United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1974
Geothermal Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Title I: Geothermal Energy Coordination and Management Project - Establishes the Geothermal Energy Coordination and Management Project, which shall have responsibility for management and coordination of a national geothermal energy research, development, and demonstration program. States that such responsibility shall be carried out in cooperation with the Interior Department, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Atomic Energy Commission, and National Science Foundation. Directs the Project to explore and assess national geothermal resources and to identify promising areas for industrial exploration and development. Directs the Project to initiate a research and development program to resolve technical problems inhibiting commercial utilization of geothermal resources, including: (1) development of effective drilling methods; (2) development of methods for converting geothermal energy to useful forms; and (3) development of improved methods for controlling emissions and wastes from geothermal utilization. Directs the Project to initiate a program to design and construct geothermal demonstration plants, including design and construction of plants to produce electrical power and large scale production and utilization of useful byproducts. Title II: Loan Guarantees - Authorizes the guarantee of loans by financial institutions for commercial development of geothermal resources. Limits such loan guarantees to 75 percent of the project costs. Requires repayment of such loans in 30 years, and limits such loans for any project to $25,000,000. Authorizes the payment of the interest on such loans by an agency designated by the Project chairman if the borrower is unable to pay the interest and such payment is in the public interest. Establishes the Geothermal Resources Development Fund in the Treasury to carry out the loan guarantee and interest payment provisions of this title. Title III: General Provisions - Requires that activities under this Act shall not endanger persons or the environment. Requires semi-annual reports to the President and Congress on the progress of activities under this Act. Provides for the transfer of functions of the Project upon the establishment of a permanent Federal energy agency. Authorizes the appropriation of $2,500,000 to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for fiscal year 1975 for research, development, and related activities, funded by it under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000,000 each year to carry out the loan guarantee provisions of title II.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1974
Provides that loan levels shall not be allowed to drop below designated minimums for cotton, soybeans, wheat and feed grain under the Agricultural Act of 1949. Provides for adjustments in established price levels for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 to reflect changes in prices for such crops for production items, interest, taxes, and wage rates in the preceding year. Establishes minimum sales prices through 1977 crops with respect to wheat, feed grain, cotton, and soybean stocks held by the Commodity Credit Corporation in the event that such stocks should fall below specified minimums. Provides that price support loans may not be recalled within three years of the date on which they were made unless the Secretary determines that the projected carryover of the commodity concerned will fall below the amount specified for such commodity in this Act. Establishes the minimum loan rate at 90 percent of the established price where the Secretary determines that, with respect to the 1974 through 1977 crops, the stocks of wheat, feed grain, cotton, and soybeans available will fall below the minimum established by this Act. Provides, upon such determination, that the Secretary may designate such a commodity as "critical" and require an export license for those wishing to export such commodity. Defines feed grains as corn, grain sorghum, barley, and oats. States that quantities of a commodity in the disaster reserve shall be included in the computation of the carryover.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) it most strongly condemns all acts of terrorism in the Middle East; (2) the President and the Secretary of State should and are hereby urged and requested to (a) call upon all governments to condemn this inhuman act of violence against innocent victims; and (b) strongly urge the governments who harbor these groups and individuals to take appropriate action to rid their countries of those who subvert the peace through terrorism and senseless violence; and (3) the President should request the American Ambassador to the United Nations to take appropriate action before that body in order to have introduced a Security Council resolution condemning this brutal act of violence.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1974
Sugar Act Amendments - States that the Secretary of Agriculture shall determine for each calendar year the amount of sugar needed to meet the requirements of consumers in the continental United States, to maintain and protect the domestic sugar industry, and to attain on an annual average basis the price objective set forth in the Sugar Act of 1948. Establishes the total amount of apportioned raw values of sugar among domestic sugar producing areas at 6,685,000 short tons, and prescribes the apportionment of that amount. States that, whenever the production of sugar in any domestic sugar-producing area in any year results in there being available for marketing in the continental United States in any year sugar in excess of the quota for such area for such year established under this Act, the quota for the immediately following year established for such area under this Act shall be increased to the extent of such excess production up to specified limits. Provides that the quota for the mainland cane sugar area shall be prorated to Florida and Louisiana on the basis of 57.5 percent to Florida and 42.5 percent to Louisiana and each State shall be regarded as a sugar-producing area for such purposes. Provides that each State shall have the right to market the unfilled share of the other State in any year in which such other State is unable to fill its share of the quota. Authorizes the Secretary on a quarterly basis to set maximum or minimum limits on the importation of sugar within the annual quota for any foreign country. Provides that the Secretary is not authorized to limit the importation of sugar for any foreign country having a quota of fifteen thousand short tons, raw value, or less through the use of limitations applied on other than a calendar year basis. States that the failure of any foreign country, subject to such reasonable tolerance as the Secretary may determine, to fill a quarterly minimum quota shall operate to reduce the quantity of sugar permitted to be imported for such calendar year by the amount by which such country failed to fill such quarterly quota. Specifies the prorated amounts of the total quota to be allowed to listed foreign countries. Allows for quota increases to foreign countries when the Secretary determines that any domestic area or foreign country will not market its quota. Provides that direct-consumption sugar, produced from quota sugar in the continental United States of a grade, type, or specification determined by the Secretary not to be available in a domestic sugar-producing area outside the continental United States from raw sugar produced in such area, may be marketed within the local consumption quota for such area. Provides administrative and judicial review for any person adversely affected by the Secretary's determination in a wage rate proceeding. Provides that no employer may discharge an employee on the basis of such employee's action under this Act, including action to recover the liability of an employer who has not paid him wages at a rate determined to be fair and reasonable by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1974
Allows a deduction from gross income under the Internal Revenue Code for social agency, legal, and related expenses incurred in connection with the adoption of a child by a taxpayer. Defines, for purposes of this Act, the term "adoption expense". (Adds 26 U.S.C. 219)
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1974
Directs the Secretary of the Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive, nationwide study of the effects of railroad abandonment, and to develop an effective policy to assure an adequate economic system for the transportation of freight with emphasis on branch line facilities in the movement of agricultural commodities. Prohibits the Interstate Commerce Commission from authorizing any further abandonments of railway freight facilities for a period of three years after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1974
States that the House of Representatives salutes Henry Aaron as an "All-American Good Guy" and extends to him the congratulations, esteem, and affection of the House.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1974
Directs the Secretary of Defense to issue uniform regulations for the effective control over the use of Government production equipment by private contractors under contracts entered into with the Department of Defense. Requires such regulations to be issued by other heads of other agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1974
Home Health Services Act - Provides, under the Public Health Service Act, for the establishment and initial operation of public and nonprofit private agencies which will provide home health services in areas in which such services are not otherwise available. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants: (1) to meet the initial and expanding costs of such agencies; and (2) for programs for the training of professional and paraprofessional personnel to provide home health services. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1974
States that in implementing any proposed program for the establishment of Agricultural Service Centers in any State, the Secretary of Agriculture shall provide for the establishment of such a center in each county of such State if, on the date of enactment of this Act, one or more local field offices of the Department of Agriculture were located within such county. Authorizes the Secretary to provide, in the Agricultural Service Center, as many services of the Department of Agriculture (applicable to such county) as practicable.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1974
Food Program Technical Amendment - Provides that the Secretary of Agriculture shall use specified funds, including stocks of the Commodity Credit Corporation, to purchase agricultural commodities and products to maintain the traditional level of assistance for food assistance programs, including school lunch, institutions, supplemental feeding, and disaster relief distribution. Authorizes the Secretary to administer a food stamp program at the request of any tribal government of native Americans to provide eligible households with an opportunity to participate in the food stamp program. Authorizes the Secretary to pay a tribal governments 100 percent of the costs for administration of food stamp programs on Indian reservations.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1974
Authorizes an appropriation of up to $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 and for each of the next three fiscal years for grants and contracts for research and demonstration of methods of lake pollution control. Requires that not less than $10,000,000 of such sum be for demonstration programs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1974
Geothermal Energy, Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Title I: Geothermal Energy Coordination and Management Project - Establishes the Geothermal Energy Coordination and Management Project, which shall have responsibility for management and coordination of a national geothermal energy research, development, and demonstration program. States that such responsibility shall be carried out in cooperation with the Interior Department, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Atomic Energy Commission, and National Science Foundation. Directs the Project to explore and assess national geothermal resources and to identify promising areas for industrial exploration and development. Directs the Project to initiate a research and development program to resolve technical problems inhibiting commercial utilization of geothermal resources; including: (1) development of effective drilling methods; (2) development of methods for converting geothermal energy to useful forms; and (3) development of improved methods for controlling emissions and wastes from geothermal utilization. Directs the Project to initiate a program to design and construct geothermal demonstration plants, including design and construction of plants to produce electrical power and large scale production and utilization of useful byproducts. Title II: Loan Guarantees - Authorizes the guarantee of loans by financial institutions for commercial development of geothermal resources. Limits such loans guarantees to 75 percent of the project costs. Requires repayment of such loans in 30 years, and limits such loans for any project to $25,000,000. Authorizes the payment of the interest on such loans by an agency designated by the Project chairman if the borrower is unable to pay the interest and such payment is in the public interest. Establishes the Geothermal Resources Development Fund in the Treasury to carry out the loan guarantee and interest payment provisions of this title. Title III: General Provisions - Requires that activities under this Act shall not endanger persons or the environment. Requires semi-annual reports to the President and Congress on the progress of activities under this Act. Provides for the transfer of the functions of the Project upon the establishment of a permanent Federal energy agency. Authorizes the appropriation of $300,000,000 to the National Science Foundation for fiscal years 1975-1980 for research, development, and demonstration projects funded by it under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000,000 each year to carry out the loan guarantee provisions of Title II.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1974
Foreign Investment Control Act - Declares that the Congress finds that recent international economic and monetary changes have stimulated investment by foreign persons in industries and real property in the United States. Establishes the National Foreign Investment Commission. Specifies the duties, powers, and composition of the Commission. States that, within one hundred and eighty days after the date of enactment of this Act, and at the end of each six-month period thereafter, the Commission shall determine and notify each issuer which is substantially involved in any area essential to the United States national security and/or economic security, and each issuer which is substantially involved in any area important to the United States national security and/or economic security, as defined and described in this Act. Requires the Commission to publish in the Federal Register the names of all issuers so determined under this Act. Requires each such issuer to submit to the Commission (within sixty days after receiving notification from the Commission) the names and nationalities of all individuals not citizens of the United States, and the names of all persons other than individuals, who own voting securities of such issuers. States that such list shall also be transmitted to the Securities Exchange Commission which shall, in turn, require each broker, dealer, and bank registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (1) not to sell to any individual who is not a citizen of the United States any right, title, or interest in any security of an issuer on the list which is substantially involved in any area essential to our national security and/or economic security; (2) to contact the Commission for approval before it sells to any person who is not an individual (or to any individual acting as an agent for such a person) any right, title, or interest in any security of an issuer on the list which is substantially involved in any area essential to our national security and/or economic security; and (3) to inform the Commission immediately after it sells to any person any right, title, or interest in any security of an issuer on the list which is substantially involved in any area important to our national security and/or economic security. States that the Commission shall order (1) each individual whose name was submitted under this Act and (2) each person which the Commission determines is owned or controlled by a person not a citizen of the United States, who owns any right, title, or interest in any voting security of any issuer substantially involved in any area essential to our national security and/or economic security, to sell (within a period of sixty days after such order) all such securities to any citizen of the United States, or (with the Commission's prior approval) to any person not included in the prohibitions of this Act. Provides that, within a period of one hundred and eighty days after the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall determine which minerals, fertile realty for agriculture, timber lands, and other resources are to be included in a list of resources which are strategic to the national security and/or economic security of the United States. States that after such list is so published, if any seller or lessor of real estate located in the United States, or his agent, knows or has reason to know that such real estate contains resources on such list in commercially exploitable amounts, he shall not sell or lease such real estate to any individual who is not a citizen of the United States, or to such individual's agent. States that whoever fails to comply with specified requirements of this Act shall be fined not more than $10,000 for each such failure.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1974
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act - Makes appropriations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for research and development, construction of facilities, and research and program management.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1974
Directs the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a bronze bust or statue of Martin Luther King, Junior, and to cause such sculpture to be placed in a suitable location in the Capitol as determined by the Joint Committee on the Library.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1974
Designates, under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, a segment of the Upper Mississippi River in the State of Minnesota as a study river for potential addition to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. (Amends 16 U.S.C. 1276(a))
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1974
Declares that specified lands amdinistered by the Secretary of the Interior for the benefit of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, White Earth Reservation, are to be held by the United States in trust for the tribe, and the lands shall be a part of the reservation establsihed for the tribe. Directs the Indian Claims Commission to determine the extent to which the value of the beneficial interest conveyed by this Act should or should not be set off against any claim against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1974
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make indemnity payments for poultry and egg products at a fair market value, to poultry and egg producers and processors who have been directed by the United States Government to remove their poultry or egg products from commercial markets because such products contained residues of chemicals registered and approved for use by the Federal Government at the time of such use. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. States that the authority granted under this Act shall expire on December 31, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1974
Requires, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, that the credit for foreign taxes shall not be allowed in the case of taxes paid to a foreign country with respect to the income derived from any oil or gas well located in a foreign country. Eliminates the percentage depletion allowance in the case of any such well presently authorized under such Code.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1974
National Huntington's Disease Control Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to establish a national program for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of, and research in, Huntington's disease. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants for projects for the establishment and operation of Huntington's disease screening, treatment, and counseling programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for each each of the next two fiscal years for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for research in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Huntington's disease. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975 and for each of the next two fiscal years for use for such grants. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to develop information and educational materials relating to Huntington's disease and to disseminate such information and materials to persons providing health care and to the public in general. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for each of the next two fiscal years to carry out this information program. Sets forth the requirements for applications for grants under this Act and the administration of such grants. Directs the Secretary to establish a program within the Public Health Service to provide for voluntary Huntington's disease screening, counseling, and treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1974
Provides that recipients of veterans' pension and compensation shall not have the amount of such pension or compensation reduced, or entitlement thereto discontinued, because of increases in monthly social security benefits resulting from the enactment of Public Law 93-66, Public Law 93-233, and subsequent cost-of-living increases under title II of the Social Security Act. Provides that the provisions of this Act shall apply with respect to annual income determinations made for calendar years after 1972.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1974
National Resource and Energy Conservation Act - Title I: Formal Provisions - Declares it to be the purpose of the Congress to reduce the wasteful allocation of scarce resources by recovering materials and producing energy from waste through an intensive research and development program in the Environmental Protection Agency (with the assistance of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and a program of technical assistance and support to Government agencies and persons producing or using such energy. Title II: Product Standards and Regulation - States that it shall be unlawful for any person to introduce or deliver for introduction in commerce any product which does not conform to the standards or regulations prescribed by the Administrator under this title. Provides that any person, other than a person who commits a criminal violation, who is found by the Administrator after notice and an opportunity for an adjudicative hearing to have committed an act prohibited by this title, shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty of a sum which is not more than $20,000 for each day of violation. Requires that, within one year after the date of enactment of this title, the Administrator shall promulgate and shall, from time to time, revise such standards regulating the manufacture and distribution of certain products in commerce as he determines necessary to protect health or the environment against unreasonable burdens and risks associated with the disposal of such products. Permits the Administrator or the Attorney General to file an action against any product which constitutes an imminent hazard as prescribed by this title or any product which the Administrator finds is manufactured or distributed in violation of this title for seizure of such product. Directs the Administrator to conduct a study of possible methods of regulating the design, use, reuse, and recycling of certain products to reduce the generation of solid waste, reduce the consumption of virgin materials resources, or to reduce burdens on the environment associated with the manufacture, utilization, or disposal of such products. Directs the Administrator to conduct research, investigations, experiments, surveys, studies and demonstrations of means of reducing waste generation and increasing the recovery of materials and the production of energy from solid, liquid, and semisolid wastes from residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural sources. Title III: Unsafe Disposal Practices - Provides that, within eighteen months after the date of enactment of this title and from time to time thereafter, the Administrator shall issue regulations in accordance with this title and after consultation with representatives of other appropriate agencies: (1) identifying unsafe disposal practices; (2) identifying hazardous wastes; and (3) establishing standards for the control of unsafe disposal practices, including requirement of a permit for persons generating hazardous wastes and establishment of requirements for permit holders. Provides that, within eighteen months after promulgation of final regulations and in accordance with this title, each State shall establish a State implementation plan to regulate disposal practices and submit such plan to the Administrator for approval. Establishes a $25,000 fine for each day of noncompliance by a violator of this title. Provides that for the purpose of developing or assisting in the development of any regulation or enforcing the provisions of this title, any person who stores, treats, transports, disposes of, or otherwise handles hazardous wastes shall, upon request of any officer or employee of the Environmental Protection Agency or of any State or political subdivision, duly designated by the Administrator, furnish or permit such person at all reasonable times to have access to, and to copy all records relating to such wastes. Requires that, within eighteen months following the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall conduct, and upon completion, report to the Congress and the President the results of, a study of the feasibility of designing a national resource recovery plan to be implemented by the States individually or in cooperation with other States which will encourage the maximum recovery of resources from wastes and the subsequent recovery of energy from those wastes which are not otherwise recoverable. Permits the Administrator to make grants to appropriate State and interstate agencies and general purpose local governments, or combinations thereof, in an amount not to exceed 60 percent of the reasonable costs of such programs, to assist them in the administration, enforcement, planning, implementation, training, manpower development, technical assistance, public information, basic data collection, or analytical services relating to the collection, transport, processing, recovery, and disposal of hazardous waste. Requires the Administrator to conduct, encourage, cooperate with, and render financial, technical, and other assistance to appropriate authorities, agencies, an institutions, in the conduct of, research, development, investigations, experiments, surveys, and studies relating to: (1) any adverse effects on human health or the environment upon the release into the environment of material present in the land disposal solid, liquid, and semisolid waste, and methods to eliminate such effects; and (2) the development and application of new and improved methods of collecting and disposing of solid waste and processing and recovering materials and energy from solid, liquid, and semisolid wastes. Title IV: Federal Procurement and Measurement - Requires that with respect to each purchase and contract for property, the aggregate amount of which exceeds $5,000, no procurement shall be made by any procuring agency in the case of procurement items purchased through advertisement for bids, of any procurement item which in comparison with other competing items offered for sale by suppliers is not composed of the greatest percentage of recovered materials and is not to the greatest extent recyclable or reusable following the use for which it was purchased, whenever a significant difference as to these characteristics exists between such items and competing items. Title V: Material Recovery and Energy Production - Directs the Administrator, alone or in conjunction with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, to conduct research, development, investigations, experiments, surveys, studies, and demonstrations of means of increasing the recovery of materials and the production of energy in usable forms, or both, from solid, liquid, and semisolid waste, from residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural sources; and to develop, within three years from the date of enactment of this title, not less than three major facilities to demonstrate, substantiate, and validate any determinations made pursuant to this title. Directs the Administrator to provide funds by grant or contract to initiate, continue, supplement, and maintain research and development programs or activities which, in his judgment, appear likely to lead to the development of a facility for the recovery of materials or production of energy from waste, or both. Authorizes the Administrator to guarantee and to make commitments to guarantee the payment of interest on and the principal balance of an obligation to initiate, continue, supplement, and maintain research and development of programs leading to a facility for recovery of material or production of energy from waste. Authorizes appropration to the Administrator not to exceed $50,000,000 to pay interest on, and the principal balance of, any obligation guaranteed by the Administrator as to which the obligor has defaulted. Requires each recipient of financial assistance or guarantees under this title, whether in the form of grants, subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, loans, loan or other obligation guarantees, or other arrangements, to keep such records as the Administrator shall prescribe, and that they shall be subject to audit by the Comptroller General. Title VI: Council on Environmental Representation - Environmental Representation Act - Establishes an independent agency to be known as the Council on Environmental Representation for the purpose of providing support for legal representation and assistance in proceedings, for matters relating to the quality of the environment as described in this title. States that the functions of the Council shall be to establish programs, including local offices if necessary, to provide direct legal and other assistance to eligible clients and to make grants to eligible clients for the purpose of securing adequate representation and assistance to such clients before Federal, State, and local legislative bodies, administrative agencies, and courts in matters dealing with the environment of such clients. Authorizes the Chairman of the Council to intervene as a party or otherwise participate for the purpose of representing the interests of eligible clients in any proceeding before any Federal agency in matters affecting the environment of eligible clients, regardless of whether an agreement has been reached between the Council and an eligible client with respect to representing such eligible client's interests. Directs the Chairman to establish a program for disseminating information to eligible clients with respect to the type of services which may be available under this title. Authorizes appropration for the purpose of carrying out the activities of the Council under this title, $25,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, $50,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, and $75,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1977. Title VII: National Commission on Environmental Costs - Establishes the National Commission on Environmental Costs to conduct a comprehensive study, including field testing and controlled experimentation to the extent possible, of the feasibility, practicality, and value of the establishment of a system of national disposal cost charges on all products, other than consumables; and to examine all feasible methods of environmental disclosure including notices regarding the damage done by polluters, labeling of products to indicate their environmental costs, and other means of effectively informing the public of pollution sources and alternative nonpolluting modes of public and private action. Authorizes appropriation to the Commission of such sums as may be necessary not to exceed a total of $1,500,000. Title VIII: General Provisions - Allows any person to commence a civil action for injunctive relief on his own behalf, whenever such action constitutes a case or controversy: (1) against any person (including the United States or any other governmental instrumentality or agency to the extent permitted by the eleventh amendment to the Constitution) alleged to be in violation of any regulation, order, or permit requirement promulgated pursuant to this Act; or (2) against the Administrator where there is alleged a failure of the Administrator to perform any act or duty under any title of this Act which is not discretionary with the Administrator. Requires each manufacturer of a product to which title II of this Act is applicable to establish and maintain such records, make such reports, provide such information, and make such tests as the Administrator or the Secretary of the Treasury may, at his discretion, reasonably require to enable him to determine whether such manufacturer has acted or is acting in compliance with such title II. Provides that in addition to specific authorizations for appropriations contained herein, there are authorized to be appropriated for purposes of carrying out this Act such additional sums as are necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1974
Older Americans Tax Counseling Assistance Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into agreements with private or public nonprofit agencies or organizations for the purpose of providing training and technical assistance to prepare volunteers to provide tax counseling assistance for elderly individuals in the preparation of their Federal income tax returns. Provides for the Secretary to utilize the services of volunteers and to establish the qualifications required and the terms and conditions of service as a volunteer. States that service as a volunteer under this Act shall not be considered service as an employee of the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to direct the attention of elderly individuals to pertinent provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1974
Authorizes additional educational assistance allowance payments to eligible veterans to partially defray the cost of tuition in an amount representing such cost which exceeds $419 for an ordinary school year, but not exceeding $600. (Adds 38 U.S.C. 1682)
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1974
Commodity Futures Trading Commission Act - Title I: Commodity Futures Trading Commission - Establishes a Commodity Futures Trading Commission to be composed of five Commissioners consisting of the Secretary of Agriculture and four members selected from the general public, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out the provisions of this Act such sums as may be required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1977, and for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1978. Makes changes in the Commodity Exchange Act by striking the word "Secretary" and the words "Secretary of Agriculture" wherever such words appear therein and by inserting in lieu thereof the word "Commission"; and by striking the words "United States Department of Agriculture" wherever they appear therein and by inserting in lieu thereof the word "Commission". Provides that if, after a hearing on a complaint made by any person or upon failure of the party complained against to answer a complaint duly served within the time prescribed, or to appear at a hearing after being duly notified, the Commission determines that the respondent has violated any provision of this Act, or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder the Commission shall, unless the offender has already made reparation to the person complaining, determine the amount of damage, if any, to which such person is entitled as a result of such violation and shall make an order directing the offender to pay to such person complaining such amount on or before the date fixed in the order. Provides that unless the registrant against whom a reparation order has been issued shows to the satisfaction of the Commission within five days from the expiration of the period allowed for compliance with such order that he has either taken an appeal as herein authorized or has made payment in full as required by such order, he shall be prohibited from trading on all contract markets and his registration shall be suspended automatically at the expiration of such five-day period until he shows to the satisfaction of the Commission that he has paid the amount therein specified with interest thereon to date of payment. Title II: Regulation of Trading and Exchange Activities - Deletes onions from the definition list of commodities and includes "all services, rights, and interests in which contracts for future delivery are presently or in the future dealt in. Requires the Commission, within six months after the effective date of this Act, and subsequently when it determines that changes are required, to make a determination, after notice and opportunity for hearing, whether or not a floor broker may trade for his own account or any account in which such broker has trading discretion (and also execute a customer's order for future delivery) and whether or not a futures commission merchant may trade for its own account or any proprietary account, and, if the Commission determines that such trades and executions shall be permitted, the Commission shall, after notice and opportunity for hearing, further determine the terms, conditions, and circumstances under which such trades shall be conducted. Declares it unlawful for any person to be associated with any futures commission merchant or with any agent of a futures commission merchant as a partner, officer, or employee in any capacity which involves the solicitation or acceptance of customer's orders or the supervision of any person or persons so engaged unless such person shall have registered, under this Act with the Commission. Declares it unlawful for any commodity trading adviser or commodity pool operator, unless registered under this Act, to make use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce in connection with his business as such commodity trading adviser or commodity pool operator. Requires every commodity trading adviser and commodity pool operator registered under this Act to maintain books and records and file such reports in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the Commission. Requires every commodity pool operator to regularly furnish statements of account to each participant in his operations. Declares it unlawful for any commodity trading advisor or community pool operator registered under this Act, by use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce, directly or indirectly to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud any client or participant or perspective client or participant. Allows the Commission to specify by rules and regulations appropriate standards with respect to training, experience, and such other qualifications as the Commission finds necessary or desirable to insure the fitness of futures commission merchants, floor brokers, and those persons associated with futures commission merchants or floor brokers. Requires each contract market to submit to the Commission for its approval bylaws, rules, regulations, and resolutions made or issued by such contract market. States that whenever it shall appear to the Commission that any contract market or other person has engaged, is engaging, or is about to engage in any act or practice constituting a violation of any provision of this Act or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder, or is in a position to effectuate a 'squeeze' or corner or otherwise restrain trading in any commodity for future delivery, the Commission may notify the Attorney General, and the Attorney General may bring an action in the proper district court of the United States to enjoin such act or practice. Establishes a $100,000 civil penalty for violations of this Act. Authorizes the Commission to direct the Commission to direct the contract market, whenever it has reason to believe that a market factor creates a condition which threatens orderly trading in, or liquidation of, any futures contract, to take such action as in the Commission's judgment is necessary to maintain or restore orderly trading in, or liquidation of, any futures contract. Title III: Enabling Authority for Creation of National Futures Associations - Allows any association of persons to be registered with the Commission as a registered futures association by filing with the Commission for review and approval a registration statement in such form as the Commission may prescribe. Requires the rules of such an association to provide that no person shall be admitted to or continued in membership in such an association if such person has been and is suspended or expelled from a registered futures association or from a contract market. Requires the rules of such an association to be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, in general, to protect the public interest, and to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of free and open futures trading. Allows the Commission, after notice and opportunity for hearing to suspend the registration of any futures association if it finds that the rules thereof do not conform to the requirements of the Commission. Authorizes the Commission to suspend for a period not exceeding twelve months or to expel from a registered futures association any member thereof, or to suspend for a period not exceeding twelve months or to bar any person from being associated with a member if such member or person has violated any provision of this title. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Declares it a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both, together with the costs of prosecution, for any Commissioner of the Commission or any employee or agent thereof, to participate, directly or indirectly, in any transaction in commodity futures; any privilege, indemnity, bid, offer, put, call, advance, guaranty, or decline guaranty; or for any such person to participate, directly or indirectly, in any transaction in an actual commodity. Declares it a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both, together with the costs of prosecution, for any Commissioner of the Commission or any employee or agent thereof who, by virtue of his employment or position, acquires information which may affect or tend to affect the price of any commodity futures or commodity and which information has not been made public to impart such information with intent to assist another person, directly or indirectly, to participate in any transaction in commodity futures, any transaction in an actual commodity.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1974
Comprehensive School Health Education Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to encourage the provision of comprehensive programs in elementary and secondary schools with respect to health education and health problems by establishing a system of grants for teacher training, pilot and demonstration projects, and the development of comprehensive health education programs. Empowers the Commissioner of Education to make grants to State educational agencies and institutions of higher education for teacher training with respect to the provision of comprehensive health education programs in schools. Authorizes to be appropriated $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1975; $12,500,000 for fiscal year 1976; and $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, to carry out such grants. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to State and local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and other public or private nonprofit education or research organizations to support pilot demonstration projects in elementary and secondary schools with respect to health education and health problems. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes. States that the Commissioner may make grants to State educational agencies for the development of comprehensive programs in elementary and secondary schools with respect to health education and health problems. Provides for the apportionment of funds appropriated for such purposes. Authorizes to be appropriated $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Sets forth the requirements for receiving grants under this Act, including the application procedures. Directs the Commissioner to, when requested, render technical assistance to local educational agencies, public and private nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education in the development and implementation of education programs with respect to health and health problems.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1974
Public Service Employment Act - Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to provide unemployed and underemployed persons with employment in jobs providing needed public services and appropriate training and related services. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out this Act such sums as Congress determines necessary for each fiscal year ending prior to fiscal year 1978. Provides that the Secretary of Labor shall enter into arrangements with applicants for the purpose of providing financial assistance to public and private nonprofit agencies and institutions for the creation of jobs providing employment for unemployed or underemployed persons in carrying out needed public services. Provides that such eligible applicants shall be: (1) States, counties, cities, and other units or combinations of units of general local government which have established public service employment councils; and (2) other public and private agencies and institutions when government units of services are inadequate or nonexistent. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with eligible applicants, using 25 percent of the funds authorized under this Act, for the purpose of providing employment, for unemployed and underemployed persons residing in areas of substantial unemployment, in jobs providing needed public services, which shall be carried out to the maximum practicable extent within such areas. Provides for the establishment of a public service employment council. Provides that the Secretary shall not provide financial assistance for any program or activity under this Act unless he determines that: (1) the program will result in an increase in employment opportunities over those which would otherwise be available, will not result in the displacement of currently employed workers, will not impair existing contracts for services or result in the substitution of Federal for other funds in connection with work that would otherwise be performed, and will not substitute public service jobs for other federally assisted jobs; (2) persons employed in public service jobs assisted under this Act shall be paid wages which shall not be lower than whichever is the highest minimum wage which would be applicable to the employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, the State or local minimum wage for the most nearly comparable covered employment, or the prevailing rates of pay for persons employed in similar public occupations by the same employer; (3) funds under this Act will not be used to pay persons employed in public service jobs under this Act at a rate in excess of $12,000 per year; (4) all persons employed in public service jobs assisted under this Act will be assured of workmen's compensation, health insurance, unemployment insurance, and other benefits at the same levels and to the same extent as other employees of the employer and to the same working conditions and promotional opportunities as such other employees enjoy; (5) provisions of law relating to health and safety conditions shall apply to such program or activity; (6) the program will, to the maximum extent feasible, contribute to the occupational development or upward mobility of individual participants; (7) not to exceed 10 percent of the funds available for any program under this Act will be used for the acquisition or the rental or leasing of supplies, equipment, materials, or real property; and (8) every participant shall be advised prior to entering upon employment, of his rights and benefits in connection with such employment. Provides that the Secretary shall transmit at least annually a detailed report setting forth the activities conducted under this Act. Provides that the Secretary shall carry out a program of research and pilot projects into alternate ways and means to research full employment.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1974
Authorizes the Small Business Administration to make loans directly or in cooperation with lending institutions to assist small businesses adversely affected by fuel shortages, electrical energy shortages, shortages of energy producing resources, or shortages of raw or processed processed materials resulting from such shortages.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1974
National Resource and Energy Conservation Act - Title I: Formal Provisions - Declares it to be the purpose of the Congress to reduce the wasteful allocation of scarce resources by recovering materials and producing energy from waste through an intensive research and development program in the Environmental Protection Agency (with the assistance of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and a program of technical assistance and support to Government agencies and persons producing or using such energy. Title II: Product Standards and Regulation - States that it shall be unlawful for any person to introduce or deliver for introduction in commerce any product which does not conform to the standards or regulations prescribed by the Administrator under this title. Provides that any person, other than a person who commits a criminal violation, who is found by the Administrator after notice and an opportunity for an adjudicative hearing to have committed an act prohibited by this title, shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty of a sum which is not more than $20,000 for each day of violation. Requires that, within one year after the date of enactment of this title, the Administrator shall promulgate and shall, from time to time, revise such standards regulating the manufacture and distribution of certain products in commerce as he determines necessary to protect health or the environment against unreasonable burdens and risks associated with the disposal of such products. Permits the Administrator or the Attorney General to file an action against any product which constitutes an imminent hazard as prescribed by this title or any product which the Administrator finds is manufactured or distributed in violation of this title for seizure of such product. Directs the Administrator to conduct a study of possible methods of regulating the design, use, reuse, and recycling of certain products to reduce the generation of solid waste, reduce the consumption of virgin materials resources, or to reduce burdens on the environment associated with the manufacture, utilization, or disposal of such products. Directs the Administrator to conduct research, investigations, experiments, surveys, studies and demonstrations of means of reducing waste generation and increasing the recovery of materials and the production of energy from solid, liquid, and semisolid wastes from residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural sources. Title III: Unsafe Disposal Practices - Provides that, within eighteen months after the date of enactment of this title and from time to time thereafter, the Administrator shall issue regulations in accordance with this title and after consultation with representatives of other appropriate agencies: (1) identifying unsafe disposal practices; (2) identifying hazardous wastes; and (3) establishing standards for the control of unsafe disposal practices, including requirement of a permit for persons generating hazardous wastes and establishment of requirements for permit holders. Provides that, within eighteen months after promulgation of final regulations and in accordance with this title, each State shall establish a State implementation plan to regulate disposal practices and submit such plan to the Administrator for approval. Establishes a $25,000 fine for each day of noncompliance by a violator of this title. Provides that for the purpose of developing or assisting in the development of any regulation or enforcing the provisions of this title, any person who stores, treats, transports, disposes of, or otherwise handles hazardous wastes shall, upon request of any officer or employee of the Environmental Protection Agency or of any State or political subdivision, duly designated by the Administrator, furnish or permit such person at all reasonable times to have access to, and to copy all records relating to such wastes. Requires that, within eighteen months following the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall conduct, and upon completion, report to the Congress and the President the results of, a study of the feasibility of designing a national resource recovery plan to be implemented by the States individually or in cooperation with other States which will encourage the maximum recovery of resources from wastes and the subsequent recovery of energy from those wastes which are not otherwise recoverable. Permits the Administrator to make grants to appropriate State and interstate agencies and general purpose local governments, or combinations thereof, in an amount not to exceed 60 percent of the reasonable costs of such programs, to assist them in the administration, enforcement, planning, implementation, training, manpower development, technical assistance, public information, basic data collection, or analytical services relating to the collection, transport, processing, recovery, and disposal of hazardous waste. Requires the Administrator to conduct, encourage, cooperate with, and render financial, technical, and other assistance to appropriate authorities, agencies, an institutions, in the conduct of, research, development, investigations, experiments, surveys, and studies relating to: (1) any adverse effects on human health or the environment upon the release into the environment of material present in the land disposal solid, liquid, and semisolid waste, and methods to eliminate such effects; and (2) the development and application of new and improved methods of collecting and disposing of solid waste and processing and recovering materials and energy from solid, liquid, and semisolid wastes. Title IV: Federal Procurement and Measurement - Requires that with respect to each purchase and contract for property, the aggregate amount of which exceeds $5,000, no procurement shall be made by any procuring agency in the case of procurement items purchased through advertisement for bids, of any procurement item which in comparison with other competing items offered for sale by suppliers is not composed of the greatest percentage of recovered materials and is not to the greatest extent recyclable or reusable following the use for which it was purchased, whenever a significant difference as to these characteristics exists between such items and competing items. Title V: Material Recovery and Energy Production - Directs the Administrator, alone or in conjunction with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, to conduct research, development, investigations, experiments, surveys, studies, and demonstrations of means of increasing the recovery of materials and the production of energy in usable forms, or both, from solid, liquid, and semisolid waste, from residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural sources; and to develop, within three years from the date of enactment of this title, not less than three major facilities to demonstrate, substantiate, and validate any determinations made pursuant to this title. Directs the Administrator to provide funds by grant or contract to initiate, continue, supplement, and maintain research and development programs or activities which, in his judgment, appear likely to lead to the development of a facility for the recovery of materials or production of energy from waste, or both. Authorizes the Administrator to guarantee and to make commitments to guarantee the payment of interest on and the principal balance of an obligation to initiate, continue, supplement, and maintain research and development of programs leading to a facility for recovery of material or production of energy from waste. Authorizes appropration to the Administrator not to exceed $50,000,000 to pay interest on, and the principal balance of, any obligation guaranteed by the Administrator as to which the obligor has defaulted. Requires each recipient of financial assistance or guarantees under this title, whether in the form of grants, subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, loans, loan or other obligation guarantees, or other arrangements, to keep such records as the Administrator shall prescribe, and that they shall be subject to audit by the Comptroller General. Title VI: Council on Environmental Representation - Environmental Representation Act - Establishes an independent agency to be known as the Council on Environmental Representation for the purpose of providing support for legal representation and assistance in proceedings, for matters relating to the quality of the environment as described in this title. States that the functions of the Council shall be to establish programs, including local offices if necessary, to provide direct legal and other assistance to eligible clients and to make grants to eligible clients for the purpose of securing adequate representation and assistance to such clients before Federal, State, and local legislative bodies, administrative agencies, and courts in matters dealing with the environment of such clients. Authorizes the Chairman of the Council to intervene as a party or otherwise participate for the purpose of representing the interests of eligible clients in any proceeding before any Federal agency in matters affecting the environment of eligible clients, regardless of whether an agreement has been reached between the Council and an eligible client with respect to representing such eligible client's interests. Directs the Chairman to establish a program for disseminating information to eligible clients with respect to the type of services which may be available under this title. Authorizes appropration for the purpose of carrying out the activities of the Council under this title, $25,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, $50,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, and $75,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1977. Title VII: National Commission on Environmental Costs - Establishes the National Commission on Environmental Costs to conduct a comprehensive study, including field testing and controlled experimentation to the extent possible, of the feasibility, practicality, and value of the establishment of a system of national disposal cost charges on all products, other than consumables; and to examine all feasible methods of environmental disclosure including notices regarding the damage done by polluters, labeling of products to indicate their environmental costs, and other means of effectively informing the public of pollution sources and alternative nonpolluting modes of public and private action. Authorizes appropriation to the Commission of such sums as may be necessary not to exceed a total of $1,500,000. Title VIII: General Provisions - Allows any person to commence a civil action for injunctive relief on his own behalf, whenever such action constitutes a case or controversy: (1) against any person (including the United States or any other governmental instrumentality or agency to the extent permitted by the eleventh amendment to the Constitution) alleged to be in violation of any regulation, order, or permit requirement promulgated pursuant to this Act; or (2) against the Administrator where there is alleged a failure of the Administrator to perform any act or duty under any title of this Act which is not discretionary with the Administrator. Requires each manufacturer of a product to which title II of this Act is applicable to establish and maintain such records, make such reports, provide such information, and make such tests as the Administrator or the Secretary of the Treasury may, at his discretion, reasonably require to enable him to determine whether such manufacturer has acted or is acting in compliance with such title II. Provides that in addition to specific authorizations for appropriations contained herein, there are authorized to be appropriated for purposes of carrying out this Act such additional sums as are necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1974
States that, under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act, mandatory allocation by amounts shall not apply to the first sale of crude oil produced in the United States from any lease whose average daily production of crude oil for the preceding calendar year does not exceed ten barrels per well. States that, in such case, mandatory allocation by price shall apply. Provides, under the Mineral Leasing Act, as amended, that the first sale of crude oil and natural gas liquids produced from any lease whose average daily production of such substances for the preceding calendar month does not exceed ten barrels per well shall not be subject to any allocation program with respect to allocation by amounts for fuels or petroleum established pursuant to any Federal law for allocation of fuels or petroleum.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1974
Internal Revenue Commission Act - Establishes an independent commission to be known as the Internal Revenue Commission, the principal office of which shall be in the District of Columbia. Provides that all the functions with respect to the administration and enforcement of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 which, immediately prior to the date that this Act takes effect, were performed by the Secretary of the Treasury, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, or any other officer or employee of the Department of the Treasury are transferred to the Internal Revenue Commission. Provides that the transfer of functions under this Act shall not affect any act done or any right accruing or accrued before such transfer. States that so much of the positions, personnel, assets, liabilities, contracts, property, and records of the Department of the Treasury which, as determined by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, were employed, held, used, or available or to be made available in connection with the functions transferred by this Act shall be transferred to the Internal Revenue Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1974
Provides for the adjustment of target prices established under the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act of 1973, as amended, for the 1974 through 1977 crops of wheat and feed grains to reflect changes in farm production costs.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1974
Directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to develop ground propulsion systems which are energy conserving, have clean emission characteristics, and are capable of being produced in large numbers at a reasonable mass production per unit cost. Requires that such ground propulsion systems must meet or better all air quality standards set by or under the National Emission Standards Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Air Quality Act of 1967, while substantially reducing per mile energy consumption. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act not to exceed $30,000,000 in the aggregate for the fiscal years 1974 through 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1974
Energy Information Act - Expresses the findings of Congress and the purposes of this Act. Sets forth the definitions of terms used in this Act. Title I: Bureau of Energy Information - Establishes as an agency within the Department of Commerce a Bureau of Energy Information to be a main line component of the Social and Economic Statistics Administration, coequal with the Bureau of the Census. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to perform the duties conferred upon the Bureau by this title or delegate any of them. Provides that the Bureau shall be headed by a Director of Energy Information to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. States that the principal function of the Bureau shall be to operate, maintain, and improve the National Energy Information System established by Title II of this Act. Enumerates the work priorities of the Bureau. Title II: National Energy Information System - Establishes a National Energy Information System, to be operated and maintained by the Bureau. Directs that the components of the System shall be: (1) a public library of energy information; (2) a confidential library of energy information for restricted governmental use; and (3) a secret library of energy information for use only in preparing anonymous statistics. Specifies the characteristics of the System. States that the purpose of the public library is to make available to the general public promptly and conveniently as much of the information in the System as can be released consistently with national security and reasonable competitive equities. States that the purpose of the secret library is to serve the Nation's need for accurate statistical information on mineral fuel reserves, natural energy resources, and energy industries. Directs the Director to place in the secret library information obtained under authority of this Act for which either the national security or reasonable competitive equities require that the information be wholly suppressed or be published only in statistical aggregations of a size and type sufficient to prevent any person from learning or inferring the data furnished by any particular establishment or individual. Prescribes the priorities for entry of information into the System. Enumerates the standards for entry of information into the public, confidential, and secret libraries. Imposes penalties on any employee of the Bureau or other employee who, having taken and subscribed the oath of office, publishes or communicates, without the written authority of the Secretary or the Director, any information coming into his possession by reason of his employment from or for entry in the confidential library or the secret library of the System. Penalizes refusal or neglect to provide information, and the providing of false information, under this Act. Title III: Energy Resources Inventories and Inspections by the Department of the Interior - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to compile, maintain, and keep current on not less than an annual basis an inventory of all mineral fuel reserves and natural energy resources in the public lands of the United States, including the Outer Continental Shelf. Specifies the content of such compilation. Title IV: Information on Mineral Fuel Reserves and Natural Energy Resources - Makes it the duty of every substantial energy resources company, foreign or domestic, engaged in commerce to report annually to the Director full and complete details of all mineral fuel reserves and natural energy resources which it, together with its affiliates, owns or controls anywhere in the world. Provides that all reports required by this title and title V shall be entered by the Director, immediately upon receipt, into one of the three libraries of the System. Title V: Information on the Energy Industries - Makes it the duty of every major energy company, foreign or domestic, engaged in commerce, to report annually to the Director on its assets and operations, worldwide, on an establishment basis. Specifies the content of such reports. Authorizes the requiring of additional reports, at the discretion of the Secretary of Commerce or the Director. Title VI: General Accounting Office Oversight - Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to review and evaluate the procedures and activities of the Bureau. Title VII: Conformance of and with Other Statutes - Provides that whenever any of the information obtained from any major energy company under this Act is contained in any other report of such company, such report having been filed prior to the effective date of this Act, the Director may excuse such company from filing a report with him, containing the same information. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Freedom of Information Act and the Federal Reports Act. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - Provides that if any provision of this Act or the applicability thereof is held invalid the remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior such amounts, as may be requisite to full and efficient performance of the duties imposed upon such Departments by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1974
Payments in Lieu of Taxes Act - States that, within two years after the date of enactment of this Act, each county shall elect whether it wishes to proceed under the terms of this Act to receive payments from the Federal Government equal to the real property taxes otherwise due from public lands within such county, or to continue to receive whatever payments such county is entitled to receive under any existing applicable Federal law providing for Federal payments for such county similar to those available under this Act or for payment to such county of part of the revenue derived from such public land. Establishes procedures for the appraisal of public lands. Provides that when any county within a State has elected to proceed under the terms of this Act, there shall be established for that State a State board of appraisal appeal. Provides that each board shall consider and decide any appeal from a county within the State relating to the appraisal of public land within such county. States that decisions of the board shall not be subject to judicial review unless arbitrary or capricious. States that, begining in the first complete fiscal year after the acceptance of such appraisal by both the county involved and the Administrator, the Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to pay annually to the State in which such county is located an amount equivalent to the State, county, and local real property taxes on public lands within such county, based on the tax rate applicable to similar private lands at the value arrived at under the appraisal conducted under this Act. Stipulates that nothing in this Act shall interfere with the right of State or local governments to levy possessory interests taxes on private owners of improvements made by private users on public lands. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to administer this Act and to make the payments authorized by it.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) A world without war is possible; (2) In such a world nations will rely for their external protection on world institutions strong enough to stop any nation from making war, capable of assuring peaceful and just settlements of international disputes, and reliable enough to be entrusted with such power; and (3) it is the policy of the United States to initiate and to implement with other nations practical steps consistent with our commitment to the United Nations for the expeditious realization of such institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 1973
American Folklife Preservation Act - Creates an American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress. Provides that the center shall be subject to the supervision and direction of a board of trustees. Provides that such board shall be composed of four members appointed by the President, eight members appointed by the Librarian of Congress, the Librarian of Congress ex officio and the director of the center ex officio. Authorizes the centers to establish and implement a program of contracts, grants, revitalize and scholarships to preserve, protect, revitalize and disseminate American folklife traditions and arts. Provides that no payment shall be made pursuant to this Act to carry out any research or training over a period in excess of two years. States that such research or training may be extended to a period not to exceed five years with the concurrance of at least two-thirds of the members of the board. Provides that no former employee of the Federal government shall be eligible to receive any grant or other assistance under this Act in the two year period following the termination of such employment. Requires the center to submit to the Library of Congress, for inclusion in its annual report to the Congress, an annual report of its operations under this Act. Authorizes such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1973
Military Construction Moratorium Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to suspend during the period of two years beginning with the date of enactment of this Act any construction, conversion, rehabilitation, or installation of a public work or facility in connection with a military construction project, unless: (1) such construction, conversion, rehabilitation, or installation is being performed under a contract awarded before the date of enactment of this Act; or (2) the Secretary of Defense determines that overriding considerations of national security require that such construction, conversion, rehabilitation, or installation not be suspended. Defines the term "military construction project" for purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1973
Egg Research and Consumer Information Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to authorize and enable the establishment of an orderly procedure to the development and financing of an effective and continuous coordinated program of research, consumer and producer education, and promotion designed to strengthen the egg industry's position in the marketplace, and maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets and uses for eggs, egg products, spent fowl, and products of spent fowl of the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue orders applicable to persons engaged in the hatching and/or sale of egg-type baby chicks and started pullets, the production and marketing of commercial eggs, the processing and distribution of commercial eggs, and the purchase, sale, or processing of spent fowl. Provides that a hearing shall be held on a proposed order before it is issued. Directs that orders issued pursuant to this Act shall contain one or more of the following terms and conditions, and no others: (1) providing for the establishment, issuance, effectuation, and administration of appropriate plans or projects for the advertising of, sales promotion of, and consumer education with respect to the use of eggs, egg products, spent fowl, and products of spent fowl, and for the disbursement of necessary funds for such purposes; (2) providing for, establishing, and carrying on research, marketing and development projects, and studies with respect to sale, distribution, marketing, utilization, or production of eggs, egg products, spent fowl, and products of spent fowl, and the creation of new products thereof; (3) providing that hatchery operators, persons engaged in the sale of egg-type baby chicks and started pullet dealers, egg producers, breakers, processors, persons marketing commercial eggs and persons engaged in the purchase, sale, or processing of spent fowl, maintain and make available for inspection such books and records as may be required by any order issued pursuant to this Act, or (4) terms and conditions incidental to and not inconsistent with the terms and conditions specified in this Act and necessary to effectuate the other provisions of such order. Requires that orders issued pursuant to this Act shall contain the conditions set forth in this Act. Provides for the establishment and appointment, by the Secretary of Agriculture, of an Egg Board and defines its specified powers and duties. Requires the Egg Board to develop and submit to the Secretary for his approval any advertising or sales promotion or research and development plans or projects, and that any such plan or project must be approved by the Secretary before becoming effective. Provides that each egg producer shall pay, to the first processor of such producer's eggs, an assessment based upon the number of cases of commercial eggs processed for the account of such producer, in the manner as prescribed by the order, for such expenses and expenditures as the Secretary finds are reasonable and likely to be incurred by the Egg Board under the order during any period specified by him. Provides that the Secretary shall conduct a referendum among egg producers to ascertain whether the issuance of an order is approved by such producers. Provides that no such order issued pursuant to this Act is effective unless the Secretary determines that it is approved by the egg producers. Exempts from this Act: (1) any egg producer whose aggregate number of laying hens at any time during three months prior to assessment has not exceeded three thousand laying hens; (2) any flock of breeding hens whose production of eggs is primarily utilized for the hatching of baby chicks; or (3) commercial eggs of foreign origin not exceeding one hundred cases in any one entry into the United States. Provides that any egg producer against whose commercial eggs any assessment is made under this Act and who is not in favor of supporting the research and promotion program as provided for by this Act shall have the right to demand and recieve form the Egg Board a refund of such assessment. Provides for petition and review of any order issued pursuant to this Act. Provides penalties for willful violation of orders issued pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make such investigations as he deems necessary for the effective administration of this Act or to determine if violations of this Act have occurred. Provides the Secretary with the power of subpoena. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1973
Fire Prevention and Control Act - Title I: Establishes within the Department of Commerce a National Bureau of Fire Safety headed by a Director appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Declares the function of the Bureau to be to improve the nation's efforts in fire prevention and control through public education, advanced technology, training and education, improved statistics, and other relevant efforts. Requires the Director to undertake programs in public education for the further development of fire technology. States that the Director shall operate directly or through contracts an integrated, comprehensive national fire data program based on the collection, analysis, publication, and dissemination of fire information related to the prevention, occurrence, control, and results of fires of all types. Establishes, within the Department of Commerce, as part of the Bureau, a United States Fire Academy which shall have the mission of advancing the professional development of fire service personnel, civil defense personnel, and related fire safety personnel. States that the Academy shall be headed by a Superintendant. Sets forth the duties of the Superintendent. Authorizes to be appropriated an amount not to exceed $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 to carry out the provisions of this title. Title II: Establishes within the Department of Commerce a Fire Research Center which shall perform and support basic and applied research on all aspects of fire with the aim of providing scientific and technical knowledge applicable to the prevention and reduction of fires. Requires such program to include investigations of (1) the physics and chemistry of combustion processes; (2) the dynamics of flame ignition, flame spread, and flame extinguishment; (3) the composition of combustion products developed by various sources and under various environmental conditions; (4) the unique aspects of fire hazards arising from the transportation and use in industrial and professional practices of combustible gases, fluids, and materials; and (5) design concepts for providing increased fire safety consistent with habitability, comfort, and human impact, in buildings and other structures. Directs the Center to conduct research on: (1) the biological and physiological effects of toxic substances encountered in fires; (2) the trauma, cardiac conditions, and other hazards resulting from exposure to fires; (3) the development of simple, reliable tests for the determination of the cause of death from fires; (4) improved methods of providing first aid to the victims of fires; (5) the psychological and motivational characteristics of persons who engage in arson, and the prediction and cure of such behavior; (6) the conditions of stress encountered by firefighters, their effects, and their alleviation or reduction; and (7) such other biological, physiological, and psychological effects of fire as may have significance for purposes of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated for purposes of this title an amount not to exceed $3,500,000 for fiscal year 1975. Title III: Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish, within the National Institutes of Health, and expanded program of research on burns, treatment of burn injuries, and rehabilitation of victims of fires. Authorizes to be appropriated $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 to carry out the provisions of this title. Title IV: Provides that the Secretary and the Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly authorized representatives, shall have access to any books, documents, papers, and records of the recipient that are pertinent to its activities under this Act for the purpose of audit or to determine whether a proposed activity is in the public interest.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 1973
Commodity Futures Trading Commission Act - Title I: Commodity Futures Trading Commission - Establishes a Commodity Futures Trading Commission, under the Commodity Exchange Act, to be composed of five Commissioners consisting of the Secretary of Agriculture or his designee from the Department of Agriculture and four members of the general public, to be appointed by the President with Senate approval. Prescribes staffing requirements and administrative operations of the Commission. Transfers to the Commission the duties of the Secretary of Agriculture in the administration of the Commodity Exchange Act. Authorizes the Commission to make such investigations as it may deem necessary to ascertain the facts regarding the operations of boards of trade and other persons subject to this Act. Prescribes a system for handling of complaints of violation of this Act on the part of any person registered under this Act. Prescribes a system of judicial review of the decisions of the Commission in regard to alleged violations of the Commodity Exchange Act. Provides that a contract market, registered futures association established pursuant to this Act, or person registered under this Act who is acting pursuant to an order, or by the approval, of the Commission, shall be exempt from the antitrust laws of the United States. Title II: Regulation of Trading and Exchange Activities - Provides that the Commission shall promulgate by regulation the terms and conditions under which a floor broker may trade for his own account or any account in which such broker has trading discretion, and also execute a customer's order for future delivery on the same business day. Provides that the Commission shall promulgate by regulation the terms and conditions under which a futures commission merchant may trade for his own account or for any proprietary account. Requires all persons associated with any futures commission merchant or with any agent of a futures commission merchant in any capacity which involves: (1) the solicitation or acceptance of customer's orders; or (2) the supervision of any person or persons so engaged, to be registered with the Commission under this Act. Prescribes the method and manner of application for registration under this Act, including such method and manner of application for commodity trading advisors and commodity pool operators. Authorizes the Commission to specify, by regulations, appropriate standards with respect to training, experience and other qualifications to insure the fitness of futures commission merchants, floor brokers, and those persons associated with futures commission merchants or floor brokers. Authorizes the Commission to prescribe written proficiency examinations to be given to applicants for registration as futures commission merchants, floor brokers, and their associates. Provides that whenever it shall appear to the Commission that any contract market or other person has engaged or is about to engage in any practice constituting a violation of this Act or is in a position to otherwise restrain trading in any commodity for future delivery, the Commission may notify the Attorney General, who may bring an action in the proper United States district court to enjoin such practice or enjoin continued maintenance of such position, or to enforce compliance with this Act. Sets forth penalties for violation of this Act. Title III: Federal Commodity Account Insurance Corporation - Creates a Federal Commodity Account Insurance Corporation which shall insure the customer accounts and customer related liabilities of futures commission merchants which are entitled to the benefits of insurance under this Act. Prescribes the staffing and duties of the Board of Directors of the Federal Commodity Account Insurance Corportation. Provides that each insured futures commission merchant shall pay an annual assessment (to be established by the Board of Directors) to the Corporation to provide adequate funds for: (1) the Corporation's operating expenses; (2) additions to reserves to provide for insurance losses; (3) insurance losses from any preceding years in excess of such reserves; (4) the retirement of capital stock; and (5) the liquidation of indebtedness incurred under this title. Provides that whenever an insured futures commission merchant is closed, the Corporation shall make payment, as provided in this Act, to holders of insured customer accounts and customer related liabilities. Sets forth subrogation rights of the Corporation in regard to such payment. Provides that money of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be invested in obligations of the United States or in obligations fully guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States, subject to the Government Corporation Control Act. Exempts the Corporation from all Federal, State and local income taxes, except that any real property of the Corporation shall be subject to State or local taxation. Title IV: Enabling Authority for Creation of National Futures Associations - Provides that any association of persons may be registered with the Commission as a registered futures association pursuant to this Act by filing with the Commission for review and approval a registration statement. Prescribes documents to be filed with such registration statement. Enumerates criteria for approval of such registration. Vests in the Commission the power to review, and subsequently cancel or modify, any disciplinary action taken by a registered futures association against any member thereof or any person associated with such a member. Vests in the Commission the power to review the denial of membership in a registered futures association by such association or the barring of any person from being associated with a member of the association. Title V: Miscellaneous Provisions - Transfers all operations of the Commodity Exchange Commission and of the Secretary of Agriculture under the Commodity Exchange Act, including all pending administrative proceedings, to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1973
Provides that the tax on the amounts paid for communication services shall not apply to the amount of the State and local taxes paid for such services under the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1973
Animal Health Research Act - Sets forth the purpose of this Act and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to cooperate with the several States for the purpose of encouraging and assisting them in carrying out programs of animal health research at eligible institutions. Authorizes the Congress to appropriate such funds as it may determine to be necessary, not to exceed $20,000,000 annually to, support such research programs. Specifies the formula by which funds appropriated under this Act shall be apportioned. Authorizes to be appropriated such funds as may be necessary, not to exceed $15,000,000 annually to support research on specific national or regional animal health problems. Provides that in developing plans for the use of such funds the Secretary shall consult the Advisory Board created by this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary, not to exceed $10,000,000 annually to support costs of providing veterinary medical science research facilities. Provides that such funds shall be apportioned in accordance with the formula set forth in this Act. States that each dean or director of an eligible institution shall submit a brief annual report of research accomplishments on a project-by-project basis. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Veterinary Medical Science Research Advisory Board which shall consist of not less than nine nor more than twelve members. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. States that the amount paid by the Federal Government to any eligible institution for assistance under this Act, exclusive of the funds paid for research on specific national or regional animal health problems, shall be in an amount not to exceed $100,000 in addition to an amount not to exceed during any fiscal year the amount available to and budgeted for expenditure by such institution during the same fiscal year for animal health research from non-Federal sources.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1973
Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act - Declares it to be the policy of the United States and the purpose of this Act to provide for the demonstration within a three-year period of the practical use of solar heating technology and to provide for the development and demonstration within a five-year period of the practical use of combined heating and cooling technology. Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to initiate and carry out a program as provided in this Act for the development and demonstration of solar heating systems for use in residential dwellings and commercial buildings. Provides for the installation of solar heating systems in residential dwellings, to be monitored by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Provides that such residential dwellings shall be located in a sufficient number of different geographic areas in the United States to assure a realistic and effective demonstration of solar heating and cooling systems involved. Directs the Director of the National Science Foundation to initiate, support and fund basic and applied research activities related to solar energy in support of the objectives of this Act. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to assure the full dissemination of information with respect to the activities conducted under this Act to Federal, State, and local authorities, the building industry and the public at large. Directs the Secretary to establish and operate a Solar Heating and Cooling Information Data Bank for collecting, reviewing, processing, and disseminating solar heating and cooling information in support of the objectives of this Act. Sets forth reporting requirements for agencies conducting activities under this Act. Provides for adjustment of the maximum dollar amount of any Federally-assisted mortgage loan or the maximum per-unit or other cost of any Federally-constructed housing if such structure is furnished with solar heating or combined solar heating and cooling equipment under the demonstration program established by this Act. Provides that within sixty days after creation of any permanent Federal organization having jurisdiction over the energy research and development functions of the United States, all research and development functions vested in other agencies by this Act, along with related records, documents, personnel, obligations and other items shall be transferred to the new organization. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $50,000,000 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1973
Forest and Rangeland Environmental Management Act - States that in recognition of the vital importance of America's renewable resources of the forest, range, and other associated lands to the Nation's social and economic well being, and in recognition of the necessity for a long term perspective in planning and undertaking national renewable resource programs, the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Forest Service, shall prepare a National Renewable Resource Situation Assessment. Provides that the Assessment shall be updated by the Secretary of Agriculture not less than every five years nor more than every ten years thereafter and shall include but not be limited to: (1) a detailed discussion of present and anticipated uses, demand for, and supply of renewable resources; (2) a general inventory of these present and potential renewable resources and opportunities for improving the yield of tangible and intangible goods and services; (3) a description of Forest Service programs and responsibilities in research, cooperative programs, and management of the National Forest System; and (4) a detailed study of Forest Service personnel requirements as needed to satisfy existing and on-going programs. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make and keep current a comprehensive survey and analysis of the present and prospective conditions of and requirements for the renewable resources of the United States, its territories and possessions, and of the supplies of such renewable resources, including a determination of the present and potential productivity of the land, and of such other facts as may be necessary and useful in the determination of ways and means needed to balance the demand for and supply of these renewable resources, benefits and uses in meeting the needs of the people of the United States. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to prepare and keep current a program set forth in appropriate detail, for each of the next five decades, for protection, management, and development of the National Forest System, including forest development roads and trails, for cooperative programs on non-Federal lands, and for research. States that on the date Congress first convenes in 1975 and thereafter at not less than ten-year intervals the President shall transmit to the Congress, when it convenes, the assessment and the program required under this Act, with recommendations for each of the five decades ahead. Provides that, commencing with the fiscal budget for the year ending June 30, 1976, requests presented by the President to the Congress covering Forest Service and related agencies' activities shall express in qualitative and quantitative terms the extent to which the programs and policies projected under that budget meet the goals and policies established under this Act. States that the Congress hereby sets the year 2000 as the target year when the renewable resources of the National Forest System shall be in an operating posture whereby all backlogs of needed treatment for their restoration shall be reduced to a current basis and the major portion of planned intensive management procedures shall be installed and operating on an environmentally sound basis.
![Official portrait of Rep. Bergland, Bob [R-MN-7]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000408_200.jpg)