United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1975
Price Disclosure Act - Provides that no person engaged in business in the sale at retail of any packaged consumer commodity which has been distributed in commerce, or the distribution of which affects commerce, shall sell, offer for sale, or display for sale any such commodity unless: (1) the total selling price of such commodity is plainly marked by a stamp, tag, or label affixed to a principal display panel of the package; and (2) the retail unit price of such commodity is plainly marked by a stamp, tag, or label affixed to a principal display panel of the package, or a label or sign in close proximity to the point of display of such package, which label or sign shall also contain the name and quantity of contents of such commodity. Exempts from these requirements any individual retail outlet which sells or offers for sale packaged consumer commodities and whose total gross sales do not exceed $250,000 per annum, unless such an outlet is one of a number of outlets owned substantially or whose inventory is supplied substantially, by a single person, partnership, or corporation whose total gross sales exceeds $500,000 per annum; or any retail outlet in any State which has enacted mandatory unit pricing law and whose law, in the judgment of the Federal-Trade Commission, is in full force and effect and is comparable in scope and comprehensiveness to the requirements of this Act, except that retailers (including chainstores and affiliated stores) who operate outlets in any such State shall be subject to the provisions of this Act if they also operate outlets in one or more other States. Redefines the term "consumer commodity" and defines the term "retail unit price" for purposes of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. Abolishes the authority of the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to promulgate regulations under such Act, and transfers that authority to the Commission. Directs the Commission to request, and the Secretary of Commerce to initiate, a voluntary product standard for consumer commodities under the procedures for the development of voluntary products standards established by the Secretary pursuant to specified provisions of law whenever the Commission determines that there is undue proliferation of the weights, measures, or quantities in which any consumer commodity or reasonably comparable consumer commodities are being distributed in packages for sale at retail and such undue proliferation impairs the reasonable ability of consumers to make value comparisons with respect to such consumer commodity or commodities. Requires that regulations with respect to fair packaging and labeling standards be promulgated by the Commission in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. Directs the Commission to give interested persons an opportunity for oral presentations of views, data, and agreements. Authorizes travel and per diem reimbursement for persons being trained by the Commission to carry out the provisions of the Act. Declares that any violation of any of the provisions of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act or the regulations issued pursuant to such Act, with respect to any consumer commodity delivered into introduction in commerce, or sold at retail, offered for sale at retail, or displayed for sale at retail, shall constitute an unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting commerce and shall be subject to penalties under specified provisions of law.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1975
Electric Power Production Authority Act - Establishes, within the Department of Commerce, an Electric Power Production Atuhority. Enumerates the duties of the Authority, including to: (1) assure that adequate supplies of electric energy, based on proven and developed technology, are available to meet the anticipated needs of the United States; (2) continuously review the demand and supply of electric energy in the United States and report on such annually to the Congress; and (3) loan to investor-owned electric utilities or States or municipal power authorities sums up to 100 percent for the costs of new electric powerplant construction and electric distribution and transmission facilities. Empowers the Authority to provide loans and loan guarantees for the long-term purchase of coal and nuclear fuel supplies by investor-owned utilities or States or municipal power authorities, or lessee's of electric powerplants initially built by the Authority, for the purpose of assuring that domestic fuel supplies are developed and available in adequate amounts to meet anticipated needs of electrical powerplants. Authorizes appropriations of $51,000,000,000 over a ten-year period to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1975
Requires the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to certify sites adjacent to the navigable waters of the United States which are suitable from safety and environmental standpoints for the location of liquified natural gas storage terminals.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1975
Revises the conditions under which post-hospital home health services may be provided udner part A and home health services may be provided under part B of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1975
Home Health Services Act - Provides, under the Public Health Service Act, for the establishment and initial operation of public and nonprofit private agencies which will provide home health services in areas in which such services are not otherwise available. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants: (1) to meet the initial and expanding costs of such agencies; and (2) for programs for the training of professional and paraprofessional personnel to provide home health services. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1975
Ozone Protection Act - Declares that the release of chlorofluromethane may pose a danger to public health and safety. Provides for a study by the National Academy of Sciences of the nature and likelihood of potential effects on public health and the environment of the discharge of such gas. Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to report to the Congress on such potential effects. Provides for a program of standards to limit the emissions of such gas from major sources. Provides for the enforcement of prohibitions upon the manufacture and sale of aerosol spray containers which discharge such gas, including penalties of up to $10,000 in civil fines per day of violation under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1975
Directs the Comptroller General to audit annually the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Advisory Council, the Federal Open Market Committee, and all Federal Reserve banks and branches. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress within six months after the end of each fiscal year on the results of the audit. States that such report shall specifically indicate any program, financial transaction, or undertaking observed in the course of the audit which in the opinion of the Comptroller General has been carried out without legal authority.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1975
Excludes from gross income, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, the first $5,000 received as annuities, pensions, or other retirement benefits by an individual who has attained age 65 before the close of the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1975
Directs the Civil Service Commission to establish a Special Cost-of-Living Pay Schedule containing increased pay rates for Federal employees in heavily populated cities and metropolitan areas in order to offset the increased cost of living. Authorizes the Commission to revise such schedule from time to time, with Presidential approval.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1975
Coastal Zone Environment Act - Provides, under the Coastal Zone Management Act, that any applicant for a required license, lease, or permit for the development or production of energy resources in a coastal zone shall certify that the proposed activity complies with any approved State management program. Establishes in the Department of the Treasury the Coastal Impact Fund. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make 100 percent annual grants from the Fund to those coastal States which the Secretary determines are likely to be significantly or adversely impacted by the development or energy resources or by the siting of energy facilities. Directs the Secretary to establish requirements for grant eligibility and lists circumstances under which the regulations shall provide that a State is eligible. States that the authorization of Congress is given to two or more States to negotiate and enter into interstate agreements for the purpose of study, planning, and implementation of unified coastal zone policies and for the coordination of such policies. Authorizes the Secretary to make annual grants for such purposes, provided that they do not exceed 90 percent of the cost. Authorizes the Secretary to provide assistance to the coastal States to develop a capability for carrying out short-term research, studies, and training required in support of coastal zone management. Requires the Secretary to submit additional information each year to the President for transmittal to Congress including: (1) a general description of the economic, environmental, and social impacts of the development or production of energy resources or the siting of energy facilities affecting the coastal zone; and (2) a description and evaluation of interstate and regional planning mechanisms developed by the coastal States. Extends until 1980 the authority of the Secretary to make grants to the coastal States for the development of land and water resources management programs. Authorizes to be appropriated $200,000,000 for fiscal years 1976 and for each of the four succeeding fiscal years for grants made from the Coastal Impact Fund. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal years 1976-79 such sums, not to exceed $5,000,000, for interstate coordination grants to the coastal States. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal years 1976-79 such sums, not to exceed $5,000,000, for coastal research assistance grants to the coastal States. Includes "islands" and "beach" within the definition of coastal zone under the Coastal Zone Management Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make annual grants to any coastal State for the purpose of assisting in the development of a management program, including plans for the protection of access to public beaches and other coastal areas.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1975
Designates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as the lead agency for the purposes of complying with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. Requires the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of the Interior, to conduct a study to establish baseline information concerning the status of the marine and coastal environment of the Outer Continental Shelf and the coastal zone which may be affected by oil and gas development. Requires the Administrator, subsequent to leasing and development of any area, to monitor the marine and coastal environment of the areas affected so that previous data collected can be compared and significant changes in the quality and productivity of the environment can be identified. Requires the Administrator to designate within guidelines which coastal States are to be considered as adjacent coastal States for the purposes of this Act, and to be so designated within 60 days after notice from the Secretary of the Interior of an intent to proceed with exploratory drilling. Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator of such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act during fiscal years 1976 and 1977. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Interior to transmit a development plan to the Governor and State coastal zone management agencies in adjacent coastal States in which oil or gas are found in commercial quantities. Authorizes the Secretary to proceed with the sale of the proposed lease tracts pursuant to each leasing and development plan unless within 90 days either House of the Congress passes a resolution expressing disapproval of such plan. Requires the Secretary, after a request for a postponement of a leasing plan by a Governor, to either grant or deny the request, or to provide for a shorter postponement. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as are necessary for fiscal years 1976 and 1977. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Interior to prepare and maintain a leasing program for the development of oil and gas resources, to manage the Outer Continental Shelf, to locate oil and gas in the physiographic regions of the Outer Continental Shelf, to schedule the timing of leasing for maximum environmental and production benefit, and to receive fair market value for the oil and gas resources. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to conduct an exploratory program to determine the extent, location, and potential for developing the oil and gas resources in the Outer Continental Shelf. Permits the Secretary to conduct geological investigations and exploratory drilling. Directs the Secretary to make available to the public all data obtained directly or under contract, subject to certain exceptions. Directs the Secretary and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency to jointly develop and transmit to the Congress an implementation for the oil and gas exploration program authorized by this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish procedures for determining areas to be considered for exploratory drilling and potential leasing. Directs the Secretary to coordinate such program with the coastal management programs developed by any coastal or adjacent coastal states. Establishes a moratorium on the leasing of any additional tracts for oil and gas development under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act upon the effective date of this Act and continues such moratorium until the Federal Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas exploration program is implemented.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1975
Provides, under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, for coverage under medicare for routine Papanicolaou tests for the diagnosis of uterine cancer.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1975
Records Management Act - Requires the establishment of standards and procedures to assure efficient and effective Government records management. States that such standards and procedures shall seek to effectuate the following goals: (1) accurate and complete documentation of the policies and transactions for the Federal Government; (2) control of the quantity and quality of records produced by the Federal Government; (3) simplification of the processes through which records are created, stored, retrieved, and used; (4) the judicious preservation and disposal of records; (5) the establishment and maintenance of a system which focuses continuous attention upon records from their initial creation to their final disposition; (6) the establishment and maintenance of mechanisms of control with respect to records creation, in order to assure the prevention of unnessary records; and (7) the establishment and maintenance of such other systems or techniques as the Administrator considers necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Provides that the Administrator shall provide guidance and assistance to Federal agencies with respect to records creation, records maintenance and use, and records disposition. Directs the Administrator of General Services to: (1) conduct inspections or paperwork studies, at regular intervals as determined to be necessary by the Administrator, of the records and records management practices and and programs of every Federal agency; (2) require the head of every Federal agency to transmit a report to the Administrator with respect to the records and records management practices and programs of each such Federal agency during each period of two calendar years; (3) prescribe rules with respect to records management; and (4) order, to the extent he considers necessary, the head of any Federal agency to take specific action with respect to the records or records management practices of his agency. Establishes in the executive branch a Records Review Board to review any order issued by the Administrator under the provisions of this Act upon appeal by any Federal agency. Directs the head of each Federal agency to make and preserve records containing adequate and proper documentation of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, and essential transactions of the Federal agency and designed to furnish the information necessary to protect the legal and financial rights of the Federal Government and of persons directly affected by the activities of the Federal agency. Requires each agency head to establish safeguards against the removal or loss of records he determines to be necessary and required by the rules of the Administrator.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1975
Provides an additional personal income tax exemption of $750 under the Internal Revenue Code where a taxpayer, his spouse, or any dependent of the taxpayer is handicapped. Defines the term "handicapped" for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1975
Youth Camp Safety Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to protect and safeguard the health and well-being of youth attending day camps, resident camps, and travel camps by providing for the establishment of Federal standards for the safe operation of youth camps. Establishes in the Office of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare an Office of Youth Camp Safety to be headed by a Director of Youth Camp Safety. Confers upon the Director the primary responsibility for the promulgation and enforcement of Federal and State youth camp safety regulations. Requires any State which desires to assume responsibility for the development and modification of youth camp safety standards to submit a State plan to the Director for his approval. Allows a State whose plan has been rejected to obtain review of the decision in the United States Court of Appeals. Authorizes the Director to make grants to States which have in effect approved State plans, such grants not to exceed eighty percent of the cost of carrying out the State plan. Authorizes to be appropriated $7,500,000 for fiscal year 1975, and for each succeeding fiscal year, to make the grants provided for in this Act. Authorizes the Director to enter and inspect youth camps and their records. Directs the Director to establish within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare an Advisory Council on Youth Camp Safety and to submit to Congress at least once a year a comprehensive and detailed report on his administration under this Act. Prescribes penalties for each violation by youth camp operators of the standards promulgated pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the Director to request directly from any department or agency of the Federal Government information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics needed to carry out his functions under this Act; and such department or agency is authorized to furnish such information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly to the Director.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to purchase from one or more life insurance companies a policy or policies of mortgage protection life insurance on a group basis for veterans unable to obtain commercial life insurance because of a service- connected disablility. Sets forth the maximum amount of insurance under a policy provided under this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to deduct insurance premiums from any compensation or other cash benefits payable to veteran by the Veterans' Administration, and to pay such premiums to the insurers. States that any amount of insurance in force under this Act on the date of death of an insured veteran shall be paid only to the holder of the mortgage loan on the veteran's home as a credit toward loan indebtedness. Requires each policy purchased under this Act to provide for the following: (1) reinsurance with other insurers which meet the Administrator's criteria; (2) that the Administrator may discontinue a whole policy, or exclude from coverage loans made after a date fixed by him; (3) issuance to each insured veteran of a certificate setting forth the benefits to which he is entitled; (4) any other provisions necessary to carry out this Act; and (5) an annual accounting to the Administrator of the amount of premiums paid, the total of all mortality and other claim charges incurred, and the amount of the insurer's expenses and risk charges. States that insurance under this Act shall terminate upon whichover of the following events first occurs: (1) satisfaction of the veteran's indebtedness under the loan upon which the insurance is based; (2) the veteran's 70th birthday; (3) termination of the veteran's ownership of the property securing the loan; (4) discontinuance of payment of premiums by the veteran; or (5) discontinuance of the entire contract or agreement. (Adds 38 U.S.C. 791-95)
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Provides, under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, for the extension of specified provisions for an additional 20 years. Makes permanent the ban against requiring compliance with tests and devices as a prerequisite to voting.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to pay a pension to each veteran who served in the active military, naval, or air service at any time during World War I and who is not eligible for other pension benefits. Defines World War I as meaning the period beginning on April 5, 1917, and ending on July 2, 1921. Provides for a schedule of pension payments under this Act. Provides that if the veteran is married and living with or reasonably contributing to the support of his spouse, or has a child or children, the monthly rate of pension under this Act shall be $150. Provides that if the veteran is unmarried (or married but not living with or reasonably contributing to the support of his spouse) and has no child, the monthly rate of pension shall be $135. Provides that if the veteran has a disability by reason of which he is permanently housebound, the monthly rate hereunder shall be increased by $50. Provides that veterans in need of regular aid and attendance shall have their monthly rates increased by $125. Directs the Administrator to pay to widows of veterans, receiving benefits under this Act at time of death, pension benefits as prescribed in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1975
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 · 6 February 1975
Treats the amounts paid for custodial care by institutions of dependents afflicted by Down's syndrome as amounts paid for medical care for purposes of deductibility from gross income under the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1975
Excludes from gross income under the Internal Revenue Code (1) up to $5 per occasion of service by a fireman in response to a call for firefighting or rescue services; and (2) up to $5 per meeting attended by members of a firefighting or rescue unit up to $10 per month. States that this tax exclusion shall apply to the taxable years following December 31, 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1975
National Tay-Sachs Disease Screening and Counseling Act - Provides that it is the purpose of this Act to establish a national program, under the Public Health Service Act, for voluntary Tay-Sachs disease screening and counseling. Authorizes appropriations of $2,500,000 for fiscal year 1974 for making grants to public and nonprofit entities to establish and operate such screening programs. Sets forth the procedure for applications for and administration of such grants.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Black Lung Benefit Act - Defines "total disability" under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act as having the meaning given it by regulation of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, except that: (1) in the case of a living miner, such regulations shall provide that a miner shall be considered totally disabled when pneumoconiosis prevents him from engaging in gainful employment requiring the skills and abilities comparable to those of any employment in a mine or mines in which he previously engaged with some regularity and over a substantial period of time; (2) in the case of a deceased miner, such regulations shall provide that the fact that a miner was employed by a mine at the time of his death shall not be used as evidence that the miner was not totally disabled; and (3) such regulations shall not provide more restrictive criteria than those applicable under the Social Security Act. States that if a miner was employed for 15 years or more in one or more underground coal mines, there shall be an irrebuttable presumption that he is totally disabled due to pneumoconiosis or that at the time of his dealth he was totally disabled by pneumoconiosis. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to pay benefits to all previous claimants who have become eligible for benefits as a result of the enactment of this Act. Requires that at least 5 members of the Advisory Committee on Coal Mine Health Research be miners or retired miners.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Provides, under title XVIII (Medicare) and title II (Old-Age, Survivors' and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, that qualified drugs requiring a physicians prescription or certification shall be included among the items and services covered under the hospital insurance program for the aged at a specified amount of payment. States that the reasonable allowance for eligible drugs furnished an individual pursuant to any one prescription and purchased by such individual at any one time shall be reduced by an amount equal to the applicable prescription copayment obligation which shall be $1. Establishes, within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, a Formulary Committee to compile and publish a Formulary listing the drugs deemed qualified for benefits under this Act, together with maximum allowable costs and additional information concerning such drugs. Makes provisions for selecting drugs for the Formulary.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Dairy Import Sanitation Act - Provides for the inspection of imported dairy products in order to protect the public health and welfare. Requires that such products comply with minimum standards for sanitation established by the Secretary of Agriculture and that the dairy farms on which milk is produced and the plants in which such products are produced meet minimum standards of sanitation. States that such standards shall be comparable to the standards of purity, wholesomeness, and sanitation recommended by the Secretary for domestic dairy products. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary to carry out the administration and supervision of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
National Aquaculture Development Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to provide for a national program for aquaculture development in order to increase sources of marine protein for the consumer; to increase the availability and quality level of consumer fishery products; to develop new resources; to improve or maintain recreational fisheries; and to initiate new business, industry, and employment. Requires the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with interested Federal agencies and other public and private organizations and with the concurrence of the Secretary of the Interior, to establish national objectives for aquaculture development. Requires the Secretary to act as the interagency coordinator for all Federal programs and activities in aquaculture. Sets forth activities regarding aquaculture development which the Secretary may, as he deems appropriate, carry out pursuant to this Act, including: (1) construction, operation, and maintenance of hatcheries or similar facilities and undertaking of natural habitat improvement activities; (2) assistance to public and private organizations and individuals interested or engaged in aquaculture through advisory and other services; (3) consultation and cooperation with Federal, State, and local governments, regional commissions, institutions of higher learning, and private industry; and (4) performance of basic and applied research to establish a sound information base for the development of aquaculture. Provides that the Secretary, in consultation with affected States, shall locate, construct, operate, and maintain such pilot aquaculture facilities as he deems appropriate in order to develop aquaculture technology relative to particular species of fish and shellfish. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out such functions and duties authorized by this Act as he deems appropriate through grants to or contracts with the States, regional commissions, local governments, institutions of higher learning, private industry, and other public and private organizations. Authorizes an appropriation for each fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 1975, equal to 30 percent of the gross receipts from duties collected under the customs laws on fishery products during the period January 1 to December 31, both inclusive, preceding the beginning of each such fiscal year. Authorizes the Secretary to carry out such other research as he deems appropriate in order to perform his functions and duties under this Act. Provides that the authority contained in this Act shall expire at the end of the fiscal year during which occurs the fifth anniversary of the date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President and the Secretary of the State should take the necessary steps, including the renewal of negotiations between the parties, signatory to the Paris agreement and the agreement with the Lao Patriotic Front, to finally determine the fate of all United States servicemen and civilians missing in Southeast Asia. Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives to transmit a copy of this resolution to the President who is requested to report to the House in 90 days on steps taken to implement this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Directs the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a bronze bust or statue of Martin Luther King, Junior, and to cause such sculpture to be placed in a suitable location in the Capitol as determined by the Joint Committee on the Library.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1975
Provides hospital and medical care to members of the armed forces of Poland or Czechoslovakia who participated in armed conflict with an enemy of the United States during World War I or World War II, and who have been citizens of the United States for not less than 10 years. Provides that such hospital and medical care shall be available to the same extent as if such service had been performed in the Armed Forces of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1975
Provides for a credit under the Internal Revenue Code for 20 percent of the amounts deposited by the taxpayer in an educational savings plan for himself or a dependent. Sets limitations on the amount of such credit, dependent upon the nature of the account. Defines "educational savings plan" and other terms used in this Act. Provides for the recapture of any such credit allocable to nonqualified noneducational uses or for failure to use the account. (Adds 26 U.S.C. 42)
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1975
Provides that the charge imposed on any household for a coupon allotment under the Food Stamp Act after the date of this Act and prior to December 30, 1975, may not exceed the charge imposed on such household for coupon allotments under rules and regulations in effect on January 1, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1975
Allows a tax deduction up to $750 for ordinary and necessary expenses incurred by a taxpayer under the Internal Revenue Code in making repairs and improvements to his residence during the taxable year. Allows the owner of rental housing to amortize at an accelerated rate (over a 60-month period) the cost of rehabilitating or restoring such housing. Authorizes the taxpayer to switch from such accelerated amortization to the regular depreciation deduction allowable under the Internal Revenue Code for property used in a trade or business or held for the production of income.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1975
Emergency Homeowners' Relief Act - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to prevent widespread mortgage defaults and the distress-sale of homes as a result of adverse economic conditions. Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make repayable emergency mortgage relief payments on behalf of distressed homeowners when he determines that such action is necessary and that there is a reasonable prospect that the homeowner will be able to make necessary adjustments for the full resumption of mortgage payments. Defines "distressed homeower" as one or more persons who own and occupy a dwelling as a principal residence and whose income has declined by more than 20 percent as the result of unemployment or other adverse economic conditions. Limits relief payments to a period not exceeding two years. Provides that payments be repaid on such terms as the Secretary prescribes. Empowers the Secretary to delegate any of his functions under this Act to other Federal agencies or private entities. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a revolving fund for mortgage relief payments and other specified purposes, including payment of obligations issued to the Secretary of the Treasury to enable the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to carry out his functions under this Act. Provides for a payment expiration date of July 1, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1975
Provides that the charge to a household for its food stamp allotment under the Food Stamp Act of 1964 shall not exceed the lesser of (1) the level established as of January 1, 1975, or (2) 25 percent of the household's income. Provides that, effective July 1, 1975, households in which all members receive supplemental security income benefits under the Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled program of the Social Security Act, or households in which all members are included in a federally aided public assistance or general assistance grant shall be certified for participation in the food stamp program under this Act. States that certification of all other households shall be based on the uniform national standards for eligibility required to be established under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Provides that the right of a citizen of the United States, who otherwise is qualified, to vote in any election for Federal office shall not be denied or abridged because he has committed a criminal offense unless such citizen is imprisoned in a correctional institution or facility at the time of such election. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Establishes within the Treasury an Offender Rehabilitation Fund to be available to the Attorney General as a revolving fund to make loans to releasees not to exceed $150 for any releasee during any calendar month, up to $600 in aggregate for any releasee. Specifies the factors to be taken into account by the Attorney General in determining whether a releasee is in need of loan assistance under this Act. Stipulates that, if the Attorney General determines that it is in the best interest of the releasee not to have money provided directly to him, a loan may be in the form of the purchase of essential needs of the releasee. Specifies the terms and conditions of loans to be made under this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated to the fund $1,500,000 for fiscal year 1975, to remain available until expended.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Federal Correctional Ombudsman Act - Establishes an office of the United States Correctional Ombudsman. Provides that the Chief Ombudsman shall have the authority to investigate in such manner as he sees fit, either upon complaint or upon his own initiative, any administrative act of the Bureau of Prisons or the Board of Parole, pertaining to the treatment of any Federal prisoner or parolee, or the conditions in any Federal penal or correctional institution. Provides that if, after any investigation, the chief ombudsman finds that any administrative act is: (1) contrary to law; (2) unreasonable, unfair, oppresive, or unnecessarily discriminatory; (3) based on mistaken ascertainment of fact; (4) based on improper or irrelevant grounds; (5) performed in an inefficient manner; (6) unclear or inadequately explained when reasons should have been revealed; or (7) otherwise objectionable; he shall consult with the appropriate official or employee in order to make a satisfactory disposition of the matter. States that if the Chief Ombudsman believes that an administrative act has been dictated by laws whose results are unfair or otherwise objectionable, he shall notify the appropriate committees of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. Provides that no information disclosed to any ombudsman or to any staff or employee of the Office in connection with an investigation under this Act shall be disclosed to any other person except to the extent the Chief Ombudsman determines necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act. Requires the Chief Ombudsman to report annually to the Congress on the operations of the Office.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Parole Reorganization Act - Establishes, as an independent entity in the Department of Justice, a United States Parole Commission, to consist of a national office and five regional offices. States that the Commission shall have the power to establish general policies, guidelines, rules, and regulations for the Commission, including rules with respect to the factors to be taken into account in determining whether or not a prisoner should be released on parole. Provides that the Commission shall meet not less frequently than quarterly to establish its general policies and rules. States that, whenever confined and serving a definite term or terms of over one hundred and eighty days, a prisoner shall be eligible for release on parole after serving one-third of such term or terms or after serving ten years of a life sentence or of a sentence over thirty years. Stipulates that a prisoner shall be released on parole if his record shows that he has substantially observed the rules of the institution in which he is confined on the date of his eligibility for parole, unless it is determined by an examining panel that he should not be released on such date for one or more of the following reasons: (1) there is a reasonable probability that such prisoner will not live and remain at liberty without violating any criminal law; (2) there is a reasonable probability that such release would be incompatible with the welfare of society; or (3) the prisoner's release on such date would so deprecate the seriousness of his crime as to undermine respect for the law. Requires the regional offices to hold a hearing in making a determination of whether to release a prisoner on parole. Sets forth the procedure to be followed in such hearings. Authorizes the regional Commissions to impose such conditions of parole as are deemed reasonably necessary to insure that the parolee will lead a law-abiding life or to assist him in doing so. Provides, with certain exceptions, that the jurisdiction of the Commission over the parolee shall terminate no later than the date of the expiration of the maximum term or terms for which he was sentenced. States that if the regional commissioner believes that any parolee has violated a condition of his parole, or that there is reason to terminate any parolee's assignment to a center or similar facility, he may order such parolee to appear before him or before a hearing examiner, or issue a warrant and retake the parolee as provided in this Act. Requires that a hearing be held on such a matter. Authorizes the courts to fix eligibility for parole at the time of sentencing of an individual. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to provide that any prisoner shall be eligible for release on parole if such prisoner is ineligible for such release under any other provision of law. Requires the Commission to report annually to each House of Congress on the activities of the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
National Condominium and Tenants Rights Act - Expresses the findings of Congress and declares the purposes of the Act, including to establish minimum national standards governing the sale, ownership, conversion to, and extension of credit for condominiums. States that no condominium housing loan shall be made: (1) to any developer unless the creditor received a written property statement containing specified names, address, legal descriptions, costs and assurances; or (2) to any prospective purchaser unless the same written property statement has been submitted to such purchaser 21 days prior to to any legally obligating document's execution. Provides similar protection for tenants in cases of condominium conversions. Prohibits discrimination against condominium-unit purchasers in the extension of credit on the basis of age, sex, marital status, religion, race, or national origin. Provides for the designation of an Assistant Secretary for Condominiums in the Department of Housing and Urban Development and enumerates the duties to be performed. Requires each creditor subject to the provisions of this Act to file an annual report with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development showing the extent of compliance with the provisions of this Act. Creates a civil remedy against creditors by persons discriminated against in violation of this Act. States that any developer or creditor who violates the provisions of this Act shall be fined not more than $15,000 for each violation. Empowers the Secretary to encourage and make grants to State and local governments to help establish offices to administer and enforce State and local requirements with respect to condominiums. Enumerates the requirements to be met by any plan for the protection of purchasers of condominium units and those displaced by conversion to such units prior to the making of any grant. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out such grants. Defines the terms used in this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
States that every person, including a unit of government, who, under color of law, causes any inmate of a State or local correctional facility or jail to be deprived of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws of the United States shall be liable to the inmate in an action for redress, including an application for a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or other order for preventive relief. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action in any appropriate United States district court whenever he has reasonable cause to believe that any person or group of persons, including a unit of government, is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment by an inmate of any rights guaranteed by the Constitution or laws of the United States, and that such denial of rights raises an issue of general public importance.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1975
Forbids, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the employment or referral for employment of aliens who have not been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. States that a person who employs or refers for employment such an individual shall not be deemed to have violated this Act if he has: (1) obtained a form signed by the individual stating that he is a citizen or lawfully admitted alien; and (2) himself signed a form stating that he has read the individual's birth certificate or any other document which validates the individual's statement. Provides that any person who violates this Act shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both, for the first illegal employment or referral, and shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both, for each subsequent employment or referral. Directs the Immigration and Naturalization Service to increase the personnel of the United States Border Patrol and Investigations Branch by 2,500 by the end of fiscal year 1975. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out this provision. Provides that this Act shall take effect 90 days after enactment and shall only apply to aliens who become employed or are referred for employment on or after that date.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1975
Authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Army to remove Shooters' Island, located north of Staten Island, New York, at the mouth of Arthur Kill. Directs the Secretary to utilize such removed material for for fill and widening of Arthur Kill.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1975
Equal Opportunity and Full Employment Act - Directs the President, with the assistance of the Council of Economic Advisors, to transmit annually a full employment and production program to the Congress. Sets forth a summary of the content to be contained in such annual report. Provides for annual Labor Reports of the President. Requires the Labor Reports to provide detailed attention on a continuing and progressively analytical basis to the changing volume and composition of the American labor supply. Renames the United States Employment Service as the United States Full Employment Service. Creates a Job Guarantee Office in the United States Full Employment Office headed by a Job Guarantee Officer whose responsibility is to provide useful and rewarding employment for any American, able and willing to work but not yet working, unable otherwise to obtain work, and applying to such office for assistance. Directs the Job Guarantee Office to carry out responsibilities under this Act upon the recommendation and approval of the local planning councils. Requires that each Job Guarantee Office in carrying out its responsibilities shall insure that among projects planned that adequate consideration be given to such individuals and groups as may face special obstacles in finding and holding useful and rewarding employment and shall provide or have provided through the coordination of existing programs special assistance including but not limited to counseling, training, and, where necessary, transportation and migration assistance. Provides that such individuals and groups shall include (1) those suffering from past or present discrimination or bias on the basis of sex, age, race, color, religion, or national origin; (2) older workers and retirees; (3) the physically or mentally handicapped; (4) youths to age 21; (5) potentially employable recipients of public assistance; (6) the inhabitants of depressed areas, urban and rural; (7) veterans of the Armed Forces; (8) people unemployed because of the relocation, closing, or reduced operations in industrial or military facilities; and (9) such other groups as the President or the Congress may designate from time to time. Directs that each Job Guarantee Office may, subject to the limitations specified in this Act, enter into agreements with public agencies and private organizations operating on a profit, nonprofit, or limited-profit basis. Requires such agreements to contain assurances that the agency or organization will: (1) provide an annual independent audit to the Job Guarantee Office; and (2) not discriminate on the grounds of sex, age, race, color, religion, or national origin in the administration of any program encompassed within the agreement. Directs the Job Guarantee Office to: (1) refer jobseekers to the private sector and general public sector employment placement facilities of the Full Employment Service (other than as supplemented by this Act); and (2) directly refer jobseekers for placement in positions on projects drawn from the reservoir of public service and private employment projects. Provides that anyone who presents himself or herself in person at the full Employment Office shall be considered prima facie "willing and able" to work. Provides that this stipulation specifically shall include persons with impairments of sight, hearing, movement, coordination, mental retardation, or other handicaps. Directs that this stipulation be implemented by the Job Guarantee Officer, prusuant to regulations issued by the Secretary. Establishes a Standby Job Corps which shall consist of jobseekers registered pursuant to this Act. Provides that such Corps shall be available for public service work upon projects and activities that are approved as a part of community public service work reservoirs established by community boards pursuant to this Act. Directs the Secretary, by regulation, to provide for: (1) a requirement that jobseekers registered in the Standby Job Corps maintain a status of good standing, which status shall include attendance and performance standards; and (2) a system of compensation for Corps members. Provides that no Standby Job Corps members shall be paid less than the minimum wage in effect in the area. Directs the Joint Economic Committee to: (1) annually review the activities of the executive branch under all sections of this Act; (2) regularly conduct on its own behalf, or in cooperation with or through the facilities of the appropriate legislative committees or subcommittees of the Senate and the House, public hearings in as many labor market areas as feasible; and (3) annually report upon, with its own conclusions and recommendations, the development and administration of the policies and programs mandated by this Act. Establishes a National Institute for Full Employment within the Department of Labor, under a director to be appointed by the Secretary of Labor, and to operate in continuing consultation with a National Commission for Full Employment Policy Studies. Authorizes and directs the Institute to make, or have made through grants to or contracts with individual researchers and private or public research organizations, universities, and other Government agencies, studies that shall include, but need not be limited to, such subjects as: (1) the policies and programs needed to reduce whatever inflationary pressures may result from full employment to manage any such inflationary pressures through appropriate fiscal policies and indirect and direct controls, and to protect the weaker groups in society from whatever inflationary trends cannot be avoided or controlled; (2) the identification of human potentialities that are hidden, undeveloped, or underdeveloped because of the lack of suitable job opportunities, encouragement, education, or training and of various ways of releasing such potentialities; (3) the forms of education and training needed to help provide people with the skills, knowledge, and values required by existing employment opportunities and technologies and needed to assist in developing such new types of goods, services, technologies, and employment opportunities as may better meet human needs; and (4) the policies and programs needed to substantially eliminate substandard employment, wages, and working conditions and the techniques for establishing standards for employment, wages, and working conditions in accordance with changing levels of national output and resources, and regional variations in output. Authorizes the appropriation for fiscal year 1976, and for each succeeding fiscal year of such sums as may be needed to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1975
Eliminates the outside earnings limitation of the Social Security Act which presently operates to reduce the benefits payable under the Federal Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program in the case where the insured individual has outside earnings in excess of such limitation.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1975
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should not impose any tariff or other import restriction on petroleum or petroleum products before April 1, 1975, so as to give the Congress a reasonable period of time in which to act legislatively on such matter if it determines such action is necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Interim Fisheries Zone Extension and Management Act - Extends the jurisdiction of the United States over specified ocean areas and fish for purposes of protecting the domestic fishing industry. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to conduct research in order to promote the conservation of fish originating in the United States territorial sea and contiguous fisheries zone. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $1,000,000 in any fiscal year to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Allows a tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code for the ordinary and necessary expenses paid during the taxable year by a taxpayer for the improvement of the thermal design of the principal residence of the taxpayer, including that amount of the purchase price of a principal residence allocable to any storm door, storm window, or solar heating and cooling equipment (up to $1000 for the period during which such credit is available under the Internal Revenue Code, no more than $250 of which may be allowed as a credit for the purchase of conventional materials). Authorizes the taxpayer to elect a deduction of up to $4000 for the period during which the provisions of this Act are effective (no more than $1,000 of which may be allowed as a deduction for the purchase of conventional materials) in lieu of the credit provided by this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report to the Federal Energy Administration an analysis of the energy savings achieved through the operation of this Act no later than September 15, 1978.
![Official portrait of Rep. Murphy, John M. [D-NY-17]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m001098_200.jpg)