United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1974
Directs the Office of the Watergate Special Prosecution Force to transmit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to the President pro tempore of the Senate, to be available for inspection by all Members of Congress, all materials, documents, and reports obtained, prepared, and compiled by that Office, following a determination by the Attorney General that the rights of parties named therein or parties to related litigation will not be compromised.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1974
Cost-of-living Adjustment Act- Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, for automatic cost-of-living adjustments, based on the Consumer Price Index, in: (1) the income tax rates; (2) the amount of standard deductions; (3) the amount of personal exemptions; (4) the amount of depreciation deductions; and (5) the adjusted basis for property. Makes cost-of- living adjustments in specified United States savings bonds and certificates and on other obligations of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 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's 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 1975, $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 1975, such sums as the Congress may hereafter authorize.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1974
Excludes from gross income, under the Internal Revenue Code, the interest on deposits in qualified savings institutions and credit unions. Limits such tax exclusion to $400 for an individual during a calendar year.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1974
Eastern Wilderness Areas Act - Designates specified lands in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Provides for a study of specified additional lands in eighteen states and Puerto Rico for such inclusion. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 1974
Strip Mining Abolition Act - Requires public participation in the development and enforcement of regulations and standards promulgated and permits issued under this Act pertaining to strip mining. Empowers the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) investigate and inspect to insure compliance with this Act; (2) hold public hearings; (3) issue cease-and-desist orders; and (4) order the revocation, suspension or modification of permits. Title I: Environmental Protection Coal Mining Limitations - Prohibits development of any new or previously mined and abandoned site for coal surface mining and, within 6 months, contour surface coal mining. Allows continuation of non-contour coal mining if a permit is obtained containing provisions for a reduction of mining production in three years to 50 percent of the 1973 level. Prohibits surface coal mining after 6 months unless a permit is obtained containing provisions for land stabilization and postmining land use. Prohibits the issuance of permits for mining within 300 feet of dwellings of public buildings or that will interrupt watercourses. Sets forth requirements for permit applications, including submission of ownership statements, mining maps, a hydrologic effect statement, and results of test borings and core samplings. Sets forth requirements for mining and stabilization plans (required or permit applicants), including identification of the entire mining area over the time of the operations, a statement of land uses prior to mining, a detailed description of mining and land stabilization methods, and a time schedule of operations. Requires public liability insurance on such operations for resulting personal and property damage. Requires surface coal mining operators to: (1) restore land to a condition capable of supporting prior uses; (2) carry on stabilization along with mining operations; (3) preserve topsoil; (4) restore the original contour of the land; (5) revegetate the land; (6) maintain hydrologic balance in the area; and (7) meet certain requirements in the use of explosives. Requires underground mine operators to: (1) backfill mine wastes in mine voids for mines opened after enactment of this Act where possible; (2) provide for adequate ground support; (3) seal all portals; and (4) refrain from use of water impoundments. Allows local, State, and Federal agencies to file objections to surface mining and stabilization plans and request and receive hearings at which the permit applicant must establish that his plans comply with applicable law. Requires the Administrator to make a decision within 30 days of such hearings of issuing a permit. Requires permit applicants whose permits have been approved to file a performance bond sufficient to assure stabilization in the event of forfeiture. Allows release of such bond upon satisfactory completion of mining and stablization work. Prohibits suspension or revocation of a permit without notice of violations to the permittee and 10 days to take corrective action, and after a public hearing (if requested), unless a significant threat to public health, private or public property, land or air exists. Provides for a written statement of reasons of any such action to a permittee and the right to appeal to United States district courts. Requires mine operators to keep specified records and use monitoring equipment. Requires inspection of surface mining sites once a month without notice and public disclosure of reports on such inspections. Provides that the Attorney General, at the Administrators request, may institute civil action to enforce this Act. Requires civil penalties for violations of permits or of this Act. Allows citizen suits against any alleged violators of the Act. Authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out this title. Prohibits Government procurement from mines in violation of this Act. States that where the surface owner is not the owner of the mineral estate proposed to be surface mined, the permit application shall include the written consent of the owner of such surface land, including lessees. Title II: Abandoned Mine Stabilization - Creates the Abandoned Coal Mine Stabilization Fund and authorizes appropriations to it of $100,000,000 and such other sums thereafter as Congress may appropriate. Directs the fund to be used for acquisition and stabilization of mined lands, acquistion and filling of voids and sealing of tunnels and shafts, and for use by the Secretary of Agriculture to combat erosion caused by mining effects. Limits the use of the fund to lands affected by mining prior to enactment of this Act. Provides for the condemation of land when the Chief of the Corps of Engineers cannot otherwise acquire land for stabilization purposes. Authorizes bidding for stabilization work contracts, with preference to be given to former employees. Authorizes matching grants to States which require and transfer land to the Chief of the Corps for such purposes, of surface coal mines. Provides for resale of such stabilized land.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1974
Prohibits a petroleum refiner or distributor from cancelling, failing to renew, or otherwise terminating a franchise unless he furnishes notification in writing to each affected distributor or retailer by certified mail not less than ninety days prior to the date on which such franchise will be canceled, together with a statement of the reasons of such cancellation and of the remedies available. Provides that a petroleum refiner or distributor shall not cancel, fail to renew, or otherwise terminate a franchise unless the retailer or distributor whose franchise is terminated failed to comply substantially with any essential and reasonable requirement of such franchise or failed to act in good faith in carrying out the terms of such franchise. States that if a refiner or distributor engages in conduct prohibited under this Act, a retailer or distributor may maintain a suit against such refiner or distributor.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 1974
Senior Citizens Job Corps Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to establish a senior citizen community service employment program by entering into agreement with public or private nonprofit agencies or organizations, agencies of a State government or a political subdivision of a State, or a combination of such political subdivisions. Provides that no payments shall be made by the Secretary toward the cost of any project established or administered by any such agency or organization unless he determines that such project: (1) will provide employment only for eligible individuals; (2) will provide employment for eligible individuals in the community in which such individuals reside; (3) will employ eligible individuals in services related to publicly owned and operated facilities and projects; (4) will contribute to the general welfare of the community; (5) will provide employment for eligible individuals who do not have opportunities for other suitable public or private employment; (6) will result in an increase in employment opportunities for eligible individuals; (7) will include short-term training as may be necessary to make the most effective use of the skills and talents of those individuals who are participating; (8) will assure that safe and healthy conditions of work will be provided; and (9) will be established or administered with the advice of persons competent in the field of service in which employment is being provided. Authorizes the Secretary to pay the entire cost of any project which is the subject of an agreement entered into under this Act. Provides that no contract shall be entered into under this Act with a contractor who is, or whose employees are, under State law, exempted from the operation of the State workmen's compensation law generally applicable to employees, unless the contractor shall undertake to provide either through insurance by a recognized carrier, or by self insurance, as allowed by State law, that the persons employed under the contract shall enjoy workmen's compensation coverage equal to that provided by law for covered employment. Provides that the Secretary shall consult and cooperate with the Office of Economic Opportunity, the Administration on Aging, and any other Federal agency administering a related program or programs, with a view to achieving optimal, coordination with such other programs and shall promote the coordination of projects under this Act with other public and private programs or projects of a similar nature. Authorizes to be appropriated $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1974 and $60,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 to carry out the purpose of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1974
Provides, under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code relating to scholarship and fellowship grants, that no amount shall be included in gross income by reason of the discharge of the indebtedness of an individual under a student loan if such discharge was pursuant to a provision of the loan under which the indebtedness would be discharged if the individual worked for a certain period of time in certain professions or certain geographical areas or for certain classes of employers. Defines "student loan" for purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1974
Comprehensive Right to Privacy Act - Requires that any organization of Federal, State, or local government maintaining an information system that includes personal information shall: (1) collect, maintain, use, and disseminate only personal information necessary to accomplish a proper purpose of the organization; (2) collect information to the greatest extent possible from the data subject directly; (3) maintain information in the system with accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and pertinence as necessary to assure fairness in determinations relating to a data subject; (4) make no dissemination to another system or any individual other than the data subject without specifying requirements for security and the use of information exclusively for the purpose set forth in the notice required under this Act; (5) maintain a complete and accurate record, including identity purpose, and date, of every access to any personal information in a system by persons or organizations not having regular access authority; and (6) collect no personal information concerning the political or religious beliefs, affiliations, and activities of data subjects maintained by any government agency unless expressly authorized by statute. Prohibits any Federal agency from requiring individuals to disclose for statistical purposes any personal information unless such disclosure is required by a constitutional provision or Act of Congress, and the individual is so informed. Requires any organization maintaining or proposing to establish an information system for personal information to: (1) give notice of the existence and character of each existing system once a year to the Federal Privacy Board; (2) give public notice of the existence and character of each existing system each year; and (3) assure that such public notice specifies the categories of data maintained, and the categories of all information sources, a description of types of use made of information, and the procedures whereby an individual can gain access to such information and contest its accuracy and the necessity for its retention. Requires any organization maintaining personal information to inform an individual asked to supply personal information whether he is legally required, or may refuse, to supply the information requested, and also of any specific consequences, which are known to the organization, of providing or not providing such information. Permits data subjects who dispute information about themselves to have such disputed information noted as being disputed when such information about him is disseminated. Requires, upon request, corrections in information to be sent to past recipients of information. Directs organizations maintaining information to inform, within two years and each year thereafter, individuals on whom data is stored of its content and where a copy of such data may be obtained. Allows the head of a Federal agency maintaining such information to exempt his agency from requirements of this Act in the interest of national defense. Makes it unlawful for any organization to require an individual to disclose or furnish his social security account number, for any purpose in connection with any business transaction unless the disclosure or furnishing of such number is specifically required by Federal law. Establishes the Federal Privacy Board whose five members shall be appointed by the President. Directs the Board to: (1) publish an annual Data Base Directory of the United States containing the name and characteristics of each personal information system covered by this Act; (2) make rules to assure compliance with this Act; (3) upon the determination of a violation of a provision of this Act or regulation promulgated under the Act, and after opportunity for a hearing, order the organization violating such provision to cease and desist such violation; and (4) conduct open, public hearings on all petitions for exceptions or exemptions from provisions, application, or jurisdiction of this Act. States that any individual or organization or responsible officer of an organization who willfully: (1) keeps an information system without having notified the Federal Privacy Board; or (2) issues personal information in violation of this Act; or (3) solicits, uses, or otherwise acquires information in violation of this Act shall be fined not more than $10,000 in each instance or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. Provides that any person, system, or agency which violates the provisions of the Act, or any rule, regulation, or order issued thereunder, shall be liable to any person aggrieved thereby.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1974
Prohibits, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the issuance of general permits which authorize the taking (whether incidental or otherwise) of marine mammals in connection with commercial fishing operations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1974
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States delegation to the European Security Conference should not agree to the recognition by the European Security Conference of the Soviet Union's annexation of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and it should remain the policy of the United States not to recognize in any way the annexation of the Baltic nations by the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 10 June 1974
Authorizes the President to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to prohibit the importation into the United States of products from foreign countries conducting fishing operations which adversely affect international fishery conservation programs, or to state his reasons for not doing so to the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1974
Strip Mining Abolition Act - Requires public participation in the development and enforcement of regulations and standards promulgated and permits issued under this Act pertaining to strip mining. Empowers the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to: (1) investigate and inspect to insure compliance with this Act; (2) hold public hearings; (3) issue cease-and-desist orders; and (4) order the revocation, suspension or modification of permits. Title I: Environmental Protection Coal Mining Limitations - Prohibits development of any new or previously mined and abandoned site for coal surface mining and, within 6 months, contour surface coal mining. Allows continuation of non-contour coal mining if a permit is obtained, containing provisions for a reduction of mining production in three years to 50 percent of the 1973 level. Prohibits surface coal mining after 6 months unless a permit is obtained, containing provisions for land stabilization and postmining land use. Prohibits the issuance of permits for mining within 300 feet of dwellings or public buildings or that will interrupt watercourses. Sets forth requirements for permit applications, including submission of ownership statements, mining maps, a hydrologic effect statement, and results of test borings and core samplings. Sets forth requirements for mining and stabilization plans (required of permit applicants), including identification of the entire mining area over the life of the operations, a statement of land uses prior to mining, a detailed description of mining and land stabilization methods, and a time schedule of operations. Requires public liability insurance on such operations for resulting personal and property damage. Requires surface coal mining operators to: (1) restore land to a condition capable of supporting prior uses; (2) carry on stabilization along with mining operations; (3) preserve topsoil; (4) restore the original contour of the land; (5) revegetate the land; (6) maintain hydrologic balance in the area; and (7) meet certain requirements in the use of explosives. Requires underground mine operators to: (1) backfill mine wastes in mine voids for mines opened after enactment of this Act where possible; (2) provide for adequate ground support; (3) seal all portals; and (4) refrain from use of water impoundments. Allows local, State, and Federal agencies to file objections to surface mining and stabilization plans and request and receive hearings at which the permit applicant must establish that his plans comply with applicable law. Requires the Administrator to make a decision within 30 days of such hearings on issuing a permit. Requires permit applicants whose permits have been approved to file a performance bond sufficient to assure stabilization in the event of forfeiture. Allows release of such bond upon satisfactory completion of mining and stabilization work. Prohibits suspension or revocation of a permit without notice of violations to the permittee and 10 days to take corrective action, and after a public hearing (if requested), unless a significant threat to public health, private or public property, land or air exists. Provides for a written statement of reasons of any such action to a permittee and the right to appeal to United States district courts. Requires mine operators to keep specified records and use monitoring equipment. Requires inspection of surface mining sites once a month without notice and public disclosure of reports of such inspections. Provides that the Attorney General, at the Administrators request, may institute civil action to enforce this Act. Requires civil penalties for violations of permits or of this Act. Allows citizen suits against any alleged violators of this Act. Authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out this title. Prohibits Government procurement from mines in violation of this Act. States that where the surface owner is not the owner of the mineral estate proposed to be surface mined, the permit application shall include the written consent of the owner of such surface land, including lessees. Title II: Abandoned Mine Stabilization - Creates the Abandoned Coal Mine Stabilization Fund and authorizes appropriations to it of $100,000,000 and such other sums thereafter as Congress may appropriate. Directs the fund to be used for acquisition and stabilization of mined lands, acquisition and filling of voids and sealing of tunnels and shafts, and for use by the Secretary of Agriculture to combat erosion caused by mining effects. Limits the use of the fund to lands affected by mining prior to enactment of this Act. Provides for the condemnation of land when the Chief of the Corps of Engineers cannot otherwise acquire land for stabilization purposes. Authorizes bidding for stabilization work contracts, with preference to be given to former employees Authorizes matching grants to States which require and transfer land to the chief of the Corps for such purposes. of surface coal mines. Provides for resale of such stabilized land. Title III: Assistance to Workers - Allows the Secretary of Labor to pay a readjustment allowance, equal to 90 percent of average wages, less any unemployment insurance payments, to an individual who has been totally or partially separated from employment in a surface or undergound coal mine because of the requirements of title I. Limits such assistance to 104 weeks, with an added 26 weeks to assist in completion of approved training. Affords such workers assistance in testing, counseling, and training and placement provided under any Federal law. Provides for relocation allowances for such workers. Provides for State cooperation in such training assistance. Authorizes necessary appropriations to the Secretary of Labor to carry out this title.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should (1) immediately initiate negotiations at the highest level of the Turkish Government to prevent the resumption of opium production; and (2) if such negotiations prove unfruitful, exercise the authority provided by the Congress under the Foreign Assistance Act, to terminate all assistance to the Government of Turkey.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 1974
Directs the Council on Environmental Quality to provide for a study of the alternatives to the Tocks Island Dam and Reservoir project affecting the Delaware River and surrounding areas.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 1974
Cost-of-living Adjustment Act- Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, for automatic cost-of-living adjustments, based on the Consumer Price Index, in: (1) the income tax rates; (2) the amount of standard deductions; (3) the amount of personal exemptions; (4) the amount of depreciation deductions; and (5) the adjusted basis for property. Makes cost-of- living adjustments in specified United States savings bonds and certificates and on other obligations of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should (1) immediately initiate negotiations at the highest level of the Turkish Government to prevent the resumption of opium production; and (2) if such negotiations prove unfruitful, exercise the authority provided by the Congress under the Foreign Assistance Act, to terminate all assistance to the Government of Turkey.
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1974
Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, in addition to the 30 percent already authorized, there is authorized to be appropriated for each fiscal year an amount equal to 70 percent of the gross receipts from duties collected under the customs laws on fishery products to be maintained in a separate fund and used by the Secretary of the Interior: (1) to promote the free flow of domestically produced fishery products; (2) to develop and increase markets for fishery products of domestic origin; and (3) to conduct any biological, technological, or other research pertaining to American fisheries.
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1974
Authorizes the appropriation for each fiscal year of an amount equal to 100 percent of all fines, penalties and forfeitures imposed on foreign fishing vessels for violation of the territorial waters of the United States during the twelve-month period immediately preceding such fiscal year, such moneys to be maintained in a separate fund and used by the Secretary of the Interior: (1) to promote the free flow of domestically produced fishery products; (2) to develop and increase markets for fishery products of domestic origin; and (3) to conduct any biological, technological, or other research pertaining to American fisheries.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1974
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish a National Law Enforcement Heroes Memorial within the District of Columbia. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $l,000,000 for the development of such national memorial.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1974
Provides that immediately upon the adoption of this resolution the House shall resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union for the consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 988), a resolution to reform the structure, jurisdiction, and procedures of the committees of the House of Representatives by amending rules X and XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. Stipulates that after general debate, which shall be confined to the resolution and shall continue not to exceed three hours, to be equally divided and controlled by the chairman and ranking minority member of the Select Committee on Committees, the resolution shall be read for amendment under the five-minute rule. States that, at the conclusion of the consideration of the resolution for amendment, the Committee shall rise and report the resolution to the House with such amendments as may have been adopted, and the previous question shall be considered as ordered on the resolution and amendments thereto to final passage without intervening motion except one motion to recommit.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1974
Directs that the United States seek all means by which the civilized world may cut off from contact with civilized mankind any peoples or any nation giving sanctuary, support, sympathy, aid, or comfort to acts of murder and terrorism such as those just committed by Lebanese terrorists and that the Clerk of the House be directed to communicate these sentiments and expressions to the Secretary of State for appropriate transmittal.
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
Repeals the Emergency Daylight Saving Time Energy Conservation Act of 1973. Provides for daylight saving time for eight months during each calendar year (from the last Sunday of February to the last Sunday of October).
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1974
Directs that the United States seek all means by which the civilized world may cut off from contact with civilized mankind any peoples or any nation giving sanctuary, support, sympathy, aid, or comfort to acts of murder and terrorism such as those just committed by Lebanese terrorists and that the Clerk of the House be directed to communicate these sentiments and expressions to the Secretary of State for appropriate transmittal.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1974
Student Antibusing Act - Provides that no court of the United States shall have the jurisdiction to make any decision, enter any judgment, or issue any order requiring pupils to be transported to or from school on the basis of their race, color, religion, or national origin. Provides that no department, agency, officer, or employee of the United States empowered to extend Federal financial assistance to any program or activity at any school by way of grant, loan, or otherwise, shall withhold or threaten to withhold any such Federal financial assistance in order to coerce or induce the implementation or continuation of any plan or program the effect of which would be to require that pupils be transported to or from school on the basis of their race, color, religion, or national origin. Provides that, notwithstanding any other law or provision of law, in the case of any order on the part of any United States district court the effect of which is or would be to require that pupils be transported to or from school on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin, the effectiveness of such order shall be postponed until all appeals in connection with such order have been exhausted or, in the event no appeals are taken, until the time for such appeals has expired. Gives the U.S. district courts exclusive jurisdiction of proceedings instituted pursuant to this Act and sets forth the procedure for such proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1974
Provides that the Administrator of the Small Business Administration may render onsite consultation and advice to small business employers who request such assistance in writing to assist such employers in providing safe and healthful working conditions for their employees. Provides that the Administrator may issue recommendations and/or written notice with respect to hazards and/or serious violations under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, but no citation or civil penalty shall follow directly from such onsite consultation and advice.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1974
Student Freedom of Choice Act - States that no department, agency, officer, or employee of the United States empowered to extend Federal financial assistance to any program or activity at any public school by way or grant, loan, or otherwise shall withhold, or threaten to withhold, such financial assistance from any such program or activity: (1) on account of the racial composition of the student body at any public school or in any class at any public school in any case whatever where the school board operating such public school or class maintains, in respect to such public school and class, a freedom of choice system; (2) to coerce or induce the school board operating such public school to transport students from such public school to any other public school for the purpose of altering in any way the racial composition of the student body at such public school or any other public school; (3) to coerce or induce any school board operating such public school system to close any public school, and transfer the students from it to another public school for the purpose of altering in any way the recial composition of the student body at any public school; and (4) to coerce or induce the school board operating such public school system to transfer any member of any public school faculty from the public school in which the member of the faculty contracts to serve to some other public school for the purpose of altering the racial composition of the faculty at any public school. Provides that whenever any department, agency, officer, or employee of the United States violates or threatens to violate this Act, the school board aggrieved by the violation or threatened violation, or the parent of any student affected or to be affected by the violation or threatened violation, or any member of any faculty affected or to be effected by the violation or threatened violation may bring a civil action against the United States in a district court of the United States complaining of the violation or threatened violation. Provides that no court of the United States shall have jurisdiction ot make any decision, enter judgment, or issue any order requiring any school board to make any change in the racial composition of the student body at any public school or in any class at any public school to which students are assigned in conformity with a freedom of choice system, or requiring any school board to transport any students from one public school to another public school or from one place to another place or from one school district to another school district in order to effect a change in the racial composition of the student body at any school or place or in any school district, or denying to any student the right or privilege of attending any public school or class any any public school chosen by the parent of such student in conformity with freedom of choice system, or requiring any school board to close any school and transfer the students from the closed school to any other school for the purpose of altering the racial composition of the student body at any public school, or precluding any school board from carrying into effect any provision of any contract between it and any member of the faculty of any public school it operates specifying the public school where the member of the faculty is to perform his or her duties under the contract.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1974
Uniform Criteria Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to specify appropriate criteria for the formulation of remedies for the orderly elimination of the vestiges of dual school systems. Title I: Assignment Provisions - States that the assignment by an educational agency of a student to the school nearest his place of residence which provides the appropriate grade level and type of education for such student is not a denial of equal protection of the laws unless such assignment is made for the purpose of segregating students on the basis of race, color, sex, or national origin. Provides that the failure of an educational agency to attain a balance, on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, or socioeconomic status of students among its schools shall not constitute a denial of equal protection of the laws. Title II: Remedies - Requires a court, department, or agency of the United States in formulating a remedy for a denial of the equal protection of the laws, to seek or impose only such remedies as are essential to correct particular denials of equal protection of the laws. Provides that in formulating a remedy for a denial of the equal protection of the law, which may involve the transportation of students, a court, department, or agency of the United States shall consider and make specific findings on the efficacy in correcting such denial of specified remedies and shall require implementation of the remedies or on the first combination thereof which would remedy such denial: (1) assigning students to the schools closest to their places of residence which provide the appropriate grade level and type of education for such students, taking into account school capacities and natural physical barriers; (2) assigning students to the schools closest to their places of residence which provide the appropriate grade level and type of education for such student, taking into account only school capacities; (3) permitting students to transfer from a school in which a majority of the students are of their race, color, or national origin to a school in which a minority of the students are of their race, color, or national origin; (4) the creation or revision of attendance zones or grade structures without requiring transportation beyond the next closest school to a student's residence; or (5) the development and implementation of any other plan which is educationally sound and administratively feasible. Prohibits any court, department, or agency of the United States from ordering the implementation of a plan that would require the transportation of any student to a school other than the school closest or next closest to his place of residence which provides the appropriate grade level and type of education for such student. Prohibits any court, department, or agency of the United States from requiring directly or indirectly the transportation of any student if such transportation poses a risk to the health of such student or constitutes a significant impingement on the educational process with respect to such student. Provides that when a court of competent jurisdiction determines that a school system is desegregated, or that it meets the constitutional requirements, or that it is a unitary system, or that it has no vestiges of a dual system, and thereafter residential shifts in population occur which result in school population changes in any school within such a desegregated school system, no education agency shall because of such shifts be required by any court, department, or agency of the United States to formulate, or implement any new desegregation plan or modify or implement any modification of the court approved desegregation plan to compensate wholly or in part for such shifts in school population. States that in the formulation of remedies under this Act, the lines drawn by a State, subdividing its territory into separate school districts, shall not be ignored or altered except where it is established that the lines were drawn for the purpose of segregating children among public schools on the basis of race, color, sex, or national origin. Asserts that nothing in this Act prohibits an educational agency from proposing, adopting, requiring, or implementing any plan of desegregation, otherwise lawful, that is at variance with the standards set out in this title, nor shall any court, department, or agency of the United States be prohibited from approving implementation of a plan which goes beyond what can be required under this title, if such plan is voluntarily proposed by the appropriate educational agency. Provides that on the application of an educational agency, court orders, or desegregation plans under title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in effect on the date of enactment of this Act and intended to end segregation of students on the basis of race, color, or national origin, shall be reopened and modified to comply with the provisions of this Act. States that any court order requiring the desegregation of a school system shall be terminated, if the court finds the schools of the defendant educational agency are a unitary school system, one within which no person is to be effectively excluded from any school because of race, color, or national origin, and this shall be so, whether or not such school system was in the past segregated de jure or de facto. Title III: Definitions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Repeals the provision of the Emergency School Aid Act authorizing the construction of integrated education parks. Provides that if any provision of this Act, or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the provisions of the Act and the application of such provision to other persons and circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1974
Provides that Federal courts shall not have jurisdiction to hear or decide cases or controversies involving the public schools. Provides that the jurisdiction of the Federal courts terminated by this Act shall vest in the State courts.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1974
Provides that specified sections of the Par Value Modification Act relating to dealing in gold shall take effect immediately upon passage of this Act (formerly to take effect when the President finds and reports to Congress that international monetary reform has proceeded to the point where elimination of regulations on private ownership of gold will not adversely affect the United States international monetary position).
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1974
Changes the requirements for membership in the American Legion so as to require at least two years of service in the naval or military services of the United States. (Amends 36 U.S.C. 45)
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1974
Provides, under the Social Security Act, for the establishment and revision of Professional Standards Review Organization areas, such establishment and revision to take into account the recommendations of the doctors of medicine or osteopathy. States that the final determination in the establishment or revision of any Professional Standards Review Organization area shall be subject to review in a civil action commenced by any interested person. Directs the National Professional Standards Review Council to conduct a study for the purpose of evaluating whether, and under what conditions, organizations other than professional associations shall be allowed to perform review functions. Requires each Professional Standards Review Organization to assume responsibility for professional standards review of health care services furnished by or in institutions operated by the Public Health Service and the Veterans Administration in the area which it serves. Requires, in conjunction with such reviews, that procedures be developed whereby deficiencies shall be brought to the attention of administrators of the hospitals and other Federal institutions concerned. Calls for the consolidation of data and reports compiled under these provisions. Directs that criteria of health care shall be identified or developed by each Professional Standards Review Organization, giving due consideration to such criteria of care identified or developed by national medical specialty organizations. States that such criteria of care shall be used by the Professional Standards Review Organization as guides of care. Requires the National Professional Standards Review Council to provide for the distribution to each Professional Standards Review Organization, and to each other agency performing review functions, of appropriate materials indicating various guides being utilized in other geographical areas. Provides for the protection of the confidentiality of medical records compiled under this Act. Empowers the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to enter into a contract with any State medical society or private nonprofit organization (including medical foundations) designated by a State medical society for the provision of necessary technical and other assistance in the creation and operation of local professional standards review organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1974
Provides that interest forfeited by reason of premature cancellation of savings deposits shall not be included in gross income under the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1974
Disallows, under the Internal Revenue Code, percentage depletion deductions on foreign oil and gas wells, tax deductions for intangible drilling and development costs for foreign oil or gas wells, and tax credits for income, war profits, or excess profits tax paid or accrued which is attributable to income from foreign oil or gas wells. Allows a tax deduction for excess profits taxes imposed by foreign countries to the extent a credit is denied for such taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1974
Provides for the Federal incorporation of the United States Submarine Veterans of World War II. Sets forth the powers of such corporation. Provides that the corporation, and its officers and directors shall not contribute to or otherwise support or assist any political party or candidate for elective public office.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1974
Provides, under title XVI of the Social Security Act, for emergency assistance grants to recipients of supplemental security income benefits. Authorizes cost-of-living increases in such benefits and in State supplementary payments. Prevents reductions in such benefits because of social security benefit increases. Provides reimbursements to States for home relief payments to disabled applicants prior to determination of their disability. Permits payment of such benefits directly to drug addicts and alocholics (without a third-party payee). Continues on a permanent basis the provision making supplemental security income recipients eligible for food stamps.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1974
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, for reductions in Social Security taxes relating to the rate of tax on self-employment income for purposes of old-age, survivors, and disability insurance. States that such reductions shall apply in the case of taxes imposed with respect to self-employment income for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1974, and with respect to wages paid or received during calendar years after 1974. Provides for Federal participation in the costs of the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program under title II of the Social Security Act. Increases the earnings counted for benefit and tax purposes under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1974
Octane Rating Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct tests of a representative sample of motor vehicles for the purposes of determining the lowest average octane rating of gasoline which can be used without knocking in each motor vehicle sold in the United States, beginning with motor vehicles manufactured for the 1965 model year and ending with motor vehicles manufactured for the 1975 model year, and to publish such findings in the Federal Register not later than December 31, 1974. States that beginning with motor vehicles manufactured for the 1976 model year, no new motor vehicle shall be sold or offered for sale in the United States unless the manufacturer has: (1) tested a motor vechicle which is in all respects substantially the same construction as such new vehicle; (2) submitted the results of such tests to the Secretary for publication in the Federal Register; and (3) published in the owners' manual of such new vehicle the lowest average octane rating of gasoline which can be used without knocking in such vehicle based upon such tests. Requires every major refiner to produce and market to the general public, in amounts determined by the Secretary, a gasoline the average octane rating of which is equal to the lowest average octane rating which can be used without knocking in the particular class of motor vehicles. States that such gasoline shall be produced and marketed after such period as the Secretary finds necessary to permit the development and application of the requisite technology. Sets forth penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1974
National Summer Youth Sports Program Act - Directs the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to make grants or enter into contracts for the conduct of an annual National Summer Youth Sports Program concentrated in the summer months, with opportunity for continued activities throughout the year, designed to offer disadvantaged youth living in areas of concentrated poverty an opportunity to receive educational instruction, sports instruction, and health and nutritional services, and to participate in educational programs and sports competitions. Provides that programs under this Act shall be administered by the Secretary, through grants or contracts with the National Collegiate Athletic Association or any other qualified national organization of colleges and universities. Provides that each such grant or contract shall contain provisions to assure that the program to be assisted will: (1) expand educational opportunities for disadvantaged youths, designed to provide an opportunity to engage in competitive sports and benefit from sports skills instruction; (2) help young people learn good health practices and become better citizens by utilizing the personnel and facilities of higher education; (3) enable the contractor and institutions of higher education located conveniently to areas of concentrated poverty and their personnel to participate more fully in community life and in the solution of community problems; (4) provide a combination of employment and on-the-job training in sports instruction and administration; and (5) serve major metropolitan centers of the United States as well as other areas, within the limits of program resources. Requires local projects under any such program to be conducted under approved contracts between the principal contractor or grantee and selected institutions of higher education qualified to carry out a program under this Act. Provides that, except where the Secretary determines that unusual circumstances make a larger percentage necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Act, a contract under this Act with respect to any program may not provide for payment of more than 80 percent of the direct costs incurred in carrying out the total program. Provides that the non-Federal share may be cash or in-kind contributions. Permits such payments to be made in advance or by way of reimbursement, and in such installments and on such conditions as the Secretary deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated $5,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and $7,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, and $10,000,000 for each fiscal year thereafter prior to July 1, 1979, to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1974
Confers jurisdiction upon the District Court of the United States for the District of Columbia of civil actions brought by the House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary for the purposes of procurement of documents, tape recordings and other information related to its official investigations concerning the impeachment of President Richard Nixon.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1974
Authorizes additional educational assistance allowance payments to eligible veterans to partially defray the cost of tuition in an amount representing such cost which exceeds $419 for an ordinary school year, but not exceeding $600. (Adds 38 U.S.C. 1682)
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1974
Requires depository institutions to notify owners of time certificates of deposit, which are automatically renewable, of the date at which such renewal occurs during the period beginning ninety days before such date and ending thirty days before such date and to promptly notify such owners of any changes in the rates of interest or dividends payable on such deposits.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1974
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the heads of other departments affected by this Act, to issue and revise regulations from time to time, relating to the trapping and capturing of animals and birds. Imposes a fine of $500 and/or imprisonment of up to one year for violations of this Act. Establishes an advisory commission of 7 members to consult with the Secretary and make recommendations with respect to regulations concerning trapping and capturing of animals and birds. Imposes a fine of $5,000 and/or imprisonment or of one year, for the sale, shipment, or transport, of any unapproved trap or any animal skin or hide or bird feathers taken in violation of this Act. Outlines those trapping regulations specifically applicable to Federal lands. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with any affected State pursuant to which the Secretary shall assist such State to enable it to comply with the provisions of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lent, Norman F. [R-NY-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000243_200.jpg)