United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1974
Tax Credits and Allowances Act - Title I: Personal Credits Allowances for Basic Living Expenses, and other Tax Provisions - Repeals the personal exemption and provides, in lieu thereof, a credit against tax equal to the personal credits granted by this title. Provides a $225 credit for the taxpayer, and additional credits of $225 each for the taxpayer's spouse and each dependent. Authorizes prepayment of estimated personal credits to recipients of allowances for basic living expenses. Repeals the low income allowance. Provides for a standard employment expense deduction of: (1) 10 percent (but not to exceed $500) of the earned income received by the lesser compensated spouse; and (2) 10 percent (but not to exceed $1,000) of the earned income of the head of a household. Provides an allowance for basic living expenses. Specifies the requirements to be met for eligibility for receipt of such allowance, and sets forth the maximum amounts of such allowance. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to promulgate regulations for the administration of this Act. Defines the terms used in the Act. Provides special rules with respect to the filing status of individuals under this Act. Provides for the coordination of allowances and credits authorized by this Act with those authorized under the educational opportunity grant program of the Higher Education Act of 1965. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this title. States that gross income does not include, for the purposes of this title, amounts received by recipients as allowances for basic living expenses. Title II: Public Assistance and Welfare Reform - Requires State supplementation of income to families receiving aid for dependent children in the amount that the income of such families is reduced by the provisions of this Act. Provides that supplementary payments made by States under this title shall be made for a maximum period of 24 months. Changes the eligibility requirements for benefits under the supplemental security income programs of aid to aged, blind, or disabled individuals to prevent reduction of benefits received by such individuals by virture of the provisions of this Act. States that until such time as a comprehensive program of services for families and children is developed and placed into effect, the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare shall provide a transitional program of specified services to such families. States that the Secretary shall develop a comprehensive program of such services within one year of the effective date of this title. Authorizes optional state supplementation of social security income benefits to ameliorate the effects of the provisions of this Act on families with disabled children. Title III: Miscellaneous and General Provisions - Provides that the total amount of State supplementation payments made under this Act may be used as an allowance offset for purposes of income taxation where the application of the provisions of this Act results in a net reduction of its basic living expense allowance or its supplemental security income benefit. Prohibits Federal assistance to child-care facilities imposing income-related fees. Makes technical and conforming amendments in other specified laws. Repeals the Food Stamp Act of 1964. Provides that obligations of the United States shall be subject to garnishment and similar proceedings to meet court-ordered alimony, child-support, and rent obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1974
Authorizes the transmission, without cost to the sender, of letter mail to the President or Vice President of the United States, to Federal executive departments and agencies, or to Members of Congress. (Adds 39 U.S.C. 3406)
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1974
Provides, under Title XVI of the Social Security Act, for the payment of emergency financial assistance grants and special allowances for incidental expenses to recipients of supplemental security income benefits. Authorizes cost-of-living increases in such benefits and in State supplementary payments. Prevents reductions in such benefits because of social security benefit increases. Provides reimbursement to States for home relief payments to disabled applicants prior to determination of their disability. Permits the payment of such benefits directly to drug addicts and alcoholics (without a third party payee) upon certification of the chief medical officer of the therapeutic institution that the funds would not be misused. Entitles recipients of such benefits to participate in the food stamp and surplus commodities programs.
United States · United States Congress · 25 November 1974
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Commodity Credit Corporation, during calendar year 1975, to expend an additional $1,000,000,000 to $2,000,000,000 for (1) the purchase of cows, calves, hogs, sheep, or other food animals and products, processing and packaging, or (2) the purchase of animal products already processed for contribution to domestic and foreign food programs for the relief of starvation and malnutrition. Directs that the containers of such products bear labels indicating the contents are donated by the people of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1974
Provides that the Secretary of Agriculture shall not, as a condition to granting an emergency loan under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, require the certification by private, cooperative, or other responsible sources that there is a need for agricultural credit. States that the declaration of the Secretary that an emergency exists in a country during either a crop or calendar year shall remain in effect for the balance of either year, whichever ends the latest.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1974
Emergency Dairy, Livestock, and Poultry Act - Title I: Definitions - Defines the term "farm family unit" for purposes of entitlement to benefits under this Act. Defines the term "gross annual sales" as meaning the combined gross cash receipts first received for dairy, livestock, and poultry produced by a farm family unit as limited and defined in this Act, in any calendar year or for such other approved twelve-month accounting period. Defines the terms "cost-of-production payments," "carryback option," and "carryforward option". Title II: Cost-of-Production Payments - Provides that any farm family unit that markets milk, milk products, red meat, and poultry for human consumption shall receive cost-of-production payments directly from the Government not less often than semiannually. Sets forth the formula for determining such payment. Provides that any farm family unit may exercise the option of carrying forward sales of milk, milk products, red meat, and poultry for human consumption against the limits of gross annual sales for any next succeeding thirty-six-month period. Sets forth limitations to carry forward such sales. Title III: Adjustment Provisions Authorized - Directs the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture to issue such regulations as shall be deemed essential and necessary to administer all titles of this emergency Act for the full calendar years of 1974 and 1975 as may be required in a fair, just, objective, and orderly manner as to protect, preserve, and project an essential source of food supply in the national interest.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1974
Establishes the National Cancer Research Fund to be used to fund the research programs of the National Cancer Institute. Provides that, beginning with fiscal year 1976, there shall be appropriated to the Fund amounts equivalent to the additional taxes on cigarettes imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. Authorizes appropriations to the Fund through September 30, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1974
Increases the excise tax on small cigarettes, weighing 3 pounds per thousand, to $4 per thousand plus an additional $1 per thousand, and on large cigarettes, weighing more than 3 pounds per thousand, to $8.40 per thousand plus an additional $2.10 per thousand. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 5701 (b))
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1974
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 · 23 July 1974
Requires, under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, that imported meat and meat food products made in whole or in part of imported meat be labeled "imported" at each stage of distribution until delivery to the ultimate consumer.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1974
Declares it to be the sense of the House that: (1) the contribution by the United States to the growing economic and human crisis in the developing world should be primarily in the form of food and the means and technology to produce it; (2) the President, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Agriculture and their advisors should give the highest priority to the immediate expansion of American food assistance and (b) take such additional steps as might be necessary to expedite the transfer of American food commodities on concessional and donation terms to those nations most severely affected; (3) the United States should increase its matching pledge to the World Food Program for 1975-1976 and encourage other nations to do so; (4) the President and the Secretary of State should (a) negotiate with other major food exporting nations to seek to obtain their participation in this emergency effort proportionate to their share of world food exports and, (b) strongly encourage oil exporting nations to contribute a fair share to these efforts to assist the most severely affected nations; (5) the United States should announce its desire to work with the oil exporting and other nations in a major effort to increase world fertilizer production with the possibility of including the offer of American technology and capital; and (6) the President should encouarge the American people to reduce the non-critical, non-food-producing uses of fertilizer which now total nearly three million tons of nutrient a year, to make available increased fertilizer supplies for raising food production at home and in the developing world. Declares the sense of the House that the President of the United States and the Secretaries of State and Agriculture should, and are hereby urged and requested to: (1) maintain regular and full consultation with the appropriate committees of the Congress; and (2) report to the Congress and the Nation at regular intervals on the progress toward formulating an American response in a cooperative framework to the world food crisis and the needs of the most severly affected developing countries.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1974
Reclamation Development Act - Title I: Page, Arizona, Community Act - States that the purpose of this title is to separate the town of Page, Arizona, from the Colorado River storage project so that the United States may withdraw from ownership and operation of the town, and the town may be incorporated and self-governing. Transfers designated properties to such town without cost. Provides for water rights for Page, Arizona from Lake Powell. Specifies projects to be completed in Page by the United States. Authorizes payment of $500,000 to Page, upon its incorporation, for specified municipal services and facilites. Authorizes appropriations from the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund to Page in the amount necessary for Page to acquire electric distribution facilities. Transfers 808 acres in Cocomino County, Arizona, to the Navajo Indian Reservation. Authorizes the use of up to $4,000,000 from the Upper Colorado Basin Fund to carry out this title. Title II: Cibolo Project, Texas - Authorizes the construction, operation, and maintenance of a dam on recreational facilities on Cibolo Creek, Texas, including provision of water for municipal and industrial use. Authorizes appropriations of $24,160,000 for flood control, fish and wildlife, and recreation in connection with such project. Title III: Mountain Park Project Oklahoma - Provides for the construction and operation of municipal water supply facilities, and authorizes appropriations therefor, for Frederick, Oklahoma. Title IV: Casitas Reservation Open Space, California - Directs the purchase of, and authorizes appropriations for, private lands to add to the Lake Casistas Reservoir area in California. Title V: Klamath Project Right-of-Way, Oregon - Directs the conveyance by quitclaim deed to the owners of record of specified lands in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Title VI: Solana Project Recreational Facilities, California - Authorizes the development and operation of short-term recreational facilities at Lake Berryessa, Solano Project California, and authorizes appropriations for such purposes. Title VII: Miscellaneous Drainage Construction, Utah - Authorizes the construction of specified drainage facilities in the Central Utah and Emery County projects in Utah. Title VIII: Belle Fourche Dam Rehabilitation, South Dakota - Authorizes the construction and operation of an adequate spillway and improvement of the upstream slope protection at the Belle Fourche Dam, South Dakota. Authorizes appropriations for such purpose. Title IX: Glendo Unit Road Reconstruction, Wyoming - Authorizes the relocation and reconstruction, and appropriations therefor, for a highway near the Glendo Dam and Reservoir, Wyoming. Title X: Nueces River Project, Texas - Authorizes the construction and operation, and appropriations therefor, for the Nueces River project in Texas, including furnishing of water for municipal, industrial, and recreational uses. Title XI: Elephant Butte Recreation Pool, New Mexico - Authorizes the releases from Heron Reservoir, New Mexico, to provide storage and a recreation pool in Elephant Butte Reservoir, New Mexico. Title XII: Fryingpan-Arkansas Project, Colorado - Authorizes additional appropriations for construction and operation at the Fryingpan-Arkansas project, Colorado. Title XIII: Savage Rapids Fish Way, Oregon - Authorizes the construction of improved fish passages at the Savage Rapids Dam, Oregon, and authorizes appropriations therefor. Title XIV: Feasibility Study Authorities - Authorizes feasibility studies of water resource development programs in California, Arizona, and North Dakota.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 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 educational 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 the Board of Trustees. Authorizes the Foundation to award fifty-one scholarships in any fiscal year beginning after June 30, 1973, for undergraduate study for persons who plan to pursue a career in public service. States that each recipient shall be knows as a Truman scholar. Sets forth provisions governing: (1) the scholarship requirements; (2) the procedures for selection of Truman scholars; (3) stipends and institutional allowances; and (4) the scholarship conditions. 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. Directs that there shall be an Executive Secretary of the Foundation, appointed by the Board, who shall be the chief executive officer and shall carry out the functions of the Foundation subject to the supervision and direction of the Board. Authorizes to be appropriated $30,000,000 to the fund. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for administrative expenses incident to carrying out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1974
Prohibits the transfer of atomic or nuclear technology or materials to foreign powers under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 without the express approval of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1974
Emergency Livestock Credit Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a guaranteed loan program for bona fide farmers and ranchers, including operators of feedlots, who are primarily engaged in agricultural production for the purpose of breeding, raising, fattening, or marketing livestock (meaning beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, chickens, turkeys, and the products thereof.) States that no contract guaranteeing any such loan by an approved lender shall require the Secretary to participate in more than 90 percent of any loss sustained thereon. Provides that loans guaranteed under this Act shall bear interest at a rate to be agreed upon by the lender and borrower. Sets forth conditions for such loan guarantees, including that: (1) the farmer or rancher is primarily engaged in agricultural production, and the financing to be furnished the farmer or rancher is to be used for purposes related to the breeding, raising, fattening, or marketing of livestock or livestock products; (2) the total loans guaranteed under this Act for any farmer or rancher shall not exceed $350,000; and (3) in the case of any loan to refinance the livestock operations of a farmer or rancher, the loan and refinancing are absolutely essential in order for the farmer or rancher to remain in business. Limits such loan guarantees outstanding under this Act to a maximum of $3,000,000,000 at any one time. Terminates the authority to make new guarantees under this Act one year from the date of enactment, except that the Secretary of Agriculture may extend such authority for a period not to exceed six months if he determines a need and properly notifies Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1974
Livestock Producers and Feeders Act - Directs that, for a period of one year from the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall insure loans made by a lender other than the United States, or made by the Secretary and sold to such lender, to a borrower in the United States who (1) is a citizen of the United States; (2) is or has been engaged in livestock producing and feeding operations to an extent and in a manner determined by the Secretary as necessary to assure reasonable prospects of success in livestock producing endeavors financed by loans insured under this Act; (3) is unable to obtain sufficient credit to finance his actual needs in the livestock producing business at reasonable rates and terms, as determined by the Secretary after considering prevailing private and cooperative rates and terms in the community in or near which the applicant resides for loans for similar purposes and periods of time; (4) has, if he has received previously a loan insured under this Act, performed successfully the terms of such loan; and (5) is not an operator of a commercial feedlot. Stipulates that, subject to the approval to the county committee, the amount of any loan isured under this Act shall be determined by the lender, but in no case shall such amount exceed $250,000. Sets forth requirements pertaining to the insurance of loans and to the rate of interest payments to be made. Establishes the Livestock Feeders Insurance Fund, which shall be used by the Secretary as a revolving fund for the discharge of obligations of the Secretary under the provisions of this Act. Directs the Secretary to utilize the fund: (1) to make loans which can be insured under this Act whenever he has reasonable assurance that they can be sold without undue delay, and he may sell and insure such loans; (2) to pay amounts to which the holder of insured notes is entitled on loans accruing between the date of any payments by the borrower and the date of transmittal of any such payments to the holder; and/or (3) to pay to the holder of insured notes any defaulted installment, or upon assignment of the note to the Secretary at the Secretary's request, the entire balance due on the loan.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1974
Repeals, under the Social Security Act, the provisions for the establishment of Professional Standards Review Organizations to review services covered under the medicare and medicaid programs.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should (1) immediately initiate negotiations at the highest level of the Turkish Government to prevent the resumption of opium production; and (2) if such negotiations prove unfruitful, exercise the authority provided by the Congress under the Foreign Assistance Act, to terminate all assistance to the Government of Turkey.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 1974
Designates the premises occupied by the Chief of Naval Operations as the Official residence of the Vice President, effective upon the termination of service of the incumbent Chief of Naval Operations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to provide for the care, maintenance, repair, improvement, alteration, and furnishing of the official residence and grounds. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary from time to time to carry out the foregoing purposes. Expresses the sense of Congress that living accommodations, generally equivalent to those available to the highest ranking officer on active duty in each of the other military services, should be provided for the Chief of Naval Operations. Repeals the Federal law authorizing the planning, design, construction, furnishing, and maintenance of an official residence for the Vice President of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should (1) immediately initiate negotiations at the highest level of the Turkish Government to prevent the resumption of opium production; and (2) if such negotiations prove unfruitful, exercise the authority provided by the Congress under the Foreign Assistance Act, to terminate all assistance to the Government of Turkey.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives of the United States that the Secretary of Defense shall issue no further reclassifications from missing in action or prisoner of war status to presumptive finding of death status until such time as the Government of North Vietnam complies with the Paris Peace Agreement, and until a determination is made that all possible means of ascertaining the fates of those listed as missing in action has been made.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) it most strongly condemns all acts of terrorism in the Middle East; (2) the President and the Secretary of State should and are hereby urged and requested to (a) call upon all governments to condemn this inhuman act of violence against innocent victims; and (b) strongly urge the governments who harbor these groups and individuals to take appropriate action to rid their countries of those who subvert the peace through terrorism and senseless violence; and (3) the President should request the American Ambassador to the United Nations to take appropriate action before that body in order to have introduced a Security Council resolution condemning this brutal act of violence.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1974
Expands the definition of the word "person" as used in the Constitution and the laws of the United States to mean any combination of human cells capable of becoming or being an actual human entity.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1974
Sugar Act Amendments - States that the Secretary of Agriculture shall determine for each calendar year the amount of sugar needed to meet the requirements of consumers in the continental United States, to maintain and protect the domestic sugar industry, and to attain on an annual average basis the price objective set forth in the Sugar Act of 1948. Establishes the total amount of apportioned raw values of sugar among domestic sugar producing areas at 6,685,000 short tons, and prescribes the apportionment of that amount. States that, whenever the production of sugar in any domestic sugar-producing area in any year results in there being available for marketing in the continental United States in any year sugar in excess of the quota for such area for such year established under this Act, the quota for the immediately following year established for such area under this Act shall be increased to the extent of such excess production up to specified limits. Provides that the quota for the mainland cane sugar area shall be prorated to Florida and Louisiana on the basis of 57.5 percent to Florida and 42.5 percent to Louisiana and each State shall be regarded as a sugar-producing area for such purposes. Provides that each State shall have the right to market the unfilled share of the other State in any year in which such other State is unable to fill its share of the quota. Authorizes the Secretary on a quarterly basis to set maximum or minimum limits on the importation of sugar within the annual quota for any foreign country. Provides that the Secretary is not authorized to limit the importation of sugar for any foreign country having a quota of fifteen thousand short tons, raw value, or less through the use of limitations applied on other than a calendar year basis. States that the failure of any foreign country, subject to such reasonable tolerance as the Secretary may determine, to fill a quarterly minimum quota shall operate to reduce the quantity of sugar permitted to be imported for such calendar year by the amount by which such country failed to fill such quarterly quota. Specifies the prorated amounts of the total quota to be allowed to listed foreign countries. Allows for quota increases to foreign countries when the Secretary determines that any domestic area or foreign country will not market its quota. Provides that direct-consumption sugar, produced from quota sugar in the continental United States of a grade, type, or specification determined by the Secretary not to be available in a domestic sugar-producing area outside the continental United States from raw sugar produced in such area, may be marketed within the local consumption quota for such area. Provides administrative and judicial review for any person adversely affected by the Secretary's determination in a wage rate proceeding. Provides that no employer may discharge an employee on the basis of such employee's action under this Act, including action to recover the liability of an employer who has not paid him wages at a rate determined to be fair and reasonable by the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1974
Combined Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance - Income Tax Reporting Amendments - Title I: Amendments to Title II of the Social Security Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make available specified tax returns to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Empowers the Secretary of HEW and the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into an agreement for the processing of information contained in such returns. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to provide to the Secretary of HEW any documents they agree are necessary for such processing. Directs the Managing Trustee of the Trust Funds, including the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, to pay into the Treasury the amounts he and the Secretary of HEW estimate will be expended from the general fund of the Treasury by the Departments of HEW and Treasury for the administration of (1) titles II, and XVIII of the Social Security Act, and (2) specified chapters and subchapters of the Internal Revenue Code. Requires the Secretary of HEW to apportion (between each trust fund and the general fund in the Treasury) the costs of administrating titles II, XVI and XVIII of the Social Security Act and its costs in carrying out specified functions of this Act. Provides that average monthly wage, quarters of coverage, and coverage credits derived from self-employment income for taxable years beginning before 1974 are to be determined on a basis of income credited to calendar quarters. Limits quarters coverage to quarters occuring before 1974 and makes additional modification to taxation of self-employed persons. Allocates, under the Social Security Act, coverage credits for earnings before 1974 based on quarters of coverage and after 1973 on the basis of earnings during the calendar year. Provides that a person will satisfy the requirements prerequisite to a determination of disability if he has 20 or more coverage credits which were credited to the period ending on the day the disability arose and consisting of that part of the current calendar year up until the day the disability began and the nine prior calendar years. Redefines a "fully insured individual" in terms of coverage credits rather than quarters of coverage. States that any person upon attaining the age of 62 with the proper number of coverage credits is fully insured. Provides that specified benefits be paid to individuals not citizens of the United States who amassed sufficient coverage credits. Title II: Amendments Preserving Relationship Between Railroad Retirement and Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance - Provides, under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937, that in the calucalation of an employee's "average monthly remumeration" after calendar year 1974 an individual employee shall obtain the benefit of full allowable coverage credits, irrespective of whether particular quarters of coverage were otherwise available for calculation purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1974
Prohibits the Bureau of Labor Statistics from instituting any revision in the method of calculating the Consumer Price Index until such revision has been approved by resolution by either the Senate or the House of Representatives of the United States of America.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1974
Increases the national highway speed limit to sixty-five miles per hour (now fifty-five miles per hour) under the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1974
Directs the Secretary of the Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive, nationwide study of the effects of railroad abandonment, and to develop an effective policy to assure an adequate economic system for the transportation of freight with emphasis on branch line facilities in the movement of agricultural commodities. Prohibits the Interstate Commerce Commission from authorizing any further abandonments of railway freight facilities for a period of three years after enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1974
Foreign Investment Study Act - Requires the President to conduct a study of foreign direct and foreign portfolio investment in the United States and to: (1) compare foreign direct and foreign portfolio investment activities in the United States with investment activities of American investors abroad, and compare the impact of such foreign activities in the United States with the impact of investment activities of Americans abroad; (2) determine the impact of foreign direct and foreign portfolio investment in the United States on United States national security, energy resources, balance of payments and trade, agriculture (and other real estate), and international economic position; (3) determine the effect of foreign direct and foreign portfolio investment in the United States on levels of employment and personnel practices in the United States; and (4) evaluate the costs and benefits and determine the various international implications of alternate policy choices available to the United States regarding foreign investment in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1974
Food Program Technical Amendment - Provides that the Secretary of Agriculture shall use specified funds, including stocks of the Commodity Credit Corporation, to purchase agricultural commodities and products to maintain the traditional level of assistance for food assistance programs, including school lunch, institutions, supplemental feeding, and disaster relief distribution. Authorizes the Secretary to administer a food stamp program at the request of any tribal government of native Americans to provide eligible households with an opportunity to participate in the food stamp program. Authorizes the Secretary to pay a tribal governments 100 percent of the costs for administration of food stamp programs on Indian reservations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1974
Provides that the Administrator of the Small Business Administration may render onsite consultation and advice to small business employers who request such assistance in writing to assist such employers in providing safe and healthful working conditions for their employees. Provides that the Administrator may issue recommendations and/or written notice with respect to hazards and/or serious violations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, but no citation or civil penalty shall follow directly from such onsite consultation and advice.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1974
Directs the Secretary of Transportation under the provisions of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to regulate seatbelt standards to prohibit motor vehicles from being equipped with starter interlock systems.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1974
Congressional Advisory Legislative Line - Establishes an office within the Congress with a toll-free telephone number, to be known as the Congressional Advisory Legislative Line (CALL), to provide the American people with free and open access to information, on an immediate basis, relating to the status of legislative proposals pending before the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1974
Empowers the Atomic Energy Commission to enter into an agreement with any State agency or regional agency under which such State or regional agency shall conduct an environmental review of and shall issue or deny an application for a site certificate for any proposed nuclear power reactor site in the State or region with respect to which such agency has jurisdiction. States that any such agreement shall expire five years from its effective date and the parties may agree to enter into subsequent five-year agreements. Directs the Atomic Energy Commission to, in consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality, formulate any requirements to be imposed in any such agreement. Provides that such an agreement shall provide that a State or regional agency may issue a site certificate for a proposed nuclear power reactor only if such agency finds, after having considered and balanced the environmental and economic costs and benefits of the nuclear power reactor if constructed on the site proposed, the need for electric power, and other relevant factors, that the construction and operation of the nuclear power reactor on the proposed site is in the public interest. States that any such agreement shall provide that in making site certification decisions the State or regional agency which is a party to the agreement shall, on its own motion or on application of any person proposing to construct a nuclear power reactor: (1) hold public hearings and offer to consider comments from any affected Federal, State, or local agency; and (2) prepare a detailed environmental impact statement on the proposed site. Requires such an agency to issue, within one year after submission of an application for a site certificate by a person proposing to construct one or more nuclear power reactors, a final decision granting or denying a site certificate to the applicant. States that in any proceeding under this Act concerning a license or construction permit, or application to transfer control, and in any proceeding dealing with the activities of licenses, or for the payment of compensation, the Commission shall grant a hearing upon the request of any person whose interest may be affected by the proceeding. Provides that, unless a State or regional agency is party to such an agreement at the time site approval is sought for one or more nuclear power reactors, the Commission is authorized to consider and grant or deny by order an application by any person for approval of a site for one of more nuclear power reactors, except that such construction permit or operating license or amendment to a construction permit or operating license for a nuclear power reactor shall not be issued unless all site-related restrictions in the site approval are complied with. Authorizes the Commission to consider and grant or deny petitions for the issuance of a rule or on its own initiative issue a rule approving the preliminary or final design of part of a nuclear power reactor. States that Congress finds that it is in the national interest to minimize the environmental impact of nuclear powerplants by locating and designating sites for nuclear power parks in each region of the Nation. States that such parks may be the site for locating several nuclear powerplants serving the region in which they are located, and may include nuclear fuel fabricating and reprocessing facilities, and all other facilities required for a complete fuel cycle. Directs the Atomic Energy Commission to make or cause to be made a national survey to locate and designate a nuclear power park site in each of the existing nine electric reliability regions.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1974
Impoundment Prohibition Act - Provides that in apportioning any appropriation, reserves may be established solely to provide for contingencies, or to effect savings whenever savings are made possible by or through changes in requirements or greater efficiency of operations. States that reserves shall not be established for fiscal policy purposes or to achieve less than the full objectives and scope of programs enacted and funded by Congress. Authorizes the Comptroller General to bring a civil action in the United States Court for the District of Columbia to enforce the provisions of this Act. Provides that nothing contained in this Act shall be interpreted as constituting a ratification or approval of any reservation of budget authority by the President or any other Federal employee, in the past or in the future, unless done pursuant to statutory authority in effect at the time of such reservation. (Amends 31 U.S.C. 665)
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1974
Provides that recipients of veterans' pension and compensation shall not have the amount of such pension or compensation reduced, or entitlement thereto discontinued, because of increases in monthly social security benefits resulting from the enactment of Public Law 93-66, Public Law 93-233, and subsequent cost-of-living increases under title II of the Social Security Act. Provides that the provisions of this Act shall apply with respect to annual income determinations made for calendar years after 1972.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1974
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, for reductions in Social Security taxes relating to the rate of tax on self-employment income for purposes of old-age, survivors, and disability insurance. States that such reductions shall apply in the case of taxes imposed with respect to self-employment income for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1974, and with respect to wages paid or received during calendar years after 1974. Provides for Federal participation in the costs of the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program under title II of the Social Security Act. Increases the earnings counted for benefit and tax purposes under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1974
Provides, under the provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, that it shall be an unlawful employment practice to discriminate against individuals who are physically disabled because of such disability.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1974
Provides that daylight saving time shall be observed from the period beginning May 31 through Labor Day annually. Repeals the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1974
Permits payments made to farmers in the case of 1974, 1975, and 1976 crops of wheat, feed grain, and cotton to reflect changes during the calendar years 1973, 1974, and 1975 respectively, in prices paid by farmers for production items, interest, taxes, and wage rates.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1974
Commodity Futures Trading Commission Act - Title I: Commodity Futures Trading Commission - Establishes a Commodity Futures Trading Commission to be composed of five Commissioners consisting of the Secretary of Agriculture and four members selected from the general public, who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out the provisions of this Act such sums as may be required for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1977, and for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1978. Makes changes in the Commodity Exchange Act by striking the word "Secretary" and the words "Secretary of Agriculture" wherever such words appear therein and by inserting in lieu thereof the word "Commission"; and by striking the words "United States Department of Agriculture" wherever they appear therein and by inserting in lieu thereof the word "Commission". Provides that if, after a hearing on a complaint made by any person or upon failure of the party complained against to answer a complaint duly served within the time prescribed, or to appear at a hearing after being duly notified, the Commission determines that the respondent has violated any provision of this Act, or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder the Commission shall, unless the offender has already made reparation to the person complaining, determine the amount of damage, if any, to which such person is entitled as a result of such violation and shall make an order directing the offender to pay to such person complaining such amount on or before the date fixed in the order. Provides that unless the registrant against whom a reparation order has been issued shows to the satisfaction of the Commission within five days from the expiration of the period allowed for compliance with such order that he has either taken an appeal as herein authorized or has made payment in full as required by such order, he shall be prohibited from trading on all contract markets and his registration shall be suspended automatically at the expiration of such five-day period until he shows to the satisfaction of the Commission that he has paid the amount therein specified with interest thereon to date of payment. Title II: Regulation of Trading and Exchange Activities - Deletes onions from the definition list of commodities and includes "all services, rights, and interests in which contracts for future delivery are presently or in the future dealt in. Requires the Commission, within six months after the effective date of this Act, and subsequently when it determines that changes are required, to make a determination, after notice and opportunity for hearing, whether or not a floor broker may trade for his own account or any account in which such broker has trading discretion (and also execute a customer's order for future delivery) and whether or not a futures commission merchant may trade for its own account or any proprietary account, and, if the Commission determines that such trades and executions shall be permitted, the Commission shall, after notice and opportunity for hearing, further determine the terms, conditions, and circumstances under which such trades shall be conducted. Declares it unlawful for any person to be associated with any futures commission merchant or with any agent of a futures commission merchant as a partner, officer, or employee in any capacity which involves the solicitation or acceptance of customer's orders or the supervision of any person or persons so engaged unless such person shall have registered, under this Act with the Commission. Declares it unlawful for any commodity trading adviser or commodity pool operator, unless registered under this Act, to make use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce in connection with his business as such commodity trading adviser or commodity pool operator. Requires every commodity trading adviser and commodity pool operator registered under this Act to maintain books and records and file such reports in such form and manner as may be prescribed by the Commission. Requires every commodity pool operator to regularly furnish statements of account to each participant in his operations. Declares it unlawful for any commodity trading advisor or community pool operator registered under this Act, by use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce, directly or indirectly to employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud any client or participant or perspective client or participant. Allows the Commission to specify by rules and regulations appropriate standards with respect to training, experience, and such other qualifications as the Commission finds necessary or desirable to insure the fitness of futures commission merchants, floor brokers, and those persons associated with futures commission merchants or floor brokers. Requires each contract market to submit to the Commission for its approval bylaws, rules, regulations, and resolutions made or issued by such contract market. States that whenever it shall appear to the Commission that any contract market or other person has engaged, is engaging, or is about to engage in any act or practice constituting a violation of any provision of this Act or any rule, regulation, or order thereunder, or is in a position to effectuate a 'squeeze' or corner or otherwise restrain trading in any commodity for future delivery, the Commission may notify the Attorney General, and the Attorney General may bring an action in the proper district court of the United States to enjoin such act or practice. Establishes a $100,000 civil penalty for violations of this Act. Authorizes the Commission to direct the Commission to direct the contract market, whenever it has reason to believe that a market factor creates a condition which threatens orderly trading in, or liquidation of, any futures contract, to take such action as in the Commission's judgment is necessary to maintain or restore orderly trading in, or liquidation of, any futures contract. Title III: Enabling Authority for Creation of National Futures Associations - Allows any association of persons to be registered with the Commission as a registered futures association by filing with the Commission for review and approval a registration statement in such form as the Commission may prescribe. Requires the rules of such an association to provide that no person shall be admitted to or continued in membership in such an association if such person has been and is suspended or expelled from a registered futures association or from a contract market. Requires the rules of such an association to be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices, to promote just and equitable principles of trade, in general, to protect the public interest, and to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of free and open futures trading. Allows the Commission, after notice and opportunity for hearing to suspend the registration of any futures association if it finds that the rules thereof do not conform to the requirements of the Commission. Authorizes the Commission to suspend for a period not exceeding twelve months or to expel from a registered futures association any member thereof, or to suspend for a period not exceeding twelve months or to bar any person from being associated with a member if such member or person has violated any provision of this title. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Declares it a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both, together with the costs of prosecution, for any Commissioner of the Commission or any employee or agent thereof, to participate, directly or indirectly, in any transaction in commodity futures; any privilege, indemnity, bid, offer, put, call, advance, guaranty, or decline guaranty; or for any such person to participate, directly or indirectly, in any transaction in an actual commodity. Declares it a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both, together with the costs of prosecution, for any Commissioner of the Commission or any employee or agent thereof who, by virtue of his employment or position, acquires information which may affect or tend to affect the price of any commodity futures or commodity and which information has not been made public to impart such information with intent to assist another person, directly or indirectly, to participate in any transaction in commodity futures, any transaction in an actual commodity.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1974
Prohibits the exportation of fertilizer from the United States until the Secretary of Agriculture determines that an adequate domestic supply of fertilizer exists.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that accurate and complete data on imports of oil and oil products into the United States, oil and oil products inventories in the United States or under the control of companies owned by United States citizens, and distribution of oil and oil products within and from out of the United States are essential to the national security of the United States, the safety of its citizens, and the proper conduct of its domestic and international commerce. Authorizes the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce to conduct a full and complete investigation and study of the importing, inventorying, and disposition of crude oil, residual fuel oil, and refined petroleum products.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1974
Provides, under title II of the Social Security Act (Old-Age, Survivors' and Disability Insurance), that increases in monthly insurance benefits (whether occurring by reason of increases in the cost of living or enacted by law) shall not be considered as annual income for purposes of the following benefit programs: dependency and indemnity compensation to parents of a deceased veteran, pension for non-service-connected disability or death or for service, and the Veterans' Pension Act of 1959.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1974
Revises the Public Health Service Act by extending for one year the application deadline and the deadline for enrollment of third-year students for two-year medical schools intending to become schools capable of granting medical degrees which are seeking grants under this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Denholm, Frank E. [D-SD-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000234_200.jpg)