United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish national petroleum reserves on any reserved or unreserved public lands of the United States except lands in the National Park System, the National Wildlife Refuge System, the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, the National Wilderness Preservation System, areas now under review for inclusion in the Wilderness System in accordance with provisions of the Wilderness Act of 1964, and lands in Alaska other than those in Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 4. States that no national petroleum reserve that includes all or part of an existing naval petroleum reserve shall be established without prior consultation with the Secretary of Defense. Authorizes the development of the oil and gas in the national petroleum reserves in the contiguous 48 States established pursuant to this Act. Requires competitive bidding procedures with prior public notice for any contract, lease, or operating agreement for development and production of oil and gas from a national petroleum reserve. States that the terms and conditions for such development, which shall be prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior, shall be subject to disapproval by Congress. Provides that any oil or gas produced from such petroleum reserves shall, with exceptions, be subject to all the limitations and licensing requirements of the Export Administration Act. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Interior to explore for oil and gas on Naval Petroleum Reserve Numbered 4 and to report annually to Congress on his plan for exploration of such reserve.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1975
Prohibits any change in the status of any member of the uniformed services who is in a missing status as a result of service in Southeast Asia, until the provisions of the Paris Peace Accord of January 27, 1973, have been fully complied with by North Vietnam or the President has determined and reported to Congress that all reasonable actions have been taken to account for such members.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1975
Small Business Tax Relief Act - Allows an investment tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code to small businesses for depreciable property on which construction begins after December 31, 1974, or which is acquired after such time, equal to 10 percent of the qualified investment (the applicable percentage of the basis of each new such property and cost of each used such property placed in service by the taxpayer during the taxable year) up to $20,000 and 7 percent of such investment in excess of $20,000. Increases the additional first-year depreciation allowance under the Internal Revenue Code for a small business from 20 to 25 percent. Increases the cost allowance of such property on which such deduction is based from $10,000 to $15,000. Prescribes a formula for computing the last-in-first-out (LIFO) inventory adjustment for small businesses whose closing inventory is less than $200,000 and who do not use the LIFO inventory methods described in the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Allows small businesses a carryover for 10 years of a net operating loss.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1975
Provides that the beneficiary of an insured individual who dies shall, if otherwise qualified under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, be entitled to a prorated benefit for the month of death of the insured.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1975
Establishes a national adoption information exchange system in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare to aid in the placement of children for adoption. Authorizes $1,000,000 to be appropriated for fiscal year 1975 and such sums as may be necessary for succeeding fiscal years, to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1975
Allows a tax deduction up to $750 for ordinary and necessary expenses incurred by a taxpayer under the Internal Revenue Code in making repairs and improvements to his residence during the taxable year. Allows the owner of rental housing to amortize at an accelerated rate (over a 60-month period) the cost of rehabilitating or restoring such housing. Authorizes the taxpayer to switch from such accelerated amortization to the regular depreciation deduction allowable under the Internal Revenue Code for property used in a trade or business or held for the production of income.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1975
Revises the Internal Revenue Code to allow as a credit against the income tax the expenses of elementary or secondary education paid by an individual during the taxable year to any private nonprofit elementary or secondary school for a dependent. Limits such credit to the lesser of 100 percent of the expenses or $300. Reduces such credit by an amount equal to 1 percent of the amount by which the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer exceeds $22,500.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1975
Limousine Limitation Act - Prohibits government agencies from purchasing, hiring, leasing, operating or maintaining limousines in Federal Government motor pools, or employing the services of chauffeurs. States that government agencies may not maintain motor vehicles for transporting elected or appointed government officers and employees between their home and place of employment, with specified necessary exceptions. Exempts the President, the Vice President, the head of each executive department, the Chief Justice of the United States, the President pro tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the majority and minority leaders of the Senate and of the House of Representatives, the majority and minority whips of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and the United States Representative to the United Nations from the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1975
Revises the Internal Revenue Code to allow as a credit against the income tax amounts paid by an individual during the taxable year for the expenses of higher education for himself or any other individual. Limits such credit to 100 percent of the first $200 of such educational expenses, 25 percent of the next $300, and 5 percent of the next $1000 of such expenses. Reduces such credit by 1 percent of the amount by which the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer exceeds $22,500. Reduces the amount of educational expenses otherwise recognized by this Act by the amounts received as scholarships, fellowships, and veterans benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1975
Provides that each Member of the House of Representatives, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, and the Delegates from the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands may hire not more than two additional employees who shall be known as John W. McCormack Senior Interns in honor of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives. States that such interns may be hired for not more than two weeks during the period May 1 through May 31 of each year and shall serve within the District of Columbia. Stipulates that for this purpose each such Member, Resident Commissioner, or Delegate shall have available annually for payment of compensation to such interns a total allowance of $500, to be payable to such interns at a rate not to exceed $125 per week, out of the contingent fund of the House. Requires that no person shall be paid compensation as a John W. McCormack Senior Intern who does not have on file with the Clerk of the House of Representatives, at all times during the period of employment as such intern, an appropriate certificate that such intern is sixty years of age or older and a resident of the district which the employing Member, Commissioner, or Delegate represents.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1975
Administrative Rulemaking Control Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to establish a procedure whereby Congress may review certain rulemaking activities of executive agencies, thereby exercising greater control and oversight over the operations of such agencies. Provides that an administrative rule, the violation of which subjects an individual to a criminal penalty, shall take effect only: (1) if published in the Federal Register; (2) after the expiration of 30 days of continuous session of Congress after the date on which the rule was published; and (3) if neither House of Congress passes a resolution disfavoring such a rule. Sets forth procedures governing the consideration of such rules by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1975
States that the purpose of this Act is to provide a source of financial assistance for homeowners and builders to enable them to purchase and install solar heating equipment or combined solar heating and cooling equipment while substantially reducing energy use. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make loans to individuals and families owning and occupying one-to-four family residential structures to assist them in purchasing and installing qualified solar heating and cooling equipment. States that such loans may be made in an amount covering up to 75 percent of the cost of purchasing and installing the necessary equipment, and not exceeding amounts specified in this Act. Sets forth the terms and conditions governing the loans. Defines "qualified solar heating equipment" as meaning equipment which utilizes solar energy to provide heating for a residential sturcture and which is certified by the Secretary as meeting minimum specified standards, including a requirement that the eqipment must be designed to meet more than 40 percent of the total heating needs of the types of structure for which it is intended. Directs the Energy Research and Development Administration to establish procedures for periodic inspection and review of solar heating and cooling equipment models and certifications. Directs the Secretary to disseminate full, complete, and current information concerning recommended standards and types of qualified solar heating or solar heating and cooling equipment appropriate for use in residential structures of varying sizes and types and in various regions of the country. Authorizes appropriations to a revolving fund of $100,000,000 to provide an initial amount for the program under this Act, and such additional sums as may thereafter be necessary to carry out such program.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1975
Automobile Fuel Economy Act - Declares it the purpose of this Act to stimulate the production of more fuel efficient automobiles and to provide incentives to American consumers to buy such products. Imposes a tax on every passenger automobile sold by the manufacturer which fails to meet specified fuel efficiency rates. Specifies the rate of such tax. Provides that such tax shall become effective on September 1, 1976. Defines the terms used in the Act. Makes technical and conforming amendents. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay to each individual who, after September 1, 1976 and, on or before August 30, 1982, purchases a new fuel efficient passenger automobile, an amount, determined by the fuel efficiency rate of such automobile. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish test procedures to determine the fuel efficiency rates of passenger automobiles sold within the United States. Requires the label affixed to automobiles to include the fuel efficiency rate and the tax imposed by this Act. Prohibits the adjusting of passenger automobiles if such adjustment would lower the fuel efficiency rate. Imposes a civil penalty of not more than $1000 for such violation. Establishes, within the Treasury of the United States, an Energy Research Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations to the Trust Fund of the excess of the amount of this Act over the amount paid to individuals purchasing fuel efficient automobiles, and authorizes to be appropriated such additional sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the Act. Directs that out of such Fund $500,000 annually shall be made available to the Council on Environmental Quality and $1,000,000 annually shall be made available to the Water Resources Council.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1975
Repeals the provisions of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 which makes flood insurance coverage and community participation in the national flood insurance program prerequisites for approval of any financial assistance in a flood hazard area.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1975
Declares ineligible for purposes of federally assisted student loans, under the Higher Education Act of 1965, any institution of higher education or vocational school which does not have a policy of refunding an appropriate portion of tuition and fees to a student who withdraws from a course of study during the academic year. Requires educational institutions to disclose such policies to their students before the payment of fees. Directs the Commissioner of Education to prescribe regulations for determining the appropriate portion of fees to be refunded and for determining whether institutions have complied with the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1975
Returnable Beverage Container Act - Provides that no person shall manufacture for sale, sell, offer for sale, or introduce or deliver for introduction in interstate commerce any beverage container other than a returnable beverage container. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish such regulations as are necessary for the purpose of this Act. Sets forth penalties of up to a $1,000 fine and/or up to six months imprisonment for violation of provisions of this Act. Directs that the provisions of this Act shall be applicable, one year after passage, to metal cans with attached opening devices and to all other non-returnable containers three years after passage.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1975
Permits any member of a private nonprofit organization to deposit mailable matter relating to the activities or functions of the organization in letterboxes, if such member engages in such actions on a voluntary basis without reimbursement from such organization. Excludes political committees from the provisions of this Act. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 1725; adds 39 U.S.C. 607)
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1975
Excludes from gross income, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, the first $5,000 received as annuities, pensions, or other retirement benefits by an individual who has attained age 65 before the close of the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1975
Prohibits, except as provided in this Act, the inspection of tax returns and the disclosure of information contained in such returns. Authorizes the inspection of returns by or disclosure to (1) the taxpayer or his representative; (2) employees of the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Justice solely for purposes of enforcement of the tax laws; (3) State agencies charged with administration of the tax laws only for that purpose; (4) the President of the United States in the performance of his official duties; and (5) the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation for statistical purposes only. Increases the criminal penalties for unauthorized disclosure or receipt of information under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1975
Extends the provisions of existing law relating to the care and treatment of animals to cover common carriers and retail pet stores, and to cover any bird when used in connection with a retail pet store. Provides that the standards set by the Secretary of Agriculture under such provisions of law for the humane treatment of animals shall apply with respect to the facilities of any person licensed under such provisions of law and also to terminal facilities used by any common carrier licensed thereunder.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1975
Emergency Health Benefits Protection Act - Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, under the Public Health Service Act, to enter into agreements with insurance carriers to provide health insurance benefits to persons unemployed, where such individuals were covered while employed by their previous employer. Requires the Secretary to enter into agreements with appropriate State agencies for purposes of determining the eligibility of individuals in the State for such benefits, and for the purpose of making payments to carriers.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1975
Provides, under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, for coverage under medicare for routine Papanicolaou tests for the diagnosis of uterine cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1975
Provides for certification by the State water pollution control agency of treatment projects within such State where the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency determines that such projects will be carried out in accordance with State laws and standards at least equivalent to those established by Federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1975
Provides that any individual who is eighteen years of age or older and who is receiving half of his income from any member of another household which, because of its income and other financial resources, is not eligible to receive food stamps shall not be considered as a member of household for purposes of the Food Stamp Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1975
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States and the various political entities thereof should adopt "911" as the nationwide, uniform, emergency telephone number.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1975
Federal Employees Gift Disclosure Act - Directs Federal employees to file statements with the Office of the Federal Register annually regarding the making of gifts exceeding $500 to another Federal employee or to a State or local officer or employee, and the reception of gifts of such amount from any individual source. Requires the annual publication of the statements filed under this Act. Provides for a penality for violation of this Act in the amount of not more than a $5,000 fine, or imprisonment for not less than one year, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1975
Federal Records Management Act - Defines terms used in this Act and declares that the purpose of this Act is to require the establishment of standards and procedures to assure efficient and effective records management in the Federal Government. States that such standards and procedures shall seek to effectuate specified goals, including: (1) accurate and complete documentation of the policies and transactions of the Federal Government; (2) control of the quantity and quality of records produced by the Federal Government; and (3) simplification of the processes through which records are created, stored, retrieved, and used. Directs that the Administrator of General Services shall provide guidance and assistance to Federal agencies with respect to records creation, records maintenance and use, and records disposition. Requires the Administrator to conduct inspections or paperwork studies of the records, records practices, and records management programs of every Federal agency. Authorizes and directs the Administrator to charge any Federal agency for the cost of any paperwork study. Directs the Administrator to transmit yearly reports to Congress. Enumerates the types of information that such report shall contain. Establishes the Records Review Board as an independent organization in the executive branch, such Board to consist of five members. Sets the rates of pay for Board members. Allows the Board to appoint and fix the pay of such personnel as it deems necessary to carry out its functions under this Act. Empowers any executive agency to appeal to the Board any order issued by the Administrator pursuant to this Act. Requires the head of each Federal agency to make and preserve records containing adequate and proper documentation of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, and essential transactions of such Agency. Grants the Administrator immediate custody and control of the National Archives Building and its contents. Directs the Administrator to establish standards for the selective retention of records of continuing value. Authorizes the Administrator to establish and operate records centers for specified purposes and centralized microfilming services for Federal agencies. States that the head of each Federal agency shall establish safeguards against the removal or loss of records he determines to be necessary and required by the rules of the Administrator. Authorizes the Administrator to prescribe such rules as he considers essential to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1975
Increases the surtax exemption allowed to corporations under the Internal Revenue Code from $25,000 to $50,000 for taxable year 1976, and then in increments of $10,000 per taxable year to $100,000 for taxable year 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Freedom from Military Surveillance Act - Restricts, the actions of any civil officer of the United States or any member of the Armed Forces of the United States in using the Armed Forces of the United States to exercise surveillance of civilians or to execute the civil laws. Sets forth penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
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.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Declares the finding of Congress that domestic supplies of natural gas and petroleum are not sufficient to meet present and anticipated national and regional needs. Declares that the purpose of this Act include: (1) to direct the Federal Power Commission to observe specified congressionally defined objectives in the administration of its authority under the Natural Gas Act respecting the curtailment of natural gas distributed in interstate commerce; and (2) to establish a means to compel transfers of supplies of naturl gas among natural-gas companies. Directs the Commission to review each curtailment plan which is in effect on the date of enactment of this Act, and to modify such plan as to assure the attainment of the goals set forth in this Act. Provides that any curtailment plan shall, to the maximum extent practicable, provide for: (1) the protection of public health, safety, and welfare, and national defense; (2) maintenance of all public services; (3) maintenance of agricultural operations; and (4) minimization of economic distortion. Directs the Commission to direct the interchange, delivery, or transportation of natural gas among natural-gas companies as may be appropriate to the attainment of such objectives. Sets forth procedures for notice to the public and companies who may be affected by specified Commission action.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Provides that the House of Representatives of the 95th Congress and each succeeding Congress shall consider and adopt the rules of its proceedings. Limits general debate on the resolution incorporating the proposed rules to 10 hours, to be equally divided and controlled by the majority leader and the minority leader.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Provides, under the Rules of the House of Representatives, that no rules shall be suspended for the purpose of considering any matter reported from a committee unless the chairman and ranking minority member of the committee, or a majority of the committee, in open session, with a quorum present, by a rollcall vote, requests that such matter be considered by a suspension of the rules.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Provides, under the Rules of the House of Representatives, that any member in committee may demand a rollcall vote on any matter, and that a rollcall vote shall be required on any motion to report a bill or resolution of a public character from committee.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Requires that all House-Senate conferences shall be open to the public and that no conference report shall be in order for consideration unless all conference sessions were open.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Requires, under the Rules of the House of Representatives, that records of committee actions be made available for public inspection, except for information relating to the national security or which violates any law or rule of the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives to take immediate action to implement a plan for the audio and video broadcasting of House floor proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Requires, under the Rules of the House of Representatives, that all committee meetings, including the mark-up of legislation, shall be open to the public, except when the committee determines in open session by roll call vote that the disclosure of the matter to be considered would endanger national security or violate any law or rule of the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Prohibits, under the Rules of the House of Representatives, a party caucus or conference from issuing binding instructions on a Member's committee or floor votes. Permits any Member so bound to raise a point of order.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1975
Hobbs Act Amendment - Provides that anyone who interferes with commerce by damaging to the extent of $2,000 or more any property of a person where business is conducted or property is maintained shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than twenty years or both. Defines the term "extortion" to mean the obtaining of property from another, with his consent, induced by use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear, or under color of official right notwithstanding that the same acts or conduct may also be a violation of State or local law and notwithstanding that the actual or threatened force, violence, or fear was used in the course of a legitimate labor dispute or in the pursuit of legitimate union or labor ends or objectives. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 1951)
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1975
Public Disclosure of Lobbying Act-Defines "lobbying" and other terms used in this Act. Requires each lobbyist, within 15 days of becoming a lobbyist, to file a notice of representation with the Federal Edection Commission. Sets forth minimum elements to be contained in such notice. Enumerates those persons required to maintain records of lobbying activities. Sets forth the required form and content of reports to be made to the commission containing such records. Requires GS-15 and above employees of the executive branch to maintain records of communucations received from outside parties expressing opinions or containing information with respect to the policy making process. Directs each executive agency to make such records available for public inspection. Enumerates the powers of the Commission, including the powers: (1) to require any person to submit in writing such reports and answers to question as the Commission may prescribe: and (2) to initiate, prosecute, defend, or appeal any civil or criminal action in the name of the Commission for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Act through its General Counsel. Provides that it shall be the duty of the Commission to perform specified tasks, including; (1) to develop and furnish to lobbyists forms required to be filed under this Act: (2) to develop forms for the filing of records of outside contacts by executive branch employees; and (3) to prepare a manual setting forth recommended uniform methods of bookkeeping and reporting, filing coding, and cross-indexing. Sets forth criminal penalties for violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Provides for a reduced (by 25 percent) retirement annuity for a Member of Congress (other than the Vice-President) who remains in office after becoming 70 years of age. States that the annuity of a surviving spouse or child is to be computed without regard to such reduction.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Provides, under title XVIII (Medicare) and title II (Old-Age, Survivors' and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, that qualified drugs requiring a physicians prescription or certification shall be included among the items and services covered under the hospital insurance program for the aged at a specified amount of payment. States that the reasonable allowance for eligible drugs furnished an individual pursuant to any one prescription and purchased by such individual at any one time shall be reduced by an amount equal to the applicable prescription copayment obligation which shall be $1. Establishes, within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, a Formulary Committee to compile and publish a Formulary listing the drugs deemed qualified for benefits under this Act, together with maximum allowable costs and additional information concerning such drugs. Makes provisions for selecting drugs for the Formulary.
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 · 3 February 1975
Authorizes, under the Communications Act of 1934, grants to States and units of local government for the establishment, equipping, and operation of emergency communications centers to make the national emergency telephone number 911 available throughout the United States. Authorizes appropriations of $5,000,000 and $7,500,000 for fiscal years 1975 and 1976, respectively, to make grants under this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Coughlin, Lawrence [R-PA-13]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000807_200.jpg)