United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1976
Truth in Government Accounting Act - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare and make public annual consolidated financial statements for all expenditures of the United States utilizing the accrual method of accounting.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1976
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to authorize the Federal Communications Commission to require that apparatus designed to receive any amplitude modulated or frequency modulated broadcast be capable of adequately receiving all frequencies allocated by the Commission of AM and FM broadcasting when such apparatus is shipped in interstate commerce, or is imported from any foreign country into the United States, for sale or resale to the public. Specifies that such authorization shall not extend to apparatus designed to receive only AM or FM broadcasts and retailing for less than $15.
United States · United States Congress · 11 February 1976
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974 to establish as an independent establishment of the Executive Branch the Federal Election Commission, consisting of the Secretary of the Senate (ex officio), the Clerk of the House (ex officio), and six members appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. States that more than three members appointed by the President may be affiliated with the same party. Sets members' terms at six years with one members' term expiring every year. States that members will be chosen from among individuals who are not currently elected or appointed as an officer or employee of any branch of the Government of the United States, except current members of the Federal Election Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1976
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a limited tax credit in an amount of $250 for each individual who is at least 61 years of age before the beginning of the taxable year, whose principal place of abode during the taxable year is the principal residence of the taxpayer, and who is not a lodger with the taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1976
Administrative Rulemaking Control Act - Expresses the findings of Congress that executive agencies have promulgated rules containing criminal sanctions which have often exceeded the intent of Congress. States that it is the purpose of this Act to establish a procedure whereby Congress may review specified rulemaking activities of executive agencies, thereby exercising greater control and oversight over the operations of such agencies. Requires public notice of proposed rulemaking, allowance of public participation in such rulemaking, and a public statement of the basis and purpose of any adopted rule. Provides that an administrative rule, the violation of which subjects an individual to a criminal penalty, shall take effect only: (1) if published in the Federal Register; (2) after the expiration of 30 days of continuous session of Congress after the date on which the rule was published; and (3) if neither House of Congress passes a resolution disfavoring such a rule. Sets forth procedures governing the consideration of such resolution by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1976
Regulatory Reform Act - States Congress' finding that Government economic regulation has become a burden to American business, consumers, and the economy. Requires the President to submit at least once a year for five years a plan to eliminate regulation which has led to inflationary consumer prices or a reduction of competition. Directs that each plan establish more efficient organizational and administrative forms for the regulation of commerce and include provisions necessary to modify or abolish existing agencies and functions so as to eliminate overlapping regulatory jurisdictions and anti-competitive regulations. Requires that such reformation plan be directed toward regulation in the areas of: (1) banking and finance; (2) energy and environment; (3) commerce, and transportation; (4) food, health, safety, and trade practices; and (5) labor, housing, and small business. Defines terms used in this Act. Provides for Congressional review of such plan. Provides that if Congress fails to pass any regulatory reform legislation by a specified date after the President submits his plan to the Congress, such plan shall become effective as of a specified date and all rules of any agency described in such plan shall be of no force or effect.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1976
Emergency Food Stamp Vendor Accountability Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, under the Food Stamp Act of 1964, to prescribe regulations to be followed by food coupon vendors or any officers, employees, or agents thereof with respect to the depositing of funds received for such coupons and the accounting for such funds to the State and Federal Government. Requires vendors to deposit such funds weekly in accordance with Department of Agriculture regulations. Requires more frequent deposit of balances of $1,000 or more. States that vendors act as fiduciaries of the Federal Government when receiving food coupon funds. Prohibits the use of such funds by vendors for the benefit of anyone other than the Federal Government. Requires vendors to report periodically to State and Federal Government agencies the amount of funds deposited. Establishes criminal penalties for the violation of the regulations established in accordance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1975
Establishes, under the Congressional Budget Act, a zero-base budgeting process. States that such process shall consist of requiring each Congressional committee responsible for reporting legislation authorizing appropriations for any Federal program to conduct a comprehensive review and study of such program at least once every six years as though it were being proposed to be enacted for the first time. Provides that such comprehensive reviews shall include consideration of (1) alternative funding levels, (2) probable costs and benefits, (3) whether the original program objectives are still relevant, (4) the impact of the program on the functions and freedom of the private sector of the economy, and (5) the feasibility of alternative programs. Authorizes the Committees on the Budget of the House of Representatives and the Senate to establish guidelines and standards for the conduct by the various committees of the House and Senate of their zero-based budgeting functions. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Congressional Budgeting Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 1975
Natural Gas Emergency Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to establish temporary emergency authorizations for minimizing the detrimental effects on employment and public health caused by natural gas supply shortages. Defines the terms used in this Act. Requires the Federal Power Commission to designate distressed interstate pipelines and curtailed interstate pipelines during periods of supply emergencies. Authorizes the sale of new natural gas at rates not subject to the provisions of the Natural Gas Act during such periods. Directs the President to undertake a study of natural gas supply and demand. Directs the President to determine the total estimated natural gas reserves of the United States. Requires a transmittal to the Congress of such findings.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1975
Designates the week beginning April 4, 1976, as "National Rural Health Week." Urges that efforts in disseminating health information be intensified. Calls for improved health services for rural America.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1975
States that it is the policy of the United States to rely upon private commercial sources for goods and services required to meet Government needs, unless: (1) such reliance would demonstrably disrupt or significantly delay an urgent agency program; or (2) in-house performance is mandatory for national security; or (3) the product or service is not and cannot be made available from the private sector and is available from a Federal source.
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 1975
Student Aid Abuse Act - Provides that any person who receives funds under the provisions of this Act for the making of grants or loans as provided in this Act shall be deemed a custodian of public funds and shall not disburse or otherwise use any of such funds for any purpose other than as expressly authorized by the provisions of this Act. Provides criminal penalties for: (1) payment to any student of any amount as a loan or grant under this Act except by check to the student or to an institution of higher education, or both, and no such check shall be negotiated unless personally endorsed by such student; (2) deceiving or defrauding any student attending or intending to attend an institution of higher education with regard to: (A) benefits which may be available under any Federal student aid or loan or loan guarantee program; or (B) tuition and fees for which Federal student aid or loans or loan guarantees are available or rights to refunds of such tuitions and fees; (3) knowingly and willfully making or causing to be made any false statement or representation of a material fact in any application for any guaranteed student assistance loan, or in any application requesting interest or special allowance payment by a lender for any guaranteed student assistance loan. Provides that any student enrolled in the programs of any educational organization or institution operated for profit who receives a Federal student assistance grant or loan, and who withdraws from such programs, shall be entitled to a pro rata refund of tuition and fees, and any such refund shall first be applied to reduction of such student's obligations under Federal student loan programs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 November 1975
Requires, under the Congressional Budget Act, that the first congressional budget resolution each year fix ceilings on budget outlays and new budget authority which must be met for the coming fiscal year (instead of only setting forth flexible targets as under present law) and include three-year budget projections. Prohibits the consideration of any measure in the House or Senate if its enactment would result in total budget outlays or total budget authority in excess of the ceiling in effect under the most recently adopted congressional budget resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1975
Title I: Emergency Natural Gas Authority - Natural Gas Emergency Standby Act - Declares the finding of the Congress that the Nation will suffer severe shortages of natural gas during the heating season from November 1975 through March 1976. Grants the Federal Power Commission authority to allow natural gas companies which transport natural gas in interstate commerce with inadequate quantities of natural gas to meet the requirements of their high priority consumers of natural gas, to purchase natural gas from sources not in interstate commerce and from other such companies on an emergency basis free from specified requirements of the Natural Gas Act. Grants the Federal Energy Administration the authority to prohibit the use of natural gas as boiler fuel. Grants the President the standby authority to allocate propane gas during periods of actual or threatened severe shortages of natural gas. Authorizes civil penalties of not more than $2,500 for each violation or violations of orders or regulations issued by the President under such standby authority. Provides that this title shall expire on midnight April 4, 1976. Title II: Natural Gas Act Amendments - Provides for the termination of the regulation by the Federal Power Commission of the sale of new natural gas to natural gas companies for resale in interstate commerce pursuant to the Natural Gas Act. Directs the Commission to conduct studies of the production, gathering, shortage, distribution, and sale of natural, artificial, or synthetic gas throughout the United States and its possessions. Requires the Commission to secure and keep information regarding the ownership, management, and control of all facilities for production and distribution of such gas. Requires a report by the Commission to the President and the Congress. Directs the Commission to establish a national ceiling for rates and charges for the sale or transfer in interstate commerce by any person of new natural gas produced from offshore Federal lands on or after January 1, 1975, through December 31, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1975
National Climate Program Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to help the Nation respond more effectively to climate-induced problems by enabling its Government to be aware of and anticipate climate fluctuations and their domestic and international impacts, particularly in the areas of management and planning of domestic and international food supplies, and land, natural resource, and energy allocation and utilization. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to coordinate the establishment and operation of a climate program to collect, analyze and disseminate data concerning past, present and future climatic states, their fluctuations, and the influence of man's activities on the process of climatic dynamics. States that the program shall include, but not be limited to: (1) development of a climate impact warning system to provide both timely warnings and assessments of the risks of future climate impacts; (2) improvement of current monthly and seasonal temperature and precipitation predictions, particularly with respect to their impact on food production, availability of water resources, and energy consumption; and (3) development of mathematical-computer systems for the modeling, simulation, and prediction of climate and man's effects on climate. Directs the Secretary to consult and coordinate with climatic experts and with Federal departments and agencies. Requires the Secretary to establish advisory committees in the field of climatology and related fields. Specifies that the Secretary must prepare and submit an annual report for the President and the Congress on the administration of this Act, including, but not limited to: (1) a summary of the achievements of the climate program during the previous year; (2) a list of publications produced as a result of research sponsored under this Act; and (3) a summary of the outstanding problems encountered in the administration of this Act during the year. Authorizes to be appropriated to the participating Federal departments and agencies such sums to carry out the provisions of this Act as may be necessary, not to exceed $10,000,000 for the fiscal period beginning July 1, 1976, and ending September 30, 1976, not to exceed $42,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, not to exceed $48,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, and not to exceed $56,000,000 for fiscal year 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1975
Provides that in civil actions where the United States is a plaintiff, a prevailing defendant may recover a reasonable attorney's fee and other reasonable litigation costs, whether or not other costs are awarded or awardable against the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1975
Propane Standby Allocation Act - States that, upon finding that shortages of natural gas exist or are imminent and upon finding that such shortages or potential shortages constitute a threat to the public health, safety, or welfare, the President is authorized to issue orders and regulations as he deems appropriate to provide for the establishment of priorities of use and for systematic allocation and pricing of propane in order to meet the essential needs of various sections of the United States and to lessen anticompetive effects resulting from shortages of natural gas. Provides that whoever willfully violates any order or regulation under this Act shall be fined not more than $5,000 for each violation, and anyone non-willfully violating any such order or regulation shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $2,500 for each violation. Requires prior notice and hearing for parties affected by rules or regulations issued pursuant to the authority granted by this Act. Vests exclusive appellate jurisdiction in the Temporary Emergency Court of Appeals, a court which is currently in existence, but which is independently authorized by this Act. States that such court shall consist of three or more judges to be designated by the Chief Justice of the United States from judges of the United States district courts and circuit courts of appeals. Authorizes any person suffering legal wrong because of any act, practice, rule, or regulation arising out of this Act to bring an action in a district court of the United States, without regard to the amount in controversy, for appropriate relief.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1975
Condemns the resolution adopted by the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly which equates Zionism with racism, and urges the U.N. General Assembly to disapprove such resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1975
National Food Stamp Reform Act - Defines "household" under the Food Stamp Act as meaning a group of individuals who are sharing common living quarters, but who are not residents of an institution or boarding house, and who have access to cooking facilities and for whom food is customarily purchased in common. Provides that the Secretary of Agriculture may not approve any plan which permits any household to simultaneously participate in both the food stamp program and the distribution of federally donated foods. Requires the Secretary to establish uniform national standards of eligibility for participation by households in the food stamp program. States that the income standards of eligibility shall be the income poverty guidelines prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget adjusted pursuant to the Economic Opportunity Act. Directs the Secretary to prescribe additional standards of eligibility which shall include, but not be limited to, the amounts of liquid and nonliquid assets. Provides that household income for purposes of the food stamp program shall be the gross income of the household less: (1) a standard deduction of $100 a month applicable to all households; (2) an additional deduction of $25 a month for any household in which there at least one member who is age sixty-five or older. Limits eligibility to participate in the food stamp program to citizens and aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residency. States that no individual shall be considered eligible for the food stamp program as a member of a household if he is: (1) over 18; (2) is enrolled at an institution of higher education; and (3) is a dependent child for income tax purposes of a taxpayer who is not a member of an eligible household. Prohibits households which transfer liquid or nonliquid assets for the purpose of qualifying for the food stamp program from becoming eligible for at least a ninety-day period. Requires the Secretary to issue photo identification cards to households certified eligible to participate in the program. States that households shall be charged thirty percent of their income for the coupon allotment issued to them. Provides that if a State agency does not comply with the provisions of the Food Stamp Act, the Secretary may refer the matter to the Attorney General with a request for an injunction, or he may direct that there be no further inssuance of coupons in the political subdivisions where such failure has occurred until such time as satisfactory corrective action has been taken. Directs the Secretary to pay to each State agency out of funds appropriated by Congress an amount equal to 75 percent of all direct costs of State food stamp program investigations, prosecutions, and State activities related to recovering losses sustained in the food stamp program. Provides for a civil money penalty of up to $10,000 for each violation of the Food Stamp Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1975
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States Government while engaged in a lessening of tensions with the People's Republic of China, do nothing to compromise continued close relations with the Republic of China.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1975
Authorizes the President to issue a proclamation designating the week in November which includes Thanksgiving Day in each year as "National Family Week."
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1975
Requires, under the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970, that committee reports on proposed legislation in either House of Congress must contain statements of the reporting and recordkeeping requirements which will be imposed on private business as a result of the enactment of such proposed legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1975
Provides that individuals attending or teaching at vocational schools shall be eligible to serve as congressional interns in the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1975
Natural Gas Supply Act - Title I: States that it is the purpose of this Act to authorize the President or his delegate, the Federal Power Commission, and the Federal Energy Administration to deal with existing and imminent shortages and dislocations of natural gas in the national distribution system which jeopardize the public health, safety, and welfare; to provide protection of natural gas service to customers who use natural gas for high priority end uses during periods of curtailed deliveries by natural gas companies; and to assure increased supplies of natural gas at reasonable prices. Title II: - Interstate Pipeline Emergency Natural Gas Purchases Act - Grants the Federal Power Commission authority to allow interstate pipeline companies with insufficient natural gas for their high priority consumers of natural gas to acquire natural gas from intrastate sources and other interstate pipeline companies on an emergency basis free from the provisions of the Natural Gas Act. Title III: - Curtailed Consumers Emergency Natural Gas Purchasers Act - Allows curtailed high priority consumers of natural gas to purchase natural gas from the intrastate market by enabling them to arrange for the transportation of such gas by regulated interstate pipeline companies. Title IV: Emergency Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act Amendments - Provides authority to the Federal Energy Administrator to prohibit the use of natural gas when petroleum products or coal can be substituted by powerplants and major fuel burning installations. Title V: - Propane Standby Allocation Act - Provides standby authority for the President to allocate propane during periods of actual or threatened severe shortages of natural gas. Title VI: - States that termination of the authorities granted under this Act shall not affect any action or pending proceedings, civil or criminal, not finally determined on such date, nor any action or proceeding based upon any act committed prior to such date. Title VII: - States that the Commission shall have no power to disallow, in whole or in part, in the rates and charges made, demanded, or received by any natural gas company the amounts paid for new natural gas, except that in any case where a natural gas company purchases natural gas from an affiliate or produces natural gas from its own properties, the Commission may disallow any portion of the cost thereof in the rate or charge made by such company which is in excess of current prices paid to nonaffiliates for comparable sales of new natural gas.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1975
Exempts, under the Internal Revenue Code, nonprofit volunteer firefighting or rescue organizations from the Federal excise taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, and special fuels. Exempts such organization from the tax on communication services.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1975
Natural Gas Supply Act - Title I: States that it is the purpose of this Act to authorize the President or his delegate, the Federal Power Commission, and the Federal Energy Administration to deal with existing and imminent shortages and dislocations of natural gas in the national distribution system which jeopardize the public health, safety, and welfare; to provide protection of natural gas service to customers who use natural gas for high priority end uses during periods of curtailed deliveries by natural gas companies; and to assure increased supplies of natural gas at reasonable prices. Title II: - Interstate Pipeline Emergency Natural Gas Purchases Act - Grants the Federal Power Commission authority to allow interstate pipeline companies with insufficient natural gas for their high priority consumers of natural gas to acquire natural gas from intrastate sources and other interstate pipeline companies on an emergency basis free from the provisions of the Natural Gas Act. Title III: - Curtailed Consumers Emergency Natural Gas Purchasers Act - Allows curtailed high priority consumers of natural gas to purchase natural gas from the intrastate market by enabling them to arrange for the transportation of such gas by regulated interstate pipeline companies. Title IV: Emergency Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act Amendments - Provides authority to the Federal Energy Administrator to prohibit the use of natural gas when petroleum products or coal can be substituted by powerplants and major fuel burning installations. Title V: - Propane Standby Allocation Act - Provides standby authority for the President to allocate propane during periods of actual or threatened severe shortages of natural gas. Title VI: - States that termination of the authorities granted under this Act shall not affect any action or pending proceedings, civil or criminal, not finally determined on such date, nor any action or proceeding based upon any act committed prior to such date. Title VII: - States that the Commission shall have no power to disallow, in whole or in part, in the rates and charges made, demanded, or received by any natural gas company the amounts paid for new natural gas, except that in any case where a natural gas company purchases natural gas from an affiliate or produces natural gas from its own properties, the Commission may disallow any portion of the cost thereof in the rate or charge made by such company which is in excess of current prices paid to nonaffiliates for comparable sales of new natural gas.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1975
Title I: Oil Pricing Act - Extends the authority of the President to promulgate regulations providing for the mandatory allocation of crude oil, residual fuel oil and refined petroleum products until January 31, 1979. Requires such regulations to provide for a primary ceiling price for controlled old crude oil not to exceed the ceiling price for controlled old crude oil pursuant to the regulation in effect on August 31, 1975, and for a secondary ceiling price for all crude oil other than controlled old crude oil. States that if the President finds at any time after November 1, 1975, that there is no shortage of a particular oil or product, and that exempting such product from regulation will not have an adverse effect on the supply of any other oil or refined petroleum products, he may exempt such item from regulations pertaining to either allocation of amounts or specifications of price. Title II: Oil Deregulation Tax Act - Imposes an excise tax under the Internal Revenue Code on the deregulation profits from taxable domestic crude oil removed from the premises during each taxable period, in an amount equal to 90 percent of the deregulation profit from each taxable barrel of crude oil removed. Allows a tax credit for persons subject to such tax in an amount equal to the lower of 50 percent of the amount of tax imposed for such taxable period or such person's plowback investment for such taxable period. Requires the purchaser of domestic crude oil to furnish to the person liable for such tax a monthly statement showing specified information, including: (1) the amount of domestic crude oil purchased from such person during such month, and (2) the amount of taxable domestic crude oil purchased from such person during such month. Establishes criminal penalties for willful failure to furnish required information regarding the deregulation profits tax on domestic crude oil.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1975
Natural Gas Emergency Standby Act - Title I: - Sets forth congressional findings and purposes applicable to this Act. Title II: Interstate Pipeline Emergency Natural Gas Purchases Act - States that the purpose of this title is to grant the Federal Power Commission (FPC) authority to allow interstate pipeline companies with insufficient natural gas for their high priority consumers to acquire natural gas from intrastate sources and other interstate pipeline companies on an emergency basis free from the provisions of the Natural Gas Act. Revises the Natural Gas Act to permit the FPC to exempt from the provisions of the Natural Gas Act the transportation, sale, transfer or exchange of natural gas in connection with emergency acquisitions of natural gas by interstate pipelines. Exempts transactions between a producer, interstate pipeline company, intrastate pipeline company or gas distributing company, to or with an interstate pipeline company which does not have a sufficient supply of natural gas to fulfill the requirements of its high priority consumers of natural gas, and which is curtailing deliveries pursuant to a curtailment plan on file with the FPC. Limits exemptions to 180 days in duration. Title III: Curtailed Consumers Emergency Natural Gas Purchases Act - States that the purpose of this title is to allow curtailed high priority consumers of natural gas to purchase natural gas from the intrastate market by enabling them to arrange for the transportation of such gas by regulated interstate pipeline companies. Provides, under the Natural Gas Act, that FPC jurisdiction shall not extend to transportation by gas distributing companies of natural gas purchased under this title by curtailed high priority consumers. Provides explicit authority to the FPC to issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity to transport natural gas purchased under this title, without the need to review and approve the price paid by a high priority consumer directly to the seller. Title IV: Emergency Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act Amendments - States the purpose of this title is to continue the conservation of natural gas and petroleum products by fostering the use of coal by powerplants and major fuel burning installations, and if coal cannot be utilized, to provide authority to prohibit the use of natural gas when petroleum products can be substituted. Extends FEA's recently expired authority to require conversion to coal by gas and oil burning powerplants and major fuel burning installations, and to add a new authority to require conversion from gas to oil where coal conversion is not feasible and certain other requirements are met, including a certification by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency that the particular powerplant or installation will be able to comply with the Clean Air Act while burning oil. Title V: Propane Standby Allocation Act - States the purpose of this title is to provide standby authority for the President to allocate propane during periods of actual or threatened severe shortages of natural gas. Provides standby authority to the President to issue such orders and regulations as may be appropriate in order to provide for systematic allocation and pricing of propane. Requires findings that shortages of natural gas exist or are imminent and that such shortages constitute a threat to public health, safety or welfare. Sets forth criminal and civil sanctions for violation of regulations and orders made pursuant to this title, as well as authority to issue orders to insure compliance and to afford restitution to injured parties. Provides a defense under antitrust or contract law for failures or delays in providing, selling or offering for sale propane if such failures or delays result from compliance with this title. Prescribes administrative procedures, including the manner by which rulemakings are to be initiated. Sets forth the requirement for administrative procedures by which any inequities or hardships arising from the administration of the program can be prevented. Provides for judicial review by the Federal courts of the provisions of this title and any rules, regulations or orders issued to carry out the purposes of this title. Provides injunctive and other remedies for insuring compliance. Specifies subpoena power and the authority to inspect premises, inventories, documents and other items to carry out the provisions of this title. Provides for paying witnesses' fees and mileages and for compelling attendance of witnesses. Establishes a private right of action based on any legal wrong suffered because of acts or practices arising out of this title. Provides, under the Federal Energy Administration Act, that any regulated pricing of propane may reflect factors other than the cost attributed to its production. Authorizes the President to delegate powers granted by this title to other offices, departments and agencies of the United States. Title VI: Provides that the termination of this Act or of the authorities granted under it does not affect any action or pending proceedings not finally determined on such date, nor any action or proceedings based upon any act committed prior to such date. Preserves the validity of the remainder of this Act and its continuing application if any particular provision or application is held invalid.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1975
Natural Gas Supply Act - Title I: States that it is the purpose of this Act to authorize the President or his delegate, the Federal Power Commission, and the Federal Energy Administration to deal with existing and imminent shortages and dislocations of natural gas in the national distribution system which jeopardize the public health, safety, and welfare; to provide protection of natural gas service to customers who use natural gas for high priority end uses during periods of curtailed deliveries by natural gas companies; and to assure increased supplies of natural gas at reasonable prices. Title II: - Interstate Pipeline Emergency Natural Gas Purchases Act - Grants the Federal Power Commission authority to allow interstate pipeline companies with insufficient natural gas for their high priority consumers of natural gas to acquire natural gas from intrastate sources and other interstate pipeline companies on an emergency basis free from the provisions of the Natural Gas Act. Title III: - Curtailed Consumers Emergency Natural Gas Purchasers Act - Allows curtailed high priority consumers of natural gas to purchase natural gas from the intrastate market by enabling them to arrange for the transportation of such gas by regulated interstate pipeline companies. Title IV: Emergency Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act Amendments - Provides authority to the Federal Energy Administrator to prohibit the use of natural gas when petroleum products or coal can be substituted by powerplants and major fuel burning installations. Title V: - Propane Standby Allocation Act - Provides standby authority for the President to allocate propane during periods of actual or threatened severe shortages of natural gas. Title VI: - States that termination of the authorities granted under this Act shall not affect any action or pending proceedings, civil or criminal, not finally determined on such date, nor any action or proceeding based upon any act committed prior to such date. Title VII: - States that the Commission shall have no power to disallow, in whole or in part, in the rates and charges made, demanded, or received by any natural gas company the amounts paid for new natural gas, except that in any case where a natural gas company purchases natural gas from an affiliate or produces natural gas from its own properties, the Commission may disallow any portion of the cost thereof in the rate or charge made by such company which is in excess of current prices paid to nonaffiliates for comparable sales of new natural gas.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1975
Title I: Emergency Petroleum Allocation Extension Act - Extends the mandatory allocation program provisions of the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 to October 20, 1975 (presently expires August 31, 1975). Title II: Coal Conversion Extension Act - Extends, until December 31, 1975, under the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act of 1974, the authority of the Federal Energy Administrator to prohibit by rule or order the use of petroleum or natural gas at installations capable of using coal to generate heat and power.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1975
Denies Members of Congress any increase in their rate of pay under any law passed, or plan or recommendation received, during a Congress unless such increase is to take effect not earlier than the first day of the next Congress. Makes such prohibition retroactive to apply to those laws passed after June 30, 1975, and to plans and recommendations regarding pay transmitted by the President after such date.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1975
States that the purposes of this Act are: (1) to deal with shortages and dislocations of natural gas in the national distribution system; and (2) to provide protection of natural gas service to high priority consumers during periods of curtailed deliveries by companies engaged in the transportation or sale of natural gas in interstate commerce. Declares that the provisions of the Natural Gas Act shall not apply to the use of the facilities of a natural gas distribution company for the transportation of natural gas produced by an independent producer from lands other than Federal domain areas and sold directly to a high priority consumer of natural gas, provided that the rates applicable to the use of such facilities for such transportation are subject to State regulation. Defines the term "independent producer" as a person not engaged in the interstate transportation of natural gas. Defines the term "natural gas distribution company" as a person involved in the distribution or transportation of natural gas for public consumption, but not in interstate commerce. Authorizes the Federal Power Commission, at its discretion, to issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity to a company engaged in the interstate transportation or sale of natural gas to transport natural gas produced by independent producers from other than Federal domain lands and sold to "high priority consumers of natural gas". Directs the Commission to define the term "high priority consumers of natural gas".
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1975
Grants the Federal Power Commission emergency authority to exempt temporarily any activities or operations relating to the sale, transportation, transfer, or exchange in interstate commerce of natural gas or of commingled natural gas and synthetic natural gas, from the provisions of the Natural Gas Act, in order to alleviate the hardships caused by the natural gas shortage.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1975
National Commission on Regulatory Reform Act - Establishes the National Commission on Regulatory Reform. Directs the Commission to make a full and complete study of such regulatory activities of the independent regulatory agencies of the Federal Government as the Commission determines to be primarily economic in nature and to have a significant effect on the segments of the economy involving transportation, communication, the development and distribution of energy resources, or financial institutions. States that such study shall be undertaken to determine: (1) whether such regulatory activities have limited competition within such segments of the economy, and if they have, what the economic consequences have been, (2) whether such regulatory activities have, in other way, contributed to current economic difficulties, in particular inflation; and (3) whether changes need to be made with regard to such independent Federal establishments and their regulatory activites. Requires that such study shall include, with regard to each independent Federal establishment whose regulatory activities are included in such study: (1) an analysis of the purposes for which it was created, its structure and jurisdiction, the statutory framework governing its operation and activities, and the procedures and policies it has adopted; (2) an assessment of its effectiveness in carrying out its purposes; (3) an analysis of the costs and benefits of its various programs and policies, with particular reference to any adverse economic impact; and (4) an examination of the relationship between its regulatory activities and those of State and local regulatory agencies. Sets forth the membership, powers, and authority of the Commission. Directs the Commission to submit to the President and Congress within one year a report containing: (1) a statement of the status of the study being conducted pursuant to this Act; (2) a detailed statement of any findings made or conclusions reached by the Commission; and (3) any recommendations for legislation or administrative action, or both, deemed appropriate by the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 3 September 1975
Requires that any rule or regulation proposed by any officer or agency of the executive branch of the Federal Government to implement a law or a program pursuant to a law must be submitted to both Houses of Congress for review. States that such rule or regulation shall become effective 60 legislative days after submission if Congress neither disapproves it by resolution or passes a concurrent resolution specifically approving such rule or regulation. Incorporates the provisions of this Act into the rules of the two Houses of Congress. Establishes procedural rules with respect to the consideration of a resolution disapproving the proposed rule or regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Warren G. Harding National Historic Site. Provides that such site shall include the Harding Home, Museum and Memorial located in Marion, Ohio. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975
Stipulates that Members of Congress may not, for purposes of State income tax laws, be treated as residents of any State other than the State from which they were elected. (Amends 4 U.S.C 113)
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1975
Directs the Architect of the Capital to conduct a study of the feasibility of using solar energy in connection with the heating, cooling, hot water, and electrical systems of the Cannon, Longworth and Rayburn House Office Buildings. Requires that such study consider the conversion and operating costs of such a system. Authorizes the Architect to enter into contracts necessary to carry out the study. Limits expenditures of the Architect under this resolution to $50,000 to be paid from the contingent fund of the House.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1975
Authorizes the President to issue a proclamation designating Sunday, September 14, 1975, as "National Saint Elizabeth Seton Day" and calling upon the people of the United States to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1975
Emergency Rail Transportation Improvement and Employment Act - Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to provide financial assistance to eligible applicants for programs designed to reduce unemployment and to repair and improve essential railroad roadbeds and facilities. Defines terms used in this Act. Directs the Secretary to make grants to eligible applicants for projects involving the repair, restoration, rehabilitation or improvement of roadbeds and facilities. Directs the Secretary to promulgate guidelines and procedures with respect to grant applications. Sets forth certain items which must be included in each application. Limits the use of grants made pursuant to this Act to the payment of wages and benefits earned by individuals employed in programs funded by this Act. Requires that jobs created pursuant to this Act be made available first to furloughed railroad maintenance employees, then to persons who have exhausted their unemployment benefits, to unemployed persons who are not eligible for such benefits, and to other unemployed or underemployed persons. States that roadbeds and facilities are eligible for project grants under this Act if: (1) they are designated for transfer to the Consolidated Rail Corporation in the final system plan under the Regional Rail Reorganization Act; (2) they are utilized by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation; or (3) they are owned by a railroad in reorganization under the Bankruptcy Act. Sets forth as the goals toward which each project receiving financial assistance under this Act must be structured: (1) the reduction of unemployment; (2) the acceleration and expansion of a national rail rehabilitation effort; (3) the coordination of repair and rehabilitation work with other rail transportation priorities; (4) the completion of each such project within 12 months; and (5) the maximization of chances for permanent employment of individuals employed under such projects. Requires that wages paid to workers in projects undertaken with financial assistance pursuant to the terms of this Act be not less than those prevailing for similar work in the same locality. Authorizes the appropriation of $240,000,000 for providing financial assistance under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1975
Provides, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, that the Secretary of Labor may render on-site consultation to small employers, upon their request, to assist such employers with complying with the Act, and may make the issuance of citations for safety and health violations discretionary.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1975
Authorizes the Federal Power Commission to exempt from the provisions of the Natural Gas Act for a period of up to three years the transportation of natural gas from a producer or an intrastate pipeline to an intrastate pipeline or distributor located within the same State.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1975
Permits the Secretary of the Treasury under the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act to withhold a percentage of the total entitlement payment for any period to insure sufficient funds for final allocation of funds among the state and local units of government. Appropriates to the State and Local Government Fiscal Assistance Trust Funds: (1) $1,625,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, (2) $6,687,500,000 for fiscal year 1977, (3) $6,837,500,000 for fiscal year 1978, (4) $6,987,500,000 for fiscal year 1979, (5) $7,137,500,000 for fiscal year 1980, and (6) $7,287,500,000 fiscal year 1981. Appropriates to the Fund as noncontiguous States adjustments: (1) $1,195,000 for fiscal year 1976, and (2) $4,780,000 for each of the fiscal years 1976 through 1981. Exempts amounts appropriated to the Fund from the provisions of the Congressional Budget Act. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to submit a report with appropriate recommendations to the Congress no later than September 30, 1980, concerning the extension of this title. Declares that if the entitlement of any Indian tribe or Alaskan native village is waived for any entitlement period, then the amount of such entitlement shall become part of the entitlement of the county government of the county in which such unit is located. Increases the maximum percentage points per entitlement period until it reaches 175 percent. Directs each State and local unit of government which receives funds under such Act to submit a report to the Secretary after the close of each entitlement period on the use of the funds received. Directs such unit of local government which expects to receive funds to submit a report to the Secretary on how it plans to use the funds it expects to receive. Empowers the Secretary whenever he determines that a unit of government has failed to comply with an applicable regulation to withhold all or a portion of the entitlement funds due such unit of government, to terminate the eligibility of such unit of government, and to require repayment of the entitlement funds expended. Requires units of government to provide an opportunity for citizens to give recommendations and views on the proposed expenditures of all funds within such units distributed under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1975
Emergency Housing and Mortgage Assistance Act - Title I: Stimulation of Housing Construction - Emergency Home Purchase Assistance Amendments - States that mortgages purchased by the Governmental National Mortgage Association under the Emergency Home Purchase Assistance Act may not have an interest rate in excess of seven and one-half percent. Increases the total amount of mortgage purchases and commitments which may be made by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under such Act to $10,000,000,000. Requires that at least 80 percent of such funds be used to purchase mortgages having original principal obligations not exceeding $36,000. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase mortgages of multifamily residence not purchased under present laws. Title II: Emergency Mortgage Relief - Emergency Homeowner's Relief Act - States it to be the purpose of this Act to prevent widespread mortgage foreclosure and distress sale of homes, resulting from temporary loss of employment and income through a program of emergency loans and advances and mortgage relief payments to homeowners. Sets forth as conditions for the extension of assistance under this Act: (1) that the holder of the mortgage has indicated his intention to foreclose to the mortgagor; (2) that mortgage payments have been delinquent for at least three months; (3) that adverse economic conditions have caused the mortgagor to become involuntarily unemployed or underemployed and to have incurred a substantial reduction in income as a result; (4) that there is a reasonable prospect that the mortgagor will be able to make the adjustments necessary for a full resumption of mortgage payments; and (5) that the mortgaged property is the principal residence of the mortgagor. States that assistance provided under this Act will be in the form of either: (1) emergency mortgage relief loans or advances of credit; or (2) emergency mortgage relief payments. Sets the limits of such payments at $250 per month for up to 12 months with one 12-month extension available. Provides that payments be repaid on such terms as the Secretary prescribes. Authorizes the Secretary to insure financial institutions against losses which they might sustain as a result of emergency loans or advances of credit made pursuant to this Act. States that the aggregate amount of loans and advances insured shall not exceed $1,500,000 at any one time. Authorizes the Secretary to make emergency mortgage relief payments to certain mortgagees on behalf of distressed homeowners. Establishes the Emergency Homeowners' Relief Fund in the United States Treasury for making mortgage relief loans and payments pursuant to this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the purposes of this Act. Directs the Secretary and the Federal supervisory agencies with respect to financial institutions to take steps to encourage forebearance in residential mortgage loan foreclosures, and to request all mortgages to give such agencies at least 30 days notice prior to instituting foreclosure proceedings. Directs the Secretary to report to Congress within sixty days of the enactment and at sixty-day intervals thereafter on the actions taken under this Act. Authorizes the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to make such advances to any insured bank as the Corporation determines to be necessary to facilitate participation in the program authorized by this title.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1975
Creates a select committee in the House of Representatives with authority to conduct a full and complete investigation of the problem of United States servicemen missing in action or known to be dead whose bodies have not been recovered, as a result of military operations in North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Provides that such investigation shall include an examination of the need for additional international inspection teams to determine whether there are servicemen still held as prisoner of war. Authorizes the Committee to hold hearings, issue subpenas, and maintain a staff as necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this resolution. Directs the committee to report to the House the results of its investigation no later than one year after adoption of this resolution. Provides that the committee's authority shall expire 30 days after the filing of such report. Directs that the expenses of the select committee shall be paid from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives upon vouchers signed by the Chairman.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1975
Emergency Employment Appropriation Act - Authorizes the appropriation of enumerated sums for emergency employment for fiscal year 1975. Title I: - Authorizes specified amounts for the Comprehensive Manpower Assistance, Community Service Employment for Older Americans, and Temporary Employment Assistance programs in the Department of Labor. Authorizes specified amounts for the Health Services, Higher Education, and Social and Rehabilitative Service Work Incentives programs in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Authorizes $5,000,000 for the administrative expenses of the United States Railway Association in the Department of Transportation. Title II: Limits the application of sums under this Act. Prohibits the expenditure of sums authorized by this Act for the acquisition of motor vehicles other than motor vehicles manufactured and assembled in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1975
Provides under the Housing and Community Development Act that not less than 5 percent of the 80 percent allocated by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for Community Development Programs shall be allocated as of fiscal year 1976 to units of general local government.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Jobs Creation Act - Title I: Individual Income Taxes - Allows a tax credit in the amount of 10 percent (up to $1,000) of the amount of qualified savings deposits and investments made by an individual during the taxable year. Defines qualified investments as amounts used to purchase stock in or debt instruments of a domestic corporation. Provides that the first $1,000 of capital gain shall be excluded from gross income during the taxable year. Provides for purposes of the estate tax, that the lessor of: (1) $200,000; and (2) the value of the decedent's interest in a family farming operation continually owned by him for five years prior to his death and which passes to a related individual shall be excluded from the value of the taxable estate. Title II: Corporation Taxes - Reduces the normal tax rates imposed on corporations. Increases the investment credit to 15 percent (12 percent in the case of property constructed or acquired before an unspecified date in March, 1975). Increases the corporate surtax exemption from $25,000 to $100,000. Increases the class life variance for purposes of the depreciation deduction allowed for property used in a trade or business or held for the production of income. Title III: Employee Stock Ownership Plan Financing - Creates special deductions for dividends paid during the taxable year by employers on securities held by an employee stock ownership plan (as defined by this title). Provides for the distribution of dividends to employees and repurchase of qualifying employer securities from persons receiving distributions. Provides for the exclusion from gross income of that part of a distribution held or reinvested within 60 days in income-producing assets of equivalent value for the purpose of realizing current income from such assets.