United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives of the United States that the Secretary of Defense shall issue no further reclassifications from missing in action to presumptive finding of death status until such time as the Government of North Vietnam complies with the Paris Peace Agreement, and until a determination is made that all possible means of ascertaining the fates of those listed as missing in action has been made.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1974
Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Expresses the findings of Congress and declares that it is the policy of the United States to pursue a vigorous and adequately funded program with the objective of utilizing solar energy as a major source for our national energy needs. Defines the terms used in this Act. Establishes the Solar Energy Coordination and Management Project to have responsibility for management and coordination of a national solar energy research, development and demonstration program. Directs the Project to carry out its duties in cooperation with specified Federal agencies, including the Atomic Energy Commission and the Federal Power Commission. Makes conforming amendments to the National Science Foundation Act and the National Aeronautics and Space Act. Instructs the Project to initiate a solar energy resource determination and assessment program, emphasizing identification of promising areas for commercial exploitation and development. Enumerates the specific goals of the determination and assessment program. Directs the Project: (1) to initiate a research and development program for resolving the major technical problems inhibiting commercial utilization of solar energy in the United States; (2) to implement a research and development program to demonstrate the technical means for securing and utilizing the resource base; and (3) to initiate a program to design and construct facilities to demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing the various forms of solar energy. Details the goals of each such program. Authorizes the National Science Foundation to support, coordinate, and encourage the development of policies set forth in this Act. Establishes a Solar Energy Research Institute to perform research functions in connection with the Project activities under this Act. Calls for the creation of a Solar Energy Information Data Bank, specifying the content of data to be collected and compiled. Transfers specified functions, documents, and personnel to the Energy Research and Development Administration. Authorizes to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation for fiscal year 1976, $2,000,000 for use in the preparation of the comprehensive program. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out this Act, for fiscal years beginning after 1976, such sums as the Congress may hereafter authorize.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1974
Prohibits the military departments from using dogs in connection with any research or other activities relating to biological or chemical warfare agents.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1974
Establishes a Select Committee on Aging in the House of Representatives. Authorizes the committee to conduct a full and complete investigation and study of any and all matters pertaining to problems of older people, including, but not limited to, problems of maintaining health, of assuring adequate income, of finding employment, of engaging in productive and rewarding retirement activity, of securing proper housing, and, when necessary, of assuring adequate care or assistance. Directs the Committee to report to the House from time to time the results of its investigation and study, together with such recommendations as it deems advisable.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives of the United States that the Secretary of Defense shall issue no further reclassifications from missing in action to presumptive finding of death status until such time as the Government of North Vietnam complies with the Paris Peace Agreement, and until a determination is made that all possible means of ascertaining the fates of those listed as missing in action has been made.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1974
Provides that future social security benefit increases shall be disregarded in determining eligibility for admission to or occupancy of low-rent public housing, the rent which an individual or family must pay for such housing or eligibility for mortgage insurance, assistance payments, or rent supplement payments, notwithstanding any other provision of law.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1974
Requires, under the Mutual Security Act of 1954, specific accounting requirements for foreign currency expenditures in connection with congressional travel outside the United States. Requires the publication of such travel costs in the Congressional Record. (Amends 22 U.S.C. 1754(b))
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1974
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that, on or before the fifteenth day after the beginning of each regular session of the Congress, the President shall transmit to the Congress a budget which shall set forth separately: (1) his estimate of the receipts of the Government, other than trust funds, during the ensuing fiscal year under the laws then existing; (2) his recommendations with respect to outlays to be made from funds other than trust funds during such ensuing fiscal year; and (3) if such recommendations exceed such estimate, a surtax rate which the President determines to be necessary to be applied with respect to the income tax of taxpayers to those portions of taxable years of taxpayers occurring during such fiscal year, so that such receipts will equal such outlays. Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives during the first quarter of each fiscal year, and during the third quarter of each fiscal year to: (1) estimate the receipts of the Government, other than trust funds, during such fiscal year; (2) estimate outlays to be made from funds other than trust funds during such fiscal year; and (3) (A) if such estimate of outlays exceeds such estimate of receipts, determine a surtax rate which the Speaker considers necessary to be applied, with respect to the income tax of taxpayers, to those portions of taxable years of taxpayers remaining in such fiscal year, so that such receipts will equal such outlays; or (B) if such estimate of outlays equals such estimate of receipts, determine that no surtax rate is necessary to be applied. Directs the President during the last month of each fiscal year to review whether the receipts of the Government, other than trust funds, for such year will be less than the outlays other than trust funds for that fiscal year. Provides that if he finds that such receipts are going to be less than such outlays, he shall determine a surtax rate which he considers necessary to be applied with respect to the income tax of taxpayers, so that taxes received by the Government from such surtax, when added to other receipts of the Government, will equal such outlays. Authorizes the suspension of the provisions of this Article in the case of a grave national emergency declared by Congress (including a state of war formally declared by Congress) by a concurrent resolution, agreed to by a rollcall vote of three-fourths of all the Members of each House of Congress, with each such resolution providing the period of time (not exceeding one year) during which those provisions are to be suspended.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1974
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture, under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, to insure loans to borrowers who: (1) are citizens of the United States; (2) are or have been engaged in beef cattle producing operations; (3) are unable to obtain sufficient credit to finance actual needs in the beef cattle producing business at reasonable rates and terms; and (4) have, if having received previously a loan, performed successfully the terms of such loan. States that loans insured under this Act must be expended for the purpose of financing the normal operations of buying, raising, and selling beef cattle by the borrower whose loan is being insured. Sets forth the terms and conditions of such insured loans. Creates the Cattleman's Insurance Fund to be used by the Secretary as a revolving fund for the discharge of obligations under this Act. Empowers the Secretary to transfer assets from the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund, to the fund if he determines that such transfer is necessary to establish the insurance program. Directs the Secretary to make and issue notes to the Secretary of the Treasury for the purpose of obtaining funds necessary for discharging obligations under this Act. Outlines the purposes for which the Secretary shall utilize the fund. Provides that the aggregate amount of the obligations insured under this Act and outstanding at any one time shall not exceed $3,000,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1974
Older Americans' Tax Savings Act - Allows a reimbursement under the Internal Revenue Code for property taxes to persons 65 and over. Limits such reimbursement to the lesser of $480, or the property taxes accrued, and to claimant whose household income is lower than $5,000. Requires such reimbursement to be made in 12 monthly installments. Allows appeals to the Tax Court of denials of claims for such reimbursement. Disallows an income tax deduction for taxes for which a reimbursement is given.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1974
Urges the American people to diligently continue their energy conservation measures in the postembargo period, and congratulates the American people for their energy conservation successes since the embargo was imposed.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1974
Designates the premises occupied by the Chief of Naval Operations as the Official residence of the Vice President, effective upon the termination of service of the incumbent Chief of Naval Operations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to provide for the care, maintenance, repair, improvement, alteration, and furnishing of the official residence and grounds. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary from time to time to carry out the foregoing purposes. Expresses the sense of Congress that living accommodations, generally equivalent to those available to the highest ranking officer on active duty in each of the other military services, should be provided for the Chief of Naval Operations. Repeals the Federal law authorizing the planning, design, construction, furnishing, and maintenance of an official residence for the Vice President of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 1974
Provides for television and radio coverage of proceedings in the Chamber of the House of Representatives on any resolution to impeach the President of the United States. Authorizes the Speaker to appoint a committee of five members to provide such arrangements as may be necessary in connection with such a broadcast.
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1974
Makes it unlawful, under the Interstate Commerce Act, for any railroad to refuse to transport any refrigerator car because of the fact that such car is owned or controlled by a shipper or a nonrailroad owner. Makes it the duty of every carrier by railroad to handle all refrigerator equipment in the same manner and subject to the same rules and regulations, regardless of whether such equipment is owned or controlled by railroad or nonrailroad interests.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1974
Geothermal Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Title I: Geothermal Energy Coordination and Management Project - Establishes the Geothermal Energy Coordination and Management Project, which shall have responsibility for management and coordination of a national geothermal energy research, development, and demonstration program. States that such responsibility shall be carried out in cooperation with the Interior Department, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Atomic Energy Commission, and National Science Foundation. Directs the Project to explore and assess national geothermal resources and to identify promising areas for industrial exploration and development. Directs the Project to initiate a research and development program to resolve technical problems inhibiting commercial utilization of geothermal resources, including: (1) development of effective drilling methods; (2) development of methods for converting geothermal energy to useful forms; and (3) development of improved methods for controlling emissions and wastes from geothermal utilization. Directs the Project to initiate a program to design and construct geothermal demonstration plants, including design and construction of plants to produce electrical power and large scale production and utilization of useful byproducts. Title II: Loan Guarantees - Authorizes the guarantee of loans by financial institutions for commercial development of geothermal resources. Limits such loan guarantees to 75 percent of the project costs. Requires repayment of such loans in 30 years, and limits such loans for any project to $25,000,000. Authorizes the payment of the interest on such loans by an agency designated by the Project chairman if the borrower is unable to pay the interest and such payment is in the public interest. Establishes the Geothermal Resources Development Fund in the Treasury to carry out the loan guarantee and interest payment provisions of this title. Title III: General Provisions - Requires that activities under this Act shall not endanger persons or the environment. Requires semi-annual reports to the President and Congress on the progress of activities under this Act. Provides for the transfer of functions of the Project upon the establishment of a permanent Federal energy agency. Authorizes the appropriation of $2,500,000 to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for fiscal year 1975 for research, development, and related activities, funded by it under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000,000 each year to carry out the loan guarantee provisions of title II.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives of the United States that the Secretary of Defense shall issue no further reclassifications from missing in action or prisoner of war status to presumptive finding of death status until such time as the Government of North Vietnam complies with the Paris Peace Agreement, and until a determination is made that all possible means of ascertaining the fates of those listed as missing in action has been made.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives of the United States that the Secretary of Defense shall issue no further reclassifications from missing in action or prisoner of war status to presumptive finding of death status until such time as the Government of North Vietnam complies with the Paris Peace Agreement, and until a determination is made that all possible means of ascertaining the fates of those listed as missing in action has been made.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) it most strongly condemns all acts of terrorism in the Middle East; (2) the President and the Secretary of State should and are hereby urged and requested to (a) call upon all governments to condemn this inhuman act of violence against innocent victims; and (b) strongly urge the governments who harbor these groups and individuals to take appropriate action to rid their countries of those who subvert the peace through terrorism and senseless violence; and (3) the President should request the American Ambassador to the United Nations to take appropriate action before that body in order to have introduced a Security Council resolution condemning this brutal act of violence.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1974
Declares it to be the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Government of the United States should maintain and protect its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the canal and zone, and should in no way cede, dilute, forfeit, negotiate, or transfer any of these sovereign rights, power, authority, jurisdiction, territory, or property that are indispensably necessary for the protection and security of the United States and the entire Western Hemisphere; (2) that there be no relinquishment or surrender of any presently vested United States sovereign right, power, or authority or property, tangible or intangible, except by treaty authorized by the Congress and duly ratified by the United States; and (3) that there be no recession to Panama, or other divestiture of any United States-owned property, tangible or intangible, without prior authorization by the Congress (House and Senate), as provided in article IV, section 3, clause 2 of the United States Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the conferees now reviewing the Congressional Budget Act expedite reporting out a strong bill which will mandate an overall spending limit as well as provide the necessary committee structure, staff, and resources by which Congress may review and control expenditures and thereby control inflation.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives of the United States that the Secretary of Defense shall issue no further reclassifications from missing in action to presumptive finding of death status until such time as the Government of North Vietnam complies with the Paris Peace Agreement, and until a determination is made that all possible means of ascertaining the fates of those listed as missing in action has been made.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1974
Election Reform Act - Creates a five member Commission on Federal Elections which shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Establishes a seventeen member nominating committee which shall have the duty of recommending to the President suitable persons for appointment to the Commission. Directs the Commission to conduct an extensive and exhaustive study of the practices engaged in by political parties and individuals in the course of Federal political campaigns, which might include, but would not be limited to, such matters as: (1) the adequacy of procedures for the enforcement of existing laws relating to political campaigns and campaign financing; (2) the existing and alternative methods of financing political campaigns and limitations on campaign spending; (3) the review of Federal laws as they relate to the financing of political campaigns; (4) the purposes for which money is expended in political campaigns, such as development of campaign organizations, campaign advertising, voter registration, and polling; (5) the methods and procedures by which candidates are nominated for Federal office by political parties; (6) the adequacy of safeguards against unethical, disruptive, fraudulent, violent, or otherwise wrongful campaign tactics; (7) the interrelationship of Federal, State, and local campaigns, and of Federal, State, and local laws relating to campaigns and campaign financing; and (8) the length of the period over which candidates are required to campaign for nomination and election to Federal office. Provides that the Commission shall make recommendations for such legislation, constitutional amendment or other reforms as its findings indicate, and in its judgment are desirable to revise and control the practices and procedures of political parties, organizations, and individuals participating in the Federal electoral process. Requires the Commission to submit a final report to the Congress and the President no later than December 1, 1974. Makes it unlawful for any person, other than a candidate, an official national party committee, or any official congressional or Senate campaign committee, to make, directly or indirectly, contributions to or expenditures on behalf of any candidate and the authorized committees of such candidate, during any calendar year, in a total aggregate amount in excess of: (1) $2,500 in the case of a candidacy for President or Vice President of the United States; or (2) $1,000 in the case of a candidacy for the United States Senate or House of Representatives. Provides that the Commission may, by one or more of its members or by such agents or agency as it may designate, conduct any hearing or other inquiry necessary or appropriate to its functions anywhere in the United States. Allows a tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code for contributions to candidates for public office. Increases the present limitations on such credits to $250 in the case of an individual taxpayer and to $500 in the case of a joint return (presently $12.50 and $25.00 respectively).
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1974
Provides for the elimination of the copyright expiration date of January 1, 1975, for a limited copyright in sound recordings for the purpose of protecting against unauthorized duplication and piracy of sound recordings. Sets forth increased criminal penalties for piracy and counterfeiting of sound recordings, and for the knowing and fradulent transportation, sale, or receipt of phonograph records bearing forged or counterfeit labels.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1974
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Interior to transfer those lands known as the California Desert Proposal to the State of California for use as a State park.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1974
Authorizes the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to conduct research and development programs to increase knowledge of tornadoes, hurricanes, large thunderstorms, and other types of short-term weather phenomena, and to develop methods for predicting, detecting, and monitoring such atmospheric behavior. Authorizes the appropriation of $10,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1974
Geothermal Energy, Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Title I: Geothermal Energy Coordination and Management Project - Establishes the Geothermal Energy Coordination and Management Project, which shall have responsibility for management and coordination of a national geothermal energy research, development, and demonstration program. States that such responsibility shall be carried out in cooperation with the Interior Department, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Atomic Energy Commission, and National Science Foundation. Directs the Project to explore and assess national geothermal resources and to identify promising areas for industrial exploration and development. Directs the Project to initiate a research and development program to resolve technical problems inhibiting commercial utilization of geothermal resources; including: (1) development of effective drilling methods; (2) development of methods for converting geothermal energy to useful forms; and (3) development of improved methods for controlling emissions and wastes from geothermal utilization. Directs the Project to initiate a program to design and construct geothermal demonstration plants, including design and construction of plants to produce electrical power and large scale production and utilization of useful byproducts. Title II: Loan Guarantees - Authorizes the guarantee of loans by financial institutions for commercial development of geothermal resources. Limits such loans guarantees to 75 percent of the project costs. Requires repayment of such loans in 30 years, and limits such loans for any project to $25,000,000. Authorizes the payment of the interest on such loans by an agency designated by the Project chairman if the borrower is unable to pay the interest and such payment is in the public interest. Establishes the Geothermal Resources Development Fund in the Treasury to carry out the loan guarantee and interest payment provisions of this title. Title III: General Provisions - Requires that activities under this Act shall not endanger persons or the environment. Requires semi-annual reports to the President and Congress on the progress of activities under this Act. Provides for the transfer of the functions of the Project upon the establishment of a permanent Federal energy agency. Authorizes the appropriation of $300,000,000 to the National Science Foundation for fiscal years 1975-1980 for research, development, and demonstration projects funded by it under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000,000 each year to carry out the loan guarantee provisions of Title II.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1974
Creates a select committee to be composed of eleven members of the House of Representatives to conduct a full and complete study of the constitutional basis of the January 22, 1973, United States Supreme Court decisions on abortion, the ramifications of such decisions on the power of the several states to enact abortion legislation, and the need for remedial action by Congress on the subject of abortions. States that for the purpose of carrying out this resolution the committee, or any subcommittee thereof authorized by the committee to hold hearings, is authorized to sit and act during the present Congress at such times and places within the United States, including any Commonwealth or possession thereof, whether the House is in session, has recessed, or had adjourned, to hold such hearings, and to require, by subpena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, and documents, as it deems necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1974
Provides for the recomputation of military retirement benefits. Provides that a member or former member of a uniformed service: (1) who is sixty years of age or older, and is retired for reasons other than physical disability, whose disability is finally determined to be of a permanent nature and less than 30 percent under the disability rating system, and is entitled to retired pay computed under the rates of basic pay in effect before January 1, 1972; or (2) who is entitled to retired pay for physical disability, whose disability was finally determined to be of permanent nature and at least 30 percent under the schedule of rating disabilities, and whose retired pay is computed under rates of basic pay in effect after October 11, 1949 and before January 1, 1972, is entitled to have that pay recomputed upon the rates of basic pay in effect on January 1, 1972.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1974
Soviet Energy Investment Prohibition Act - Provides that no department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government may directly or indirectly provide assistance to finance or otherwise promote the export of any commodity, product, or service from the United States if the intended use of such commodity, product, or service involves energy research and development or energy exploration in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1974
Provides, under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, that whenever the President deems it to be in the national interest, he shall endeavor to insure that, to the maximum extent practicable, such assistance shall be furnished only pursuant to agreements which provide for the exchange of necessary strategic or critical raw materials for such assistance. Defines the term "necessary strategic or critical raw materials" to include petroleum, fossil fuels, metals, minerals, or other substances which: (1) are in short supply in the United States or (2) the United States requirements of which are not produced in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1974
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act - Makes appropriations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for research and development, construction of facilities, and research and program management.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1974
Occupational Safety and Health Amendments - States that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall not propose any rule promulgating a new occupational health or safety standard before he: (1) has, as part of each such proposal, reviewed and published in the Federal Register the financial impact of such proposed standard; and (2) has determined with due regard for that impact that the benefit to be derived from such standard justifies such proposal. Provides that no standard adopted or promulgated shall require any employer to phase out, change, or replace existing equipment or facilities before the normal useful life of that equipment or facility has expired unless failure to so phase out, change, or replace that equipment or facility prematurely would result in a serious violation. Directs the Secretary to prescribe, as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, as part of each existing standard adopted under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: (1) the estimated average and maximum cost per unit to the average employer who is subject to that standard for compliance with the conditions, practices, means, methods, operation, or process used or proposed to be used by that employer under that standard; and (2) the period within which it is, in fact, possible for such employers to meet such standard including, but not limited to, availability of required devices, and possibility of performance of required procedures. Sets forth requirements with respect to notifying an employer of violations of the requirements prescribed pursuant to this Act. States that any employer who has been found to be not in compliance with any rule or standard adopted or promulgated under this Act shall not receive a notice for such violation if he is able to show: (1) that implementing such rule or standard would not materially affect the safety or health of his employees in the facility inspected; (2) that he has employed alternative procedures to protect his employees from the hazards contemplated by the rule or standard which are as effective in protecting the safety and health of his employees; or (3) that he has furnished adequate notice and exerted all reasonable efforts, pursuant to such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, to obtain the compliance of his employees, that such violation was attributable to such employees, and that he could not otherwise have reasonably prevented such violation. Sets forth procedures for enforcement of these regulations. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into compliance agreements with an employer believed to be in violation of an occupational safety and health standard promulgated pursuant to this Act under which enforcement and penalty provisions are waived or deferred upon condition that the employer will voluntarily comply with the applicable standard upon such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines appropriate under the circumstances. States that failure of an employer to abide by such an agreement may be taken into account in resulting enforcement and penalty procedures. Directs the Secretary to provide technical advice, assistance, and consultation to employers with less than one hundred employees whenever it is necessary to assist them in complying with applicable standards.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1974
Empowers the Atomic Energy Commission to enter into an agreement with any State agency or regional agency under which such State or regional agency shall conduct an environmental review of and shall issue or deny an application for a site certificate for any proposed nuclear power reactor site in the State or region with respect to which such agency has jurisdiction. States that any such agreement shall expire five years from its effective date and the parties may agree to enter into subsequent five-year agreements. Directs the Atomic Energy Commission to, in consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality, formulate any requirements to be imposed in any such agreement. Provides that such an agreement shall provide that a State or regional agency may issue a site certificate for a proposed nuclear power reactor only if such agency finds, after having considered and balanced the environmental and economic costs and benefits of the nuclear power reactor if constructed on the site proposed, the need for electric power, and other relevant factors, that the construction and operation of the nuclear power reactor on the proposed site is in the public interest. States that any such agreement shall provide that in making site certification decisions the State or regional agency which is a party to the agreement shall, on its own motion or on application of any person proposing to construct a nuclear power reactor: (1) hold public hearings and offer to consider comments from any affected Federal, State, or local agency; and (2) prepare a detailed environmental impact statement on the proposed site. Requires such an agency to issue, within one year after submission of an application for a site certificate by a person proposing to construct one or more nuclear power reactors, a final decision granting or denying a site certificate to the applicant. States that in any proceeding under this Act concerning a license or construction permit, or application to transfer control, and in any proceeding dealing with the activities of licenses, or for the payment of compensation, the Commission shall grant a hearing upon the request of any person whose interest may be affected by the proceeding. Provides that, unless a State or regional agency is party to such an agreement at the time site approval is sought for one or more nuclear power reactors, the Commission is authorized to consider and grant or deny by order an application by any person for approval of a site for one of more nuclear power reactors, except that such construction permit or operating license or amendment to a construction permit or operating license for a nuclear power reactor shall not be issued unless all site-related restrictions in the site approval are complied with. Authorizes the Commission to consider and grant or deny petitions for the issuance of a rule or on its own initiative issue a rule approving the preliminary or final design of part of a nuclear power reactor. States that Congress finds that it is in the national interest to minimize the environmental impact of nuclear powerplants by locating and designating sites for nuclear power parks in each region of the Nation. States that such parks may be the site for locating several nuclear powerplants serving the region in which they are located, and may include nuclear fuel fabricating and reprocessing facilities, and all other facilities required for a complete fuel cycle. Directs the Atomic Energy Commission to make or cause to be made a national survey to locate and designate a nuclear power park site in each of the existing nine electric reliability regions.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1974
Hobbs Act Amendment - Provides that anyone who interferes with commerce by damaging to the extent of $2,000 or more any property of a person where business is conducted or property is maintained shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than twenty years or both. Defines the term "extortion" to mean the obtaining of property from another, with his consent, induced by use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear, or under color of official right notwithstanding that the same acts or conduct may also be a violation of State or local law and notwithstanding that the actual or threatened force, violence, or fear was used in the course of a legitimate labor dispute or in the pursuit of legitimate union or labor ends or objectives. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 1951)
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1974
Student Loan Amendments - Increases the maximum rate of interest to be charged on a loan secured under the Emergency Insured Student Loan Act of 1969 from 3 to 4 percent. Extends to July 1, 1976, the time within which an eligible loan may be made which is insured under such Act. Requires, under the Higher Education Act of 1965, that to be eligible for interest payment to be made in behalf of a student who is receiving a loan under such Act, the student must have been enrolled as a regular student at an institution of higher education prior to April 1, 1973. Provides for reimbursement of 80 percent of the losses incurred by default of the borrower to public or private institutions operating a student loan insurance program. Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to increase the basic grant payment, the amount of such increase to be determined by and limited to, an estimation of the amount of interest which will accrue on the outstanding and anticipated loans of a student which were necessary for him to attend an institution of higher learning during previous years or which are necessary to enable such student to continue to attend such an institution during such year. Permits the compounding of interest on loans made pursuant to the Higher Education Act of 1965. Increases the loan limitations for undergraduate students to $2500 in one year and for graduate or professional students to $5000 in one year. Increases the total amount any student may borrow to $25,000. Extends the maximum allowable repayment period for federally insured loans from 10 to 15 years, this period to begin nine months after graduation. Extends the maximum allowable period of the loan from 15 to 20 years. Provides for the determination of need and the granting of a loan based on such determination to eligible students outside of the United States. Eliminates the defense of infancy with respect to written agreements executed by a student relating to federally insured student loans.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1974
Provides seminars to freshmen Members of the Congress. Requires the Librarian of Congress, acting through the Director of the Congressional Research Service in consultation with senior specialists and other staff of the Library of Congress, to prepare a curriculum for the series of siminars conducted under this Act. Provides for the reimbursement of expenses incurred in travel to, attendance at, and travel from such a series of seminars to those eligible for the seminars. Authorizes each freshman Member to employ an interim staff during the period beginning on the day such freshman Member is declared elected and ending on the first day of the next regular session of the House of Congress to which such freshman Member was elected in the last general election prior to such session. States that the total salaries paid such interim staff during such period shall not exceed one-half the clerk hire allowance to which such freshman Member would be entitled by law if such Member were a Member of the Congress. Authorizes expenditures for stationery in the interim period up to one-tenth of the allowance for a regular session of the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1974
Requires the United States Olympic Committee to hold public proceedings before it may alter its constitution. Requires arbitration of specified amateur athletic disputes.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1974
Increases, under title II of the Social Security Act (Old-Age, Survivors', and Disability Insurance), the amount of outside earnings which (subject to further increases under the automatic adjustment provisions) is permitted each year without any deductions from benefits. Revises the method for determining such amount.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1974
Establishes as the penalty for kidnapping a term of imprisonment not less than ten years without opportunity for suspension of sentence, probation, or parole. Requires the death penalty where the victim is not returned physically unharmed. Provides that the unexplained disappearance of any person for more than 24 hours, if there is any evidence of a kidnap, shall create a rebuttable presumption that such person has been transported in interstate or foreign commerce. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 1201)
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1974
Provides for the establishment of the Clara Barton National Historic Site, Maryland; John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon; Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, North Dakota; Springfield Armory National Historic Site, Massachusetts; Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site, Alabama; and Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, New York.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1974
Social Security Act Amendments. Removes the limitations on the amount of outside earnings an individual is permitted to earn before a deduction is required from benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance).
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1974
Directs the Secretary of State to keep the appropriate committees of Congress fully and currently imformed of the ongoing status of any negotiations with any foreign government, regarding the cancellation, renegotiation, rescheduling, or settlement of any debt owed to the United States Government by such foreign governments under any program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1974
Creates, as an independent agency in the executive branch, the Federal Zoological and Aquarium Board. States that the Board shall consist of fifteen members to be chosen by the President from specified agencies and associations, the Director of the National Zoological Park, and the Comptroller General of the United States. States that the Board shall establish standards for the national accreditation of zoos and aquariums. Authorizes the Board to provide technical and financial assistance, including loans the aggregate value of which shall not exceed $25,000,000, to aid any zoo or aquarium in complying with such accreditation standards. Authorizes the Board to make grants to any nonprofit zoo or aquarium, agency, or organization for humane research and pilot projects which would serve as models for zoos or aquariums, and for the establishment of survival centers for the breeding, care and perpetuation of endangered species.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1974
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, that if an individual files his return for a taxable year before March 1 and if the refund of any overpayment of such tax is not made within 30 days after filing then interest shall be allowed on such overpayment for the period beginning on the date he filed such return and ending on whichever of the following is the earlier: (1) the date the refund check is mailed, or (2) the first date on which interest on such overpayment is allowed. Requires that whenever any refund is made to a taxpayer, the taxpayer shall be notified of: (1) the tax and the taxable period to which such refund is attributable, and (2) the reason for making such refund.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1974
Prohibits the use of United States petroleum products to train commercial airline and military pilots who are nationals of any foreign country which places an embargo on its shipment of petroleum products to the United States. Imposes a ten-dollar per gallon fine on petroleum products used in violation of this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Ketchum, William M. [R-CA-18]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000153_200.jpg)