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United States · Official source
1,874 records where Sen. Stafford, Robert T. [R-VT] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 1978
Expresses the Senate's disapproval of Energy Action DOE-001, an amendment to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve Plan.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1978
Older Americans Act - Title I: Amendments to the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require each Federal agency proposing to establish programs and services substantially related to the purposes of such Act to consult with the Administration on Aging prior to the establishment of such programs and services. Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the position of Counselor to the President on Aging to be appointed by the President. Sets forth the duties of the Counselor. Includes among such duties the representation of the interests of older Americans before the departments and agencies of the United States and to the general public. Declares it to be the purpose of Title III of such Act (Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging) to encourage and assist State and local agencies to concentrate resources to serve older persons by entering into new cooperative arrangements in each such State with State and local agencies, and with the providers of social services or nutrition services or multipurpose senior centers, for the planning for the provision of, and for the provision of, social services, nutrition services, or multipurpose senior centers. Declares it further to be the purpose of such Title to combine within a single authorization, the programs of such Title, Title V (Multipurpose Senior Centers), and Title VII (Nutrition Program for the Elderly). Sets forth the definitions used in such Title. Includes within the social services to be provided the services of an Ombudsman at the State level to receive, investigate, and act on complaints by older persons who are residents of nursing homes and to advocate the well-being of such persons. Defines "nutrition services" as any nutrition projects which, five or more days a week, provide at least one meal per day each of which assures a minimum of one-third of the daily recommended dietary allowances. Defines a "multipurpose senior center" as a community facility for the organization and provision of a broad spectrum of social services (including provision of health, social, and educational services and provision of facilities for recreational activities) or nutrition services, or both, for older persons. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1979 and 1980 for grants approved under such Title. Requires each State, to be eligible to receive a grant under such Title, to designate a State agency as the sole State agency: (1) to develop and administer a State plan formulated pursuant to this Act; and (2) to divide the State into areas and to designate as a planning and service area any unit of general purpose local government which has a population aged 60 or over of 15,000 individuals or more which contains 15 percent or more of the State population aged 60 or over. Requires each such area agency on aging to prepare and develop an area plan. Sets forth specified material to be included in such plan. Requires each State, in order to be eligible for grants under such Title, to submit to the Commissioner on Aging a State plan. Sets forth specified material to be included in such plan. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to develop and operate statewide, regional, metropolitan area, county, city, or community model projects which show promise of expanding or improving social services or nutrition services or otherwise promote the well-being of older persons. Requires the Commissioner in making such grants to give special consideration to projects designed: (1) to assist in meeting the housing needs of older persons; (2) to provide continuing education to older persons; (3) to provide preretirement education information; (4) to provide services to assist in meeting the particular needs of physically and mentally impaired older persons; and (5) to assist older persons to remain within their communities and out of institutions. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to insure any mortgage for a multipurpose senior center in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Act. Creates a Multipurpose Senior Center Insurance Fund to be used by the Secretary as a revolving fund for carrying out all insurance provisions with respect to such mortgages. Authorizes the Secretary to make annual interest grants to assist nonprofit private agencies in reducing the cost of borrowing from other sources for the acquisition, alteration, or renovation of facilities for multipurpose senior centers. Authorizes appropriations as necessary for each fiscal year prior to 1980 for training, research, and secretarial programs for personnel in the field of aging. Redesignates Title V of the Act "Community Service Employment for Older Americans." States that such Title may be cited as the Older American Community Service Employment Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to establish an older American community service employment program to foster and promote useful part-time opportunities in community service activities for unemployed low-income persons who are 55 years old and who have poor employment prospects. States that eligible individuals employed in such projects shall not be considered to be Federal employees. States that in awarding grants or contracts for such projects the Secretary shall give special consideration to national organizations owned or operated by members of minority groups which have a proven ability to provide older persons with employment. Sets forth definitions used in this Title. Title II: White House Conference on Aging - 1981 White House Conference on Aging Act - Declares it the policy of the Congress that the Federal Government should work with the States and citizens to develop recommendations and plans to meet the needs of older persons. Requires that programs developed under this Act place emphasis upon the right of older persons to free choice and self-help in planning their futures. Authorizes the President of the United States to call a White House Conference on Aging in 1981 to develop recommendations for research and action in the field of aging. Requires the Conference to include representatives of Federal, State, and local governments, professional and lay people working in the field of aging including older persons. Directs that a final report of the White House Conference, containing a comprehensive statement of a coherent national policy on aging and the recommendations of such Conference, be submitted to the President and Congress within a specified time. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in administering this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory committee to the Conference and such other technical committees as may be necessary to carry out such Conference. Title III: Study of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination in Programs for Older Americans - Directs the Commission on Civil Rights: (1) to undertake a comprehensive study of discrimination based on race or ethnic background in any federally assisted programs and activities which affect older persons; and (2) identify with particularity any such federally assisted program or activity in which evidence is found of persons or organizations who are otherwise qualified being, on the basis of race or ethnic background, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, refused employment or contracts with, or subject to discrimination under, such program or activity.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 1978
Amends the Public Buildings Act of 1959 to direct the Administrator of General Services, in conjuction with the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and the Chairmen of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endownment for the Humanities, to develop plans and a budget for the restoration of the Pension Building in the District of Columbia. Requires the Administrator to insure that such plans are consistent with the proposal prepared by the Committee for a National Museum of Building Arts, incorporated. Directs the Administrator to lease or assign the Pension Building to the Museum of the Building Arts within one year after the date of enactment of this Act. Title II: The Museum of the Building Arts - Sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the Museum, including the development of educational programs, the financial support of research and documentation programs, the presentation of exhibitions, and the establishment of an information center and a Document Center. Authorizes appropriations necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1978
Veterans' Disability Compensation and Survivor Benefits Act - Title I: Veterans' Disability Compensation Rates - Increases the rates of disability compensation for disabled veterans. Title II: Survivors' Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Rates - Increases the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of disabled veterans. Title III: Miscellaneous and Effective Date Provisions - Provides for an additional increase in dependency and indemnity compensation to a surviving spouse who is permanently housebound but ineligible for an aid and attendance allowance. Provides for retroactive dependency and indemnification compensation and war veterans pensions to children whose entitlement is established after such compensation has already been awarded to a veteran's other children. Reduces supplemental dependency and indemnity compensation for certain 18 year old children considered below such age for purposes of additional dependency and indemnity compensation to a surviving spouse.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1978
Designates the month of April as "Fair Housing Month."
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1978
Declares it the sense of Congress that the President should not impose an import fee on oil as a means of reducing crude oil imports.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1978
Domestic Violence Prevention and Services Act - Declares the purpose of this Act to be to increase the participation by States, local communities, private nonprofit groups, and individual groups in efforts to prevent domestic violence and assist victims and dependents of victims of domestic violence. Requires each State, in order to obtain a grant under this Act, to establish a State citizen panel on domestic violence. Declares that such a panel shall be established to provide an opportunity for citizen participation in planning and developing efforts to prevent domestic violence and assist victims and dependents of victims of domestic violence, and provide citizens familiar with the problems of domestic violence an opportunity to make recommendations with respect to resolving such problems. Requires each panel: (1) to oversee within the State the implementation of Federal, State, and local projects under this Act; and (2) to study and make recommendations on matters relating to domestic violence. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to States to assist them in supporting programs and projects to prevent incidents of domestic violence. Sets forth requirements for applications for such grants. Requires each State receiving a grant to submit to the Secretary a report providing specified information on the implementation of projects to prevent domestic violence. Establishes within the Office of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare the National Center on Domestic Violence. Declares the duties of the Director of such Center to be: (1) the coordination of all Federal programs with respect to domestic violence; and (2) the provision of a national information and resource clearinghouse for matters concerning domestic violence. Requires the Secretary, through the Director, to enter into contracts to provide for not less than one regional center for domestic violence to be located in each region of the United States as designated by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary, through the Director, to conduct research activities with respect to domestic violence. Directs the Secretary, through the Director, to annually submit to Congress a report on the programs authorized by this Act. Directs that the records of any person concerning such person's treatment for drug abuse, in connection with any program assisted under this Act, be kept confidential. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress, not later than three years after the enactment of this Act, as to the effectiveness of programs administered pursuant to this Act. Requires the Director to give particular attention to the availability of VISTA volunteers with respect to programs on domestic violence prevention. Establishes an Interagency Domestic Violence Council to assist the Director in coordinating all Federal programs regarding the prevention of domestic violence. Requires the States, to be eligible for grants under this Act, to contribute to programs supported by this Act in amounts specified in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1978
Rural Health Services Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act: (1) to define environmental health services provided by community health centers as the identification and detection of unhealthful conditions associated with water supply, sewage treatment, solid waste disposal, rodent and parasitic infestation, field sanitation, and other environmental factors related to health; and (2) to authorize the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to carry out developmental and demonstration projects for providing health care to rural medically underserved populations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1978
Federal Buildings Artistic Enhancement Act - Amends the Public Buildings Act of 1959 to direct the Administrator of General Services to acquire works of art by living American artists and to circulate such works among public buildings throughout the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1978
Federal Disclosure and Accountability Act - Prohibits any Federal employee from coercing any individual for the purpose of interfering with the right of such individual to disclose any illegal or otherwise improper Government Action to the Review Board on Improper Government Actions established by this Act, and from taking any adverse personnel action against such individual who is a Federal employee in retaliation for such disclosure. Requires the Board to investigate any such disclosure and, in the event further investigation or action is warranted, to notify the person, the head of the agency in which such person is employed, and, if appropriate, the Attorney General and/or the Comptroller General.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1978
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to make loans to any public or private agency or individual for stabilizing streambanks when erosion threatens, or can be expected to threaten, any facility or structure, or produce or seriously aggravate flooding downstream.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1978
Rehabilitation Amendments - Title I: Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - Revises the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to: (1) extend the authorization of appropriations for grants for services for the handicapped and for studying the needs of the severely handicapped; and (2) extend, and set forth a formula for determining, the authorization for appropriations for vocational rehabilitation services. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to Indian tribes for the development of vocational rehabilitation services. Amends: (1) the requirements for annual State vocational rehabilitation plans; (2) the scope of rehabilitation services; and (3) the formula for computing State allotments. Extends the appropriation for vocational rehabilitation research and for rehabilitation personnel training. Eliminates certain restrictions with respect to use of research funds. Authorizes research grants to profitmaking entities. Makes amendments concerning Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers and Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers. Directs the Secretary to develop a long-term rehabilitation manpower plan designed to target resources on areas of personnel shortages. Extends the authorization for appropriations for the following: (1) rehabilitation facility construction and operation; (2) vocational training services grants and contracts; (3) special projects and demonstrations; (4) the National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults; (5) program evaluations; (6) program projections; and (7) the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board. Provides for the development and delivery of psychiatric services as an integral part of rehabilitation programs. Title II: Comprehensive Services for the Severely Handicapped - Severely Handicapped Comprehensive Services Act - Establishes a program of grants to the States for programs of assistance to the severely handicapped. Requires each State receiving a Federal allotment for planning, providing comprehensive services, and for constructing and operating facilities for severely handicapped individuals to provide the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare with satisfactory assurances that each program: (1) has an individual plan for severely handicapped individuals; and (2) provides for an annual review of such plan. Requires each State receiving such an allotment to provide the Secretary with satisfactory assurances that the State has in effect a system to protect and advocate the rights of severely handicapped individuals. Requires each recipient of assistance under this Act to take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified handicapped individuals. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1983 for grants for planning, provision of comprehensive services, and for construction and operation of facilities for severely handicapped individuals. Directs that the Federal share for such allotments not exceed 75 percent of the necessary cost as determined by the Secretary, except in rural areas where it may not exceed 90 percent. Directs the Secretary to allot such funds to the States on the basis of: (1) the population; (2) the need for services for severely handicapped; and (3) the financial need of the States. Requires any State desiring to receive such Federal funds to submit a State plan to the Secretary. Sets forth requirements which must be included in such plan. Directs the Secretary to discontinue funding State projects which fail to comply with the requirements of their plan. Authorizes States to seek judicial review of any such determination. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance, for the establishment and operation of area centers for the employment of the severely handicapped which will create and utilize the best methods of appraising and developing the employment potential of severely handicapped individuals. Enumerates the activities such centers must undertake. Requires the Secretary to establish a demonstration program of models for independent living for severely handicapped individuals. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or contracts to carry out such programs. Requires the Secretary to establish a demonstration program of models for infant and preschool services for severely handicapped children. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants or contracts for such programs. Directs the Secretary to make grants to university affiliated facilities in meeting the cost of administering and operating: (1) interdisciplinary programs for professionals providing services to the severely handicapped; and (2) exemplary service programs which have as a purpose the prevention of severely handicapping conditions or which demonstrate innovative service approaches to the problems experienced by the severely handicapped. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to university affiliated facilities to assist in meeting the costs of the renovation or modernization of facilities being used in connection with such activities. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance for the establishment and operation of community centers for severely handicapped individuals. Authorizes the Secretary, through the regional administrators of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, to make project grants to public agencies or private nonprofit institutions for: (1) projects concerning the establishment and improvement of comprehensive services to severely handicapped individuals in areas as parent counseling and training, seizure control systems, community based counseling, housing, and other necessary services and systems for the maintenance of severely handicapped individuals in the community; (2) public awareness and public education programs to assist in the elimination of social, attitudinal, and environmental barriers confronted by severely handicapped individuals; (3) technical assistance for services and facilities for severely handicapped individuals; and (4) gathering and dissemination of information concerning severely handicapped individuals. Directs the Secretary to appoint temporary panels of experts at the regional level to evaluate projects to be assisted. Authorizes the Secretary to establish and carry out a research program to determine the problems of severely handicapped individuals and discover solutions to such problems. Authorizes the Secretary to provide financial assistance for the cost of projects and programs for training, traineeships, and related activities designed to assist in increasing the numbers of personnel trained in providing services to severely handicapped individuals and in performing other functions necessary to the development of such services. Authorizes the Secretary to provide for the continuing evaluation of all programs and activities conducted pursuant to this Title. Directs the Secretary to contract for the conduct of an objective study to: (1) determine the social and economic consequences of removing severely handicapped individuals from institutions and placing them in community living arrangements; and (2) determine the effect of such community living arrangements upon the lives of severely handicapped individuals removed from institutions. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress annually concerning the conditions affecting the severely handicapped. Directs the Secretary to prescribe general regulations for all the States to prescribe: (1) the kinds of services needed to provide adequate programs for severely handicapped individuals; (2) standards as to the scope and quality of services provided for severely handicapped individuals; (3) the general manner in which a State shall determine priorities for services and facilities; and (4) general standards of construction and equipment for facilities. States that, except as otherwise specifically provided, nothing in this title shall be considered as conferring on any Federal officer or employee the right to exercise any supervision or control over the administration, personnel, maintenance, or operation of any facility for severely handicapped individuals with respect to which any funds have been or may be expended under this Act. Title III: Federal Council on Handicapped Individuals - Establishes the Federal Council on Handicapped Individuals. States that the Council shall: (1) provide advice and assistance to the President concerning the problems and needs of handicapped and severely handicapped individuals; (2) review and evaluate on a continuing basis all policies, programs, and activities concerning handicapped and severely handicapped individuals conducted or assisted by all Federal Departments and agencies; (3) serve as an ombudsman on behalf of handicapped individuals by making recommendations to the President, to the Secretary and to the Congress with respect to Federal policies, programs, and activities concerning handicapped and severely handicapped individuals; (4) inform the public about the problems and needs of handicapped and severely handicapped individuals by collecting and disseminating information; and (5) provide public forums for discussing and publicizing the problems and needs of handicapped and severely handicapped individuals by conducting or sponsoring conferences, workshops, and other such meetings. Directs the Secretary: (1) to make available to the Council such assistance as it may require and (2) not to delegate any duties assigned to the Secretary under this Title to any person not assigned to the office of the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1978
SS Life Act - Directs the Secretary of the Navy to transfer to LIFE International for 15 years the hospital ship U.S.S. Sanctuary (AH-17) to furnish health care to developing nations. Renames such ship the "SS LIFE". Authorizes the appropriation of $6,000,000 for fiscal year 1979 for modification of such ship and for maintenance and operation $494,000 for fiscal year 1979, $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1980, $4,000,000 for fiscal year 1981, $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1982, $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1983, and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1978
Imposes a quota on the importation of feeder and slaughter cattle. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a system for such quota among importers.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Amends the Community Mental Health Centers Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a grant program with State and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations to provide assistance and related services to victims of rape.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1978
College Opportunity Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise the standards for determining the family contribution with regard to basic educational opportunity grant amounts authorized by such Act. Removes the provision dealing with adjusted family income as an eligibility requirement for Federal interest payments on higher education student loans under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1978
Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to extend medical assistance under such Title to individuals who are unable to care for their personal needs due to a physical or mental handicap which may result in death or which has lasted or may last continuously for at least one year.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1978
College Opportunity Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to revise the standards for determining the family contribution with regard to basic student grant amounts authorized by such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1978
Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1979, 1980, 1981, and 1982 to the Secretary of the Army to develop and implement a national dam safety program. Stipulates the formula for allocation of such appropriations. Directs the Secretary to furnish financial and training assistance to any State which establishes a dam safety program which meets specified criteria. Directs the Secretary to guarantee any dam failure liability insurance of a dam owner. Establishes a Federal Dam Safety Review Board: (1) to review the procedures and standards in dam design and safety analysis; and (2) to monitor State implementation of this Act. Directs the Secretary to study techniques of dam inspection.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1978
Nurse Training Amendments - Amends Title VIII (Nurse Training) of the Public Health Service Act to extend for two fiscal years, through fiscal year 1980, the program of financial assistance for nurse training.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1978
Grants the consent of Congress to certain amendments to the New Hampshire-Vermont Interstate School COmpact.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1978
Amends the Export Administration Act of 1969 to prohibit exportation to Uganda of articles subject to control under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1978
Requires the Administrator of General Services to provide space in Federal facilities to local units of the National Red Cross rent-free provided there are quarters available for rent but remain unrented. Requires any such local unit of the Red Cross to vacate such quarters when the Administrator succeeds in attaining 100 percent rental occupancy.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1978
Amends the Tariff Schedules of the United States to prohibit the importation of Ugandan coffee.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1978
Architectural Excellence Act - Amends the Public Buildings Act of 1959, as amended, to require the Administrator of General Services to conduct competitions for determining the design of certain public buildings.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Veterans' and Survivors' Income Security Act - Title I: Security Pension for Veterans and Survivors - Establishes rates for security pensions which may be elected in lieu of regular pensions by: (1) veterans of a period of war who are permanently and totally disabled from a non-service-connected disability; and (2) surviving spouses or children of veterans of a period of war of deceased veterans entitled to compensation or retirement pay for a service-connected disability. Specifies exclusions from the determination of annual income of such veterans and survivors. Requires persons applying for a security pension to report the income and estate of each spouse and child on account of whom added pension is applied for or received. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires annual adjustments of security pension rates in conjunction with cost-of-living increases in Social Security benefits. Title III: Effective Date - Sets the effective date of this Act as October 1, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Equal Access to Courts Act - Entitles a party which: (1) prevails in any civil action, including an action for judicial review of agency actions; and (2) is a small business as defined by the Small Business Act or an individual or entity having assets or income below specified amounts to a judgment for costs and an award for attorney fees, witness fees, and necessary studies and reports. Directs an agency to pay costs and fees to a party meeting the criteria of (2) above if such a party: (1) successfully defends the imposition of an agency sanction; (2) successfully opposes the issuance or amendments of certain agency orders; or (3) successfully appeals agency action or is subject to agency action which is appealed or reviewed. Entitles a party partially prevailing against the United States to costs and fees to the extent to which it prevailed. Authorizes, where in the interest of justice, an award of cost and fees to a party which fails to prevail in a civil action instituted by or against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1977
Rehabilitation Cost Assistance Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to provide grants to States to reimburse them for a study to assess the cost of assuring accessibility to handicapped individuals in federally assisted education programs. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to educational institutions to pay the Federal share of the cost of removing architectural barriers. Establishes criteria for such grant programs.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1977
Expresses the Senate's best wishes to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society of the United States of America on the occasion of its national convention to be held in San Jose, California, November 9 through November 13, 1977, and expresses renewed appreciation and tribute to the individual members of the organization and to all recipients of the Medal of Honor.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 1977
Omnibus Antiterrorism Act - Title I: Reorganization of Executive Office of the President - Establishes a Council to Combat Terrorism in the Executive Office of the President. Includes among the Council's functions (1) assisting the President to implement this Act, (2) assisting in the preparation of lists of countries aiding terrorist enterprises and of dangerous foreign airports, and (3) coordinating Federal efforts to combat terrorism. Directs the President to: (1) report to Congress on each act of terrorism which involves or affects United States citizens; and (2) impose sanctions against countries on the list of countries aiding terrorists and against airports on the list of dangerous foreign airports. Title II: Reorganization of the Department of State - Establishes a Bureau for Combating International Terrorism in the Department of State. Urges the President to seek international agreements which assure cooperation in combating terrorism. Lists provisions which should be given priority in negotiating such agreements. Requires the President to: (1) develop programs to insure full implementation of the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation; (2) approve all defense article sales and credits made to any individual or group; and (3) include the names of all types of explosives on the United States Munitions List. Title III: Reorganization of the Department of Justice - Establishes an Office for Combating Terrorism in the Department of Justice. Directs the President to extend existing safety and security requirements to supplemental means of air transportation. Requires that all explosives contain identification and detection taggants. Title IV: Aircraft Sabotage and Piracy - Amends provisions of title 18, U.S. Code, that specify prohibited acts regarding the destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities to, among other revisions, set forth penalties for committing violence against a passenger which is likely to endanger an aircraft in service and for communicating false information which results in endangering the safety of an aircraft in flight. Sets forth penalties for a person found in the United States who has committed against or aboard a foreign aircraft an offense in violation of the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation. Authorizes civil penalties for carrying an accessible weapon aboard an aircraft and for imparting or conveying information known to be false regarding one of specified crimes aboard an aircraft. Specifies minimum penalties for threatening to commit air piracy or any other of certain crimes aboard an aircraft.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 17 October 1977
Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to provide chiropractic care to any eligible veteran for outpatient medical treatment upon the request of the veteran.
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 · 29 September 1977
Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit a school of medicine from receiving a capitation grant to be made in the fiscal year 1978 unless its application for such grant is supported by assurances satisfactory to the Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare that the school will increase its enrollment of full time, third-year students in the 1978-1779 school year by at least five percent over the smaller of: (1) the number of full-time first-year students; or (2) the number of full-time third-year students enrolled in school year 1977-1978. Excludes from the determination of the enrollment increase of full-time, third-year students in a given school, those full time, third-year students who were not second-year students in such school and who: (1) are not citizens of the United States; (2) were previously enrolled in a school of medicine in a State which is not accredited by the appropriate bodies; (3) first enrolled after October 12, 1976, in a school of medicine not in a State; or (4) did not successfully complete part I of the National Board of Medical Examiners' examination by August 15, 1977. Sets forth the reasons for which the Secretary may waive the requirement of increased enrollment. Stipulates that a school of medicine which did not comply with the increase requirements shall not be eligible to receive a capitation grant in the fiscal year ending September 30, 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1977
Regional Energy Development Act - Chapter I: Introductory - Declares that energy shortages and the high cost of energy have created economic hardships in the Northeastern States, which would especially benefit from regional cooperation with the United States through an entity capable of financing and otherwise promoting increased energy supply and energy conservation. Defines "Northeastern States" as Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Chapter II: Organization, Management, Powers - Authorizes the creation of a corporation for profit, which will not be an agency or establishment of the United States, and shall be known as the Energy Corporation of the Northeast. Directs the President to appoint incorporators who reside in the Northeastern States to serve as the initial Board of Directors of the Corporation, and to take whatever actions are necessary to establish the Corporation. Stipulates that a Northeastern State shall become a member of the Corporation when such State shall subscribe for State stock, contribute initial capital in the amount of $1 per capita, and enact supporting legislation. Allows the Corporation to become operational if at least three States become members before December 31, 1978. Authorizes States that are contiguous to members to join the Corporation in the same manner. Authorizes the Corporation to participate in joint ventures with public or private groups and to operate through subsidiaries. Requires the Corporation to submit annual reports and audits to the President, Congress, Governors and legislatures of Member States. Directs the Governors, on a rotating basis, to designate independent persons to evaluate the performance of the Corporation every two years. Chapter III: Projects and Programs of the Corporation - Authorizes the Corporation to participate in financing any project related to solving the energy needs of the Northeast. Allows the Corporation to assist projects by loans, guarantees or equity investments. Stipulates that before any financial assistance is provided, the Board of Directors of the Corporation must find that: (1) the project is expected to have a beneficial impact on the energy problems of the region; (2) the investment together with other Corporation activities will not materially impair the credit of the Corporation; (3) private capital is unavailable or insufficient; and (4) unless this limitation is specially waived, the Corporation will not operate the project on a continuing basis or invest more than 50 percent of the total cost. Authorizes rejection of each project by the Governor of the Member State in which it is located. Charges the Board with reviewing periodically the allocation of Corporation resources among the Member States to assure a measure of equity in the distribution of benefits. Limits the Corporation's investment in any one project to the greater of 10 percent of its borrowing authority or $200,000,000. Chapter IV: Financing - Stipulates that capital subscriptions from the States ($1 per capita initial contribution) and private investors shall determine the borrowing authority of the Corporation according to a formula of $15 borrowing backed by Federal guarantees for each $1 capital contribution. Authorizes the contribution of additional capital by the States after the initial subscription. Authorizes the issuance of capital securities to States and private investors in a form determined by the Board. Permits the Corporation to issue its own obligations which shall be general obligations payable out of any revenues. Prohibits the Corporation from pledging the credit of the United States or the credit of Member States. Chapter V: Guarantee of Obligations - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to guarantee obligations of the Corporation. Permits the Secretary to agree with the Corporation that the United States will purchase the product of its projects, if necessary, in the event market conditions preclude private sale. Chapter VI: State Legislation - Requires Member States, upon joining the Corporation, to enact legislation: (1) assuring decisions within 90 days of application on request for permits required for Corporation projects; (2) exempting the property, income, and operations of the Corporation from State and local taxation; and (3) specifying that insofar as the provisions of any State, general, special, or local law may be inconsistent with this Act, the provisions of this Act and the legislation enacted under this Chapter are controlling. Chapter VII: Miscellaneous - Specifies terms of construction and separability of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1977
Declares that the President should establish a Commission on Domestic and International Hunger and Malnutrition which should: (1) collect and generate information and resources on food, hunger, malnutrition and related concerns; (2) assess current programs affecting domestic and international hunger and malnutrition; (3) analyze and report its findings and recommendations to the President, the Congress, and the public; and (4) assist the President and the Congress in implementing its recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1977
Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, which prohibits Federal agencies from obtaining excess personal property for purposes of furnishing such property to grantees of such agencies, by exempting the Office of Economic Opportunity from such prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1977
Continues the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs through December 31, 1979. Authorizes the expenditure of additional funds, not to exceed $250,000 per annum, by the Select Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1977
Grants survivor benefits to dependents of present or former members of the armed forces who die before becoming entitled to retired pay for non-regular service. Stipulates that such amount be 55 percent of the retired pay to which such member would have been entitled. Adds 10 U.S.C. 1448(e).
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1977
Regulatory Flexibility Act - Requires Federal agencies to: (1) assess the costs of private information collection and compliance which are or would be imposed by existing or proposed agency rules; (2) compare such impositions with the importance of the public policy achieved or to be achieved by such rules; and (3) determine whether such rules should apply to the same extent to individuals, and organizations of various sizes and resources. Requires, in the event that it is determined that such proposed rules, will have a substantial effect on any significant number of small businesses, that such rules be submitted to the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. Requires such Office to comment on the impact of such proposed rules on smaller enterprises. Requires such comments to be made public and available to Federal personnel responsible for reviewing such rules. Directs that proposed rules be issued in two or more parts when the analysis of such rules indicates the desirability of applying varying requirements for performance or reporting depending on the resources of the organization or individual required to comply with such rules.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1977
Makes private, profit making entities eligible for vocational rehabilitation research grants and contracts under the Rehabilitation Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1977
Establishes the George W. Norris Home National Historic Site in the State of Nebraska.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1977
Lobbying Reform Act - Requires annual registration of any organization which expends at least $1,250 per calendar quarter for lobbying purposes, employees any person as a lobbyist for 24 hours per week or more, or two or more such persons for at least 12 hours per week each, or which expends in excess of $5,000 per quarter to engage any other person as a lobbyist. Requires such organizations to file quarterly lobbying reports disclosing the identity of paid lobbyists, amounts paid to such lobbyists, and the issues such lobbyists sought to influence during the quarter. Requires the annual registration of organizations acting through their own paid officers or employees engaging in 15 or more oral lobbying communications in any quarterly filing period. Permits the filing of abbreviated quarterly filing reports for organizations required to file solely because of the number of oral lobbying communications made by their own personnel. Requires organizations which have submitted any bid for any Government contract or grant to file quarterly reports until such contract or grant is awarded disclosing any attempts such organization has made to influence such award. Specifies the required contents of such reports including: (1) identity of any employee seeking to influence such award who, during the past five years, was a Federal employee of the agency responsible for the award who was paid in excess of the highest rate specified for pay grades GS-11, O-4, or W-2, as the case may be; (2) specified gifts made to Federal officers or employees in excess of $35; and (3) an itemized listing of each expenditure for any reception, dinner, or similar event where the total cost of such event exceeds $500. Specifies recordkeeping and report preparation requirements for any organization required to file under this Act. Requires the Comptroller General, with whom such registrations and reports must be filed, to investigate possible violations of this Act and to establish cross-indexing systems to reveal the identity of individuals employed as lobbyists by more than one organization, and to establish similar cross-indexing systems with the Federal Election Commission and the Department of Justice to disclose persons identified in reports filed under this Act and the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 or the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Directs the Comptroller General to make copies of reports filed under this Act and summaries of data in such reports available to the public. Forbids the use of information secured under this Act for commercial purposes. Imposes upon the Comptroller General the duty to render advisory opinions with respect to the requirements of this Act upon which seekers of such opinions may justifiably rely. Directs the Comptroller General to refer to the Attorney General any actions or omissions which it is believed constitute violations of this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General to institute civil actions where appropriate and requires the prosecution of criminal actions where appropriate. Imposes civil and criminal sanctions for the violation of this Act. Repeals the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1977
Amends the Veterans' Administration Physician and Dentist Pay Comparability Act of 1975 to extend from September 30, 1977, to September 30, 1978 the authority of the Veterans' Administration to enter into special pay agreements with physicians and dentists employed in the Department of Medicine and Surgery. Permits such physicians and dentists to enter into new agreements with the Veterans' Administration for up to four years of additional service in the Department upon completion of the initial period of service.
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 · 21 June 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow certain small corporations to delay, for one month, the payment of their fourth quarterly installment of Federal income taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 1977
Veterans Disability Compensation and Survivor Benefits Act -- Title I: Veterans Disability Compensation -- Increases the rates of disability compensation for disabled veterans. Title II: Survivors Dependency and Indemnity Compensation -- Increases the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for the survivors of disabled veterans. Title III: Clothing Allowance and Effective Date Provisions -- Increases the clothing allowance for disabled veterans who wear prosthetic appliances that tear clothes. Declares that the provisions of this Act shall become effective on October 1, 1977.
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 · 14 June 1977
Veterans Health Care Amendments Act - Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to furnish initial readjustment professional counseling (including a general mental and psychological assessment) for any veteran with readjustment problems who requests such aid within four years after his discharge or release from service, or within two years after enactment of this Act, whichever is later. Requires further mental health services on an outpatient basis if a physician employed by the Veterans' Administration determines on the basis of initial counseling that such services are necessary for the veteran's successful readjustment. Directs the Chief Medical Director to provide for the training of professional, paraprofessional, and lay personnel necessary to carry out such programs. Directs the Administrator to ensure that all potentially eligible veterans are advised of such potential eligibility. Authorizes the Administrator to provide a preventive health care program to ensure the best possible health care for veterans with service- connected disabilities. Directs the Administrator to provide for a health maintenance pilot program to demonstrate the medical advantages and cost-effectiveness of furnishing comprehensive preventive health care services to veterans with varied types and degrees of service-connected disabilities. Requires a comprehensive annual report to Congress on such programs. Requires the Administrator to carry out programs providing inpatient and outpatient treatment and rehabilitation services on a nationwide basis to eligible veterans suffering from alcohol or drug dependence or abuse disabilities. Directs the Administrator to assist the Secretary of Labor in providing veterans receiving such treatment with appropriate job and training opportunities. Requires the Administrator, when an applicant for such treatment has received a less than honorable discharge from the armed services, to advise such applicant of his right to apply for review and correction of such discharge. Requires the provision of such services to eligible veterans who are charged with or convicted of any criminal offense and who are not confined and not required to participate in such a treatment program; and permits provision of such services, under specified conditions, to eligible veterans similarly charged or convicted, if a court does require participation in such a program. Allows a member of the active armed services with alcohol or drug problems to transfer to any Veterans' Administration facility for treatment within the last 30 days of such member's tour of duty. Directs the Administrator and the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to coordinate the Professional Standards Review program carried out under part B of title XI (General Provision) of the Social Security Act and the comparable programs carried out by the Department of Medicine and Surgery to assess the quality of patient care in Veterans' Administration health care facilities. Requires the Chief Medical Director, through the Administrator, to report to Congress on the effectiveness of such coordination. Requires the Chief Medical Director to report to Congress, not later than three months after the end of each fiscal year, on all activities in which he or a designee, as a representative of the Veterans' Administration, has participated in an advisory or coordinating capacity with respect to programs carried out by the executive branch.
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.