United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Judicial Tenure Act - Establishes in the judicial branch of Government a Council on Judicial Tenure to further the honest, impartial, and efficient administration of justice in the courts of the United States in accordance with the duties imposed upon it by law. States that it shall be the duty of the Council to receive and investigate each written complaint by any person concerning a Justice or judge of the United States and to determine whether the grounds specified in this Act for removal of a Justice or judge from office or censure or for involuntary retirement of a Justice or judge exist. Stipulates that, if after a preliminary inquiry by the Chairman, any such complaint is found to be frivolous, unwarranted, or insufficient in law or fact, the Council may dismiss such complaint. Requires that whenever the Council orders an investigation or hearing with respect to the fitness of any Justice or judge to continue in office, it shall provide not less than thirty days notice to such Justice or judge of the date on which any hearing is to be conducted. Sets forth the duties of the Judicial Conference with reference to proceedings relating to removal, censure, and involuntary retirement of a Justice or judge of the United States. States that during the pendency of any proceeding under this Act, the conference or committee may order any judge of the United States who is the subject of such inquiry to cease the exercise of any judicial powers or prerogatives pending disposition of the inquiry. States that the Conference or committee shall have the power in all cases brought before it, by majority vote: (1) to order the censure of any Justice or judge whose conduct is found to be inconsistent with the good behavior required by the Constitution; (2) to order the removal of any such Justice or judge from office; (3) to order the involuntary retirement of any Justice or judge in accordance with this Act; and (4) to dismiss or remand (to the Council) any such case. Provides that a Justice or judge of the United States may be removed from office or censured in accordance with the procedures established under this Act upon a finding by the Judicial Conference of the United States that the conduct of such Justice or judge is or has been inconsistent with the good behavior required by article III section I of the Constitution. Provides for review of the order of the Judicial Conference that a Justice be censured, involuntarily retired, or removed from office by petition to the Supreme Court. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Tax Equity Act - Title I: Capital Gains and Losses - Repeals the alternative tax presently allowed to corporations (and to individuals under specified circumstances) on long-term capital gain arising from: (1) dispositions pursuant to binding contracts and (2) distribution pursuant to liquidation. Provides, in lieu of the present 50 percent deduction for net long-term capital gain, an exclusion of one-third of 1 percent times the number of months long-term capital asset property used in the taxpayer's trade or business was held over 12 months. States that capital losses shall be allowed only to the entent of capital gains for the taxable year (up to $1000 in the case of an individual taxpayer). Provides for the carryover or carryback (to a maximum of 3 taxable years) of net capital losses (allowing carrybacks only if the net capital loss exceeds $10,000). Provides that the basis of specified property personal or household effects, life insurance proceeds, and income rights acquired from a decedent dying after June 30, 1975 shall be the same as the basis in the hands of the decedent plus its proportionate share of the Federal and State estate taxes attributable to the net appreciation in value of all such properties, even if such property is also community property. Requires the executor of an estate to supply specified information, in accordance with regulations to be propounded by the Secretary of the Treasury, with respect to the decedent and the basis of his property. Provides that income from the sale or exchange of patent rights shall be treated as royalties (ordinary income) rather than as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. Title II: Income Derived From Extraction Of Minerals Repeals the percentage depletion allowance for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1974. Provides for the deduction of expenditures (including intangible drilling costs) incurred in the exploration and development of mineral property. Repeals the maximum tax (33 percent on sales of oil and gas properties. Provides an exclusion from gross income of amounts derived from foreign mineral properties, provided that such income is not derived from: (1) a nonoperating mineral interest; (2) distributions received with respect to the stock of a corporation, and (3) amounts includible in gross income as undistributed profits of controlled foreign corporations. Limits the losses allowable from the disposition of mineral property to the extent of the gains from the sale or exchange of such property during the taxable year. Title III: Reform Measures Affecting Primarily Individuals - Provides that the maximum rate of income tax for individuals shall be 50 percent of taxable income. Allows a credit of 24 percent of the amount of deductions which would be allowable, but for this Act, for the following: (1) personal exemptions; (2) interest on non-business obligations; (3) non-business State and local taxes; (4) non-business losses of property; (5) charitable contributions; (6) medical care; and (7) taxes and interest paid by a cooperative housing association. Authorizes the President to increase or decrease the 24 percent credit rate authorized by this Act subject to the disapproval by either House of Congress. States that such increase or decrease may not exceed 2 percentage points. Provides for a reduction in the tax rates applicable to those earning less than $10,000 per year. States that the income received by a child from a trust created by his parent, and dividends, interest, and royalties from property given the child by his parents shall be includible in the gross income of the parent if the claims a credit for the exemption allowable for such child as a dependent. Provides that share holder-employees of closely held corporations must include in gross income that part of of contributions paid by an employer-corporation (and deductible by it) to trusts, annuities, or bond purchase plans for the benefit of the sharehaolder-employee in excess of: (1) 15 percent of his compensation; or (2) $7500, and the amount of any forfeitures allocated to the employee's account under a stock bonus or profit-sharing plan. Repeals the $100 exclusion from gross income for dividends and trust income. Limits the deduction of interest on investment indibtedness to $5000 plus the amount of the net investment income. Restricts the business and income-producing expense deduction for business or trade-related conventions held outside of the United States to the cases where it is more reasonable for the meeting to be held outside of the United States than within the United States. Disallows business expense deductions for the use of a dwelling unit which is used by the taxpayer during the taxable year as a residence. Limits deductions attributable to farming to the gross income derived from farming for the taxable year, and, in the case of an individual, the higher of $10,000 on the amount of special deductions allowable. Provides for the computation of earings and profits on a consolidated basis with respect to distributions by the common parent corporation of a controlled group of corporations. Terminates the preferential tax treatment presently accorded to qualified stock options and restricted stock option plans under the Internal Revenue Code. Taxes trust income payable to the children of the grantor to the grantor if the child is under 21 years of age or a student. Provides that the deductible losses of a limited partner in a partnership cannot exceed his or her investment. Repeals the exemption for earned income from foreign sources. Provides that a partnership shall be treated as a corporation for purposes of income taxation upon filing of a registration statement for the offering of units of interest in a partnership with the Securities Exchange Commission. Title IV: Reform Measures Affedting Primarily Corporations - Repeals the investment credit for business property placed in service after Jan. 1, 1976. Repeals the Asset Depreciation Range System. States that, in the case of a corporation, the depreciation allowance shall not exceed the depreciation recorded on the corporation's books. Provides also that the deduction for repair expenses shall be limited to the amount recorded on the corporation's books. Limits the deduction on the aggregate amount of dividends received to 85 percent of taxable income computed without regard to specified deductions. Repeals the provision allowing nonrecognition of gain on the sale of inventory in specified cases. Denies, in the case of corporate reorganization, tax-free exchange treatment to investment companies. Disqualifies transactions which result in the shareholders of a merging corporation owning less than 20 percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the surving corporation as reorganizations. Repeals the special treatment of bad debt reserves of financial institutions. Repeals the special deductions for Western Hemisphere trade corporations. Taxes the undistributed profits of foreign corporations to such corporations' United States shareholders based on each shareholder's pro rata share of such undistributed profits. Repeals the tax exemption presently permitted to Domestic International Sales Corporations. Title V: Reforms Affecting Individuals And Corporations - Reduces the exemption from the 10 percent minimum tax on items of tax preference from $30,000 to $12,000. Subjects interest on governmental obligations, mineral exploration and development expenditures, and foreign tax credits to the minimum (10 percent) tax on preferences. Provides that the difference between the cost to a shareholder of the use of corporate property and the fair market value of such use shall be includible in the gross income of the shareholder. Limits the allowable depreciation deduction for rental real estate to an amount which will not reduce the adjustment basis to an amount below any mortgage indebtedness on such property. Reduces the deduction of charitable gifts of appreciated property tothe amount of the property's basis at the time of the gift. Provides that the foreign tax credit shall not include foreign taxes paid or accrued on any item excluded from gross income or gain not recognized under the Internal Revenue Code. Limits the foreign tax credit to that proportion of the tax imposed under the Internal Revenue Code which the taxpayer's taxable income from sources outside the United States bears to his entire taxable income. Title VI: Estate and Gift Tax Amendments - Provides for the integration of the estate tax rate with the rate schedule applied to the amount of adjusted inter vivos gifts ( the amount of such gifts to be computed according to a formula set forth in this Act). Limits the aggregate amount of charitable deductions allowed under the estate tax provision to $50 percent of the amount by which the value of the gross estate exceeds the aggregate amount of deductions for expenses, indebtedness, taxes, and casualty losses incurred during the settlement of the estate. Title VII: State and Local Obligations - Repeals the exemption for interest on state and local obligations issued after December 31, 1975. Directs the United States to pay 40 percent of the interest yield on state and local obligations. Title VIII: Withholding Of Income Tax On Dividends And Interest - Directs every person who pays interest or dividends to deduct and withhold on such interest or dividends a tax equal to 10 percent of the amount thereof: Defines the terms "interest" and "dividend" for this purpose. Directs every person required to deduct and withhold any tax to make quarterly returns of such tax to the appropriate officer.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 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 · 14 January 1975
Excludes from gross income under the Internal Revenue Code amounts received as interest from deposits in savings and loan institutions up to $500 per year ($1000 in the case of a married couple filing a joint return).
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Public Safety Officers Benefits Act - Provides that in any case in which the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration determines that an eligible public safety officer has died as the direct and proximate result of a personal injury sustained in the performance of duty, leaving a spouse or one or more eligible dependents, the Administration shall pay a gratuity of $50,000. States the order of precedence for the payment of the gratuity to dependents. Excludes the payment of benefits if death was caused intentionally or by intentional misconduct or by an individual who would otherwise be entitled to the death benefits or if voluntary intoxication was the proximate cause of death.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Firefighters Benefits Act - Provides death benefits of $50,000 to survivors of specified firefighters who die in the performance of duty, such payment to be made by the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration. Sets forth the order of precedence according to which such benefits shall be paid to survivors. Allows the Administration to make an interim benefit payment not exceeding $3,000 to survivors upon a determination that the death of the firefighter is one with respect to which a benefit will probably be paid. States that where no final benefit is paid, the recipient of the interim benefit shall be liable for repayment. Permits the Administration to waive all or part of such repayment. Enumerates the circumstances of death in which no benefits shall be paid. Authorizes to be appropriated such funds as are necessary in each fiscal year to carry out the purposes of this Act. Provides that if any provisions of this Act are declared invalid, the remaining provisions shall not be affected.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Makes additional immigrant visas available for immigrants from any foreign State which had less than three-fourths of the average annual number of visas under the quota system during the ten-fiscal-year period beginning July 1, 1955. Directs that the additional number of visas be equal to the difference between the number of visas made to them and three-fourths of the average made to other immigrants under the quota system, but limits the total number of visas to any foreign State to 7500 in any fiscal year. Directs the allocation of the additional visas.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Immigration and Nationality Act Amendments - Provides, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, that included within the definition of aliens are those persons coming temporarily to the United States for a period of not more than a year to perform other than exceptional services or labor if the Secretary of Labor has determined that there are not sufficient workers available at the aliens' destination who are willing and able to perform such services or labor. Limits the number of aliens born in any foreign state or dependent area located in the Eastern Hemisphere who may be issued immigrant visas or who may otherwise acquire the status of lawfully admitted aliens for permanent residence to 45,000 in the first three quarters of any fiscal year and to 170,000 in any fiscal year. Limits such immigrant visas to aliens born in any foreign state of the Western Hemisphere or in the Canal Zone, or in a dependent area located in the Western Hemisphere, to 32,000 in the first three quarters of any fiscal year and to 120,000 in any fiscal year. Sets forth conditions for provisional entries. Provides that the Secretary of State shall terminate the registration of any alien who fails to apply for an immigrant visa within one year following notification to him of the availability of such a visa. Requires the Secretary of Labor to submit quarterly to the Congress a report containing complete and detailed statements of facts pertinent to labor certification procedures, including: (1) lists of occupations in short supply or oversupply; (2) regionally projected manpower needs; and (3) up-to-date statistics on the number of labor certifications approved or denied. Provides that the Secretary of State may, when such action is in the national interest, parole into the United States all or part of a group of aliens qualified for such parole under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Federal Criminal Code Reform Act - Chapter 1: Preliminary Provisions - Provides that no person may be convicted of an offense unless each element of the offense is proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Sets forth the requirements and effects of statutory presumptions. Defines terms used in this Act. Chapter 2: Federal Penal Jurisdiction - Describes the general, special (territorial and maritime), and extraterritorial jurisdictions of the United States. Chapter 3: Basis of Criminal Liability; Culpability; Causation - Provides that a person commits an offense under this Act only if: (1) he engages in conduct which is declared to be an offense, and (2) he engages in such conduct intentionally, knowingly, recklessly, negligently, or willfully. Chapter 4: Complicity - Declares that a person may be convicted of an offense based upon the conduct of another person when: (1) acting with the kind of culpability required for the offense he causes the other to engage in such conduct; or (2) with intent that an offense be committed, he commands, induces, procures, or aids the other to commit it or, having a legal duty to prevent its commission, he fails to make proper effort to do so; or (3) he is a coconspirator and his association with the offense meets the requirements of either (1) or (2) above. Establishes standards for the criminal liability of organizations. Stipulates that a person is criminally liable for any conduct which he performs or causes to be performed in the name of an organization or on its behalf to the same extent as if the conduct was performed or caused to be performed in his own name or behalf. Chapter 5: Responsibility Defense: Juveniles; Intoxication; Mental Disease or Defect Provides that the prosecution of any person as an adult shall be barred if the offense was committed: (1) when he was less than fifteen years old in any case, or when he was less than sixteen years old in the case of offenses other than murder, aggravated assualt, rape, and aggravated involuntary sodomy; or (2) when he was less than eighteen years old unless trial as an adult is ordered by the district court to promote justice. Disallows the defense of intoxication in a criminal proceeding unless the intoxication: (1) is not self-induced, or (2) if self-induced, is grossly excessive in degree, given the amount of the intoxicant, to which the actor does not know he is susceptible, or if by reason of such intoxication the actor at the time of his conduct lacked substantial capacity either to appreciate its criminality or to conform his conduct to the requirements of law. Provides that a person is not responsible for criminal conduct if at the time of such conduct it was a result of mental disease or defect for which he lacked substantial capacity to appreciate the criminality of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of law. Chapter 6: Defenses Involving Justification and Excuse - Lists and describes the following defenses to prosecution: justification; execution of public duty; self defense; defense of others; use of force by persons with parental, custodial, or similar responsibilities; defense of premises and property; excuse; mistake of law; or duress. Chapter 7: Temporal and Other Restraints on Prosecution - Sets forth the statute of limitations for specified offenses. Describes the affirmative defense of entrapment. List types and requirements of former prosecutions which may be a bar to a present prosecution. Sets forth the circumstances necessary for a Federal prosecution to be a bar to a subsequent prosecution by a local government. Chapter 10: Offense of General Applicability - Provides that a person is guilty of criminal attempt if, acting with the kind of culpability otherwise required for commission of a crime, he intentionally engages in conduct which, in fact, constitutes a substantial step toward commission of the crime. States that a person is guilty of criminal facilitation if he knowingly provides substantial assistance to a person intending to commit a felony, and that person, in fact, commits the crime contemplated, or a like or related felony, employing the assistance so provided. Defines the offense of criminal solicitation and provides that criminal solicitation is an offense of the class next below that of the crime solicited. Declares that a person is guilty of conspiracy if he agrees with one or more persons to engage in or cause the performance of conduct which, in fact, constitutes a crime or crimes, and any one or more of such persons does an act to effect an objective of the conspiracy. Chapter 11: National Security - Defines the following crimes involving National Security: (1) treason; (2) participating in or facilitating war against the United States within its territory; (3) armed insurrection; (4) paramilitary activities; (5) sabotage; (6) recklessly impairing military effectiveness; (7) intentionally impairing defense functions; (8) avoiding military service obligations; (9) obstruction of recruiting or induction into Armed Forces; (10) causing insubordination in the Armed Forces; (11) impairing military effectiveness by false statement; (12) espionage; (13) mishandling national security information; (14) misuse of classified communications information; (15) misuse of classified information by public servant; (16) receiving classified information; (17) wartime censorship of communications; (18) harboring or concealing national security offenders; (19) aiding deserters; (20) aiding escape of prisoner of war or enemy alien; (21) offenses relating to vital material; and (22) failing to register as a person trained in foreign espionage service. Chapter 12: Foreign Relations, Immigration, and Nationality - States that a person is guilty of a criminal offense if he: (1) launches an air attack from the United States against a friendly power; (2) organizes a military expedition assembled in the United States to engage in armed hostilities against a friendly power; or (3) within the United States, joins or knowingly provides substantial resources or transportation from the United States to a military expedition described in (2) above. Defines the offenses of unlawful entry into the United States, hindering discovery of an illegal entrant, and fraudulent acquisition or improper use of naturalization, evidence of citizenship, or United States passport. Chapter 13: Integrity and Effectiveness of Government Operations - Defines the offense of: (1) physical obstruction of Government function; (2) preventing, arrest, or discharge of other duties; (3) hindering law enforcement; (4) aiding consummation of crime; (5) failure to appear after release; bail jumping; (6) escape; (7) public servants permitting escape; (8) inciting or leading riot in detention facilities; (9) introducing or possessing contraband useful for escape; (10)flight to avoid prosecution or giving testimony; (11) tampering with witnesses and informants in proceedings; (12) tampering with informants in criminal investigations; (13) tampering with physical evidence; (14) harassment of and communication with jurors; (15) demonstrating to influence judicial proceedings; (16) eavesdropping on jury deliberations; (17) nondisclosure of retainer in criminal matter; (18) criminal contempt; (19) failure to appear as witness, to produce information, or to be sworn; (20) refusal to testify; (21) hindering proceedings by disorderly conduct; (22) disobedience of judicial order; (23) soliciting obstruction of proceedings; (24) perjury; (25) false statements; (26) false statement obstructing the foreign relations of the United States; (27) false reports to security officials; (28) tampering with public records; (29) bribery; (30) unlawful rewarding of public servants; (31) unlawful compensation for assistance in Government matters; (32) trading in public office and political endorsement; (33) trading in special influence; (34) threatening public servants; (35) retaliation; (36) disclosure of confidential information provided to Government; (37) speculating or wagering on official action or information, and (38) impersonating officials. Chapter 14: Internal Revenue and Customs Offenses - Defines the crimes of tax evasion, smuggling, and other related crimes. Chapter 15: Civil Rights and Elections - Enumerates various civil rights offenses. Makes it a crime to obstruct, impair, or prevent the lawful conduct of an election or to obstruct voter registration for such election. Declares it to be a crime to intercept mail, wire, or an oral communication. Chapter 16: Offenses Involving Danger to the Person - Lists specified crimes against the person, including: (1) murder; (2) manslaughter; (3) negligent homicide; (4) simple assault; (5) aggravated assault; (6) reckless endangerment; (7) terrorizing; (8) threats against the President and successors to the Presidency; (9) menacing; (10) criminal coercion; (11) harassment; (12) kidnaping; (13) felonious restraint; (14) unlawful imprisonment; (15) usurping control of aircraft; (16) rape; (17) gross sexual imposition; (18) aggravated involuntary sodomy; (19) involuntary sodomy; (20) corruption of minors; (21) sexual abuse of wards; and (22) sexual assualt. Chapter 17: Offenses Against Property - Establishes crimes relating to the conduct of such activities as arson, burglary, robbery, forgery, counterfeiting, and other offenses against property. Chapter 18: Offenses Against Public Order, Health, Safety, and Sensibilities - Prescribes crimes against the public order in the areas of riots, firearms, drugs, obscenity, prostitution, gambling, and disorderly conduct. Chapter 30: General Sentencing Provisions - Classifies offenses as class A, B, and C felonies, class A and B misdemeanors, and infractions. Permits a presentence commitment to allow for a study to recommend a sentence which should be imposed on the defendant. Chapter 31: Probation and Unconditional Discharge - Sets forth the authorized terms of probation and conditional discharge for an offender. Enumerates various factors to be considered by the court in determining whether to grant a probation or conditional discharge. States that the discharge shall be such as the court in its discretion deems reasonable and appropriate to assist the offender to lead a law-abiding life. Chapter 32: Imprisonment - Sets forth the maximum limits of imprisonment for each classification of offense. Provides that when multiple sentences of imprisonment are imposed they shall run concurrently unless otherwise specified by the court. States that the sentence of imprisonment of any person convicted of a Federal offense shall commence to run from the date on which such person is received at the institution at which the sentence is to be served. Directs the Bureau of Corrections to give credit toward service of the maximum term and any minimum term of a sentence to imprisonment for all time spent in custody as a result of the offense or acts for which the sentence was imposed. Chapter 33: Fines - Establishes maximum limits on fines for specified classes of offenses. Provides that, in addition to considering the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant, the court, in determining the amount and method of payment of a fine, shall take into account the financial resources of the defendant, the nature of the burden that payment of the fine will impose, and whether imposition of the fine will prevent the defendant from making restitution or reparation to the victim. Chapter 34: Parole - Declares that every prisoner sentenced to an indefinite term of imprisonment shall be eligible for release on parole upon completion of the service of any minimum term or, if there is no minimum, at any time. Directs the Board of Parole to consider the desirability of parole for each prisoner at least sixty days prior to the expiration of any minimum term or, if there is no mimimum, at least sixty days prior to the expiration of the first year of the sentence. Provides that, whenever the Board of Parole considers the parole of a prisoner who is or soon will be eligible for parole, he shall be released on parole, unless the Board is of the opinion that his release should be deferred because: (1) there is undue risk that he will not conform to reasonable conditions of parole; (2) his release at that time would unduly depreciate the seriousness of his crime or undermine respect for law; (3) his release would have a substantially adverse effect on institutional discipline; or (4) his continued correctional treatment, medical care, or vocational or other training in the institution will substantially enhance his capacity to lead a law-abiding life if he is released at a later date. Provides that the conditions of parole shall be such as the Board of Parole in its discretion deems reasonably necessary to insure that the parolee will lead a law-abiding life or to assist him to do so. Chapter 35: Disqualification from Office and Other Collateral Consequences of Conviction - Declares that a person convicted of any specified crime may, as part of the sentence, be disqualified from any, or a specified, Federal position or category thereof for such period as the court may determine, but no longer than five years following completion of any other imposed sentence. Chapter 36: Life Imprisonment - Provides that the court may impose a sentence of life imprisonment or a sentence up to the maximum term for a class A felony in the following cases: (1) where the defendant has been convicted of treason; (2) where the defendant has been convicted of murder and the court is satisfied that the defendant intended to cause the death of another human being.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Provides hospital and medical care to members of the armed forces of Poland or Czechoslovakia who participated in armed conflict with an enemy of the United States during World War I or World War II, and who have been citizens of the United States for not less than 10 years. Provides that such hospital and medical care shall be available to the same extent as if such service had been performed in the Armed Forces of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Youth Camp Safety Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to protect and safeguard the health and well-being of youth attending day camps, resident camps, and travel camps by providing for the establishment of Federal standards for the safe operation of youth camps. Establishes in the Office of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare an Office of Youth Camp Safety to be headed by a Director of Youth Camp Safety. Confers upon the Director the primary responsibility for the promulgation and enforcement of Federal and State youth camp safety regulations. Requires any State which desires to assume responsibility for the development and modification of youth camp safety standards to submit a State plan to the Director for his approval. Allows a State whose plan has been rejected to obtain review of the decision in the United States Court of Appeals. Authorizes the Director to make grants to States which have in effect approved State plans, such grants not to exceed eighty percent of the cost of carrying out the State plan. Authorizes to be appropriated $7,500,000 for fiscal year 1975, and for each succeeding fiscal year, to make the grants provided for in this Act. Authorizes the Director to enter and inspect youth camps and their records. Directs the Director to establish within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare an Advisory Council on Youth Camp Safety and to submit to Congress at least once a year a comprehensive and detailed report on his administration under this Act. Prescribes penalties for each violation by youth camp operators of the standards promulgated pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the Director to request directly from any department or agency of the Federal Government information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics needed to carry out his functions under this Act; and such department or agency is authorized to furnish such information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly to the Director.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Health Security Act - Title I: Health Security Benefits - Provides that every resident of the U.S. (and every non-resident citizen when in the U.S.) will be eligible for covered services. Permits reciprocal and "buy-in" agreements for groups or non-resident aliens, and in some cases benefits to U.S. residents when visiting in other countries. Entitles every eligible person to have payments made by the Health Security Board for covered services provided within the United States by a participating provider. Provides that all necessary professional services of physicians, wherever furnished are covered, including preventive care, with two restrictions: (1) specialist services are covered only when performed by a qualified specialist except in emergency situations, and generally only on referral from a primary physician; and (2) psychiatric services to an ambulatory patient are covered only for active preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic or rehabilitative service with respect to mental illness. Provides that comprehensive dental services (exclusive of most orthodontic services) are covered for children under age 15, with the covered age group increasing by two years each year until all those under age 25 are covered. Provides that: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital services and services of a home health agency are covered without arbitrary limitation; and (2) pathology and radiology services are specifically included as parts of institutional services. Limits payment for skilled nursing home care to 120 days per spell of illness, except that this limit may be increased when the nursing home is owned or managed by a hospital and payment for care is made through the hospital budget. Limits the psychiatric hospital benefit to 45 consecutive days of active treatment during a spell of illness. Provides coverage for two categories of drug use: prescribed medicines administered to inpatients or outpatients within participating hospitals; or to enrollees of comprehensive health service organizations, and drugs necessary for the treatment of specified chronic illnesses or conditions requiring long or expensive therapy. Requires the Board and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish two lists of approved drugs, taking into account the safety, efficacy and cost of each drug. Provides a broad list of approved medicines available for use in institutions and by comprehensive health service organizations and a more restricted list which is available for use outside such organized settings. Provides that the appliances benefit is similar in concept and operation to the drug benefit, subject to a limitation on aggregate cost. Asserts that the professional services of optometrists and podiatrists are covered, subject to regulations, as are diagnostic or therapeutic services furnished by independent pathology laboratories and radiology services. States that health services furnished or paid for under a workmen's compensation law are not covered. Provides that the services of a professional practitioner are not covered if they are furnished in a hospital which is not a participating provider. Requires that participating providers meet standards established in this title or by the Board. Requires that such providers must agree to provide services without discrimination, to make no unauthorized charge to the patient for any covered service, and to furnish data necessary for utilization review by professional peers, statistical studies by the Board, and verification of information for payments. Makes professional practitioners licensed when the program begins eligible to practice in the State where they are licensed and requires that all newly licensed applicants for participation meet national standards established by the Board in addition to those required by his State. Establishes conditions of participation for general hospitals similar to those required by Medicare. States that the two requirements not found in the Medicare program are: (1) that the hospital must not discriminate in granting staff privileges on any grounds unrelated to professional qualifications, and (2) that it establish a pharmacy and drug therapeutics committee for supervision of hospital drug therapy. Provides that psychiatric hospitals will be eligible to participate only if the Board finds that the hospital (or a distinct part of the hospital) is engaged in furnishing active diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services to mentally ill patients. Establishes conditions of participation for skilled nursing homes similar to those established for extended care facilities under Medicare. Makes provisions for the participation of home health service agencies. Describes as eligible a health maintenance organization which undertakes to provide an enrolled population either with complete health care or, at least, with complete health security services (other than institutional services, mental health or dental services) for the maintenance of health and the care of ambulatory patients. Permits a foundation sponsored by a county or other local medical society to participate as a provider of services. Permits the participation of community health centers or the like which, though furnishing services as comprehensive as are required by this Act, do not serve an enrolled or otherwise predetermined population and may not meet other requirements of this Act. Authorizes the Board to deal separately with the primary care portion of a system of comprehensive health care where it is necessary to rely on arrangements with other providers. Permits the Board to contract directly with public or other nonprofit mental health centers and mental health day care services. Specifies the conditions under which independent pathology laboratories, independent radiological services, and providers of drugs, devices, appliances, equipment, or ambulance services may qualify as providers under Health Security. Requires that a participating skilled nursing home have in effect an agreement with at least one participating hospital for the transfer of patients and medical and other information as medically appropriate. Prohibits in malpractice judgments any damages to be awarded to the injured party for the cost of remedial services which he is entitled to receive under this Act. Excludes the institutions of the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration, and institutions of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare serving merchant seamen or Indians or Alaskan natives, from serving as participating providers, as well as any employee of these institutions when he is acting as an employee. Provides reimbursement for any services furnished by these institutions or agencies to eligible persons who are not a part of their normal clientele. Permits a physician, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist, licensed in one State and meeting the national standards, to furnish Health Security benefits in any other State, the scope of his permissible practice being governed by the law of the State in which he is practicing. Grants a similar authority to other health professional and nonprofessional personnel. Establishes the Health Security Trust Fund, to receive the net assets of existing (Medicare) funds taken over by the Health Security program, the yield of the Health Security taxes, and the Government's contribution from general revenues amounting to 100 percent of the yield from these taxes. Provides that three separate accounts shall be established in the Health Security Trust Fund: a Health Service Account, a Health Resources Development Account, and an Administration Account. Provides that in each of the first two years of program operation, 2 percent of the Trust Fund shall be set aside for the Health Resources Development Fund; and the allocation shall increase by 1 percent at two-year intervals to 5 percent within the next 6 years. Provides for allocation of the Health Services account among the regions of the country. Provides that the allocation to each region shall be based on the aggregate sum expended during the most recent 12-month period for covered services (with appropriate modification for estimated changes in the consumer price index, the expected number of eligible beneficiaries, and estimated changes in the number of participating providers). Provides that the Board shall divide the allocation to each region into funds available to pay: institutional services; physician services; dental services; furnishing of drugs; furnishing of devices, appliances, equipment; and miscellaneous services. Provides that payments for covered services provided to eligible persons by participating providers will be made from the Health Service Account in the Trust Fund. Describes the method to be used in applying, as between practitioners electing the various methods of payment (fee-for-service and capitation), the monies available in each health service area for payment to each category of professional providers. Authorizes the Board to experiment with other methods of reimbursement so long as the experimental method does not increase the cost of service or lead to overutilization or underutilization of services. Provides that skilled nursing homes and home health agencies will be paid in the same manner as a general hospital (on an approved annual budget basis). Provides that a health organization will be paid for covered services, on the basis of a fixed capitation rate multiplied by the number of eligible enrollees. Contains a series of provisions for developing a continuous process of health service planning and for assisting in the recruitment, education, and training of health personnel. Authorizes special improvement grants: (1) to any public or other nonprofit health agency or institution to establish improved coordination and linkages with other providers of services, and (2) to organizations providing comprehensive ambulatory care, to improve their utilization review, budget, statistical, or records and information retrieval systems, to acquire equipment needed for those purposes, or to acquire equipment useful for mass screening or for other diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of HEW and the Board with regard to this title. Creates an administrative structure within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare with exclusive responsibility for the administration of the Health Security program. Establishes a five-member, full-time Health Security Board serving under the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Provides that the members shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, for five-year overlapping terms. Creates the position of an Executive Director, appointed by the Board with the approval of the Secretary. Provides that the Executive Director will serve as secretary to the Board and shall perform such duties in the administration of the program as the Board may assign. Provides that the program will be administered through the regional offices of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requires the establishment of sub-regional (service area) offices. Establishes a National Health Security Advisory Council, with the Chairman of the Board serving as the Council's Chairman and 20 additional members not in the employ of the Federal Government. Authorizes the Advisory Council to appoint professional or technical committees to assist in its functions. Provides that the Advisory Council will advise the Board on matters of general policy in the administration of the program, the formulation of regulations and the allocation of funds for services. Charges the Board with responsibility for informing the public and providers about the administration and operation of the Health Security program. Requires the Board to make a continuing study and evaluation of the program, including adequacy, quality and costs of services. Authorizes the Board directly or by contract to make detailed statistical and other studies on a national, regional, or local basis of any aspect of the title; to develop and test incentive systems for improving quality of care, methods of peer review of drug utilization and of other service performances; to develop and test systems of information retrieval, budget programs, instrumentation for multiphasic screening or patient services, and reimbursement systems for drugs; and to make such other other studies which it considers would improve the quality of services of the administration of the program. Grants authority to the Board, in accordance with regulations, to make determinations of who are participating providers of services, determinations of eligibility, of whether services are covered, and the amount to be paid to providers. Allows a provider of services who is dissatisfied with a final Board determination to obtain a hearing before a Board panel, and judicial review of a final decision. Authorizes the Board, with the advice and assistance of the Commission on the Quality of Health Care, to issue and review regulations assuring the quality of care furnished under this Act. Requires continuing professional education by physicians, dentists, optometrists, and podiatrists. Provides for the appointment of a Deputy Secretary of HEW and an Under Secretary for Health and Science. States that no provision of this Act shall alter any contractual obligation of an employer to provide health services to his employees and their dependents. Title II: Health Security Taxes - Converts the existing Medicare hospital insurance payroll taxes into Health Security taxes, and raises the rates to 1 percent on employees and 3.5 percent on employers. Raises the wage base for the employee tax from the present $7,800 to $15,000; or, if higher, 125 percent of the contribution and benefit base. Broadens the definitions of covered employment to include foreign agricultural workers, employees of the U.S. and its instrumentalities (other than members of the armed forces and the President, Vice-President, and Members of Congress), employees of charitable and similar organizations, railroad employees, and (for the employee tax only) employees of States and their political subdivisions and instrumentalities. Excludes from the gross income of employees, for income tax purposes, payment by their employers of part or all of the Health Security taxes on the employees. Spells out the precise effective dates of the new payroll tax provisions. Converts the existing Medicare self-employment tax into a Health Security self-employment tax, raising the rate to 2.5 percent, and raises the maximum taxable self-employment income from $7,800 to $15,000. Adds a new 1 percent Health Security tax on unearned income (unless such income is less than $400 a year), subject to the same maximum on taxable income as is applicable to the employee and self-employment taxes. Title III: Commission on the Quality of Health Care - Establishes in the Department of HEW a Commission on the Quality of Health Care, with the primary responsibility of: (1) initiating and continuing development of methods of assessing the quality of health care furnished under the Health Security Act, and (2) submitting to the Secretary and the Health Security Board its findings and recommendations. Stipulates that in carrying out its duties the Commissioner shall emphasize, and give first consideration to, care furnished for those illnesses and conditions which have relatively high incidence in the population and which are relatively amenable to medical or other care. Title IV: Repeal or Amendment of Other Acts - Requires that after the effective date of benefits, no State shall be required to furnish any service covered under Health Security as a part of its State plan for participation under Medicaid. Title V: Studies Related to Health Security - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Treasury to study the coverage of health services for U.S. residents in other countries. Directs the Secretary of HEW to study the feasibility and desirability of coordinating the Federal health benefit programs for merchant seamen and Indians and Alaskan natives and also veterans and members of the Armed Forces, with the Health Security Benefit Program.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Securities Reform Act - Title I: Selection and Administration of the Commission - Provides that any commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission may be removed by the President for neglect of duty or misfeasance in office, but for no other cause. Sets forth procedures for the appointment of a Commission chairman. Authorizes the Commission to conduct its own civil litigation. Requires the Commission to submit any budget request to the Congress concurrently with transmittal to the Office of Management and Budget. Provides that when the Commission transmits any legislative recommendations, testimony, or comment on legislation to the Executive, it shall concurrently transmit a copy to the Congress. Title II: Regulation of Exchanges and Associations - Includes within the term "member," for purposes of the Act, any person who agrees to be regulated by an exchange and with respect to whom the exchange undertakes to enforce the federal securities laws and the exchange rules. Makes registered national securities exchanges and associations subject to identical regulatory provisions. States that any registered broker or dealer meeting applicable capital or competency requirements must be allowed to join any registered national securities exchange. Requires at least half of the governing body of every such exchange to be composed of "public representatives," and requires the exchange to provide adequate resources to permit the public representatives to employ staff or retain professional personnel independent of the exchange staff. Prohibits registered national securities exchanges from imposing any schedule of prices or fixing rates of commissions, allowances, discounts, or other charges subject to a statutory timetalbe for the elimination of the current fixed minimum commission rate system. Gives persons denied membership on an exchange the right to seek review of such denial by the SEC and the courts. Permits members disciplined by an exchange to appeal such action to the SEC and to the courts. Provides that any proposed change in exchange rules must be filed with the SEC, which must publish such proposed change and allow interested persons a reasonable opportunity for comment thereon. States that the proposed change shall take effect sixty days after publication by the SEC unless the SEC disapproves it. Allows registered national securities exchanges, with the concurrence of the SEC, to share the cost, functions and responsibility of the conduct of examinations and inspections of members, and to furnish copies of any reports of inspections or examinations to each other. Establishes new procedures to be followed by the Commission in compelling exchanges and registered associations to change their rules, and in regulating off-floor trading by exchange members. Gives the SEC the authority to suspend or expel exchange members who have violated exchange rules. Prohibits national securities exchanges and national securities associations from preventing their members from executions transactions for customers in other markets whenever those markets offer a better price to such customers. Requires the SEC to adopt rules to assure that customers are getting best price from their brokers. Prohibits national securities exchanges and national securities associations from preventing its members from participating in any registered clearing agency or securities depository. Gives the SEC authority to investigate and bring injunctive actions for violations of National Association of Securities Distributors rules and exchange rules, and to bring injunctive actions to compel a registered national securities exchange or association to enforce compliance with the rules of such exchange or association. Title III: Financial Responsibility; Regulation of Brokers Dealers; Reports and Examinations - Broadens existing prohibitions on improper hypothecation of securities by brokers, dealers and members to embrace improper lending of such securities. Requires all members of a registered national securities exchange to register with the SEC. Requires persons registering as broker-dealers to file certified financial statements with their application (rather than verified statements). Requirs that, within six months of the granting of an application for registration, the Commission, or an exchange or the NASD as designated by the Commission, examine the new broker-dealer to determine whether it is operating in conformity with the federal securities laws. Adds armed robbery and grand larceny to the list of statutory offenses which bar a person from becoming a broker-dealer. Requires the Commission, in cooperation with the exchanges and the NASD, to devise and administer a uniform examination which, with respect to partners, officers, and supervisory employees shall include questions relating to enumerated matters. Directs the SEC, by no later than July 1, 1975, to establish minimum capital requirements, providing for ample, liquid and permanent capital for brokers, dealers and members. Authorizes the Commission to classify brokers, dealers and members for purposes of establishing such requirements. Requires registered national securities exchanges to furnish copies of documents to the SEC upon request. Requires registered brokers, dealers and members to supply their customers with certified comparative balance sheets and income statements. Authorizes the Commission to adopt rules regulating the reporting of transactions and to prescribe uniformity in accounting procedures and systems of brokers and dealers and members. Title IV: Development of a National Clearance and Settlement System - Authorizes the Commission to make rules applicable to brokers or dealers regulating the time and method of making settlements, payments and deliveries and closing of accounts. Provides that, in the exercise of this rulemaking authority, the Commission shall not affect the authority of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to regulate securities credit. Requires clearing agencies, securities depositories and transfer agents to register with the SEC, and establishes appropriate procedures. Sets forth procedures under which the Commission must grant or deny application for registration of clearing agencies and securities depositories. Authorizes the Commission to establish terms and conditions under which a clearing agency, securities depository or transfer agent may withdraw from registration. Gives the SEC direct rulemaking power over clearing agencies, securities depositories and transfer agents. Empowers the SEC to review clearing agency or securities depository action in the areas of disciplinary action or denial of admission to a participant. Grants the Commission disciplinary powers with respect to clearing agencies, securities depositories and transfer agents. Directs the SEC to, on or before December 31, 1976, to take appropriate steps to eliminate the use of the stock certificate as a means of settlement of securities transactions between brokers and dealers. Authorizes the Commission to grant confidential treatment to material filed with it only under very limited conditions, including a finding that disclosure is not in the public interest. Empowers the Commission to prescribe rules with respect to the form or format of securities issued by companies, any class of whose securities is registered under the Act, or which would be required to be so registered except for the exemption from registration provided for securities of registered investment companies or insurance companies under certain conditions. Directs every issuer whose securities are registered on a national securities exchange to consolidate in a single person the functions of transfer agent and registrar. Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to conduct a study to consider the public policy implications of the growing practice of registering securities in "street name" and to determine whether steps can be taken to facilitate communications between corporations and their shareholders while, at the same time, retaining benefits of such registration. Prohibits the imposition of state or local taxes on securities, or on the transfer of securities, solely because the facilities of a registered clearing agency or securities depository are physically located in the taxing jurisdiction. Requires registered national securities exchanges, associations, brokers, dealers, clearing agencies and securities depositories to: (1) report information about missing, lost or stolen securities to the SEC or such person as the SEC designates; and (2) require the fingerprinting of partners, directors, officers, and employees and the submittal of such fingerprints to the Attorney General of the United States for identification and appropriate processing. Title V: Miscellaneous - Requires the SEC to include in its annual report to Congress certain designated information concerning the Commission's administration of the Freedom of Information Act. Raises the amount of the registration fee every national securities exchange must pay to the SEC from 1/500th of one percent to 1/100th of one percent of the dollar amount of sales of securities (other than certain Governmental obligations) transacted on that exchange. Requires the SEC to order the registration of an investment adviser effective (rather than, as presently, allowing such registration to take effect by the passage of time). Title VI: Development of a National Securities Market System - Directs the Commission to establish a national market system for transactions in securities. Directs the Commission to make a study of the need for the establishment of a national regulatory body to administer the national market system, and to report its results to the Congress by December 31, 1976. Authorizes to be appropriated $300,000 for such study.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act - Title I: Statement of Findings and policy - Declares that most of the nation's coal reserve can only be mined by underground methods. States the purposes of this Act, including to establish a nationwide program to prevent the adverse effects to society and the environment from surface coal mining. Title II: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement - Establishes in the Interior Department the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement with a director appointed by the President. States that such office shall administer the programs required by this Act and assist the States in development of State programs for surface coal mining and reclamation. Title III: State Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute - Authorizes appropriation to the Secretary of the Interior of sums adequate to provide for each participating State $200,000 for fiscal year 1975, $300,000 for fiscal year 1976, and $400,000 for each fiscal year thereafter for 5 years, to assist the States in carrying on the work or a competent and qualified mining and mineral resources research institute or center agency at the school of mines of one public college or university of the State. Requires such monies to be matched dollar for dollar by the States. Authorizes appropriation of $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, such sum to be increased by $2,000,000 each fiscal year for 6 years thereafter, for specific projects in mining and mineral research in research institutes. Directs the Secretary to establish a center for cataloging current and projectd scientific research in mining and mineral resources. Directs the Secretary to establish a center for cataloging current and projected scientific research in mining and mineral resources. Requires the Secretary to appoint an Advisory Committee on Mining and Mineral Research to advise him on all matters concerning mining and mineral resources research. Title IV: Abandoned Mine Reclamation - Creates the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund in the Treasury. Requires operators of coal mines to pay into the fund quarterly fees of $.35 per ton of coal produced by surface mining and $.25 per ton of coal produced by underground mining, or 10 percent of the value of the coal in the mine, whichever is less. Authorizes use of money in the Fund for acquisition and reclamation of abandoned and unreclaimed mined lands and for acquisitions and fillings of voids and sealing of tunnels and entryways in abandoned mines. Permits the Secretary to acquire land by condemnation for reclamation. Encourages States to acquire abandoned and unreclaimed land, and to transfer to the Secretary for reclamation, and authorizes matching grants for such purpose, up to 90 percent of land price. Allows resale of reclaimed land by public bidding, and allows local public participation in determining the use of reclaimed land. Title V: Control of the Environmental Impacts of Surface Coal Mining - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to implement within 135 days of enactment, a Federal program of enforcement of specified standards to remain in effect until State programs are approved. Directs publication within 180 days of enactment of regulations covering surface coal mining and reclamation, setting standards for State programs. States that such regulations must meet approval of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator. Requires States, within 18 months of enactment, to submit programs for carrying out this Act, such programs to include a State regulatory authority capable of regulating surface coal mining, State laws providing for sanctions for violations of regulations, and a permit system for surface coal mining regulation. Demands that such State programs meet the approval of the EPA Administrator. Subjects State programs to approval of Secretary of Interior within 6 months. Requires implementation of a Federal program of surface coal mining regulation where States fail in such implementation. Permits State laws and regulations that are more stringent than this Act. Requires, 30 months after enactment, that no surface coal mining shall take place except where a permit, good for 5 years, has been issued. States that permits application must demonstrate ability and intent to comply with this Act and assurance that reclamation can be achieved. Requires permit applications to describe the method of mining and equipment proposed to be used, to describe by maps the land to be affected, and to contain a statement of results of test borings or core samplings of the affected land. States that permits must be accompanied by a mining and reclamation plan which shall include a description of present uses of the land, steps to be taken to prevent environmental damage, and a description of the reclamation activities. Requires the posting of performance bonds and possession of liability insurance by applicants for permits. Sets general performance standards for environmental protection in surface coal mining which permittees under this Act must meet. Imposes additional standards for steep-slope surface mining. Directs the Secretary to promulgate rules and regulations directed at the surface effects of underground mining, including specified requirements. Directs and authorizes inspection of surface coal mining and reclamation to determine compliance with this Act and regulations. Provides for requirement of record keeping and submittal and monitoring by mine operators. Requires surprise inspections by regulatory agencies not less than once a month. Requires civil penalties for violation of this Act or regulations under it. Provides that when an operator completes the backfilling, regrading, and drainage control of a bonded area, he may request a release of 60 percent of the bond. Provides that the remaining amount may be returned upon completion of all reclamation. Allows persons with a legal interest to file objections to release of bond, and for public hearings to follow. Permits any person to bring a civil suit against any person, including the United States, alleged to be in violation of this Act. Allows the court to award costs of litigation to parties in suits brought under this Act. Permits the Secretary to intervene in actions under this Act. Allows, where State regulatory authorities do not exist or fail to act, for Federal enforcement of this Act and of permit conditions. Permits issuance of an order to cease mining and reclamation. Provides for the Attorney General to institute civil suit for a restraining order or injunction to enforce this Act or regulations under it. Directs States to designate as unsuitable for surface coal mining those areas where reclamation is impossible or where land is fragile or of historical value. Prohibits existing mining operations from being declared unsuitable. Requires implementation of a Federal lands program applicable to all surface mining and reclamation operations on Federal land. Requires such program to, at least, adopt all requirements of this Act. Demands separate regulations for programs for special bituminous coal surface mines that meet speicified criteria, and for anthracite coal surface mines which are regulated by environmental protection standards of the States. Title VI: Designation of Lands Unsuitable for Noncoal Mining - Allows the Secretary to designate Federal lands unsuitable for mining materials other than coal, if they are predominantly urban or suburban in character or if such mining operations would have an adverse impact on lands used primarily for residential and related purposes. Title VII: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Prohibits discrimination against employees for filing suit under this Act and for testifying in a proceeding under this Act. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress. Directs the President to minimize the adverse impact upon employment of any actions taken pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make grants to the States to provide cash benefits to individuals who have lost their jobs as a direct result of this Act and who are not eligible for unemployment assistance or who have exhausted their unemployment benefits. Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering for a study of surface coal mining conditions in Alaska in order to determine which, if any, of the provisions of this Act should be modified with respect to such operations in Alaska. Directs the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering and other groups for a study of the technology for surface and open-pit mining and reclamation for minerals other than coal designed to assist in the development of regulation for such operations. Directs the Secretary to consult with Indian tribes in studying the regulation of surface mining on Indian lands. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act, as follows: (1) $10,000,000 for various contract authority immediately and for the next two fiscal years; (2) for administrative and other purposes, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, $20,000,000 for fiscal years 1976 and 1977, and $30,000,000 for fiscal years thereafter; (3) for research and demonstration projects, $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 and for each fiscal year thereafter, $250,000 for the Alaskan surface coal mine study; and (4) $500,000 for the study of surface mining of other minerals. Requires the written consent of the owner of the surface rights before the Secretary shall lease Federally-owned mineral rights, and requires compensation to be paid by the lessee to the surface owner.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Constitutional Amendment - States that no grand jury may present or indict or otherwise hold any person to answer for any crime against the United States. Provides that a presentment or indictment of a grand jury shall shall be required in order to hold any person to answer for any crime against the United States but no person may be so held except pursuant to an information signed by the attorney for the Government and stating the essential facts of the crime charged.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to immediately rescind the food stamp regulations proposed on December 6, 1974, and take all necessary steps to insure that the Nation's elderly and poor will continue to benefit from the food stamp program to the extent which they presently do.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
States that the House of Representatives disapproves the deferral of budget authority relating to comprehensive planning grants under the Housing Act of 1954 (deferral numbered D 75-107) which is proposed by the President in his special message of November 26, 1974 transmitted pursuant to the Impoundment Control Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Expresses the sense of the House that the United States Government should seek agreement with other members of the United Nations on the prohibition of weather modification activity as a weapon of war.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1974
Economic Stabilization Act Amendments - Establishes an Economic Stablilzation Board, to be composed of three members, representing labor, business and the consuming public to be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Freezes all prices, wages, rents, and interest rates at levels no higher than those prevailing on December 1, 1974. Allows the Board to make ajustments in such levels in order to correct gross inequities. Directs the Board, within 60 days of enactment of this Act, to roll back prices, rents and interest rates to levels lower than those necessary to eliminate windfall profits or to carry out the purposes of this Act. Allows the Board, on petition of interested parties, to eliminate inequities which may have developed in the wage-price relationship by allowing upward adjustments in wages. Specifies that such increases not exceed the difference between the rate of price increases as measured by the Consumer Price Index between August 15, 1971 and the date of enactment, and the average wage increases in the firm or industry during the same period. Exempts from the wage freeze all workers whose earnings are substandard or who are members of the working poor. Specifies that this Act shall not preclude any increase in wages required by the Fair Labor Standards Act or other preexisting wage determinations. Establishes in the legislative branch the Office of Consumer Counsel, to be headed by the Counsel, appointed for one year by the Temporary Emergency Court of Appeals. Authorizes the Consumer Counsel: (1) to investigate any complaints concerning actions of the Board; (2) to issue subpenas for the testimony of witnesses and the production of records; (3) to intervene as a party in rulemaking and other decisions by the Board which the Counsel believes may be contrary to law or to the public interest; and (4) to apply to the appropriate court for relief if the Board makes a decision notwithstanding the objections of the Consumer Counsel. Directs the Office of the Consumer Counsel to advise consumers of information necessary to make intelligent decisions on the purchase of goods and services. Requires the Board to transmit quarterly reports to the Committee on Banking and Currency of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs of the Senate, describing the actions taken and assessing the progress attained in achieving the purpose of this Act. Makes technical and conforming amendments.
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 · 13 December 1974
Provides for a credit under the Internal Revenue Code for 20 percent of the amounts deposited by the taxpayer in an educational savings plan for himself or a dependent. Sets limitations on the amount of such credit, dependent upon the nature of the account. Defines "educational savings plan" and other terms used in this Act. Provides for the recapture of any such credit allocable to nonqualified noneducational uses or for failure to use the account. (Adds 26 U.S.C. 42)
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 1974
Establishes a select committee in the House of Representatives to be composed of nine members of the House. Authorizes the committee to conduct a full and complete investigation and study of food prices in the United States. Sets forth the powers and duties of the committee. Directs the committee to report to the House as soon as practicable during the present Congress the results of its investigation and study, together with such recommendations as it deems advisable.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1974
National Usury and Credit Control Act Amendment - Expresses the finding of Congress that it is necessary to stabilize interest charges and regulate the extension of credit, as authorized by the Credit Control Act of 1969. Prohibits the charging of interest for credit in excess of such rate as the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System may determine, not to exceed eight percent per annum. Permits the Board to exempt unsecured credit transactions from such prohibition and to authorize interest charges in connection therewith, not to exceed 12 percent per annum. Preempts the operation of State laws to the extent that such laws are inconsistent with the Board's regulations and the provisions of this Act. Declares any interest charge in excess of the rates allowed to be illegal and void, and prohibits the maintenance of any action upon such agreement for the collection of principal or interest. Provides criminal penalties of $500 to $5000 in fines and/or up to one year imprisonment for the willful violation of the Credit Control Act. Requires the Board to report annually to each House of Congress on the administration of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1974
Coal Research Laboratory and Energy Research Fellowship Act - Title I: University Coal Research Laboratories - Authorizes the Director of the National Science Foundation, after consultation with the National Academy of Engineering, to designate five institutions of higher education at which university coal research laboratories will be established and operated. States that, in making designations under this Act, the Director shall consider the following criteria: (1) the institution of higher education shall be located in a State with abundant coal reserves; (2) the institution of higher education shall have experience in coal research, expertise in several areas of coal research, and currently active, outstanding programs in coal research; and (3) the institution of higher education has the capacity to establish and operate the coal laboratories to be assisted under this title. Provides that not more than one coal laboratory established pursuant to this title shall be located in a single State. Specifies information to be included in applications by institutions of higher education desiring to be designated under this title. Authorizes the Director to make grants to any designated institution of higher education to pay the Federal share of the cost of establishing and maintaining a coal laboratory. States that no institution of higher education may receive more than $4,000,000 for the construction of its coal research laboratory, including initially installed fixed equipment, nor may it receive more than $1,500,000 for initially installed movable equipment, nor may it receive more than $500,000 for new program startup expenses. Provides that no institution of higher education may receive more than $1,500,000 per year from the Federal Government for operating expenses. Establishes an Advisory Council on Coal Research. Stipulates that the Advisory Council shall advise the Director with respect to the general administration of this title, and furnish such additional advice as he may request. Authorizes appropriations of not to exceed $30,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975 (including the cost of construction, equipment, and startup expenses) and $7,500,000 beginning with the fiscal year 1976 and for each fiscal year thereafter through the fiscal year ending June 30, 1980, to carry out the provisions of this title. Title II: Energy Resource Graduate Fellowships - Authorizes the Director to award under the provisions of this title not to exceed one thousand five hundred fellowships for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and each of the five succeeding fiscal years. States that fellowships shall be awarded under the provisions of this title for graduate study and research in those areas of applied science and engineering that are related to the production, conservation, and utilization of fuels and energy. Provides that fellowships shall be awarded to students in programs leading to master's degrees. States that such fellowships may be awarded for graduate study and research at any institution of higher education, library, archive, or any other research center approved by the Director after consultation with the Commissoner of Education. Provides that recipients of fellowships under this title shall be: (1) persons who have been accepted by an institution of higher education for graduate study leading to an advanced degree or for a professional degree; and (2) persons who plan a career in the field of energy resources, production, or utilization. States that each person awarded a fellowship under this title shall receive a stipend of $4,000 for each academic year of study, and an additional amount of $500 for each such calendar year of study shall be paid to such person on account of each of his dependents. Authorizes appropriations of $11,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for each of the five succeeding fiscal years.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1974
Judicial Tenure Act - Establishes in the judicial branch of Government a Council on Judicial Tenure to further the honest, impartial, and efficient administration of justice in the courts of the United States in accordance with the duties imposed upon it by law. States that it shall be the duty of the Council to receive and investigate each written complaint by any person concerning a Justice or judge of the United States and to determine whether the grounds specified in this Act for removal of a Justice or judge from office or censure or for involuntary retirement of a Justice or judge exist. Stipulates that, if after a preliminary inquiry by the Chairman, any such complaint is found to be frivolous, unwarranted, or insufficient in law or fact, the Council may dismiss such complaint. Requires that whenever the Council orders an investigation or hearing with respect to the fitness of any Justice or judge to continue in office, it shall provide not less than thirty days notice to such Justice or judge of the date on which any hearing is to be conducted. Sets forth the duties of the Judicial Conference with reference to proceedings relating to removal, censure, and involuntary retirement of a Justice or judge of the United States. States that during the pendency of any proceeding under this Act, the conference or committee may order any judge of the United States who is the subject of such inquiry to cease the exercise of any judicial powers or prerogatives pending disposition of the inquiry. States that the Conference or committee shall have the power in all cases brought before it, by majority vote: (1) to order the censure of any Justice or judge whose conduct is found to be inconsistent with the good behavior required by the Constitution; (2) to order the removal of any such Justice or judge from office; (3) to order the involuntary retirement of any Justice or judge in accordance with this Act; and (4) to dismiss or remand (to the Council) any such case. Provides that a Justice or judge of the United States may be removed from office or censured in accordance with the procedures established under this Act upon a finding by the Judicial Conference of the United States that the conduct of such Justice or judge is or has been inconsistent with the good behavior required by article III section I of the Constitution. Provides for review of the order of the Judicial Conference that a Justice be censured, involuntarily retired, or removed from office by petition to the Supreme Court. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1974
Public Records Act - Defines the terms used in this Act, including "public record". States that every public record is the property of the United States. Provides that, except as otherwise provided by law, the President or Vice President may destroy or cause to be destroyed any public record in his custody within thirty days after he prepares or receives it, if such record was received, held, prepared, or originated by or for him. States that after an individual ceases to hold the office of President or Vice President, the Administrator of General Services shall take custody of the existing public records received, held, prepared, or originated during the period when such individual held office, except that the successor to the office held by the individual shall retain temporary custody of such records as the successor certifies to be necessary in the performance of his duties. Provides for the preservation of public records by the Administrator in the National Archives. States that the President or Vice President or the executor or administrator of his estate may impose restrictions on public access to any public record obtained from him by the Administrator under this Act for a period of not more than five years from the date on which the President or Vice President, as the case may be, ceases to hold such office. States that any such restriction shall not be effective to deny access to any public record pursuant to any legally authorized demand or order of any court or any duly constituted body of Congress. States that, notwithstanding any other provision of law or any agreement entered into by the United States, the Administrator of General Services shall obtain or retain, as the case may be, custody of all existing public records received, held, prepared, or originated during the period beginning January 20, 1969, and ending on August 9, 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the President does not have authority to exempt any crude oil from price controls under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 (except as provided in section 4(e) (2) and 4(g) (1) (B) of such Act); and (2) the regulation under section 4 of that Act should not be amended in a manner which results in an increase in the price of crude oil produced in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1974
Declares that the present controlled price of $5.25 per barrel of oil is sufficient to encourage secondary recovery methods; and the proposed decontrol of the price of oil produced domestically by secondary recovery methods is opposed by the Congress. Expresses the sense of the Congress that such proposal should be withdrawn forthwith.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1974
Public Documents Act - Provides that all books, correspondence, documents, papers, pamphlets, models, pictures, photographs, plats, maps, films, motion pictures, sound recordings, and other objects or materials which are prepared for or originated by any elected official of the United States in connection with the transaction of public business during any period when such official holds elective office, and which would not have been prepared if such official had not held such office shall be retained by such official for transmission and preservation pursuant to the provisions of this Act. Directs the elected official to transmit any objects or materials which the Administrator of General Services determines to be public documents to the Administrator within one hundred and eighty days after such official ceases to hold his office. Requires the Administrator to deposit the documents in the National Archives, or donate all or any portion of such documents to any educational institution designated by the elected official. States that a decision by the Administrator of General Services that any object or material is a public document of an elected official of the United States within the meaning of this Act shall be a final agency decision. Provides that, not withstanding any other provision of law or any agreement or understanding, the Administrator of General Services shall obtain or retain, as the case may be, complete possession and control of all public documents prepared for or originated by the President of the United States during the period beginning January 20, 1969, and ending August 9, 1974. Directs the Administrator to prescribe regulations governing public access to the documents of former elected officials. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1974
Requests the President to express the concern of the United States Government for the safety and freedom of Valentyn Moroz, historian, writer, and spokesman for the cultural integrity of the Ukranian people.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1974
Allows an income tax exclusion under the Internal Revenue Code for interest on deposits in banks, savings institutions, and credit unions. Limits such tax exclusion to $500 ($1000 if a joint return is filed).
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1974
Redefines the terms "President" and "Vice President" for the purposes of retirement and transition benefits to exclude from such benefits those who have been impeached or convicted or pardoned of a crime against the United States, committed, otherwise than purely in the conduct of such person's personal affairs, while such person was serving as an elected or appointed official of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1974
Emergency Jobs Act - Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to permit the Secretary of Labor to make financial assistance available for the purpose of providing transitional employment for unemployed persons in jobs providing needed public services, and training and manpower services. Makes $1,000,000,000 available for the purposes of this Act for obligation in any twelve-month period in which the national rate of unemployment exceeds 4 1/2 percent for three consecutive months, and an additional $1,000,000,000 for every increment of one-half percent over 4 1/2 percent not to exceed a 6 percent unemployment rate.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1974
Older Americans Home Repair Assistance Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to promote work opportunities for unemployed or underemployed persons who are at least fifty-five years of age and who have poor employment prospects and to assist eligible homeowners to repair their homes. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to enter into contracts with public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations for the conduct of home repair projects by eligible individuals. Specifies the criteria to be met before the Secretary enters into any contract under this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish criteria designed to achieve an equitable distribution of assistance among the States and between urban and rural areas under this Act. Limits Federal financial assistance to any program carried out under this Act to not exceeding ninety percent of the cost of such program. Provides that the Secretary shall consult and cooperate with the Administration on Aging and any other related Federal agency administering related programs, with a view to achieving optimal coordination with such other programs and shall promote the coordination of projects under this Act with other public and private programs or projects of a similar nature. States that such Federal agencies shall cooperate with the Secretary in disseminating information about the availability of assistance under this Act and in promoting the identification and interests of individuals eligible for employment in projects funded under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1974
Reconstruction Finance Corporation Act - Establishes a body corporate with the name "Reconstruction Finance Corporation" with a principal office to be located in the District of Columbia. Provides that the Corporation shall have a capital stock of $2,000,000,000 to appropriated from the Treasury of the United States. Specifies the membership of the Board of Directors of such Corporation and grants the Corporation the powers necessary to function as such. Authorizes the Corporation, in order to aid in financing agriculture, commerce, and industry, to make loans to any business concern: (1) to enable such business concern to finance plant construction, conversion, or expansion, or the acquisition of equipment, facilities, machinery, supplies, or materials; (2) to supply such business concern with working capital; or (3) to aid such business concern in the payment of current debts or obligations, if such aid is considered by the Board of Directors to be in the public interest. Provides that no loan may be made to any business concern under this Act unless such business concern is unable to obtain a loan on reasonable terms from any other source. Provides that each loan made under this Act may be made for a period not exceeding 10 years, and the Corporation may extend the time of payment of any such loan up to 12 years from the date upon which such loan was made originally. States that each such loan shall bear interest at a rate equal to the current average yield (as certified by the Secretary of the Treasury to the Corporation) on all outstanding obligations of the United States as of the last day of the month immediately preceding the month in which the loan is made. Requires all loans made under this Act to be fully and adequately secured, and specifies the requirements of any collateral to be accepted by the Corporation as security for such loans. Authorizes the Corporation to guarantee the payment of principal and interest on a loan made to such business concern by a non-Federal lender under the same circumstances in which the business would be eligible for a loan from the Corporation if it was not available on reasonable terms from any other source. Provides that the aggregate of the principal amounts of the loans outstanding at any time with respect to which guarantees have been made under this section shall not exceed $2,000,000,000. Authorizes the Corporation to have outstanding at any one time, obligations in an aggregate amount not exceeding three times its subscribed capital. Provides that such obligations shall be free from taxation. Provides criminal sanctions for: (1) false statements in the attempt to secure loans under this Act; (2) false statements or fraudulent acts in connection with any obligation incurred by the Corporation under this Act; or (3) willful misapplication of funds by any individual entrusted with such funds under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1974
Excludes former Presidents, whose service is terminated by resignation while impeachment proceedings are pending against them in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, from specified allowances and compensation provided by Federal law. (Amends 3U.S.C. 102nt.)
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1974
Requires, under title XVI of the Social Security Act, that the value of maintenance and support furnished an indivudual or his eligible spouse by a nonprofit retirement home be excluded from income for the purpose of determining eligibility for supplemental security income benefits under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1974
Freedom from Military Surveillance Act - Restricts, under the first amendment and fourth amendment to the Constitution and the constitutional right of privacy, the actions of any civil officer of the United States or any member of the Armed Forces of the United States in using the Armed Forces of the United States to exercise surveillance of civilians or to execute the civil laws. Sets forth penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1974
Opportunities for Adoption Act - Provides for adoption assistance programs under the provisions of the Public Health Service Act. Makes it the purpose of this Act, in order to promote the public health and welfare, to facilitate the elimination of obstacles to adoption, and to locate children in need of adoption and facilitate the placement in permanent adoptive homes of such children, particularly children with special needs, by: (1) promoting the establishment of uniform adoption regulations in the States and territories of the United States in order to eliminate jurisdictional and legal obstacles to adoption; (2) providing Federal financial assistance to States for the purpose of assisting certain public and private nonprofit agencies and adoptive and prospective adoptive parents in meeting certain costs of adoption in order to remove or alleviate the financial obstacles which present serious barriers to adoption by qualified persons; and (3) providing for the establishment of a National Office of Adoption Information and Services in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to (A) ensure quality standards for adoption services (including pre-placement and post-placement and post-adoption counseling and standards to protect the rights of children in need of adoption) and (B) provide for a national adoption information exchange system. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to appoint a Committee on Uniform Adoption Regulations to be composed of representatives of National, State, and local child welfare organizations and representatives of other groups interested in facilitating the objectives of adoption agencies, and the Chief of the Children's Bureau in the Office of Child Development, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, or his designee. Directs such Committee to: (1) review current conditions, practices, and laws relating to adoption, with special reference to their effect on facilitating or impeding the finding of suitable adoptive homes for children and the completion of suitable adoptions; (2) propose to the Secretary uniform adoption regulations which would facilitate adoption; and (3) report its proposals to the Congress and the President not later than eighteen months after the date of enactment of this Act. Provides that following receipt of the Committee's proposals, but not later than twenty-four months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish the proposed uniform adoption regulations in the Federal Register for comment and, after soliciting and giving due consideration to the comments of interested individuals, groups, and organizations and consulting further with the Committee, he shall issue and publish final uniform adoption regulations which shall apply in the administration of the grant program. Directs the Secretary, in accordance with regulations which he shall prescribe, to make matching grants to States for allocation, by State agencies principally responsible for services to families and children, to public and private nonprofit adoption agencies which meet standards of quality prescribed pursuant to this Act for the purpose of assisting: (1) such agencies in meeting the cost involved in the adoptive placement of children with special needs (including locating suitable homes and providing pre-placement and post-placement and post-adoptive counseling to children in need of adoption and to prospective and actual adoptive parents); (2) such agencies in meeting the cost of providing prenatal and postpartum services to mothers, voluntarily planning to place their children for adoption, who are unable to assume such costs, in order to protect the health and welfare of both the mother and child; but only to the extent that assistance under other Federal or State programs in the community in question is not readily available to provide adequately for such services; (3) such agencies in meeting the cost of providing for professional counseling and other social services to children in need of adoption, and to prospective and actual adoptive parents and foster parents to assist them in providing a supportive and healthful family environment; (4) adoptive parents in locating and, where appropriate, defraying the cost of post-placement and post-adoption special services to children requiring such services as a result of conditions which existed prior to their placement, up to an amount not exceeding the amount which similar services would cost the State in question were it to provide or secure such services as the guardian of such children; and (5) prospective adoptive parents, who would consider adoption but for their financial inability to meet a child's needs, in defraying the post-placement and post-adoption cost of supporting children with special needs, in amounts of assistance determined by the Secretary to be adequate to enable such adoptive parents to assume responsibility for raising such children. Provides for the establishment of a system in the States under which, with respect to a child who has been in foster care in a State for at least six months after such child is considered legally available for adoptive placement, the foster parents providing care to such child will be notified of the possibility of the financial assistance for adoptive placement authorized by this Act. Directs the Secretary to take such steps as he deems necessary to encourage and facilitate the consideration of comprehensive adoption assistance legislation by those States which have not enacted such legislation. Establishes within the Children's Bureau of the Office of Child Development of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare a National Office of Adoption Information and Services which shall be headed by a Director appointed by the Secretary upon the joint recommendation of the Director of the Office of Child Development and the Chief of the Children's Bureau. Provides that the Office shall be the principal agency for carrying out the provisions of this Act. Directs the Director, in accordance with regulations which he shall prescribe, to; (1) conduct a continuous educational program on adoption and to prepare, publish, and disseminate to all interested parties, private and public agencies and organizations, and governmental bodies educational materials regarding adoption and adoption assistance programs; (2) measure and evaluate the impact of the programs authorized by this Act and, not later than ninety days after June 30 of each year, prepare and submit to the Secretary for transmittal to the President and the Congress a report on such evaluation, which shall include, but not be limited to (A) the number of children placed in adoptive homes under adoption assistance agreements during the year preceding the annual report and the major characteristics of such children; and (B) the number of children currently in foster care for six months or more, and the legal status of such children; (3) insure that adoption agencies receiving assistance authorized under this Act subscribe to standards of quality, which he shall prescribe, for adoption services (including pre-placement and post-placement and post-adoption counseling and standards to protect the rights of children in need of adoption) and comply with the requirements of title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; and (4) notwithstanding any other provision of law, provide for the operation of a national adoption information system, utilizing computers and modern data processing methods, to assist in the location of children in need of adoption and in the placement in adoptive homes of children awaiting adoption, and for the promotion of cooperative efforts with any similar programs operated by or within any State or foreign country. Authorizes the appropriation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974, and the succeeding three fiscal years, of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1974
Requests the President of the United States to furnish the House, within 10 days, with information concerning his specific knowledge of any formal criminal charges pending against Richard M. Nixon prior to issuance of the pardon. Lists other congressional questions relating to the Presidential pardon of former President Richard M. Nixon.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1974
Requests the President of the United States to furnish to the House of Representatives information concerning what are the specific offenses against the United States for which a pardon was granted to Richard M. Nixon on September 8, 1974 and what are the certain acts or omissions occurring before his resignation from the office of President for which Richard Nixon has become liable to possible indictment and trial for offenses against the United States, as stated in the Proclamation of Pardon. Lists other congressional questions concerning the President's general pardon of former President Richard M. Nixon.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1974
States that the House of Representatives disapproves the alternative plan for pay adjustments for Federal employees under statutory pay systems recommended and submitted by the President to Congress on August 31, 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1974
Authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to acquire the Willard Hotel in the District of Columbia for the purpose of providing living quarters for congressional interns and pages of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Provides for use of space in such building for office purposes by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1974
Permits the transportation, mailing, and broadcasting of advertising, information and materials concerning lotteries authorized by law and conducted by a State, the District of Columbia, or any territory or possession of the United States. (Adds 18 U.S.C. 1307; Amends 18 U.S.C. 1953, 39 U.S.C. 3005)
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 1974
Requires the monthly publication of a Consumer Price Index for the Elderly and provides for studies and legislative recommendations to be made with regard to utilizing such index in determining cost-of-living adjustments authorized in Federal programs for individuals who are at least sixty-two years of age.
![Official portrait of Rep. Eilberg, Joshua [D-PA-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/e000096_200.jpg)