United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1974
National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act Amendments - Requires the payment of the fair market value of rights-of-way or other interests granted in wildlife refuges by the Secretary of the Interior. Provides that the sums received, after payment of expenses, shall be deposited in the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund. (Amends 16 U.S.C. 668dd(d); 715s(e).
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1974
American Folklife Preservation Act - Creates an American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress. Provides that the Center shall be subject to the supervision and direction of a board of trustees. Provides that such board shall be composed of four members appointed by the President, eight members appointed by the Librarian of Congress, the Librarian of Congress, the Director of the Center, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institute, the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Authorizes the Center to establish and implement a program of contracts, grants, and scholarships to preserve, protect, revitalize and disseminate American folklife tradition and arts. Provides that no payment shall be made pursuant to this Act to carry out any research or training over a period in excess of two years. States that such research or training may be extended to a period not to exceed five years with the concurrence of at least two-thirds of the members of the board. Provides that no former employee of the Federal Government shall be eligible to receive any grant or other assistance under this Act in the two-year period following the termination of such employment. Requires the Center to submit to the Library of Congress, for inclusion in its annual report to the Congress, an annual report of its operations under this Act. Authorizes specified appropriations through fiscal year 1978 for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1974
Home Purchase Assistance Act - Requires that whenever the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development determines that a substantial number of families are unable to obtain mortgage credit at reasonable rates due to high interest rates or reduced availability of mortgage credit and that the inability to obtain such credit is causing or threatening to cause a significant reduction in the volume of home construction or acquisition and thereby adversely to affect the economy and to delay the orderly achievement of the national housing goals contained in title XVI of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, the Secretary shall direct the Government National Mortgage Association to begin making commitments to purchase and to purchase mortgages in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Establishes within the Association a Housing Trust Fund which shall be used to carry out such purposes. Provides that mortgages may be purchased under this Act only if: (1) such mortgage was executed to finance the acquisition of the principal residence of the mortgagor; and (2) such mortgage involves the acquisition or construction of a residential dwelling at a cost which does not exceed $30,000 (or such greater amount, but not to exceed $45,000 as may be necessary to meet the need for mortgage credit in high cost areas). States that the Association shall not permit the aggregate outstanding amount of mortgages held by the fund under this section to increase by more than $10,000,000,000 in any single fiscal year. Requires that 50 percent of the aggregate principal amount of home mortgages purchased under this Act in any fiscal year shall involve residences upon which construction has been completed within twelve months preceding the date of purchase.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1974
Requests the President to express the concern of the United States Government for the safety and freedom of Valentyn Moroz, historian, writer, and spokesman for the cultural integrity of the Ukranian people.
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 · 19 September 1974
Expresses the sense of Congress that the pardon of Richard M. Nixon was wrongful and premature, and that no further Watergate related pardons should be granted prior to indictment, prosecution, and conviction, and then only on an individual basis where warranted by special circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1974
Freedom from Military Surveillance Act - Restricts, under the first amendment and fourth amendment to the Constitution and the constitutional right of privacy, the actions of any civil officer of the United States or any member of the Armed Forces of the United States in using the Armed Forces of the United States to exercise surveillance of civilians or to execute the civil laws. Sets forth penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1974
Internal Revenue Commission Act - Establishes an independent commission to be known as the Internal Revenue Commission, the principal office of which shall be in the District of Columbia. Provides that all the functions with respect to the administration and enforcement of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 which, immediately prior to the date that this Act takes effect, were performed by the Secretary of the Treasury, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, or any other officer or employee of the Department of the Treasury are transferred to the Internal Revenue Commission. Provides that the transfer of functions under this Act shall not affect any act done or any right accruing or accrued before such transfer. States that so much of the positions, personnel, assets, liabilities, contracts, property, and records of the Department of the Treasury which, as determined by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, were employed, held, used, or available or to be made available in connection with the functions transferred by this Act shall be transferred to the Internal Revenue Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 19 August 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) all military, economic, or other assistance, all sales of defense articles and services, all sales of agricultural commodities and services, and all licenses with respect to the transportation of arms, ammunitions, and implements of war (including technical data relating thereto) to the Government of Turkey should be suspended on the date of adoption of this resolution; and (2) the provisions of this resolution should cease to apply when the President reports to the Congress that the Government of Turkey has withdrawn all of its armed forces from Cyprus.
United States · United States Congress · 13 August 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 · 13 August 1974
States that all returns made with respect to taxes imposed under the Internal Revenue Code are confidential and private records; but they may be opened to inspection by the following persons at such times and in such manner as the Commissioner of Internal Revenue by regulation may prescribe: (1) the taxpayer for whom the return was made or his attorney in fact; (2) officers and employees of the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Justice for tax administration and economic stabilization purposes; (3) shareholders of record owning 1 percent or more of the outstanding stock of any corporation; (4) tax officials of the States; (5) the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, the Finance Committee of the Senate, and the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue and Taxation; (6) the Attorney General, Assistant Attorneys General, and United States attorneys; and (7) officers and employees of executive departments and other establishments of the Federal Government upon written request of the head of such department or establishment naming the taxpayer whose return is to be inspected and provided that the inspection is necessary in the enforcement of Federal statutes. States that whenever a return is open to the inspection of any person, a certified copy thereof shall, upon request, be furnished to such person under regulations prescribed by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue who may prescribe a reasonable fee for furnishing such copy. Provides that all regulations issued by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue pursuant to this Act must have written approval of the Chief of Staff of the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation. States that this Act shall be effective upon enactment. Allows the Commissioner of Internal Revenue a period of ninety days after enactment to issue the regulations required herein.
United States · United States Congress · 13 August 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 · 29 July 1974
Public Service Employment Act - Declares that one of the purposes of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 is to provide employment opportunities to assure that no area in the United States has an unemployment rate in excess of seven percent. Defines "area of severe unemployment". Establishes in the Treasury the Public Service Employment Fund. Sets forth the amounts in such fund during each fiscal year and authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act. Provides that eligible applicants shall be entitled to allotments from the fund in accordance with the excess number of unemployed persons residing in areas of severe unemployment. Makes technical and conforming amendments to specified Federal Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1974
Federal Election Campaign Act Amendments - Title I: Criminal Code Amendments - Disallows personal political contributions in Federal elections in excess of $1000 to any candidate. Disables polical committee contributions except from the principal campaign committee, contributions in excess of $5,000. Limits aggregate individual contributions in a year to $25,000. Limits nomination expenditures for a Presidential candidate to $10,000,000 and election expenditures to $20,000,000. Limits Senatorial campaign expenditures to the greater of 5 cents times the State population or $75,000; and limits House campaigns to $75,000. Increases such limitations each year by the percentage rise in the Consumer Price Index. Limits a candidate's expenditures from personal fund to $25,000 Increases the fines for violations of such limitations to $25,000 for indivduals; and to $25,000 for banks, corporations and labor organizations, or to $50,000 if willfully done. Prohibits contributions in another's name. Prohibits contributions in cash of more than $100. Prohibits acceptance by Federal officials of honorariums over $1,000 and $10,000 in any year. Redefines political committee. Adds to the exceptions in the definition of contributions, and in that of expenditures. States that Federal election law shall not be interpreted as disallowing corporations and labor organizations from establishing separate funds for influencing the election of a candidate. Title II: Disclosure of Federal Campaign Funds - Requires candidates to designate a principal campaign committee to make expenditures and file reports required by law. Sets dates for filing such reports in quarters where contributions or expenditures exceed $1,000. Requires that the supervisory officer (Clerk of the House or Secretary of the Senate) notify the Rules Committee of the Senate or House Administration Committee before prescribing rules or regulations. Creates the Board of Supervisory Officers among specified Congressional and executive officials and other citizens. Instructs the Board to formulate policy and review actions of supervisory officers relating to election laws, to conduct investigations and hearings, report violations, and report annually on its activities. Requires supervisory officers to report election law violations to the Board, which shall attempt to settle by conciliation and persuasion before reporting to law enforcement officials. Authorizes judicial review of the election law provisions. Authorizes necessary appropriations to the Board and supervisory officers. Title III: General Provisions - Requires indictment within three years of violation of election law if a party is to be prosecuted. Approves disqualification from candidacy of Federal officials failing to file required election reports. Title IV: Amendments to Other Laws; Effective Dates - Permits State and local officials to be nonpartisan candidates. Repeals communications media expenditure limitations provisions of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. Entitles major party Presidential candidates to a total of $20,000,000 from the Election Campaign Fund. Entitles major party Presidential conventions to $2,000,000 from such Fund. Specifies amounts for minor party conventions. Limits expenditures by parties for conventions. Prescribes allowable expenses for convention purposes. Exempts political committees from filing tax forms. Adds "Chapter 97-Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account," entitled the "Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act" to the Internal Revenue Code. Refines terms used in such Act. Sets forth eligibility requirements for payments from the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account, including agreement by candidates to furnish records to the Comptroller General. Entitles primary election candidates to allotments from such account to match their other contributions. Sets expenditure limits of $10,000,000, for Presidential primary candidates. Limits payments to any candidate to 25 percent of the amount in such Account, and to candidates from any one pary to 45 percent of such amount. Requires an audit by the Comptroller General of candidate expenditures and repayment by candidates of excess amounts and misused amounts. Requires Congressional approval of the Comproller General's procedures under this Act. Sets forth penalties for violations of such primary election law provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1974
Expands the conditions under which the shipment of motor vehicles owned by members of the armed forces may be permitted at the expense of the United States. Authorizes the payment of travel and transportation allowances to members of the uniformed services incapacitated by illness.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1974
Declares it to be the sense of the House that: (1) the contribution by the United States to the growing economic and human crisis in the developing world should be primarily in the form of food and the means and technology to produce it; (2) the President, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Agriculture and their advisors should give the highest priority to the immediate expansion of American food assistance and (b) take such additional steps as might be necessary to expedite the transfer of American food commodities on concessional and donation terms to those nations most severely affected; (3) the United States should increase its matching pledge to the World Food Program for 1975-1976 and encourage other nations to do so; (4) the President and the Secretary of State should (a) negotiate with other major food exporting nations to seek to obtain their participation in this emergency effort proportionate to their share of world food exports and, (b) strongly encourage oil exporting nations to contribute a fair share to these efforts to assist the most severely affected nations; (5) the United States should announce its desire to work with the oil exporting and other nations in a major effort to increase world fertilizer production with the possibility of including the offer of American technology and capital; and (6) the President should encouarge the American people to reduce the non-critical, non-food-producing uses of fertilizer which now total nearly three million tons of nutrient a year, to make available increased fertilizer supplies for raising food production at home and in the developing world. Declares the sense of the House that the President of the United States and the Secretaries of State and Agriculture should, and are hereby urged and requested to: (1) maintain regular and full consultation with the appropriate committees of the Congress; and (2) report to the Congress and the Nation at regular intervals on the progress toward formulating an American response in a cooperative framework to the world food crisis and the needs of the most severly affected developing countries.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1974
State Lottery Exemption Act - Exempts State-conducted lotteries, sweepstakes, and wagering pools, as well as vending machines maintained by State agencies for such purposes, from the wagering tax imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
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 · 2 July 1974
Requires, under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, that all proposed agreements between the United States and any foreign power for cooperation on atomic energy development be subject to a congressional power to disapprove. (Amends 42 U.S.C. 2153)
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 · 26 June 1974
Provides that the increase in supplemental security income benefits under the provisions relating to grants to the States for benefits for the aged, blind, or disabled of title XVI of the Social Security Act which was enacted (effective July 1, 1974) by Public Law 93-233 shall not be taken into account in determining the minimum level of required State supplementation of such benefits, in any State, until the legislature of the State has had an opportunity to consider such supplementation.
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 · 30 May 1974
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 · 16 May 1974
Designates the premises occupied by the Chief of Naval Operations as the official residence of the Vice President, effective upon the termination of service of the incumbent Chief of Naval Operations. Authorizes the Administrator of General Services to provide for the care, maintenance, repair, improvement, alteration, and furnishing of the official residence and grounds. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary from time to time to carry out the foregoing purposes. Expresses the sense of Congress that living accommodations, generally equivalent to those available to the highest ranking officer on active duty in each of the other military services, should be provided for the Chief of Naval Operations. Repeals the Federal law authorizing the planning, design, construction, furnishing, and maintenance of an official residence for the Vice President of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1974
Designates the premises occupied by the Chief of Naval Operations as the official residence of the Vice President, effective upon the termination of service of the incumbent Chief of Naval Operations. Authorizes the Administrator of General Services to provide for the care, maintenance, repair, improvement, alteration, and furnishing of the official residence and grounds. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary from time to time to carry out the foregoing purposes. Expresses the sense of Congress that living accommodations, generally equivalent to those available to the highest ranking officer on active duty in each of the other military services, should be provided for the Chief of Naval Operations. Repeals the Federal law authorizing the planning, design, construction, furnishing, and maintenance of an official residence for the Vice President of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) it most strongly condemns all acts of terrorism in the Middle East; (2) the President and the Secretary of State should and are hereby urged and requested to (a) call upon all governments to condemn this inhuman act of violence against innocent victims; and (b) strongly urge the governments who harbor these groups and individuals to take appropriate action to rid their countries of those who subvert the peace through terrorism and senseless violence; and (3) the President should request the American Ambassador to the United Nations to take appropriate action before that body in order to have introduced a Security Council resolution condemning this brutal act of violence.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1974
Prohibits the Bureau of Labor Statistics from instituting any revision in the method of calculating the Consumer Price Index until such revision has been approved by resolution by either the Senate or the House of Representatives of the United States of America.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1974
Urban Forestry Act - States that the growth of trees and shrubs helps to improve the quality of the urban environment by preventing erosion, providing shade, and reducing noise and air pollution levels. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to cities to pay up to 100 percent of the cost of trees and shrubs planted under the cities' and park districts' forestry programs, including programs of cities or park districts' forestry programs, including programs of cities or park districts which provide for the planting of trees on privately owned land. Authorizes to be appropriated $1,000,000 for the fiscal year 1975 for grants under this section. States that the Secretary may make grants to cities with populations exceeding ten thousand and park districts to pay 75 percent of the annual salaries of urban foresters. Authorizes to be appropriated $5,000,000 for the fiscal year 1975 for grants under this section. Directs the Secretary to provide technical assistance to cities and park districts to assist such cities in planning, developing, and administering forestry programs.
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 · 10 April 1974
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 · 14 March 1974
Provides that the incumbent Librarian of Congress shall on fulfillment of specified conditions be deemed a congressional employee for civil service retirement purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1974
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 has been a citizen 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 · 12 March 1974
Provides that recipients of veterans' pension and compensation shall not have the amount of such pension or compensation reduced, or entitlement thereto discontinued, because of increases in monthly social security benefits resulting from the enactment of Public Law 93-66, Public Law 93-233, and subsequent cost-of-living increases under title II of the Social Security Act. Provides that the provisions of this Act shall apply with respect to annual income determinations made for calendar years after 1972.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that accurate and complete data on imports of oil and oil products into the United States, oil and oil products inventories in the United States or under the control of companies owned by United States citizens, and distribution of oil and oil products within and from out of the United States are essential to the national security of the United States, the safety of its citizens, and the proper conduct of its domestic and international commerce. Authorizes the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce to conduct a full and complete investigation and study of the importing, inventorying, and disposition of crude oil, residual fuel oil, and refined petroleum products.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1974
Postal Reorganization Act Amendments - Provides that if there is a collective-bargaining agreement in effect for postal service employees no party to such agreement shall terminate or modify such agreement unless the party desiring such termination or modification serves written notice upon the other party to the agreement of the proposed termination or modification not less than ninety days prior to the expiration date. Requires the party serving such notice to notify the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service of the existence of a dispute within forty-five days of such notice, if no agreement has been reached by that time. Requires that if arbitration is selected by the parties and if they do not agree upon the procedures therefor, an arbitration board shall be established and its decisions shall be binding upon the parties. Provides that in the event the bargaining representatives agree to go on strike if an agreement cannot be reached during the forty-five-day period prior to the termination or modification, the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service shall promptly communicate with the employer and the bargaining representatives and use the service's best efforts, by mediation and conciliation, to bring them into agreement, and shall continue to do so for a period of thirty days after the date of termination or modification of the agreement, during which period of time no lawful strike shall be engaged in. Prohibits reduction in rank or pay or removal from the Postal Service of postal employees because of union membership. States that in any lawful strike declared against the Postal Service by the employees thereof, the Postal Service and the bargaining representatives jointly may determine and agree upon, before the close of the third calendar day after the calendar day on which the strike becomes effective, the number of employees needed to accept, process, dispatch, and deliver specified necessary categories of mail, such as social security checks. Provides for a mandatory delivery of such mail during a strike if the parties cannot agree upon a strike-delivery method.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1974
Postal Reorganization Act Amendments - Provides that if there is a collective-bargaining agreement in effect for postal service employees no party to such agreement shall terminate or modify such agreement unless the party desiring such termination or modification serves written notice upon the other party to the agreement of the proposed termination or modification not less than ninety days prior to the expiration date. Requires the party serving such notice to notify the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service of the existence of a dispute within forty-five days of such notice, if no agreement has been reached by that time. Requires that if arbitration is selected by the parties and if they do not agree upon the procedures therefor, an arbitration board shall be established and its decisions shall be binding upon the parties. Provides that in the event the bargaining representatives agree to go on strike if an agreement cannot be reached during the forty-five-day period prior to the termination or modification, the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service shall promptly communicate with the employer and the bargaining representatives and use the service's best efforts, by mediation and conciliation, to bring them into agreement, and shall continue to do so for a period of thirty days after the date of termination or modification of the agreement, during which period of time no lawful strike shall be engaged in. Prohibits reduction in rank or pay or removal from the Postal Service of postal employees because of union membership. States that in any lawful strike declared against the Postal Service by the employees thereof, the Postal Service and the bargaining representatives jointly may determine and agree upon, before the close of the third calendar day after the calendar day on which the strike becomes effective, the number of employees needed to accept, process, dispatch, and deliver specified necessary categories of mail, such as social security checks. Provides for a mandatory delivery of such mail during a strike if the parties cannot agree upon a strike-delivery method.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1974
Provides for the expansion of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Increases the membership of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Advisory Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1974
States that, under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act, mandatory allocation by amounts shall not apply to the first sale of crude oil produced in the United States from any lease whose average daily production of crude oil for the preceding calendar year does not exceed ten barrels per well. States that, in such case, mandatory allocation by price shall apply. Provides, under the Mineral Leasing Act, as amended, that the first sale of crude oil and natural gas liquids produced from any lease whose average daily production of such substances for the preceding calendar month does not exceed ten barrels per well shall not be subject to any allocation program with respect to allocation by amounts for fuels or petroleum established pursuant to any Federal law for allocation of fuels or petroleum.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1974
Increases to $20,000 (presently $15,000) the family income ceiling set by the Higher Education Act of 1965 as the basis for eligibility for student loan interest subsidy payments under such Act. Extends for one year (until July 1, 1975) specified provisions of the Emergency Insured Student Loan Act of 1969 covering the postsecondary educational costs of students.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1974
Directs the Secretary of Transportation under the provisions of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 to regulate seatbelt standards to prohibit motor vehicles from being equipped with starter interlock systems.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1974
Authorizes the diversion and withdrawal of additional water from Lake Michigan into the Illinois Waterway. Requires the Chief of Enginers, Department of the Army, to at all times have direct control and supervision of the amounts of water directly diverted from Lake Michigan under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 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 · 30 January 1974
Makes it the sense of the House that, during the period pending consideration and action by the Senate upon the bill H.R. 10710, as introduced in the first session of the Congress, cited as the "Trade Reform Act of 1973" and as amended and passed by the House, no loan, guarantee, insurance, or credit shall be extended by the Export-Import Bank of the United States to any nonmarket economy country (other than any such country whose products are eligible for column 1 tariff treatment on the date of the enactment of this resolution), and no such country shall participate in any program of the Government of the United States which extends credits or credit guarantees or investment guarantees, directly or indirectly.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1974
Energy Information Act - Expresses the findings of Congress and the purposes of this Act. Sets forth the definitions of terms used in this Act. Title I: Bureau of Energy Information - Establishes as an agency within the Department of Commerce a Bureau of Energy Information to be a main line component of the Social and Economic Statistics Administration, coequal with the Bureau of the Census. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to perform the duties conferred upon the Bureau by this title or delegate any of them. Provides that the Bureau shall be headed by a Director of Energy Information to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. States that the principal function of the Bureau shall be to operate, maintain, and improve the National Energy Information System established by Title II of this Act. Enumerates the work priorities of the Bureau. Title II: National Energy Information System - Establishes a National Energy Information System, to be operated and maintained by the Bureau. Directs that the components of the System shall be: (1) a public library of energy information; (2) a confidential library of energy information for restricted governmental use; and (3) a secret library of energy information for use only in preparing anonymous statistics. Specifies the characteristics of the System. States that the purpose of the public library is to make available to the general public promptly and conveniently as much of the information in the System as can be released consistently with national security and reasonable competitive equities. States that the purpose of the secret library is to serve the Nation's need for accurate statistical information on mineral fuel reserves, natural energy resources, and energy industries. Directs the Director to place in the secret library information obtained under authority of this Act for which either the national security or reasonable competitive equities require that the information be wholly suppressed or be published only in statistical aggregations of a size and type sufficient to prevent any person from learning or inferring the data furnished by any particular establishment or individual. Prescribes the priorities for entry of information into the System. Enumerates the standards for entry of information into the public, confidential, and secret libraries. Imposes penalties on any employee of the Bureau or other employee who, having taken and subscribed the oath of office, publishes or communicates, without the written authority of the Secretary or the Director, any information coming into his possession by reason of his employment from or for entry in the confidential library or the secret library of the System. Penalizes refusal or neglect to provide information, and the providing of false information, under this Act. Title III: Energy Resources Inventories and Inspections by the Department of the Interior - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to compile, maintain, and keep current on not less than an annual basis an inventory of all mineral fuel reserves and natural energy resources in the public lands of the United States, including the Outer Continental Shelf. Specifies the content of such compilation. Title IV: Information on Mineral Fuel Reserves and Natural Energy Resources - Makes it the duty of every substantial energy resources company, foreign or domestic, engaged in commerce to report annually to the Director full and complete details of all mineral fuel reserves and natural energy resources which it, together with its affiliates, owns or controls anywhere in the world. Provides that all reports required by this title and title V shall be entered by the Director, immediately upon receipt, into one of the three libraries of the System. Title V: Information on the Energy Industries - Makes it the duty of every major energy company, foreign or domestic, engaged in commerce, to report annually to the Director on its assets and operations, worldwide, on an establishment basis. Specifies the content of such reports. Authorizes the requiring of additional reports, at the discretion of the Secretary of Commerce or the Director. Title VI: General Accounting Office Oversight - Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to review and evaluate the procedures and activities of the Bureau. Title VII: Conformance of and with Other Statutes - Provides that whenever any of the information obtained from any major energy company under this Act is contained in any other report of such company, such report having been filed prior to the effective date of this Act, the Director may excuse such company from filing a report with him, containing the same information. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Freedom of Information Act and the Federal Reports Act. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - Provides that if any provision of this Act or the applicability thereof is held invalid the remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior such amounts, as may be requisite to full and efficient performance of the duties imposed upon such Departments by this Act.