United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1975
Regulatory Agency Appointment Reform Act - Sets forth the purposes of the Act which include, the establishment of a bipartisan nominating board to submit to the President lists of individuals qualified to be appointed as commissioners of specified regulatory agencies, to provide a selection process which will insure a reduction of political influence in such selections, to provide methods to insure that official actions taken by commissioners shall not be influenced by considerations of reappointment, and to prohibit commissioners of a regulatory agency from accepting employment in an organization regulated by such agency during the 24-month period immediately after the termination of the commissioner's service on such agency. Defines terms used in this Act. Establishes as an independent agency of the Federal Government, the Federal Regulatory Agency Nominating Board to carry out the provisions of this Act. Requires each member of the Board to file an annual financial disclosure report with the Comptroller General. Provides that commissioners of regulatory agencies may only be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from among the individuals nominated pursuant to this Act. Prohibits an individual who has been appointed as a commissioner of a regulatory agency from being appointed at any time thereafter as commissioner of such regulatory agency and, within one year after the termination of his service as a commissioner of such regulatory agency, from being appointed as commissioner of any other regulatory agency. Provides that an individual who has served as a commissioner of a regulatory agency may not represent any person before such agency in a professional capacity, or accept any employment with or compensation from any industry or for-profit organization directly affected by the activities of such agency. Directs that such prohibitions shall be enforced for the 24-month period beginning on the date on which services as a commissioner were terminated.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 1975
Constitutional Amendment - States that with respect to the right to life, the word 'person' as used in this article and in the fifth and fourteenth amendments to the Constitution of the United States, applies to all human beings, irrespective dependency including their unborn offspring at every stage of their biological development. Provides that no person shall be deprived of life by any person. Provides that this article shall not prohibit a law permitting only those medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother.
United States · United States Congress · 2 December 1975
Juvenile Delinquency in the Schools Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to curb juvenile delinquency, violence, and vandalism in the public schools. Authorizes appropriations under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of sums necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Reserves 5 percent of the amounts appropriated for discretionary use by the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention for grants to States and the District of Columbia to carry out programs complementary to the purposes of this Act. Reserves up to 3 percent of the amounts appropriated for grants to territories and Indian schools. Requires the remainder of funds to be allocated to local educational agencies within the States according to the following criteria: (1) the financial need of local educational agencies; (2) the extent and impact of delinquency and crime in the schools of the district to be served; and (3) the degree to which the district to receive funds under the Act has established effective procedures for the protection of the constitutional rights of students and employees of the school district affected. Requires recipients to expend not less than fifty percent of funds granted under this Act for educational programs, including renovation of facilities, but not including programs utilizing security technology and personnel. Directs that the remainder of funds appropriated under this Act be expended on specified activities designed to achieve the purposes of this Act, including utilization of security technology and personnel. Stipulates that no funds may be used to support the introduction, presence, or use of firearms, other weapons, or chemical agents in any school. Defines terms used in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 1975
Authorizes a fine of not more than $25,000, (presently $1,000); or imprisonment for one year, or both, for anyone who promises any employment made possible by any Act of Congress to anyone as consideration for political activity. Authorizes a fine of not more than $25,000, (presently $1,000), or imprisonment for one year, or both, for anyone who directly or indirectly deprives any person of employment or other benefit made possible in whole or part by an act of Congress on account of race, creed, color or any political activity. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 600,601)
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to delegate to the States specified functions with respect to the location and plans for structures, excavations, dredging, or fills in or on navigable and other waters of the United States covered under the provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Requires that a condition of any such delegation shall be the enactment by the State of legislation, and a State permit program, which is at least as effective as the Federal standards under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1975
Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to foster and promote, through appropriate means and on an economically sustainable basis, the development and expansion and both traditional and innovative approaches to direct marketing of agricultural commodities from farmers to consumers. States that for purposes of this Act, the term "direct marketing from farmers to consumers" means the marketing of agricultural commodities at any marketplace (including, but not limited to, roadside stands, city markets, and vehicles used for house-to-house marketing of agricultural commodities) established and maintained for the purpose of enabling farmers to sell their agricultural commodities directly to individual consumers, or organizations representing consumers. Directs the Extension Service of the Department of Agriculture to conduct and facilitate activities designed to foster methods of direct marketing from farmers to consumers. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1975
Condemns the resolution adopted by the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly which equates Zionism with racism, and urges the U.N. General Assembly to disapprove such resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1975
Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to foster and promote, through appropriate means and on an economically sustainable basis, the development and expansion of both traditional and innovative approaches to direct marketing of agricultural commodities from farmers to consumers. States that for purposes of this Act, the term "direct marketing from farmers to consumers" means the marketing of agricultural commodities at any marketplace (including, but not limited to, roadside stands, city markets, and vehicles used for house-to-house marketing of agricultural commodities) established and maintained for the purpose of enabling farmers to sell their agricultural commodities directly to individual consumers, or organizations representing consumers. Directs the Extension Service of the Department of Agriculture to conduct and facilitate activities designed to foster traditional methods of direct marketing from farmers to consumers, including: (1) compiling regulations relevant to direct marketing within such State; (2) the sponsorship of conferences designed to facilitate the sharing of information on direct marketing programs; and (3) the providing of technical assistance to groups establishing direct marketing programs. Authorizes appropriations of specified sums to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1975
Agricultural Energy Research Act - Establishes within the Cooperative State Research Service of the Department of Agriculture the Office of Agriculture Energy Research. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to appoint a Director of Agricultural Energy Research. Designates the function of the Office to carry out a research program designed to increase agricultural and rural energy efficiency by implementing alternative energy source pilot projects and by refining alternative energy developments to specific agricultural and rural uses. Authorizes to be appropriated $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, and $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Requires the Director to allocate appropriated funds on a fair and equitable basis among State agricultural experiment stations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1975
Juvenile Delinquency in the Schools Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to curb juvenile delinquency, violence, and vandalism in the public schools. Authorizes appropriations under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of sums necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Reserves 5 percent of the amounts appropriated for discretionary use by the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention for grants to States and the District of Columbia to carry out programs complementary to the purposes of this Act. Reserves up to 3 percent of the amounts appropriated for grants to territories and Indian schools. Requires the remainder of funds to be allocated to local educational agencies within the States according to the following criteria: (1) the financial need of local educational agencies; (2) the extent and impact of delinquency and crime in the schools of the district to be served; and (3) the degree to which the district to receive funds under the Act has established effective procedures for the protection of the constitutional rights of students and employees of the school district affected. Requires recipients to expend not less than fifty percent of funds granted under this Act for educational programs, including renovation of facilities, but not including programs utilizing security technology and personnel. Directs that the remainder of funds appropriated under this Act be expended on specified activities designed to achieve the purposes of this Act, including utilization of security technology and personnel. Stipulates that no funds may be used to support the introduction, presence, or use of firearms, other weapons, or chemical agents in any school. Defines terms used in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1975
Electric Utilities Rate Reform Act - Sets forth Congressional findings and purposes, and defines the terms used in the Act. Directs State and local electric utility regulatory authorities to implement and maintain rate schedules which distribute costs to customer classes in accordance with the costs these classes impose on utilities by their consumption patterns. Provides that no regulatory authority, for ratemaking purposes, may allow recoupment of promotional and advertising expenses, unless such expenses finance efforts encouraging the conservation of electricity or the shifting of the consumption of electricity from peak load periods to off-peakload periods. Provides that no regulatory authority may allow or otherwise make lawful, as part of any rate schedule, a fuel adjustment clause permitting monthly changes in the utility's lawful rate equal to the changes in the cost to the utility of generating fuels, including all applicable taxes, tariffs, or similar charges without: (1) requiring prior notice of the changed cost of fuel and the adjusted rate before any rate change can be implemented; (2) public proceedings to establish that the utility continually manages fuel purchases, uses, and generating facilities prudently and efficiently; (3) such rate adjustments distributing fuel costs and charges consistently with the standards established in this Act; and (4) reserving the power to subsequently determine that the adjusted rates or parts thereof are unlawful and subject to refund. Authorizes the Federal Power Commission to make grants to non-Federal regulatory authorities, in accordance with regulations established by the Commission, in such amounts as are necessary to compensate such authorities for additional costs incurred in complying with the provisions of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such amounts as are necessary to make such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 3 September 1975
Declares it to be the policy of the Congress to support research in agriculture and forestry at State agricultural experiment stations, land grant colleges, and other forestry research institutions, through Federal grants to help finance physical facilities as required for the effective conduct of adequate research programs. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to eligible institutions for purposes of planning, acquisition, construction, repair, rehabilitation, renovation, and remodeling of buildings, laboratories and other capital facilities (including the acquisition of fixtures and equipment which are to become a part of such buildings) which are necessary to more effectively conduct research in agriculture, forestry, and related sciences. Authorizes to be appropriated for allocation to eligible institutions for purposes of making such grants such sums as the Congress deems advisible. Sets forth procedures for allocating funds among eligible institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975
Price Disclosure Act - Provides that no person engaged in business in the sale at retail of any packaged consumer commodity which has been distributed in commerce, or the distribution of which affects commerce, shall sell, offer for sale, or display for sale any such commodity unless: (1) the total selling price of such commodity is plainly marked by a stamp, tag, or label affixed to a principal display panel of the package; and (2) the retail unit price of such commodity is plainly marked by a stamp, tag, or label affixed to a principal display panel of the package, or a label or sign in close proximity to the point of display of such package, which label or sign shall also contain the name and quantity of contents of such commodity. Exempts from these requirements any individual retail outlet which sells or offers for sale packaged consumer commodities and whose total gross sales do not exceed $250,000 per annum, unless such an outlet is one of a number of outlets owned substantially or whose inventory is supplied substantially, by a single person, partnership, or corporation whose total gross sales exceeds $500,000 per annum; or any retail outlet in any State which has enacted mandatory unit pricing law and whose law, in the judgment of the Federal-Trade Commission, is in full force and effect and is comparable in scope and comprehensiveness to the requirements of this Act, except that retailers (including chainstores and affiliated stores) who operate outlets in any such State shall be subject to the provisions of this Act if they also operate outlets in one or more other States. Redefines the term "consumer commodity" and defines the term "retail unit price" for purposes of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. Abolishes the authority of the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to promulgate regulations under such Act, and transfers that authority to the Commission. Directs the Commission to request, and the Secretary of Commerce to initiate, a voluntary product standard for consumer commodities under the procedures for the development of voluntary products standards established by the Secretary pursuant to specified provisions of law whenever the Commission determines that there is undue proliferation of the weights, measures, or quantities in which any consumer commodity or reasonably comparable consumer commodities are being distributed in packages for sale at retail and such undue proliferation impairs the reasonable ability of consumers to make value comparisons with respect to such consumer commodity or commodities. Requires that regulations with respect to fair packaging and labeling standards be promulgated by the Commission in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. Directs the Commission to give interested persons an opportunity for oral presentations of views, data, and agreements. Authorizes travel and per diem reimbursement for persons being trained by the Commission to carry out the provisions of the Act. Declares that any violation of any of the provisions of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act or the regulations issued pursuant to such Act, with respect to any consumer commodity delivered into introduction in commerce, or sold at retail, offered for sale at retail, or displayed for sale at retail, shall constitute an unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting commerce and shall be subject to penalties under specified provisions of law.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975
Provides that no veteran may be denied care or treatment at non-Veteran's Administration Hospitals under the CHAMPUS program for any service-connected disability solely because care or treatment for such disability is available at Veterans' Administration medical facilities. (Adds 10 U.S.C. 1086(f))
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975
Veterans' Housing Expansion Act - Increases the availability of guaranteed home loan financing for veterans. Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, when issuing a commitment to guarantee a proposed home mortgage loan for veterans, to issue also a non-assignable commitment to purchase the completed loan. Sets forth terms and conditions for such purchase. Increases the income of the national service life insurance fund. Establishes within the Treasury of the United States a revolving fund known as the national service life insurance investment fund. Authorizes the Administration to transfer from the insurance fund to the investment fund amounts necessary to purchase loans as the consequence of commitments issued or to be issued pursuant to this Act. Directs the Administrator to guarantee the investment fund against loss of interest or principal in the event of a deficiency in the investment fund reserves for expenses and losses. Authorizes the Administrator to sell any loan purchased under the authority of this Act. Requires the Administrator to invest the funds of the investment fund in loans which will represent a broad spectrum of the veteran homebuying population in respect to age, income, and location of the properties which constitute the loan securities. Authorizes the Administrator to adopt standards, policies, and procedures and to promulgate regulations appropriate to carrying out his functions under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975
Establishes, under the Higher Education Act, a National Student Financial Assistance Data Bank in the office of Education to assist individuals enrolled in institutions of higher education by identifying the public and private sources of financial assistance available for students at such institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975
Provides that Members of the House of Representatives and employees of the House, except in specified cases, may not be reimbursed for the difference between the cost of first-class air travel accommodations and the cost of other air travel accommodations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975
Expresses the House of Representatives strong disapproval of efforts to expel Israel from the United Nations. States that if Israel is expelled the United States should reassess its relationship with the United Nations General Assembly. Provides that such reassessment shall include possible withdrawal from that body.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975
States that it is the sense of the Congress that the President appoint a Special Prosecutor and have empaneled a grand jury to investigate possible criminal violations of the Sherman and Clayton Antitrust Acts: (1) arising from the Federal Trade Commission complaint (docket numbered 8934; July 18, 1973) involving Exxon, Texaco, Gulf, Mobil, Standard Oil of California, Standard Oil of Indiana, Shell, and Atlantic Richfield; (2) arising from any concerted maintenance of an inaccurate natural gas reserve reported program which influences the price at which producers sell natural gas to interstate pipeline companies by the American Gas Association, Exxon, Gulf, Mobil, Pennzoil, Shell, Standard Oil of California, Standard Oil of Indiana, Tenneco, Texaco, Union Oil of California, and Continental Oil Corporation; or (3) arising from collusive conduct in the curtailment of gas supplies by deliberately maintaining nonproducing gas reserves on Federal offshore leases in the Gulf of Mexico in order to intensify pressure for deregulation of natural gas.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975
Energy Industry Deconcentration Act - Prohibits any corporation or association from: (1) controlling deposits of more than one type of energy-producing mineral, after December 31, 1979 and (2) engaging engaging in more than one aspect of the petroleum and natural gas industry after December 31, 1979. Requires corporations or associations which would be in violation of this Act except for the effective date to submit plans for compliance to the Federal Trade Commission before January 1, 1978. Prohibits any individual from serving as a director of more than one company engaged in every resource production, refining, transportation, or marketing.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975
Congressional Public Financing Act - Adds a new subtitle to the Internal Revenue Code: the Congressional Election Campaign Fund Act. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to maintain in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund a separate account to be known as the Congressional Election Payment Account. Directs the Secretary to deposit into the Congressional Election Payment Account that portion of the annual amounts designated by taxpayers on their income tax returns that equals the excess above 25 percent of the total amount made available in the last Presidential election. Authorizes the Federal Election Commission to conduct an examination and audit of the campaign contributions raised for purposes of obtaining matching funds and the qualified campaign expenditures made by all candidates for Federal office and official political party committees who received payments under this Act. Provides criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Provides for payments of funds in amounts matching the contributions received by candidates for the office of U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative. Imposes limitations on the amounts of such funds to be disbursed to any individual candidate, and restricts the uses to which such matching funds may be put.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975
Provides for payment of a supplemental tuition allowance to each qualified veteran upon application to the Administrator of the Veterans Administration. Stipulates that no veteran may receive a supplemental tuition allowance in excess of $1,100 for any ordinary school year. Requires assurances from the institution that the tuition charged the veteran is equivalent to nonveteran students and that all fees are included in an itemization to be presented to the Administrator. Authorizes the Administrator to adjust the amount of supplemental tuition according to changes in the estimation of the national tuition average. (Adds 38 U.S.C. 1682(d))
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975
Provides that counseling offered by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to veterans eligible for educational assistance may include assisting any veteran: (1) to select the occupation or training objective suitable to him in terms of his personal circumstances, characteristics, financial resources, dependent responsibilities and other relevant factors; (2) to select the occupation or training objective which will provide him, after he has developed the required job skills, with reasonable opportunities for employment and with job satisfaction; (3) to select the educational institution that will effectively assist him in attaining his educational or vocational objective; and (4) to develop a program of education that will lead to a recognized and predetermined educational, vocational, technical or professional objective within the veteran's period of entitlement. Authorizes specified veterans pursuing full-time programs of institutional training to apply to have their monthly educational assistance allowance accelerated. Stipulates required information to be included in such application. Sets forth criteria to be met in the application for approval of nonaccredited courses for purposes of educational assistance. (Amends 38 U.S.C 1663, 1682, 1776)
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975
Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to provide employment for unemployed rural residents through rural conservation employment projects within rural areas of substantial unemployment. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to employ rural residents over eighteen who have been unemployed for at least thirty consecutive days to carry out rural conservation projects within the National Forest System and other lands under the Secretary's jurisdiction, and in conjunction with cooperative projects on non-Federal lands. Directs the Secretary to determine rates of pay, hours, and other conditions of employment. Places a maximum wage limitation of $10,000 per year. Authorizes specified appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975
Establishes a forty-five month period maximum for educational assistance in programs administered by the Veterans' Administration for veterans who have served on active duty for eighteen months or more since January 31, 1955.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975
Broadcast License Renewal Act - Permits the Federal Communications Commission to extend three-year broadcast licenses for an additional two years upon a finding of public interest. Requires in making such determination, considerations of whether different term lengths for radio and television stations and for different categories of licensees are in the public interest. Limits other class licenses to a five-year maximum, prescribing the renewal procedures for such licenses and the criteria to be considered in renewal, including responsiveness and lack of serious deficiencies. Sets guidelines for expeditious action on applications for renewal of broadcasting station licenses by limiting material required to be filed. Requires the Commission to examine the renewal process and report within six months on methods of reducing and consolidating filings and supporting documents.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975
Requires the Attorney General of the United States to conduct an investigation to determine whether antitrust violations are occurring in the manufacture or marketing of replacement home canning lids. Directs the Attorney General to submit a report to the Congress no later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this joint resolution detailing his findings, proposed action and recommendations concerning legislation. Calls for a final report no later than one year after enactment of this joint resolution detailing actions taken by the Attorney General against any person violating the antitrust acts in regard to the manufacture or marketing of such lids.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1975
Health Maintenance Organization Amendments - Makes the offering of supplemental health services, as defined by the Health Maintenance Organization Act of 1973, optional by health maintenance organizations. Eliminates the requirement imposed by such Act that health maintenance organizations offer annual open enrollment for individual membership. Redesignates medical treatment and referral services for drug or alcohol abuse or addiction and home health services as supplemental health services for purposes of such Act. Enables private entities to obtain federally guaranteed loans for the planning, initial development, and operation of a health maintenance organization to serve populations in addition to medically underserved populations. Includes State and local governmental employers as among those employers which must offer employees the option of membership in a health maintenance organization. Sets forth new procedures, penalties, and other requirements, to be applied by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare where health maintenance organizations are alleged to be in noncompliance with such Act. Extends the authorization of appropriations for programs under such Act an additional two years.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1975
World War I Pension Act - Authorizes the payment of a pension at a monthly rate of $150 to veterans of World War I. Defines the period of service for which such veterans must have served for eligibility under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1975
Agricultural Energy Research Act - Establishes within the Cooperative State Research Service of the Department of Agriculture the Office of Agriculture Energy Research. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to appoint a Director of Agricultural Energy Research. Designates the function of the Office to carry out a research program designed to increase agricultural and rural energy efficiency by implementing alternative energy source pilot projects and by refining alternative energy developments to specific agricultural and rural uses. Authorizes to be appropriated $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, and $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Requires the Director to allocate appropriated funds on a fair and equitable basis among State agricultural experiment stations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1975
Establishes in the House of Representatives the permanent Select Committee on Energy which shall not have legislative jurisdiction but which shall have jurisdiction to conduct investigations and studies of the development, application, use, and control of all forms of energy and power in order to establish a coordinated program for the development and control of all forms of such energy and power. Directs the committee to report to the House the results of each investigation together with recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1975
Energy Information Act - Sets forth Congressional findings and purposes and defines the terms used in this Act. Title I: National Energy Information Administration - Creates as an independent agency of the Federal Government the National Energy Information Administration, to be headed by an Administrator. Provides that the function of the Administration shall be the collection, tabulation, comparison, analysis, standardization, and dissemination of energy information pursuant to this Act. Directs the Administrator to coordinate existing energy information collection activities of all Federal agencies. Requires the Administrator to submit to Congress and the President a plan for the consolidation of the energy information activities of the Federal Government. Provides for the imposition of criminal penalties for the unauthorized disclosure of, or theft of, non-public energy information. Title II: National Energy Information System - Directs the Administrator to establish a National Energy Information System which shall be operated and maintained by the Administration. Provides that such System shall contain such information as is required (1) to provide a description of and facilitate analysis of energy supply and consumption within and affecting the United States on the basis of such geographic areas and economic sectors as may be appropriate and (2) to meet adequately the needs of the Congress and of those Federal agencies which are responsible for energy policy analysis and formulation and for energy regulation. Requires major energy producing companies to file annual financial reports with the Administrator. Requires major energy consuming companies to file annual energy consumption reports, including the amounts and types of energy used, with the Administrator. Provides that the information collected pursuant to this Act shall be made public, except where such information: (1) constitutes a trade secret; (2) would substantially harm the company that supplied it if disclosed; (3) was obtained from a Federal, State, or local agency on a confidential basis; and (4) was classified for national security or foreign policy reasons. Authorizes the Administrator to delay the disclosure of geological information. Provides that only Federal employees having official use for such information shall have access to the information in the non-public categories listed above. Title III: Energy Resources Surveys and Inspections by the Department of the Interior - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to compile, maintain, and keep current on not less than an annual basis a survey of all mineral fuel resources and nonmineral energy resources in the public lands of the United States. Stipulates that such survey program shall be designed to provide information about the location, extent, value and characteristics of all such resources. Title IV: Miscellaneous - Directs the Comptroller General to continuously monitor and evaluate the activities and operations of the Administration. Authorizes to be appropriated to the National Energy Information Administration and the Department of the Interior such amounts as may be requisite to full and efficient performance of the duties imposed upon such agencies by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1975
United States Grain Standards Act Amendments - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to hire, without regard to the regulations governing appointments in the competitive service, as official inspection personnel, any individual licensed to perform functions of official inspection under the United States Grain Standards Act. Permits the Secretary to require the periodic rotation of Federal and State official grain inspection personnel. Includes, as a prohibited act under the United States Grain Standards Act, the deceptive weighing of grain. Requires all scales used for weighing grain in commerce to automatically stamp the correct weight of grain weighed on a receipt or a ticket which shall be made immediately available to both buyer and seller. Directs the Secretary to provide for the registration with the Secretary of all persons engaged in the buying for sale, the handling, the weighing, or the transporting of grain for sale in interstate or foreign commerce as a prerequisite to doing business. Sets forth specified exceptions to the registration requirement. Provides for the criminal prosecution of an individual who registers falsely or who deals in grain without being registered. Provides for the revocation of registration for violations of the regulations governing grain dealings. Sets forth prohibitions for official inspection personnel with respect to conflicts of interest. Requires grain dealers registered pursuant to this Act to maintain specified records of all transactions relating to grain deals. Makes it a prohibited act to knowingly add any foreign material to grain which would change its character or test weight. Increases the fine and term of imprisonment for commission of the prohibited acts enumerated in the United States Grain Standards Act. Provides for the treatment of the murder or manslaughter of any Federal or State official inspection personnel under the Federal law governing murder and manslaughter. Authorizes the Secretary to designate a State agency to carry out official inspections under this Act. Requires such inspections to meet the same standards as those imposed by Federal inspection personnel. Directs the Secretary to promulgate regulations requiring all foreign material in grain to be considered dockage items, as defined in this Act. Requires the Secretary to promulgate instructions governing the testing of the protein content of wheat. Directs the establishment of grades of wheat to assure: (1) that the production, conservation, and delivery of high grade grain will be rewarded; and (2) that in a normal year for each kind and class of United States grain, there is a grade which is competitive in reputation for quality in the world market.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1975
Provides, under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, that individuals receiving benefits thereunder may earn up to $7,500 per year without a reduction in the amount of benefits received. Removes the limitation on the amount of outside income allowed for individuals who have reached the age of 70. Directs the Secretary of Labor to prepare a Senior Citizens Price Index to be used in computing cost-of-living increases in benefits. Eliminates marital status as a factor in determining whether a recipient of Social Security benefits should have his or her entitlement reduced or terminated.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1975
Provides that publications mailed by any veterans' organization or association entitled to preferential rates, shall not, on and after the first day of the twenty-fifth year following the effective date of the first rate decision applicable to such publications, exceed the direct and indirect postal costs attributable to the mailing of such publications. (Amends 39 U.S.C. 3626)
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1975
Exempts from the estate tax imposed under the Internal Revenue Code the lesser of: (1) $200,000 and (2) the value of the decedent's interest in a family farming operation operated continually by the decedent for at least five years prior to his death and which passes to a relative on his death. Provides for revocation of such exemption in the event that the successor transfers his interest or stops residing on the farm within five years of the death of his transferor. Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, that farmland, woodland, or open land which comprises part of an estate may be valued, for estate tax purposes, as such rather than at its fair market value. Provides that real property which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places may be valued, for estate tax purposes, at its value for its existing use. Provides for the revocation of such lower evaluation and recapture of unpaid taxes with interest upon the conversion, rezoning, or removal of such land from the National Register of Historic Places.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1975
Creates a select committee in the House of Representatives with authority to conduct a full and complete investigation of the problem of United States servicemen missing in action or known to be dead whose bodies have not been recovered, as a result of military operations in North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Provides that such investigation shall include an examination of the need for additional international inspection teams to determine whether there are servicemen still held as prisoner of war. Authorizes the Committee to hold hearings, issue subpenas, and maintain a staff as necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this resolution. Directs the committee to report to the House the results of its investigation no later than one year after adoption of this resolution. Provides that the committee's authority shall expire 30 days after the filing of such report. Directs that the expenses of the select committee shall be paid from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives upon vouchers signed by the Chairman.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1975
Disapproves the loan of three landing craft (LCM-8's) to Panama, as proposed by the letter from the Department of the Navy of May 5, 1975, to the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1975
Authorizes the President to issue a proclamation designating the week in November which includes Thanksgiving Day in each year as "National Family Week."
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
United States Grain Standards Act Amendments - Requires, under the United States Grain Standards Act, that inspections made under such Act be made by Federal employees. Increases the criminal penalties for violations of such Act from a fine of $3,000 and six months imprisonment to $5,000 and one year for a misdemeanor and from $6,000 and two years imprisonment to $10,000 and four years for a felony.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
Farm Tax Equity Act - Limits, under the Internal Revenue Code, deductions with respect to a taxpayer engaged in the business of farming to: (1) the gross income of the business for the taxable year; and (2) in the case of an individual or a bona fide family farm corporation, the higher of $10,000 or the amount of special deductions allowed by this Act, or for any other taxpayer, the amount of special deductions. Prohibits the application of such deductions when the taxpayer uses specified accounting methods. Defines terms used in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
Renames the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation the Federal Commodity Insurance Corporation. Transfers the functions and duties of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation and the Secretary of Agriculture under the Federal Crop Insurance Act to the Federal Commodity Insurance Corporation. States that the Corporation shall be managed by a Board of Directors. Sets forth procedures for the appointment of the Board. Extends the existing crop insurance program from coverage of 7 agricultural commodities to coverage of 25 commodities. Authorizes the Corporation to extend insurance to other commodities on the basis of demand for such coverage and the anticipated risk of loss to the Corporation. Directs the Corporation to offer its insurance program in additional counties according to a specified plan. Specifies the percentage of loss of each crop that the Corporation shall offer insurance against. Stipulates that insurance offered by the Corporation shall not cover losses due to the neglect or malfeasance of the producer or the failure of the producer to follow established good production practices. Requires the Corporation to report annually to Congress the results of its operations and to include in such report, a list of all agricultural commodities for which insurance has been requested but which are not insured by the Corporation, and a list of all counties for which insurance has been requested but which are not covered by the Corporation. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal year 1976, and each fiscal year thereafter, a sum not to exceed $20,000,000 or an amount equal to 2.3 percent of the total insurance liability assumed by the Corporation in the immediately preceding fiscal year, whichever amount is greater, as may be necessary to cover the operating and administrative costs of the Corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
Truth-in-Octane Act - Declares that the purposes of this Act are: (1) to assist consumers in avoiding the purchase of automotive gasoline with octane ratings unnecessarily high for the proper operation of their automobiles; and (2) to enhance competition in the sale to consumers of automotive gasoline. Prohibits the sale of gasoline to a consumer unless: (1) the person offering such gasoline for sale has affixed to the unit from which gasoline is dispended (otherwise known as a gas pump) a label clearly stating the octane rating; and (2) all advertising about such gasoline clearly discloses the octane rating and such other information as the Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration shall by regulation prescribe. Prohibits the sale of any automobile unless the manufacturer provides written information to the consumer stating the octane or octanes of gasoline appropriate for use in the engine of such automobile. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act. Directs the Administrator to establish standard methods to measure octane ratings and to conduct a study of the quality of performance of various brands of gasoline. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
Declares it to be the policy of the Congress to support research in agriculture and forestry at State agricultural experiment stations, land grant colleges, and other forestry research institutions, through Federal grants to help finance physical facilities as required for the effective conduct of adequate research programs. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to eligible institutions for purposes of planning, acquisition, construction, repair, rehabilitation, renovation, and remodeling of buildings, laboratories and other capital facilities (including the acquisition of fixtures and equipment which are to become a part of such buildings) which are necessary to more effectively conduct research in agriculture, forestry, and related sciences. Authorizes to be appropriated for allocation to eligible institutions for purposes of making such grants such sums as the Congress deems advisible. Sets forth procedures for allocating funds among eligible institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, to require reasonable bonds from market agencies, dealers, and packers to secure the performance of their obligations with respect to transactions involving livestock or poultry. Authorizes the Secretary to summarily order, without a hearing, any person subject to the provisions of such Act to pay a seller of livestock or poultry by certified check or to establish a custodial account if the Secretary has reason to believe that such action is necessary to protect vendees. Empowers the Secretary to request the Attorney General of the United States Livestock to apply to the United States district court for a temporary injunction or restraining order whenever the Secretary has reason to believe that any person subject to this Act (1) is unable to pay for livestock products, (2) has operated while insolvent, or (3) does not have the required bond. Provides that debts of a bankrupt that are owing for the purchase of livestock or poultry shall have priority if, at the time such debts were incurred, the bankrupt was a packer, market agency, or dealer subject to such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1975
Provides that concerted activities on the part of labor organizations or laborers employed in the construction business shall be unfair labor practices within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act when directed at any of several employers on a construction site only if such acts would otherwise be unfair labor practices within the meaning of the Act. Requires ten days' notice to be given to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service of intent to strike a military installation engaged in specified activities.
![Official portrait of Rep. Fithian, Floyd J. [D-IN-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/f000161_200.jpg)