United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1976
Exempts from the Farm Labor Contractor Registration Act of 1963 contractors of workers engaged in custom cutting or combine operations in connection with the harvesting of grains and contractors of workers engaged in the shearing of sheep.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 1976
United States Grain Standards Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, under the United States Grain Standards Act, to require official inspection of grain at export port locations by authorized employees of the Department of Agriculture. Authorizes the Secretary to delegate authority to a State agency to perform official inspection functions at export port locations if such agency meets specified criteria. Provides that such authority may be revoked at any time upon notice to the State agency without opportunity for a hearing. Authorizes the Secretary, with respect to official inspections other than at export port locations, to designate any State or local governmental agency, or any person as an official inspection agency if such agency or person meets specified requirements. States that designations of official inspection agencies shall terminate within three years and may be renewed. Authorizes the Secretary to revoke a designation of an official inspection agency, after opportunity for a hearing, if such agency has failed to meet specified criteria. Allows temporary suspension without a hearing of such designation if the Secretary considers such action to be in the best interest of the official inspection system. Directs the Secretary to collect reasonable fees to cover the estimated cost to the Department incident to the performance of official inspection. Provides for the collection of fees from designated official inspection agencies. Requires the weighing of all grain received at or shipped from export port elevators. Directs that such weighing be supervised by authorized Department of Agriculture employees. Allows the Secretary to delegate such functions to qualified State agencies. Allows the Secretary to revoke such delegation at any time upon notice to the agency without opportunity for a hearing. Provides for United States supervision of weighing of United States grain received at or shipped from export port elevators at Canadian ports. States that no weighing supervision shall be provided at any export port elevator unless the operator of such elevator has met specified requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) investigate the weighing and certification of the weight of grain shipped in interstate and foreign commerce; (2) require the maintenance of complete and accurate records of the weighing of such grain; and (3) prescribe by regulation the standards, procedures, and controls for accurate weighing and certification of weights of grain. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study concerning the supervision of weighing, the weighing and certification of weights of grain, and the inspection and testing of scales used in the weighing of grain, and to report the results of such study to specified Committees of the Congress. Prohibits the use of scales for weighing which have been disapproved by the Secretary or a State or local government agency or person designated by the Secretary. Requires that representatives of the Secretary be afforded access to any elevator, warehouse, or other storage or handling facility for grain. Authorizes the collection of fees to cover the cost to the Department of such supervision of weighing. Authorizes the collection of fees from any agency or person designated to perform weighing functions. Prohibits any person from performing official inspection functions unless such person holds an unsuspended, an unrevoked license, or authorization from the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to summarily revoke any license whenever the licensee has been convicted of any specified offense under this Act. Allows the Secretary to refuse to provide official inspection or weighing services under this Act with respect to any grain offered for such services if: (1) the individual involved has knowingly committed any violation specified in this Act or has been convicted of any Federal law with respect to the handling, weighing, or official inspection of grain; and (2) providing such service would be inimical to the integrity of the service. Authorizes the Secretary to assess a civil penalty not to exceed $50,000 per violation for such offenses. States that no official inspection agency or State agency delegated inspection authority personnel shall be employed in or engaged in or have any financial interest in, any business involving the commercial transportation, storage, merchandising, or other handling of grain; and that no business or governmental entity conducting any such business shall operate or be employed by, or have any financial interest in, any official inspection agency or a State agency delegated inspection authority. Requires any person who has obtained official inspection to, within a five year period thereafter, maintain complete and accurate records of grain transactions, and permit any authorized representative of the Secretary to have access to such records. Sets forth criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Makes it unlawful for any present or former officer or employee of the Department or of any State agency delegated authority under this Act to make public information obtained under this Act. States that such prohibition shall not apply to persons divulging information which he reasonably believes involves prohibited conduct under this Act or criminal activity. Authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out the provision of this Act. Directs the Secretary to make a study regarding the adequacy of current grain standards. Requires the Secretary to submit annually a summary of all complaints received by the Department from foreign purchasers and prospective purchasers of grain to specified Congressional committees, and the actions taken by him in implementing the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1975
Title I: Emergency Natural Gas Authority - Natural Gas Emergency Standby Act - Declares the finding of the Congress that the Nation will suffer severe shortages of natural gas during the heating season from November 1975 through March 1976. Grants the Federal Power Commission authority to allow natural gas companies which transport natural gas in interstate commerce with inadequate quantities of natural gas to meet the requirements of their high priority consumers of natural gas, to purchase natural gas from sources not in interstate commerce and from other such companies on an emergency basis free from specified requirements of the Natural Gas Act. Grants the Federal Energy Administration the authority to prohibit the use of natural gas as boiler fuel. Grants the President the standby authority to allocate propane gas during periods of actual or threatened severe shortages of natural gas. Authorizes civil penalties of not more than $2,500 for each violation or violations of orders or regulations issued by the President under such standby authority. Provides that this title shall expire on midnight April 4, 1976. Title II: Natural Gas Act Amendments - Provides for the termination of the regulation by the Federal Power Commission of the sale of new natural gas to natural gas companies for resale in interstate commerce pursuant to the Natural Gas Act. Directs the Commission to conduct studies of the production, gathering, shortage, distribution, and sale of natural, artificial, or synthetic gas throughout the United States and its possessions. Requires the Commission to secure and keep information regarding the ownership, management, and control of all facilities for production and distribution of such gas. Requires a report by the Commission to the President and the Congress. Directs the Commission to establish a national ceiling for rates and charges for the sale or transfer in interstate commerce by any person of new natural gas produced from offshore Federal lands on or after January 1, 1975, through December 31, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 29 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
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 · 8 October 1975
Exempts, under the Internal Revenue Code, aircraft museums, as defined in this Act, from Federal taxes on fuel. Provides for the repayment to such museums by the Secretary of the Treasury of any gasoline taxes paid.
United States · United States Congress · 3 September 1975
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States Government while engaged in a lessening of tensions with the People's Republic of China, do nothing to compromise continued close relations with the Republic of China.
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 · 25 June 1975
Provides, in addition to practices now enumerated as unlawful under the Packers and Stockyards Act, that it shall be unlawful for any packer: (1) to fail to or refuse to pay by cash, check, or wire transfer of funds for the purchase price of livestock at the time and place of sale unless an alternative method of payment is agreed to in writing by both parties to the sale; (2) to seek, establish, or utilize a method of payment calculated to delay the collection of funds; and (3) to encumber, except in an amount greater than the unpaid balance of a cash sale, livestock or related inventories or accounts receivable, in the absence of an express agreement between packer and seller with regard to the extension of credit. Makes it unlawful for a packer to buy livestock without paying for it at the time of purchase unless he has current assets in excess of current liabilities. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to obtain a restraining order or an injunction through a United States district court against a packer found to be operating in violation of this Act. States that debts of a bankrupt packer incurred through livestock or poultry purchases shall have priority in settling the bankruptcy.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 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 · 5 June 1975
Beef Research and Information Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue orders: (1) providing for the establishment and administration of plans for advertising, sales promotion, and consumer information with respect to the use of cattle, beef, or beef products and for the disbursement of necessary funds for such purposes; (2) providing for research and studies with respect to sale, distribution, marketing, utilization, or production of cattle, beef, or beef products, and the creation of new products thereof, to the end that the marketing and utilization of cattle, beef, or beef products may be encouraged, expanded, improved, or made more acceptable, and the data collected by such activities may be disseminated and for the disbursement of necessary funds for such purposes; and (3) providing that slaughterers maintain and make available for inspection such books and records as may be required by any order issued pursuant to this Act. Provides for the establishment of a Beef Board, to be composed of not more than 68 cattle producers or representatives of cattle producers appointed by the Secretary. Sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the Beef Board, including: (1) the administration of the orders of the Secretary in accordance with its terms and provisions; and (2) the issuance of rules and regulations to effectuate the terms and provisions of such orders. Requires the Secretary to conduct a referendum among cattle producers who have been engaged in the production of cattle for the purpose of ascertaining whether the issuance of an order is approved or favored by not less than two-thirds of such producers. Authorizes appropriations of such funds as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1975
Requires under the Social Security Act the continued application of the 8 1/2 percent nursing salary cost differential which is presently allowed in determining the reasonable cost of inpatient nursing care for purposes of reimbursement to providers under the medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1975
Terminates the existence of the Federal Metal and Nonmettalic Mine Safety Board of Review established pursuant to the Federal Metal and Nonmetallic Mine Safety Act. Grants the Secretary of the Interior authority to review mine closing orders which were previously reviewed by the Board. Makes final orders issued by the Secretary subject to the same judicial appeal procedures which Board orders were subject to. (Amends 30 U.S.C. 729-731)
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make a loan of $100,000,000 to the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad Company. Establishes conditions which shall be required by the Secretary before granting such loan. Empowers the Secretary to approve any modifications of any provision of the loan made under this Act. Directs the Secretary to issue such rules and regulations as are appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Act. Grants the Secretary powers necessary to enforce the provisions and conditions of this Act. Requires the Secretary to report to the President and to the Congress with respect to his activities pursuant to this Act and to make recommendations for additional legislative action. Declares that the Comptroller General of the United States shall have access to such information, books, records, and documents as he determines necessary to audit operations carried out in the administration of this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act in addition to the amount to be loaned.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1975
Provides that specified rural hospitals shall be exempt for a period of 18 months from the requirements and provisions of Title XI of the Social Security Act relating to the establishment of professional standards review organizations and from the provisions of such Act and the regulations governing utilization review and utilization control procedures under the medicare, medicaid, and maternal and child health programs. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to investigate alternative methods of utilization review and control for rural hospitals. Defines "rural hospitals" for purposes of this Act as meaning a hospital which is located in a community having a population of less than 50,000, but only if: (1) there is no other is no other community which has a population of fifty thousand or more within a ten-mile radius of such hospital; (2) the combined average patient load for all hospitals within such ten-mile radius is less than forty per day; and (3) the number of practicing physicians on the regular staff of such hospital does not exceed seven.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1975
Revises the Emergency Livestock Credit Act to include the Federal Financing Bank in the term "legally organized lending agency" only to the extent that such Bank may hold the guaranteed portion of such loans. Allows a contract that guarantees such loan to require the Secretary of Agriculture to participate in up to 90 percent of any loss. Extends to seven years the period of time loans guaranteed under such Act may be repaid. Restricts the total principal balance outstanding at any one time to $250,000 on loans guaranteed under this act for any one loan applicant. Terminates the authority to make loans under this Act on December 31, 1976. Allows the lender to accept collateral for such guaranteed loans which has depreciated in value due to temporary economic conditions, but which remains adequate security for the loan.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1975
American Folklife Preservation Act - Creates an American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress. Provides that the center shall be subject to the supervision and direction of a board of trustees. Specifies the composition of such board, including four members appointed by the President, eight members appointed by the Librarian of Congress, the Librarian of Congress, and the Director of the Center. Authorizes the Center to establish and implement a program of contracts, grants, and scholarships to preserve, protect, revitalize and disseminate American folklife traditions and arts. Provides that no payment shall be made pursuant to this Act to carry out any research or training over a period in excess of two years. States that such research or training may be extended to a period not to exceed five years with the concurrance of at least two-thirds of the members of the board. Provides that no former employee of the Federal government shall be eligible to receive any grant or other assistance under this Act in the two-year period following the termination of such employment. Requires the Center to submit to the Library of Congress, an annual report of its operations under this Act. Authorizes such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make a loan of $100,000,000 to the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad Company. Establishes conditions which shall be required by the Secretary before granting such loan. Empowers the Secretary to approve any modifications of any provision of the loan made under this Act. Directs the Secretary to issue such rules and regulations as are appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Act. Grants the Secretary powers necessary to enforce the provisions and conditions of this Act. Requires the Secretary to report to the President and to the Congress with respect to his activities pursuant to this Act and to make recommendations for additional legislative action. Declares that the Comptroller General of the United States shall have access to such information, books, records, and documents as he determines necessary to audit operations carried out in the administration of this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act in addition to the amount to be loaned.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1975
Administrative Rulemaking Control Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to establish a procedure whereby Congress may review certain rulemaking activities of executive agencies, thereby exercising greater control and oversight over the operations of such agencies. Provides that an administrative rule, the violation of which subjects an individual to a criminal penalty, shall take effect only: (1) if published in the Federal Register; (2) after the expiration of 30 days of continuous session of Congress after the date on which the rule was published; and (3) if neither House of Congress passes a resolution disfavoring such a rule. Sets forth procedures governing the consideration of such rules by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1975
Family Farm Inheritance Act - States that for purposes of the estate tax under the Internal Revenue Code the value of the taxable estate shall be determined by deducting the lesser of: (1) $200,000; or (2) the value of the decedent's interest in a family farming operation continuously owned by him or his spouse for five years prior to his death and which passes to a related individual. Disqualifies the individual to whom the estate passes from the tax benefit authorized by this Act if such individual, within five years after the decedent's death, sells or removes the family farming operation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1975
Provides for an adjustment of the target prices, loan and purchase levels on the 1975 crops of upland cotton, corn, wheat, and soybeans. Establishes the price support for milk at 85 percent of parity with quarterly adjustments for the period ending March 31, 1976. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to adjust the support price quarterly to reflect changes in the prices paid by farmers for production items, interest, taxes, and wage rates.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1975
Beef Research and Consumer Information Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to enable cattle producers to establish, finance, and carry out a coordinated program to improve markets for cattle, beef and beef products, and to provide an adequate supply of high quality beef to the consumers of the Nation at reasonable prices. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue beef research and promotion orders. Provides that such orders shall be issued only after due notice and opportunity for hearing shall have been given to producers and producer organizations, and after the Secretary shall have determined that the issuance of such an order will effectuate the declared policy of this Act. Declares that such order shall not take effect until approved by a majority of two-thirds of the cattle producers voting in a referendum. Establishes a Beef Board to administer the Order in accordance with its terms and provisions, to make rules and regulations to effectuate the terms and provisions of the Order, to receive, investigate and report complaints of violations of the Order, and to recommend to the Secretary amendments to the Order. Lists the procedures for appointing members of such board. Requires that any plans for advertising, sales promotion, consumer education, producer education, research, and the annual budget be developed by the Beef Board and submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture for approval. Empowers the Beef Board to enter into contracts or agreements for the development and carrying out of the activities authorized under the Order. Declares that producers of cattle shall be assessed at a specific rate to be determined by stated procedures. Provides that each time cattle are sold, the cattle producer shall pay to the purchaser the amount assessed, based upon the sale price of the cattle. Provides that any cattle producer against whose cattle or beef any assessment is made and collected shall have the right to demand and receive from the Beef Board a refund of such assessment. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to preempt or interfere with the workings of any beef board, beef council, or other beef promotion entity organized and operating within and by authority of any of the several states. Provides for the return to members of such beef board or council of an amount to be determined by a specified formula. Stipulates that to qualify for the funds described in this provision, such state beef board, beef council or other beef promotional entity shall demonstrate ability to provide research, promotion and education within the state consistent with this Act and Order. States that each purchaser, handler or agent may be required to report to the Beef Board periodically concerning number of cattle handled, amount assessed, sale price of cattle on which assessment was collected, and other information necessary for the enforcement of this Act. Declares that this Act and any order issued pursuant to it may be enforced in the District Courts of the U.S., with the U.S. Attorney General having authority to bring any Civil suits authorized under this Act. Provides for a fine of not more than $1,000 for violation, of this Act and any orders issued pursuant to it. Stipulates that no funds collected by the Beef Baord shall in any manner be used for the purpose of influencing governmental policy or action. Authorizes to be appropriated such funds as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Stipulates that funds so appropriated shall not be available for payment of the expenses or expenditures of the Beef Board in administering any provisions of any order issued pursuant to the terms of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1975
Increases to $3,600 the amount of outside earnings which is permitted an individual 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 · 6 February 1975
American Folklife Preservation Act - Creates an American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress. Provides that the center shall be subject to the supervision and direction of a board of trustees. Specifies the composition of such board, including four members appointed by the President, eight members appointed by the Librarian of Congress, the Librarian of Congress, and the Director of the Center. Authorizes the Center to establish and implement a program of contracts, grants, and scholarships to preserve, protect, revitalize and disseminate American folklife traditions and arts. Provides that no payment shall be made pursuant to this Act to carry out any research or training over a period in excess of two years. States that such research or training may be extended to a period not to exceed five years with the concurrance of at least two-thirds of the members of the board. Provides that no former employee of the Federal government shall be eligible to receive any grant or other assistance under this Act in the two-year period following the termination of such employment. Requires the Center to submit to the Library of Congress, an annual report of its operations under this Act. Authorizes such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Prohibits the importation of any cattle, fresh, chilled or frozen beef, preserved beef or veal, milk, cream, butter, oleomargarine and butter substitutes, cheeses, or any beef or dairy products described or specified in any of the items of the Tariff schedules of the United States relating to such products until the Secretary of Agriculture certifies to the Agricultural Committees of Congress, that such imports do not pose a danger to the economic well-being of the Nation's meat and dairy producers, and the Nation's quality and health standards for foods for domestic consumption. Stipulates that no such certification shall be issued until one year from the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1975
Allows a tax deduction up to $750 for ordinary and necessary expenses incurred by a taxpayer under the Internal Revenue Code in making repairs and improvements to his residence during the taxable year. Allows the owner of rental housing to amortize at an accelerated rate (over a 60-month period) the cost of rehabilitating or restoring such housing. Authorizes the taxpayer to switch from such accelerated amortization to the regular depreciation deduction allowable under the Internal Revenue Code for property used in a trade or business or held for the production of income.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1975
Expands, under the Internal Revenue Code, the special rule which permits, in the case of insurance proceeds received as a result of destruction or damage to crops, a taxpayer to elect to include such proceeds as income in the year following destruction (if the crop income would have been reported in such year), to treat payments received under the Agricultural Act of 1949 as a result of destruction or damage to crops by natural disaster (or inability to plant because of such disaster) as insurance proceeds.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1975
Eliminates the outside earnings limitation of the Social Security Act which presently operates to reduce the benefits payable under the Federal Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program in the case where the insured individual has outside earnings in excess of such limitation.
![Official portrait of Rep. Hightower, Jack E. [D-TX-13]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/h000582_200.jpg)