United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1974
Expresses the findings of Congress with regard to the national interest in the Nantucket Sound Islands in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Establishes the Nantucket Sound Island Trust to provide for the preservation of the unique values of the islands. Creates the Nantucket Trust Commission, the Martha's Vineyard Trust Commission, and the Elizabeth Islands Trust Commission, to be known collectively as the Nantucket Sound Islands Trust Commissions. Enumerates the membership composition and responsibilities of each Commission. Designates the area comprising the trust. Classifies the trust lands into categories of: (1) open lands; (2) resource management lands; and (3) town lands. Prescribes the procedures for the assignment of the trust lands and waters into such classifications. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to sell lands and waters and interests therein at fair market values to accomplish the purposes of this Act. Defines the terms used in this Act. Directs the Commissions to cooperate in a study and formulate plans for beach and shoreland erosion control and restoration projects in those areas most immediately threatened. Calls for programs: (1) in dune and headland erosion control; and (2) against pollution of the waters in and around trust lands. Sets forth the rules governing nonvehicular rights of passage across trust land beaches. Directs the Commissions to survey public and private water and air acess to trust lands and make recommendations to appropriate bodies for legislative or administrative action. Provides for the suspension of the authority to acquire lands from specified private, nonprofit organizations. Sets forth compensable land use regulations and calls for new employment opportunities for residents of the trust area. Places a freeze date on the construction of any improvement on specified trust lands. Directs the Martha's Vineyard Commission to establish an orderly program for determining the extent of Indian Common Lands on Martha's Vineyard. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act, within specified limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1974
Requires, under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973, that the President of the United States allocate plastic feedstocks produced from petrochemical feedstocks. Requires the President to report to the Congress on a monthly basis changes made under this Act. Defines the terms used in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1974
Equal Credit Opportunity Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to require that financial institutions and other firms engaged in the extension of credit make that credit equally available to all creditworthy customers without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, or marital status. Makes it unlawful for any creditor to discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, or marital status. Defines the terms used in the Act. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to prescribe regulations to carry out the purposes of this Act. Makes changes in specified Acts of Congress in order to make those Acts comply with the purposes of this Act. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to enforce the requirements of this Act to the extent that they will not be enforced by another Government agency after enactment of this Act. Provides for the assessment by a United States District Court of actual and punitive damages in any action brought against a violator of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) it most strongly condemns all acts of terrorism in the Middle East; (2) the President and the Secretary of State should and are hereby urged and requested to (a) call upon all governments to condemn this inhuman act of violence against innocent victims; and (b) strongly urge the governments who harbor these groups and individuals to take appropriate action to rid their countries of those who subvert the peace through terrorism and senseless violence; and (3) the President should request the American Ambassador to the United Nations to take appropriate action before that body in order to have introduced a Security Council resolution condemning this brutal act of violence.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1974
Directs the President to submit to Congress, within thirty days, a report which sets forth, for each calendar year during the period of 1965 through 1973: (1) the volume and value of all exports of critical resources to all countries from each foreign country which at any time during such period exported to the United States any critical minerals; (2) the volume and value of each critical mineral exported to the United States from each such foreign country; (3) the volume and value of each critical mineral exported in world trade from any foreign country which was subject, at any time during such period, to economic sanctions applied by the United States pursuant to the United Nations Participation Act of 1945; and (4) the exports by value and volume for each commodity by country of destination.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1974
Provides that in the determination of eligibility for student loans under the Higher Education Act of 1965, a student whose adjusted family income is equal to or more than $15,000 at the execution of the loan shall be assessed the interest on such a loan in installments beginning not earlier than nine months nor later than one year after the date on which the student ceases to carry a specified academic workload.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1974
Establishes a Lowell Historic Canal District Commission to provide for a plan for the preservation, interpretation, development, and use of the historic, cultural, and architectural resources of the Lowell Historic Canal District in Lowell, Massachusetts. Provides for the membership, duties and powers of such Commission. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for the development of the plan to be prepared pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1974
Authorizes the President to call and conduct a White House Conference on Energy. Authorizes the President to appoint a National Conference Committee consisting of not more than twenty-five members to provide overall guidance and planning for the Conference, provide such assistance as it deems desirable in the organization of local and State conference activities preceding the Conference, and to be responsible for rendering a final report (and such interim reports as may be desirable) of the results, findings, and recommendations of the Conference to the President and to the Congress not later than December 1, 1974. Authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1974
Requires, under the Freedom of Information Act, that Federal agencies respond to requests for specified information no later than fifteen days after the receipt of each such request.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1974
Specifies, under the Freedom of Information Act, those matters which in the interest of the national defense may be withheld from public disclosure by a Federal agency.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1974
Authorizes, under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, an in camera inspection by the appropriate court of Government agency records sought to be classified by the agency under such Act's exemption provisions. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 3)
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1974
Revises the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973 by increasing the period of time during which interested members of the public may comment on proposed preliminary railway system plans. Increases the time limit within which the United States Railway Association shall submit a final railway system plan under the Regional Rail Reorganization Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1974
Code of Fair Information Practices - Provides that organizations keeping records of personal data, which are not part of an administrative automated personal data system, shall not transfer such data to another organization, without the prior informed consent of the individual to whom the data pertains, if because of such transfer the data will become part of an administrative automated personal data system not subject to these requirements. Requires any organization maintaining an administrative automated personal data system to: (1) specify penalties for employees who contribute to disciplinary action against individuals who bring to the attention of authorities, the press, or the public, evidence of unfair personal information practice; (2) maintain a complete record of every access to, and use made of, any data in the system, including the identity of those to which access has been given; and (3) maintain data in the system with accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. Requires organizations maintaining administrative automated data systems to give annual public notice of the existence and character of its system, which shall specify: (1) the categories of data kept; (2) the organization's policies regarding data storage and disposal; (3) uses made of the data; and (4) how persons can be informed if they are the subject of data in the system, how they can gain access to such data, and how they can contest its accuracy. Requires such organizations to: (1) inform individuals asked to supply data if he is legally required to do so and of consequences of supplying or not supplying the data, and (2) clearly disclose, upon request, to data subjects the data about him, the sources of the data, and the recipients of transfer or report of the data. Provides that such disclosure requirements shall not apply to data related to international relations, international subversive activities, or active criminal investigations. Requires such organizations to delete from the system, data that is challenged and cannot be verified by such organizations, and to note on any transfers or reports that the data is challenged. Provides that organizations keeping records of personal data, not part of an automated data system used for statistical-reporting or research, shall not transfer such data without prior informed consent of the data subject, if the transfer will cause the data to become part of a data system not subject to these regulations. Requires organizations keeping an automated personal data system used for statistical-reporting or research to: (1) specify penalties for employees who contribute to disciplinary action against individuals who bring to the attention of authorities, the press, or the public evidence of unfair personal information practice; and (2) make no transfer of personal data without specifying requirements for security of the data. Requires such organizations to: (1) make annual public notice of the nature described earlier in this Act for other organizations; (2) inform individuals asked to supply data of the consequences of supplying or not supplying such data; and (3) assure that no use of the data is outside the stated purposes as understood by the individuals. Provides for temporary or permanent injunctions to stop acts of unfair personal information practice as described in this Act. Provides for damages, including liquidated damages of not less than $10,000, punitive damages, and actual damages, for unfair personal information practices. Provides for a $10,000 fine for Federal employees who permit an unfair personal information practice. States that this Act shall supersede any State laws in conflict with it, except those State laws that are more stringent. Requires each Federal agency to promulgate rules to further the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1974
Prohibits, under the Social Security Act, the disclosure of an individual's social security number or related records for any purpose without his consent unless specifically required by law. Provides that no individual may be compelled to disclose or furnish his social security number for any purpose not directly related to the operation of the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1974
Makes technical changes in the disclosure provisions of the Freedom of Information Act, to facilitate public access to specified classes of Federal agency records. Provides that if any agency denies any record to any person under such Act it shall make such information available and any related documents with such deletions as deemed necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1974
Increases to $7,500 the amount of outside earnings which (subject to further increases under the automatic adjustment provisions) is permitted each year without any deductions from benefits under title II (Old-Age, Survivors' and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1974
Provides, under the Freedom of Information Act, for the award of court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees to successful complainants that seek specified Federal agency information. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 552 (a)(3))
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1974
Provides that interest forfeited by reason of premature cancellation of savings deposits shall not be included in gross income under the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1974
Anti-inflation Act - Directs the President to: (1) monitor compliance with commitments made pursuant to the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970, as amended; (2) review the programs and activities of Federal departments and agencies and the private sector which may have adverse effects on supply and cause increases in prices and make recommendations for changes in such programs and activities to increase supply and restrain prices; (3) review industrial capacity, demand, and supply in various sectors of the economy, working with the industrial groups concerned and appropriate governmental agencies to encourage price restraint; (4) work with labor and management in the various sectors of the economy having special economic problems as well as with appropriate Government agencies, to improve the structure of collective bargaining and the performance of those sectors in restraining prices; (5) improve wage and price data bases for the various sectors of the economy to improve collective bargaining and encourage price restraint; (6) conduct public hearings when appropriate to provide for public scrutiny of inflationary problems in various sectors of the economy; (7) focus attention on the need to increase productivity in both the public and private sectors of the economy; and (8) monitor the economy as a whole, including such matters as wages, costs, productivity, prices, sales, profits, imports and exports. States that nothing in this Act authorizes the continuation, imposition, or reimposition of any mandatory economic controls with respect to prices, rents, wages, salaries, corporate dividends, interest rates, or similar transfers. Sets forth powers of the President with respect to the acquisition of economic information to carry out the purposes of this Act. Authorizes the President to appoint, without regard to the civil service laws, such advisory committees as he deems appropriate for the purpose of consultation with and advice to the President in the performance of his functions under this Act. Requires the President to transmit quarterly reports to the Congress describing the actions taken under this Act and giving his assessment of the programs attained in achieving the purposes of this Act. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. States that the authority to issue and enforce orders and regulations under this Act expires at midnight December 31, 1975, but such expiration shall not affect any action or pending proceeding, civil or criminal, not finally determined on such date, nor any action or proceeding based upon any act committed prior to January 1, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1974
Housing and Urban Development Act - Title I: Community Development Block Grants - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to States and units of general local government to help finance Community Development Programs. Authorizes the Secretary to incur obligations for such grants of up to $8,050,000,000 until July 1, 1977. Authorizes $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for grants to general local government units for urgent community development needs. Requires grant applicants to: (1) formulate community development programs and housing assistance plans; (2) operate such programs in accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Public Law 90-284 (relating to fair housing) and (3) inform affected citizens of the various aspects of the program. Requires annual reviews and audits to determine if grantees are carrying out their programs as required by this Act. States that community development programs approved under this title may include: (1) acquisition of real property that is deteriorating or useful for public purposes; (2) installation of public works facilities; (3) rehabilitation of buildings; and (4) provisions for health, social counseling, and training services under activities within this title. Prescribes the allocations of grant funds under this title, including a ratio to determine amounts for individual cities which relates to poverty and housing overcrowding in the city. Requires that 80 percent of the non-urgent grant funds go to metropolitan areas. Prescribes the full "hold-harmless" amount of a metropolitan city or urban county under this title. Prescribes a discretionary grants fund for special projects, including new communities, United States territories, and disaster-caused development needs. Authorizes the guarantee of notes or other obligations of general local government units for acquisition of real property for community development programs. Prohibits discrimination based upon race, color, national origin, or sex under programs funded by this title. Sets wage standards for labor performed under contracts funded by this title. Requires the termination or reduction of funds to grantees failing to comply with this title. Allows judidical review of such actions. Allows 20 percent of the urgent-need grants to be applied toward the payment of principal and interest on temporary loans made to a local government unit under the Housing Act of 1949. Provides for the employment of low-income persons under programs approved by this title. Title II: Assisted Housing - Authorizes assistance, under the United States Housing Act of 1937, to low-income families. Allows public housing agencies to make assistance payments for the use of existing dwelling units. Allows assistance payments for contracts with owners or prospective owners who construct or rehabilitate housing which will be used at least in part for low-income families. Requires such assistance contracts to set a maximum monthly rent, according to prescribed guidelines. Sets forth a time limit on such contracts for assistance payments. Preserves all ownership, management, and maintenance responsiblilities in the owners. Requires 30 percent of families assisted under this title to be "very low-income" families. Requires the Secretary to insure that special projects for the handicapped authorized under the United States Housing Act of 1937 provide quality services and management consistent with the needs of the occupant. Prohibits the approval of a housing assistance plan under the United States Housing Act of 1937, the National Housing Act, or the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965 unless the general local government unit certifies that such assistance is consistent with a housing assistance plan approved under title I of this Act. Requires the allocation of assistance under provisions of the above-mentioned laws according to rates of property, overcrowding, and substandard housing. Makes public housing agencies eligible as mortgagors under the National Housing Act's provisions relating to housing for moderate income and displaced families. Specifies minimum rentals for low-rent housing under the United States Housing Act of 1937. Requires the establishment of sound management practices by public housing agencies. Increases the annual contribution to public housing to maintain low rents to $400,000,000 for fiscal year 1973 and $965,000,000 for fiscal year 1974. Extends the home ownership, cooperative and rental mortgage provisions of the National Housing Act until June 30, 1975. Title III: Mortage Credit Programs - Extends the regular FHA insurance programs and the interest rate authority for veterans' home loans. Increases the maximum mortgage amounts under the FHA one to four-family and multifamily mortgage insurance programs. Makes changes in downpayment requirements for regular FHA one to four-family mortgages. Increases the amounts and time limits on home improvement loans. Permits the co-insurance of any mortgage, advance, or loan in addition to co-insurance otherwise provided by this Act. Prohibits the issuance of such insurance until it is determined that such co-insurance demonstration program will not disrupt the mortgage market or reduce the availability of mortgage credit to borrowers who depend upon mortgage insurance under this Act. Prohibits the purchase of mortgages by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation if the outstanding principal balance of the mortgage at the time of purchase exceeds 80 percent of the value of the property, with specifed exceptions. Eliminates the provisions of Federal law concerning the retirement of common and preferred stock in FNMA. Prohibits sex discrimination in Federal mortgage assistance payments under this title. Title IV: Rural Housing - Allows loans for the repair and improvement of rural dwellings to make them safe and sanitary (where the borrower does not otherwise qualify) of up to $500. Extends veterans preference to rural housing programs under the Housing Act of 1949. Authorizes funds for loan programs for rural housing programs. Authorizes direct and insured loans to provide housing and related facilities for elderly persons and families in rural areas. Authorizes direct and insured loans to provide condominium housing for low-and moderate-income families in rural areas. Title V: Miscellaneous - States that it is the purpose of this part to encourage the formation of State development agencies which have broad and flexibile authority to carry out development activities designed to: (1) provide housing and related facilities for persons and families of low and moderate income, (2) promote the sound growth and development of neighborhoods through the revitalization of slum and blighted areas, and (3) increase and improve employment opportunities for the unemployed and underemployed through the development and redevelopment of industrial, manufacturing, and commercial facilities. Permits the guarantee of bonds, debentures, notes and other obligations issued by State development agencies to finance development activities described in the purposes of this title. Establishes a revolving fund to provide for timely payment of liabilities incurred as a result of such guarantees. Allows supplementary grants for projects assisted by the National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities. Includes waste disposal facilities among eligible land improvements. Authorizes appropriations for comprehensive urban planning.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1974
Medicare Long-Term Care Act - Establishes, under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare), a voluntary program to provide long-term care benefits for aged and disabled individuals who elect to enroll under such program, financed from premium payments by enrollees together with contributions from funds appropriated by the Federal Government and contributions by the States. Lists criteria for eligibility for long-term care service benefits. Provides that the benefits provided to an individual by this Act shall consist of (1) home health services, (2) homemaker services, (3) nutrition services, (4) long-term institutional care services, (5) day care and foster home services, and (6) community mental health center outpatient services. Enumerates the requirements for a State long-term care agency. Provides for the payment of premiums for benefits received under this Act. Establishes on the books of the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the Federal Long-Term Care Trust Fund. Creates a body to be known as the Board of Trustees, composed of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, all ex officio. States that the Secretary of the Treasury shall be the Managing Trustee of the Board of Trustees and that the Commissioner of Social Security shall serve as the Secretary of the Board of Trustees. Provides that the Board of Trustees shall meet not less frequently than once each calendar year. Enumerates the duties of the Board of Trustees. Declares that a community long-term care center shall: (1) provide the items and services listed in this Act to each individual (i) who is eligible for benefits under this part, (ii) who resides in the area served by such center and (iii) who is certified as requiring such services; (2) evaluate and certify the long-term care needs of an individual for whom such care may be required in order to maintain such individual in an independent living arrangement which is reasonable given such individual's state of health and other circumstances (but not including such individual's economic circumstances); (3) maintain a continuous relationship with (and periodically evaluate not less than annually) each individual who is receiving any of the items and services listed in this Act; (4) provide full opportunity for such individual and his family to participate in the determinations and functions under this Act; (5) provide an organized system for making its existence and location known to all individuals in its service area who are eligible for benefits under this part, and for making known to such individuals the method or methods by which they may most efficiently obtain and use the services which it makes available; and (6) performs such other functions as the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may by regulation prescribe in order to have such center most effectively carry out the purposes of this Act. Provides a formula for payments to States for the reimbursement of community long-term care centers. Directs the Secretary, after consultation with organizations representing the chief executives of the various States, and other interested parties, to develop and make available to community long-term care centers one or more methods of obtaining payment for the benefits covered under this Act on a prospective basis. States that once a community long-term care center elects a particular prospective method, it may not alter its election without the prior approval of the Secretary. Provides that whenever the Secretary finds that the number of community long-term care centers electing a particular prospective payment method promulgated in accordance with this Act is not sufficient to provide an adequate basis for either the operation or evaluation of that method, the Secretary shall withdraw that method and allow the community long-term care centers which have elected such method to select another method withn 30 days of notice of such withdrawal. Permits a Governor of a State to certify to the Secretary a method of prospective payment other than those promulgated under this Act. States that the determination of whether an individual is entitled to benefits under this Act shall be made by the Secretary in accordance with regulations prescribed by him. Provides for increases in supplemental security income benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1974
Makes it the sense of the House that, during the period pending consideration and action by the Senate upon the bill H.R. 10710, as introduced in the first session of the Congress, cited as the "Trade Reform Act of 1973" and as amended and passed by the House, no loan, guarantee, insurance, or credit shall be extended by the Export-Import Bank of the United States to any nonmarket economy country (other than any such country whose products are eligible for column 1 tariff treatment on the date of the enactment of this resolution), and no such country shall participate in any program of the Government of the United States which extends credits or credit guarantees or investment guarantees, directly or indirectly.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1974
Increases the rates of veterans educational assistance allowances. States that in the event that the period of entitlement under this Act of an eligible veteran who is enrolled in a program of education ends prior to such veteran's attainment or a predetermined and identified educational, professional, or vocational objective, the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs may extend such veteran's period of eligibility to the completion of such program of education or for nine months, whichever is the lesser period. Requires the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to reimburse any eligible veteran enrolled in a fulltime or part-time program of education for costs above $400 incurred by such veteran for tuition, exclusive expenses incurred for fees, books, supplies, or other expenses. Limits such payments to $600 for an ordinary school year. Establishes a Vietnam Era Veterans Communication Center. States that it shall be the duty of the Communications Center to make an initial and periodic evaluation of the effectiveness of the veterans outreach services program. Requires the results of such evaluations to be reported to the President and to the Congress. Directs the Communications Center to advise and assist in connection with all Federal programs pertaining to veterans of the Vietnam era. Establishes the Vietnam Era Veterans Advisory Committee to advise and consult with the Communication Center regarding any and all matters pertaining to the duties and responsibilities of the Communications Center under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1974
Authorizes additional educational assistance allowance payments to eligible veterans to partially defray the cost of tuition in an amount representing such cost which exceeds $419 for an ordinary school year, but not exceeding $600. (Adds 38 U.S.C. 1682)
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1974
Foreign Dairy Quality Act - Provides that no dairy product shall be imported into the United States unless it has been inspected and found to be wholesome and unless the foreign farms and plants in which such products were produced, manufactured, or processed comply with all the inspection, grading, and other standards prescribed by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare pursuant to the provisions of this Act. Requires that such foreign standards shall be comparable to those standards prescribed by the Secretary for the same kind of dairy products in the United States. States that the labeling of imported dairy products shall comply with the requirements of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act and shall be otherwise marked as the Secretary may require. Directs the Secretary to cause to be inspected all dairy products imported into the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe rules and regulations to carry out the purposes of this Act, and rules and regulations for the destruction of dairy products refused admission into the United States. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the administration and supervision of the provisions of this Act. Imposes criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1974
Home Health Services Act - Provides, under the Public Health Service Act, for the establishment and initial operation of public and nonprofit private agencies which will provide home health services in areas in which such services are not otherwise available. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants: (1) to meet the initial and expanding costs of such agencies; and (2) for programs for the training of professional and paraprofessional personnel to provide home health services. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1974
Provides for a mid-decade sample survey of population to be taken as of April 1, 1985, and every ten years thereafter. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to formulate the questions and type of information, subject to the approval of the appropriate committees of Congress, to be compiled in the decennial census and the mid-decade sample surveys not less than three years before the date of such census or survey. Allows the Secretary to submit, when circumstances necessitate, new questions during the remaining period before the decennial census or mid-decade sample survey. States that the geographic scope of each sample survey shall be the same as that of each decennial census. Allows the Secretary to obtain information from other Federal departments and agencies, and from States, counties, cities and other units of government, in order to carry out the purposes of this Act, provided, however, no information contained in any individual tax return filed with the Internal Revenue Service shall be accessible to the Secretary.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1974
Increases the rates of disability compensation for disabled veterans. Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to adjust administratively, consistent with the increases authorized by this Act, the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation for their suvivors.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1974
Women's Educational and Business Equity Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act, in order to provide educational and business equity for women in the country, to encourage the development of new and improved curriculums; to demonstrate the use of such curriculums in model educational programs and to evaluate the effectiveness thereof; to provide support for the initiation and maintenance of programs concerning women at all levels of education (preschool through adult education); to disseminate instructional materials and other information for use in educational programs throughout the Nation; to provide training programs for parents, teachers, other educational personnel, youth and guidance counselors, community leaders, labor leaders, industrial and business leaders, and government employees at the State, Federal and local level; to provide for the planning of women's resource centers; to provide improved career, vocational, and physical educational programs; to provide for community education programs; to provide programs on status, roles, and opportunities for women in this society; and to provide for the preparation and dissemination of materials for use in mass media. Specifies activities for which funds appropriated under the Act shall be available. States that such financial assistance shall be made available only upon application to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Specifies provisions which must be set forth in such application in order for it to be approved. Establishes within the Office of Education a Women's Bureau to consist of a Council on Women's Educational Programs. Specifies the composition and duties of the Council including to advise, review, and make recommendations for the administration of the programs authorized by this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated $15,000,000, $25,000,000, and $40,000,000 for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977, respectively, to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1974
Authorizes additional educational assistance allowance payments to eligible veterans to partially defray the cost of tuition in an amount representing such cost which exceeds $419 for an ordinary school year, but not exceeding $600. (Adds 38 U.S.C. 1682)
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1974
Housing Act for Older Americans and the Handicapped - States the finding of the Congress that among the low-income people of the Nation, millions of our elderly and many handicapped persons, unable to perform to the extent of providing their essential needs for a suitable living environment, are unnecessarily suffering in need for assistance. Makes it the purpose of this Act to give appropriate and positive support to the elderly and the handicapped, by making available a Federal housing assistance program. States that it is the intent of Congress that a community's planning, development, and management activities, directly or indirectly supported by Federal programs, will permit and encourage participation by elderly and handicapped persons so that the needs and potential contributions of these special groups can be readily acknowledged. Provides, under the provisions of the United States Housing Act of 1937, that for the purpose of providing more adequate assistance to low income elderly and handicapped individuals, each public housing agency under such Act shall, to the maximum extent consistent with the achievement of the objectives of such Act, and supplemental to other provisions of such Act which make specific reference to the elderly and the handicapped, provide housing for such individuals in accordance with this Act. Requires that at least 25 percent of the total amount of contracts for annual contribution contracts entered into in any fiscal year under such Act shall be entered into with respect to units of low-rent housing specially designed for the elderly or the handicapped in accordance with this Act. Requires that multifamily housing projects assisted under such Act for the predominant or exclusive use of elderly or handicapped individuals shall be specifically designed to accomodate the special environmental needs of the intended occupant, and be in appropriate support of, and supported by, applicable plans of a State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and possessions of the United States, or of a subdivision within any State, which respond to Federal program requirements. Requires that public housing agencies under such Act, where practicable, contract for the use of dwelling units in a manner which will promote the efficient provision of needed services to elderly and handicapped individuals, as in a community's comprehensive plan for the aged or the handicapped. Authorizes a public housing agency, notwithstanding any otherwise applicable limit on the number of units which could be contracted for in any structure, to enter into lease contracts with the owners of structures containing dwelling units predominantly or exclusively for occupancy by elderly or handicapped families for the use of all or some of such units in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1974
Establishes a standing Committee on the Environment in the House of Representatives, to consist of twenty-five members. States that all proposed legislation and other matters pertaining to the quality of the physical environment of the United States and its possessions shall be referred to the Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1974
Provides for increases in the standard deduction and low income allowances under the Internal Revenue Code. Provides formulas to determine the limited income exclusion for the tax on self-employment income and for tax wages. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, with the concurrence of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, to prescribe regulations providing for prompt and effective relief for low-income and moderate-income taxpayers. Provides for appropriations from the General Fund to Social Security Trust Funds.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1974
Energy Accounting Investigations Act - Declares that the Congress reiterates the continuing commitment of the United States to the goal of a free enterprise economy which functions fairly and efficiently with a minimum of Government interference. Defines the terms used in this Act. Defines the term "energy industries" as meaning the following lines of commerce: (1) production of mineral fuels; (2) refining or otherwise processing mineral fuels for use as a source of energy; (3) transportation of mineral fuels by rail, motor vehicle, water, pipeline, or otherwise; (4) electrical power generation and transmission; or (5) wholesale or retail distribution or sale of mineral fuels or electrical energy. Defines the term "production" as meaning the development of oil lands or oil shale lands within any State, the extraction of crude petroleum or oil shale, and the storage of crude petroleum on or in such lands. Requires the Federal Trade Commission to determine: (1) the extent to which competition among persons engaged in the provision of accounting services is abridged with relation to the provision of such services to the major oil companies; (2) the nature of the practices of persons engaged in the provision of accounting services to the major oil companies and the extent to which such practices work to the disadvantage of the general or investing public; (3) the extent to which those persons engaged in the provision of accounting services to the major oil companies fulfill their primary duty of "presenting fairly" the conditions of the firms they audit, as defined by the United States Court of Appeals; and (4) the nature and extent to which persons engaged in the provision of accounting services to the major oil companies serve as information conduits between persons involved in the energy industries. Requires that, no later than nine months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Trade Commission shall prepare and submit to Congress and the President a report containing all information gathered under this Act, and such report shall be available for public inspection and for copying purposes. Declares that beginning one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Trade Commission shall take such steps as shall be necessary to: (1) remove anticompetitive barriers existing in the fields of auditing, tax servicing, and consulting with and for the major oil companies; and (2) promote fair and ethical standards in the relationships between persons engaged in the provision of the accounting services and their clients in the energy industries. Requires all integrated major oil companies, beginning one year after enactment of this Act, to file on an annual basis with the Federal Trade Commission economic and financial reports for each of the levels of operation with which they may be involved. Provides for the enforcement of this Act. Directs the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General of the United States or his designee to examine the activities of those persons engaged in the provision of accounting services as those services relate to the business of major oil companies. Provides that the Federal Trade Commission and the Attorney General of the United States or his designee, together or independently, shall institute suits in the district courts of the United States requesting the issuance of such relief as is appropriate under this Act to insure compliance with this Act. Provides for penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act. States that a violation by a corporation shall also be deemed to be a violation by the individual directors, officers, receivers, trustees, or agents of such corporation who shall have authorized, ordered, or done any of the act constituting the violation in whole or part, or who shall have omitted to authorize, order, or do any acts which would terminate, prevent, or correct conduct violative of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1974
Provides that veterans' pension and compensation will not be reduced as a result of increases in monthly social security benefits resulting from the enactment of Public Law 93-66 or any subsequent cost-of-living adjustment under title II of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1974
Increases the rates of disability compensation for disabled veterans. Enables the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to adjust administratively, consistent with the increases authorized by this Act, the rates of disability compensation payable to persons receiving benefits on December 31, 1958, who are not in receipt of compensation payable for service connected disability or death. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 314, 315)
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1974
Increases, under title II of the Social Security Act (Old-Age, Survivors', and Disability Insurance), the amount of outside earnings which (subject to further increases under the automatic adjustment provisions) is permitted each year without any deductions from benefits. Revises the method for determining such amount.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1974
Confers jurisdiction upon the District Court of the United States for the District of Columbia of civil actions brought by the House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary for the purposes of procurement of documents, tape recordings and other information related to its official investigations concerning the impeachment of President Richard Nixon.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1974
Wheat Export Marketing Control Act - Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, to carry out this Act. Title I: Wheat Export Marketing Stamps - Provides that all persons exporting wheat from the United States (except as otherwise provided under this Act) shall, prior to such export, obtain export marketing stamps from the Commodity Credit Corporation based upon the number of bushels to be exported and the price paid by the exporter for such bushels. Directs that the Commodity Credit Corporation shall issue export marketing stamps without payment if the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of State jointly determine that (1) the exports are to a developing country with a serious balance-of-payments deficit; (2) such action would be in the best interests of the foreign relations of the United States; and (3) such action would not adversely affect the regulatory program provided for under this title. Provides that the Secretary of Agriculture may exempt from the requirements of this Act wheat exported for donations abroad and other noncommercial exports of wheat. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide for the issuance of wheat export marketing stamps for wheat and end products. Authorizes the Secretary to promulgate such rules as he considers necessary or appropriate to carry out this Act. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States the Wheat Export Marketing Trust Fund, to consist of moneys collected by the Commodity Credit Corporation from the sale of export marketing stamps under this Act. Prescribes procedures for administration of the Fund. Title II: National Wheat Council - Establishes a nonprofit organization to be known as the National Wheat Council, which shall not be an agency or establishment of the United States, to be composed of twelve members. Sets forth the procedure and criteria for appointment of Council members. Provides that it shall be the responsibility of the Council to be informed of prices, income and population, and demand for farm products, use of resources in agriculture, statistics for analyses of supply and demand for farm products in foreign countries and their effect on prospects for United States exports. Provides that any organization or agency, public or private, may submit plans to the Council which would (1) promote research and production of wheat; (2) improve quality and yield of wheat; (3) promote distribution and use of wheat; (4) disseminate existing and new product knowledge, uses, and values in nutrition of wheat and end products; or (5) promote our foreign wheat markets or help develop foreign wheat markets and increase our share of such markets. Authorizes the Council to approve and fund any such plan.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1974
Energy Emergency Employment Act - Expresses the findings of Congress that it is the purpose of this Act to detect unemployment and underemployment as a result of the "energy crisis", to provide workers with assistance, to return workers to employment, and to provide areas with particularly heavy energy related joblessness special employment assistance. Title I: Energy Emergency Employment Board - Establishes within the Department of Labor an Energy Emergency Employment Board, consisting of five private members appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and two "ex officio" members: the Director of the Federal Energy Office and the Secretary of Labor, who will also serve as Chairman. Enumerates the functions of the Board, including to: (1) oversee the implementation of the energy emergency employment programs authorized in this Act; (2) recommend programs that will return persons unemployed or underemployed, as a result of the energy emergency, to productive full-time employment as rapidly as possible; (3) develop an early energy unemployment warning system; and (4) undertake manpower planning projects to estimate long and short term energy emergency related employment trends. Requires the Board to make reports to the Congress and the President. Title II: Energy Emergency Employment Opportunity Program - Directs the Secretary of Labor to enter into arrangements with public service employers in order to make financial assistance available for the purpose of providing employment opportunities, particularly for persons who are unemployed or underemployed as a result of the energy emergency, in jobs providing needed public services. Sets forth the procedures and requirements to be met by applications for financial assistance for the purpose of carrying out a public service employment program under this Act. Provides that the amounts appropriated pursuant to this Act for any fiscal year shall be allocated by the Secretary in such a manner as prescribed by the Board. Provides that 80 percent of such amount shall be apportioned among the States in that proportion which the total number of persons underemployed or unemployed in each such State bears to such total number of such persons, respectively, in the United States, and the remainder shall be available to carry out a special Energy Emergency Area Employment Assistance Program. States that the Secretary shall not provide financial assistance for any program or activity under this Act unless he determines that specified criteria are met, including that the program: (1) will result in an increase in employment opportunities over those which would otherwise be available; (2) will not result in the displacement of currently employed workers; (3) will not impair existing contracts for services or result in the substitution of Federal or other funds in connection with work that would otherwise be performed; and (4) will not substitute public service jobs for existing federally assisted jobs. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes. Directs the Secretary to develop and carry out a program of incentives to private industry to hire, and train if necessary, persons unemployed or underemployed as a result of the energy emergency. Authorizes to be appropriated such funds as may be necessary to carry out this title. Title III: Energy Emergency Employment Assistance - Provides that any person unemployed or underemployed as a result of the energy emergency may file an application with the Secretary for economic adjustment assistance provided under this title. States that economic adjustment assistance under this title consists of: (1) readjustment allowances; (2) training and counseling benefits; (3) relocation allowances; and (4) health benefits. Prescribes the requirements to be met by an adversely affected worker before readjustment allowances will be paid. Provides that payment or readjustment allowances shall not be made for more than twenty-six weeks, unless upon application to the Secretary for extension, that proof of a good faith effort to attain employment has been made, in which case one additional 26 week extension shall be allowed. Sets forth the qualifying requirements for relocation allowances and health benefits. Authorizes to be appropriated such funds as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this title. Title IV: Definitions - Defines the terms used in this Act, including "adversely affected worker" and "unemployed" or "underemployed person."
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1974
Expresses the sense of the Congress that Alexander Solzhenitsyn and Andrey Sakharov be offered honorary citizenship of the United States of America to make manifest the support of the American people for the efforts of the oppressed Soviet people to live in freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1974
Authorizes additional educational assistance allowance payments to eligible veterans to partially defray the cost of tuition in an amount representing such cost which exceeds $419 for an ordinary school year, but not exceeding $600. (Adds 38 U.S.C. 1682)
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1974
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, for reductions in Social Security taxes relating to the rate of tax on self-employment income for purposes of old-age, survivors, and disability insurance. States that such reductions shall apply in the case of taxes imposed with respect to self-employment income for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1974, and with respect to wages paid or received during calendar years after 1974. Provides for Federal participation in the costs of the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program under title II of the Social Security Act. Increases the earnings counted for benefit and tax purposes under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1974
Expresses the sense of Congress that in any allocation of energy supplies or other actions by Federal departments and agencies to alleviate the energy shortage, proper consideration should be given to the provision of adequate energy supplies to all elements of the tourism industry.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that accurate and complete data on imports of oil and oil products into the United States, oil and oil products inventories in the United States or under the control of companies owned by United States citizens, and distribution of oil and oil products within and from out of the United States are essential to the national security of the United States, the safety of its citizens, and the proper conduct of its domestic and international commerce. Authorizes the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce to conduct a full and complete investigation and study of the importing, inventorying, and disposition of crude oil, residual fuel oil, and refined petroleum products.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1974
Prohibits the exportation of fertilizer from the United States until the Secretary of Agriculture determines that an adequate domestic supply of fertilizer exists.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1974
Provides, under the provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, that it shall be an unlawful employment practice to discriminate against individuals who are physically disabled because of such disability.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1974
Authorizes additional educational assistance allowance payments to eligible veterans to partially defray the cost of tuition in an amount representing such cost which exceeds $419 for an ordinary school year, but not exceeding $600. (Adds 38 U.S.C. 1682)
![Official portrait of Rep. Heckler, Margaret M. [R-MA-10]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/cbb617b482e186b253684e67ee44091e_200.jpg)