United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1978
Federal System Reform Act - Title I: Office of Intergovernmental Affairs - Establishes the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (OIA) in the Executive Office of the President to review and coordinate the administration of programs of grant assistance to State and local governments by Federal departments and agencies. Sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the Director of the OIA. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1979 through 1981. Title II: State Incentive Grants - Authorizes the Director to: (1) make grants to States to analyze State policies toward distressed local governments; and (2) make grants to those States which have changed such policies to improve the fiscal posture of the distressed local governments. Authorizes appropriations for making such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1978
Federal Assistance Paperwork Reduction Act - Title I: Administration of Generally Applicable Federal Assistance Requirements - Adds a new title to the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968. Defines "generally applicable requirements" as requirements which are placed on assistance recipients by Federal legislation or administrative rules and regulations, and which apply to two or more assistance programs. Directs the President to designate Federal agencies to establish standard rules and regulations for, and to report on the implementation of generally applicable requirements in the areas of: (1) labor practices; (2) equal employment opportunity; (3) public employee standards; (4) equal services requirements based on prohibitions of discrimination; (5) access to government information; (6) citizen participation; (7) environmental protection; (8) relocation and real property acquisition; and (9) procurement standards when such requirements are part of a Federal assistance program. Directs Federal departments and agencies to comply with those rules within 180 days after such a rule is issued. Creates the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to: (1) monitor the compliance efforts of Federal departments and agencies under this Act; (2) oversee the operations of the designated agencies; and (3) formulate a system by which Federal departments inform recipients of Federal assistance of the amount and purpose of that assistance. Title II: Advance Appropriations - Amends the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968 and the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 to provide for multi-year funding of Federal financial assistance programs. Title III: Joint Funding Simplification - Amends the Joint Funding Simplification Act of 1974 to require Federal agencies to take specified measures previously authorized by such Act to provide for joint funding by and management of Federal assistance programs which have common interests. Title IV: Administration of Financial Assistance to the States - Requires Federal agencies to provide the officials of a State or local government receiving Federal assistance with information concerning the amount, purpose, and impact of that assistance. Authorizes Congress to include in Federal assistance legislation a provision which prohibits a State or local government from using Federal assistance to replace funding previously provided by that government unless that government is determined to be in fiscal distress. Requires the President to designate Federal agencies to establish rules by which Federal departments determine requirements for Federal financial assistance. Establishes the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to oversee those agencies. Permits multi-year funding of Federal assistance programs, and provides for joint management of those programs serving common interests.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1978
Disapproves the determination of the Secretary of the Treasury, under the Tariff Act of 1930, transmitted to the Congress on June 13, 1978 (waives the imposition of countervailing duties on Canadian fish).
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1978
Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act - Extinguishes all claims by any Indian involving any transfer of lands or waters located within the State of Maine from, by, or on behalf of any Indian, including but not limited to, transfers pursuant to State statutes. States that the exclusive remedy for any such claimant shall be a claim against the United States as provided for in this Act. Stipulates that any Indian whose claim to occupancy, possession, or trespass was extinguished by this Act shall have the right to maintain an action against the United States for damages on the grounds that the transfers, when made, were in violation of the laws of the United States. Stipulates that the Court of Claims shall have exclusive jurisdiction to hear any claim and that a claim shall be barred unless filed within six years from the effective date of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 1978
Sets forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 1979. States that the recommended level of Federal revenues is $443,300,000,000 and the amount by which the aggregate level of Federal revenues should be decreased $29,200,000,000. States that the appropriate level of total new budget authority is $566,100,000,000 and the appropriate level of total budget outlays is $498,900,000,000. Establishes the appropriate level of the public debt at $853,800,000,000. Sets forth the appropriate level of new budget authority and the estimated budget outlays for each major functional category.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1978
Oil Spill Liability Fund and Compensation Act - Imposes liability for the illegal discharge of oil or other hazardous substances. Permits, as a defense to such liability, proof that the discharge was solely caused by an act of God, an act of war, negligence on the part of the United States, or an act or omission of a third party. Imposes liability for all costs incurred in cleanup, damages for economic loss or loss of natural resources, and other specified losses including direct or indirect loss of taxes, royalties, rental, or net profits due governments for a maximum of one year. Establishes limits to the liability of offending parties. Waives such limits upon a showing of willful negligence or failure to provide all reasonable cooperation with cleanup crews. Permits the President to establish maximum limits of liability in specified instances. Establishes, in the U.S. Treasury, an Oil Spill Liability Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to collect a fee, to be paid into the Fund, on all oil shipped to or from the United States. Provides for civil penalties for failure to pay or collect fees required by this Act. Permits the President, at any time the Fund is inadequate to meet its obligations, to issue notes or other obligations to cover such obligations. Directs the President to use the moneys in the fund to pay costs in excess of those assessed offending parties, to pay claims where the offending party is unknown, and for other specified purposes. Provides that payment of any claim by the Fund shall entitle the Federal Government to all rights of subrogation arising from such payment. Prohibits use of the Fund for damages caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct. Requires a showing of financial responsibility for specified vessels of over 300 tons gross weight. Provides for the seizure of oil or other hazardous cargoes found aboard vessels in navigable waters of the United States without proof of financial responsibility. Directs owners or operators of onshore or offshore facilities of a specified size to maintain evidence of financial responsibility. Imposes a fine of not more than $10,000 for failure to comply with such requirement. Preempts the establishment of similar funds by State or local governments. Provides for assistance to States for the development of cleanup facilities and personnel training. Repeals specified provisions of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act to transfer moneys of the liability fund therein established to the Oil Spill Liability Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Amends the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Act of 1968 to establish a Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship in Social and Political Thought at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars at the Smithsonian Institution. Establishes the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Trust Fund in the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1978
Civil Service Reform Act - Title I: Merit System Principles - Enumerates the principles of the merit system in the Federal work force. Prohibits the taking of personnel actions to discriminate against a Federal employee on such bases as race, religion, sex, age, or handicapping condition. Prohibits, generally, taking or influencing personnel actions for political or other nonmerit reasons. Title II: Civil Service Functions; Performance Appraisal; Adverse Actions - Abolishes the Civil Service Commission. Establishes within the Executive Branch the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to which the President is authorized to delegate authority for personnel management functions, and which, in turn, is authorized to delegate such authority to the heads of Federal agencies. Establishes the Merit Systems Protection Board made up of members appointed to seven-year terms who may be removed only for cause (as contrasted with the present Civil Service Commissioners who serve at the will of the President). Grants to the Board the power to subpena witnesses and evidence. Authorizes the Special Counsel of the Board to investigate complaints concerning personnel practices which violate this Act. Authorizes the Board to discipline violators by requiring removal, demotion, suspension, a fine up to $1,000, or by issuing a reprimand or barring the violator from Federal employment for up to five years. Authorizes the Special Counsel to investigate incidents of reprisal against employees who have lawfully disclosed agency violations of laws. Establishes new procedures for the appraisal of the performance of employees covered by this Act. Entitles any employee to 30 days' notice, a hearing attended by counsel, and a written decision if he is to be removed, or have his grade reduced, or pay a specified amount. Permits specified adverse personnel actions to be appealed to the Board. Requires appeals from Board decisions to be taken to the Court of Claims or a United States court of appeals. Requires such courts to sustain the Board's decision if supported by substantial evidence. Title III: Staffing - Authorizes agencies to accept voluntary uncompensated service by a student who does not displace a Federal employee. Authorizes agencies to make noncompetitive appointments of any disabled veteran with a 50 percent or more disability or who is enrolled in or has completed a course of job related training prescribed by the Veterans' Administration. Limits the veterans' preference for employment to a maximum of ten years following military separation for nonretirees and to a maximum of three years for persons who retired from the military below the rank of major or lieutenant commander. Provides for no such preference for persons retiring at or above such rank. Changes the nature of the preference in connection with a Federal reduction-in-force. Authorizes specified employees to retire before they are affected by a major reorganization. Authorizes agencies to retrain for positions in other agencies those employees whose positions are eliminated by a reduction-in-force. Title IV: Senior Executive Service - Establishes a Senior Executive Service which includes government managers classified above GS-15 and below Executive Level III who are not Presidential appointees and Foreign Service Officers of equivalent rank, provided such managers supervise employees or are responsible for the success of programs. Permits the transfer of a career Senior Executive to any Government agency. Directs the Office of Personnel Management to encourage Senior Executives to improve their skills by serving in a variety of agencies and by accepting placements in State or local governments or in the private sector. Authorizes agencies to grant such persons a sabbatical period of up to 11 months to be taken not more than once in any ten-year period to study or engage in uncompensated work experience. Provides for the periodic appraisal of Senior Executives. Authorizes the removal of career Executives for any reason during the first year of appointment as a Senior Executive and for less than fully successful managerial performance or misconduct anytime thereafter. Grants persons removed for reasons other than misconduct to be appointed to a Federal position outside the Service. Requires a Senior Executive to serve at the pleasure of the appointing agency and states that removal from the Senior Executive Service for less than fully successful performance does not constitute a disciplinary action and is, therefore, not appealable. Authorizes the Office of Personnel Management to name no more than 15 percent of active duty members of the Service to the rank of Meritorious Executive and not more than one percent of such persons to the rank of Distinguished Executive. Entitles persons receiving the Meritorious rank to a five-year stipend of $2,500 per year and persons receiving the Distinguished rank to a five-year stipend of $5,000 per year in addition to their normal salary. Authorizes the appointing agency to establish the pay rate for each member of the Service in such agency at a rate not to exceed a specified maximum. Authorizes each agency to pay a lump-sum performance award to not more than half of all Senior Executives employed by such agency of an amount not exceeding 20 percent of such Executive's annual salary. Entitles persons serving presently in positions to be designated as Senior Executive Service positions when this Act becomes effective to choose to convert to a Senior Executive Service appointment or remain in such position under the current pay system. Title V: Merit Pay - Requires the OPM to establish a merit pay system applicable to all managerial or supervisory persons related at grades GS-13 through GS-15. Limits the pay for such grades to the minimum and maximum rates for each such grade. Requires the OPM to determine the extent to which the annual pay adjustments for other civil service employees shall be permitted for employees in the merit pay system. Makes sums attributable to the difference between such allotted adjustments and the increases in pay which would have been allowed had such employees been entitled to the entire adjustment permitted other civil servants to be made available to the agencies for merit pay raises. States that the award of such merit pay raises may be made on the basis of individual as well as organizational performance. Authorizes agency heads and the President to make cash awards to such employees of up to $25,000 for contributions to the efficiency of Government Operations. Title VI: Research, Demonstration, and Other Programs - Requires the OPM to establish and maintain research and development projects concerning Federal personnel management. Authorizes the OPM to conduct and evaluate demonstration projects relating to personnel management issues such as recruitment, promotion, and employee discipline pursuant to a plan which is agreeable to the agency involved in such project. Requires such plan to be published in the Federal Register and submitted to a public hearing. Limits the size of such demonstration project to the involvement of not more than 5,000 employees. Limits the life of such a project to not more than five years. Title VII: Miscellaneous - Makes technical and conforming amendments. States that the powers of the President not expressly limited by this Act shall remain unaffected by the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Authorizes a $543,000,000 appropriation for reimbursing States for expenditures made with respect to services provided by such States under specified titles of the Social Security Act. Sets forth procedures and time limitations for making claims for reimbursement and maximums amounts which a State may receive for providing services under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Emergency Natural Gas Extension Act - Extends to February 15, 1978, the period in which the President may require emergency deliveries of natural gas under the Emergency Natural Gas Act of 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1977
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development should not implement the proposed reorganization of the field and insuring offices of the Department of Housing and Urban Development prior to the time when the appropriate committees of the Congress have had an opportunity to hold hearings on such reorganization.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 23 September 1977
Franchise Practices Act - Requires a franchisor to notify a franchisee at least 90 days in advance of the franchisor's intention to terminate the franchise, and to state the reasons for termination. Prohibits a franchisor from cancelling a franchise or failing to renew a franchise unless the franchisor is affecting a market area withdrawal or the franchisor has good cause for failure to renew and has given proper notice. Makes any franchisor who has violated the requirements of this Act civilly liable to the aggrieved franchisee.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Lobbying Disclosure Act - Declares that this Act shall apply to organizations making expenditures in excess of a specified amount for the retention of persons engaged in lobbying activities, to organizations employing at least one individual who spends an average of eight hours a week lobbying on behalf of such organizations. Requires each such organization to register with the Comptroller General. Specifies the content of such registration. Requires each such organization to maintain certain records and reports to be filed in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Comptroller General. Requires each such organization to file a report with the Comptroller General which (1) identifies such organization; (2) estimates the total direct expenditures made by such organization for lobbying communications and for salaries paid to individuals retained by such organization to lobby on its behalf; (3) identifies those individuals employed by such organization to lobby on its behalf and the issue which were the subject of such individual's lobbying effort; and (4) describes generally the ten issues which the organization estimates accounted for the greater proportion of its time spent in making lobbying communications. Sets forth the powers of the Comptroller General in procuring information necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act. Requires the Comptroller to issue advisory opinions with respect to the applicability of the recordkeeping registration, or reporting requirements of this Act. Sets forth the procedures for enforcement of this Act. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violation of this Act. Authorizes appropriations necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1977
Declares it the sense of the Senate that the Privacy Protection Study Commission should be commended for its report, "Personal Privacy in an Information Society," and that the Congress should implement the Commission's recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 4 August 1977
Sets forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for the fiscal year 1978. States that the recommended level of Federal revenues is $395,000,000,000 and the amount by which the aggregate level of Federal revenues should be decreased is $600,000,000. States that the appropriate level of total new budget authority is $501,200,000,000. Establishes the appropriate level of the Public debt at $778,200,000,000. Sets forth the appropriate level of new budget authority and the estimated budget outlays for each major functional category.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1977
Clean Water Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend through fiscal year 1980 the authorization of appropriations for (1) water treatment works pilot training programs; (2) the development of a system of forecasting the supply of and demand for water pollution control specialists; (3) grants for State pollution control programs; (4) scholarships, training grants and contracts in the field of water pollution control; (5) grants to designated agencies to assist in the development and operation of continuing areawide waste treatment management planning processes; (6) grants to the States for lake water improvement programs; and (7) the purposes of the Act other than those specified in (1) through (6) above. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to pay non-Federal costs of research projects in connection with approved State continuing planning processes. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to municipalities in order to defray operation and maintenance costs of approved water pollution control projects. Lists priorities for Federal assistance under the treatment works design and construction grant program. Authorizes the appropriation of $3,500,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, and $4,500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1978 through 1982, for the construction grant program. Specifies a formula for allotment of such funds to States. Authorizes the Administrator to develop a comprehensive program to provide sanitation services in Alaskan villages. Authorizes additional appropriations for a study of such program and for additional Alaska village demonstration projects. Revises procedures for allocation of grants for areawide waste treatment management programs. Authorizes Federal grants for the construction of privately owned treatment works where certified by an appropriate public body and where cost and environmental impact will be less severe than a collection and central treatment system. Authorizes the use of a single grant for the combined Federal share of planning and design along with building and construction costs in the case of treatment works with an estimated total cost of $3,000,000 or less. Authorizes the use of ad valorem taxes or other systems to satisfy the user charge system requirement for applicants for treatment works grants under the Act, in accordance with specified requirements. Authorizes the Administrator to reserve an amount not to exceed two percent of annual allotments to States under the construction grant program for administrative costs of such program. Authorizes use of percentage of funds for alternative or unconventional treatment works for States with large rural populations. Specifies that discharges from return flows from irrigated agriculture shall not be considered point sources pollution under the Act. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Soil Conservation Service, to establish a program for the control of nonpoint source pollution through contracts with rural land owners and operators. Authorizes the appropriation of $200,000,000 for fiscal year 1979 and $400,000,000 for fiscal year 1980 for such program. Revises grant eligibility criteria for Federal assistance for new and existing sewage collection systems. Prohibits grants for treatment works to control discharges from separate storm sewer systems. Stipulates that the Administrator shall modify 1983 best available technology standards for point sources with the concurrence of the affected States, where such modified requirements will not contravene applicable water quality standards, including applicable toxic or hazardous pollutants regulated under this Act or primary standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Authorizes modification of the secondary treatment requirement for municipal discharges where applicable water quality standards will not be contravened. Authorizes the Administrator to extend the deadline for the achievement of effluent limitations for public treatment works from July 1, 1977, until no later than July 1, 1983, where construction of treatment works cannot be completed to meet the 1977 deadline. Authorizes the extension of compliance dates up to July 1, 1985 for point sources utilizing innovative technologies with the potential for industry-wide application. Authorizes the appropriation of $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1979 through 1983 for interagency agreements designed to control nonpoint source pollution through implementation of areawide waste treatment management plans. Stipulates that pretreatment standards issued under such Act shall require at a minimum the application of the best available technology. Requires persons discharging pollutants subject to pretreatment standards to notify appropriate Federal State, and local officials, subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000. Authorizes the Administrator to extend July 1, 1977, best practicable technology standards for industrial point sources to January 1, 1979, if specified criteria are met. Revises requirements and limitations for oil spill liability imposed by such Act. Requires imposition of marine sanitation device standards under such Act requiring a minimum of secondary treatment for commercial vessels on the Great Lakes. Stipulates that Federal facilities shall be subject to State and local water pollution control requirements to the same extent as any other person. Authorizes States to administer permit programs for discharges from approved aquaculture projects. Imposes a system of automatic noncompliance fees upon point sources not meeting applicable standards by July 1, 1979, and January 1, 1984. Establishes criteria to determine the amount of such fee, which shall be incorporated as a condition of the permit for operation of each point source. Establishes procedures and criteria for approval of State permit programs to control discharges of dredged or fill material. Requires development of procedures for control of dredge or fill material designed to protect wildlife, aquatic resources, and wetlands, as part of each areawide waste treatment management plan. Directs the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Fish and Wildlife Service, to consult with and assist State agencies in developing continuing areawide waste treatment management planning processes. Authorizes the appropriation of $6,000,000 to the Secretary to complete the National Wetland Inventory by December 31, 1978, and to make information from such survey available to assist in the development of such plans. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to report to Congress on the states of (1) combined sewer overflows in municipal works treatment systems and (2) use of sewage effluent and sludge for agricultural and other purposes that utilize the nutrient value of such material.
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 · 13 June 1977
Directs the printing as a Senate document of "Compendium of Materials on Zero-Base Budgeting in the States," prepared by the Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1977
Grants a Federal charter to the National Ski Patrol System, Incorporated. Declares that the purpose of such corporation is to promote public safety in skiing.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1977
Authorizes the expenditure of funds, not to exceed $1,614,300, for hearings and investigations by the Senate Committee on the Budget, from the contingent fund of the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 1977
Customs Paperwork Simplification Act - Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to raise the resident tariff exemption on items imported for personal use or gifts to $300. Raises to $500 the value of merchandise which can be imported by mail.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1977
Authorizes the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to provide for radio and television coverage of proceedings in the Senate Chamber during the second session of the Ninety-fifth Congress. Directs the Committee to maintain videotapes and recordings of such coverage to be made available to public and commercial broadcasting stations. Directs the Committee to compile a daily written summary of Senate proceedings to be made available to the news media and to Senate Members, officers, and committees.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1977
Sets forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 1978. States that the recommended level of Federal revenues is $395,600,000,000 and the amount by which the aggregate level of Federal revenues should be decreased is $18,200,000,000. States that the appropriate level of total new budget authority is $497,400,000,000. Establishes the appropriate level of the public debt at $799,800,000,000. Sets forth the appropriate level of new budget authority and the estimated budget outlays for each major functional category.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1977
Amends the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 to establish a procedure for filling any vacancy on a regional fishery management council from a list of qualified individuals provided by the Governor of the State in which such vacancy occurs. Requires such list to be submitted within twenty days after such vacancy occurs, and requires the Secretary of Commerce to fill such vacancy within twenty days after receipt of such list.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Amends the Maritime Academy Act of 1958 to increase the subsistence payments to students at State maritime academies from $600 to $1200 per academic year.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt certain corporations substantially owned by members of two or three families from the requirement that corporations engaged in farming use the accrual method of accounting.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1977
Declares it the sense of the Senate that the President of the United States (1) should propose an immediate suspension of underground nuclear explosions to remain in effect so long as the Soviet Union abstains from conducting underground explosions, and (2) should set forth promptly a new proposal to the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and other nations for a permanent treaty to ban all nuclear explosions.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1977
Department of Education Act - Establishes an executive department to be known as the Department of Education to be administered by a Secretary of Education. States that the principal function of such Department is to promote the cause and advancement of education throughout the United States. Transfers to the Secretary specified functions of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and the Commissioner of Education, and various educational responsibilities of other Federal agencies and instrumentalities. Creates the Federal Interagency Committee on Education and the National Advisory Commission on Education. Redesignates the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, and the Secretary of such Department, as the Department of Health and Welfare, and the Secretary of Health and Welfare.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1977
Solar Air Rights Act - Declares that the heating and cooling of buildings accounts for a significant portion of the consumption of oil, natural gas, coal, and electric power in interstate commerce, and that the use of solar heating and cooling equipment reduces reliance on natural resources. Prohibits State and local laws which permit the construction of buildings or other obstructions which would interfere with the amount of sunlight necessary for the operation of solar heating and cooling equipment in buildings. Declares that State and local laws which are not inconsistent with the purposes of this Act are not preempted by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1977
Federal Program Information Act - Creates a Federal Program Information Center to establish and maintain a computerized program information system which is capable of identifying all existing Federal domestic assistance programs. Specifies the required contents of the data base of such system, including the identity, description, and eligibility requirements of each such assistance program. Requires the Director of the Center to publish an annual catalog containing all information on Federal domestic assistance programs that is in the data base of the system. States that information in such data base and the catalog prepared pursuant to this Act shall be made available to the public at a reasonable price.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1977
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 to redefine the term "navigable waters" as it applies to regulation of discharges of oil and hazardous substances and to regulation of marine sanitation devices to include the belt of seas extending 197 nautical miles from the outer limit of the territorial seas. Stipulates that such boundary shall be reduced to a line equidistant between the United States and a foreign nation where such line of equidistance between the two countries is less than 200 miles. Authorizes the Attorney General to initiate class actions to recover private claims arising from discharges of oil and hazardous substances. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to act as trustee of the natural resources of the navigable waters in recovering damages caused by oil or hazardous substances in accordance with prescribed criteria in assessing the amount of such damages.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1977
Amends the Ports and Waterways Safety Act of 1972 to establish a 200-mile marine pollution control zone to which the provisions of such Act shall apply. Stipulates that such zone shall be reduced to a line equidistant between the United States and a foreign nation where such line of equidistance between the two countries is less than 200 miles. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish standards of performance for all vessels in order to protect the waters of the United States and the marine pollution control zone. Authorizes the Administrator to request the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating to review vessel design standards if inadequate to meet such standards of performance. Directs the Secretary to review standards applicable to United States-flag vessels engaged in coastwise trade. Authorizes the imposition of stricter standards by the Secretary and the Administrator with respect to such vessels as compared to those standards applicable to other vessels.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1977
State of Maine Aboriginal Claims Act - Recognizes the prior conveyances of title and interests in lands and waters now comprising the State of Maine made by the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Indian Tribes as valid and binding. Limits the relief which may be granted as a result of claims arising out of the allegedly wrongful loss of aboriginal title rights in Maine by these tribes to monetary damages. Transfers all cases involving this Act to the United States District Court for the District of Maine.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for rural health clinic services pursuant to program of Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for the aged and Disabled of such Title.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1977
Authorizes the Attorney General, in his discretion, in the case of any alien who is a native or citizen of Vietnam, Laos, or Cambodia and who has been inspected and admitted or paroled into the United States, to adjust the status of such alien to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Sets forth conditions for the granting of such adjusted status. Applies this Act to the resident spouse and children of any alien whose status is changed pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1977
Solar Energy Government Building Act - Title I: Solar Hot Water and Space Heating Program for Federal Building - Directs the Administrator of General Services to establish a solar hot water and space heating devices in 15,000 federally owned buildings within six fiscal years following the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the Administrator to annually survey Federal buildings to determine those most suitable for the installation of solar hot water and space heating devices, considering geographic distribution and life-cycle cost evaluations in making such determination. Directs the Administrator to report annually to Congress on the status of the Program, including recommendations for future funding levels necessary to fully implement the six-year target set forth in this Act. Establishes an Advisory Committee on the Solar Energy Government Building Program of specified Government executives to assist the Administrator in the establishment and conduct of the Program. Authorizes the appropriation of $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1978 through 1983 for the purposes of this title. Title II: Federal Photovoltaic Utilization Program - Establishes a Federal Photovoltaic Utilization Program for the annual acquisition and use of photovoltaic solar electric systems, primarily for use by the Department of Defense. Directs the Administrator of General Services to administer the program with the assistance of the Secretary of Defense. Directs the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to establish a photovoltaic system evaluation and purchase program to insure that such systems reflect the most advanced, low-cost technology. Authorizes the appropriations of $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1978 through 1982 for design and engineering aspects of the program. Authorizes the appropriation of $100,000,000 for photovoltaic system acquisition in fiscal year 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1977
Sets forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 1977. Provides that the recommended level of Federal revenues is $346,800,000,000 and the amount by which the aggregate level of Federal revenues should be decreased is $9,700,000,000. States that the appropriate level of total new budget authority is $467,000,000,000. Establishes the appropriate level of the public debt at $718,300,000,000. Sets forth the appropriate level of new budget authority and the estimated budget outlays for each major functional category.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1977
Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to provide for the establishment of escrow accounts for taxes and insurance by borrowers for farm housing.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1977
Public Official Integrity Act - Title I: Amendments to Title 28, United States Code - Requires the Attorney General to investigate all specific allegations of criminal law violations by specified individuals, including the President, Vice President, persons in the Executive branch compensated at a rate of pay prescribed for positions I and II of the Executive Schedule, and any national campaign manager or chairman of any national campaign committee seeking the election or reelection of the President. Requires the Attorney General to decide within 60 days whether the matter warrants prosecution and if so, directs him to apply to the division of the U.S. Courts of Appeals responsible for the appointment of a special prosecutor. Requires the Attorney General to apply for the appointment of a special prosecutor whenever, in the course of any criminal investigation, he determines that the continuing investigation or resulting prosecution may so directly and substantially affect the political or personal interests of the President or the Attorney General or the interests of the President's political party as to make it inappropriate in the interest of the administration of justice for the Department of Justice to conduct such investigation. Enumerates the authority and duties of a special prosecutor. Gives a special prosecutor all the investigative and prosecutorial functions and powers of the Department except those which specifically require the Attorney General's personal action. Requires a special prosecutor to report annually to Congress and at the conclusion of such special prosecutor's duties to the division of the court. Requires a special prosecutor to promptly advise the House of Representatives of any substantial and credible information which may constitute grounds for an impeachment. States that a special prosecutor may only be removed from office by impeachment and conviction, or by the Attorney General for extraordinary improprieties, malfeasance in office, willful neglect of duty, permanent incapacitation, or conduct constituting a felony. Permits the division of the court to terminate an office of special prosecutor at any time on the grounds that the investigations and prosecutions of such prosecutor have been completed. Requires the chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to assign three judges or justices for two-year periods to a division of the Court to be the special panel of the court for the appointment of special prosecutors. Terminates the provisions of this Act which pertain to a special prosecutor five years after the date on which this Act takes effect. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to be held by the Department as a contingent fund for the use of any special prosecutor appointed pursuant to this Act. Requires the Attorney General to promulgate rules requiring any officer or employee of the Department, including a United States Attorney, to disqualify himself from participation in a particular investigation or prosecution if such participation may result in a personal, financial, or political conflict of interests or the appearance of such conflict. Establishes within the Department an Office of Government Crimes to be directed by a person appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and who has not, during the five years preceeding such appointment, held a high-level position of trust and responsibility on the personal campaign staff of, or in an organization or political party working on behalf of, a candidate for any elective Federal Office. Confers upon the Office jurisdiction over: (1) criminal violations of Federal law related to his Government position, employment, or compensation, by any individual who holds or who held a position as an elected or appointed Federal Government officer, employee or special employee; (2) criminal violations of Federal laws relating to lobbying, conflicts of interest, campaigns, and election to public office committed by any person except insofar as such violations relate to matters involving discrimination or intimidation on the grounds of race color, religion or national origin; (3) the supervision of investigations and prosecutions of criminal violations of Federal law involving State or local government officials or employees; and (4) such other matters as the Attorney General may deem appropriate except as to matters referred to the special prosecutor pursuant to this Act. Requires the Attorney General to report annually to Congress on the activities of the Office. Title II: Congressional Legal Counsel - Establishes as an office of Congress, the Office of Congressional Counsel headed by a Congressional Legal Counsel. Makes the office directly accountable to the Joint Leadership Group established under this Act. Directs the Office to defend Congress, a Member, officer, or employee of Congress, or any agency or committee of Congress in a civil action which arises from performance of official duties if so authorized by a two-thirds vote of the Leadership Group of the relevant House or Houses or by a majority vote of the relevant House or Houses of Congress. Directs the Office to bring a civil action to enforce a Congressional subpoena if authorized to do so by a majority vote of the appropriated House. Directs the Office to represent the interests of Congress as intervenor or amicus curiae in a suit in which Congress is not a party if authorized by the appropriate House, in the event such appearance or intervention is in the name of one House, or by both Houses in the event that such appearance or intervention is in the name of the entire Congress. Authorizes to be appropriated for each fiscal year through fiscal year 1982, such sums as may be necessary to enable the Office to carry out its duties and functions. Provides that until such sums are first appropriated, for a period of up to 12 months, the expenses of the office shall be paid from the contingent fund of the Senate. Title III: Government Personnel; Financial Disclosure Requirements - Declares it to be the policy of the United States that there be uniform requirements for full public financial disclosure by high-level officers and employees of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of the Government. States that such financial disclosure requirements shall not be inconsistent with the public financial disclosure requirements contained in the Code of Official Conduct adopted by the Senate.
![Official portrait of Sen. Muskie, Edmund S. [D-ME]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m001121_200.jpg)