. Establishes regulations with respect to the filing of civil suits by persons having an interest which is or may be adversely affected by actions taken pursuant to this Act. Sets forth remedies and penalties for violation of this Act. Requires the payment of 50 percent of all receipts derived by the United States from licenses and leases issued under this Act to the States in which the leased land are located. Allows all persons with valid claims to lands affected by this Act to apply for a patent within two years of the date of enactment of this Act. Allows all other claimants within the same two years to convert their claims into exploration licenses. Prohibits the initiation of any claim under the Mining Law of 1872 and related Acts. Repeals all laws governing the issuance of leases for hardrock minerals on acquired lands, except as necessary to protect valid existing rights.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1977
Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to entitle members of Senate standing committees to express individual views in committee reports.
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 · 13 September 1977
Advisory Committee Termination Act - Amends the Federal Advisory Committee Act to abolish specified Federal advisory bodies.
United States · United States Congress · 9 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.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Deep Seabed Mineral Resources Act - Title I: Regulation of Exploration and Commercial Recovery by United States Citizens - Prohibits exploration and commercial recovery activities in the deep seabed by United States citizens except: (1) under a license or permit issued pursuant to this Act; (2) under an equivalent authorization issued by a reciprocating state; or (3) under international agreement. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to issue licenses for exploration and permits for commercial recovery in accordance with prescribed criteria. Stipulates that no permit issued under this Act shall authorize commercial recovery before January 1, 1980. Requires review of applicants by the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission for possible antitrust violations. Directs the Secretary to establish terms, conditions, and restrictions on licenses and permits issued under this Act. Authorizes modification of such terms where necessary to protect the marine environment. Establishes procedures for denial, proposed suspension and revocation of licenses or permits by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary, with the Secretary of Commerce (acting through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) to establish controls designed to minimize adverse environmental impact of developments authorized by this Act, and to prepare a programmatic environmental impact statement on exploration and commercial recovery. Stipulates that approval of any license or permit application shall be deemed to be a major Federal action for purposes of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Directs the Secretary to establish minimum reasonable expenditure requirements for exploration activities, and to specify a maximum time interval within which commercial recovery must commence. Imposes recordkeeping and disclosure requirements on all licensees and permitees. Establishes procedures governing designation of foreign nations as reciprocating states by the President. Title II: Transition to International Agreement - Stipulates that provisions of this Act not inconsistent with any subsequent international agreement shall continue in full force. Authorizes compensation to licensees and permitees for losses resulting from implementation of any such international agreement. Establishes a Deep Seabed Mining Fund in the Treasury for the payment of such compensation, to consist of funds collected from annual premiums paid by licensees and permitees. Title III: Civil Penalties and Criminal Offenses - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to Assess civil penalties up to $50,000 for each violation of the provisions of this Act or of the terms of any license or permit issued pursuant to this Act. Imposes criminal penalties of up to $250,000 for willful and knowing violations. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to submit an annual report to Congress on the administration of this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
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
Small Hydroelectric Power Projects Act - Amends the Federal Power Act to direct the Federal Power Commission to establish a program of grants and low-interest loans to assist in the development of small hydroelectric power projects by municipalities, electric cooperatives, industrial development agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other persons. Details procedures and eligibility criteria for such financial assistance programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000,000 per fiscal year for grants under this Act and $50,000,000 per fiscal year for loans under this Act, for each of the fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980. Revises licensing requirements to reduce the maximum annual charges for licenses involving Government dams issued after December 31, 1975, to $1 per kilowatt of installed capacity.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Electric Utility Tax Reform Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of a regulated public utility any amount, including any gain from the sale or transfer of certain property, derived by such utility from a regulated electric trade or business. Imposes on any purchaser of electrical energy from a public utility a tax in an amount equal to 0.04 of a cent per kilowatt hour so purchased.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1977
National Electrical Energy Reliability and Conservation Act - Title I: National Power Grid and Regional Bulk Power Distribution - Creates a National Power Grid Corporation to establish and operate a national power grid system consisting of electric power generating facilities and a system of high voltage transmission lines. Authorizes regional corporations to act as exclusive marketing agents for the national grid in designated regions of the country. Authorizes electric utilities, publicly or privately owned, to enter into agreements for services with the regional corporation. Imposes specified conditions on any such contract for the National Grid which may be sold. Directs the National Grid to carry out a program of research and development in the area of electric power generation and transmission giving preference to environmental protection and land use research priorities. Authorizes up to $250,000,000 per fiscal year to carry out such program. Requires that at least two percent of the annual revenues collected by the National Grid be channeled into research and development activities. Transfers specified Federal generating and transmission facilities to the Grid. Title II: General Provisions Applicable to National Grid and to Regional Corporations - Stipulates that each corporation shall be subject to Federal, State, and local environmental standards. Specifies the interests to be represented on the Board of Directors of such corporations, and their composition, terms of members, procedures for selecting the officers and employees of the corporations. Stipulates that the corporations shall have those powers conferred on nonprofit corporations pursuant to the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act and specified additional powers. Directs such corporations to at all times maintain complete and accurate books of accounts. Authorizes each corporation to issue and sell bonds for financing its activities, providing that the aggregate total of outstanding bonds shall not exceed $30,000,000,000. Authorizes each corporation to cause to be instituted condemnation proceedings against any lands or interests in land necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Requires each corporation to report annually to the President and provide for transmittal of such report to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 1977
Energy Industry Competition and Performance Act - Makes it unlawful for any major petroleum producer to acquire or retain any interest or control over any coal or uranium asset. Defines control as a direct or indirect legal or beneficial interest in, or direct or indirect legal power or influence over, another person, arising through direct, indirect, or interlocking ownership of capital stock, interlocking directorates or officers, or contractual relations which substantially impair the independent business behavior of another person. Requires each major petroleum producer who owns or controls any interest in any coal or uranium asset to file a report with the Federal Trade Commission listing its interest in such assets. Sets forth the procedure to be followed by each major petroleum producer for the divestment of its interest in such assets. Grants primary oversight jurisdiction to the Federal Trade Commission and specified enforcement powers to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Justice. Prescribes civil penalties for violations of this Act. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to report to the Congress on the extent to which the control of solar energy technology by major petroleum producers may be retarding the production of solar energy.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1977
Amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to provide that the land allocated to the Regional Corporation for the Southeastern Alaska Region may include land withdrawn for, but not selected by, the Corporation for the Village of Klukwan.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 1977
Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make certain corrections in the enrollment of H.R. 2 (Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act).
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 · 13 July 1977
Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments - Expands the applicability of the Federal Advisory Committee Act to advisory bodies created by specified agencies. Requires the President to maintain a list of all Federal advisory body members and their business affiliation. Requires charters and reports filed by such a body be made available to the public. Requires notice of advisory body meetings to be published in the Federal Register, including notice of closed meetings. Permits any person to challenge the appropriateness of closing any such meeting. Requires such bodies to report the receipt and disposition of any nonappropriated funds. Provides for judicial and administrative enforcement of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1977
Establishes the George W. Norris Home National Historic Site in the State of Nebraska.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1977
Natural Diversity Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to provide grants to the States for implementing State programs for maintaining landscape and other natural diversity with supporting biological data management systems. Requires each State to prepare a plan identifying, classifying, maintaining, and monitoring elements of natural diversity occurring within its boundaries in order to renew its grants. Directs each State to submit to the Secretary a priority list of sites which contain important elements of the State's natural diversity and which can be best protected through acquisition. Directs the Secretary to make matching grants for acquisition upon a finding that the site will contribute to the goals of this Act. States that the sites acquired by such grants shall be known as Diversity Preserves and that a registry of sites shall be maintained by the Secretary. Requires each Federal land management agency to establish a natural diversity program and biological data management system and to designate sites on Federal lands for entry on the registry. Directs the Secretary to prepare an annual summary assessment of the status of the nation's national diversity. Establishes the Federal Natural Diversity Office in the Department of the Interior and a technical advisory committee.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1977
Reclamation Lands Family Farm Act - Title I: Findings, Purposes, Definitions - States the purpose of this Act and defines terms used herein. Title II: Acreage Limitations and Equivalency - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, for purposes of administering the reclamation laws, to change the 160 acre limitation to 160 acres of class one land or its equivalent in lands of lesser productivity, provided that in no case such acreage exceeds 240. Permits each qualified purchaser to purchase 160 additional acres for each dependent. Title III: Excess Lands and Irrigation Rights - States that one year after the date of enactment of this Act water from any reclamation projects may only be delivered to project lands which comprise a family farm or which fall under specified categories. Provides for the disposition of excess reclamation project lands. Title IV: Repayment of Project Costs - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to stipulate in any water right contract that all rates and assessments to be paid by the contracting entity or individual landowners shall be renegotiated every five years. Title V: Leasing of Certain Excess Lands - Authorizes the Secretary to purchase excess lands to be leased to those family farmers unable to purchase lands in reclamation projects and to lease agricultural excess land owned by the Navy at Lemoore Naval Air Station to family farmers. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Adds miscellaneous provisions to this Act including a requirement that explanations of the programs of this Act be freely available to the public.
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 · 27 June 1977
Federal Computer Systems Protection Act - Makes it a Federal crime for a person to directly or indirectly access or cause to be accessed for fraudulent purposes a computer system affecting commerce or having a connection with a Federal agency or financial institution.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
States that the authority of the Comptroller General to have access to documents and other materials upon request under the Budgeting and Accounting Act, 1921, shall not be limited, with respect to the Department of Justice, to materials pertaining to the receipt and expenditure of public funds but shall extend to all such materials in the possession of the Department.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1977
Solar Energy for Homes Act - Authorizes the administrators of Federal housing programs, established under title II or III of the National Housing Act or (of) title V of the Housing Act of 1949, to increase the amount of loans made on single- or multi-family dwelling units by up to 20 percent where such increase reflects the cost of solar energy equipment. Amends the National Housing Act to authorize home improvement loans for the cost of acquisition and installation of solar energy systems.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1977
Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make and insure loans under such Act for the solar heating or cooling of residential structures on family farms.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 1977
Guarantees automatically any loan to a qualified veteran for the purchase and installation, of solar heating and/or cooling in a dwelling which he owns and occupies. Authorizes the Veterans' Administration to make loans for such purposes in certain circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1977
Radiation Health and Safety Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to develop and issue to the States criteria and minimum standards for the accreditation of educational institutions conducting programs for the training of radiologic technologists and medical and dental practitioners, hygienists, and assistants. Directs the Secretary to develop and issue to the States criteria and minimum standards for licensure of radiologic technologists. Directs that State and local governments be encouraged to minimize exposure of the public to radiation from all sources and establishes procedures for the adoption of appropriate standards. Allows the Secretary to make grants to States in an amount up to two-thirds of the first year and one-third of the second year costs of planning, developing, or establishing programs to carry out the provisions of this Act. Prohibits conducting activities contrary to this Act and subjects violators to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1977
Designates the Beartooth and Absaroka Primitive Areas, Montana as the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness within and as part of the Custer and Gallatin National Forests. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to manage such area.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1977
States that an individual or family, whose income is increased by reason of a general increase in monthly social security benefits, will not, because of such general increase suffer a loss of or reduction in the benefits the individual or family has been receiving under certain Federal or federally assisted programs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1977
Amends the American Folklife Preservation Act to authorize appropriations for fiscal years 1979, 1980, and 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 1977
National Agricultural, Range, and Forest Land Policy Act - Title I: Objectives - Declares that it is the policy of the Federal Government, in cooperation with State and local governments, to use all practicable methods to retain, protect, and improve agricultural, range, and forest land, to reduce its conversion to non-food-and-fiber producing uses, and to limit the encroachment of industrial activities. Title II: Research Program - Establishes an Agricultural Land Review Commission to study: (1) agricultural, range, and forest land in the United States; (2) the effects of industrial development, climate and other factors on the productivity of such land; (3) the acquisition of such land by persons not engaged in agricultural or forestry activities; (4) the impact of Federal, State and local laws and regulations on such land; and (5) methods of protecting and improving such land, and of reducing the amount of it being converted from agricultural and forestry uses to nonvital uses. Authorizes the Commission to make grants to institutes of higher learning to do research pursuant to its study. Requires the Commission to report its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture and to Congress. Terminates such Commission on September 30, 1982. Title III: Demonstration Programs - Authorizes the Secretary to pay up to 60 percent of the cost and to provide technical assistance to any State pilot project undertaken to demonstrate and test methods of reducing the amount of land being converted from agricultural, range, and forest uses to nonessential uses. Requires all such projects to be completed within five years after enactment of this Act. Directs the Secretary to report his findings, conclusions and recommendations to the President and to Congress. Title IV: Funding - Authorizes for Title II programs the appropriation of $8,000,000. Authorizes for Title III programs the appropriation of $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1978 through 1982.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 1977
Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 to abolish the Joint Committee on Congressional Operations. Requires the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate to (1) assist Members, committees, and officers of the Senate seeking personnel, furnish information with respect to office management procedures, and (3) identify and call to the attention of the Senate any court proceeding or action of vital interest to Congress or the Senate.
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
Declares a state of war against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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 Internal Revenue Code to impose an excise severance tax on coal and oil shale extracted within the United States, with a credit against the tax for similar taxes paid to local and State governments. Amends the Tariff Act to impose a countervailing duty on imported coal and oil shale.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1977
Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act - Title I: National Park System - Designates specified public lands in the state of Alaska to be included as units of the National Park System. Title II: National Wildlife Refuge System - Establishes specified areas in Alaska as units of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Title III: National Wild and Scenic Rivers System - Lists rivers in Alaska which shall be wild rivers for purposes of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Title IV: National Forest System - Authorizes the President to add specified lands to the Tongass and Chugach National Forest in Alaska. Title V: National Petroleum Reserve In Alaska - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to manage the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska in such a manner as to preserve subsistence lands for natives and to promote specified conservation objectives. Title VI: Designation of Wilderness Areas - Designates specified Alaskan lands to be included in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Title VII: General Administrative Provisions - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to designate subsistence management zones and to establish regulatory subsistence boards to further the preservation of subsistence lands for natives. Makes additional administrative provisions. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
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 · 4 May 1977
Natural Gas Industry Competition Act - Title I: Industry Competition - Makes it unlawful, five years after the date of enactment of this Act, for major producers, transporters, and marketers of natural gas to control any interest in other natural gas assets. Prohibits major producers, marketers, on transporters to own more than 50 percent of the equity in any such prohibited assets within three years of the date of enactment of this Act. Prohibits joint ventures and other agreements or arrangements designed to result in acquisition or retention of prohibited assets. Prohibits major producers, marketers, or transporters from making additional investments in prohibited assets. Requires filing of information and reports with the Attorney General by persons affected by this Act. Imposes criminal and civil penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act. Title II: National Energy Industry Competition Court - Creates a National Energy Industry Competition Court to have exclusive jurisdiction over all actions relating to this Act. Establishes procedures governing the operation of such court. Stipulates that decisions of such court shall be directly appealable to the United States Supreme Court.