United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Establishes in the Office of Education a National Student Financial Assistance Data Bank to assist students in identifying public and private sources of financial assistance for higher education. Directs the Commissioner of Education to (1) collect and assemble all available information pertaining to scholarships, loans, grants, and other financial assistance, and (2) disseminate such information without change to individuals applying to data bank.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
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 · 4 February 1975
Expresses the sense of Congress that the provisions of the National School Lunch Act which require that the national average value of donated foods (or cash payments in lieu thereof), the special assistance factor for payments for free and reduced price lunches, and the national average rate for lunches and breakfasts served under the school lunch program and the school breakfast program shall reflect changes in the series of food away from home of the Consumer Price Index are necessary provisions of such Act which maintain the stability of the national school lunch and school breakfast programs in the current period of inflation.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1975
Provides that the charge imposed on any household for a coupon allotment under the Food Stamp Act after the date of this Act and prior to December 30, 1975, may not exceed the charge imposed on such household for coupon allotments under rules and regulations in effect on January 1, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1975
Emergency Homeowners' Relief Act - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to prevent widespread mortgage defaults and the distress-sale of homes as a result of adverse economic conditions. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make repayable emergency mortgage relief payments on behalf of distressed homeowners when he determines that such action is necessary and that there is a reasonable prospect that the homeowner will be able to make necessary adjustments for the full resumption of mortgage payments. Defines "distressed homeower" as one or more persons who own and occupy a dwelling as a principal residence and whose income has declined by more than 20 percent as the result of unemployment or other adverse economic conditions. Limits relief payments to a period not exceeding two years. Provides that payments be repaid on such terms as the Secretary prescribes. Empowers the Secretary to delegate any of his functions under this Act to other Federal agencies or private entities. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a revolving fund for mortgage relief payments and other specified purposes, including payment of obligations issued to the Secretary of the Treasury to enable the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to carry out his functions under this Act. Provides for a payment expiration date of July 1, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1975
Declares it to be the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Government of the United States should maintain and protect its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the canal and zone, and should in no way cede, dilute, forfeit, negotiate, or transfer any of these sovereign rights, power, authority, jurisdiction, territory, or property that are indispensably necessary for the protection and security of the United States and the entire Western Hemisphere; (2) that there be no relinquishment or surrender of any presently vested United States sovereign right, power, or authority or property, tangible or intangible, except by treaty authorized by the Congress and duly ratified by the United States; and (3) that there be no recession to Panama, or other divestiture of any United States-owned property, tangible or intangible, without prior authorization by the Congress (House and Senate), as provided in article IV, section 3, clause 2 of the United States Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish and administer a National Law Enforcement Heroes Memorial within the District of Columbia. Authorizes to be appropriated $1,000,000 for the development of such memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1975
Forbids, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the employment or referral for employment of aliens who have not been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. States that a person who employs or refers for employment such an individual shall not be deemed to have violated this Act if he has: (1) obtained a form signed by the individual stating that he is a citizen or lawfully admitted alien; and (2) himself signed a form stating that he has read the individual's birth certificate or any other document which validates the individual's statement. Provides that any person who violates this Act shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both, for the first illegal employment or referral, and shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both, for each subsequent employment or referral. Directs the Immigration and Naturalization Service to increase the personnel of the United States Border Patrol and Investigations Branch by 2,500 by the end of fiscal year 1975. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out this provision. Provides that this Act shall take effect 90 days after enactment and shall only apply to aliens who become employed or are referred for employment on or after that date.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Provides that the charge to a household for its food stamp allotment under the Food Stamp Act of 1964 shall not exceed the lesser of (1) the level established as of January 1, 1975, or (2) 25 percent of the household's income. Provides that, effective July 1, 1975, households in which all members receive supplemental security income benefits under the Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled program of the Social Security Act, or households in which all members are included in a federally aided public assistance or general assistance grant shall be certified for participation in the food stamp program under this Act. States that certification of all other households shall be based on the uniform national standards for eligibility required to be established under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Interim Fisheries Zone Extension and Management Act - Extends the jurisdiction of the United States over specified ocean areas and fish for purposes of protecting the domestic fishing industry. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to conduct research in order to promote the conservation of fish originating in the United States territorial sea and contiguous fisheries zone. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $1,000,000 in any fiscal year to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Requires that the method of straight baselines shall be used for the purposes of determining the boundaries of the contiguous fishery zone beyond the territorial sea of the United States. States that, for the purposes of this act, the baseline for measuring the breadth of the territorial sea shall be established in accordance with the provisions of the Convention on the Territorial Sea and the contiguous Zone. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1975
Includes the North Brother Island within the Gateway National Recreational Area in the States of New York and New Jersey. Authorizes the appropriation of funds for such purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1975
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should not impose any tariff or other import restriction on petroleum or petroleum products before April 1, 1975, so as to give the Congress a reasonable period of time in which to act legislatively on such matter if it determines such action is necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 1975
Alaska Refuges Act - Declares the intent of Congress that the areas designated by this Act as units of the national wildlife refuge system shall be administered for the use and enjoyment of the American people in such manner as will leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as natural wildlands. Establishes areas in the State of Alaska as national wildlife refuges. Provides that the Secretary of the Interior shall administer such areas. Provides for the publication in the Federal Register of a map and legal description of each refuge area established by this Act. Makes provision for the selection of township lands by native Alaskans under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act within the areas covered by this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 1975
Requires the return of any vessel which is the property of the United States and has been loaned or leased to a country which has, on or after January 1, 1967, seized any U.S. fishing vessel on account of its activities in waters recognized by the United States as international waters. Directs the Secretary of the Navy, if a leased ship is involved, to take such actions as may be necessary to insure the return of such vessel. (Adds 22 U.S.C. 1978)
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 1975
National Wildlife Refuge System Organic Act - Title I: National Wildlife Refuge System - Defines the terms used in this Act. States the findings and policy of Congress with regard to maintaining for the American people an enduring wildlife heritage. Establishes a National Wildlife Refuge System and classifies component units into the following areas: (1) National Wildlife Refuge; (2) National Wildlife Area; (3) National Wildland; (4) National Waterfowl Production Area; (5) National Marine and Estuarine area; and (6) National Urban Wildlife Area. Directs the Secretary of the Interior: (1) to undertake a continuing review of all estuaries and coastal and marine waters and lands which should be recommended to Congress for inclusion within the System; and (2) to review every roadless area of 5,000 or more contiguous acres for possible preservation as wilderness areas. Provides for the establishment of 30 specified national wildlife refuges and wildlands in the State of Alaska. Provides for the administration of the System, empowering the Secretary to acquire lands, accept donations, and enter into contracts. Enumerates additional powers and responsibilities of the Secretary under this Act. Sets restrictions on the disposal of lands within the System and enumerates the procedures for any such disposal. Requires the Secretary to implement a systematic program for the development and maintenance of plans to guide the administration and management of the System. Imposes penalties for violations of this Act. Title II: Administrative and Temporary Provisions - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1965. Provides for a review of, and the making of recommendations regarding inclusion of, lands in the System.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 1975
Increases to $50,000,000 the maximum amount of aggregate payments which may be made in calendar years after 1974 to carry out conservation agreements under the Water Bank Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 1975
Federal Animal Damage Control Act - Declares it to be the policy of Congress that programs for the prevention of damage to domestic livestock and agricultural resources caused by predatory animals should be administered in a manner consistent with principles of wildlife management and environmental quality. Sets forth the definitions of terms used in this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a program of research which shall concern the management and conservation of predatory and depredating animals and the abatement of damage caused by such animals. Authorizes for such purposes $3,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1976-1980. Provides that the Secretary may grant financial assistance to any State for the administration within the State of a program for the management of predatory and depredating animals. Sets forth the criteria a State program must meet in order to be eligible for such assistance. States that the Secretary may not authorize the emergency field use of any chemical toxicant unless: (1) the emergency cannot otherwise be dealt with and (2) the State program contains satisfactory assurances that only authorized State persons will use and apply such chemical toxicant and that such persons are competent in the handling of such toxicant. Prescribes limitations on the amount of payment made to any State. Directs the Secretary to encourage the States to provide instruction and assistance to farm operators in techniques designed to prevent depredations on domestic livestock and crops, and eliminate the individual animal causing damage instead of eliminating the population of predatory and depradating species. Authorizes sums to be appropriated for carrying out specified purposes of this Act. Provides that no person shall: (1) make field use of any chemical toxicant on any Federal lands for the purpose of killing predatory animals; or (2) make field use on such lands of any chemical toxicant that causes any secondary poisoning effect. Excepts from such provisions specified Federal authorities who may carry out use of chemical toxicants only if such use is essential for: (1) the protection of human health or safety; (2) the preservation of any species or subspecies of fish or wildlife; (3) the prevention of substantial irretrievable damage to nationally significant resources; or (4) the prevention or reduction of major damage to domestic livestock. Provides penalties for violation of the provisions of this Act. States that upon conviction of any person of a violation the head of any Federal agency may modify, suspend, or revoke any lease, license, permit, or other agreements, authorizing the grazing of domestic livestock on Federal lands. Directs the Secretary to submit reports to the President and the Congress setting forth actions and evaluations of such actions taken under this Act. Require each recipient of Federal assistance under this Act to keep such records as the Secretary shall prescribe. Directs the Secretary to undertake a feasibility study of implementing a Federal insurance program to provide reimbursement to owners for damage and other losses caused to domestic livestock by predatory and depredating animals. Authorizes to be appropriated the sum of $100,000 to carry out such purpose. States that no provision of this Act may be deemed to prohibit, or otherwise restrict, any manufacturer or producer from making available, under conditions and requirements prescribed by the Administrator, sodium cyanid or any chemical substances to any authorized State agency or Federal agency. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956. Authorizes to be appropriated for each of the fiscal years 1976-1980 such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 1975
Directs the President to use vessles and aircraft of the Coast Guard or of the United States Navy, or of both, in such manner as he deems appropriate to insure the safety of any United States commercial fishing vessel and its crew and equipment while such vessel is carrying out fishing activities in waters recognized by the United States as international waters. States that, the President is further authorized and directed to provide for the implementation of appropriate air and surface surveillance of those waters recognized by the United States as international waters in which United States commercial fishing vessels have been, or are likely to be, subjected to harassment or seizure by foreign nations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Fish Disease Control Act - States that communicable fish diseases constitute a major threat to the fish resources of the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce to issue such regulations as deemed appropriate to prohibit or control the movement in interstate and foreign commerce of diseased fish or articles, and to specify by regulation those fish diseases and species of fish which pose a threat to the fish resources of the United States. Authorizes the Secretaries to create advisory panels to assist them in promulgating regulations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce, in order to develop an effective, coordinated fish disease control program for the protection of fishery resources, to enter into cooperative agreements with the appropriate agencies of the States. Makes provisions for such agreements. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce to order the owner of any fish or article specified as diseased to destroy, disinfect, or quarantine such fish or article, and to compensate the owner for any fish destroyed. Prescribes a fine not exceeding $1,000 and/or imprisonment up to one year for persons receiving or delivering for the transport in interstate or foreign commerce any fish or article infected or contaminated by a disease. Authorizes, with or without a warrant, the arrest of any person violating this Act, and the search and seizure of any fish or article taken in connection with a violation of this Act. Directs the Secretary, in conjunction with the Department of Commerce and other interested Federal agencies, to conduct a study of the communicable diseases of noncovered species and to report to the Congress on such study. Authorizes appropriations of up to $2,000,000 for such study. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, and $3,000,000 for the two succeeding fiscal years and $4,000,000 for fiscal years 1979 and 1980 to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Forbids, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the employment or referral for employment of aliens who have not been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. States that a person who employs or refers for employment such an individual shall not be deemed to have violated this Act if he has: (1) obtained a form signed by the individual stating that he is a citizen or lawfully admitted alien; and (2) himself signed a form stating that he has read the individual's birth certificate or any other document which validates the individual's statement. Provides that any person who violates this Act shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both, for the first illegal employment or referral, and shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both, for each subsequent employment or referral. Directs the Immigration and Naturalization Service to increase the personnel of the United States Border Patrol and Investigations Branch by 2,500 by the end of fiscal year 1975. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out this provision. Provides that this Act shall take effect 90 days after enactment and shall only apply to aliens who become employed or are referred for employment on or after that date.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Provides hospital and medical care to members of the armed forces of Poland or Czechoslovakia who participated in armed conflict with an enemy of the United States during World War I or World War II, and who have been citizens of the United States for not less than 10 years. Provides that such hospital and medical care shall be available to the same extent as if such service had been performed in the Armed Forces of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Youth Camp Safety Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to protect and safeguard the health and well-being of youth attending day camps, resident camps, and travel camps by providing for the establishment of Federal standards for the safe operation of youth camps. Establishes in the Office of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare an Office of Youth Camp Safety to be headed by a Director of Youth Camp Safety. Confers upon the Director the primary responsibility for the promulgation and enforcement of Federal and State youth camp safety regulations. Requires any State which desires to assume responsibility for the development and modification of youth camp safety standards to submit a State plan to the Director for his approval. Allows a State whose plan has been rejected to obtain review of the decision in the United States Court of Appeals. Authorizes the Director to make grants to States which have in effect approved State plans, such grants not to exceed eighty percent of the cost of carrying out the State plan. Authorizes to be appropriated $7,500,000 for fiscal year 1975, and for each succeeding fiscal year, to make the grants provided for in this Act. Authorizes the Director to enter and inspect youth camps and their records. Directs the Director to establish within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare an Advisory Council on Youth Camp Safety and to submit to Congress at least once a year a comprehensive and detailed report on his administration under this Act. Prescribes penalties for each violation by youth camp operators of the standards promulgated pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the Director to request directly from any department or agency of the Federal Government information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics needed to carry out his functions under this Act; and such department or agency is authorized to furnish such information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly to the Director.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to immediately rescind the food stamp regulations proposed on December 6, 1974, and take all necessary steps to insure that the Nation's elderly and poor will continue to benefit from the food stamp program to the extent which they presently do.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
States that the House of Representatives disapproves the deferral of budget authority relating to comprehensive planning grants under the Housing Act of 1954 (deferral numbered D 75-107) which is proposed by the President in his special message of November 26, 1974 transmitted pursuant to the Impoundment Control Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1974
Health Security Act - Title I: Health Security Benefits - Provides that every resident of the U.S. (and every non-resident citizen when in the U.S.) will be eligible for covered services. Permits reciprocal and "buy-in" agreements for groups of non-resident aliens, and in some cases benefits to U.S. residents when visiting in other countries. Entitles every eligible person to have payments made by the Health Security Board for covered services provided within the United States by a participating provider. Provides that all necessary professional services of physicians, wherever furnished are covered, including preventive care, with two important restrictions: (1) specialist services are covered only when performed by a qualified specialist except in emergency situations, and generally only on referral from a primary physician; and (2) psychiatric services to an ambulatory patient are covered only for active preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic or rehabilitative service with respect to mental illness. Provides that comprehensive dental services (exclusive of most orthodontic services) are covered for children under age 15, with the covered age group increasing by two years each year until all those under age 25 are covered. Provides that: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital services and services of a home health agency are covered without arbitrary limitation; (2) pathology and radiology services are specifically included as parts of institutional services; and (3) custodial care is specifically excluded in specified institutional settings. Limits payment for skilled nursing home care to 120 days per spell of illness, except that this limit may be increased when the nursing home is owned or managed by a hospital and payment for care is made through the hospital's budget. Limits the psychiatric hospital benefit to 45 consecutive days of active treatment during a spell of illness. Provides coverage for two categories of drug use: prescribed medicines administered to inpatients or outpatients within participating hospitals; or to enrollees of comprehensive health service organizations, and drugs necessary for the treatment of specified chronic illnesses or conditions requiring long or expensive therapy. Requires the Board and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish two lists of approved drugs, taking into account the safety, efficacy and cost of each drug. Provides a broad list of approved medicines available for use in institutions and by comprehensive health service organizations and a more restricted list which is available for use outside such organized settings. Provides that the appliances benefit is similar in concept and operation to the drug benefit, subject to a limitation on aggregate cost. Asserts that the professional services of optometrists and podiatrists are covered, subject to regulations, as are diagnostic or therapeutic services furnished by independent pathology laboratories and radiology services. States that health services furnished or paid for under a workmen's compensation law are not covered. Provides that the services of a professional practitioner are not covered if they are furnished in a hospital which is not a participating provider. Requires that participating providers meet standards established in this title or by the Board. Requires that such providers must agree to provide services without discrimination, to make no unauthorized charge to the patient for any covered service, and to furnish data necessary for utilization review by professional peers, statistical studies by the Board, and verification of information for payments. Makes professional practitioners, licensed when the program begins, eligible to practice in the State where they are licensed and requires that all newly licensed applicants for participation meet national standards established by the Board in addition to those required by his State. Establishes conditions of participation for general hospitals similar to those required under Medicare. States that the two requirements not found in the Medicare program are: (1) that the hospital must not discriminate in granting staff privileges on any grounds unrelated to professional qualifications; and (2) that it establish a pharmacy and drug therapeutics committee for supervision of hospital drug therapy. Provides that psychiatric hospitals will be eligible to participate only if the Board finds that the hospital (or a distinct part of the hospital) is engaged in furnishing active diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services to mentally ill patients. Establishes conditions of participation for skilled nursing homes similar to those established for extended care facilities under Medicare. Makes provisions for the participation of home health service agencies. Describes as eligible a health maintenance organization which undertakes to provide an enrolled population either with complete health care or with complete health security services (other than institutional services, mental health or dental services) for the maintenance of the health and care of ambulatory patients. Permits a foundation sponsored by a county or other local medical society to participate as a provider of services. Authorizes the Board to deal separately with the primary care portion of a system of comprehensive health care where it is necessary to rely on arrangements with other providers. Permits the Board to contract directly with public or other nonprofit mental health centers and mental health day care services. Specifies the broad and general conditions under which independent pathology laboratories, independent radiological services, and providers of drugs, devices, appliances, equipment, or ambulance services may qualify as providers under Health Security. Requires that a participating skilled nursing home have in effect an agreement with at least one participating hospital for the transfer of patients and medical and other information as medically appropriate. Prohibits in malpractice judgments any damages to be awarded to the injured party for the cost of remedial services which he is entitled to receive under this Act. Excludes the institutions of the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration, and institutions of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare serving merchant seamen or Indians or Alaskan natives, from serving as participating providers, as well as any employee of these institutions when he is acting as an employee. Provides reimbursement for any services furnished by these institutions or agencies to eligible persons who are not a part of their normal clientele. Permits a physician, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist, licensed in one State and meeting the national standards, to furnish Health Security benefits in any other State, the scope of his permissible practice being governed by the law of the State in which he is practicing. Grants a similar authority to other health professional and nonprofessional personnel. Establishes the Health Security Trust Fund, to receive the net assets of existing (Medicare) funds taken over by the Health Security program, the yield of the Health Security taxes, and the Government's contribution from general revenues amounting to 100 percent of the yield from these taxes. Provides that three separate accounts shall be established in the Health Security Trust Fund: a Health Service Account, a Health Resources Development Account, and an Administration Account. Provides that in each of the first two years of the program operation, 2 percent of the Trust Fund shall be set aside for the Health Resources Development Fund; and the allocation shall increase by 1 percent at two-year intervals to 5 percent within the next 6 years. Provides for allocation of the Health Services account among the regions of the country. Provides that the allocation to each region shall be based on the aggregate sum expended during the most recent 12-month period for covered services (with appropriate modification for estimated changes in the consumer price index, the expected number of eligible beneficiaries, and estimated changes in the number of participating providers). Provides that the Board will divide the allocation to each region into funds available to pay: institutional services; physician services; dental services; furnishing of drugs; furnishing of devices, applications, and equipment; and miscellaneous services. Provides that payments for covered services provided to eligible persons by participating providers will be made from the Health Service Account in the Trust Fund. Describes the method to be used in applying, as between practitioners electing the various methods of payment fee for service, the monies available in each health service area for payment to each category of professional providers. Authorizes the Board to experiment with other methods of reimbursement so long as the experimental method does not increase the cost of service or lead to overutilization or underutilization of services. Provides that skilled nursing homes and home health agencies will be paid in the same manner as a general hospital (on an approved annual budget basis). Provides that a health maintenance organization will be paid for covered services, on the basis of a fixed capitation rate multiplied by the number of eligible enrollees. Contains a series of provisions for developing a continuous process of health service planning and for assisting in the recruitment, education, and training of health personnel. Authorizes special improvement grants: (1) to any public or other nonprofit health agency or institution to establish improved coordination and linkages with other providers of services, and (2) to organizations providing comprehensive ambulatory care to improve their utilization review, budget, statistical, or records and information retrieval systems, to acquire equipment needed for those purposes, or to acquire equipment useful for mass screening or for other diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of HEW and the Board with regard to this title. Creates an administrative structure within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare with exclusive responsibility for administration of the Health Security program. Establishes a five-member full-time Health Security Board serving under the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Provides that the members shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, for five-year overlapping terms. Creates the position of an Executive Director, appointed by the Board with the approval of the Secretary. Provides that the Executive Director shall serve as secretary to the Board and shall perform such duties in the administration of the program as the Board assigns to him. Provides that the program will be administered through the regional offices of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requires the establishment of sub-regional (service area) offices. Establishes a National Health Security Advisory Council, with the Chairman of the Board serving as the Council's Chairman and 20 additional members not in the employ of the Federal Government. Authorizes the Advisory Council to appoint professional or technical committees to assist in its functions. Provides that the Advisory Council will advise the Board on matters of general policy in the administration of the program, the formulation of regulations and the allocation of funds for services. Charges the Board with responsibility for informing the public and providers about the administration and operation of the Health Security program. Requires the Board to make a continuing study and evaluation of the program, including adequacy, quality and costs of services. Authorizes the Board directly or by contract to make detailed statistical and other studies on a national, regional, or local basis of any aspect of the title; to develop and test incentive systems for improving quality of care, methods of peer review of drug utilization and of other service performances; to develop and test systems of information retrieval, budget programs, instrumentation for multiphasic screening or patient services, reimbursement systems for drugs; and to make such other studies which it considers would improve the quality of services of administration of the program. Grants authority to the Board, in accordance with regulations, to make determinations of who are participating providers of services, determinations of eligibility, of whether services are covered, and the amount to be paid to providers. Allows a provider of services who is dissatisfied with a final Board determination to obtain a hearing before a Board panel, and judicial review of a final decision. Authorizes the Board, with the advice and assistance of the Commission on the Quality of Health Care, to issue and review regulations assuring the quality of care furnished under this Act. Requires continuing professional education by physicians, dentists, optometrists, and podiatrists. Provides for the appointment of a Deputy Secretary of HEW and an Under Secretary for Health and Science. States that no provision of this Act shall alter any contractual obligation of an employer to provide health services to his employees and their dependents. Title II: Health Security Taxes - Converts the existing Medicare hospital insurance payroll taxes into Health Security taxes, and raises the rates to 1 percent on employees and 3.5 percent on employers. Raises the wage base for the employee tax from the present $7,800 to $15,000 or, if higher 125 percent of the contribution and benefit base. Broadens the definitions of covered employment to include foreign agricultural workers, employees of the U.S. and its instrumentalities (other than members of the armed forces and the President, Vice-President, and Members of Congress), employees of charitable and similar organizations, railroad employees, and (for the employee tax only) employees of States and their political subdivisions and instrumentalities. Excludes from the gross income of employees, for income tax purposes, payment by their employers of part or all of the Health Security taxes on the employees. Spells out the precise effective dates of the new payroll tax provisions. Converts the existing Medicare self-employment tax into a Health Security self-employment tax, and raises the rate to 2.5 percent, and raises the maximum taxable self-employment income from $7,800 to $15,000. Adds a new 1 percent Health Security tax on unearned income (unless such income is less than $400 a year), subject to the same maximum on taxable income as is applicable to the employee and self-employment taxes. Title III: Commission on the Quality of Health Care - Establishes in the Department of HEW a Commission on the Quality of Health Care, with the primary responsibility of: (1) initiating and continuing development of methods of assessing the quality of health care furnished under the Health Security Act, and (2) submitting to the Secretary and the Health Security Board its findings and recommendations. Stipulates that in carrying out its duties the Commissioner shall emphasize, and give first consideration to, care furnished for those illnesses and conditions which have relatively high incidence in the population and which are relatively amenable to medical or other care. Title IV: Repeal or Amendment of Other Acts - Makes various conforming amendments to the medicare, medicaid, vocational rehabilitation, and Federal employees health benefits statutes to bring it into conformity with this Act. Requires that, after the effective date of benefits, no State shall be required to furnish any service covered under Health Security as a part of its State plan for participation under Medicaid, and that the Federal government will have no responsibility to reimburse any State for the cost of providing a service which is covered under Health Security. Provides that funds available under the Vocational Rehabilitation Act or the Maternal and Child Health title of the Social Security Act shall not be used to pay for personal health services after the effective date of benefits, except (to the extent prescribed in regulations by the Secretary of HEW) to pay for services which are more extensive than those covered under Health Security. Title V: Studies Related to Health Security - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Treasury to study the coverage of health services for U.S. residents in other countries. Directs the Secretary of HEW to study the feasibility and desirability of coordinating the Federal health benefit programs for merchant seamen, and Indians and Alaskan natives, and veterans and members of the Armed Forces, with the Health Security Benefit Program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1974
Forbids, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the employment or referral for employment of aliens who have not been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. States that a person who employs or refers for employment such an individual shall not be deemed to have violated this Act if he has: (1) obtained a form signed by the individual stating that he is a citizen or lawfully admitted alien; and (2) himself signed a form stating that he has read the individual's birth certificate or any other document which validates the individual's statement. Provides a fine of not more than $1,000 or one year's imprisonment, or both, for the violation of this Act. Directs the Immigration and Naturalization Service to increase the personnel of the United States Border Patrol and Investigations Branch by 2,500 by the end of fiscal year 1975. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out this provision. Provides that this Act shall take effect 90 days after enactment and shall only apply to aliens on or after that date.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1974
Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship Act - Expresses the findings of Congress and declares that it is especially appropriate to honor former President Harry S. Truman through the creation of a perpetual education scholarship program to develop increased opportunities for young Americans to prepare and pursue careers in public service. Establishes, as an independent establishment of the executive branch of the United States Government, the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, to be subject to the supervision and direction of a Board of Trustees. Authorizes the Foundation to award scholarships to persons who demonstrate outstanding potential for and who plan to pursue a career in public service. Directs the Foundation to provide for the conduct of a nationwide competition for the purpose of selecting Truman Scholars. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship Trust Fund. Prescribes the procedures for expenditures from the fund. Authorizes appropriations of $30,000,000 to the fund.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1974
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act Amendments - Requires the payment of the fair market value of rights-of-way or other interests granted in wildlife refuges by the Secretary of the Interior. Provides that the sums received, after payment of expenses, shall be deposited in the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. (Amends 16 U.S.C. 668dd(d); 715s(e).
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1974
Grants a Civil Service annuity to any Federal employee who is separated from the service: (1) after becoming 50 years of age and completing 20 years of service as a law enforcement officer or firefighter (or any combination of such service totaling at least 20 years); or (2) after becoming 55 years of age and completing 5 years of service as a law enforcement officer or firefighter (or any combination of such service totaling at least 5 years).
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1974
Emergency Jobs Act - Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to permit the Secretary of Labor to make financial assistance available for the purpose of providing transitional employment for unemployed persons in jobs providing needed public services, and training and manpower services. Makes $1,000,000,000 available for the purposes of this Act for obligation in any twelve-month period in which the national rate of unemployment exceeds 4 1/2 percent for three consecutive months, and an additional $1,000,000,000 for every increment of one-half percent over 4 1/2 percent not to exceed a 6 percent unemployment rate.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1974
International Air Transportation Fair Competitive Practices Act - States that Federal departments and agencies shall take all appropriate actions within their jurisdiction to attempt to eliminate discriminatory and unfair competitive practices against United States air carriers in the international air transportation industry. Provides for compensatory charges to be imposed on foreign air carriers of the Country concerned if discriminatory charges against United States air carriers are not reduced or eliminated within a reasonable time after negotiations are undertaken for such purpose. States that the amounts so collected shall be used to compensate such air carriers for the excessive or discriminatory charges paid by them to the foreign countries involved. Provides that the Postmaster General shall not authorize a higher rate of compensation for the transportation by foreign carriers of mail between the United States and such foreign country as that country pays to air carriers transporting its mail by aircraft between such country and the United States. Requires that the government-financed air transportation of passengers and property be provided by air carriers holding certificates under the Federal Aviation Act to the extent practicable.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1974
Requests the President to express the concern of the United States Government for the safety and freedom of Valentyn Moroz, historian, writer, and spokesman for the cultural integrity of the Ukranian people.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 1974
Local Fiscal Assistance Act - Eliminates provisions relating to assistance payments to State governments from the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act. Requires such payments to local governments on a quarterly basis. Changes the name of the fund in such Act to the Local Government Fiscal Assistance Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations to such fund for fiscal years 1975 through December 31, 1978; and such sums as are necessary for advance payments to local governments for critical needs. Changes the definition of "entitlement period" to include the time from January 1, 1975, through December 31, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 19 August 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) all military, economic, or other assistance, all sales of defense articles and services, all sales of agricultural commodities and services, and all licenses with respect to the transportation of arms, ammunitions, and implements of war (including technical data relating thereto) to the Government of Turkey should be suspended on the date of adoption of this resolution; and (2) the provisions of this resolution should cease to apply when the President reports to the Congress that the Government of Turkey has withdrawn all of its armed forces from Cyprus.
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 1974
Youth Camp Safety Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to protect and safeguard the health and well-being of youth attending day camps, resident camps, and travel camps by providing for the establishment of Federal standards for the safe operation of youth camps. Establishes in the Office of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare an Office of Youth Camp Safety to be headed by a Director of Youth Camp Safety. Confers upon the Director the primary responsibility for the promulgation and enforcement of Federal and State youth camp safety regulations. Requires any State which desires to assume responsibility for the development and modification of youth camp safety standards to submit a State plan to the Director for his approval. Allows a State whose plan has been rejected to obtain review of the decision in the United States Court of Appeals. Authorizes the Director to make grants to States which have in effect approved State plans, such grants not to exceed eighty percent of the cost of carrying out the State plan. Authorizes to be appropriated $7,500,000 for fiscal year 1975, and for each succeeding fiscal year, to make the grants provided for in this Act. Authorizes the Director to enter and inspect youth camps and their records. Directs the Director to establish within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare an Advisory Council on Youth Camp Safety and to submit to Congress at least once a year a comprehensive and detailed report on his administration under this Act. Prescribes penalties for each violation by youth camp operators of the standards promulgated pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the Director to request directly from any department or agency of the Federal Government information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics needed to carry out his functions under this Act; and such department or agency is authorized to furnish such information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly to the Director.
United States · United States Congress · 13 August 1974
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President of the United States should direct the Secretary of State: (1) to bring to the immediate attention of the Government of the Soviet Union the deep and growing concern among citizens of the United States over the plight of Simas Kudirka as a United States citizen; and (2) to urge that the Soviet Government release him from imprisonment and permit him and his immediate family to emigrate freely to the country of his choice. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President of the United States forward a copy of this concurrent resolution to the United States Representative to the United Nations for transmission to the Commission on Human Rights or the Division of Human Rights of the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1974
Provides that administrative grants under the Coastal Management Act of 1972 shall be allocated to the states with approved programs based on rules and regulations promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior which shall take into account the extent and nature of the shoreline and area covered by the plan, population of the area, and other relevant factors. Places percentage and money limitations on the maximum amount of such grants for fiscal years 1975, 1976 and 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1974
Housing Enforcement Assistance Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish within his department a housing enforcement assistance program under which he will make grants as provided in this act to cities and other municipalities to assist them in the more effective enforcement of local housing codes, including: (1) the training, employment, and compensation of housing inspectors and related or supporting personnel; (2) the establishment and operation of housing courts to provide a forum for the resolution of controversies involving building violations, rent strikes, evictions, and other matters relating to landlord-tenant relations and housing code enforcement; (3) the development and improvement of housing codes; (4) emergency repairs to eliminate conditions which endanger the health and safety of tenants; and (5) such other actions to deal with aspects of housing code enforcement as in the judgment of the Secretary will significantly help in carrying out the purpose of this Act. Stipulates that the Secretary shall allocate the funds appropriated to the various cities and municipities in the United States in accordance with a formula appropriately refelecting their need for assistance in the enforcement of housing codes. States that such formula, which shall be published in the Federal Register in advance of such allocation, shall take into account with respect to each of such cities and municipalities its size, the amount and average age of its housing which is threatened with loss from blight or deterioration but could be preserved by more effective enforcement of housing codes, its financial need, and such other factors as the Secretary may determine to be appropriate and in furtherance of the objectives of this Act. Authorizes appropriations of $40,000,000 to carry out the purposes of this Act. Provides that grants for and on behalf of a city or municipality may be made to an agency of State government in any case where cities or municipalities within the State involved are prevented by State law from receiving such grants or from expending them for their intended purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1974
Emergency Petroleum Allocation Extension Act - Extends the mandatory allocation provisions of the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 until December 31, 1975 (presently such provisions expire on February 28, 1975).
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1974
Provides, under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code relating to scholarship and fellowship grants, that no amount shall be included in gross income by reason of the discharge of the indebtedness of an individual under a student loan if such discharge was pursuant to a provision of the loan under which the indebtedness would be discharged if the individual worked for a certain period of time in certain professions or certain geographical areas or for certain classes of employers. Defines "student loan" for purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1974
Provides for daylight savings time from the first Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October. Repeals the Emergency Daylight Savings Time Energy Conservation Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1974
Prohibits a petroleum refiner or distributor from cancelling, failing to renew, or otherwise terminating a franchise unless he furnishes notification in writing to each affected distributor or retailer by certified mail not less than ninety days prior to the date on which such franchise will be canceled, together with a statement of the reasons of such cancellation and of the remedies available. Provides that a petroleum refiner or distributor shall not cancel, fail to renew, or otherwise terminate a franchise unless the retailer or distributor whose franchise is terminated failed to comply substantially with any essential and reasonable requirement of such franchise or failed to act in good faith in carrying out the terms of such franchise. States that if a refiner or distributor engages in conduct prohibited under this Act, a retailer or distributor may maintain a suit against such refiner or distributor.
![Official portrait of Rep. Biaggi, Mario [D-NY-19]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000432_200.jpg)