United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1974
Energy Information Act - Expresses the findings of Congress and the purposes of this Act. Sets forth the definitions of terms used in this Act. Title I: Bureau of Energy Information - Establishes as an agency within the Department of Commerce a Bureau of Energy Information to be a main line component of the Social and Economic Statistics Administration, coequal with the Bureau of the Census. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to perform the duties conferred upon the Bureau by this title or delegate any of them. Provides that the Bureau shall be headed by a Director of Energy Information to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. States that the principal function of the Bureau shall be to operate, maintain, and improve the National Energy Information System established by Title II of this Act. Enumerates the work priorities of the Bureau. Title II: National Energy Information System - Establishes a National Energy Information System, to be operated and maintained by the Bureau. Directs that the components of the System shall be: (1) a public library of energy information; (2) a confidential library of energy information for restricted governmental use; and (3) a secret library of energy information for use only in preparing anonymous statistics. Specifies the characteristics of the System. States that the purpose of the public library is to make available to the general public promptly and conveniently as much of the information in the System as can be released consistently with national security and reasonable competitive equities. States that the purpose of the secret library is to serve the Nation's need for accurate statistical information on mineral fuel reserves, natural energy resources, and energy industries. Directs the Director to place in the secret library information obtained under authority of this Act for which either the national security or reasonable competitive equities require that the information be wholly suppressed or be published only in statistical aggregations of a size and type sufficient to prevent any person from learning or inferring the data furnished by any particular establishment or individual. Prescribes the priorities for entry of information into the System. Enumerates the standards for entry of information into the public, confidential, and secret libraries. Imposes penalties on any employee of the Bureau or other employee who, having taken and subscribed the oath of office, publishes or communicates, without the written authority of the Secretary or the Director, any information coming into his possession by reason of his employment from or for entry in the confidential library or the secret library of the System. Penalizes refusal or neglect to provide information, and the providing of false information, under this Act. Title III: Energy Resources Inventories and Inspections by the Department of the Interior - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to compile, maintain, and keep current on not less than an annual basis an inventory of all mineral fuel reserves and natural energy resources in the public lands of the United States, including the Outer Continental Shelf. Specifies the content of such compilation. Title IV: Information on Mineral Fuel Reserves and Natural Energy Resources - Makes it the duty of every substantial energy resources company, foreign or domestic, engaged in commerce to report annually to the Director full and complete details of all mineral fuel reserves and natural energy resources which it, together with its affiliates, owns or controls anywhere in the world. Provides that all reports required by this title and title V shall be entered by the Director, immediately upon receipt, into one of the three libraries of the System. Title V: Information on the Energy Industries - Makes it the duty of every major energy company, foreign or domestic, engaged in commerce, to report annually to the Director on its assets and operations, worldwide, on an establishment basis. Specifies the content of such reports. Authorizes the requiring of additional reports, at the discretion of the Secretary of Commerce or the Director. Title VI: General Accounting Office Oversight - Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to review and evaluate the procedures and activities of the Bureau. Title VII: Conformance of and with Other Statutes - Provides that whenever any of the information obtained from any major energy company under this Act is contained in any other report of such company, such report having been filed prior to the effective date of this Act, the Director may excuse such company from filing a report with him, containing the same information. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Freedom of Information Act and the Federal Reports Act. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - Provides that if any provision of this Act or the applicability thereof is held invalid the remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior such amounts, as may be requisite to full and efficient performance of the duties imposed upon such Departments by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1974
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should evaluate the commodity requirements of the domestic economy to determine which commodities should be designated as in short supply for purposes of taxation of Domestic International Sales Corporations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1974
Establishes a formula for income averaging under the Internal Revenue Code in the event of a downward fluctuation in income. Provides that if an eligible individual has reduced income for the computation year and the amount of such income exceeds $3,000, then the tax imposed under the Internal Revenue Code for the computation year shall be the tax which would be imposed on 80 percent of the average base period income, minus five times the decrease in such tax which would result from subtracting 20 percent of reduced income from 80 percent of average base period income.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1973
Provides that the tax on the amounts paid for communication services shall not apply to the amount of the State and local taxes paid for such services under the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1973
Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act - Declares it to be the policy of the United States and the purpose of this Act to provide for the demonstration within a three-year period of the practical use of solar heating technology. Defines the terms used in this Act. Directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to initiate, support and carry out basic and applied research and development in solar heating and cooling technologies. Provides for the installation of solar heating systems in residential dwellings under the monitoring of the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the National Bureau of Standards and in consultation with the Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development and Defense. Provides that such residential dwellings shall be located in a sufficient number of different geographic areas (not less than three) in the United States to assure a realistic and effective demonstration of solar heating and cooling systems involved. Directs the Director of the National Science Foundation to initiate, support and fund basic and applied research activities related to solar energy in support of the objectives of this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $50,000,000 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 1973
Rural Health Care Delivery Improvement Act - Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to provide assistance to programs for the delivery of health services in order to increase the availability of health care services to residents of rural areas. Establishes within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, an Office of Rural Health to be headed by a Director appointed by the Secretary. Enumerates the powers of the Director, including (1) the authority to award grants for projects to examine existing models of rural health care delivery, (2) determination their applicability to other rural areas, and (3) assistance in the planning and demonstration of rural health care delivery models. States that in determining the eligibility of any entity for assistance, the Director will consider specified factors, including (1) identification of the demographic and geographic characteristics which categorize an area as rural; (2) emergency medical care components and systems available to meet the special problems of the rural areas; (3) education programs in rural areas, including health and nutrition education; and (4) development of community planning mechanisms so that the communities can develop health care delivery models appropriate to their needs. Directs the Director to: (1) provide liaison among agencies of the Federal Government for the purpose of coordinating health care programs in rural areas, (2) make a periodic evaluation of other Department of Health, Education, and Welfare programs relating to health care in rural areas, and (3) provide technical assistance for the development of rural health care delivery models. Authorizes to be appropriated for grants and contracts year 1974, $100 million for fiscal year 1975, and $125 million for fiscal year 1976. Specifies the terms and conditions under which the Director may approve an application for assistance under this Act. Establishes in the Treasury a rural health care delivery loan guarantee and loan fund to enable the Secretary to discharge his responsibilities under guarantees issued by him and for direct loans to public entities. Authorizes to be appropriated to the fund from time to time such amounts as may be required for the fund. Provides that the Director may make grants to public and nonprofit private entities, may enter into contracts with public and private entities and individuals, and the Secretary may provide loans to public entities, and may provide loan guarantees to private entities and individuals. Establishes a Rural Health Care Advisory Committee which shall advise the Director with respect to overall planning, policies, objectives and priorities for the Office of Rural Health and the general administration of the program created under this Act. Sets forth the composition and compensation of Committee members.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1973
Excludes, under the Internal Revenue Code in the case of a physician, dentist, or optometrist who engages in the practice of medicine, dentistry, or optometry, respectively, in a physician shortage area the gross income at the election of the taxpayer of the adjusted gross practice income from such practice in such area to the extent of: (1) $20,000 during the first taxable year of such practice; (2) $15,000 during the second taxable year of such practice; (3) 10,000 during the third taxable year of such practice; (4) $7,500 during the fourth taxable year of such practice; and (5) $5,000 during the fifth taxable year of such practice. States that such exclusion shall apply to a physician, dentist, or optometrist with respect to practice in a physician shortage area only if he continuously engages in such practice for at least 2 years, commencing with the day on which he first engages in such practice. Provides that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall, on or before November 1 of each year (beginning with 1974), certify the physician shortage areas (if any) in each State for the following calendar year.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1973
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to pay to any eligible oil well driller an amount equal to one-half of the intangible drilling and development costs of a nonproductive wildcat oil or natural gas well, not to exceed $25,000 in the case of any one well, in lands not known to be productive of oil and natural gas.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1973
Directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to develop ground propulsion systems which are energy conserving, have clean emission characteristics, and are capable of being produced in large numbers at a reasonable mass production per unit cost. Requires that such ground propulsion systems must meet or better all air quality standards set by or under the National Emission Standards Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Air Quality Act of 1967, while substantially reducing per mile energy comsumption. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act not to exceed $30,000,000 in the aggregate for the fiscal years 1974 through 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 1973
Prohibits the export of oil under the Export Administration Act from the United States to countries other than Canada and Mexico. (Amends 50 U.S.C. 2401)
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 1973
Calls for a study by the Secretary of the Interior to investigate more efficient methods of use of coal and oil shale and the effect on American consumers of continued exports of coal.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 1973
Federal Criminal Justice System Reorganization Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to reorganize, unify and coordinate Federal activities relating to the problems of criminal justice. Transfers specified duties and functions to the Attorney General. Abolishes the Advisory Corrections Council and the Federal Board of Parole. Establishes in the Department of Justice the Criminal Justice Services Administration to be headed by an Administrator appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Provides for a Deputy Administrator of the Criminal Justice Services Administration. Creates within the Administration the National Criminal Justice Board to be composed of eleven members (one from each judicial circuit) who shall represent diverse backgrounds. Makes it the duty of such Board: (1) to formulate, promulgate, and oversee a national policy on the treatment of persons under the jurisdiction of courts of the United States; (2) to prescribe the duties of probation officers; and (3) to perform such other duties as the Administrator may require. Provides for the publication of proposed guidelines, for making objections thereto, and for the holding of public hearings on such objections. Establishes in each judicial district a Criminal Justice Office, composed of not less than three members appointed by the Attorney General. Provides that immediately following the arrest of a person charged with a Federal offense, the case shall be assigned to the appropriate District Office, which shall: (1) investigate the defendant's background and the circumstances surrounding the alleged offense and make such information available to the appropriate judicial officer or court, along with a recommendation as to the setting of bail; (2) recommend, if indicated, mental observation; (3) submit, within thirty days of arrest, a written report to the counsel of record for such defendant, and the office of the United States Attorney having jurisdiction over the case, and the appropriate judicial officer or court. States that such report shall set forth the findings and conclusions of the District Office as to any physical, mental, social, economic, or other problems of the defendant, and shall state whether diversion of the defendant from the criminal justice system of prosecution is desirable and, if desirable, the type of diversion recommended. Provides for the filing of additional reports by the Office when a defendant is convicted of a Federal offense. Specifies the content of such reports, including recommended sentence, reason for imprisonment and goals for the offender to attain while imprisoned. Directs the District Office to carry out, with respect to a defendant who has been sentenced, the function relating to probation, parole, or other form of release transferred to the Administration by the Federal Criminal Justice System Reorganization Act. Establishes within the Administration a Bureau of Juvenile Justice which shall be headed by a Director, appointed by the President of the United States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Makes the Director responsible for all functions transferred to the Administration pursuant to the Federal Criminal Justice System Reorganization Act. Establishes within the Administration the Office of Ombudsman of the Federal Criminal Justice System, which shall be headed by a Director. Provides that any petition for collateral review of a conviction filed by a Federal offender, or any petition filed by an inmate in a State or Federal penal or correctional institution for redress of grievances concerning conditions within such institution, may be referred by the court to the Office of Ombudsman of the Federal Criminal Justice System. Provides that the Office shall have ninety days within which to consider such petition and, if possible, to resolve the matter contained therein. Creates, within the Administration, the Bureau of Federal Criminal Justice Coordination which shall conduct a continuing study of all Federal activities within the Federal Criminal Justice System. Provides that the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration and the Bureau of Prisons shall be within the Administration. Authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1973
Provides that the accounts of Federal and State officials having custody of public funds shall be insured for the full amount of such accounts in the case of depositors under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, insured members under the National Housing Act, and depositors and members under the Federal Credit Union Act. Increases from $20,000 to $50,000 the amount of deposit insurance for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation, and insured credit unions allowed under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, the National Housing Act, and the Federal Credit Union Act, respectively.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1973
Requires the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint a Special Prosecutor of the United States from the lists of not more than three individuals nominated for such appointment by each of the following: the American Bar Association, the American Trial Lawyers Association, the Association of American Law Schools, the National District Attorneys Association, and the National Bar Association. States that it shall be the duty of the Special Prosecutor to investigate and prosecute any offense against the United States arising out of any campaign with respect to the election in 1972 for the Office of President. Provides that the Special Prosecutor shall have full authority to undertake any action he deems necessary and proper for the performance of his duties under this Act. States that the Special Prosecutor may be removed by the President only for good cause established and determined by the Civil Service Commission on the record after opportunity for hearing.
United States · United States Congress · 29 October 1973
Community Mental Health Centers Extension Act - Declares the finding of Congress that community care is the most effective and humane form of care for the majority of mentally ill and retarded individuals. States that it is the Federal Government's responsibility to insure the expansion of the community mental health center concept. Authorizes appropriations for grants for facilities of public and nonprofit community mental health centers. Provides for grants for specified portions of the costs of operation of such centers, under the Community Mental Health Centers Act. States that where an application for a grant is made, the applicant must provide specified assurances, including that specialized services will be provided for the mental health of children and of the elderly. Sets forth requirements for an applicant providing programs for alcoholism and drug abuse. Limits the amount of appropriations which may be used for the evaluation of programs under this Act. Distinguishes, for purposes of granting assistance, between community mental health centers serving poverty areas and those not serving poverty areas. Provides for grants to community mental health centers for consultation and education services. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary for funding such grants . States that no individual, especially alcoholics, narcotic addicts and other persons with drug dependence problems, shall be made the subject of any research carried out with funds provided by specified portions of this Act unless such individual explicitly agrees to become a subject of such research. Repeals specified provisions of the Community Mental Health Centers Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 1973
Export Priorities Act - Title I: General Provisions - Makes technical amendments to the Export Administration Act of 1969. Title II: Agricultural Export Controls - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, with thirty days after the beginning of the crop year for any agricultural commodity, to determine the quantity of the crop of such commodity, if any, that will be available for export and inform the Secretary of commerce thereof, who shall publicly announce such determination. States that no agricultural commodity may be exported to any foreign country unless the person exporting has been issued a license or unless the commodity has been exempted. States that the quantity of any commodity available for export shall be allocated among foreign countries by the Secretary. Specifies the basis for determining such allocation. Provides that the Secretary may reserve not more than 10 percent of a commodity for export in order to meet unexpected foreign demand resulting from natural disaster, crop failure, and changes in existing trading patterns in that commodity. Prescribes the procedures for: (1) issuance of export licenses; (2) administrative revision of quantities available for export; and (3) exports to developing countries. Confers authority on the Secretary to issue such rules or regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provision of this Act. States that fees collected by the Secretary on export licenses shall be deposited in a special account in the Treasury and shall be available to carry out the National School Lunch Act, the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, the Food Stamp Act and the commondity distribution program of the Agricultural Act of 1949, with specified exceptions.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1973
Permits loans under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to a rural investment company where the proceeds of the loan are to be used to purchase loans or participations in loans guaranteed under such Act or guaranteed by an agency of the United States if such loans were made for purposes for which loans could have been made under such Act to the borrowers.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1973
Declares it to be the sense of the House that the President, acting in accordance with the announced policy of the United States Government to maintain Israel's deterrent strength, and under existing authority, should continue to transfer to Israel the Phantom aircraft and other equipment in the quantities needed by Israel to repel the attack and to offset the military equipment and supplies furnished to the Arab States by the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1973
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, an individual tax credit for disaster evacuation expenses. Defines such expenses. States that in general the amount allowed for such a credit shall not exceed $200 for each natural disaster requiring evacuation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1973
Pollution Control Facility Loan Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make loans to finance projects within eligible areas for acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, alteration, expansion, or improvement of a certified pollution control facility. States that such loans shall not exceed 65 percent of the aggregate cost to the applicant of the project. Establishes a revolving fund in the Treasury for making such loans. Authorizes an appropriation of $750,000,000 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1973
Rural Development Incentive Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to encourage national development through the use of the human and natural resources of rural America. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to designate as a job development and job training area, for the purpose of this Act, any geographic area wherein more than 25 percent of the families residing therein have incomes under $3,000 per year, or where the census shows a substantial loss of population because of migration due to lack of employment or other economic conditions. States that, upon application of a taxpayer, the Secretary may certify new industrial or commercial facilities as being qualified in area location, job-producing, and job-training characteristics for the purpose of this Act. Establishes an additional 7 percent investment tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code for such certified facilities. Provides for the allowance of an amortization deduction of certified facilities under the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1973
Small Community Development Act - Title I: Multipurpose Community Facilities - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide assistance to any small community or regional arrangement to aid it in the construction or rehabilitation of a multipurpose community facility. Provides that the Secretary shall guarantee the repayment in full of any sums borrowed by small communities from any source to finance the cost of the community facility and shall annually make a grant to each small community in the amount of the interest payable on these loans. Allows the Secretary to pay two-thirds of the cost of any health, recreational, or library facilities in the community building. Provides that, in the case where such a grant has been made, the Secretary shall guarantee the loans needed to pay the remainder and shall pay the interest thereon. Title II: Business District Renewal - Authorizes the Secretary to provide assistance to any local nonprofit development company in any small community to aid in the exterior rehabilitation, restoration, and beautification of small community business districts. Authorizes planning grants to cover two-thirds of the cost of planning the business district renewal. Provides grants covering two-thirds the cost of rehabilitating the facade and public areas of the business district. Directs the Secretary to enforce the Davis-Bacon Act provisions calling for equal wages for the same work in the same area.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1973
Directs the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe regulations within sixty days of the date of enactment of this Act prohibiting any motor vehicle from being equipped with any starter interlock system associated with seatbelts or upper torso restraints.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1973
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make grants to States, which have State plans approved by him, to pay the Federal share of the cost of carrying out motor vehicle disposal plans approved under this Act. Requires any State desiring to receive its allotment of Federal funds under this Act to submit a State plan consistent with such basic criteria as the Secretary may establish. States that such plans shall provide, among other things, for the administration by a public agency in the State of a motor vehicle disposal plan designed to provide for the efficient removal to scrap processing facilities of junked motor vehicles. Provides that a State law meets the requirements of this Act with respect to control of automobile graveyards if it makes provisions for effective control of the establishment and maintenance along all public streets and highways in such State of all outdoor automobile graveyards which are within one thousand feet of the nearest edge of the right-of-way and visible from the main traveled way of any such street or highway. Authorizes the Secretary to promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act. Sets forth the procedure whereby the Secretary, after giving reasonable notice and opportunity for a hearing, may withhold the payment of grants under this Act until he is satisfied that any noncompliance has been, or will be, promptly corrected. Stipulates that the Secretary may guarantee any lender against loss of principal and interest on any equipment purchase loan made by such lender to an automobile scrap processor. Authorizes the Secretary to prescribe and collect from the lending institution a reasonable guaranty fee in connection with each loan guaranteed under this Act. Provides for an amortization deduction for automobile scrap processing equipment under the Internal Revenue Code. Increases by $5 per vehicle the automobile manufacturers excise tax. Establishes a trust fund in the Treasury to be known as the Automobile Disposal Trust Fund, which shall consist of all additional taxes received by reason of the increase in the excise tax. States that amounts in such fund shall be available for the purpose of making grants under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1973
Allows a tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code for the taxable year of $10 for each ton of post-consumer waste paper processed in the United States by the taxpayer during the taxable year into new commercially marketable pulp, paper, paperboard or other similar products.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1973
Provides that in the determination of the annual income of recipients of vetetans' pensions and dependency and indemnity compensation the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs shall not reduce the amount of such pension or compensation because of increases in monthly social security benefits under Public law 92-336. (Adds 38 U.S.C. 415(g)(4) 503(d))
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 1973
Fair Labor Standards Amendments - Title I: Increases in Minimum Wage Rates - Increases the minimum wage for nonagricultural workers to $1.90 per hour during the first year after the effective date of this Act, $2.10 per hour during the second year, and $2.20 per hour thereafter. Increases the minimum wage for agricultural workers to $1.50 per hour during the first year after the effective date of this Act, $1.70 an hour during the second year, and $1.85 an hour during the third year from such date, and not less than $2.00 an hour thereafter. Raises the minimum wage rate for employees in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Excludes employees in the Canal Zone from the increases in the minimum wage. Title II: Revision of Exemptions - Provides that the maximum hours restriction imposed on employers shall not apply with respect to the employment of any employee in a retail or service establishment if: (1) such employee is employed in a bona fide sales capacity in, or as manager of, such establishment; (2) such employee's regular rate of pay is not less than twice the wage rate in effect for nonagricultural employees; and (3) for employment in such establishment in excess of forty-eight hours in any workweek during such period or periods, such employee receives compensation at a rate not less than one and one-half times the regular rate at which he is employed in such establishment. Excludes from the minimum wage established by this Act any employee who is employed with his spouse by a nonprofit educational institution to serve as the parents of children who are orphans or one of whose natural parents is deceased, and who are enrolled in such institutions and reside in residential facilities of the institution, while such children are in residence at such institution, if such employee and his spouse reside in such facilities, receive, without cost, board and lodging from such institution, and are together compensated, on a cash basis, at an annual rate of not less than $10,000. Title III: Expanding Employment Opportunities for Youths - Provides a special minimum wage for persons under the age of eighteen and fulltime students. Title IV: Conforming Amendments; Effective Date; and Regulations - Sets forth technical and conforming amendments to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Declares the effective date of this Act to be the first day of the second full month which begins after the date of its enactment. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to prescribe necessary rules, regulations, and orders with regard to the amendments made by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1973
Earthquake Prevention and Prediction Research Act - Directs the National Science Foundation to undertake a program of research which shall: (1) develop techniques insofar as possible for preventing the occurrences of, reducing the severity of, or otherwise directly minimizing the impact of earthquakes; (2) advance earthquake engineering research; (3) develop more accurate and reliable methods of earthquake-resistant analysis and design for all types of structures and for a variety of ground conditions; (4) develop improved methods, based upon the seismological characteristics of the area, of assessing the earthquake risk at all types of locations in populated areas of high seismic risk, and of establishing land use priorities designed to reduce the hazards from earthquakes; and (5) analyze the behavioral and psychological effects of earthquakes, and develop methods to alleviate and deal with them. Directs the National Science Foundation to develop and conduct a program of earthquake prediction which shall include: (1) heavy instrumentation of areas of high seismic risk where an earthquake would cause substantial injury to life and property, in order to obtain detailed records of data useful in developing earthquake prediction capability; (2) establishment of facilities for the collecting and computerized reduction, analysis, and interpretation from such instruments; (3) supporting procedures for field laboratory, and related theoretical studies directed toward description of predictive earthquakes phenomenon; (4) development and field testing of additional instruments which are useful in connection with the foregoing provisions of this section; (5) design and utilization of facilities and methods for the timely distribution of research and development results to the scientific and other concerned communities, including the exchange of useful information with the international earthquake research community; and (6) an analysis of the problems expected to be associated with the issuance of earthquake warnings to the population residing in high seismic risk areas and of steps which should be taken to make such warnings effective, and how to make a decision to issue such warnings. Authorizes to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation to carry out the purposes of this Act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974, and for each of the next following three fiscal years, the sum of $20,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1973
Increases the appropriations amounts authorized under the Small Business Act. Expands the authority of the Small Business Administration to make loans to assist small business concerns in meeting regulatory standards. Provides for livestock loans and loans for adjustment assistance in base closings under the Small Business Act. Requires the Small Business Administration to, as soon as practicable each calendar year, make a comprehensive annual report to the President, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, including a description of the state of small business in the Nation and the several States, and a description of the operations of the Administration under this chapter.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1973
Establishes an arbitration board to settle disputes between supervisory organizations and the United States Postal Service, provided that only those disputes concerning policies that affect all or a substantial portion of supervisory personnel on a long-term or permanent basis can be referred to arbitration. Provides that the arbitration board shall consist of three members, one of whom shall be selected by the Postal Service, one by the recognized organization of supervisory personnel, and the third by the two thus selected. States that the costs of the arbitration board shall be shared equally by the Postal Service and the organization of supervisory personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1973
Permits the inclusion of treatment centers and programs set up by States in the grants authorized by the Community Mental Health Centers Act for the treatment of drug abuse and drug problems. Sets forth requirements for a State before approval of such grants by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1973
Imposes a six-month embargo on the export of all nonferrous metals, including copper and zinc, from the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, after the close of the six month period, to permit the export of such metals if he determines that no domestic shortage exists.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1973
National Environmental Financing Act - Sets forth the findings of the Congress and the purpose of this Act. Provides definitions of terms relating to this Act. Creates the National Environmental Bank. Provides that management of the bank shall be by a Board of Directors consisting of the Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Commerce, Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, Secretary of Agriculture, Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Chairman of the President's Council on Environmental Quality, Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency, and six other persons appointed by the President. Authorizes the appointment of officers and employees. Prohibits conflict interests by any director, officer, attorney, agent, or employee of the bank. Prohibits political activities by such persons. Grants the bank general corporate power and requires the principal office of the bank to be located in the District of Columbia. Provides capital stock of $500,000,000 subscribed to by the United States, payment for which shall be subject to call in whole or in part by the Board. Authorizes the Secretary of Treasure to purchase stock in amounts designated by the Board up to a total of $500,000,000. Authorizes the Bank to borrow up to an amount equal to twenty times the paid in capital stock. Provides that obligations will be backed by the United States and unmet bills will be paid from the Treasury. Provides that the Bank may make or guarantee loans to local public bodies to finance environmental programs. Authorizes the Bank to provide needed technical assistance to borrowers. Creates tax exempt status for the Bank except for real and personal property taxes and taxes on obligations issued by the Bank. Provides that all obligations issued may be lawful investment for, and may be accepted as security for, all fiduciary, trust, and public funds the investment or deposit of which is under the authority or control of the United States and its officers. Authorizes the issuance of United States Environmental Savings Bonds, the proceeds of which are deposited in the Environmental Trust Fund. Directs the General Accounting Office to audit the financial transactions of the Bank and gives it access to all its books, records, and accounts. Requires an annual report to the President and the Congress on its operations and activities. Authorizes necessary appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1973
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that nothing contained in the U.S. Constitution shall abridge the right of persons lawfully assembled, in any public building which is supported in whole or in part through the expenditure of public funds, to participate in voluntary prayer.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1973
Railroad Reorganization Adjustment Assistance Act - Title I: Transfer of Functions and Establishment of Administration - States that it is the purpose of this Act to consolidate in a single agency in the executive branch the administration and coordination of programs of economic development and worker retraining and assistance, and to provide a comprehensive program for the solution of economic and unemployment problems caused by economic dislocation resulting from railroad reorganization. Establishes within the Department of Labor the Railroad Reorganization Adjustment Assistance Administration to assist the Secretary of Labor in carrying out the purposes of this Act. Title II: Railroad Reorganization Adjustment Assistance - Prescribes the requirements for a firm, individual, or community to receive adjustment assistance under this Act. Provides that upon the filing of a petition the Secretary shall determine whether a firm, the workers of a firm, or a community is eligible for adjustment assistance under this Act. States that a firm certified as eligible for adjustment assistance under this Act may, at any time within 2 years after the date of such certification, file an application with the Secretary for such adjustment assistance. States that, within a reasonable time after filing its application, the firm shall present a proposal for its adjustment. Provides that adjustment assistance under this Act consists of technical assistance and financial assistance which may be furnished singly or in combination. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as are necessary to furnish such assistance. Requires each recipient of adjustment assistance under the Act to keep records which fully disclose the amount and disposition by such recipient of the proceeds which will facilitate an effective audit. States that the Secretary and the Comptroller General of the United States shall have access for the purpose of audit and examination to any books, documents, papers, and records of the recipient pertaining to adjustment assistance under this Act. Stipulates that whoever makes a false statement of a material fact knowing it to be false, or knowingly fails to disclose a material fact, or whoever willfully overvalues any security, for the purpose of influencing any way the action of the Secretary under this Act, or for the purpose of obtaining money, property, or anything of value under this Act, shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned for not more than two years, or both. Authorizes any adversely affected worker to file an application with the Secretary for adjustment assistance in the form of readjustment allowances, training benefits, relocation allowances, and early retirement benefits. Provides that the readjustment allowance payable to an adversely affected worker for a week of unemployment shall be an amount equal to 85 percent of his average weekly wage. Provides that payment of readjustment allowances shall not be made to an adversely affected worker for more than 52 weeks, except that, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary: (1) such payments may be made to an adversely affected worker for the entire period of his retraining approved by the Secretary, or (2) such payments shall be made to an adversely affected worker who had reached his 60th birthday for the period of time until he qualifies for social security payments, or until he has been relocated in suitable employment. Requires every adversely affected worker who applies for a readjustment allowance under this Act to apply for testing, counseling, training, and placement assistance. Directs the Secretary, insofar as possible, to provide assistance under this Act through existing programs established by law. Directs the Secretary to contract for basic and supplemental hospital and medical care for persons receiving assistance under this Act under such insurance plans as he deems appropriate. Provides that a relocation allowance may be granted to assist an adversely affected worker in relocating within the United States if the Secretary determines that such worker cannot reasonably be expected to secure suitable employment in the continuing area in which he resides and that such worker: (1) has obtained suitable employment affording a reasonable expectation of long-term duration in the area in which he wishes to relocate, or (2) has obtained a bona fide offer of such employment. Authorizes the Secretary to pay to each adversely affected worker, who meets the requirements of this Act and who files an application therefor, the retirement pay or the benefits under the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance provisions of the Social Security Act, in the same amounts, and subject to the same terms and conditions, as the adversely affected worker will receive when he becomes entitled to receive such retirement pay or benefits. Authorizes the Secretary on the behalf of the United States to enter into an agreement with any State or State agency under which such State or agency will receive applications for, and will provide assistance under, the programs established by this Act. Provides that a community certified as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance may, at any time within two years after the date of such certification, file an application with the Secretary of Commerce for adjustment assistance under this subtitle. Directs the community, within a reasonable time after filing its application, to present a proposal, either separately or in conjunction with a firm or a group of workers or both, for its economic adjustment. Directs the Secretary, upon approval of such application, to provide a community such additional technical assistance as in his judgment will materially contribute to the economic adjustment of the community.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1973
Authorizes the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to conduct research and development programs to increase knowledge of short-term weather phenomena, and to develop methods for predicting, detecting, and monitoring such atmospheric behavior. Requires the Administrator, in carrying out his duties under this Act, to coordinate all activities with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Authorizes appropriations not to exceed $10,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1973
Emergency Medical Services Systems Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to and enter into contracts with eligible entities for projects which include both studying the feasibility of establishing and operating an emergency medical services system, and planning the establishment and operation of such a system. Requires that the reports of the results of any study and planning project assisted under this Act shall be submitted to the Secretary and the Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to and enter into contracts with eligible entities for the establishment and initial operation of emergency medical services systems. Sets forth the standards for such grants and contracts. States that, in considering applications which demonstrate exceptional need for financial assistance, the Secretary shall give special consideration to applications submitted for emergency medical services systems for rural areas. Directs the Secretary to make grants to and enter into contracts with eligible entities for projects for the expansion and improvement of emergency medical services systems, including the acquisition of equipment and facilities, the modernization of facilities, and other projects to expand and improve such systems. States that the amount of any grant or contract under this section for a project shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost of that project. Stipulates that the Secretary may make grants to public or private nonprofit entities, and enter into contracts with private entities and individuals, for the support of research in emergency medical techniques, methods, devices, and delivery. States that no grant may be made or contract entered into under this section for amounts in excess of $35,000, unless the application therefore has been recommended for approval by an appropriate peer review panel designated or established by the Secretary. Sets forth general provisions with respect to grants and contracts authorized under this Act. Establishes specified requirements for emergency medical services systems. Authorizes to be appropriated specified amounts for grants and contracts made pursuant to this Act for the fiscal years 1974, 1975, and 1976. Directs the Secretary to establish an Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services to evaluate the adequacy and technical soundness of all Federal programs and activities which relate to emergency medical services. Directs the Committee to make recommendations to the Secretary respecting the administration of contracts under this Act. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit annually to the Congress a report on the administration of this Act. Directs the Secretary to make grants to and enter into contracts with schools of medicine, dentistry, osteopathy, and nursing and training centers for allied health professions, and other appropriate educational entities to assist in meeting the cost of training programs in the techniques and methods of providing emergency medical services. Authorizes to be appropriated $10,000,000 for the fiscal year 1974 for the purpose of making payments pursuant to grants and contracts under this section.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1973
Clean Elections Act - Title I: Federal Elections Commission - Creates a six-member independent Federal Elections Commission: 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 2 members appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate, and 2 members appointed by the President. Specifies that the Commission shall have full legal powers. Authorizes the Commission to use the personnel and facilities of the General Accounting Office. Requires the Commission to submit its budget directly to Congress along with any recommendations it may have for legislation. Transfers specified functions of the Secretary of the Senate, the GAO and the Clerk of the House to the Commission. Requires each candidate for Federal office to have a central campaign committee through which all reports must pass. Requires the central committee to file its report with the Commission. Specifies that reports contain all contributions in excess of $100 and that cash contributions of $2,500 or more be reported within 24 hours. Requires a financial report to be filed 10 days before an election. Title II: Federal Matching Payment Entitlement Fund - Establishes on the books of the Treasury of the United States the Federal Matching Payment Entitlement Fund to remain available for expenditure without fiscal year limitation. Entitles candidates for Federal office or an official national party committee or an official congressional campaign committee to payments from the fund, during any calendar year, in an amount equal to the cmount of each contribution received by such candidate or committee not in excess of $50. Requires that the candidate or committee submit matching payment entitlement vouchers including the full name of the contributor together with the date, the exact amount of the contribution, and the complete address of the contributor. States that the Secretary of the Treasury shall make a payment from the fund to the candidate or the treasurer of the committee in the amount certified by the Commission. Sets forth the limitations on certification by the Commission. Title III: Limitations on Political Contributions - Declares a limitation on contributions, made by an individual and expenditures of not more than $2,500 in the case of a candidacy for President or Vice President or not more than $1,000 in a congressional campaign. Title IV: Tax Incentives for Contributions to Candidates for Public Office - Allows a maximum credit for a taxable year for contributions to candidates for public office of $50 ($100 for a joint return). Title V: Voter's Time - Provides for a schedule of televised political broadcasts by candidates for Federal office. Requires the television networks to make prime time available to the candidates at roles not exceeding the prevailing unit charge of the station for the same amount of program time in the same time period. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to pay fully all certified bills for Voter's Time not more than 10 days following receipt from the Registry of Election Finance.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1973
Runaway Youth Act - Asserts that the responsibility for improving the conditions and medical and counseling services in the Nation and for aiding parents in finding children who have left home without permission is primarily one of State and local concern, but that the Federal Government has a responsibility and unique opportunity to help alleviate the problems associated with runaway youth, which are national in scope and interstate in character. Title I: Authorizes the Administrator of the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration to make grants to State and local law enforcement agencies to purchase necessary equipment and fund programs which will strengthen the availability and effectiveness of services for parents of runaway youth to report descriptions and possible destinations of their children to law enforcement officials in their localities and in othe areas of the country. Prescribes the necessary contents of applications for such grant. Provides that the Federal share of grants will be 80 percent of the total costs of the program or item for which the application is made. Authorizes $2,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1974, 1975, and 1976, to carry out the provisions of this title. Title II: Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to gather information, develop a comprehensive program, and report to Congress no later than June 30, 1974, on the problems and needs of transient youth in the United States and on the causes of and possible methods of dealing with the runaway youth phenomenon, including information and recommendations regarding the entire transient youth population in the United States. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to report to Congress not later than June 30, 1974, on the desirability of current procedures and of a new agency to deal with the problems and needs of transient youth in the United States. Provides that there is authorized to be appropriated not to exceed $1,000,000 to carry out this title. Title III: Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants and to provide technical assistance to States, localities, and nonprofit private agencies, beginning July 1, 1973, and ending June 30, 1976. Provides that the grants may be given to States, localities, and nonprofit private agencies on the basis of such considerations as the number of runaway youth in the community, the existing availability of private or local sources of funding for such facilities, the existing availability of facilities and services for transient youth, and the success of particular applicants in attracting and meeting the needs of runaway youth. Requires that to be eligible for assistance under this title a grant must propose to establish, strengthen, or fund an existing or proposed "Runaway House," a locally controlled facility with medical and counseling services to provide temporary shelter for juveniles who have left home without permission of their parents. Sets forth requirements for each proposal: (1) each child under eighteen years of age who uses the facility and its services, or the staff of the facility for the child, must contact the parents or legal guardians of such child within thirty-six hours of arrival at the facility; (2) each facility must have attached to it, on a consulting, referral, or continuing basis, personnel trained in psychiatry and medicine; (3) the staff of each facility must contact such authorities as are appropriate within forty-eight hours of the arrival of a child under eighteen years of age to check whether the child has committed offenses, has escaped from a juvenile correctional institution, or is in other ways being sought by law enforcement officials; and (4) the staff of the facility shall have due regard for the rights of each child's parents and shall not undertake medical or substantial psychiatric treatment except in strict accord with the law of the jurisdiction of the parent's residence. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to annually report to Congress on the status and accomplishments of the Runaway House program. Limits the Federal share for each facility to 50 percent of that facility's budget. Authorizes to each of fiscal years 1974, 1975, and 1976 not more than $2,000,000 to carry out this title.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1973
Elementary and Secondary Drug Abuse Eradication Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to provide local educational agencies with the financial resources to bring services and programs to students who are users and potential users of drugs, so that the traffic in drugs in elementary and secondard schools may be eliminated. Directs the Commissioner of Education to carry out a program of making grants to local educational agencies to finance such programs. Sets forth the requirements to be met in applications for such grants. Authorizes to be appropriated $500,000,000 for fiscal year 1974 and $500,000,000 for each of the following four fiscal years to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1973
Allows a tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code against the Federal income tax for State and local real property taxes or an equivalent portion of rent paid on their residences by individuals who have attained the age of 65. Provides that where an indivudal has attained the age of 65, there shall be allowed as a credit the amount of real property taxes paid which were imposed by a State or political subdivision on property owned and used by him as a principal residence or rent constituting such taxes as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. Allows payment by the U.S. Treasury to taxpayers to the extent of the difference between the credit and amount of such real property taxes where the tax imposed is less than real property taxes. Provides that the total credit payment for any taxable year shall not exceed $300 (or $150 in case of a single return). Reduces the amount of the credit allowed by the amount that the taxpayer's income exceeds $6,500 (or $3250 in the case of a married person filing a separate return). Directs that the credit be applied collectively in cases of joint ownership. Provides that where the joint return of the husband or wife is filed, the age requirement is met if either person is 65 or older. Apportions the credit allowed to cover only that part of a residence actually used by the taxpayer or that part of a farm not in excess of forty acres. Provides that an individual who is a tenant-stockholder in a cooperative housing corporation shall be treated as owning the house or apartment which he occupies and such person shall be treated as having paid real property taxes equal to the deduction allowable in direct proportion to taxes actually paid on a particular residence where during the taxable year there has been a change in residence. Provides that the term 'rent constituting property taxes" means an amount equal to 25 percent of the rent paid during a taxable year by the taxpayer for the right to occupy his dwelling (exclusive of charges for utilities, services, and furnishings). Reduces the amount of real property taxes paid by an individual by the amount of any refund given on such taxes. Provides that there shall be no assessment of interest charges where there has been an underpayment of taxes by an individual if the amount due is paid within sixty days after the taxpayer receives a refund of real property taxes which caused the underpayment. Specifies that deductions for State and local real property taxes shall not be affected by the credit allowed.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1973
Provides, under the Federal Trade Commission Act, that exclusive territorial arrangements in any trademark licensing contract or agreement for the manufacture, distribution and sale of a trademarked food product shall not be deemed unlawful, provided: (1) that such product is in free and open competition with products of the same general class manufactured, distributed, and sold by others; (2) the licensee is in free and open competition with vendors of other products of the same general class; and (3) the licensor retains control over the nature and quality of such product in accordance with the provisions of the Trademark Act. (Amends 15 U.S.C. 41)
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1973
Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to make grants of (1) $4,500,000 to the Eisenhower College, New York; and (2) $500,000 to the Rayburn Library, Texas, in fiscal year 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1973
Provides that an individual may become entitled under Title II of the Social Security Act (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) to widow's or widower's insurance benefits at age 45 whether or not disabled, subject to the existing actuarial reduction but with a benefit amount no lower than 80 percent of the deceased worker's primary insurance amount. Provides for the payment of widow's and widower's insurance benefits equal to 100 percent of such amount where initial entitlement is at or after age 60.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 1973
Authorizes a tax adjustment program for small businesses and for persons engaged in small business. Authorizes a tax deduction under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 for a person engaged in a trade or business in an amount measured by the additional investment in such trade or business for the taxable year. Limits such tax deductions to $40,000 or 20 percent of the net income of such trade or business for the taxable year.
![Official portrait of Rep. Johnson, Albert W. [R-PA-23]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/j000115_200.jpg)