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United States · Official source
4,376 records where Sen. Riegle, Donald W., Jr. [D-MI] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1977
Authorizes and requests the President to designate the third week of July 1977, 1978, and 1979, as "National Architectural Barrier Awareness Week."
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1977
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that the duty to bargain collectively includes bargaining with respect to retirement benefits for retired employees.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1977
Declares it the sense of Congress that Galina and Olga Michelson should be granted exit visas by the Soviet Union.
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
Permits a certain individual to be admitted to the United States for permanent residence if such individual is found to be otherwise admissible under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1977
Declares two individuals lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
Entitles the surviving or successor entity of a certain company to continue to use the word "Federal" in its new name, in the event of any reorganization, merger, or consolidation.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1977
Requires the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Chief of Naval Operations, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force to keep the Secretary of the military department of which such individual is a member, fully and currently informed on matters considered or acted upon by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1977
Saccharin Study, Labeling, and Advertising Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to conduct a study to assess (1) current technical capabilities to predict the toxic or carcinogenic effect on humans of substanced which have induced cancer in animals; (2) public health benefits and risks of food containing such substances; (3) existing means of evaluating such benefits and risks, and the validity of such analysis; (4) instances in which restrictions on such substances do not accord with benefit-risk analysis; and (5) the relationship between Federal regulatory policies concerning the use of such substances for food and nonfood purposes. Directs the Secretary to request the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, or other public or private nonprofit organizations, to conduct the study. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of saccharin and other nonnutritive sweeteners to determine (1) any impurities in saccharin; (2) the toxic and carcinogenic effects of such impurities; and (3) the health benefits of saccharin and other nonnutritive sweeteners. Requires the Secretary to complete both studies within one year and submit the results to the Senate Committee on Human Resources and the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce within 30 days of such completion date. Prohibits the Secretary from restricting (except for labeling requirements allowed under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act) the sale or distribution of saccharin or any food, drug, or cosmetic containing saccharin for eighteen months, unless the Secretary determines that saccharin presents an unreasonable and substantial public risk. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to deem a food containing saccharin misbranded if it is (1) without a specified warning conspicuously placed on the label or package; (2) sold in a vending machine without such statement conspicuously displayed on the machine; (3) sold at a retail establishment not having prominently displayed near such food a statement prepared by the Secretary including information on the current state of knowledge concerning saccharin; (4) advertised in any electronic communications medium subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications Commission without such advertisement having all the information necessary for a retail establishment statement; and (5) advertised by written communication without the specified warning, conspicuously located in the advertisement.
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 · 21 June 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Provides for the representation of the District of Columbia in the Congress. Authorizes the election of two Senators and the number of Representatives in the House to which the District would be entitled if it were a State. Provides that this Amendment shall have no effect upon the present system for selecting the number of electors for President and Vice President to be appointed for the District.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1977
Rehabilitation Extension Amendments - Amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to set the authorization for appropriations for State grants for vocational rehabilitation services at the previous year's authorization adjusted by fluctuations in the Consumer Price Index. Extends through fiscal year 1983 the authorization for appropriations for the following purposes: (1) innovation and expansion grants, (2) vocational rehabilitation personnel training, (3) construction and staffing of rehabilitation facilities, (4) the study of comprehensive service needs, (5) vocational rehabilitation service grants, (6) special projects and demonstrations, (7) the National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults, (8) program evaluations, and (9) the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 1977
Amends Titles XVIII (Medicare) and XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include within the coverage of those Titles services rendered by a nurse-midwife. Defines the term "nurse-midwife" to mean a registered nurse who has successfully completed a prescribed course of study or who has been certified by a recognized organization, and who performs services in the care of mothers and babies throughout the maternity cycle.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1977
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to extend until September 30, 1978, the period of time during which sums made available to States between January 1, 1975, and March 1, 1975, for the construction of treatment works, shall remain available.
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 · 9 June 1977
Amends the Truth in Lending Act to redefine the term "open end credit" for purposes of disclosure requirements. Augments the authority of the Federal Trade Commission to enforce the requirements of the Truth in Lending Act by deeming violations to be unfair or deceptive practices for purposes of the Federal Trade Commission Act regardless of jurisdictional tests contained in such Act. Permits any agency having jurisdiction over an original creditor in a proceeding involving the right to recission to join to the proceeding any subsequent assignee for purposes of enforcing such right. Extends aggrieved consumers a right of action in Federal district courts in order to enforce the right to rescind. Tolls the three-year limitation on the enforcement of the right of rescission if any administrative agency institutes a formal proceeding regarding recission within that period. States that the notice of billing required under the Fair Credit Billing Act shall list the type of errors which a consumer is entitled to dispute. Requires creditors to make a good faith effort to refund credit balances due consumers if such amount remains in the account for over six months.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide heads of households with the same zero bracket amount (i.e., standard deduction) previously available to married persons.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1977
Amends the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to require that the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration notify legislatures of affected States of plans to explore sites for radioactive waste storage facilities. Prohibits the Administrator from contracting for construction of any such facility at a site where the State legislature has indicated its disapproval.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1977
National Center for the Handicapped Act - Establishes a National Center for the Handicapped within the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Places general supervision of the Center in a Board of Trustees and an Administrator and sets forth the terms of their appointment, responsibilities, and compensation. Directs that the Center consist of education, research, and service components. Directs the Center to perform specified functions, including: (1) developing educational programs and teaching employment skills to the handicapped; (2) developing programs and providing training for educational and rehabilitation staff personnel; (3) developing and implementing programs for the severely handicapped; (4) conducting research and evaluating new techniques in education, training, and placement of the handicapped; (5) providing information services; (6) identifying areas of employment available to the handicapped; and (7) operating model educational and rehabilitation centers. Authorizes the Center to (1) hire additional personnel; (2) receive, sell, or use donated or bequeathed money and property; (3) prescribe regulations; (4) hold hearings; (5) appoint task forces and study committees; (6) secure information from any Federal agency, State, or local authority; (7) obtain the services of experts and consultants; (8) utilize noncompensated personnel and reimburse them for travel expenses; (9) enter into contracts and grants; (10) lease land, office space, and other facilities; and (11) make other necessary expenditures. Requires the Center to submit annual reports to the President and to the Congress beginning with fiscal year 1978. Authorizes the appropriation of $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 and up to $60,000,000 for each succeeding fiscal year to carry out the provisions of this Act. Deems the Act effective upon date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that State and local government retirement systems shall be tax exempt organizations. Exempts those systems from the reporting requirements pertaining to deferred compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1977
White House Conference on Energy Conservation Resolution - Requests the President to convene a White House Conference on Energy Conservation as soon as practicable, but not later than December 31, 1978. Establishes a National Energy Conservation Planning and Advisory Council to plan and conduct the Conference. Directs the Council to prepare and submit a final report to the President and to transmit recommendations for administrative and legislative action to the President and the Congress. Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000 to carry out this resolution.
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 · 19 May 1977
Grants a Federal charter to the National Ski Patrol System, Incorporated. Declares that the purpose of such corporation is to promote public safety in skiing.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Restores a certain individual to the same status as that which existed immediately prior to his loss of United States citizenship.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, and $5,000,000 for each of the four succeeding fiscal years for grants to the States for the establishment and expansion of veterans cemeteries owned by the States. Sets forth the conditions under which grants may be made to the States under this Act. Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to make payments, for the calendar year 1978 and each calendar year thereafter, to the States for the interment of veterans and for the maintenance of State veterans' cemeteries. Requires the Administrator to conduct biennial surveys to determine the reasonable cost of interment and perpetual care maintenance for the purposes of payment under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Authorizes and requests the President to designate October 9, 1977, through October 15, 1977, as "National School Bus Safety Week."
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 1977
Declares a state of war against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1977
Water Resource Development Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Farmers' Home Administration, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to guarantee specified State, local, or other public agency bonds issued to finance water resource facilities. Limits the aggregate amount of such guarantees to $5,000,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1977
Admits a certain individual to the United States for permanent residence on specified conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1977
Toxic Substances Control Act Amendments - Title I: Toxic Substances Injury Assistance - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to States for up to 75 percent of the amounts paid by such States in toxic substances injury assistance to qualified individuals and business. Stipulates that priority shall be given in granting assistance to actions principally involving polybrominated biphenyls. Imposes conditions upon applicants for assistance under this title. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States for the establishment and operation of medical programs designed to monitor adverse effects of chemical substances. Authorizes the Administrator to make payments to individuals for actual medical expenses incurred as a result of exposure to injurous chemical substances. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1977, 1978, and 1979, to the Administrator for grants and payments under this title. Title II: Chemical Emergency Response Team - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish and maintain a Chemical Emergency Response Team within the Agency. Requires that the team be able to respond rapidly to situations where significant threats to health as the environment are posed by chemical substances. Directs the Administrator to develop a contingency plans detailing procedures to be utilized in prevention or mitigation of unreasonable risks posed by chemical substances. Establishes additional procedures governing the operation of the response team. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States for the development of State contingency plans to prevent or reduce risks posed by chemical substance emergency situations. Details elements to be included in State contingency plans. Increases the amount authorized for grants to State programs under the Act from $1,500,000 to $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1978 and 1979. Title III: Authorization for Appropriations - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to increase the amounts authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under such Act to $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 and $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1979.
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 · 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 · 10 May 1977
Senate Administrative Reorganization Resolution - Establishes within the Senate the Administrative Office of the Senate to be headed by an Administrator of the Senate appointed by the Administrative Council. Establishes an Administrative Council of the Senate to supervise the Administrator and review the plans and recodifications submitted by the Administrator. Requires the Administrator to maintain all administrative and support service and facilities delegated to such individual, and to review existing systems and prepare a recodification of the laws, rules, and standing orders of the Senate relating to administrative services and facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 1977
Economic Impact Act - Amends the Employment Act of 1946 to authorize the Joint Economic Committee to analyze all bills introduced into Congress which authorize expenditures in excess of specified amounts, or which the Committee determines will affect employment, price levels, State expenditures, or Federal Government receipts in order to determine the economic impact of such bills.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1977
National School Lunch Act and Child Nutrition Act of 1966 Amendments - Amends the National School Lunch Act to authorize the appropriation of such sums as are necessary for fiscal years 1977 through 1982 to enable the Secretary of Agriculture to maintain the program of assistance to States in providing nonprofit food service programs for children in day care and recreation centers during the summer months. Directs the Secretary to assist States in the development of information and technical assistance to encourage greater utilization of meals prepared at the facilities of sponsors or schools. Establishes a fund to aid sponsoring institutions offering federally subsidized food service year round in the purchase of equipment to enable such institutions to create or expand onsite meal preparation. Entitles institutions demonstrating adequate administrative and financial responsibility and meeting appropriate eligibility criteria to participate in the program. Permits the Secretary to develop guidelines for site size limitations to promote quality food service programs. Sets forth priority criteria to be utilized in determining sponsorship where more than one institution seeks to serve the same area. Stipulates that residential camps can only be reimbursed for meals served to children eligible for free or reduced price meals under the National School Lunch Act and Child Nutrition Act. Specifies the amounts of Federal assistance that can be made available to sponsors for food service operations. Directs every sponsor when applying for the program to submit a complete budget for administrative costs related to the program. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the food service operations carried out under the National School Lunch Act. Specifies various factors that must be taken into consideration in such study. Requires the Secretary to make any necessary changes in the reimbursement levels for operations costs pursuant to such study. Directs the Secretary to analyze the administrative expenditures to sponsors participating in the program and prescribe maximum levels of reimbursement of such expenditures. Requires the Secretary to report his findings and recommendations to Congress. Makes financial assistance available to sponsors only for meals served during the months of May through September with certain exceptions made for sponsors developing programs to cover children on school vacations. Directs the Secretary to forward advance payments to each State. Sets forth a formula for determination of the amounts of such advance payments. Requires sponsors receiving funds under such Act to serve meals containing a combination of foods and meeting prescribed nutritional standards. Requires each State to promote meal quality for prescribing model meal specifications and including such specifications in contracts between sponsors and food service management companies. Directs the States to develop a standard form contract for use by sponsors and food service management companies. Requires sponsors to use competitive bidding on any contract worth more than $10,000. Stipulates that a food service management company must register with the administering State agency in order to participate in the program. Sets forth items which such registration statement must include. Requires the Secretary to maintain records on all registered food service management companies for use by State agencies. Directs each sponsor to make positive efforts to utilize small and minority owned businesses as supply sources. Requires each sponsor receiving program payments in excess of $50,000 to have an independent certified public accountant audit its program claims and documentation. Specifies the time limits for composing proposed and final regulations under this Act. Directs participating service institutions to utilize, insofar as practicable, foods designated as in abundance by the Secretary. Permits the Secretary to fund sponsors directly if he is unable to utilize State agencies. Stipulates that Federal assistance under such Act may not be used to replace expenditures by State and local agencies. Directs the Secretary to pay to each State a varying percentage of its administrative costs incurred under such Act. Prohibits a food service management company from subcontracting with a single company for the total meal or its assembly. Requires the keeping of such records and accounts as may be necessary to enable the Secretary to determine whether the States, State agencies, and sponsors are in compliance with such Act. Directs each State desiring to participate in the program to submit a management and administrative plan including specified material. Imposes fines and/or imprisonment for specified violations of such Act. Directs the Secretary to purchase agricultural commodities for the school lunch program and authorizes the appropriation from the general funds of the Treasury of such sums as are necessary for such purchases. Amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to authorize the appropriation of such sums as are necessary to enable the Secretary to carry out a special milk program to encourage fluid milk consumption by children in nonprofit schools and child care institutions in the United States by reimbursing schools and institutions for part of the cost of the milk they serve. Makes children who are eligible for free lunches eligible for free milk when milk is made available at times other than meal times. Stipulates that the reimbursement for milk shall not be less than 5 cents per half-pint but in no event may such reimbursement exceed the actual cost of the milk. Requires the Secretary to make an additional payment of up to 45 cents with semi-annual cost-of-living adjustments, for breakfasts served under the School Breakfast Program to children in especially needy schools. Authorizes appropriations under the Nonfood Assistance Program for equipment to enable schools to prepare and serve food of amounts not to exceed $40,000,000. Makes funds available to the States for use in Nonfood Assistance Programs operating in areas in which poor economic conditions exist. Specifies that the amount of such funds shall be a percentage of the funds expended by the States in the previous year's School lunch Program. Requires States to give priority to schools without either food service programs or facilities to prepare and cook hot meals when apportioning funds received under the Nonfood Assistance Program. Reserves a specified percentage of the funds appropriated for Nonfood Assistance Programs for disbursement by the Secretary to assist schools without facilities in preparing and cooking hot meals. Requires any such funds appropriated for the purpose of enabling schools to produce their own hot meals to be used only for facilities at the school or a kitchen operated by the local school district except in certain specified situations. Requires the Secretary to pay to each State agency a percentage of its administrative costs incurred pursuant to the administration of the Child Nutrition Act and National School Lunch Act. Specifies what administrative costs such funds may be used to pay. Permits an adjustment to the percentage allowed for administrative costs in the event a State agrees to assume certain administrative responsibilities previously performed by the Department of Agriculture. Requires each State agency to submit a plan for the utilization of administration expense funds. Permits payment of administration expense funds only if a State agrees to maintain its level of funding prior to enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to create a program to provide for nutritional training of educational and food service personnel and to disseminate sound nutrition information to children. Directs the Secretary to make grants to implement such a program. Permits the Secretary to make grants to schools and educational agencies to pay the costs of pilot demonstration projects with respect to nutrition education. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out such program. Specifies the uses to which funds available under such program may be utilized. Requires State educational agencies participating in such a program to keep such accounts and records as may be necessary to enable the Secretary to determine whether they are in compliance with the program requirements. Requires each participating State to appoint a State coordinator on nutrition education. Directs the State coordinator to develop and furnish to the Secretary a comprehensive plan for nutrition education. Establishes within the National Agricultural Library of the United States a Food and Nutrition Information and Education Resources Center. Delineates the responsibilities of such Center.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1977
Comprehensive Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act - Title I: Educational Assistance Program Amendments - Redefines the qualifying service period of an "eligible veteran" to be the period from August 4, 1964, to January 1, 1977; and redesignates as an "eligible peacetime post-Korean veteran" anyone whose qualifying service period fell between January 31, 1955 and August 5, 1964; and entitles both "eligible veterans" and "eligible peacetime post-Korean veterans" to all benefits, services and loans available under the educational assistance program. Sets conditions for extending the ten-year delimiting period for receipt of assistance up to a maximum of two additional years. Provides that counseling offered by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to veterans eligible for educational assistance may include assisting any veteran: (1) to select the occupation or training objective suitable to him in terms of his personal circumstances, characteristics, financial resources, dependent responsibilities and other relevant factors; (2) to select the occupation or training objective which will provide him, after he has developed the required job skills, with reasonable opportunities for employment and with job satisfaction; (3) to select the educational or vocational objective; and (4) to develop a program of education that will lead to a recognized and predetermined educational, vocational, technical or professional objective within the veteran's period of entitlement. Directs the Administrator to take such measures as may be necessary, including denial of applications or disapproval of courses, to insure that no aspect of the educational assistance program is used for the purpose of income supplementation, unemployment compensation, or adjusted compensation. Allows continued payments to veterans enrolled in institutions not complying with provisions of this Act if such veterans are not at fault for the noncompliance. Provides an accelerated educational assistance allowance, not to exceed twice the ordinary monthly amount, to be granted, after appropriate counseling, to an eligible veteran or person who demonstrates need for the acceleration. Stipulates the categories of persons most likely to need a program of acceleration. Limits any program of accelerated assistance allowances to five years. Title II: War Orphans' and Widows' Educational Assistance Program Amendments - Allows the ten-year period of eligibility for educational assistance to run from the later wedding date of a spouse already determined to have a service-connected disability. Entitles eligible war orphans and widows to accelerated educational assistance allowances. Title III: Administration of Educational Benefits - Extends the coverage of existing administrative provisions of the educational assistance program to all branches and extensions of an educational institution. Directs the Administrator to establish between himself, the State approving agencies and nationally recognized accrediting agencies and associations, an exchange of information pertaining to activities of educational institutions, especially to the enforcement of approval standards and enrollment restrictions, and fraudulent and other criminal activities on the part of persons connected with the institution; and directs the Administrator to furnish the U.S. Attorney General, the Department of Defense, the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, the Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Communications Commission and other Federal, State and local agencies such information and assistance as may be necessary to preclude abuses or enhance the effectiveness of the programs established hereunder. Requires educational institutions to transmit to State approving agencies catalogs or bulletins certified as true, current, and correct both in content and policy by an authorized school official. Requires the State approving agencies to find as a condition of approval adequate standards of progress established and clearly defined, and to find that an institution and its programs of education are in every aspect, portion, element, and division in full compliance with the law. Revises the criteria for approval of nonaccredited courses to require that applications contain, among other things: (1) names and titles of presently and previously associated institutions that have been cited for or involved in illegal, unethical, deceptive or misleading practices; (2) specific entrance requirements; (3) institution policy and regulations relative to leave, absences, class cuts, makeup work, tardiness and interruptions for unsatisfactory attendance; (4) requirements for graduation, including those courses directly related and those not directly required for attainment of a particular educational or vocational objective; (5) a statement of recognition or acceptance by any prominent institutions, associations, agencies and employers associated with the type of work or skill to be learned; (6) policy and regulations relating to the refund of the unused portion of tuition and fees in the event of a student's withdrawal or discontinuance; (7) a detailed description of the space, facilities and equipment of all branches or extensions of the institution; (8) procedures for evaluation, certification or recognition of military training, education, skills and experience; and (9) an accurate and detailed completion rate for courses and placement rates for graduates in the specific skill or work for which they were trained. Requires all advertising, promotion, sales techniques, claims and personnel employed by or representing the institution and branches or extensions offering nonaccredited courses to be in compliance with all applicable State and Federal licensing regulations and laws. Permits the Administrator to disapprove any institution or program of education approved as accredited if it fails to comply with any of the appropriate provisions of the law. Makes any advance payment of initial educational assistance or subsistence allowance conditional, and denies such advance payments to those entitled to receive accelerated payments. Requires the application for conditional advance payments to indicate that the eligible veteran or person had requested such, that it is necessary and appropriate to meet specific expenses, and that such expenses shall reasonably equal or exceed the amount of conditional advance payment. Requires the Administrator to set up an appeals procedure for administrative proceedings involving property loss resulting from a decision to terminate or modify an eligible veteran's or person's educational benefits. Increases from $3 and $4 to $8 and $10 respectively the fees paid to educational institutions in reimbursement for reports and certifications. Directs the Administrator to refer to the U.S. Attorney General any deliberate, premeditated or willful misconduct or illegal action of a significant nature or involving a significant sum of money stemming from overpayments occasioned by a false or misleading report by an educational institution. Sets new conditions for the enrollment of an eligible veteran or person in a program of correspondence or residence-correspondence. Denies approval of enrollment in an institution in any way affiliated with a proprietary institution or profitmaking operation which affects any program of education provided eligible veterans and persons unless such program meets all the requirements of the law. Requires the Administrator to notify any eligible veteran or eligible person of any available vocational assistance alternatives and of any legal recourse when it disapproves an institution or discontinues anyone's educational assistance. Requires the Administrator, when he has determined that the interruption or failure of a person's program was due in whole or in part to problems of personal adjustment, to advise such person of available counseling services and vocational, educational and psychological assistance. Establishes with the Veterans Administration an Interagency Veterans' Advisory Task Force to advise and assist the Administrator, among other things, in: (1) the review of the effectiveness and coordination of all rights and services authorized for veterans; (2) the development and implementation of studies of the effectiveness of laws applicable to veterans and eligible persons; (3) the monitoring and evaluation and preclusion of abuses of veterans' adjustment assistance programs; (4) the investigation of patterns of allegations indicating that veterans are being denied rights, benefits, or assistance; and (5) the appraisal of Federal laws, appropriations and policies meeting the readjustment needs of veterans. Directs the Task Force to serve as a national clearinghouse for information and assistance relating to the needs of veterans, and to serve as an advocate for the correction of problems and the preclusion of abuses. Establishes within the Task Force a section on enforcement and implementation of laws, a section on the evaluation and accreditation of military experience, and an Advisory Committee to take over the duties and responsibilities of the current advisory committee, with special emphasis on the inclusion and participation of veterans receiving or requiring readjustment assistance. Empowers the Task Force and its sections to issue subpenas. Requires the Task Force to report to Congress within one year of enactment its findings and recommendations for post-Vietnam era readjustment assistance programs. Sets maximum aggregate education loan amounts for eligible persons with no, one, or two or more dependents. Title IV: Miscellaneous Veterans Program Amendments - Requires the Veterans Administration to adjust its adjudication criteria and under no circumstances to determine eligibility for veterans' benefits for ex-servicemen with other than honorable discharges with either less lenient or more restrictive criteria and procedures than those used by the various military departments in the review and upgrading of other than honorable discharges. Title V: Employment and Training of Disabled and Vietnam-era Veterans - Includes within the term "veteran of the Vietnam era" as used in connection with special training and employment programs for such veterans, those veterans who were discharged more than 48 months prior to their application for employment. Title VI: Veterans' Administration: Miscellaneous Amendments - Directs the Administrator to initiate a comprehensive outreach and information program to inform veterans of the programs and services made available by this Act. Directs the veterans' representatives to carry out such outreach and information assistance services. Requires both the Administrator and the veterans' representatives especially to assist veterans whose educational benefits have ended because of the expiration of their delimiting period to obtain alternative means of completing their education and training.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1977
Emergency Rail Transportation Improvement and Employment Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to eligible applicants for projects involving the repair, rehabilitation, or improvement of railroad roadbeds and facilities. Stipulates that the purposes of such grant program are to: (1) reduce unemployment in areas of substantial unemployment; (2) improve severely deteriorated roadbeds and facilities which are a risk to public safety or seriously inhibit freight and passenger service; and (3) improve roadbeds and facilities which meet transportation needs and policies. Sets forth the information which must be included in applications for such assistance. Stipulates that the funds provided under this Act shall be used solely to pay the wages and benefits earned by individuals employed in programs funded by this Act and not for administrative expenses. Establishes a priority system for hiring individuals for jobs created pursuant to this Act. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish rules and procedures for referring eligible individuals for employment to applicants receiving funds under this Act. Sets forth criteria for determining which roadbeds and facilities are eligible for project grants under this Act. Sets forth goals to be achieved with respect to such projects. Stipulates that projects must be structured and administered to achieve such goals in order to be eligible for funding. Sets forth restrictions regarding subcontracts for such work on such projects. Sets forth measures relating to labor protection and wages and benefits for employees. Requires recipients of Federal funds under this Act to keep such records as the Secretary of Transportation may prescribe. Directs the Secretary to submit periodic reports to the President and the Congress regarding actions taken pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of $750,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this Act.
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 Attorney General to institute a civil action for or in the name of the United States in an appropriate district court whenever he has reasonable cause to believe that a State or its agents are subjecting persons involuntarily confined in any correctional facility, juvenile correction center, mental hospital, nursing home, or facility for the chronically ill, retarded, or physically handicapped to conditions which deprive such persons of their Federal Constitutional or Statutory rights. Permits the Attorney General to intervene in any action of public importance commenced in a Federal court in which relief is sought from conditions allegedly depriving involuntarily confined persons in State institutions of their Federal rights.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 1977
Declares it the sense of the Senate that the President discuss with Canada the impact of recent provisions of the Canadian tax code on the United States broadcasting industry.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 25 April 1977
Taxpayer Assistance Fairness Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend interest on tax deficiencies resulting from advice obtained from Internal Revenue Service taxpayer assistance programs. Provides for the availability of written confirmations of certain oral advice given under these programs. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make annual reports on interest suspensions and taxpayer service errors. Orders the Secretary to make an efficiency report on the programs to certain Congressional Committees within six months after this enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Permits review of cases in the United States Court of Military Appeals by the Supreme Court by writ of certiorari.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1977
Chemical Emergency Response Team Act - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish and maintain a Chemical Emergency Response Team within the Agency. Requires that the team be able to respond rapidly to situations where significant threats to health as the environment are posed by chemical substances. Directs the Administrator to develop a contingency plan detailing procedures to be utilized in prevention or mitigation of unreasonable risks posed by chemical substances. Establishes additional procedures governing the operation of the response team. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to States for the development of State contingency plans to prevent or reduce risks posed by chemical substance emergency situations. Details to be included in State contingency plans.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 1977
Career Education Implementation Incentive Act - Authorizes the appropriation of specified sums for each of the fiscal years 1979 through 1983 for the purpose of providing Federal incentives to State and local educational agencies and institutions to develop and implement career education programs for individuals of all ages. Directs the Commissioner of Education to reserve certain funds appropriated under this Act to (1) support model programs and other special or demonstration projects and (2) allocate among specified territories of the United States. Sets forth a formula for the distribution of funds to each State. Requires an annual application containing specified assurances, to be submitted by each State desiring to receive funds under this Act. Directs each State to file with the Commissioner a State plan for the utilization of funds received under this Act. Sets for the factors each such plan must contain. Specifies the activities which may be funded by a State with money received under this Act including (1) providing State leadership career education through institutes, training programs, studies, and conferences; and (2) making grants to local educational agencies and to public and private nonprofit institutions of postsecondary education for the purpose of (a) improving career awareness, (b) developing and implementing career guidance services, (c) training of local career education coordinators and (d) establishing and operating career education resource centers. Directs that State grants to local educational agencies and institutions be made in as equitable a manner as possible, having due regard for the special needs of agencies and institutions serving large numbers of disadvantaged students. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants directly to State and local educational agencies and institutions for the purpose of developing career education model programs. Directs the Commissioner to provide for (1) the maintenance and dissemination of career information; (2) the continuous analysis of career trends and options; (3) the publication of periodic reports containing career education information; and (4) the conduct of seminars, workshops, and career information sessions. Directs the Commissioner, to the extent practicable, to (1) utilize existing offices and research capabilities; (2) coordinate offices, centers and research facilities in carrying out his information responsibilities; and (3) use the career information capabilities of the education division. Sets forth the procedure and requirements to be followed by the Commissioner and each State when granting or receiving funds under this Act. Sets forth the duties and responsibilities under this Act of (1) The Office of Career Education; (2) The National Advisory Council on Career Education and (3) The National Institute of Education. Revises The National Advisory Council on Career Education membership requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Legal Services Corporation Act Amendments - Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to require that at least three persons appointed to fill vacancies occurring between January 1, 1977, and July 30, 1978, on the Board of Directors of the Legal Services Corporation be person eligible to be clients thereunder. Requires that at least one-third of the governing body of an organization formed solely for the purpose of providing legal assistance under such Act be composed of eligible clients. Subjects meetings of the Board of Directors, of executive committees thereof, and of any advisory council established under the Legal Services Corporation Act to Government in the Sunshine Act provisions relative to open meetings. Empowers the Corporation to undertake research and assistance activities with respect to the delivery of legal services by means of contract or grant. Directs that a court provide compensation for an attorney employed by a recipient organization and appointed to provide legal assistance, unless such appointment is made pursuant to a statute or practice applied generally to attorneys practicing before the court. Repeals restrictions on political activities unrelated to legal assistance with respect to attorneys receiving more than one-half their professional income from an organization established for the sole purpose of providing assistance under the Legal Services Corporation Act. Revises guidelines regarding eligibility for, and priorities relative to, such assistance. Revises the limitations on the use of funds made available by the Corporation to (1) permit the provision of legal assistance with respect to criminal matters where a person is charged with an offense involving hunting, fishing, trapping, or gathering fruit of the land, a defense asserted involves rights arising from an Indian treaty, or a person is charged with a misdemeanor or lesser offense in an Indian tribal court; (2) eliminate prohibitions against providing legal assistance to un-emancipated persons less than 18 years of age and in connection with selective service violations, and (3) revise prohibitions relative to formation of associations and military offenses. Authorizes the Corporation to make grants or enter into contracts to pay all or part of the cost of developing and/or operating model projects to expand or improve the delivery of legal services to segments of the population of eligible clients with special legal problems or special difficulties of access to legal services. Authorizes the appointment of independent hearing examiners to preside over hearings to suspend or terminate assistance under the Legal Services Corporation Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 April 1977
Requires the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to install telecommunication devices to enable deaf persons and persons with speech impairments to engage in toll-free communications with Members of Congress. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the current deductions, rather than the capitalization and rapid amortization, of amounts paid or incurred in connection with the acquisition, construction, or erection of any certified pollution control facility.