The world's political record
Person
![Official portrait of Sen. Stafford, Robert T. [R-VT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000776_200.jpg)
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 · 10 February 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for rural health clinic services pursuant to program of Supplementary Medical Insurance Benefits for the aged and Disabled of such Title.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to increase from one-twelfth of one percent to five-ninths of one percent the increment by which an individual's old-age benefits shall be increased because of delayed retirement beyond age 65.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1977
Regulatory Reform Act - Requires the President to submit to Congress a plan recommending reforms with respect to the regulation of: (1) energy, the environment, housing, and occupational health and safety by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1979; (2) transportation and communications by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1981; (3) banking and finance, international trade, and Government procurement by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1983; and (4) food, consumer health and safety, economic trade practices, and labor- management concerns by specified Federal agencies by April 30, 1985. States that each such plan shall include recommendations for reform of such specified agencies and shall report on the cumulative impact of all Government regulatory activity reviewed, up to that date, on specific industry groupings. States that if the President fails to submit such plans by the specified dates, the Senate and House Committees on Government Operations shall draft their own plans to be submitted to Congress for action. Requires the Comptroller General and the Congressional Budget Office, contemporaneously with the development of the President's plan, to submit a report assessing the purpose, effects, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of each agency included in the plans submitted by the President. States that if no comprehensive regulatory reform legislation is enacted by August 1 of the year following the year in which a comprehensive plan has been submitted by the President, then all agencies affected thereby shall have no authority to issue any new rules not essential for preserving the public health and safety; if such reform is not enacted by October 1 of such year, such agency shall have no authority to enforce any rule not essential for preserving the public health and safety; if no such reform is enacted by December 31 of such year, such agency shall be terminated on such date. States that all rules of such terminated agency essential for preserving the public health and safety shall remain effective and shall be enforced by the Department of Justice. Requires the President to submit subsequent plans in the manner and in the order and frequency set forth by this Act every ten years.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1977
Requires that the Congressional Record for the Senate contain an accurate and verbatim account of remarks actually delivered on the floor together with permitted supporting data. Limits revisions of remarks in the Congressional Record to the correction of grammatical and typographical errors which do not change the meaning, content, or substance of those remarks. Entitles Senators to insert in the Record remarks not actually delivered on the floor. Directs that such insertions be clearly distinguishable from verbatim remarks.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1977
Amends the Social Security Act to provide that, if the delivery day for benefit checks under titles II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) and XVI (Supplemental Security Income Program) falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal public holiday, benefit checks for such month shall be mailed for delivery on the first day preceding such designated day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal public holiday, without regard to whether the delivery of such checks is made in the same calendar month for which such benefit checks are issued. Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to make the same provision for the mailing of veterans' benefits checks.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1977
Amends the National Labor Relations Act to require an employer which assumes the ownership or operation of a business to honor any applicable collective bargaining contract in its entirety. Amends the Labor Management Relations Act to permit a labor organization to bring suit against a new employer which refuses to honor an existing agreement in United States district court regardless of the citizenship of the parties or amount in controversy.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to provide payment for optometric and medical vision care under the supplementary medical insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1977
National Meals-on-Wheels Act - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to allow States to distribute Federal Funds for the establishment of: (1) projects to provide home-delivered meals to qualified homebound elderly persons; (2) an information and referral system for homebound individuals receiving such meals; and (3) an operation to seek volunteer personnel for the delivery of such meals and to compensate such personnel for related transportation expenses. Authorizes the appropriation of specified sums in fiscal years 1978 and 1979 for the purpose of providing home-delivered meals under this Act. Limits to five percent the amount of such funds which may be spent upon the administration of such program. Directs the Commissioner of the Administration on Aging to conduct a demonstration project involving at least three States to determine the feasibility of using the meals system designed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the elderly as a component of, or substitute for, regular nutrition projects assisted under the Older Americans Act of 1965.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1977
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to increase the amount authorized to be appropriated to finance oil and hazardous substances removal activities from $35,000,000 to $60,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1977
Union Station Improvement Act - Amends the National Visitor Center Facilities Act of 1968 to direct the Secretary of the Interior to assign the lease and purchase option on Union Station, Washington, D. C., entered into pursuant to such Act to the Secretary of Transportation and to sublease that portion of Union Station which is required for the continued operation of the National Visitor Center. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to renegotiate the lease of Union Station and to exercise the purchase option included in such lease at the earliest practicable date. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire additional property interests not held by the United States for the development of Union Station. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to promptly complete all the improvements undertaken pursuant to such Act except the parking facility and the Southeast Ramp mass transit facility. Directs the Secretary to require the Washington Terminal Company to promptly complete the new railroad passenger station constructed under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1977
Extends up to three years the delimiting period of educational benefits paid by the Veterans' Administration to any veteran who was enrolled as a full-time student pursuing an approved course of education when his eligibility expired, or was enrolled as a part-time student receiving educational benefits, a loan or compensation under a program provided for in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 1977
Title I: Public Works Employment - Public Works Employment Act - Authorizes to be appropriated a sum not to exceed $2,000,000,000 for the purpose of making grants to States and local governments for local public works projects with respect to which unsuccessful applications for grants were made prior to December 23, 1976, under the Public Works Employment Act of 1976. Authorizes an additional sum not to exceed $2,000,000,000 for the purpose of making grants for local public works projects which are eligible for grants under title I of the Public Works Employment Act of 1976, including projects for which grant applications are pending, and for projects for the construction or improvement of health care or rehabilitation facilities owned and operated by private nonprofit entities. Limits the Federal share for any such project to 80 percent of its cost. Sets forth guidelines for making grants under this title, including the consideration of unemployment rates in grant allocation. Stipulates that up to two and one-half percent of funds appropriated under this title shall be available for projects requested by Indian Tribes of Alaska Native organizations. Title II: Youth Community Improvement Program- Youth Community Improvement Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, under the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to make grants and to enter into contracts with, any State, local government, Indian tribe, or Alaska Native organization to pay the cost of community improvement projects to be carried out by youths. Sets forth requirements for applications for assistance and for agreements evidencing grants or contracts under this title, including requirements relative to wages to be paid to participating youths, projects supervisory personnel, and job opportunities and skills development. Directs eligible applicants to establish or designate a local nonprofit organization to carry out activities funded under this title. Directs the Secretary to work with appropriate State education agencies to provide that academic credit be awarded for work experience gained through the youth community improvement program.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1977
Amends the Anadromous Fish Conservation Act to include within the conservation, development, and enhancement programs of the Act, fish in Lake Champlain which ascend streams to spawn.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1977
Amends Title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act to require the appointment of an optometrist to the National Professional Standards Review Council and the participation by optometrists in the activities of local professional standards review organizations pursuant to the requirements of such title.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Title I: Meat and Meat Products - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to require meat imports to be labeled as imports and to be subjected to tests regarding substances or levels of substances prohibited in any domestically produced animal. Title II: Dairy Products - Prohibits the importation of dairy products unless the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare certifies that such imports originated from pure and wholesome supplies and were manufactured in plants which comply with certain minimum standards of sanitation. Makes such products subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act after entry into the United States. Permits assessments and fees to be prescribed for such tests and inspections and the revocation of import privileges for failure to pay such fees.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Youth Community Improvement Act - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to, and enter into contracts with, State and local governments, Indian tribes, and Alaska Native organizations to pay the costs of community improvement projects carried out by youths.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow limited income tax credit for the higher education expenses paid for the taxpayer, his spouse, and his dependents.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Open Communications Act - Requires each Federal agency to publish in the Federal Register a list of all its positions compensated in excess of the rate prescribed for GS-14 under the General Schedule or comparable officers of the uniformed services. Requires each official holding such a position to prepare a record of each oral or written communication received by such official initiated by persons outside the agency, which (1) pertains to an agency proceeding, (2) seeks to influence agency action, or (3) is the subject of litigation involving the agency, if such communication is not routinely available for public inspection. Sets forth required content of such records. Exempts from the record requirements of this Act (1) certain interagency communication, (2) requests for information by the press, and (3) communications relating to military or foreign affairs. Requires each agency to include such records in a public file within ten working days after receipt of the communication. States that persons communicating with Federal officials need not be identified pursuant to this Act if such person provides information under an assurance of confidentiality for use in a civil or criminal enforcement investigation or in an administrative or judicial inforcement proceeding, or if such person is the subject of a civil or criminal enforcement investigation. Permits individual agencies to broaden the scope of the requirements of this Act. Requires the Administrative conference of the United States to study the procedures established to carry out this Act and report its finding to Congress two years after the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Mosquito Control Act - Title I: Surveys and Demonstration - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to establish a program of information and assistance to State and local governments relating to the control and elimination of mosquitoes. Authorizes the Secretary to make studies and investigations of problems involved in mosquito control upon the request of a State department or Governor. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,000,000 per year for fiscal year 1977 and each of the three succeeding fiscal years to carry out the provisions of this title. Title II: - Matching Grants to the States - Establishes a program of Federal assistance for approved State mosquito control plans. Limits such assistance in any fiscal year to the lesser of: (1) 50 percent of the total cost for such plan, or (2) $2,000,000. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 1977 and each of the three succeeding fiscal years to carry out the provisions of this title. Title III: General Provisions - Defines the term "State" to include territories and possessions of the United States. Defines the term "mosquitoes" to include mosquito vectors of human disease. Declares that all actions initiated by the Secretary under this Act must be with the explicit consent of the State concerned.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Beverage Container Reuse and Recycling Act - Prohibits the sale of carbonated beverages in beverage containers by retailers and distributors unless such containers carry a refund value of not less than five cents. Requires that retailers and distributors pay the amount of the affixed refund value for brands of beverages bought and sold by such retailers or distributors. Prohibits States from imposing any tax on the collection or return of refund values established by this Act. Prohibits distributors and retailers from selling beverages in metal beverage containers with detachable openings. Imposes penalties of up to $1,000 and/or 60 days imprisonment for violation of the provisions of this Act. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to monitor the rate of reuse and recycling as a result of this Act. Stipulates that the labeling of refund values shall be required within three years of the date of enactment of this Act. Stipulates that the prohibition on detachable metal openings shall take effect one year after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1977
Recognizes the outstanding contributions made by President Ford to this Nation and commends him for the manner and integrity with which he carried out his responsibilities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Clean Air Amendments - Amends the Clean Air Act to stipulate that no State shall receive less than one-half of one percent of the total annual appropriation under the Act allocated to qualified State agencies. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, after consultation with other government officials, to publish guidelines for transportation planning programs. Requires States to submit plans for prevention of significant deterioration of air quality in clean air regions, subject to approval by the Administrator. Establishes guidelines for classification of such regions. Imposes limitations on projected increases in ambient concentrations of particulate matter and sulfur dioxide for each class of such regions. Requires that new sources constructed in such regions utilize the best available control technology and certify that emissions from such facility will not contribute to a cumulative change in ambient air quality greater than the appropriate limits. Directs the Administrator to recommend to the Congress strategies to prevent significant deterioration by controlling pollutants other than particulates and sulfur dioxide. Authorizes the Administrator to grant extensions of up to five years for the attainment of national primary ambient standards where transportation measures are required. Details requirements for the submission of any such extension application by the Governor of the affected State. Directs the Administrator to make grants to local officials in order to assist in the development of transportation control plans for the area. Authorizes decreases in levels of such assistance if localities fail to implement conditions imposed as a result of an extension granted the region by the Administrator. Requires that States develop a satisfactory process of consultation with local governments with respect to preparation of State clean air implementation plans. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate design or equipment standards where necessary to control emissions of hazardous air pollutants. Authorizes State enforcement action against stationary sources found in violation of compliance schedules established pursuant to this Act. Authorizes extensions of compliance dates for major emitting facilities which submit plans for compliance through application of innovative techniques or technologies. Establishes procedures to allow major emitting facilities to convert to coal in order to conserve fuel and to allow additional time to comply with clean air requirements. Authorizes the Federal Energy Administrator to establish priorities among such facilities in order to insure that facilities in regions which do not meet primary standards are provided available emission control systems. Stipulates that compliance schedules established for such facilities shall be enforceable to the same extent as other compliance schedules established under the Act. Imposes a delayed compliance penalty on any major facility which for any reason not entirely beyond the control of the owner is not in compliance with an applicable emission limitation by January 1, 1979. Stipulates that such penalty shall be incorporated into the sources's compliance schedule and that it shall amount to a monthly payment in an amount no less than the monthly equivalent of the capital costs of compliance over a normal amortization period. Prohibits the construction or modification of major emitting facilities where such facility will prevent the attainment or maintenance of a national ambient air quality standard. Establishes an exception for construction or modification at existing sites, provided the proposed facility will utilize the best available control technology and will not, in combination with existing facilities at the site, prevent reasonable progress towards the achievement of ambient air quality standards. Establishes procedures for revision of State implementation plans where it is alleged that pollutants emitted in the United States endanger the health or welfare of persons in a foreign country. Abolishes the Air Quality Advisory Board originally established by the Act. Repeals energy-related authority previously vested in the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency as it relates to stationary sources. Directs the Administrator to contract for a National Academy of Sciences study of the nature and likelihood of potential effects on the public health and welfare from the release of halocarbons into the atmosphere. Requires further studies of the effects of halocarbons on the ozone in the stratosphere. Directs the Secretary of Labor, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to submit reports on studies of related matters. Directs the Administrator to consider such information and promulgate final regulations for the control of halocarbon discharges no later than April 1, 1978, subject to Congressional review. Imposes civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for violation of such regulations. Revises motor vehicle emission standards under such Act to require heavy duty vehicles manufactured in model years 1979 and afterwards to utilize the best available control technology to reduce carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, particulate, and nitrogen oxide emissions. Revises emission standards for light duty vehicles to extend for two years from model year 1977 to 1979 the compliance date for light-duty vehicles to achieve a 90 percent reduction of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions from 1970 levels. Revises the applicable nitrogen oxides standard to require model year 1980 light duty vehicles to achieve a standard of 1.0 gram per vehicle mile. Extends the 2.0 gram per mile interim standard through model year 1979. Requires that no less than ten percent of the vehicles produced by major manufacturers during model year 1979 comply with 1980 standards. Directs the Administrator to contract for a National Academy of Sciences study of the feasibility of establishing light-duty motor vehicle emission standards imposed by this Act. Stipulates that the costs of retrofit devices to enable existing light duty vehicles to meet emission standards shall be included in the original purchase price of the vehicle. Requires the manufacturer to furnish written instructions as to the proper maintenance and use of the vehicle in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Administrator. Authorizes regions which do not meet primary ambient standards for mobile source pollutants to adopt and enforce model year 1980 motor vehicle emission standards in model year 1979. Directs the Administrator to study and report on the effects of emissions of sulfur-bearing compounds from motor vehicles and aircraft engines. Directs the Administrator to establish emission standards for air pollutants from railroad locomotives. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to make inspections to insure compliance with such standards. Prohibits States and localities from adopting different standards. Awards costs and attorneys' fees to any private party who prevails against the United States or an officer of the United States in a judicial proceeding under the Act. Prohibits discrimination against employees who participate in any proceeding under the Act. Establishes a National Commission on Air Quality to study various air pollution control objectives and alternatives and report to the Congress. Authorizes the appropriation of $17,000,000 for such study. Authorizes the appropriation of the following amounts to carry out the general provisions of the Clean Air Act: $300,000,000 for fiscal year 1976; $75,000,000 for the transition period ending September 30, 1976, and $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1977 and 1978. Authorizes the appropriation of $75,000,000 for grants to assist in the development of regional transportation control plans. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to study the impact on competition of warranties required by the Act. Directs the Administrator to study the feasibility of a system of penalties for emissions of nitrogen oxides.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Permits military service performed by an individual after December 1956 to be included in determining the aggregate period of service on which a civil service annuity is based, even though such individual is eligible for social security benefits. Requires the Civil Service Commission to exclude from such annuity an amount equal to that portion of the monthly benefit attributable to the individual's military service.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Clean Air Act Amendments - Amends the Clean Air Act to authorize the appropriation of $200,000,000 per year for fiscal year 1977, 1978, and 1979 to carry out the general provisions of the Act. Authorizes the appropriation of $129,223,500 for fiscal year 1977 for research, development, and demonstration. Authorizes the appropriation of $75,000,000 for fiscal years 1977 through 1979 for development of State transportation control plans. Title I: Amendments Primarily Relating to Title I of the Clean Air Act - Amends the Clean Air Act to direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to provide training assistance to qualified personnel in State air pollution control agencies. Revises criteria for allocation of Federal assistance for State air pollution planning and control programs. Directs the States to classify air quality control regions, subject to modifications by the Administrator, for the purpose of transportation control planning and prevention of significant air quality deterioration. Directs the Administrator to issue information on costs, benefits, and energy requirements with respect to the establishment of air quality criteria under the Act. Directs the Administrator to publish information and guidelines on procedures and methods of transportation controls designed to reduce air pollution from mobile sources. Requires a thorough review of air quality criteria and standards by an independent scientific review committee at five-year intervals. Revises criteria for establishment of new source performance standards to require consideration of non-air quality environmental factors and energy requirements in establishing such standards. Authorizes use of alternative technological systems to achieve new source standards. Directs the Administrator to consider development of new source standards for additional categories of major stationary sources. Directs the Administrator to include additional new source standards upon application by State Governors. Authorizes the Administrator to waive new source performance standards to encourage use of technological innovations. Authorizes the Administrator to promulgate design or equipment standards, where appropriate, to control emissions of hazardous air pollutants. Authorizes States to extend compliance dates, in accordance with specified criteria, for stationary sources to January 1, 1979. Requires that major emitting sources be subject to a delayed compliance penalty in connection with the granting of such extensions. Revises provisions for assessment of civil and criminal penalties in connection with violations of implementation plan requirements and orders issued pursuant thereto. Establishes procedures for abatement of air pollution in foreign countries caused by pollutants emitted in the United States. Abolishes the Air Quality Advisory Board originally established by the Act. Repeals energy-related authority previously vested in the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency as it relates to stationary sources. Establishes procedures to allow major emitting facilities to convert to coal in order to conserve fuel and to allow additional time to comply with clean air requirements. Stipulates that Federal facilities shall not be immune or exempt from legal processes to enforce air pollution control requirements. Establishes procedures to authorize the use of supplemental controls for primary nonferrous smelters, upon application by owners or operators of such smelters, where it is demonstrated that control technology for such smelters is not adequately demonstrated to be reasonably available, considering costs, non-air quality environmental impacts, and energy requirements and where continued emissions will not violate national primary or secondary air quality standards. Stipulates that compliance schedules issued under such procedures shall not result in a postponement of applicable emission requirements beyond January 1, 1988. Directs the Administrator to review all relevant information concerning emissions of vinyl chloride, cadmium, arsenic, and polycyclic organic matter with a view to possible designation of such substances as criteria pollutants or as hazardous air pollutants. Directs the Administrator to issue criteria with a view to establishing a national ambient air quality standard for emissions of nitrogen dioxide over a period of not more than one hour. Directs the Administrator to study the effects of these substances, along with sulfates and other derivatives of nitrogen oxides. Prohibits the construction or modification of major emitting facilities which would result in violations of air quality standards unless specified requirements are met. Requires that such new or modified facilities utilize the best available control technology as defined by this Act and that such facilities comply with applicable emission limitations by January 1, 1979. Directs the Administrator to conduct an independent study, through the National Academy of Sciences, to review the necessity of indirect source review programs contained in State implementation plans. Imposes limitations on the use of indirect source controls unless necessary to meet national primary ambient air quality standards for mobile source-related pollutants. Defines the term "indirect source" to include various facilities which may attract mobile pollution sources. Directs the Administrator to establish procedures for abating interstate air pollution. Directs the Administrator to contract for a National Academy of Sciences study of the nature and likelihood of potential effects on the public health and welfare from the release of substances into the stratosphere. Directs the Secretary of Labor, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to submit reports on studies of related matters. Directs the Administrator to consider such information and promulgate final regulations no later than April 1, 1978, subject to Congressional review. Imposes civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for violation of such regulations. Requires States to submit plans for prevention of significant deterioration of air quality in clean air regions, subject to approval by the Administrator. Establishes guidelines for classification of such regions. Imposes limitations on projected increases in ambient concentrations of particulate matter and sulfur dioxide for each class of such regions. Requires that newly constructed major emitting facilities in such regions utilize the best available control technology and certify that emissions from such facility will not contribute to a cumulative change in ambient air quality greater than the appropriate limits. Directs the Administrator to recommend to the Congress strategies to prevent significant deterioration by controlling pollutants other than particulates and sulfur dioxide. Directs the Administrator to convene a conference on air quality modeling within six months after the enactment of this Act and every three years thereafter. Directs the Administrator to publish guidelines and reports with respect to prevention of significant deterioration and control of photochemical oxidants on a regional or multistate basis. Authorizes the Administrator to grant extensions of up to five years for the attainment of national primary ambient standards where transportation measures are required. Details requirements for the submission of any such extension application by the Governor of the affected State. Directs the Administrator to make grants to local officials in order to assist in the development of transportation control plans for the area. Authorizes decreases in levels of such assistance if localities fail to implement conditions imposed as a result of an extension granted the region by the Administrator. Title II: Amendments Primarily Relating to Title II of the Clean Air Act - Revises emission standards for light duty motor vehicles to extend for two years from model year 1977 to 1979 the compliance date for light-duty vehicles to achieve a 90 percent reduction of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions from 1970 levels. Revises the applicable nitrogen oxides standard to require model year 1981 light duty vehicles to achieve a standard of 1.0 gram per vehicle mile. Extends the 2.0 gram per mile interim standard through model year 1980. Directs the Administrator to require submission of research and development plans by major automobile manufacturers designed to achieve such goals. Revises motor vehicle emission standards to require heavy duty vehicles manufactured in model years 1979 and afterwards to utilize the best available control technology to reduce carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, particulate, and nitrogen oxide emissions. Establishes model year 1983 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles which require a 75 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides emissions and a 90 percent reduction in carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions from such vehicles. Authorizes the Administrator to issue revised emission standards following public hearings and submission of a report to Congress. Directs the Administrator to study the possibility of increased use of cost-effectiveness analyses in order to achieve the purposes of this Act. Directs the Administrator to study the health effects of particulate emissions from motor vehicles. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to study the impact on competition of various warranties imposed by the Act with respect to motor vehicle emission control systems. Directs the Administrator to study the health effects of emissions of sulfur compounds from motor vehicles and aircraft. Requires that State implementation plans provide for annual inspection and maintenance of light-duty vehicles in regions where transportation control measures are refined. Directs the Administrator to establish emission standards for air pollutants from railroad locomotives. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to make inspections to insure compliance with such standards. Prohibits States and localities from adopting different standards. Title III: Amendments Primarily Relating to Title III of the Clean Air Act - Stipulates that the degree of emission limitation required under applicable State clean air implementation plans shall not be affected by stack height or any other dispersion technique. Authorizes courts to award costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney and witness fees, in judicial proceedings where review of action of the Administrator is sought. Prohibits discrimination against employees who participate in any proceeding under the Act. Establishes procedures for allocation of cost of emission control for vapor recovery with respect to mobile source fuels. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to study the effects of such requirements on independent small business marketers of gasoline. Authorizes the Administrator to exempt small, independent firms from such requirements. Directs the Administrator, in cooperation with the National Academy of Sciences, to study the hazards presented by emissions of fine particulate matter. Requires disclosure of known financial interests which might conflict with administration of the Act by employees of the Environmental Protection Agency. Directs the Administrator to prepare economic impact assessments for regulations proposed under this Act. Establishes a National Commission on Air Quality to study various air pollution control objectives and alternatives and report to the Congress. Authorizes the appropriation of $18,000,000 for such study. Directs the Administrator to study the problem of carbon monoxide intrusion into buses and sustained-use motor vehicles. Title IV: Miscellaneous Amendments - Redefines the basis of administrative standards under the Act to direct the Administrator to act where emissions cause or contribute to air pollution which may reasonably be anticipated to endanger the public health or welfare. Stipulates that rules or regulations prescribed by the Administrator under the Clean Air Act shall be subject to Congressional review. Directs the Administrator to transmit a comprehensive five-year plan of environmental research, development, and demonstration to the Congress, to be updated on an annual basis.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Public Participation in Federal Agency Proceedings Act - Entitles any person to recover reasonable attorneys' fees and other costs of participation incurred by such person in any Federal agency proceeding if the participation of such person promotes or can reasonably be expected to promote a full and fair determination of the issues involved in the proceeding and the economic interest of such person in the outcome is small compared to the costs of participation in such proceeding, or such person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in such proceeding in the absence of an award under this Act. Requires each agency, whenever practicable, to determine, prior to the commencement of any proceeding, the eligibility of a person for an award under this Act and the amount of such award. Requires payment of such an award, where necessary, prior to the conclusion of such proceeding but in no event later than 90 days after the conclusion of such proceeding. Directs the head of each agency to report annually to Congress with respect to awards made under this Act. Entitles any person who is a party to, or intervenor in, any civil suit or proceeding for judicial review of agency action to costs incurred by such person in litigation if such person is afforded the relief sought in substantial measure, the court determines that such action served an important public purpose, the economic interest of such person in the outcome of such action is small compared with the cost of litigation, and the person does not have sufficient resources to participate effectively in such action absent an an award under this Act. Directs the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to report annually to Congress with respect to awards granted by courts of the United States under this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated for agency awards under this Act, $10,000,000 each year for fiscal years 1978, 1979, and 1980. Authorizes to be appropriated for judicial awards under this Act such sums as may be necessary. (Adds 5 USC 558a; 707)
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Amends the Social Security Act to require skilled nursing facilities, under Title XVIII (Medicare), to have a qualified professional psychiatric nurse available, on at least a consultant basis, in order to furnish necessary psychiatric services, and to permit such nurses to perform specified medical and other health services which are performed by physicians. Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act: (1) to authorize payment for professional services furnished by a qualified professional psychiatric nurse; (2) to prohibit payment for services furnished by any intermediate care facility or skilled nursing facility which does not have a qualified psychiatric nurse available, on at least a consultant basis; and (3) to prohibit payment for inpatient services furnished by a psychiatric hospital unless such hospital provides to qualified professional nurses the same staff privileges which are extended to physicians.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Rural Energy Office Act - Establishes within the Department of Agriculture an Office of Rural Energy Assessment and Development whose Director shall be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Makes such Office responsible for identifying, developing, and compiling data pertaining to fuel and other energy needs of persons residing in rural areas. Directs the Office to submit semi-annual reports to Congress containing an accounting of the findings and conclusions of the Office with respect to the following subject matter as it relates to the needs of persons in rural areas: (1) the heating and cooling of residential dwelling units; (2) transportation; (3) the production of agricultural commodities; (4) the energy needs of business and industries; (5) sources of electricity; (6) conservation of energy; and (7) energy research and development. Directs the Office to provide such reports to specified committees of Congress and directs such committees to cooperate in publishing making available to the public every six months a document containing the most recent information provided by the Office. Imposes a civil fine to be assessed against the Director of such Office if the Director fails to submit such reports by the dates specified in this Act. Requires regulations of the Federal Energy Administration, the Energy Research and Development Administration, the Federal Highway Commission, and the Federal Power Commission to be submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture for review where concerning a rural energy matter. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Terminates the Office and provisions of this Act in five years.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1977
Designates January 15 of each year as "Martin Luther King Day".
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to decrease from 72 to 65 the age at which earnings limitations are no longer applicable.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Requires the following persons to file annual financial disclosure statements with the Comptroller General: (1) the President; (2) the Vice President; (3) Members of Congress; (4) civil or military officers of the Executive Branch; (5) Federal judges and justices; (6) Federal employees and officials earning more than $25,000 per year; and (7) candidates in a general election for Federal office. Specifies information which such statement must contain including: (1) the amount and source of each item of income, and each gift or aggregate of gifts from one source (other than gifts received from a member of his immediate family) received by him or by him and his spouse jointly during the preceding calendar year which exceeds $100 in amount or value; including any fee or other honorarium and the monetary value of subsistence, entertainment, travel, and other facilities received by him in kind; (2) the value of each asset which is in excess of $1,000 held by him or by him and his spouse jointly; and (3) all dealings in securities or commodities which are in excess of $1,000 by him or by him and his spouse jointly. Requires the Comptroller General to make such statements available for public inspection. Requires that all written communications and memorandums of all oral communications made to a Federal agency concerning a case before such agency by any person not affiliated with such agency be made part of the public record of such case.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Amends Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to increase to $5,040 the amount of outside earnings which is permitted an individual each year without any deduction from benefits. Directs that if an eligible widow or widower marries, such individual's insurance benefit shall be reduced over a five-year period, commencing with the year following the year of such marriage, until such insurance benefit equals one-half of the primary insurance amount of the deceased individual on whose wages and self-employment income such benefit is based.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize the appropriation of $350,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1976, 1977, and 1978, to carry out the general purposes of the Act. Authorizes the appropriation of $148,800,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1977 and 1978 for specified research, development, and demonstration programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $75,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1976, 1977, and 1978, for grants to State and interstate programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1976, 1977, and 1978, for educational and training programs under the Act. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $5,000,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1977 and 1978 for grants to States and localities for waste treatment facilities. Specifies a formula for allotment of such funds to States. Revises procedures for allocation of grants for areawide waste treatment management programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $150,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1977 and 1978 for such grants. Authorizes the appropriation of $150,000,000 per fiscal year for fiscal years 1976, 1977, and 1978, for grants to States for clean lakes programs as authorized by the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) and Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to include as "medical and other health services" for which coverage will be provided under Medicare, and as "medical assistance" for which coverage will be provided under Medicaid, that medical or other remedial care furnished by registered professional nurses within the scope of their practices as defined by State law.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Sunset Act - Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Sets forth a five-year schedule for review and reauthorization of all Federal programs according to budget function and subfunction as set forth in the Budget of the United States Government for fiscal year 1977. States that no program not specifically reauthorized by Congress pursuant to this Act shall continue to function after the review date set forth in such schedule. Excepts from the requirements of this Act specified programs such as health care services, general retirement and disability insurance, and Federal employment retirement and disability payments. Permits legislation authorizing Federal program review more often than every five years as required by this Act. Requires the Comptroller General to identify for Congress for each program being reviewed the type of budget authority such program has and those inactive programs for which no outlays have been made during fiscal years 1976 and 1977. Title II: Review of Programs - Requires the authorizing committees of the Senate and House of Representatives to conduct "sunset reviews" of all programs prior to the review date applicable to such program and to issue a report on the findings of such review. Sets forth guidelines for the content of such sunset reviews including the identification of programs with duplicative objectives and an assessment of the impact of eliminating the program or funding it at a lower level. Provides the authorizing committees with assistance from the Government Accounting Office, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service in carrying out such sunset reviews. Title III: Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes a Citizens' Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government to study and make recommendations on ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Federal Government. Requires the Commission to submit its final report together with its findings and recommendations no later than September 30, 1980. Requires the Comptroller General to report once a year for two years after submission of the Commission's final report the status of actions taken as a result of the report. Terminates the Commission 90 days after submission of its final report. Authorizes to be appropriated $12,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this title. Title IV: Tax Expenditures - Requires the Joint Committee on Taxation, after consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Budget Committees of the House and Senate, to prepare a reauthorization schedule for all tax expenditures, similar to the schedule set out in Title I for Federal programs, and to report its recommendations to the Committees on Ways and Means and Finance. Requires the Congress to take final action before the end of the 95th Congress on the schedule for tax expenditures. States that, following the adoption of the schedule, the Committees on Ways and Means and Finance are required to conduct "sunset" reviews of tax expenditures according to the schedule. Sets forth guidelines for such reviews similar to those set out in Title II for such programs. Title V: Miscellaneous - Requires executive department agency heads to submit to Congress (after the President has submitted his budget) a statement of that agency's request for new budget authority as transmitted to the Office of Management and Budget. Requires agency heads to furnish the authorizing committees of Congress information regarding supplemental budget requests and supplemental estimates of outlays. Provides for a one-year grace period for programs which have not been specifically reauthorized by the scheduled time.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the people of the several States, and the District of Columbia, shall elect the President and Vice President. Requires each elector to cast a single vote for two persons who shall have consented to the joining of their names as candidates for the offices of President and Vice President. Requires the electors of President and Vice President in each State to have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislature, except that for electors of President and Vice President, the legislature of any State may prescribe less restrictive residence qualifications and for electors of President and Vice President the Congress may establish uniform residence qualifications. Provides that the pair of persons having the greatest number of votes for President and Vice President shall be elected, if such number be at least 40 percent of the whole number of votes cast for such offices. Provides that if no pair of persons has such number, a runoff election shall be held in which the choice of President and Vice President shall be made from the two pairs of persons who received the highest numbers of votes. Requires the days for such elections to be determined by Congress and to be uniform throughout the United States. Requires Congress to prescribe by law the time, place, and manner in which the results for such elections shall be ascertained and declared. Allows Congress to provide for the case of the death, inability, or withdrawal of any candidate for President or Vice President before a President and Vice President have been elected, and for the case of the death of both the President-elect and Vice President-elect.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Amends the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 to direct the President to prohibit suppliers of refined petroleum products from curtailing operations within any State by more than ten percent of total output without 180 days' prior written notice to the Governor of the affected State. Stipulates that such curtailments shall not exceed, within any six-month period, 25 percent of the total output of such supplier in that particular State. Limits the applicability of such requirements to marketers and distributors whose operations comprise at least two percent of the total market in such State.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Amends the Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964 to authorize the use of funds made available under such Act for projects in area other than urbanized areas, for the payment of subsidies for operating expenses in such areas.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Amends Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include community mental health centers among the facilities which may be qualified providers of services under such title. Amends Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require States having approved plans under such program to provide community mental health center services.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish standards with respect to preventive health care for identifiable populations within public health programs funded under such Act. Specifies that such standards shall be developed to identify populations in need and to maintain population-directed preventive health programs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Continuing Education in Science and Engineering Act - Authorizes the National Science Foundation to initiate a program of continuing education for individuals with scientific and engineering training who (1) have been engaged in their careers for at least three years; or (2) have had their careers interrupted for at least three years. Requires such program to be designed to provide such persons: (1) with new knowledge and abilities in their special fields; or (2) with knowledge and abilities in other fields enabling them to make a more valuable contribution to the nation. Directs such program to include but not be limited to: (1) the development of special curriculums and education techniques; and (2) the awarding of fellowships to enable persons with scientific and technical training to pursue continued education. Establishes guidelines for the allocation of fellowships. Authorizes the Foundation to contract for the development of courses and curriculums specially designed for its continuing education program.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 1977
Amends the Agricultural Act of 1949 by establishing the price support of milk at not less than 85 percent of parity for the marketing year beginning April 1, 1977, and ending on March 31, 1979. Provides for quarterly adjustments beginning July 1, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1976
Amends the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974 to make individuals who have completed 30 years of services eligible for an annuity regardless of such individuals' age.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1976
Expresses Senate support of the Public Broadcasting Service's petition to the Federal Communications Commission which requests reservation of vertical line twenty-one for television transmission of captioning information for use by hearing impaired individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 1976
Condemns the murders of Orlando Letelier and Ronni Karpen Moffit and the serious injury of Michael Moffitt. Urges a complete and thorough investigation by Federal authorities of the circumstances surrounding the bombing.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1976
Government Economy and Spending Reform Act - Title I: Authorizations of New Budget Authority - Terminates all budget authority for Federal programs on specified dates according to the functional or subfunctional category of each program as set forth in the fiscal year 1977 budget. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress by April 1, 1977, on specified programs with respect to the laws under which such program is carried on, the amount of new budget authority received by such program during the four fiscal years ending before April 1, 1977, and to identify programs for which no outlays have been made during the last two fiscal years ending before April 1, 1977. Prohibits providing new budget authority after the applicable review date set forth in this Act unless the provision of such budget authority is specifically authorized by law or the standing rules of either House of Congress. Title II: Zero-Base Program Review - Sets forth a timetable for Congressional zero-base review of new budget authority. Defines "zero-base review" as an evaluation of a given program to determine the merits of its continuation at a level less than, equal to, or more than its existing level. Requires each congressional committee conducting a zero-based program review to adopt tentative and final review plans, receive reports from the Comptroller General and Federal agencies on the program being reviewed, and report to their respective House the results of such zero-base review of the program. Sets forth minimum objectives of inquiry for such reviews. Requires that any committee reporting pursuant to this Act recommend the extent to which any program reviewed should be continued or eliminated. Title III: Continuing Review - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 to require, whenever the Comptroller General issues a report which discloses any substantial deficiency in the achievement of the objectives of any Federal program, the agency conducting such program to report to specified congressional committees 60 days after such report and every six months thereafter to deliniate the actions taken with respect to such deficiency. Requires that such agency continue to issue such reports until such time as the Comptroller General determines that no purpose is served by their submission. Amends the Budget and Accounting Act, 1921, to require the inclusion in the Budget of a statement of the specific objectives of each Government program, and a comparison, in each subsequent Budget, of the achievement of such objectives for the last completed fiscal year with the planned objectives of such year. Title IV: Citizens Bicentennial Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government - Establishes the Citizens' Bicentennial Commission on the Organization and Operation of Government, an independent agency of 18 members to study Federal agencies. Directs the Commission to make recommendations to the President and Congress for the restructuring of such agencies to improve their efficiency. Requires the Commission to submit its final report by September 30, 1979, and terminate it 90 days thereafter. Authorizes to be appropriated without fiscal year limitation $12,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this title. Title V: Miscellaneous - Requires the Director of Management and Budget to study the feasibility of zero-base budgeting for Federal agencies. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to study the feasibility of personnel ceilings on employees of the United States and their relationships to alternative methods of carrying out the activities of such employees. Requires that such reports be submitted to Congress. Requires Federal agency heads to report requests for new budget authority to Congress. Requires specified committees to study the effectiveness of the zero-base review procedures required by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1976
Expresses the Senate's gratitude to Mike Mansfield of Montana for his participation in the Government and his service on behalf of the Nation's people.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1976
Authorizes printing 1,900 additional copies of the Senate Labor and Public Welfare committee print, "Rehabilitation and Developmental Disabilities Legislation."
United States · United States Congress · 31 August 1976
Rural Energy Office Act - Establishes within the Department of Agriculture an Office of Rural Energy Assessment and Development whose Director shall be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. Makes such Office responsible for identifying, developing, and compiling data pertaining to fuel and other energy needs of persons residing in rural areas. Requires the Office to submit biennial reports to Congress containing an accounting of the findings and conclusions of the Office with respect to the following subject matters as they relate to the needs of persons in rural areas: (1) the heating and cooling of residential dwelling units; (2) transportation; (3) the production of agricultural commodities; (4) the energy needs of businesses and industries; (5) sources of electricity; (6) conservation of energy; and (7) energy research and development. Requires the Office to provide such report to specified committees of Congress and directs such committees to cooperate in publishing and making available to the public every six months a document containing the most recent information provided by the Office. Establishes a civil fine to be assessed against the Director of such Office if the Director fails to submit such reports by the dates specified in this Act. Requires specified executive departments and independent regulatory bodies to submit a copy of any proposed regulation which relates to an energy matter referred to in this Act, to the Secretary of Agriculture for such Secretary's comments and recommendations. Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Terminates the Office and provisions of this Act in five years.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 1976
National Influenza Program - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish, conduct, and support activities necessary to carry out a national influenza immunization program. Directs the Secretary to make quarterly reports to Congress on the administration of such activities. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the scope and extent of liability for personal injuries arising out of immunization programs and of alternative approaches to providing protection against such liability and compensation for such injuries. Requires the Secretary to report the results of such study, along with legislative recommendations, to Congress within one year of enactment of these provisions. Makes the United States liable with respect to claims for personal injury or death resulting from the administration of vaccine under the immunization program. Establishes procedures under which all such claims will be asserted directly against the United States and makes such procedures the exclusive legal remedy.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 1976
Includes community mental health centers among the facilities which may be qualified providers of services under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Requires each State having an approved plan under Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to provide community mental health center services under such plan.