United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1976
Condemns the murders of Orlando Letelier and Ronni Karpen Moffit and the serious injury of Michael Moffitt. Urges a complete and thorough investigation by Federal authorities of the circumstances surrounding the bombing.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1976
Expresses the Senate's gratitude to Mike Mansfield of Montana for his participation in the Government and his service on behalf of the Nation's people.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1976
Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to pay, upon application, female veterans of World War II and the Korean conflict certain educational benefits based on having a dependent spouse which were not paid to them, but would have been, if their entitlement to the benefits had been determined on the same basis as for male veterans. Allows such applications for payment to be filed one year from enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1976
Allows an income tax credit, not to exceed $500, for the amount paid for natural gas used on a farm for farming purposes which is solely attributable to the increase in the national sales rate ordered by the Federal Power Commission which was published in the Federal Register on August 9, 1976. Applies such provisions to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 1976
Grants a Federal charter to the American GI Forum of the United States. Declares that the purposes of such corporation shall be to: (1) preserve and advance the fundamental principals of democracy for all United States citizens; (2) secure and protect for veterans of the armed forces discharged from active service under less than honorable conditions, the rights and privileges granted to them by the Constitution and laws of the United States; (3) develop the leadership abilities of United States citizens of Mexican ancestry; (4) combat juvenile delinquency by encouraging participation in the Youth GI Forum program operated by the corporation; (5) assist students desiring to attend institutions of higher learning through the award of scholarships; and (6) assist needy and disabled veterans discharged from active service under less than honorable conditions. Stipulates the powers of the corporation. Grants the corporation the exclusive right to use the name American GI Forum of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 August 1976
Designates the extension of the Senate Office Building presently under construction pursuant to the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1973, as the "Philip A. Hart Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1976
Veterans' Disability Compensation and Survivor Benefits Act - Title I: Veterans Disability Compensation - Increases generally specified dollar amounts paid to eligible disabled veterans by the Veterans' Administration. Makes an additional payment available to veterans having a wife or child who is helpless or blind, or so nearly helpless or blined as to need or require the regular aid and attendance of another person. Title II: Survivors Dependency and Indemnity Compensation - Increases generally specified dependency and indemnity compensation amounts paid to widows of eligible veterans and to children of deceased veterans not leaving a widow. Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to carry out a detailed study of the dependency and indemnity compensation program. Title III: Other Disabled Veterans' Program Improvements - Increases the clothing allowance for specifified disabled veterans. Increases the maximum amount of mortgage protection life insurance the Administrator may issue for disabled veterans. Allows the Administrator to provide automobile adaptive equipment to disabled veterans from all wars rather than just wars since World War II. Authorizes the Administrator to pay the cost of transportation of deceased veterans who had service-connected disabilities to a national cemetery for burial. Title IV: Miscellaneous and Technical Amendments and Effective Date Provisions - Makes miscellaneous and technical amendments to title 38 (Veterans' Benefits) of the United States Code. Makes the provisions of this Act effective October 1, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1976
Directs the Secretary of the Senate to make corrections in the enrollment of the bill (S. 3201) to amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1976
Authorizes appropriations for grants to the Navajo Community College for fiscal years 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, and 1982, of $10,000,000 for construction costs. Authorizes appropriations of an annual sum for operation and maintenance of the college equal to the average amount of the per capita contribution made by the Federal Government to the education of Indian students at federally operated institutions of the same type.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1976
Allows an eligible veteran who is pursuing a program of education at the close of the ten-year delimiting period to continue to receive educational assistance until he completes such program; or until he ceases to pursue such program, whichever first occurs. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 1662(a))
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1976
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Interior to erect within the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, a monument in honor of James Larkin White. Authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out the provisons of this joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1976
Authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to perform such work as may be necessary to prevent further deterioration of historically significant sections of the Congressional Cemetery. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study for the purpose of formulating proposals for the renovation and maintenance of such areas by the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1976
Energy Conservation Act - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration to prescribe guidelines for the development and preparation of State energy conservation implementation programs. Requires that States be given an opportunity to participate in the drafting of such guidelines. Establishes eligibility criteria for State energy conservation implementation programs in order to receive Federal assistance under this Act. Imposes a preliminary requirement that the State establish a State energy conservation advisory committee to assist in the formulation of such program. Authorizes the Administrator to provide Federal financial assistance to States whose proposed energy conservation programs meet such criteria. Lists factors to be considered in determining the amount of such assistance. Stipulates that no State shall receive more than ten percent of the national total in each category of financial assistance. Authorizes the appropriation of the following sums to assist eligible State programs: $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, and $50,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980. Amends the Energy Conservation and Insulation of Buildings Act of 1976 to authorize additional appropriations of $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, $50,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1978 and 1979; and $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1980 to assist low-income persons under the provisions of such Act. Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to assist in the financing of energy conservation measures. Authorizes the appropriation of the following amounts for such assistance payments: $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, and $200,000, 000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980. Amends the Small Business Act to empower the Small Business Administration to make loans to small business concerns for implementation of energy conservation measures. Limits the total amount of such loans under the Act of $300,000,000. Stipulates that the total amount of such payments to lending institutions under the Act shall not exceed $60,000,000. Authorizes the Administrator to guarantee loans and other obligations issued to finance energy conservation measures consistent with the purposes of this Act. Limits the aggregate amount of outstanding guarantees under this Act to $10,000,000,000. Requires annual reports to the Congress on actions taken to implement the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1976
Treaty Powers Resolution - Expresses the sense of the Senate that any international agreement which involves a significant political, military, or economic commitment to a foreign country constitutes a treaty and should be submitted to the Senate for its advice and consent. Provides that the Senate may, by resolution, find that any international agreement hereafter entered into which has not been submitted to the Senate for its advice and consent constitutes a treaty. States that it shall not be in order to consider any bill or joint resolution or any amendment thereto, or any report of a committee of conference, which authorizes or provides budget authority to implement any international agreement which the Senate has found to constitute a treaty unless the Senate has given its advice and consent to ratification of such agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1976
Peanut Act - Provides, under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, for a national acreage allotment of not less than 1,247,000 acres for the 1977 crop of peanuts. States that the farm yield for such crop shall be determined on a basis equal to 96 percent of the average actual yield per acre on the farm for the three highest yield years out of the five years preceding the year such yield determination is made. Provides that if peanuts were not produced on such farm in at least three years of such five-year period, the Secretary of Agriculture shall have a yield appraised at 90 percent of the yields established for similar farms. Establishes a farm marketing quota for such peanut crop equal to the quantity determined by multiplying the farm peanut acreage allotment by the farm yield. Sets forth economic penalties for the marketing of non-quota peanuts or the marketing of peanuts in a larger quantity or higher grade or quality than could reasonably be produced from the quantity of peanuts or the grade acquired by handlers for marketing. States that only quota peanuts may be retained for use as seed on a farm and when so retained shall be considered as marketings of quota peanuts. Requires that all acreage planted to peanuts be measured and that the disposal of nonquota peanuts be supervised by area marketing associations designated pursuant to the Agricultural Act of 1949. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture under such Act to make price supports available to producers of the 1977 crop of peanuts through loans, purchases, or other operations on quota peanuts at a net level of not less than 70 percent of the parity price as of April 1, 1977, and on nonquota peanuts at not more than 60 percent of the loan and purchase level for quota peanuts or 90 percent of the estimated value of peanuts for crushing, export or both, whichever is lower. Directs the Commodity Credit Corporation to make warehouse storage loans available to marketing associations of specified producing areas which are selected and approved by the Corporation and which are operated primarily for the purpose of conducting such loan activities. Requires such associations to establish pools and maintain records by type for quota peanuts handled under loans and for nonquota peanuts produced within a contract between handler and producer. States that net gains on peanuts in such pool shall be distributed in proportion to the value of the peanuts placed in the pool by each grower. Provides that peanuts received under loan by such associations shall be offered for sale for domestic food and related uses. Sets forth the prices to be charged for such peanuts. Authorizes the sale for crushing or export of any peanuts received under loan which are not needed for domestic purposes. States that for the 1977 and subsequent crop of peanuts the Secretary shall permit the owner and operator of any farm for which a peanut acreage allotment is established to sell, lease, or transfer all or part of such allotment.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 1976
Solar Energy Act - Title I: Findings, Policy, Purpose and Definitions - Declares it the policy of the United States to reduce national reliance on crude oil imports as an energy source by demonstrating the reliability of solar energy generation facilities. Title II: Solar Energy Fiscal Year 1977 Suggested Budget Outlays for Operating Expenses, Plant and Equipment, and Construction - Recommends budget outlays for fiscal year 1977 in the following areas: solar heating and cooling, agricultural and industrial process heat, solar-thermal electric, photovoltaic, ocean-thermal, wind, solar crop irrigation, resource assessment and technology utilization, and other areas of solar energy research. Includes recommended budget outlays for specific projects. Title III: Responsibilities of the Administration - Amends the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to direct the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to: (1) insure, to the maximum extent possible, that procurement under such Act be on a cost-sharing basis with private business; (2) consult with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration before granting or contracting of any demonstration projects under the Act; and (3) report to the President and the Congress by September 30, 1977 on the integration of existing electric utility systems with decentralized solar-electric generation systems.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1976
Removes the time limits within which educational assistance furnished by the Veterans' Administration must be used. Makes eligible for educational assistance any veteran of World War II, the Korean conflict, the Cold War period, or the Vietnam era who: (1) was entitled to educational assistance under any law administered by the Veterans' Administration as a result of active service during such war, conflict or era; and (2) whose entitlement thereto terminated before the date of the enactment of this Act without the veteran concerned availing himself, or only in part using, any such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1976
Public Works Employment Act - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make additional grants in order to increase to 100 percent the Federal contribution to public works projects under other provisions of law. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States, localities, and Indian tribes for construction, renovation, repair, or other improvement of local public works facilities. Stipulates that the Federal share of such projects shall be 100 percent. Establishes priorities for consideration of applications for assistance under such programs. Stipulates that not less than one-half of one percent nor more than 15 percent of all amounts so appropriated shall be available for projects in any one State. Requires that grants be made only to assist those areas with an unemployment rate of 6.5 percent or greater. Authorizes the appropriation of $2,000,000,000 for the period ending September 30, 1977, to carry out such public works employment programs. Imposes the following limitations on appropriations for the purpose of making and guaranteeing loans, purchasing evidences of indebtedness, or paying interest subsidies under the Act: $55,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, $75,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, and $200,000,000 for fiscal year 1976. Authorizes the payment of interest subsidies of an amount sufficient to reduce the interest paid on guaranteed loans of up to four percentage points. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Commerce to initiate job opportunities programs in eligible areas. Prescribes additional criteria for selection of such programs for Federal funding, including such additional factors as the ability to create and maintain productive employment of a permanent nature without continued Federal funds. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to give priority consideration in the job opportunities program to those areas where unemployment exceeds the national average. Stipulates that not less than one-half of one percent nor more than 15 percent of all amounts authorized for the program shall be allocated to any one State. Authorizes States and localities to submit proposals for job opportunities programs in eligible areas. Directs the Secretary to give priority consideration to those projects originally sponsored by States and localities. Repeals limitations on the use of funds for job opportunities programs where non-labor costs exceeded 25 percent. Authorizes the appropriation of $350,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 for the job opportunities program, subject to the requirement that no further obligation of funds may be made if the national average rate of unemployment falls below 6.5 percent for three consecutive months. Stipulates that programs originally approved for Federal funds shall not become ineligible for continued assistance under the job opportunities program solely because of increased construction costs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1976
Black Lung Benefits Reform Act - Amends the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 to establish a rebuttable presumption that miners with 25 or more years of coal mine employment shall be entitled to receive benefits under provisions of the Act. Stipulates that claims for benefits may be filed with the Secretary of Labor after the enactment of this Act if the date of the last exposed employment of the eligible miner occurred before December 30, 1969. Stipulates that no claim for benefits shall be denied based on location or nature of employment. Stipulates that decisions by administrative law judges in favor of a claimant are not appealable, except upon motion of the claimant. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish a program designed to locate and assist individuals who are likely to be eligible for benefits under this Act. Stipulates that individuals so informed shall be eligible to file a claim despite previous failure to file within the specified time frame. Redefines the term "total disability" to prohibit use of the fact that a deceased miner was still a mine employee at the time of death as evidence that such miner was not totally disabled. Stipulates that criteria for determination of total disability shall not be more restrictive than disability insurance criteria listed in the Social Security Act. Requires that all claimants be given an opportunity for a complete medical examination by a physician of the claimant's own choice. Establishes a Black Lung Disability Insurance Fund in the Treasury of the United States. Sets forth provisions governing administration of the Fund. States that amounts in the Fund shall be available for making expenditures to meet the obligations acquired by the Fund, including the expenses of providing medical benefits. Requires coal mine operators to pay premiums into the Fund according to rates prescribed by the Secretary of Labor and based on the number of tons of coal mined by each operator. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for the initial operating expenses of the Fund. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures for prompt action on claims. Increases the amount of the award for delays beyond the 60-day period established by this Act. Stipulates that payments from the Fund to miners shall include the costs of medical care and services. Authorizes the appropriation of $2,500,000 for fiscal year 1976 for the construction and operation of clinical facilities. Transfers the Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation to the Department of Labor.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1976
Energy Conservation Research and Development Act - Declares it the purpose of this Act to establish an energy conservation program through the development of new technologies designed to reduce consumption by small energy consumers and organizations that influence energy consumption. Title I: State Energy Conservation Research and Development Institutes - Authorizes the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to assist the States in establishing and operating energy research, development, and demonstration institutes. Authorizes the expenditure of additional funds to the institutes for special projects which would not otherwise be undertaken, provided such funds are matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis by non-Federal sources. Lists requirements and qualifications for such institutes. Authorizes the Administrator to establish additional rules and regulations, and to encourage cooperation between the institutes and other organizations. Directs the Administrator to submit an annual progress report to Congress with regard to projects financed under this title. Title II: Cooperative Energy Conservation Extension Service - Directs the Administrator to submit to Congress a cooperative energy conservation plan, including the creation of a Cooperative Energy Conservation Service. Details requirements for such a plan, including a list of services to be offered by the Conservation Service. Requires congressional action before the plan becomes finalized. Title III: Authorizing Appropriations - Authorizes the appropriation of $100,000 to each State for the establishment of the institutes during fiscal year 1977. Authorizes $250,000 to each State for each of the fiscal years 1978 through 1980, inclusive, for such purposes. Authorizes the appropriation of the following sums for special energy conservation projects of such institutes: $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, $6,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, $7,000,000 for fiscal year 1979, and $7,500,000 for fiscal year 1980. Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1977 and 1978, for the establishment of the Cooperative Energy Conservation Extension Service.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1976
Denies the benefits of the foreign tax credit, under the Internal Revenue Code, to any taxpayer, or a member of a controlled group which includes the taxpayer, who is determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to have participated in or cooperated with the boycott of Israel, with respect to income, war profits, or excess profits taxes paid or accrued to any country which requires such participation or cooperation as a condition of doing business within that country. Denies DISC benefits to any DISC that the Secretary of the Treasury determines has participated in or cooperated with the boycott of Israel. Requires taxpayers with foreign sources within a country which requires participation in or cooperation with the boycott of Israel as a condition of doing business with or within such country to report such fact to the Secretary of the Treasury, who shall make a determination whether the taxpayer participated in or cooperated with the boycott of Israel for the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1976
Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration to make loans to small business concerns for the implementation of energy conservation measures undertaken to permanently modify an existing commercial building or industrial plant in order to: (1) reduce the amount of energy used and/or to shift to solar energy; and (2) cut energy and operating costs. Limits loans to the lesser of $25,000 or 75 percent of the cost of purchasing and installing equipment. Creates an energy conservation measures loan fund in the Small Business Administration. Sets an effective date for the commencement of the measures of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1976
Amends the Postal Reorganization Act to direct the United States Postal Service to hold a public hearing prior to deciding whether to close or consolidate any post office. Permits any person served by any post office which the Postal Service has decided to close or consolidate to appeal such decision to any court of appeals of the United States. Empowers a court of appeals to set aside or affirm an appealed determination but prohibits the court from modifying it. Removes the Postmaster General and Deputy Postmaster General from the Board of Governors of the Postal Service. Designates the Postmaster General head of the Postal Service. Requires appointment of the Postmaster General and Deputy Postmaster General by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets the salaries for such officials at specified Executive Schedule pay rates. Specifies the number of Assistant Postmasters General, and sets the salaries for such officials and other officers of the Postal Service. Repeals the authority of the Postal Service Board of Governors to direct and control the expenditures and review the practices and policies of the Postal Service. Delegates to the Postmaster General direct responsibility to transmit the annual report to Congress and the President concerning the operation of the Postal Service.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1976
Sets forth the basis for determining the fees to be charged for the commercial grazing of domestic livestock: (1) on public lands under the Taylor Grazing Act; (2) on government timberlands; and (3) within the national forest system.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1976
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize the appropriation of $7,000,000,000 for fiscal year 1977 for the construction of waste treatment works.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1976
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to select an appropriate site for the erection of a statue of Bernardo de Galvez, a gift of the Government of Spain. Specifies that the statue shall be erected on grounds now owned by the United States of America in the District of Columbia. Requires approval of the Commission of Fine Arts and the National Capital Planning Commission for the site selection and design of the statue. Stipulates that the erection of the statue and proper landscape treatment shall be without expense to the United States of America, except for necessary maintenance after completion.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1976
Law Enforcement Improvement Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to direct the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration to provide constructive leadership and direction in the formulation of federally funded State plans for law enforcement. Allows State and local judiciaries to establish their own planning committees to plan the judicial needs of the State, such committee to work closely with the State law enforcement planning agency in developing a judicial plan consistent with the State's overall comprehensive crime reduction plan. Entitles States to Federal grants for law enforcement purposes only if the comprehensive State plans include provisions for improving the availability and quality of justice and developing programs designed to prevent crime against the elderly. Authorizes cities, urban counties, or local government units to submit their own comprehensive crime reduction plans to the State planning agency for approval by such agency. Charges the Administration with the primary responsibility of evaluating the effectiveness of State plans it approves. Directs the Administration to fund State planning agencies for the purpose of funding the State's judicial planning committee if such committee has filed a multiyear comprehensive plan meeting specified requirements. Authorizes additional funds to areas characterized by high crime rates and serious court congestion. Removes the funding priority previously given programs to control riots and other civil disorders and grants priority to programs designed to reduce court backlogs and improve judicial efficiency. Directs the National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice to assist the Administration in its evaluation and assistance functions under this Act. Requires the Administration to establish rules and regulations to assure the proper auditing, monitoring and evaluation of programs funded under such Act. Extends the authorization for carrying out programs under such Act to 1978. Authorizes the Attorney General to establish an Advisory Board to the Administration to review programs for grants under such Act. Specifies subjects to be included in the Administration's annual report to the President and Congress, including its policies and priorities for reducing crime, its evaluation procedures, the number of State plans approved and disapproved, and the number of programs discontinued. Allows the Committees on the Judiciary in both Houses of Congress to conduct public hearings to review and examine the activities of the Administration. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are necessary, with specified limitations, for fiscal years 1976-1978 to carry out the provisions of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1976
Establishes a Senate Special Committee on Small Business and Federal Overregulation to conduct a study of the effects of Federal regulation on small business. Specifies that the study shall include an examination of the internal revenue laws and Federal programs affecting small businesses, and an examination of the burden on small businesses of filing forms with the Federal Government for the purpose of eliminating duplication. Authorizes the committee to employ personnel, hold hearings, and subpena witnesses and documents. Authorizes the expenditure of $300,000 by the committee to carry out the duties set forth in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1976
Federal Food Marketing Appraisal Act - Establishes a bipartisan National Commission on Food Costs, Pricing, and Marketing, consisting of five Members of the Senate, five members of the House of Representatives, and five members to be appointed by the President from outside the Federal Government. Requires the Commission to analyze and appraise the costs, pricing, functioning, and structure of the food marketing industry. Directs the Commission to make interim reports and to submit to the President and to the Congress a final report of its findings and conclusions within 18 months after the date on which funding commences. States that such report shall include treatment of (1) recent changes in the food industry; (2) the responsiveness of food prices to changes in farm-level prices; (3) the kind of food marketing system that would best achieve efficiency of production and distribution; and (4) the effectiveness of the present national policy with respect to the food marketing system. Sets forth the powers and administrative authority of the Commission. Authorizes appropriations of up to $2,500,000 to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1976
Increases from ten to 15 years the period during which veterans and wives and widows of veterans are eligible for educational assistance. Extends from eight to 15 years the eligibility period for wives and widows to pursue a program of education by correspondence. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 1662, 1712).
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1976
Requires the United States Postal Service to consider specified factors in determining the need for an existing third- or fourth-class post office. Sets guidelines relating to such determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1976
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire specified lands for addition to the Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico. Authorizes the appropriation of such funds as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1976
Energy Conservation Act - Directs the Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration to prescribe guidelines for the development and preparation of proposed State energy conservation programs. Stipulates that such guidelines be designed to allow States maximum flexibility and discretion in preparing such programs. Requires that States be given an opportunity to participate in the drafting of such guidelines. Authorizes the Administrator to provide Federal financial assistance to States whose proposed energy conservation programs meet specified Federal criteria. Stipulates that such assistance may be in the form of loan guarantees, interest subsidies, or grants. Lists factors to be considered in determining the amount of such assistance. Stipulates that no State shall receive more than 12.5 percent of the national total in each category of financial assistance. Establishes the following limits on financial assistance under this Act: (1) loan guarantees- shall not exceed an aggregate of $10,000,000,000 at any one time; (2) interest subsidies to residential and small business consumers-authorizes an appropriation of not more than $90,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, $180,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, and $360,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1979 and 1980; and (3) grants to States-$50,000,000 annually for fiscal years 1977 through 1980. Specifies the following criteria for State programs as a pre-condition of receiving Federal financial assistance under this Act: (1) limits the maximum term of loan guarantees or subsidies to 15 years or the anticipated useful life of any permanent facilities, whichever is shorter; (2) requires procedures for energy audits and distribution of resultant information to consumers; (3) requires incentives for the implementation of energy conservation measures by individual owners and tenants; (4) demonstration that such program is designed to achieve maximum energy savings in the shortest possible time; and (5) reasonable assurance that the financial interest of the United States will be protected. Authorizes States to encourage the development of energy conservation cooperatives of residential energy consumers as part of their energy conservation programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1976
Expresses the solidarity of the American people in efforts to enlarge human freedom by the participants in the second Brussels conference, February 17 to 19, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1976
Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to construct a replacement hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1976
Authorizes the President to issue a proclamation designating the week beginning May 9, 1976, as "National Small Business Week", in recognition of the achievements and contributions which small and independent family-farmers and business men and women have made to American society.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1976
Commodity Supplemental Food Program Act - Revises the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to pay to each State or local agency administering any commodity supplemental food program referred to as a supplemental feeding program under the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973, the administrative costs for such program in an amount not exceeding 20 percent of the total amount made available to such State or agency for such program in any fiscal year. States that, notwithstanding this limitation, the Secretary shall pay the total expenses necessary for successful operation of such program during the first 90 days after enactment of this Act or until the commodity supplemental food program reaches its projected caseload level, whichever is longer. Directs each State or local agency participating in such program to submit a report to the Secretary describing the manner in which nutrition education services are being provided to the recipients of food under such program. States that the payment of administrative expenses by the Secretary shall not be conditioned upon the submission of such report. Requires the maintenance in such programs of the types and varieties of commodities in the same proportional amounts which are currently available or which were available in the the 1974 fiscal year, whichever is greater. Directs the Secretary to require that specified foods be made available to recipients under such program. Allows such program to exist in the same area in which another food program is in operation if the State or local agency establishes safeguards to prevent households and individuals from participating in both programs. Prevents any State or local agency from prohibiting children under six years of age from receiving benefits under such programs if they are otherwise eligible to receive such benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1976
Disapproves the proposed deferral of budget authority (Deferral D/76-97) for Indian health facilities set forth in the special messages transmitted by the President to the Congress on January 23, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1976
Amends the Social Security Act to require skilled nursing facilities, under the medicare program, to have a licensed psychiatric nurse available, on at least a consultant basis, in order to furnish necessary psychiatric services, and to permit such nurses to perform specified medical and other health services which are performed by physicians. Amends the medicaid program of the Social Security Act: (1) to authorize payment for professional services furnished by a licensed psychiatric nurse; (2) to prohibit payment for services furnished by any intermediate care facility or skilled nursing facility which does not have a licensed psychiatric nurse available, on at least a consultant basis; and (3) to prohibit payment for inpatient services furnished by a psychiatric hospital unless such hospital provides to licensed psychiatric nurses the same staff privileges which are extended to physicians. Sets forth regulations governing the licensing of psychiatric nurses by the States under the medicaid program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1976
Increases the estate tax exemption under the Internal Revenue Code from $60,000 to $200,000 of the value of the gross estate. Increases the limitation on the aggregate marital deduction to 50 percent of the adjusted gross value of the estate, plus $100,000. Allows an executor to value farmland, woodland, and scenic open land at its current use value rather than at its fair market value.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1976
Synthetic Fuels Act - Amends the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 to authorize the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to guarantee loan obligations issued for the purposes of financing the constructional and operation costs of commercial demonstration facilities for: (1) the conversion of coal and other resources into synthetic fuels; (2) the generation of energy from renewable sources; (3) the development of energy-efficient industrial equipment; and (4) geothermal resource development. Requires the concurrence of the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to the conditions of any such guarantee. Prescribes limits for the total amount of outstanding indebtedness subject to Federal guarantees. Details conditions under which the Administrator may guarantee an obligation. Establishes procedures for consultation with affected States, localities and Indian tribes. Prohibits the making of Federal commitments where the Governor of the affected State is opposed unless there is an overriding national interest favoring such Federal action. Specifies procedures in the event of a default of any guarantee under this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to make financial payments to affected States, localities, and Indian tribes for the financing of essential community development and planning resulting from the construction of any facilities assisted by this Act. Requires full reports to Congressional committees on proposed Federal actions under this Act. Directs the Administrator to submit a comprehensive plan for energy productions and conservation demonstration programs to the Congress. Establishes a separate fund in the Treasury to finance the programs authorized by this Act. Makes funds from the Geothermal Resources Development Fund available for loan quarantees for geothermal resource development and demonstration projects.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1976
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income amounts received by an individual as a pension, annuity, or other benefit under a retirement system maintained by the United States or any agency thereof to the extent that such amounts do not exceed the maximum social security benefit for such taxable year. Defines the term maximum social security benefits to include the maximum amount of earnings which could be received by an individual entitled to old-age insurance benefits without a reduction in such benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1976
Amends the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 to stipulate that price controls shall not apply to the first sale of crude oil produced from domestic wells whose daily production of crude oil for the preceding year did not exceed ten barrels per well.