United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1975
Federal Utility and Energy Low-Income Subsidy Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a program to provide financial assistance to low and moderate income families to pay the increased costs of utility services to eligible families. States that the Secretary shall establish uniform national standards of eligibility for the benefits to be provided under this Act, and establishes specified minimal classes of households and landlords as eligible for such benefits. Provides that the State agency designated by the Secretary to administer this program shall certify, under rules prescribed by the Secretary, the eligibility of households and landlords for benefits provided by this Act. Provides that a household or landlord may be certified for a period of not less than three nor more than twelve months. Provides that the Secretary shall pay to each such State agency 50 percent of its administration costs. Authorizes the Secretary to establish the percentage of utility expenses to eligible families that will be paid by the program according to the income of such family in relation to the maximum allowable income for eligibility for benefits under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to pay up to 90 percent of such expenses. Provides that any State requesting aid under this Act shall submit a plan to the Secretary for his approval indicating specified procedures and programs to be carried out under such a plan. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for carrying out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1975
Right to Financial Privacy Act - States that the purposes of this Act are to protect and preserve the confidential relationship between financial institutions and their customers and the constitutional rights of those customers, and promote commerce by prescribing policies and procedures to insure that customers have the same right to protection against unwarranted disclosure of customer records as if the records were in their possession. Prohibits any Federal agency or employee, or any State or local government from obtaining copies of, access to, or the information contained in, the financial records of any customer from a financial institution unless the financial records are described with particularity and: (1) such customer has authorized such disclosure in accordance with this Act; (2) such financial records are disclosed in response to an administrative subpena or summons; (3) such financial records are disclosed in response to a court order; or (4) such financial records are disclosed in response to a judicial subpena. States that no financial institution may provide a Federal agency or employee, or any State or local government, copies of or the information contained in the financial records of any customer except in accordance with the requirements of this Act. Sets forth provisions governing customer authorization, administrative subpenas and summons and judicial subpenas. Provides that the Secretary of the Treasury may not require an institution to maintain any financial records or to transmit any reports relating to customers unless: (1) such records are required for use by a supervisory agency in the supervision of that institution; or (2) such records are required to be maintained by the Internal Revenue Code. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violation of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1975
Repeals the Military Selective Service Act. Provides that all activities and duties of the Reconciliation Service program of the Selective Service System shall be transferred to the Department of Justice.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Repeals the Military Selective Service Act. Provides that all activities and duties of the Reconciliation Service program of the Selective Service System shall be transferred to the Department of Justice.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Repeals the Military Selective Service Act. Provides that all activities and duties of the Reconciliation Service program of the Selective Service System shall be transferred to the Department of Justice.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
First Amendment Implementation Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to recognize and confirm the applicability of, and to strengthen and further the objectives of, the first amendment of the Constitution of the United States by removing statutory and regulatory restrictions on broadcasters operating under the Communications Act of 1934. Provides, under such Act, that the term "public interest, convenience, and necessity" shall not be construed to give the Federal Communications Commission jurisdiction to require the provision of broadcast time to any person or for the expression of any viewpoint or otherwise to execise any power, supervision, or review over the content or schedule of any program broadcast by licenses, except where the broadcast of such material is otherwise prohibited by law. Repeals the prohibition under such Act relating to political editorials.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act - Prohibits the transfer of nuclear materials to any country which has not ratified the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons unless the President determines, and the Congress by concurrent resolution approves, that such sale is essential to national security.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1975
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the President should assess the situation in the drought-stricken areas where many people are suffering from malnutrition and are in grave danger of dying from malnutrition; (2) the President should report to Congress such recommendations as he determines to be appropriate to alleviate the malnutrition in such areas; and (3) the appropriate committees of Congress should give priority to any such recommendations of the President so as to expedite the response of the United States to the malnutrition problems in such areas.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1975
Establishes an Office of Food Administration within the Executive Office of the President. Provides for the Office to be headed by an Administrator appointed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the Administrator to: (1) ascertain annually the food requirements for domestic and foreign assistance programs, ascertain the availability of food to carry out such programs and ascertain the means available for funding such programs; (2) recommend to the President the minimum level of assistance which should be made available to foreign countries and the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954; (3) formulate and recommend to the President a national nutrition policy for the United States; (4) make periodic reports to the people of the United States and to the Congress on the progress of plans for solving the world hunger problem and on the status of nutrition in the United States; and (5) formulate and recommend to the President programs to improve the agricultural production of the United States and foreign countries and to achieve agricultural self-sufficiency in the developing nations, and recommend minimum funding levels for these programs. Provides that the foreign food assistance policies formulated by the Administrator under this Act shall be directed toward the elimination of world hunger by 1985, as resolved by the World Food Conference. Directs the Secretary of State, the Administrator of the Agency for International Development, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the heads of other departments and agencies of the Federal Government concerned with food assistance programs to cooperate fully with the Administrator in carrying out his functions under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1975
Authorizes the Legal Services Corporation, under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, to undertake research, training and clearinghouse activities either directly or by grant or contract.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1975
Provides, under the Foreign Military Sales Act, that no letter of offer to sell any defense articles or services under such Act may be issued until the end of the first period of thirty calendar days of continuous session of Congress after the date on which the statement required by such Act is transmitted, unless the President in his statement certifies that an emergency exists which requires such sale in the national security interests of the United States. States that the President may issue such letter of offer thirty days after the statement has been so transmitted unless, before the end of the first period of thirty calendar days of continuous session of Congress after the date on which the statement is transmitted, Congress adopts a concurrent resolution disapproving the proposed sale, credit sale, or guaranty with respect to which the statement is made. Specifies the procedures by which such a resolution shall be considered by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1975
Defense Economic Adjustment Act - Title I: Defense Economic Adjustment Council - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the Defense Economic Adjustment Council to be composed of Cabinet members and Directors of government agencies. Specifies the duties of the Council, including the duty to assist communities, industries, and employees which may be substantially and seriously affected to make adjustment to closure and reduction of bases or cancellation or reduction of defense contracts. Title II: Community Economic Adjustment Planning - Authorizes the Council to allocate economic development funds appropriated to Federal agencies to communities which would be substantially affected by reduction or elimination of Government military facilities or curtailment or conclusion of military contracts. Title III: Industrial Economic Adjustment - Requires defense contractors to undertake planning and preparation for the employment of the personnel and utilization of the facilities employed on a contract after its completion. Authorizes the Chairman of the Council to provide assistance to defense and nonprofit contractors on conversion to nondefense industry, and appropriates $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 for such purpose. Specifies the criteria for assigning priorities among economic projects applying for support under this Act. Title IV: Economic Adjustment Fund - Requires payment to the Council of one-half of one percent of the amount of any defense contract for funding of the Workers Economic Adjustment Reserve Trust Fund to be established in the Treasury. Provides for the return of unexpended moneys of a contractor in the fund if all of his obligations under this Act have been discharged and he has not contracted with the Federal Government to furnish defense materials within 24 months. Title V: Economic Adjustment Assistance For Workers - Provides for the payment of economic adjustment benefits for workers or nonprofit contractors who have been displaced from private defense facilities for 2 years following such displacement. Provides that such assistance shall include up to 80 percent of weekly wages, maintenance of insurance coverages, vested pension credit, and retraining. Conditions the eligibility of workers for such benefits upon maintenance of registration with the Secretary of Labor and an agreement to accept employment determined by the Secretary of Labor to be suitable.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1975
Provides that a license for the export of arms, ammunition, or implements of war may not be issued until a report on such exports is submitted to Congress. Directs that the report shall include information as to the name and address of the cosignee, user and manufacturer and the dollar amount of items contained in the application. Specifies that Congress has twenty days to object to the application. (Amends 22 U.S.C. 1934)
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1975
Sets forth the schedule of reimbursement of States by the Veterans' Administration for the provision of domiciliary, hospital, or nursing home care for eligible veterans. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 641)
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1975
Industrial Energy Conservation Act - Directs the Administrator of Energy Research and Development under the Energy Reorganization Act to establish and maintain a comprehensive program for the conduct, sponsorship, and promotion of research, development, and demonstration of industrial energy-conserving technologies. Specifies criteria that the Administrator is required to apply in reaching decisions regarding the directions, priorities activities, and operations of the industrial energy conservation program. Requires the Administrator, in furthering the goals of this Act, to: (1) allocate 60 percent of the funds available for contracts, grants, and loans to depressed areas; and (2) promulgate rules and regulations. Requires the Administrator to compile a list of depressed industrial areas. Authorizes to be appropriated for the fiscal year 1976, and for each fiscal year thereafter, such funds as necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1975
Autistic Children Research Act - Provides, under the Public Health Service Act, for the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to: (1) plan and develop a coordinated autism research program; (2) collect, analyze, and disseminate all data useful in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of autism; and (3) establish comprehensive, coordinated diagnostic and evaluation procedures for early detection guidance for autistic children. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary to carry out these provisions. Authorizes $500,000 for fiscal year 1976 and $5,000,000 per year for fiscal years 1977-1980 for loans and grants to any public or private nonprofit entity operating a center with education programs for autistic children. Defines, for the purpose of this Act, the term "autistic."
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1975
Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense, in administering Public Law 94-11 which appropriates foreign assistance for fiscal year 1975, include in the $300,000,000 foreign military credit sales appropriated to assist the State of Israel, F-15 fighter planes, electronic countermeasures, and other sophisticated weapons necessary to insure the continued viability of Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1975
Provides that the excise tax on the net investment income of a private foundation imposed under the Internal Revenue Code shall not apply to a private foundation organized and operated exclusively as a library or museum or similar educational institution.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1975
Repeals the Military Selective Service Act. Provides that all activities and duties of the Reconciliation Service program of the Selective Service System shall be transferred to the Department of Justice.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 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 · 7 May 1975
Authorizes cost-of-living increases in supplemental security income benefits under Title XVI (Grants to States for Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act whenever an equivalent cost-of-living adjustment is made under Title II (Old Age, Survivors', and Disability Insurance) of such Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to grant financial assistance to individuals eligible for Social Security whose expenses exceed one-third of his or her annual income. Limits such assistance to the lesser of: (1) the amount by which such individual's housing expenses exceed one-third of his or her income or; (2) $600. Permits individuals receiving supplemental security benefits to elect to retain food stamp eligibility in lieu of receiving the bonus value of food stamps in the form of a supplementary payment increase. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance to Social Security recipients whose benefit checks or the cash proceeds thereof are lost or stolen, where the loss or theft has been promptly reported to and verified by appropriate local law enforcement officials. Requires the Secretary to supplement to the correct amount any check which is determined to be in an amount less than that to which the individual was entitled. Permits financial grant assistance to individuals receiving benefits who are faced with extreme financial need due to specified circumstances, including the destruction or loss by theft or natural disaster of furniture and clothing and to prevent eviction due to non-payment of rent when such nonpayment is due to poor financial management or extraordinary expenses. Limits such assistance grants to no more than $500 per occurrence.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1975
Food Research and Development Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to fund new research for the purpose of assisting the development and utilization, in the United States and other countries, of (1) new low-cost foods of high nutritional value, and (2) improved, low-cost methods of food and animal feed production, fertilizer production, and irrigation which make maximum efficient use of energy, land, water, and protein resources and promote the preservation of environmental quality. Establishes a Food Research Advisory Committee within the Department of Agriculture. Sets forth the membership of the Committee. Directs the Committee, in accordance with this Act, to (1) determine specialized research areas; (2) accept evaluations for research grants from review boards appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture; and (3) make recommendations to the Secretary. Establishes within the Committee a review board for each specialized research area with regard to which the Committee makes recommendations for the purpose of awarding grants under this Act. Requires each review board to recommend to the Committee applications on the basis of the scientific merit, feasibility, and significance of the research project proposed in the application and on the basis of the competency and facilities of the applicant to perform the project. Provides that grants shall be made to approved applicants for the purpose of financing research projects which are designed to develop new, low-cost foods of high nutritional value and to improve methods of food and fertilizer production through making maximum efficient use of energy, land, water, and protein resources while promoting environmental quality. Stipulates that not less than 10 percent of the sums available for grants shall be served for applicants from agriculturally underdeveloped nations. Establishes a Special Food Research and Development Fund, to make research grants under this Act. Authorizes appropriations of $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 to carry out the purposes of this Act, and such sums as may be necessary thereafter. Specifies that at least 85 percent of such appropriations must be appropriated to the Special Food Research and Development Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1975
Repeals, under the Sherman Antitrust Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act, exemptions in the antitrust law relating to fair trade laws (also known as resale price maintenance or quality stabilization laws) which permit agreements prescribing minimum or stipulated prices for the resale of brand-name commodities.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1975
Removes from the class of aliens whose status may be adjusted by the Attorney General in his discretion to that of aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence those aliens who continue in or accept unauthorized employment prior to the filing of an application for adjustment to such status. Makes it unlawful for any employer, or any agent or any person who for a fee, refers an alien for employment by such an employer, knowingly to employ, continue to employ, or refer for employment any alien in the United States who has not been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, unless the employment of such alien is authorized by the Attorney General. Provides that an employer, referrer, or agent shall not be deemed to have violated this Act if he has made a bona fide inquiry whether a person hereafter employed or referred by him is a citizen or an alien, and if an alien, whether he is lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence or is authorized by the Attorney General to accept employment. Requires that if, in a proceeding initiated within two years after the service of a citation by the Attorney General informing an employer of a violation under this Act, the Attorney General finds that any employer, agent, or referrer upon whom such citation has been served has thereafter violated the provisions of this Act, the Attorney General shall assess a penalty of not more than $500 for each alien in respect to whom any such violation is found to have occurred. Provides that further violation of this Act following the assessment of the above civil penalty shall make the employer guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof such employer shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $1,000, or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both, for each alien in respect to whom any violation of this occurs. Requires disclosure by employees and officers of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare of information on illegal aliens who are receiving assistance under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1975
Electric Utilities Rate Reform Act - Sets forth Congressional findings and purposes, and defines the terms used in the Act. Directs State and local electric utility regulatory authorities to implement and maintain rate schedules which distribute costs to customer classes in accordance with the costs these classes impose on utilities by their consumption patterns. Provides that no regulatory authority, for ratemaking purposes, may allow recoupment of promotional and advertising expenses, unless such expenses finance efforts encouraging the conservation of electricity or the shifting of the consumption of electricity from peak load periods to off-peakload periods. Provides that no regulatory authority may allow or otherwise make lawful, as part of any rate schedule, a fuel adjustment clause permitting monthly changes in the utility's lawful rate equal to the changes in the cost to the utility of generating fuels, including all applicable taxes, tariffs, or similar charges without: (1) requiring prior notice of the changed cost of fuel and the adjusted rate before any rate change can be implemented; (2) public proceedings to establish that the utility continually manages fuel purchases, uses, and generating facilities prudently and efficiently; (3) such rate adjustments distributing fuel costs and charges consistently with the standards established in this Act; and (4) reserving the power to subsequently determine that the adjusted rates or parts thereof are unlawful and subject to refund. Authorizes the Federal Power Commission to make grants to non-Federal regulatory authorities, in accordance with regulations established by the Commission, in such amounts as are necessary to compensate such authorities for additional costs incurred in complying with the provisions of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such amounts as are necessary to make such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1975
Prisoner Rights Act - Prohibits the inhumane treatment, as defined by the Act, of Federal prisoners. Requires the immediate discharge of any Federal employee engaging in such prohibited conduct. Sets forth minimum standards to be followed before a Federal prisoner may be placed in solitary confinement and regulates the treatment of such prisoner while so confined. Directs the Attorney General to establish grievance procedures for Federal prisoners. Declares that any such prisoner shall be entitled to report any grievance. Provides for the investigation by independent investigators appointed by the Attorney General of alleged grievances. Sets forth visitation rights for the friends, relatives, and attorneys of Federal prisoners.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1975
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the people of the District constituting the seat of government of the United States shall elect two Senators and the number of Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State. States that each Senator or Representative so elected shall be an inhabitant of the District and shall possess the same qualifications as to age and citizenship and have the same rights, privileges, and obligations as a Senator or Representative from a State.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1975
Condemns the killing of whales by Japan, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and other nations. Calls upon the President and the Secretary of State to request such nations to cease all commercial whaling and abide by the international moratorium on the killing of whales.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1975
Foreign Discriminatory Practices Act - Title I : Prohibits discriminatory actions by United States exporters which have the purpose or effect of supporting restrictive trade practices or boycotts imposed against countries friendly to the United States by other foreign countries under the Export Administration Act of 1969. Requires United States exporters to report requests that it engage in activities prohibited under this Act. Title II : States that whenever an exporter violates the provisions of Title I, the Secretary of Commerce shall suspend or revoke the export license or privileges of the exporter.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1975
Provides, under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, that no rescission of budget authority proposed by the President shall take effect unless and until the Congress has passed a bill incorporating such rescission.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1975
Provides, under the Foreign Military Sales Act, that no letter of offer to sell any defense articles or services under such Act may be issued until the end of the first period of thirty calendar days of continuous session of Congress after the date on which the statement required by such Act is transmitted, unless the President in his statement certifies that an emergency exists which requires such sale in the national security interests of the United States. States that the President may issue such letter of offer thirty days after the statement has been so transmitted unless, before the end of the first period of thirty calendar days of continuous session of Congress after the date on which the statement is transmitted, Congress adopts a concurrent resolution disapproving the proposed sale, credit sale, or guaranty with respect to which the statement is made. Specifies the procedures by which such a resolution shall be considered by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1975
Provides that a license for the export of arms, ammunition, or implements of war may not be issued until a report on such exports is submitted to Congress. Directs that the report shall include information as to the name and address of the cosignee, user and manufacturer and the dollar amount of items contained in the application. Specifies that Congress has twenty days to object to the application. (Amends 22 U.S.C. 1934)
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1975
Government in the Sunshine Act - Provides that all meetings of Government agencies at which official action is considered or discussed shall be open to the public. Excludes from this requirement any portion of an agency meeting where the agency determines by vote of a majority of its entire membership that the meeting: (1) will probably disclose matters necessary to be kept secret in the interests of national defense or the confidential conduct of the foreign relations of the United States; (2) will relate solely to individual agency personnel or to internal agency office management and procedures or financial auditing; (3) will tend to charge with crime or misconduct, or to disgrace, any individual, or will represent a clearly unwarranted invasion of the privacy of any individual; (4) will disclose information pertaining to any investigation conducted for law enforcement purposes; (5) will disclose information relating to the trade secrets or financial or commercial information pertaining specifically to a given person; or (6) will relate to the conduct or disposition of a case or adjudication governed by specified sections of the United States Code. Requires each agency to make a public announcement of the date, place, subject matter of each meeting, and whether open or closed to the public, at least one week before each meeting. Requires that a transcript or electronic recording of each such meeting, together with any official minutes of such meeting be made available to the public for inspection. Permits an agency by majority vote to delete from the transcripts or recordings made available to the public specified materials. Directs each agency to promulgate regulations to implement this Act. Grants jurisdiction to the district courts of the United States to enforce the requirements fo this Act. Prohibits ex parte communication between interested persons and members of the agency in question, or an administrative judge, or an employee who is or may be involved in the decisional process of the proceeding. Requires each agency subject to such prohibition to promulgate regulations to implement the requirements of this Act. Grants to the district courts of the United States the jurisdiction to enforce such prohibitions by declaratory judgement, injunctive relief, or otherwise. Defines "ex parte communication" as meaning a communication relevant to an on-the-record agency proceeding where such communication is not made openly or on the record.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1975
Foreign Discriminatory Practices Act - Title I : Prohibits discriminatory actions by United States exporters which have the purpose or effect of supporting restrictive trade practices or boycotts imposed against countries friendly to the United States by other foreign countries under the Export Administration Act of 1969. Requires United States exporters to report requests that it engage in activities prohibited under this Act. Title II : States that whenever an exporter violates the provisions of Title I, the Secretary of Commerce shall suspend or revoke the export license or privileges of the exporter.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1975
Authorizes to be appropriated, under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, $500,000,000 for community development grants to units of general local government, except urban counties.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 1975
Appropriates $500,000,000 for community development grants under the Housing and Community Development Act to units of general local government, except urban counties.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1975
Disapproves the deferral of budget authority relating to emergency school aid (deferral numbered D75-160) which is proposed by the President in his special message of April 18, 1975, transmitted under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1975
Nuclear Energy Study Act - Directs the Office of Technology Assessment to undertake an independent comprehensive study and investigation of the entire nuclear fuel cycle as specified in this Act. Requires that all government agencies cooperate to the fullest extent with the Office. Requires that the Office provide annual reports to Congress and the public on the progress of the study. Directs the Office to submit a final report to the Congress and the public five years after the enactment of this Act concerning the safety and environmental hazards of nuclear fission power plants and the nuclear fuel cycle. Authorizes appropriations of $2,000,000 for each of the first five fiscal years beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act to fund the investigation and study.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1975
Provides for the payment by the United States of reasonable attorneys' fees and other reasonable costs of the accused in criminal cases where the ultimate disposition is other than a conviction, unless the court determine that such payment would not be in the interest of justice.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1975
National Home Health Care Act - Broadens the coverage of home health services under the supplementary medical insurance (Medicare) program of of the Social Security Act and removes the 100-visit limitation presently applicable to the home health service program. Extends the coverage of posthospital home health services to include payment for items and services which the indiviudal could otherwise obtain in a skilled nursing facility. Requires the inclusion of home health services in a State's medicaid program under the Social Security Act and permits the payment of rent under such program for elderly persons who would otherwise require nursing home care. Provides expanded Federal funding for congregate housing for the displaced and the elderly by increasing the amount available for such housing under the low income housing program. Establishes, in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, a home health patient ombudsman, who shall be appointed and provided with adequate staff and facilities by the Secretary. Makes it the duty and responsibility of the ombudsman to monitor specified programs under the Social Security and the various medical assistance programs under the State plans approved pursuant to such Act, and to maintain such oversight of those programs and their operation and administration as may be necessary to: (1) assure that home health patients under such programs are receiving the care to which they are entitled, (2) provide safeguards against over-charging for home health services, (3) identify abuses against home health patients, (4) receive, handle, and expedite complaints by home health patients, (5) recommend to the Secretary any changes in the regulations affecting home health services which may appear necessary or desirable, and (6) take appropriate action (including the transmission of findings to the Attorney General) with respect to abuses and violations of law affecting the provision or receipt of home health services under such programs. Makes the children over 18 of parents receiving nursing and home health care assistance under the medicaid program liable for a specified portion of the expenses of such assistance, depending upon the income of such child. Permits the waiver of such obligation in any case where the State agency determines, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, that the imposition of such obligation or the making of such collection would impose undue hardship. Provides that any amount collected from or otherwise paid by any person in satisfaction of any obligation imposed by this section shall constitute a medical expense paid or incurred by such person for purposes of deductions under the Internal Revenue Code ot 1954.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1975
Denies a tax deduction for any expenditure of any oil company for advertising not directly related to the sale of products or services under the Internal Revenue Code States that this prohibition shall not be construed to apply to the allowance of a deduction for expenses incurred in appearances before the committees, or individual Members of Congress or of any body of a State.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1975
Coastal Zone Environment Act - Provides, under the Coastal Zone Management Act, that any applicant for a required license, lease, or permit for the development or production of energy resources in a coastal zone shall certify that the proposed activity complies with any approved State management program. Establishes in the Department of the Treasury the Coastal Impact Fund. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make 100 percent annual grants from the Fund to those coastal States which the Secretary determines are likely to be significantly or adversely impacted by the development of energy resources by the siting of energy facilities. Directs the Secretary to establish requirements for grant eligibility and lists circumstances under which the regulations shall provide that a State is eligible. States that the authorization of Congress is given two or more States to negotiate and enter into interstate agreements for the purpose of study, planning, and implementation of unified coastal zone policies for the coordination of sucb policies. Authorizes the Secretary to make annual grants for such purpose, provided they do not exceed 90 percent of the cost. Authorizes the Secretary to provide assistance to the coastal States to develop a capability for carrying out short-term research, studies, and training required in support of coastal zone management. Requires the Secretary to submit additional information each year to the President for transmittal to Congress including: (1) a general description and evaluation of interstate and regional planning mechanisms developed by the coastal States. Extends until 1980 the authority of the Secretary to make grants to the coastal States for the development of land and water resources management programs. Authorizes to be appropriated $200,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 and for each of the four succeeding fiscal years for grants made from the Coastal Impact Fund. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal years 1976-79 such sums, not to exceed 5,000,000, for interstate coordination grants to the coastal States. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal years 1976-79 such sums, not to exceed $5,000,000 for coastal research assistance grants to the coastal States. Authorizes to be appropriated $50,000,000 for fiscal years 1975 through 1980 for grants for the costs of acquisition, developmeent, and operation of estuarine sanctuaries and creating natural field laboratories.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1975
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments - Title I: Purposes, Definitions, and National Policy for Managing the Resources of the Outer Continental Shelf - States that the purposes of this Act are to: (1) establish policies and procedures for managing the oil and natural gas resources of the Outer Continental Shelf in order to achieve national economic goals; (2) preserve, protect, and develop oil and natural gas resources in the Outer Continental Shelf; (3) encourage development of new and improved technology for energy resource production that will increase human safety and eliminate or reduce risk of environmental damage; and (4) assure that coastal States which are directly impacted by oil and natural gas exploration and development are provided with an opportunity to take part in policy and planning decisions. Title II: Amendments to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act - Revises bidding and lease administration provisions under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Provides for the orderly development of oil and gas leases and requires that no geological and geophysical exploration shall take place in the Outer Continental Shelf without a permit issued by the Secretary of the Interior. Directs the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive exploratory program designed to obtain sufficient data and information to evaluate the extent, location, and potential for developing the oil and gas resources in the Outer Continental Shelf. States that the Secretary shall, by regulation, establish procedures for determining the areas to be considered for exploratory drilling and potential leasing. Authorizes to be appropriated for such purposes $200,000,000 during fiscal years 1976 and 1977. Requires the Secretary to transmit a leasing and development plan to Congress at least 90 calendar days prior to announcing the invitation to bid on each tract in which oil or gas is found in commercial quanties. Provides that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall be considered the "lead agency" for the purpose of complying with the requirements of the Environmental Policy Act as such Act pertains to the implementation of this Act. Requires that the environmental impact statements include such information as: (1) the probable impact of the proposed exploration or development on the marine coastal environments; and (2) any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources that would be involved in the proposed exploration or development. Makes provisions for the development, promulgation, and enforcement of safety regulations for operations in the Outer Continental Shelf. Requires that the Coast Guard make regular inspections and strictly enforce the safety regulations. States that any person who knowingly and willfully violates any provision of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $100,000, or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. Allows citizen suits by persons having an interest which is, or may be, adversely affected. Permits civil actions against any person, including the United States, and against the Secretary of the Interior where there is alleged a failure of the Secretary to perform any act or duty under this Act which is not discretionary. Provides that any person is in charge of any oil and gas operations in the Outer Continental Shelf shall be subject to a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, for failure to immediately notify an appropriate agency of the U.S. Government of a discharge or spillage of oil. Authorizes, for the purpose of removing a discharge or spilling, the withdrawal of money available in the Offshore Oil Pollution Settlements Fund established pursuant to this Act. Imposes on each barrel of oil produced pursuant to any lease issued or maintained under this Act a fee of two and a half cents per barrel to pay costs of administration of this Act. Provides that collection of amounts for the fund shall cease when $100,000,000 has been accumulated, but shall be renewed when the accumulation in the fund falls be renewed when the accumulation in fund falls below $85,000,000. Provides that immediately upon the date of enactment of this Act, there shall cease any additional leasing of tracts for the purpose of developing oil and gas under the authority of the Older Continental Shelf Lands Act in all regions and areas where there has been no previous development of oil and gas on the Outer Continental Shelf or other areas where geological or environment conditions make such development hazardous. States that such moratorium shall continue until a specified time. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires that the Secretary of the Interior shall prepare and publish a report with recommendations for achieving an equitable system of lease sales while maximizing production and revenues from the leasing of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands. Provides that the Secretary also shall study the most appropriate means of developing a National Strategic Energy Reserve.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1975
Title I: - Revises the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by increasing to twenty years the time period during which a declaratory judgment that no voting test or device has been used to abridge the right to vote on account of race or color may not issue in a case brought by a State or local political subdivision. Title II: - Prohibits the denial of the right to vote in any Federal, State, or local election because of failure to comply with any test or device unless the United States District Court for the District of Columbia determines that no such test or device has been used during the ten years preceding the filing of the action. Declares the finding of Congress to be that voting discrimination against citizens of language minorities is pervasive and national in scope. Prohibits any voting qualification or prerequisite to voting from being imposed by any State or political subdivision to deny the right of any citizen to vote because he is a member of a language minority group. Title III: - Provides, under the Voting Rights Act, that no State or political subdivision shall provide voting materials only in English if the Director of the census determines that more than five percent of the citizens of voting age are members of a language minority, or that the illiteracy rate of such persons is higher than the national illiteracy rate. Title IV: - Requires the Director of the Census to conduct a survey of voting statistics: (1) in every State subject to the prohibitions of the Voting Rights Act,; and (2) in every State designated by the United States Commission on Civil Rights.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1975
Free Flow of Information Act - Provides that a professional disseminator of information is privileged to decline to give evidence concerning the source or contents of information that he obtained during the course of his professional activities if he states under oath either: (1) that the information in question could originally be obtained only by reaching an understanding with the source that the contents of the information or the identity of the source would not be disseminated to the public and would not be given in evidence in any official proceeding except under compulsion of law; or (2) that serious harm to a particular ongoing diseminator-source relationship is likely to result if the contents or source of the information is required to be disclosed. Define "professional disseminator of information" as a person who is engaged in the pratice of obtaining or preparing information for dissemination with the aid of facilities for the mass reproduction of words, sounds, or images in a form available to general public; or is the agent or employee of such a person. Provides that in all disputes concerning a claim of privilege under this Act, the claimant of the privilege has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that he qualifies as a professional disseminator of information to the public and that he obtained the evidenc that is sought during the course of his professional activities. Allows the privilege provided by this Act to be waived by the professional disseminator of information whose evidence is sought or by the source of the evidence.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1975
Denies a tax deduction for any expenditure of any oil company for advertising not directly related to the sale of products or services under the Internal Revenue Code States that this prohibition shall not be construed to apply to the allowance of a deduction for expenses incurred in appearances before the committees, or individual Members of Congress or of any body of a State.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1975
Increases to $450,000,000 the minimum amount of the annual contributions to public housing agencies to be made by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under the Housing Act of 1937.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1975
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to purchase from one or more life insurance companies a policy or policies of mortgage protection life insurance on a group basis for veterans unable to obtain commercial life insurance because of a service- connected disablility. Sets forth the maximum amount of insurance under a policy provided under this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to deduct insurance premiums from any compensation or other cash benefits payable to veteran by the Veterans' Administration, and to pay such premiums to the insurers. States that any amount of insurance in force under this Act on the date of death of an insured veteran shall be paid only to the holder of the mortgage loan on the veteran's home as a credit toward loan indebtedness. Requires each policy purchased under this Act to provide for the following: (1) reinsurance with other insurers which meet the Administrator's criteria; (2) that the Administrator may discontinue a whole policy, or exclude from coverage loans made after a date fixed by him; (3) issuance to each insured veteran of a certificate setting forth the benefits to which he is entitled; (4) any other provisions necessary to carry out this Act; and (5) an annual accounting to the Administrator of the amount of premiums paid, the total of all mortality and other claim charges incurred, and the amount of the insurer's expenses and risk charges. States that insurance under this Act shall terminate upon whichover of the following events first occurs: (1) satisfaction of the veteran's indebtedness under the loan upon which the insurance is based; (2) the veteran's 70th birthday; (3) termination of the veteran's ownership of the property securing the loan; (4) discontinuance of payment of premiums by the veteran; or (5) discontinuance of the entire contract or agreement. (Adds 38 U.S.C. 791-95)
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1975
Ozone Protection Act - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to the Congress on the effects on Public health and the environment of the discharge of chlorofluoromethane into the ambient air. Requires the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to report to the Congress the control and target levels which should be prescribed. Permits the Administrator to waive the requirements and prohibitions of this Act if he determines that there is no significant risk to the public health. Permits the Administrator to establish target and control levels. Establishes a target level of 1 percent and a control level of fifty thousand tons per year in the absence of any set by the Administrator. Requires the Administrator to arrange for the issuance of licenses to regulate chlorofluoromethane. Prohibits the violation of the terms of any license, the manufacture, importation, the introduction into commerce of chlorofluoromethane, or the unreasonable stockpiling of chlorofluoromethane. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1975-1977 to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1975
Marihuana Control Act - Provides that the possession of not more than one ounce of marijuana for private use, or the transfer of not more than one ounce of marijuana without profit for private use, shall not constitute a crime against the United States. Provides for a civil penalty of not more than $100 for such possession or transfer.
![Official portrait of Rep. Drinan, Robert F. [D-MA-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000499_200.jpg)