United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1975
Prohibits the use of gasoline and diesel fuel for the busing of public school students to schools farther away than the closest public school offering educational courses for the appropriate grade level of the students concerned. Exempts from the provisions of this Act, parents using gasoline or diesel fuel to transport a child to a public school.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1975
Authorizes the people of the Virgin Islands to organize a government pursuant to a constitution of their own adoption under the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Legislature of the Virgin Islands to call a constitutional convention to draft a constitution for the people of the Virgin Islands. Requires that such constitution shall include a bill of rights. Provides for eligibility for membership at the convention. Establishes voting procedures for the approval or disapproval of such constitution as may be drafted by the convention. Provides that upon taking effect, a constitution drafted and approved under this Act shall supersede such provisions of the Organic Act of the Virgin Islands as may be inconsistent with such constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1975
Authorizes the President to issue a proclamation designating Sunday, September 14, 1975, as "National Saint Elizabeth Seton Day" and calling upon the people of the United States to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1975
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the current recess schedule should be cancelled until completion of major pending business or 60 legislative days, whichever comes first.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975
Expresses the House of Representatives strong disapproval of efforts to expel Israel from the United Nations. States that if Israel is expelled the United States should reassess its relationship with the United Nations General Assembly. Provides that such reassessment shall include possible withdrawal from that body.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1975
Title I: Wildlife Restoration Fund - Extends the period during which States may expend funds apportioned to them for wildlife restoration projects under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act. Authorizes States to use funds apportioned to them under specified provisions of such Act for the purpose of paying not more than 75 percent of the cost of a hunter education program, or a public target range program, or both. Stipulates that the non-Federal share of the cost of any such program may be derived from license fees paid by hunters, but not from moneys derived by the State through any other Federal grant program. Title II: Tax on Sale of Component Parts of Firearm Ammunition - Imposes a tax of 11 percent, to be paid by the manufacturer, upon component parts of ammunition (including, but not limited to, cartridge cases, primers, bullets, shots, wads and powders) for firearms (including pistols and revolvers).
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1975
Provides that no foreign aid shall be given India until the President certifies to the Congress that democratic liberties and civil rights have been restored in that nation.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1975
Establishes the rank of General of the Armies for purposes of this resolution only. Provides that such rank shall have precedence over all other grades of the Army past and present. Authorizes the President to appoint George Washington posthumously to such rank effective July 4, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1975
Declares the solidarity of the United States Congress in support of the democratic aspirations of the Portuguese people. Denounces the conspirational maneuvers of the Communists. Calls for congressional hearings on the Portuguese crisis. Urges NATO to warn Moscow against supporting communist subversion in Portugal. Calls upon Moscow to terminate such actions. Requests that the Department of State ask the Helsinki Conference to adopt a resolution proclaiming the right of the Portuguese people to determine their form of government through free election, and to appoint a committee to supervise such an election.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to issue gold commemorative coins bearing the seal or symbol of the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1975
Expresses congressional disapproval of sales to Jordan of the Hawk missile and Vulcan antiaircraft system as proposed by the President on July 10, 1975. States that Congress does not oppose all sales of weapons to Jordon but is concerned by the type and quantity of weapons involved in this particular transaction.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1975
Broadcast License Renewal Act - Permits the Federal Communications Commission to extend three-year broadcast licenses for an additional two years upon a finding of public interest. Requires in making such determination, considerations of whether different term lengths for radio and television stations and for different categories of licensees are in the public interest. Limits other class licenses to a five-year maximum, prescribing the renewal procedures for such licenses and the criteria to be considered in renewal, including responsiveness and lack of serious deficiencies. Sets guidelines for expeditious action on applications for renewal of broadcasting station licenses by limiting material required to be filed. Requires the Commission to examine the renewal process and report within six months on methods of reducing and consolidating filings and supporting documents.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1975
Disapproves the loan of three landing craft (LCM-8's) to Panama, as proposed by the letter from the Department of the Navy of May 5, 1975, to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
Repeals, under the Social Security Act, the provisions for the establishment of Professional Standards Review Organizations to review services covered under the medicare and medicaid programs.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1975
National Food Stamp Reform Act - Defines the term "income" as used in the Food Stamp Act as the monthly gross income of all members of a household, including any in-kind payment, and the total value of any publicly funded assistance payments which supplement food and housing needs. Excludes specified individuals from the definition of "household. Provides for the distribution of federally donated foods to households upon the request by a political subdivision that such distribution be made to all eligible households in lieu of food stamps. Excludes households from eligibility for food stamps: (1) if the monthly household income exceeds the poverty index level of income established by the Office of Management and Budget; or (2) if the market value of liquid and nonliquid resources of a household consisting of one individual exceeds $1,500 or the resources of a multiple member household exceed $2,250 exclusive of specified resources. Excludes from eligibility households which include an able-bodied adult between the ages of 18 and 65 who is enrolled in an institution of postsecondary education and such enrollment is a substitute for fulltime employment. Declares that a refusal to work at a plant or site because of a strike or other labor dispute shall be deemed a refusal to work which makes the household of the nonworking individual ineligible for food stamps. Rejects as an excuse for refusal to accept work a condition of employment which requires an individual to join, resign from, or refrain from joining any labor organization. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to require each household receiving benefits under this Act to report its income at least once each month. Requires food coupons to be designed with a space for the recipient to sign upon receipt and again at redemption. Requires one member of each eligible household to be issued a photo-identification card with a color photograph of the recipient. States that such card must be presented at redemption at a food store. Sets forth specific instructions to provide control and accountability over the distribution of food coupons to State agencies. Ties the value of the coupon allotment to the overall retail cost-of-living index. States that the "nutritionally adequate diet" as used to determine the amount of the coupon allotment shall mean the low-cost food plan developed by the Agricultural Research Service of the Department of Agriculture. Establishes as the charge a household shall pay for its coupon allotment the lesser of: (1) the percentage of its income which would be expended for food by an average household of its size and income range in the same region of the country; or (2) 30 percent. Provides, under the requirements for State plans for the administration of the food stamp program, for closer State supervision of eligibility by households. Requires the State agencies administering the program to conduct nutrition education programs for recipients. States that the United States Postal Service shall serve as a food stamp issuing agency upon the request of a State food stamp administration agency. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to pay the States 100 percent of the costs of providing food stamps to eligible aliens, and 75 percent of the costs of State investigations, prosecutions, collections of claims and other State activities related to retrieving food stamp losses. Provides for payment by the Federal Government to the States of a share of the difference between the face value of the coupon allotment and the amount charged eligible households for the allotment. Sets forth the method of determining and paying the Federal share. Directs the transfer of all functions of the Secretary of Agriculture under the Food Stamp Act to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1975
Revises the definition of the term "navigable waters" for purposes of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to mean waters which are presently used, or are susceptiple to use, as a means to transport interstate or foreign commerce. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Engineers to waive jointly any requirements they may have for review and approval of any work or activities in or on waters of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1975
Transfers all functions of the Secretary of Agriculture under the Food Stamp Act to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Declares that a household shall not participate in the food stamp program while any of its members is on strike due to a labor dispute. Exempts any such household that qualified for food stamps prior to the start of such strike. Stipulates that any individual who is receiving at least one-half of his income from any member of another household shall not be considered as a member of a household for purposes of the Food Stamp Act of 1964. Directs the Secretary to prescribe rules for the purpose of determining the eligibility of such person.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1975
Repeals specified provisions of the Act entitled "An Act to provide for the establishment of the Assateague Island National Seashore in the States of Maryland and Virginia," relating to construction of public overnight accomodations and a road into the wildlife refuge located on Assateague Island. Provides for a comprehensive study of the national seashore and its environs prior to any recommendations for designation of parts of the seashore for wilderness.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Jobs Creation Act - Title I: Individual Income Taxes - Allows a tax credit in the amount of 10 percent (up to $1,000) of the amount of qualified savings deposits and investments made by an individual during the taxable year. Defines qualified investments as amounts used to purchase stock in or debt instruments of a domestic corporation. Provides that the first $1,000 of capital gain shall be excluded from gross income during the taxable year. Provides for purposes of the estate tax, that the lessor of: (1) $200,000; and (2) the value of the decedent's interest in a family farming operation continually owned by him for five years prior to his death and which passes to a related individual shall be excluded from the value of the taxable estate. Title II: Corporation Taxes - Reduces the normal tax rates imposed on corporations. Increases the investment credit to 15 percent (12 percent in the case of property constructed or acquired before an unspecified date in March, 1975). Increases the corporate surtax exemption from $25,000 to $100,000. Increases the class life variance for purposes of the depreciation deduction allowed for property used in a trade or business or held for the production of income. Title III: Employee Stock Ownership Plan Financing - Creates special deductions for dividends paid during the taxable year by employers on securities held by an employee stock ownership plan (as defined by this title). Provides for the distribution of dividends to employees and repurchase of qualifying employer securities from persons receiving distributions. Provides for the exclusion from gross income of that part of a distribution held or reinvested within 60 days in income-producing assets of equivalent value for the purpose of realizing current income from such assets.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1975
Shellfish Area Management Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, to establish a National Shellfish Advisory Committee. Directs the Committee to review all aspects of the shellfish industry, including the impact of Federal legislation affecting water quality on the industry and existive standards with respect to bacteria, pesticides, and toxic metals by which the wholesomeness of shellfish is determined. Directs the Committee to report the the findings of such review to the Secretary and to Congress by June 30, 1977. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to coastal States for the improvement of shell- fish resources. Requires Congressional review of all proposed Federal regulations affecting the shellfish industry with respect to interstate commerce.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1975
Provides that no debt owned to the United States by any foreign country may be settled in an amount less than full value of such debt unless the Congress by concurrent resolution approves of such settlement.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1975
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States delegation to the European Security Conference should not agree to the recognition by the European Security Conference of the Soviet Union's annexation of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and it should remain the policy of the United States not to recognize in any way the annexation of the Baltic nations by the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1975
Authorizes the appropriation of $4,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, and $6,000,000 for each of the four succeeding fiscal years for grants to the States for the establishment and expansion of veterans cemeteries owned by the States. Sets forth the conditions under which grants may be made to the States under this Act. Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to make payments, for the calendar year 1976 and each calendar year thereafter, to the States for the interment of veterans and for the maintenance of State veterans' cemeteries. Requires the Administrator to conduct a survey to determine the reasonable cost of interment and prepetual care maintenance for the purposes of payment under this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to pay transportation costs of the bodies of eligible veterans to national cemeteries.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1975
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that, with respect to the right to life guaranteed in the United States Constitution, every human being, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, or of any State, shall be deemed, from the moment of fertilization, to be a person and entitled to the right of life.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1975
Condemns violations of the Paris agreement by the Communists in Vietnam. Calls upon all governments to join in this condemnation. Demands the immediate withdrawal of Communists forces to the cease-fire line established by the Paris agreement, and the withdrawal from South Vietnam of all forces and equipment in excess of those present at the time of the agreement. Notifies the governments of the Soviet Union and the Peoples' Republic of China that their actions in Vietnam shall be considered a test of faith in efforts toward detente. Calls upon individual nations and the United Nations to take action to assure the right of asylum to Vietnamese refugees.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1975
Administrative Rulemaking Control Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to establish a procedure whereby Congress may review certain rulemaking activities of executive agencies, thereby exercising greater control and oversight over the operations of such agencies. Provides that an administrative rule, the violation of which subjects an individual to a criminal penalty, shall take effect only: (1) if published in the Federal Register; (2) after the expiration of 30 days of continuous session of Congress after the date on which the rule was published; and (3) if neither House of Congress passes a resolution disfavoring such a rule. Sets forth procedures governing the consideration of such rules by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1975
Condemns violations of the Paris agreement by the Communists in Vietnam. Calls upon all governments to join in this condemnation. Demands the immediate withdrawal of Communists forces to the cease-fire line established by the Paris agreement, and the withdrawal from South Vietnam of all forces and equipment in excess of those present at the time of the agreement. Notifies the governments of the Soviet Union and the Peoples' Republic of China that their actions in Vietnam shall be considered a test of faith in efforts toward detente. Calls upon individual nations and the United Nations to take action to assure the right of asylum to Vietnamese refugees.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1975
Directs the Secretary of Defense to continue the operation and maintenance of each of the commissary stores of the agencies of the Department of Defense in operation on January 1, 1975. States that the Secretary shall request appropriations for their direct costs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1975
Condemns violations of the Paris agreement by the Communists in Vietnam. Calls upon all governments to join in this condemnation. Demands the immediate withdrawal of Communists forces to the cease-fire line established by the Paris agreement, and the withdrawal from South Vietnam of all forces and equipment in excess of those present at the time of the agreement. Notifies the governments of the Soviet Union and the Peoples' Republic of China that their actions in Vietnam shall be considered a test of faith in efforts toward detente. Calls upon individual nations and the United Nations to take action to assure the right of asylum to Vietnamese refugees.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1975
Allows a deduction from gross income under the Internal Revenue code of up to $1250 ($625 in the case of a married individual filing separately) for social agency, legal, and related expenses incurred in connection with the adoption of a child by the taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1975
Natural Gas Deregulation Act - Limits the application of provisions of the Natural Gas Act, with specified exceptions. Provides that the Federal Power Commission shall have no power to disallow the rates and charges made by natural gas companies for new natural gas, except to the extent that such rates and charges exceed the amount paid by such companies to non affiliated companies. Defines new natural gas to mean natural gas sold or delivered by a producer in interstate commerce: (1) which is dedicated to interstate commerce for the first time on or after January 1, 1975; (2) which is continued in interstate commerce after the expiration of a contract by its own terms for the sale or delivery of such natural gas existing as of such date; or (3) which is produced from wells commenced after such date.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1975
Creates a select committee in the House of Representatives with authority to conduct a full and complete investigation of the problem of United States servicemen missing in action or known to be dead whose bodies have not been recovered, as a result of military operations in North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Provides that such investigation shall include an examination of the need for additional international inspection teams to determine whether there are servicemen still held as prisoner of war. Authorizes the Committee to hold hearings, issue subpenas, and maintain a staff as necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this resolution. Directs the committee to report to the House the results of its investigation no later than one year after adoption of this resolution. Provides that the committee's authority shall expire 30 days after the filing of such report. Directs that the expenses of the select committee shall be paid from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives upon vouchers signed by the Chairman.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish national petroleum reserves on any reserved or unreserved public lands of the United States except lands in the National Park System, the National Wildlife Refuge System, the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, the National Wilderness Preservation System, areas now under review for inclusion in the Wilderness System in accordance with provisions of the Wilderness Act of 1964, and lands in Alaska other than those in Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 4. States that no national petroleum reserve that includes all or part of an existing naval petroleum reserve shall be established without prior consultation with the Secretary of Defense. Authorizes the development of the oil and gas in the national petroleum reserves in the contiguous 48 States established pursuant to this Act. Requires competitive bidding procedures with prior public notice for any contract, lease, or operating agreement for development and production of oil and gas from a national petroleum reserve. States that the terms and conditions for such development, which shall be prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior, shall be subject to disapproval by Congress. Provides that any oil or gas produced from such petroleum reserves shall, with exceptions, be subject to all the limitations and licensing requirements of the Export Administration Act. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Interior to explore for oil and gas on Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 4 and to report annually to Congress on his plan for exploration of such reserve.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1975
Truth in Spending Act - Requires that any bill or resolution of a public character introduced in the House of Representatives or the Senate, and the report on any such bill or resolution reported by any committee of either House, shall contain an estimate of the average cost for each taxpaying family, if such bill were enacted into law. Provides that no bill or resolution shall be considered until such determination is made. Calls upon the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to print statistics of the average cost for each taxpaying family of bills and resolutions for the week and for the year in the Congressional Record.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1975
National Welfare Reform Act - Stipulates that no family shall be eligible for the aid to families with dependent children program (AFDC) under the Social Security Act if its total income, without regard to exclusions, exceeds 150 percent of the family's needs. Provides that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall provide the full cost of AFDC services to needy families who are not U.S. citizens and are lawfully present in the United States. States that unemployed individuals shall be ineligible for AFDC services for specified periods of time if such individual is determined to have, without good cause, refused an offering of bona fide employment or refused to participate under a work incentive program. Provides procedures for the determination of good cause. States that no sanctions will be applied for a ten day period after failure without good cause has been established, if the individual participates in counseling services. Sets forth procedures governing adjustment of AFDC grant overpayments. Prohibits AFDC grant payments where the caretaker relative is unemployed due to participation in a strike or because he has voluntarily terminated his employment. Defines "income" for purposes of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to pay directly to any State up to 75 percent of the costs of investigating and prosecuting complaints of fraud under AFDC program. Requires that recipients of aid be issued a detailed identification card specifying the programs for which the recipient is eligible. Provides that any person who resides in the same household of an eligible family, but is not himself eligible for aid, shall be required to make a contribution to the State in an amount equal to the amount of the standard payment for single person household under the State's plan.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1975
Provides for a sentence of not less than five nor more than fifteen years for the commission of a felony with a firearm in addition to the sentence imposed for the commission of the felony. Provides for an additional sentence of from ten to thirty years for the commission of any subsequent felony with a firearm.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1975
Repeals the provisions of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 which makes flood insurance coverage and community participation in the national flood insurance program prerequisites for approval of any financial assistance in a flood hazard area.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1975
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, that real property which is farmland, woodland, or open land and forms part of an estate may be valued, for estate tax purposes, at its value as farmland, woodland, or open land (rather than at its fair market value). Provides that real property which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places may be valued, for estate tax purposes, at its value for its existing use. Provides for the revocation of such lower evaluation and recapture of unpaid taxes with interest upon the conversion, rezoning, or removal of such land from the National Register of Historic Places.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1975
Natural Gas Priority Act - Provides, under the Natural Gas Act, a priority system for specified agricultural uses of natural gas. Directs the Federal Power Commission to prohibit any interruption or curtailment of natural gas and take such other steps as are necessary to assure as soon as possible the availability in interstate commerce of sufficient guantities of natural gas for use as a raw material feedstock or process fuel in the production of fertilizer, animal feed grade chemicals, essential agricultural chemicals, and for use in agricultural crop drying. Defines "sufficient quantities of natural gas" for purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1975
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President and the Secretary of the State should take the necessary steps, including the renewal of negotiations between the parties, signatory to the Paris agreement and the agreement with the Lao Patriotic Front, to finally determine the fate of all United States servicemen and civilians missing in Southeast Asia. Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives to transmit a copy of this resolution to the President who is requested to report to the House in 90 days on steps taken to implement this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1975
Provides that the United States Railway Association shall not authorize the abandonment of any line of any railroad covered by the Rail Reorganization Act prior to December 31, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1975
Interim Fisheries Zone Extension and Management Act - Extends the jurisdiction of the United States over specified ocean areas and fish for purposes of protecting the domestic fishing industry. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to conduct research in order to promote the conservation of fish originating in the United States territorial sea and contiguous fisheries zone. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $1,000,000 in any fiscal year to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1975
Increases the surtax exemption allowed to corporations under the Internal Revenue Code from $25,000 to $50,000 for taxable year 1976, and then in increments of $10,000 per taxable year to $100,000 for taxable year 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Provides that the House of Representatives of the 95th Congress and each succeeding Congress shall consider and adopt the rules of its proceedings. Limits general debate on the resolution incorporating the proposed rules to 10 hours, to be equally divided and controlled by the majority leader and the minority leader.
![Official portrait of Rep. Bauman, Robert E. [R-MD-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000244_200.jpg)