United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act - Title I: Statement of Findings and policy - Declares that most of the nation's coal reserve can only be mined by underground methods. States the purposes of this Act, including to establish a nationwide program to prevent the adverse effects to society and the environment from surface coal mining. Title II: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement - Establishes in the Interior Department the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement with a director appointed by the President. States that such office shall administer the programs required by this Act and assist the States in development of State programs for surface coal mining and reclamation. Title III: State Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute - Authorizes appropriation to the Secretary of the Interior of sums adequate to provide for each participating State $200,000 for fiscal year 1975, $300,000 for fiscal year 1976, and $400,000 for each fiscal year thereafter for 5 years, to assist the States in carrying on the work or a competent and qualified mining and mineral resources research institute or center agency at the school of mines of one public college or university of the State. Requires such monies to be matched dollar for dollar by the States. Authorizes appropriation of $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, such sum to be increased by $2,000,000 each fiscal year for 6 years thereafter, for specific projects in mining and mineral research in research institutes. Directs the Secretary to establish a center for cataloging current and projectd scientific research in mining and mineral resources. Directs the Secretary to establish a center for cataloging current and projected scientific research in mining and mineral resources. Requires the Secretary to appoint an Advisory Committee on Mining and Mineral Research to advise him on all matters concerning mining and mineral resources research. Title IV: Abandoned Mine Reclamation - Creates the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund in the Treasury. Requires operators of coal mines to pay into the fund quarterly fees of $.35 per ton of coal produced by surface mining and $.25 per ton of coal produced by underground mining, or 10 percent of the value of the coal in the mine, whichever is less. Authorizes use of money in the Fund for acquisition and reclamation of abandoned and unreclaimed mined lands and for acquisitions and fillings of voids and sealing of tunnels and entryways in abandoned mines. Permits the Secretary to acquire land by condemnation for reclamation. Encourages States to acquire abandoned and unreclaimed land, and to transfer to the Secretary for reclamation, and authorizes matching grants for such purpose, up to 90 percent of land price. Allows resale of reclaimed land by public bidding, and allows local public participation in determining the use of reclaimed land. Title V: Control of the Environmental Impacts of Surface Coal Mining - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to implement within 135 days of enactment, a Federal program of enforcement of specified standards to remain in effect until State programs are approved. Directs publication within 180 days of enactment of regulations covering surface coal mining and reclamation, setting standards for State programs. States that such regulations must meet approval of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator. Requires States, within 18 months of enactment, to submit programs for carrying out this Act, such programs to include a State regulatory authority capable of regulating surface coal mining, State laws providing for sanctions for violations of regulations, and a permit system for surface coal mining regulation. Demands that such State programs meet the approval of the EPA Administrator. Subjects State programs to approval of Secretary of Interior within 6 months. Requires implementation of a Federal program of surface coal mining regulation where States fail in such implementation. Permits State laws and regulations that are more stringent than this Act. Requires, 30 months after enactment, that no surface coal mining shall take place except where a permit, good for 5 years, has been issued. States that permits application must demonstrate ability and intent to comply with this Act and assurance that reclamation can be achieved. Requires permit applications to describe the method of mining and equipment proposed to be used, to describe by maps the land to be affected, and to contain a statement of results of test borings or core samplings of the affected land. States that permits must be accompanied by a mining and reclamation plan which shall include a description of present uses of the land, steps to be taken to prevent environmental damage, and a description of the reclamation activities. Requires the posting of performance bonds and possession of liability insurance by applicants for permits. Sets general performance standards for environmental protection in surface coal mining which permittees under this Act must meet. Imposes additional standards for steep-slope surface mining. Directs the Secretary to promulgate rules and regulations directed at the surface effects of underground mining, including specified requirements. Directs and authorizes inspection of surface coal mining and reclamation to determine compliance with this Act and regulations. Provides for requirement of record keeping and submittal and monitoring by mine operators. Requires surprise inspections by regulatory agencies not less than once a month. Requires civil penalties for violation of this Act or regulations under it. Provides that when an operator completes the backfilling, regrading, and drainage control of a bonded area, he may request a release of 60 percent of the bond. Provides that the remaining amount may be returned upon completion of all reclamation. Allows persons with a legal interest to file objections to release of bond, and for public hearings to follow. Permits any person to bring a civil suit against any person, including the United States, alleged to be in violation of this Act. Allows the court to award costs of litigation to parties in suits brought under this Act. Permits the Secretary to intervene in actions under this Act. Allows, where State regulatory authorities do not exist or fail to act, for Federal enforcement of this Act and of permit conditions. Permits issuance of an order to cease mining and reclamation. Provides for the Attorney General to institute civil suit for a restraining order or injunction to enforce this Act or regulations under it. Directs States to designate as unsuitable for surface coal mining those areas where reclamation is impossible or where land is fragile or of historical value. Prohibits existing mining operations from being declared unsuitable. Requires implementation of a Federal lands program applicable to all surface mining and reclamation operations on Federal land. Requires such program to, at least, adopt all requirements of this Act. Demands separate regulations for programs for special bituminous coal surface mines that meet speicified criteria, and for anthracite coal surface mines which are regulated by environmental protection standards of the States. Title VI: Designation of Lands Unsuitable for Noncoal Mining - Allows the Secretary to designate Federal lands unsuitable for mining materials other than coal, if they are predominantly urban or suburban in character or if such mining operations would have an adverse impact on lands used primarily for residential and related purposes. Title VII: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Prohibits discrimination against employees for filing suit under this Act and for testifying in a proceeding under this Act. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress. Directs the President to minimize the adverse impact upon employment of any actions taken pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make grants to the States to provide cash benefits to individuals who have lost their jobs as a direct result of this Act and who are not eligible for unemployment assistance or who have exhausted their unemployment benefits. Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering for a study of surface coal mining conditions in Alaska in order to determine which, if any, of the provisions of this Act should be modified with respect to such operations in Alaska. Directs the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering and other groups for a study of the technology for surface and open-pit mining and reclamation for minerals other than coal designed to assist in the development of regulation for such operations. Directs the Secretary to consult with Indian tribes in studying the regulation of surface mining on Indian lands. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act, as follows: (1) $10,000,000 for various contract authority immediately and for the next two fiscal years; (2) for administrative and other purposes, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, $20,000,000 for fiscal years 1976 and 1977, and $30,000,000 for fiscal years thereafter; (3) for research and demonstration projects, $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 and for each fiscal year thereafter, $250,000 for the Alaskan surface coal mine study; and (4) $500,000 for the study of surface mining of other minerals. Requires the written consent of the owner of the surface rights before the Secretary shall lease Federally-owned mineral rights, and requires compensation to be paid by the lessee to the surface owner.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Directs the President to provide to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives all information relating to any of the following activities since January 1, 1960, engaged in by any person in the United States for the Central Intelligence Agency: (1) each instance of surreptitious entry, breaking and entering, or burglary; (2) each instance of intercepting and opening of mail; (3) each instance of wiretapping or electronic surveillance, not pursuant to court order; (4) each instance of collecting information and maintaining files on a citizen of, or person residing in, the United States (other than an employee of the Central Intelligence Agency), or on an association or group within the United States; and (5) each instance of a plan or attempt to do any of the enumerated acts, whether or not such plan or attempt was successfully carried out.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
States that the House of Representatives disapproves the deferral of budget authority relating to comprehensive planning grants under the Housing Act of 1954 (deferral numbered D 75-107) which is proposed by the President in his special message of November 26, 1974 transmitted pursuant to the Impoundment Control Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Requires under the Rules of the House of Representatives, that any private bill relating to immigration or naturalization be accompanied by a statement that the Member introducing such bill shall receive no compensation with respect to his introduction of such bill.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1974
Delays until April 21, 1975, the effective date of Public Law 93-373, which permits United States citizens to purchase, hold, sell, or otherwise deal with gold in the United States or abroad.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1974
Prohibits the President, under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973, from increasing the price of crude oil produced in the United States from the price of such oil in effect on December 1, 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1974
Establishes the effective date of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Act of 1974 as January 1, 1975, in order to provide for the regulation of futures trading and speculation through the enforcement of specific licensing procedures for brokers involved in sales under futures contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1974
Bill of Rights Procedures Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to prohibit any interception of communication, other than electronic surveillance, surreptitious entry, mail opening, or the inspection of and procuring of the records of telephone, bank, credit, medical, or other business or private transactions, of any individual without a court order issued upon probable cause that a crime has been or is about to be committed, supported by oath or affirmation and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. Provides that whoever, being an officer, agent, or employee of the United States or any department or agency thereof willfully: (1) searches any private dwelling used and occupied as a dwelling without a warrant directing such search or maliciously and without reasonable cause searches any other building or property without a search warrant; (2) procures or inspects the records of telephone calls, bank, credit, medical, or other business or private transactions of any individual without a search warrant or the consent of the individual; (3) opens any foreign or domestic mail not directed to him without a search warrant directing such opening or without the consent of the sender or addressee of such mail; or (4) intercepts, endeavors to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept any wire or oral communication except as authorized by law; shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. Requires that within 30 days after the date of an order authorizing or approving the interception of a wire or oral communication (or each extension thereof) entered under authority of law, or the denial of an order approving an interception, the person seeking such order shall report to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and House of Representatives: (1) the fact that an order or extension was applied for; (2) the kind of order or extension applied for; (3) the fact that the order or extension was granted as applied for, was modified, or was denied; (4) the period of interceptions authorized by the order, and the number and duration of any extensions of the order; (5) the names of all parties to the intercepted communications; (6) the offense specified in the order or application; (7) the identity of the investigative or law enforcement officer and agency making the application and the person authorizing the application to be made; (8) a copy of the court order authorizing, approving, or denying such interception; and (9) the nature of the facilities from which or the place where communications were intercepted. Specifies that reports be made within 90 days after the date of an order approving the interception of a wire or oral communication on the disposition of all records of any such interception and the identity of and action taken by all individuals who had access to any such interception. Sets forth reporting requirements in the case of warrants issued authorizing the opening of mail.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1974
Provides, under the Controlled Substances Act, that it shall not be unlawful for any person to publicly or privately possess, distribute, transfer, or sell marihuana under enumerated circumstances. States that marihuana in the lawful possession of any person shall not be considered contraband and shall not be subject to seizure by or forfeiture to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1974
Establishes, as an independent agency of the executive branch, the Office of Special Counsel. Provides that the Special Counsel shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, and may be removed from office only for gross dereliction of duty, gross impropriety or physical or mental inability to discharge the powers and duties of the office. Grants to the Office of Special Counsel the exclusive authority and duty to represent the interests of the United States in any proceeding related to the Presidential materials of Richard Nixon. Defines "Presidential materials of Richard Nixon" as used in this Act. Stipulates that this Act shall not impair any rights to the custody or use of such materials by the Office of Watergate Special Prosecution Force, and that no case in which the Special Counsel is representing the United States may be compromised, settled, or dismissed without prior notice to the Office of Watergate Special Prosecution Force and the express approval of the court.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1974
States that the House of Representatives disapproves proposed deferral of budget authority numbered D75-9, relating to construction of waste treatment plants, as transmitted to the Congress in the President's message of September 23, 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1974
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to purchase lands for the establishment of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in the State of Georgia.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1974
Black Lung Benefits Act - Directs that in the implementation of the provisions of the Federal Coal Mines Health and Safety Act of 1969 the Advisory Committee on Coal Mine Health Research established under such Act shall include in its membership a minimum of five members who are miners or retired miners. Requires that the standards prescribed by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare for determining the total disability of a miner due to pneumoconiosis, in the case of claims filed after July 1, 1973, shall not be more restrictive than such standards prescribed by the Secretary for evaluating claims filed prior to July 1, 1973. Requires that if a miner claiming black lung benefits under the Act after December 31, 1972, was employed for fifteen years or more in one or more underground coal mines there shall be an irrebuttable presumption that the miner is totally disabled due to pneumoconiosis or that at the time of his death he was totally disabled by pneumoconiosis. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to utilize procedures including affidavits similar to those utilized by him in determining entitlement to disability insurance benefit payments under the Social Security Act in cases under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 where there is no medical evidence in the case of a deceased miner, in order to establish that the miner claiming benefits thereunder was totally disabled due to pneumoconiosis or that his death was due to such disease. Provides that the Secretary shall include a State workmen's compensation law on the list of State laws found by the Secretary to provide adequate coverage for pneumoconiosis for purposes of such Act if he finds that any claim for benefits on account of total disability or death of a miner due to pneumocomiosis is deemed by such State law to be timely filed if such claim is filed within three years of the date of last coal mine employment of such miner, and if it meets other criteria under the Act. Directs the Secretary to review all claims which were filed with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under the Act and which were denied or were pending at the time of the enactment of the Black Lung Benefits Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1974
National Condominium and Tenants Rights Act - Expresses the findings of Congress and declares the purposes of the Act, including to establish minimum national standards governing the sale, ownership, conversion to, and extension of credit for condominiums. States that no condominium housing loan shall be made: (1) to any developer unless the creditor received a written property statement containing specified names, address, legal descriptions, costs and assurances; or (2) to any prospective purchaser unless the same written property statement has been submitted to such purchaser 21 days prior to to any legally obligating document's execution. Provides similar protection for tenants in cases of condominium conversions. Prohibits discrimination against condominium-unit purchasers in the extension of credit on the basis of age, sex, marital status, religion, race, or national origin. Provides for the designation of an Assistant Secretary for Condominiums in the Department of Housing and Urban Development and enumerates the duties to be performed. Requires each creditor subject to the provisions of this Act to file an annual report with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development showing the extent of compliance with the provisions of this Act. Creates a civil remedy against creditors by persons discriminated against in violation of this Act. States that any developer or creditor who violates the provisions of this Act shall be fined not more than $15,000 for each violation. Empowers the Secretary to encourage and make grants to State and local governments to help establish offices to administer and enforce State and local requirements with respect to condominiums. Enumerates the requirements to be met by any plan for the protection of purchasers of condominium units and those displaced by conversion to such units prior to the making of any grant. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out such grants. Defines the terms used in this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1974
Prohibits any increase in the price of consumer commodities by any retailer once a price is placed on any such commodity by such retailer. Imposes civil penalties under the Federal Trade Commission Act for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1974
Emergency Jobs Act - Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to permit the Secretary of Labor to make financial assistance available for the purpose of providing transitional employment for unemployed persons in jobs providing needed public services, and training and manpower services. Makes $1,000,000,000 available for the purposes of this Act for obligation in any twelve-month period in which the national rate of unemployment exceeds 4 1/2 percent for three consecutive months, and an additional $1,000,000,000 for every increment of one-half percent over 4 1/2 percent not to exceed a 6 percent unemployment rate.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1974
Directs the President to furnish the House of Representatives the following information: (1) the nature, source by agency within the executive branch, and cost of each service, facility, and payment provided by, or at any expense to, the United States to, or for the benefit of, Richard M. Nixon, his wife, or any of his daughters or sons-in-law, from August 9, 1974, to the date of the adoption of this resolution, including any: (a) personnel, whether part or full-time; (b) office or recreational facilities; (c) travel and moving; (d) medical services and facilities; (e) office supplies, equipment, and other personal property; and (f) maintenance services for real property; (2) any decision that has been made by the White House or any agency within the executive branch, with respect to continuing any such service, facility, or payment; and (3) any decision that has been made by the General Services Administration, or any other agency within the executive branch, to bring about the return to the United States of any thing of value (including any office furniture, any property improvements, and any gifts from foreign powers) given to or utilized by Richard M. Nixon, his wife, or any of his daughters or sons-in-law, at the expense of the United States, while Richard M. Nixon was President of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1974
States that it is unlawful for any citizen or resident of the United States to offer to make, or make, a contribution to any agency of the United States or officer, agency, or agent of the United States for the purpose of influencing the outcome of an election for public office in a foreign country. States that it is unlawful for any officer, employee, or agent of the United States: (1) to solicit any citizen or resident of the United States to contribute to, or make an expenditure in support of, any candidate or political party, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of influencing the outcome of an election for public office in a foreign country, or (2) to accept a contribution from any citizen or resident of the United States for such purpose. Provides that whoever violates any provision of this Act shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1974
Redefines the terms "President" and "Vice President" for the purposes of retirement and transition benefits to exclude from such benefits those who have been impeached or convicted or pardoned of a crime against the United States, committed, otherwise than purely in the conduct of such person's personal affairs, while such person was serving as an elected or appointed official of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1974
New Homestead Act - Provides that in the case of any farm purchase loan to any person who is (1) a nonowner-operator of a farm or (2) an owner-operator of a farm who is not reliant on such farm for his principal source of income, the Secretary of Agriculture may make or insure any such loan up to $100,000 or 90 percent of the value of the farm being purchased, whichever is greater. States that the repayment of any farm purchase loan by any person who was at the time of such loan a nonowner-operator of a farm or an owner-operator of a farm, but not reliant on such farm for his principal source of income, shall, upon the request of such person at the time the loan is made or insured, be made as follows: (1) during the first twelve-month period beginning on the first day of the first month after the loan is made and during each of the next fourteen twelve-month periods, one-eightieth of the total amount to be financed including interest; and (2) (A) during each of the next twenty-five twelve-month periods, one twenty-fifth of an amount equal to the total amount to be financed including interest minus the amount paid pursuant to paragraph (1); or (B) at the close of the fifteenth twelve-month period, the balance of the principal plus an amount of interest which would have been due and payable during the first fifteen twelve-month periods had the forty-year loan been paid in four hundred and eighty equal installments; except that the balance of the loan shall become due and payable if such farm or any interest therin is transferred without the approval of the Secretary to any person ineligible for a loan. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1974
Directs the President to furnish the House of Representatives the following information: (1) the nature, source by agency within the executive branch, and cost of each service, facility, and payment provided by, or at any expense to, the United States to, or for the benefit of, Richard M. Nixon, his wife, or any of his daughters or sons-in-law, from August 9, 1974, to the date of the adoption of this resolution, including any: (a) personnel, whether part or full-time; (b) office or recreational facilities; (c) travel and moving; (d) medical services and facilities; (e) office supplies, equipment, and other personal property; and (f) maintenance services for real property; (2) any decision that has been made by the White House or any agency within the executive branch, with respect to continuing any such service, facility, or payment; and (3) any decision that has been made by the General Services Administration, or any other agency within the executive branch, to bring about the return to the United States of any thing of value (including any office furniture, any property improvements, and any gifts from foreign powers) given to or utilized by Richard M. Nixon, his wife, or any of his daughters or sons-in-law, at the expense of the United States, while Richard M. Nixon was President of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1974
Excludes former Presidents, whose service is terminated by resignation while impeachment proceedings are pending against them in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, from specified allowances and compensation provided by Federal law. (Amends 3U.S.C. 102nt.)
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1974
Black Lung Benefits Act - Directs that in the implementation of the provisions of the Federal Coal Mines Health and Safety Act of 1969 the Advisory Committee on Coal Mine Health Research established under such Act shall include in its membership a minimum of five members who are miners or retired miners. Requires that the standards prescribed by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare for determining the total disability of a miner due to pneumoconiosis, in the case of claims filed after July 1, 1973, shall not be more restrictive than such standards prescribed by the Secretary for evaluating claims filed prior to July 1, 1973. Requires that if a miner claiming black lung benefits under the Act after December 31, 1972, was employed for fifteen years or more in one or more underground coal mines there shall be an irrebuttable presumption that the miner is totally disabled due to pneumoconiosis or that at the time of his death he was totally disabled by pneumoconiosis. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to utilize procedures including affidavits similar to those utilized by him in determining entitlement to disability insurance benefit payments under the Social Security Act in cases under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 where there is no medical evidence in the case of a deceased miner, in order to establish that the miner claiming benefits thereunder was totally disabled due to pneumoconiosis or that his death was due to such disease. Provides that the Secretary shall include a State workmen's compensation law on the list of State laws found by the Secretary to provide adequate coverage for pneumoconiosis for purposes of such Act if he finds that any claim for benefits on account of total disability or death of a miner due to pneumocomiosis is deemed by such State law to be timely filed if such claim is filed within three years of the date of last coal mine employment of such miner, and if it meets other criteria under the Act. Directs the Secretary to review all claims which were filed with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under the Act and which were denied or were pending at the time of the enactment of the Black Lung Benefits Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1974
Freedom from Military Surveillance Act - Restricts, under the first amendment and fourth amendment to the Constitution and the constitutional right of privacy, the actions of any civil officer of the United States or any member of the Armed Forces of the United States in using the Armed Forces of the United States to exercise surveillance of civilians or to execute the civil laws. Sets forth penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1974
Requests the President of the United States to furnish the House, within 10 days, with information concerning his specific knowledge of any formal criminal charges pending against Richard M. Nixon prior to issuance of the pardon. Lists other congressional questions relating to the Presidential pardon of former President Richard M. Nixon.
United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that President Gerald R. Ford should make a full and voluntary disclosure to the Committee on the Judiciary of all the circumstances surrounding and the reasons prompting his grant of a pardon to Richard Nixon on September 8, 1974, and should make available for this purpose all notes, documents, tape recordings, memorandums, and other things in his possession or control, and the testimony of witnesses which the Committee on the Judiciary deems necessary for a full understanding of the facts. Directs the House Committee on the Judiciary to report to the House of Representatives its findings of fact, together with an analysis of the constitutionality and legal validity of the pardon granted to Richard Nixon.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1974
Provides, under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, for payment under the hospital insurance program for care and treatment furnished at a central radiation therapy treatment facility. Provides full payment under the supplementary medical insurance program for radiation therapy services furnished by physicians to inpatients or outpatients of any hospital or any such facility. Defines the terms used in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1974
Requests the President of the United States to furnish to the House of Representatives information concerning what are the specific offenses against the United States for which a pardon was granted to Richard M. Nixon on September 8, 1974 and what are the certain acts or omissions occurring before his resignation from the office of President for which Richard Nixon has become liable to possible indictment and trial for offenses against the United States, as stated in the Proclamation of Pardon. Lists other congressional questions concerning the President's general pardon of former President Richard M. Nixon.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1974
Authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to acquire the Willard Hotel in the District of Columbia for the purpose of providing living quarters for congressional interns and pages of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Provides for use of space in such building for office purposes by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1974
Requires, under title XVI of the Social Security Act, that the value of maintenance and support furnished an indivudual or his eligible spouse by a nonprofit retirement home be excluded from income for the purpose of determining eligibility for supplemental security income benefits under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 1974
Local Fiscal Assistance Act - Eliminates provisions relating to assistance payments to State governments from the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act. Requires such payments to local governments on a quarterly basis. Changes the name of the fund in such Act to the Local Government Fiscal Assistance Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations to such fund for fiscal years 1975 through December 31, 1978; and such sums as are necessary for advance payments to local governments for critical needs. Changes the definition of "entitlement period" to include the time from January 1, 1975, through December 31, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 1974
Requires the monthly publication of a Consumer Price Index for the Elderly and provides for studies and legislative recommendations to be made with regard to utilizing such index in determining cost-of-living adjustments authorized in Federal programs for individuals who are at least sixty-two years of age.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 1974
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the designation of 1975 as International Women's Year is welcomed and full support is expressed for the goals for the Year as proclaimed by the Secretary General of the United Nations and the President of the United States; (2) cooperation in observance of the Year is urged on the part of all concerned people, official and private, men and women, to insure that constructive measures are taken to advance the rights and responsibilities of women during 1975; (3) a concerted effort should be made to insure that 1975 is a year not only of stock-taking but also a time for the launching of new programs and the forming of new attitudes toward the role of women; and (4) women in more than token numbers should be included on all United States delegations to international conferences or other meetings, and on national commissions and other bodies where positions are filled by Federal appointment.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1974
Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship Act - Expresses the findings of Congress and declares that it is especially appropriate to honor former President Harry S. Truman through the creation of a perpetual educational scholarship program to develop increased opportunities for young Americans to prepare and pursue careers in public service. Establishes as an independent establishment of the executive branch of the United States Government, the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, to be subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees. Authorizes the Foundation to award fifty-one scholarships in any fiscal year beginning after June 30, 1973, for undergraduate study for persons who plan to pursue a career in public service. States that each recipient shall be knows as a Truman scholar. Sets forth provisions governing: (1) the scholarship requirements; (2) the procedures for selection of Truman scholars; (3) stipends and institutional allowances; and (4) the scholarship conditions. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship Trust Fund. Prescribes the procedures for expenditures from the fund. Directs that there shall be an Executive Secretary of the Foundation, appointed by the Board, who shall be the chief executive officer and shall carry out the functions of the Foundation subject to the supervision and direction of the Board. Authorizes to be appropriated $30,000,000 to the fund. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for administrative expenses incident to carrying out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1974
Expresses the sense of the House that the prevention of widespread famine requires immediate and substantial public investments in agricultural research and technology for the express purpose of increasing food production which would: (1) insure a ready supply of food at reasonable consumer food costs; (2) aid in the maintenance of a favorable United States trade balance; and (3) reduce the risk of food shortages in years of adverse weather.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1974
Declares that all foreign troops currently involved in Cyprus be withdrawn immediately so that the United Nations may be permitted to restore peace to the island and the Cypriot people guaranteed the right to determine their own destiny.
United States · United States Congress · 20 August 1974
Provides for the establishment in the District of Columbia of the Sewall-Belmont House National Historic Site. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 August 1974
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States should: (1) act to relieve immediate threats of famine where it exists and assist food-short nations in increasing food production; (2) attempt to achieve an international agreement on a food reserve to be used in emergencies; (3) assist in social and economic growth and in population control (as requested) in underdeveloped nations; and (4) support the efficient use and equitable distribution of food worldwide.
United States · United States Congress · 19 August 1974
Public Disclosure of Lobbying Act - Establishes, as an independent establishment of the executive branch, the Federal lobbying Disclosure Commission, composed of the Comptroller General and seven members appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Directs the Commission to avail itself of the assistance, including personnel and facilities, of the General Accounting Office and the Department of Justice. Enumerates the powers of the Commission, including the power: (1) to require any person to submit in writing such reports and answers to questions as the Commission may prescribe; and (2) to initiate, prosecute, defend, or appeal any civil or criminal action in the name of the Commission for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Act through its General Counsel. Provides that it shall be the duty of the Commission to perform specified tasks, including: (1) to develop and furnish to lobbyists forms required to be filed under this Act; (2) to prepare a manual setting forth recommended uniform methods of bookkeeping and reporting; (3) to develop a filing, coding, and cross-indexing system consonant with the purpose of this Act; (4) to make specified documents filed with it available for public inspection and copying; (5) to preserve such reports and statements for a period of ten years; (6) to compile and summarize (in specified categories) information contained in notices and reports filed; (7) to make audits and field investigations with respect to statements and reports filed under the provisions of this Act; (8) to prepare a special study or report upon the request of any Member of the House of Representatives or the Senate from information in the records of the Commission; and (9) to presecibe suitable rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act. Provides that each lobbyist shall, within 15 days after becoming a lobbyist, file a notice of representation with the Commission. Provides that the notice of representation shall be in such form and detail as the Commission shall prescribe and sets forth minimum elements to be contained in such notice. Enumerates those persons required to maintain records of lobbying activities and sets forth the required form and content of reports to be made to the Commission containing such records. Sets forth criminal penalties for violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 August 1974
Equal Opportunity and Full Employment Act - Directs the President, with the assistance of the Council of Economic Advisors, to transmit annually a full employment and production program to the Congress. Sets forth a summary of the content to be contained in such annual report. Provides for annual Labor Reports of the President. Requires the Labor Reports to provide detailed attention on a continuing and progressively analytical basis to the changing volume and composition of the American labor supply. Renames the United States Employment Service as the United States Full Employment Service. Creates a Job Guarantee Office in the United States Full Employment Office headed by a Job Guarantee Officer whose responsibility is to provide useful and rewarding employment for any American, able and willing to work but not yet working, unable otherwise to obtain work, and applying to such office for assistance. Directs the Job Guarantee Office to carry out responsibilities under this Act upon the recommendation and approval of the local planning councils. Requires that each Job Guarantee Office in carrying out its responsibilities shall insure that among projects planned that adequate consideration be given to such individuals and groups as may face special obstacles in finding and holding useful and rewarding employment and shall provide or have provided through the coordination of existing programs special assistance including but not limited to counseling, training, and, where necessary, transportation and migration assistance. Provides that such individuals and groups shall include (1) those suffering from past or present discrimination or bias on the basis of sex, age, race, color, religion, or national origin; (2) older workers and retirees; (3) the physically or mentally handicapped; (4) youths to age 21; (5) potentially employable recipients of public assistance; (6) the inhabitants of depressed areas, urban and rural; (7) veterans of the Armed Forces; (8) people unemployed because of the relocation, closing, or reduced operations in industrial or military facilities; and (9) such other groups as the President or the Congress may designate from time to time. Directs that each Job Guarantee Office may, subject to the limitations specified in this Act, enter into agreements with public agencies and private organizations operating on a profit, nonprofit, or limited-profit basis. Requires such agreements to contain assurances that the agency or organization will: (1) provide an annual independent audit to the Job Guarantee Office; and (2) not discriminate on the grounds of sex, age, race, color, religion, or national origin in the administration of any program encompassed within the agreement. Directs the Job Guarantee Office to: (1) refer jobseekers to the private sector and general public sector employment placement facilities of the Full Employment Service (other than as supplemented by this Act); and (2) directly refer jobseekers for placement in positions on projects drawn from the reservoir of public service and private employment projects. Provides that any who presents himself or herself in person at the full Employment Office shall be considered prima facie "willing and able" to work. Provides that this stipulation specifically shall include persons with impairments of sight, hearing, movement, coordination, mental retardation, or other handicaps. Directs that this stipulation be implemented by the Job Guarantee Officer, prusuant to regulations issued by the Secretary. Establishes a Standby Job Corps which shall consist of jobseekers registered pursuant to this Act. Provides that such Corps shall be available for public service work upon projects and activities that are approved as a part of community public service work reservoirs established by community boards pursuant to this Act. Directs the Secretary, by regulation, to provide for: (1) a requirement that jobseekers registered in the Standby Job Corps maintain a status of good standing, which status shall include attendance and performance standards; and (2) a system of compensation for Corps members. Provides that no Standby Job Corps members shall be paid less than the minimum wage in effect in the area. Directs the Joint Economic Committee to: (1) annually review the activities of the executive branch under all sections of this Act; (2) regularly conduct on its own behalf, or in cooperation with or through the facilities of the appropriate legislative committees or subcommittees of the Senate and the House, public hearings in as many labor market areas as feasible; and (3) annually report upon, with its own conclusions and recommendations, the development and administration of the policies and programs mandated by this Act. Establishes a National Institute for Full Employment within the Department of Labor, under a director to be appointed by the Secretary of Labor, and to operate in continuing consultation with a National Commission for Full Employment Policy Studies. Authorizes and directs the Institute to make, or have made through grants to or contracts with individual researchers and private or public research organizations, universities, and other Government agencies, studies that shall include, but need not be limited to, such subjects as: (1) the policies and programs needed to reduce whatever inflationary pressures may result from full employment to manage any such inflationary pressures through appropriate fiscal policies and indirect and direct controls, and to protect the weaker groups in society from whatever inflationary trends cannot be avoided or controlled; (2) the identification of human potentialities that are hidden, undeveloped, or underdeveloped because of the lack of suitable job opportunities, encouragement, education, or training and of various ways of releasing such potentialities; (3) the forms of education and training needed to help provide people with the skills, knowledge, and values required by existing employment opportunities and technologies and needed to assist in developing such new types of goods, services, technologies, and employment opportunities as may better meet human needs; and (4) the policies and programs needed to substantially eliminate substandard employment, wages, and working conditions and the techniques for establishing standards for employment, wages, and working conditions in accordance with changing levels of national output and resources, and regional variations in output. Authorizes the appropriation for the fiscal year ending on June 30, 1977, and for each succeeding fiscal year of such sums as may be needed to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 August 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) all military, economic, or other assistance, all sales of defense articles and services, all sales of agricultural commodities and services, and all licenses with respect to the transportation of arms, ammunitions, and implements of war (including technical data relating thereto) to the Government of Turkey should be suspended on the date of adoption of this resolution; and (2) the provisions of this resolution should cease to apply when the President reports to the Congress that the Government of Turkey has withdrawn all of its armed forces from Cyprus.
United States · United States Congress · 15 August 1974
Requires the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy to make continuing studies of the development, use, and control of Atomic Energy. Require the Atomic Energy Commission and the Department of Defense to keep the Committee fully informed of their activities with respect to the development and application of atomic energy. States that through members of the Joint Committee who are members of each respective House of Congress, the Joint Committee, twice in each session of Congress, shall cause to be made to the House and Senate a report on the development, use, and control of atomic energy for the common defense and security and for peaceful purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 13 August 1974
National Commission on Epilepsy and Its Consequences Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to appoint a National Commission to determine the most effective means of finding the cause and cures and treatments for epilepsy. Directs that such Commission shall develop a national plan for the control of epilepsy and its consequences. Provides for the membership of such Commission. Sets forth the duties of such Commission. Requires that it shall be a duty of the Commission to develop a comprehensive national plan for the control of epilepsy and its consequences based on the most thorough, complete, and accurate data available on the disorder. Requires the Commission to make recommendations concerning the proper roles of the Federal and State governments, and the national and local public and private agencies in research, prevention, identification and rehabilitation of persons with epilepsy. Requires the transmittal to the President and to the Congress of a final report under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1974
Provides for the printing of 60,000 copies of the Constitution of the United States in Spanish, for use by members of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the House Judiciary Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 6 August 1974
Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives, the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives, the Architect of the Capitol, and the Librarian of Congress (with respect to the employees of the United States Botanic Garden) to enter into agreements with Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia for the withholding of State or District of Columbia income tax in the case of each Member and employee who is subject to such income tax and who voluntarily agrees to such withholding. States that such agreement shall be subject to review by the Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives.