United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Political Broadcasting Spending Reform Act - Provides, under the Communications Act of 1934, that no license may make any charge for the use of a broadcasting station by any legally qualified candidate for the office of President of the United States on behalf of his candidacy or for use of such station by any other person on behalf of the candidacy of such candidate. Directs each license of a broadcasting station to provide to each major presidential candidate and to each minor presidential candidate (as defined by this Act) broadcast time on such station without charge as follows: (1) each major presidential candidate shall be provided in the aggregate at least four hours of broadcast time; and (2) each minor presidential candidate shall be provided in the aggregate at least two hours of broadcast time. States that a licensee of a broadcasting station may provide to each major presidential candidate and to each minor presidential candidate broadcast time in addition to the time provided under this Act, but if any such presidential candidate is offered such additional time, all of such candidates shall be offered broadcast time by such licensee. Authorizes the Federal Communications Commission to exempt the licensee of a broadcast station from the requirements of this Act if it determines that the licensee would suffer unfair financial hardship if it had to meet such requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Prohibits, under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the imposition under the authority of that Act of duties, taxes, or fees on the importation of petroleum and petroleum products.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Correctional Services Improvement Act - Title I: Correctional Centers and Services - Authorizes the Attorney General to construct and operate correctional centers for specified criminal offenders, providing such services and correctional programs as educational, vocational, and recreational programs, medical, psychiatric, and dental care, and counseling. Specifies such centers as: (1) demonstration community treatment centers for the commitment or treatment of certain persons confined and awaiting trial, of persons sentenced to terms of more than one year, and of persons on probation or parole; (2) regional youth correctional centers for the commitment and treatment of youths and young adults sentenced pursuant to the Federal Youth Corrections Act; and (3) demonstration correctional centers for special offender groups of persons sentenced to terms in excess of one year or committed for an undetermined period, including such offender groups as the mentally ill or defective, the violent and dangerous, and women. Authorizes the Attorney General to contract with State and local authorities of the region in which a center is constructed for the use of the center's facilities, and to transfer title of such center to a State, without payment to the United States, after construction of the center and a determination that the center is operating efficiently and that the facilities will be available on a contractual basis for Federal offenders or other transferring States. Requires the center to be operated as such for at least twenty years after the transfer, and gives the United States the right of reverter in the event of breach of conditions of transfer. Creates a Federal Prison Review Board to: (1) prescribe minimum standards concerning the construction, operation, personnel training, and programs of jails and of correctional services owned or operated by a State or political subdivision in which persons accused or convicted under laws of the United States are confined or treated; (2) conduct subsequent periodic public hearings to review the extent of compliance with existing standards and the need for new standards; and (3) periodically inspect correctional facilities for the purpose of determining compliance with existing standards and the need for new standards. Authorizes the Attorney General to contract with appropriate State or local officials to pay the annual costs of implementing the prescribed standards, including capital expenditures for improvements and innovations in facilities. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the construction and improvement of centers as prescribed by this title. Title II: Coordination of Federal Correctional Activities - Creates a Federal Corrections Coordinating Council, and specifies as its functions: (1) to issue guidelines for the operation of the Bureau of Prisons, the Board of Parole, the Youth Division of the Board of Parole, and the Division of Probation of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to improve the administration of criminal justice and assure coordination of policies respecting the disposition, treatment, and correction of all persons convicted of crime; (2) to consider measures and suggest studies to promote the prevention of crime, delinquency and criminal recidivism; and (3) to establish a program of continuous research and experimentation to develop more effective methods for the treatment and rehabilitation of criminal offenders. Provides that a court may require a person as conditions of probation, and that the Board of Parole may require a parolee, to reside in and participate in the program of a residential community treatment center, and to pay such costs incident to residence as deemed appropriate. Title III: Federal Corrections Institute - Establishes a Federal Corrections Institute to provide a coordinating center for the collection and dissemination of useful data regarding the treatment and rehabilitation of criminal offenders and to provide training for representatives of Federal, State, and local law enforcement officers, judges and judicial personnel, probation and parole personnel, correctional personnel, welfare workers, and other persons, including lay personnel, connected with the treatment and rehabilitation of criminal offenders. Authorizes the Institute: (a) to serve as an information bank by collecting systematically the data obtained from studies and research by public and private agencies on criminal behavior and recidivism, including, but not limited to, programs for prevention of crime and recidivism, training of corrections personnel, and rehabilitation and treatment of criminal offenders; (b) to publish data in forms useful to individuals, agencies, and organizations concerned with the treatment and rehabilitation of criminal offenders; (c) to disseminate pertinent data and studies to individuals, agencies, and organizations concerned with prisoners, parolees, probationers, and other criminal offenders; (d) to devise and conduct in various geographical locations, seminars and workshops providing continuing studies for persons engaged in working directly with prisoners, parolees, probationers, and other criminal offenders; (e) to devise and conduct a training program of short-term instruction in the latest methods of treatment and rehabilitation of criminal offenders and prevention of recidivism for law envorcement officers, judges and judicial personnel, probation and parole personnel, correctional personnel, welfare workers, and other persons, including lay personnel, connected with the treatment and rehabilitation of criminal offenders; and (f) to develop technical training teams to aid in the development of training programs within the several States and with the State and local agencies which work directly with prisoners, parolees, probationers, and other offenders. Places the overall supervision with regard to the policy and operations of the Institute in an Advisory Commission. Title IV: Commitment of Dangerous Persons Found Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity - Provides that, whenever any person is found not guilty by reason of insanity at the time of the commission of the offense, the United States attorney, if he has reasonable cause to believe that such person if released unconditionally would constitute a danger to himself or others because of his mental condition, shall move for a judicial determination of the dangerousness of such person in the court in which the criminal proceedings were conducted. Makes provisions for this judicial determination, and for the commitment or release under custody of the Surgeon General of such person. (Adds 18 U.S.C. 4021-4025; 5041-5048; 4249; Amends 18 U.S.C. 5002, 3651, 4203)
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Presidential Primaries Act - States that the purpose of the Act is to provide coordination through the cooperation of the several States with the Federal Government in the establishment and holding of primary elections to determine the preference of the people with respect to candidates for such office. Establishes a bipartisan Presidential Primaries Commission consisting of five members appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Provides that the Commission shall certify to each State it assists, the name of each prospective candidate for President with respect to whom the Commission has received, not later than March 1 of a presidential election year, a petition requesting such certification, specifying the political party of the candidate, and signed by a specified number of persons in the State. Provides for notice, upon receiving a petition, to a prospective candidate that, unless he requests not later than March 20 that his name not be used, his name will be certified to the States for inclusion on the ballots of his political party in the presidential preferential primary election in such States. Authorizes prescribed, proportioned payments by the Commission to each State which has in effect, on January 1 of a year in which a presidential election occurs, legislation that provides for preferential presidential primary elections between specified times, to include on the ballot of a political party certified candidates for President. Prohibits any qualifications as requisite for voters adding to qualifications for State legislature elections. Requires such State legislation to provide for making the results of the primary elections binding to a reasonable extent upon the delegates from the State to the national convention of each political party. Authorizes the Commission, in its discretion, to conduct preferential primary elections in areas under the jurisdiction of the United States which are not States. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Eliminates from the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 the exemption for labor, agricultural, and horticultural organizations which is a tax exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Provides that no further reduction shall be made in the retired or retainer pay of any former member of the armed forces who elects to provide annuities under the survivor benefit plan if all beneficiaries of the annuities predecease such person. (Amends 10 U.S.C. 1452)
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Anti-Architectural Barriers Act - Allows an income tax deduction under the Internal Revenue Code for the removal of architectural and transportational barriers, with respect to the aged and the handicapped, from trade or business facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Social Security Act Amendments - Removes the earnings limitation on eligibility for benefits under the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program of the Social Security Act. Permits benefit payments to a widower, parent, or child dispite his or her marriage if such marriage is annulled. Allows an individual to have military service excluded in the computation of his benefits in order to use such service for a civil service retirement annuity. Provides coverage for teachers otherwise not fully covered for purposes of old age and survivors insurance benefits under a voluntary agreement for coverage of State employees. Provides for payment of prorated benefits for the month in which a beneficiary (or the insured individual) dies. Provides supplementary medical insurance coverage under the Medicare provisions of the Social Security Act for services furnished an individual at his home by a medical technician or registered nurse.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to construct a Veterans' Administration general medical and surgical hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, and to secure the cooperation of the University of Florida College of Medicine in its training and education of medical students in Jacksonville.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to accept gifts and bequests of money, to be used for the enhancement of the Capitol Building or Grounds in a manner consistent with existing law.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Provides that mental defectives charged with offenses against the United States shall be committed to the custody of State or local authorities for hospitalization. Requires such authorities to notify the United States attorney at least five days prior to the release of any such persons. Provides that, if this requirement cannot be met, the court may commit the accused to the custody of the Attorney General. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 313)
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
World Peace Agency Act - Establishes the United States Agency for World Peace within the Department of State. Provides that such Agency shall undertake studies of the economic, sociological and political causes of war. Establishes within the Agency a Laboratory for Peace which shall develop and administer the Agency's research and study programs. Provides that the Agency shall be headed by a Director to be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Grants the Agency necessary powers to carry out the objectives of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Foreign Crimes Act - Provides that any citizen of the United States who commits a crime outside the United States while serving with or working for the Armed Forces shall, if the crime was committed during the performance of official duties on Armed Forces property or against a U.S. citizen, be guilty of a like offense against the United States and be subject to a like punishment as that provided for offenses occurring within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the U.S. Provides that this provision will not deprive military courts of concurrent jurisdiction with respect to those offenders and offenses that may be tried in a military court. Allows the apprehension of a U.S. citizen accompanying the Armed Forces outside the country if there is probable cause to believe that he has committed an offense against the laws of the U.S. or of the country in which he is staying, or if the country requests that he be apprehended and delivered to them for trial. Allows the restraint of any person so apprehended. Allows the removal of any U.S. citizen from a foreign country to a place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States if, after hearing, it is found that there is probable cause to believe that he has committed an offense against the laws of this country. Provides that any U.S. citizen may be delivered to foreign authorities for trial for offenses against their laws. Authorizes military judges to issue search warrants for property stolen or embezzled in violation of U.S. law or which is designed or intended for use or which has been used by a U.S. citizen in committing an offense while accompanying the Armed Forces in a foreign country. Provides that only a military judge may issue warrants for the apprehension of persons and search warrants and issue orders for removal, delivery or confinement of any such person. Allows any provost marshal, military or air policeman, shore patrolman or other member of the armed services assigned to like duties to serve warrants for the apprehension of persons, apprehend persons without a warrant or execute a search warrant. Provides any U.S. citizen subject to these provisions with the right of counsel of choice or to have counsel appointed for him. Limits the time of confinement under arrest to 72 hours except in cases of removal in which case the limit will be ten days. Provides that the provisions of this act are subject to any treaty arrangements to which the United States is a party or to any accepted rule of customary international law. (Adds 18 U.S.C. 16, 17; 10 U.S.C. 981-990)
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Permits honorably discharged veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States to render the military salute when the flag is hoisted, lowered, or is passing in a parade or review; when the national anthem is played; and when the pledge of allegiance to the flag is given.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Provides that any parent who kidnaps his minor child shall be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000, or imprisoned for not longer than one year, or both. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 1201)
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Requires the Secretary of Labor, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, to recognize the difference in hazards to employees between the heavy construction industry and the light construction industry in promulgating health and safety standards.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Makes eligible for annuities payable under the Armed Forces Survivor Benefit Plan, those persons who became widows during the eighteen-month period (now twelve-month period) following the effective date of such law.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Includes foster children within the definition of dependent for purposes of medical and dental care and for payments of allowances to members of the uniform services and for those listed in a missing person status.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Authorizes the President to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to prohibit the importation into the United States of products from foreign countries conducting fishing operations which adversely affect international fishery conservation programs, or to state his reasons for not doing so to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Authorizes and directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to establish a national cemetery in Duval County, Florida. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Provides that members who belonged to the Reserve of an armed force before August 16, 1945, shall be eligible for retirement pay provided they performed active duty after August 13, 1961, and before May 31, 1963, or after August 4, 1964, and before the date designated by proclamation of the President or concurrent resolution of the Congress; or provided they performed at least 20 years of service after August 15, 1945. (Amends 10 U.S.C. 1331-1333)
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Provides special pay for participation in the Ready Reserve by enlisted members of a Reserve component of an armed force who: (1) have completed a total of at least two years of active duty, or a total of at least six years of service, in one or more of the armed service; and (2) have been accepted to enlist, reenlist, or extend their enlistments in a Reserve component, in a pay grade above E-2, for a period of at least three years. Entitles such individuals to special pay at the rate of $300 for a six-year enlistment, reenlistment, or extenstion of enlistment and $450 upon completion of each year of such six-year period.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Changes the observance as a legal public holiday of Memorial Day from the last Monday in May to May 30th and the observance of Veterans Day from the fourth Monday in October to November 11.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Prohibits former Federal employees who participated in a contract formulation whose value exceeded $10,000 from being employed, for a period of two years, by anyone who has a direct interest in the contract. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 207)
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Health Care Insurance Act - States it to be the purpose of this Act to make it possible for every individual to obtain comprehensive medical and hospitalization insurance of his choice designed to protect against ordinary and catastrophic expenses of illness regardless of prior medical history and on a guaranteed renewable basis. Creates a new title to the Social Security Act: Title XX: Federal Financing of Voluntary Health Insurance. Establishes for eligible beneficiaries and their dependents a program for the issuance of health insurance certificates of entitlement which shall operate to reduce or eliminate the cost to any individual of protection under a qualified health care insurance policy or plan of his choice. Provides that eligible beneficiaries under this title include: (1) a husband and his wife, both under age 65, living together; and (2) any person, under age 65, other than a married person living with his or her spouse where both are under age 65, who is not a dependent beneficiary. Defines a dependent beneficiary as any child or step-child of an eligible beneficiary who, during the base year of such eligible beneficiary, receives more than 50 percent of his support from such eligible beneficiary, and who at the close of such year has not attainted the age of twenty-one, or, if he is a full-time student, has not attained the age of twenty-three. Provides that every individual who is an eligible beneficiary shall be eligible to receive a health insurance certificate of entitlement, which shall be applicable in full or part payment of allowable premiums on a qualified health care insurance policy or plan. States that the value to be assigned to the health insurance certificate of entitlement shall be the sum of: (1) the allowable premiums for qualified health care insurance paid for basic coverage for the beneficiary's benefit year, multiplied by the applicable percentage factor ranging from 100 percent for persons with an income tax liability of $0, to 10 percent for persons with an income tax liability of $891 or over; and (2) 100 percent of the allowable premiums paid for the catastrophic expense coverage for the beneficiary's benefit year. Provides that the allowable premium which shall be taken into account in the assignment of value to a health insurance certificate of entitlement shall be that portion of the aggregate amount of premiums paid or payable by an eligible beneficiary for one or more qualified health care insurance policies or plans providing coverage for such eligible beneficiary and his dependent beneficiaries for a twelve-month period that represents the cost of the protection required in a qualified health care insurance policy or plan. Provides that a health insurance certificate of entitlement means a certificate issued by the Secretary to an eligible beneficiary to apply toward payment of premium on a qualified health care insurance policy or plan. Defines a "qualified health care insurance policy or plan" as a contractual agreement specifying benefits under a program offered by a qualified carrier, which carrier and program have been registered by the State insurance department or by such other agency as may be authorized by the State, and which provides: (1) basic coverage providing for all expenses incurred for institutional care, emergency and outpatient services, medical care, dental or oral surgery, and ambulance services; and (2) catastrophic expense coverage. Provides that hospital and medical benefits under the basic coverage shall be subject to payment by the beneficiary of: (1) $50 for costs incurred during each stay in the hospital or extended care facility as an inpatient; (2) 20 percent coinsurance on the first $500 of expenses incurred during the twelve-month policy period for the eligible beneficiary and his dependent beneficiaries combined for emergency room or outpatient services in the hospital; and (3) 20 percent coinsurance on the first $500 of medical expenses and the expenses of dental or oral surgery and ambulance services incurred during such policy period for the eligible beneficiary and his dependent beneficiaries combined. Provides that benefits payable under the catastrophic expense coverage in a qualified health care insurance policy or plan shall be subject to reduction for the twelve-month policy period. Establishes a Health Insurance Advisory Board to: (1) prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this title; (2) establish minimum Federal standards for the use of State insurance departments in determining whether an insurance company and plan are qualified under this title; and (3) in consultation with carriers, providers of services, and consumers, plan and develop programs whose purposes are to provide for maintaining the quality of medical care, and the effective utilization of available financial resources, health manpower, and facilities, through utilization review, peer review, and other means which provide for the participation of the insurance carriers and the providers of services. Sets forth the qualifications of carriers under this Act. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the Federal Health Insurance Redemption Fund. Authorizes to be appropriated, from time to time out of moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to the fund an amount equal to the aggregate amount of premiums paid under this title through the redemption of health insurance certificates issued pursuant to this Act. Provides that sums authorized to be appropriated pursuant to this section shall be considered premiums payable under this Act and deposited in such fund. Provides that certificates upon presentation to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall be redeemed through payments from the fund.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Removes all minimum dollar amounts from the reporting provisions of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971, and requires the reporting of all political contributions and expenditures regardless of amount.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Requires that all contracts by the United States Government for services and materials and all contracts financed by Federal funds shall be awarded to the lowest qualified bidder, including contracts for architectural and engineering work.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Reduces specified deductible payments by patients for treatment under the uniformed services health benefits program. Repeals the provision of law prohibiting such benefits to persons entitled to medicare benefits. (Amends 10 U.S.C. 1079(b)(c), 1086(b)(c))
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Entitles any member or former member of the armed forces to have his retired pay computed at current active duty pay rates if such member was in an active status on or before May 31, 1958, and entitled to receive retired pay based upon age, length of service or physical disability under the provisions of the Career Compensation Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Military Justice Act - Establishes an independent courts-martial command composed of four divisions: defense, prosecution, judicial, and administration. Grants specified powers to the military judges. Extends to servicemen certain basic rights, such as: (1) the right to appointment of an independent defense counsel upon request immediately following arrest; (2) the right to a formal hearing before an independent military judge within 24 hours of arrest, to determine whether there is probable cause to hold him for trial; (3) the right to obtain subpoenas from an independent military judge (prosecutor now holds sole power to issue subpoenas); (4) the right to protection against trial by court-martial after trial in a State court for the same act, and vice-versa; and (5) the right of military defense attorneys to seek collateral relief for their clients in civilian courts when appropriate (relief currently available only if the accused serviceman has civilian counsel). Reclassifies the types of court-martial to upper courts-martial and lower courts-martial, and sets forth the composition and jurisdiction of each. Eliminates summary courts-martial. Establishes a system of random selection for members of special and general courts-martial, and abolishes the requirements that two-thirds of the members of such courts-martial must be officers. Transfers from the commanding officers to the independent military judges the power to release an accused serviceman pending trial or pending appeal. Grants complete credit for pretrial confinement towards any ultimate sentence. Eliminates the power of the convening authority to review sentences and findings. Transfers the sentencing power, with the added power to suspend sentences, from the members of the court (the "jury") to the military judges in all cases. Permits all confined servicemen including those awaiting trial or appeal to participate in work, exercise and rehabilitation programs wherever adequate facilities are available. Directs a special committee to study and suggest revisions in the current table of maximum punishments. Permits the Judge Advocate General of each service to review cases not automatically reviewable by the Court of Military Review. Empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs of certiorari to the Court of Military Appeals. Enlarges the Court of Military Appeals from three to nine judges and authorizes it to sit in panels of three judges each. Directs a special committee to study and, within one year, to recommend solutions in areas: (1) the desirability of transferring jurisdiction over some offenses to the Federal courts; (2) additional methods of eliminating delays in the appellate process; and (3) means of dealing with prisoners who complete the service of their sentence to confinement prior to the completion of appellate review.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Provides that the certificate of discharge issued to members of the armed forces may be characterized only as: (1) an Honorable Discharge, when separated from service, except where a lesser form of discharge certificate is expressly authorized under this Act; (2) a Discharge from Service; or (3) a Bad-Conduct Discharge or a Dishonorable Discharge, when issued according to an approved finding of a court-martial pursuant to this Act. Provides that a member of an armed force may be separated with a Discharge from Service as a result of: (1) an approved recommendation of a board of officers upon a finding based on preponderance of the evidence of record of misconduct, that the member's retention would not be clearly consistent with the interests of national security, or that the member's retention is not warranted for specified reasons; (2) resignation or request for discharge in lieu of board action or trial by court-martial, submitted after opportunity to consult counsel having the professional qualifications; and (3) absence without authority for one year. Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to at any time convene a board of officers to review the record of any commissioned or warrant officer of the Regular Army, Regular Navy, Regular Air Force, or Regular Marine Corps, as the case may be, to determine whether he shall be required, because his performance of duty has fallen below standards prescribed by the Secretary, to show cause for his retention on active duty or whether action should be taken to remove him from active duty because of misconduct, moral or professional dereliction, or because his retention is not clearly consistent with the interests of national security. Provides that Boards of Inquiry, each composed of three or more officers, shall be convened, at such places as the Secretary of the military department concerned may prescribe, to receive evidence and make findings and recommendations whether an officer who is required to show cause for retention under this Act should be retained on active duty. Provides that Boards of Review, each composed of three or more officers shall be convened by the Secretary of the military department concerned, at such times as he may prescribe, to review the records of cases of regular commissioned or warrant officers recommended for removal by a Board of Inquiry.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Permits a summary court-martial, special court martial without a military judge, provost court or military commission to punish for contempt any person who disturbs its proceedings. Allows a military judge to punish by a $100 fine, 30 days in jail or both, any misbehavior that obstructs the administration of justice, misbehavior of court officers or disobedience of any order of the judge. Limits punishment for an offense to that established by the President for that offense. Provides that any period of confinement included in a sentence begins when adjudged by the court martial, but periods when confinement is suspended or deferred shall be excluded in computing the term of confinement. Provides that all other sentences are effective on the date ordered executed. Allows the deferment of confinement when the sentence has not been ordered executed or is under review. Provides that after trial by court-martial the record shall be sent to the convening authority for action with respect to the sentence. Directs the convening authority to refer the record of each general court martial to his staff judge advocate or legal officer who shall submit his opinion upon the appropriateness of sentence. Provides for review of decisions in a court-martial dismissing specifications without a finding of not guilty or prohibiting the admission of evidence or confessions or any ruling seriously impeding prosecutions of the case. Allows revisions proceedings where there is an apparent error in the record or where the record shows improper action by the court-martial with respect to a finding or sentence which can be rectified without material prejudice to the substantial rights of the accused. Prohibits the use of revision proceedings to reconsider a finding of not guilty or to increase the severity of a sentence unless the sentence prescribed is mandatory. Provides that at any time after a trial record has been prepared, and before sentencing has occurred, the military judge may, except where there is lack of sufficient evidence in the record to support the findings, set aside the findings or sentence or both and authorize a rehearing. Permits the convening authority to approve or disapprove the sentence. Provides that, in any case reviewed by it, the Court of Military Appeals may act only with respect to the findings of the court-martial and the sentence as approved by the convening authority and as affirmed or set aside as incorrect in law by the Court of Military Review. Requires approval by the President of sentences involving a general or flag-officer or death, before execution of the sentence. Requires approval by the appropriate Secretary before execution of any sentence calling for dismissal or suspension of a commissioned officer, cadet, or midshipman. Requires affirmation by the Court of Military Review for sentences involving bad conduct or dishonorable discharges.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Provides that no individual shall pay an income tax of less than 10 percent of his net income which exceeds $30,000 for any taxable year. Defines net income as adjusted gross income computed without excluding interest on governmental bonds.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Directs the Commissioner of Education to make grants to assist elementary and secondary schools in establishing programs that teach the principles of ethics and citizenship. Authorizes to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each fiscal year 1975 through 1977 to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Excludes from gross income, under the Internal Revenue Code, amounts received by volunteer firemen for service as members of a firefighting or rescue unit of a State or local government.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Federal Lobbying Disclosure Act - Declares the purpose of this Act to be to provide for the disclosure to the Congress, the President and the public of the activities and the utilization of funds by persons, including legislative agents, who seek to influence the legislative process. Requires specified groups of people to file notices of representation with the Comptroller General. Requires recordkeeping by lobbyists, as to the sources of their income and the expenditure of funds to influence legislation. Requires semiannual reports by lobbyists. Directs the Comptroller General to promulgate such rules, regulations and forms as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Provides civil and criminal penalties for the violations of this Act. Repeals the Federal Regualtion of Lobbying Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Establishes a Court of Ethics. Directs the President to appoint, by and with the consent of the Senate, a chief judge and two associate judges. States that the court shall hear complaints of unethical conduct by Federal officers and employees if it determines that such a hearing is of sufficient public interest and importance to be warranted. Provides that after hearing a complaint of unethical conduct in the Government service, the court shall render a decision on whether proper ethical principles have been violated and shall state all of its findings of fact, opinions, and the reasons for such decision. Requires that if the court determines that ethical principles have been violated: (1) by an officer or employee of an agency of the Federal Government it shall forward a copy of its decision to the head of such agency; (2) by a Member of the House of Representatives or an officer or employee thereof it shall forward a copy of its decision to the Speaker of the House of Representatives; (3) by a United States Senator or an officer or employee of the Senate it shall forward a copy of its decision to the President of the Senate; (4) by an officer or employee of the judicial branch of the Federal Government, it shall forward a copy of its decision to a judge of the court concerned; and (5) by a person who may be impeached, it shall forward a copy of its decision to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. States that each person advised of a violation of ethical principles under this subsection may take such disciplinary action with respect to the officer or employee guilty of such violation as such person may deem appropriate and as is permitted by law. Stipulates that the United States Courts of Appeal shall have exclusive jurisdiction to review the decisions of the Court of Ethics. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary to carry out this joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Constitutional Amendment - Provides for the direct election of the President and Vice President of the United States. States that in such an election, a vote may be cast only as a joint vote for the election of two persons (referred to as a "presidential candidacy") one of whom has consented that his name appear as candidate for President on the ballot with the name of the other as candidate for Vice President, and the other of whom has consented that his name appear as candidate for Vice President on the ballot with the name of the said candidate for President. Stipulates that if a presidential candidacy receives a plurality of at least 40 percent of the votes cast, the persons comprising such candidacy shall become the President and the Vice-President-elect. Provides that if, after any such election, none of the persons joined as candidates for President and Vice President can be declared elected, the Congress shall assemble in a special joint session to choose, from the two pairs of persons joined as candidates for President and Vice President who received the highest numbers of votes cast in the election, one such pair by ballot. States that the Congress shall by law provide procedures to be followed in consequence of the death or withdrawal of a candidate on or before the date of an election under this article.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Revises the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit roll call or quorum call by electronic device whenever the House of Representatives has entered into special orders after the close of the legislative program and business.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Provides, under the Rules of the House of Representatives, that except with respect to any Member who was chairman of any Standing Committee during the 94th Congress, no Member may serve as the chairman of the same standing committee for more than five Congresses.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1974
Provides, under the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1965, that when there is a major economic dislocation in a major segment of the commercial fisheries industry, the Secretary of Commerce shall, upon request, prepare and submit to Congress a report on the dislocation stating, among other specified items, his determination regarding the need for working capital and mortgage refinancing loans. Enumerates the circumstances under which such loans shall be made and their conditions. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to borrow, interest free, from the Secretary of the Treasury up to $100,000,000 for payment to the fisheries loan fund. Authorizes to be appropriated such funds as necessary to carry out specified provisions of this Act. (Adds 16 U.S.C. 742 (c)(f) (1)).
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1974
Reduces specified deductible payments by patients for treatment under the uniformed services health benefits program. Repeals the provision of law prohibiting such benefits to persons entitled to medicare benefits. (Amends 10 U.S.C. 1079(b),(c), 1086(b),(c))
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1974
Provides that the certificate of discharge issued to members of the armed forces may be characterized only as: (1) an Honorable Discharge, when separated from service, except where a lesser form of discharge certificate is expressly authorized under this Act; (2) a Discharge from Service; or (3) a Bad-Conduct Discharge or a Dishonorable Discharge, when issued according to an approved finding of a court-martial pursuant to this Act. Provides that a member of an armed force may be separated with a Discharge from Service as a result of: (1) an approved recommendation of a board of officers upon a finding based on preponderance of the evidence of record of misconduct, that the member's retention would not be clearly consistent with the interests of national security, or that the member's retention is not warranted for specified reasons; (2) resignation or request for discharge in lieu of board action or trial by court-martial, submitted after opportunity to consult counsel having the professional qualifications; and (3) absence without authority for one year. Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to at any time convene a board of officers to review the record of any commissioned or warrant officer of the Regular Army, Regular Navy, Regular Air Force, or Regular Marine Corps, as the case may be, to determine whether he shall be required, because his performance of duty has fallen below standards prescribed by the Secretary, to show cause for his retention on active duty or whether action should be taken to remove him from active duty because of misconduct, moral or professional dereliction, or because his retention is not clearly consistent with the interests of national security. Provides that Boards of Inquiry, each composed of three or more officers, shall be convened, at such places as the Secretary of the military department concerned may prescribe, to receive evidence and make findings and recommendations whether an officer who is required to show cause for retention under this Act should be retained on active duty. Provides that Boards of Review, each composed of three or more officers shall be convened by the Secretary of the military department concerned, at such times as he may prescribe, to review the records of cases of regular commissioned or warrant officers recommended for removal by a Board of Inquiry.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1974
Prohibits any change in the status of any member of the uniformed services who is in a missing status as a result of service in Southeast Asia, until the provisions of the Paris Peace Accord of January 27, 1973, have been fully complied with by North Vietnam or the President has determined and reported to Congress that all reasonable actions have been taken to account for such members.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1974
Financial Disclosure Act - Requires candidates for Federal office, Members of the Congress, and officers and employees of the Federal Government who are compensated at a rate in excess of $32,000 per year to file annually with the Comptroller General a report containing a full and complete statement of: (1) the amount of each tax paid by the individual, by the individual and the individual's spouse filing jointly, or by the individual's spouse filing separately for the preceding calendar year; (2) the amount and source of each item of income, each gift or aggregate of gifts from one source (other than gifts received from his spouse or any member of his immediate family) received by him, by him and his spouse jointly, by his spouse, or by his dependents, during the preceding calendar year which exceeds $100 in amount or value, including any fee or other honorarium received by him for or in connection with the preparation or delivery of any speech or address, attendance at any convention or other assembly of individuals, or the preparation of any article or other composition for publication, and the monetary value of subsistence, entertainment, travel, and other facilities received by him in kind; (3) the identity of each asset held by him, by him and his spouse jointly, by his spouse, or by his dependents, which has a value in excess of $1,000, and the amount of each liability owed by him or by him and his spouse jointly, together with the amount of each liability which is owed with respect to any financial interest which is under his constructive control, which is in excess of $1,000 as of the close of the preceding calendar year; (4) any transactions in securities of any business entity by him or by him and his spouse jointly, or by any person acting on his behalf or pursuant to his direction during the preceding calendar year if the aggregate amount involved in transactions in the securities of such business entity exceeds $1,000 during such year; (5) all transactions in commodities by him, or by him and his spouse jointly, or by any person acting on his behalf or pursuant to his direction during the preceding calendar year if the aggregate amount involved in such transactions exceeds $1,000; and (6) any purchase or sale of real property or any interest therein by him, or by him and his spouse jointly, or by any person acting on his behalf or pursuant to his direction, during the preceding calendar year if the value of property involved in such purchase or sale exceeds $1,000. Sets forth penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1974
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire specified lands in Florida (in the vicinity of Thomas Creek, Fort George Island, and the Nassau River Valley) to commemorate the more than two hundred years of America's colonial frontier history and to preserve ecologically important areas included therein by constituting and creating the Colonial Frontiers National Memorial. Directs the Secretary to conduct historical, archeological, ecological, and other investigations of the lands acquired to prepare a plan for the permanent preservation and exhibition of their historial and other features to the public. Provides that in the event the Secreatry determines the area would be more suitably administered as a State facility, he is authorized to transfer title to the State of Florida. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, not to exceed $500,000.
![Official portrait of Rep. Bennett, Charles E. [D-FL-3]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000371_200.jpg)