Public Works Employment Act of 1976

Summary

Public Works Employment Act - Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to authorize the Secretary of Commerce to make additional grants in order to increase to 100 percent the Federal contribution to public works projects under other provisions of law. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States, localities, and Indian tribes for construction, renovation, repair, or other improvement of local public works facilities. Stipulates that the Federal share of such projects shall be 100 percent. Establishes priorities for consideration of applications for assistance under such programs. Stipulates that not less than one-half of one percent nor more than 15 percent of all amounts so appropriated shall be available for projects in any one State. Requires that grants be made only to assist those areas with an unemployment rate of 6.5 percent or greater. Authorizes the appropriation of $2,000,000,000 for the period ending September 30, 1977, to carry out such public works employment programs. Imposes the following limitations on appropriations for the purpose of making and guaranteeing loans, purchasing evidences of indebtedness, or paying interest subsidies under the Act: $55,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, $75,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, and $200,000,000 for fiscal year 1976. Authorizes the payment of interest subsidies of an amount sufficient to reduce the interest paid on guaranteed loans of up to four percentage points. Repeals the authority of the Secretary of Commerce to initiate job opportunities programs in eligible areas. Prescribes additional criteria for selection of such programs for Federal funding, including such additional factors as the ability to create and maintain productive employment of a permanent nature without continued Federal funds. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to give priority consideration in the job opportunities program to those areas where unemployment exceeds the national average. Stipulates that not less than one-half of one percent nor more than 15 percent of all amounts authorized for the program shall be allocated to any one State. Authorizes States and localities to submit proposals for job opportunities programs in eligible areas. Directs the Secretary to give priority consideration to those projects originally sponsored by States and localities. Repeals limitations on the use of funds for job opportunities programs where non-labor costs exceeded 25 percent. Authorizes the appropriation of $350,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 for the job opportunities program, subject to the requirement that no further obligation of funds may be made if the national average rate of unemployment falls below 6.5 percent for three consecutive months. Stipulates that programs originally approved for Federal funds shall not become ineligible for continued assistance under the job opportunities program solely because of increased construction costs.

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Documents

3 official files

• Public Law (PDF)

  Public Law · EN · 23 July 1976

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• Conference report filed in Senate

  summary · EN · 11 June 1976

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• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 24 March 1976

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