United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1974
Expresses the finding of Congress and makes it the policy of the United States to continue experimentation with satellite systems for the remote sensing of the Earth's resources, through January 1, 1980, unless a permanent operational system is established. Directs the President to: (1) take all practical steps to continue the availability of data on the satellite systems; (2) foster improvements in them; and (3) promote their widest possible use and understanding. Requires the President to transmit to Congress not later than April 15, 1975, a report containing recommendations for proposed actions to be taken to carry out the policy set forth in this Act and such revisions in the budget proposed by fiscal 1976 as the President deems necessary to do so. Requires the President to submit each year prior to 1980, as part of the Aeronautics and Space Report, a description of activities and evaluation of progress under this Act, and an evaluation of the desirability of establishing a permanent Earth resources satellite system.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1974
Title I: Increases the authorizations of specified appropriations, under the Land and Water Conservation Funds Act, for land and water conservation funds. Sets additional requirements on the State grant programs administered under such Act. Title II: Establishes the historic preservation fund in the Treasury. Provides that during the period concering July 1, 1975, and ending June 30, 1989, there shall be covered into such fund $75,000,000 for fiscal year 1976; $75,000,000 for fiscal year 1977; and 100,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 and each fiscal year thereafter, from revenues due to the United States under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the rental and sale of public lands for lease under Federal law (30 U.S.C. 191).
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1974
Requires that specific railroad accident reports made by common carriers to the Interstate Commerce Commission shall be made available to any person injured in any collision, derailment or other accident reported therein, or to the personal representative or attorney of such injured person. (Amends 45 U.S.C. 38)
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 1974
Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Expresses the findings of Congress and declares that it is the policy of the United States to pursue a vigorous and adequately funded program with the objective of utilizing solar energy as a major source for our national energy needs. Defines the terms used in this Act. Establishes the Solar Energy Coordination and Management Project to have responsibility for management and coordination of a national solar energy research, development and demonstration program. Directs the Project to carry out its duties in cooperation with specified Federal agencies, including the Atomic Energy Commission and the Federal Power Commission. Instructs the Chairman of the Project to initiate a solar energy resource determination and assessment program. emphasizing identification of promising areas for commercial exploitation and development. Enumerates the specific goals of the determination and assessment program. Directs the Chairman of the Project: (1) to initiate a research and development program for resolving the major technical problems inhibiting commercial utilization of solar energy in the United States; (2) to implement a research and development program to demonstrate the technological means for securing and utilizing the solar energy resource base; and (3) to initiate a program to design and construct facilities to demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing the various forms of solar energy. Details the goals of each such program. Authorizes the National Science Foundation to support, coordinate, and encourage the development of policies set forth in this Act. Establishes a Solar Energy Research Institute to perform research functions in connection with the Project activities under this Act. Calls for the creation of a Solar Energy Information Data Bank, specifying the content of data to be collected and compiled. Authorizes to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation for fiscal year 1975, $2,000,000 for use in the preparation of the comprehensive program. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out this Act, for fiscal years beginning after fiscal year 1975, such sums as the Congress may hereafter authorize.
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1974
Provides for the printing of 60,000 copies of the Constitution of the United States in Spanish, for use by members of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the House Judiciary Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1974
Provides that each Member of the House of Representatives, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, and the Delegates from the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands may hire not more than two additional employees who shall be known as John W. McCormack Senior Interns in honor of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives. States that such interns may be hired for not more than two weeks during the period May 1 through May 31 of each year and shall serve within the District of Columbia. Stipulates that for this purpose each such Member, Resident Commissioner, or Delegate shall have available annually for payment of compensation to such interns a total allowance of $500, to be payable to such interns at a rate not to exceed $125 per week, out of the contingent fund of the House. Requires that no person shall be paid compensation as a John W. McCormack Senior Intern who does not have on file with the Clerk of the House of Representatives, at all times during the period of employment as such intern, an appropriate certificate that such intern is sixty years of age or older and a resident of the district which the employing Member, Commissioner, or Delegate represents.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1974
Provides, under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, for payment under the hospital insurance program for care and treatment furnished at a central radiation therapy treatment facility. Provides full payment under the supplementary medical insurance program for radiation therapy services furnished by physicians to inpatients or outpatients of any hospital or any such facility. Defines the terms used in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1974
Requests the President to declare July 2 through 5, 1976, to be a legal public holiday, and that he so declare such holiday be called the "Bicentennial Independence Days."
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 1974
Save Outdoor America Act - Establishes an expanded funding program of the Land and Water Conservation Fund to "Save Outdoor America" by increasing and extending through fiscal year 1989 authorizations for the Fund. Provides that the Federal share payable to any State through fiscal year 1982 shall cover not less than 50 percent of the cost of planning, 60 percent of the cost of development, and 70 percent of the cost of acquisition projects undertaken by the State. Provides that, beginning with fiscal year 1982, the aforementioned percentage payments shall change to 50 percent for all functions.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1974
Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship Act - Expresses the findings of Congress and declares that it is especially appropriate to honor former President Harry S. Truman through the creation of a perpetual educational scholarship program to develop increased opportunities for young Americans to prepare and pursue careers in public service. Establishes as an independent establishment of the executive branch of the United States Government, the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, to be subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees. Authorizes the Foundation to award fifty-one scholarships in any fiscal year beginning after June 30, 1973, for undergraduate study for persons who plan to pursue a career in public service. States that each recipient shall be knows as a Truman scholar. Sets forth provisions governing: (1) the scholarship requirements; (2) the procedures for selection of Truman scholars; (3) stipends and institutional allowances; and (4) the scholarship conditions. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship Trust Fund. Prescribes the procedures for expenditures from the fund. Directs that there shall be an Executive Secretary of the Foundation, appointed by the Board, who shall be the chief executive officer and shall carry out the functions of the Foundation subject to the supervision and direction of the Board. Authorizes to be appropriated $30,000,000 to the fund. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for administrative expenses incident to carrying out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1974
Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Expresses the findings of Congress and declares that it is the policy of the United States to pursue a vigorous and adequately funded program with the objective of utilizing solar energy as a major source for our national energy needs. Defines the terms used in this Act. Establishes the Solar Energy Coordination and Management Project to have responsibility for management and coordination of a national solar energy research, development and demonstration program. Directs the Project to carry out its duties in cooperation with specified Federal agencies, including the Atomic Energy Commission and the Federal Power Commission. Makes conforming amendments to the National Science Foundation Act and the National Aeronautics and Space Act. Instructs the Project to initiate a solar energy resource determination and assessment program, emphasizing identification of promising areas for commercial exploitation and development. Enumerates the specific goals of the determination and assessment program. Directs the Project: (1) to initiate a research and development program for resolving the major technical problems inhibiting commercial utilization of solar energy in the United States; (2) to implement a research and development program to demonstrate the technical means for securing and utilizing the resource base; and (3) to initiate a program to design and construct facilities to demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing the various forms of solar energy. Details the goals of each such program. Authorizes the National Science Foundation to support, coordinate, and encourage the development of policies set forth in this Act. Establishes a Solar Energy Research Institute to perform research functions in connection with the Project activities under this Act. Calls for the creation of a Solar Energy Information Data Bank, specifying the content of data to be collected and compiled. Transfers specified functions, documents, and personnel to the Energy Research and Development Administration. Authorizes to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation for fiscal year 1976, $2,000,000 for use in the preparation of the comprehensive program. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out this Act, for fiscal years beginning after 1976, such sums as the Congress may hereafter authorize.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1974
Cargo Security Act - Expresses the findings of Congress and declares the purposes of this Act. Title I: Amendments to Interstate Commerce Act and Federal Aviation Act of 1958 - Provides that the Interstate Commerce Commission shall prescribe reasonable limits on the amount of cargo lost, missing, stolen, presumed stolen, or otherwise unaccounted for, from common carriers during such period or periods as may be specified by the Commission. States that the Commission may prescribe different limits for different classes of carriers and different types of cargo and provide for appropriate exceptions, including losses resulting from acts of God or other occurrences beyond the control of the carrier. Imposes penalties on any carrier that violates the limits prescribed. Authorizes to be appropriated $1,000,000 for each fiscal year to effect such limitation provisions. Requires the making of regulations prescribing reasonable limits on cargo losses by air carriers and foreign air carriers and forwarders. Title II: Customs Port Security - Customs Port Security Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this title to establish a security program for international maritime cargo, which takes into consideration differences in port topography, terminal configuration, size, and location, and the type and volume of cargo handled. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish such cargo security measures as he may find necessary to protect and safeguard cargo at terminals at a port of entry. Imposes civil penalties on any carrier or terminal operator who fails to comply with any regulation issued pursuant to this title. Provides that if the Secretary determines that the imposition of civil penalties or other sanctions against a terminal operator are unavailing to secure its compliance with procedures made applicable to such terminal pursuant to this title, he may prohibit the unlading of imported cargo or the lading of cargo for export at such terminal until compliance is achieved, except that, in the case of cargo transiting the United States destined for another country, it may be unladed and laded at such terminal for purposes of immediate transfer from one carrier to another carrier. Authorizes to be appropriated $500,000 for each fiscal year to effect the purposes of this title. Title III: Studies and Other Provisions - Directs the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Civil Aeronautics Board, and the Department of Transportation to conduct studies to determine and evaluate for the purpose of improving cargo security: (1) methods to deter cargo theft, including analysis of labor-management practices; (2) packaging and labeling of cargo; (3) containerization; (4) claims rules and practices; (5) documentation and waybill practices; (6) carrier insurance and liability standard; and (7) such other matters as may be appropriate. Authorizes to be appropriated such amounts as may be necessary for such purpose. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to carry out specified programs relating to cargo security systems. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes. Establishes an Interagency Council on Transportation Security. Provides that functions of the Council shall be to: (1) identify Federal department and agency responsibilities in improving cargo security; (2) facilitate interagency communication; (3) obtain and exchange the views and advice of member departments and agencies having statutory responsibilities or a substantial interest in cargo security; (4) propose and review plans, activities, and programs within the Federal Government dealing with cargo security; (5) coordinate Federal activities in carrying out his provisions of this Act; and (6) coordinate with State and local government agencies' activities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1974
Provides, under the Social Security Act, for the establishment and revision of Professional Standards Review Organization areas, such establishment and revision to take into account the recommendations of the doctors of medicine or osteopathy. States that the final determination in the establishment or revision of any Professional Standards Review Organization area shall be subject to review in a civil action commenced by any interested person. Directs the National Professional Standards Review Council to conduct a study for the purpose of evaluating whether, and under what conditions, organizations other than professional associations shall be allowed to perform review functions. Requires each Professional Standards Review Organization to assume responsibility for professional standards review of health care services furnished by or in institutions operated by the Public Health Service and the Veterans Administration in the area which it serves. Requires, in conjunction with such reviews, that procedures be developed whereby deficiencies shall be brought to the attention of administrators of the hospitals and other Federal institutions concerned. Calls for the consolidation of data and reports compiled under these provisions. Directs that criteria of health care shall be identified or developed by each Professional Standards Review Organization, giving due consideration to such criteria of care identified or developed by national medical specialty organizations. States that such criteria of care shall be used by the Professional Standards Review Organization as guides of care. Requires the National Professional Standards Review Council to provide for the distribution to each Professional Standards Review Organization, and to each other agency performing review functions, of appropriate materials indicating various guides being utilized in other geographical areas. Provides for the protection of the confidentiality of medical records compiled under this Act. Empowers the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to enter into a contract with any State medical society or private nonprofit organization (including medical foundations) designated by a State medical society for the provision of necessary technical and other assistance in the creation and operation of local professional standards review organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 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 · 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 · 5 June 1974
Designates the premises occupied by the Chief of Naval Operations as the official residence of the Vice President, effective upon the termination of service of the incumbent Chief of Naval Operations. Authorizes the 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 · 21 May 1974
Geothermal Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Title I: Geothermal Energy Coordination and Management Project - Establishes the Geothermal Energy Coordination and Management Project, which shall have responsibility for management and coordination of a national geothermal energy research, development, and demonstration program. States that such responsibility shall be carried out in cooperation with the Interior Department, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Atomic Energy Commission, and National Science Foundation. Directs the Project to explore and assess national geothermal resources and to identify promising areas for industrial exploration and development. Directs the Project to initiate a research and development program to resolve technical problems inhibiting commercial utilization of geothermal resources, including: (1) development of effective drilling methods; (2) development of methods for converting geothermal energy to useful forms; and (3) development of improved methods for controlling emissions and wastes from geothermal utilization. Directs the Project to initiate a program to design and construct geothermal demonstration plants, including design and construction of plants to produce electrical power and large scale production and utilization of useful byproducts. Title II: Loan Guarantees - Authorizes the guarantee of loans by financial institutions for commercial development of geothermal resources. Limits such loan guarantees to 75 percent of the project costs. Requires repayment of such loans in 30 years, and limits such loans for any project to $25,000,000. Authorizes the payment of the interest on such loans by an agency designated by the Project chairman if the borrower is unable to pay the interest and such payment is in the public interest. Establishes the Geothermal Resources Development Fund in the Treasury to carry out the loan guarantee and interest payment provisions of this title. Title III: General Provisions - Requires that activities under this Act shall not endanger persons or the environment. Requires semi-annual reports to the President and Congress on the progress of activities under this Act. Provides for the transfer of functions of the Project upon the establishment of a permanent Federal energy agency. Authorizes the appropriation of $2,500,000 to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for fiscal year 1975 for research, development, and related activities, funded by it under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000,000 each year to carry out the loan guarantee provisions of title II.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1974
Meetinghouse Preservation Act - States that the purpose of this Act is: (1) to celebrate the Bicentennial of this country through the preservation within each of the several States of a historic site that might otherwise be lost; (2) to provide a meetingplace in each of the several States for those citizens interested in retaining their tangible, indigenous heritage, whether historic, cultural, or natural, in planning for future changes and developments, and (3) to give existing State programs involved with preserving of historic and architecturally important structures an illustration of the best possible techniques used in the preservation of such historic sites and structures, and the multiple, significant ways in which such sites and structures can be used. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make grants to each of the several States for the purpose of enabling each State to acquire and restore an historic site within each State for use as a meetinghouse in accordance with the provisions of this Act, except that no grant to any one State shall exceed $1,000,000. Provides that any application for a grant under this Act shall contain an estimated budget of various acquisition, restoration, and maintenance expenses. Sets forth provisions governing the approval of any application. Establishes a Meetinghouse Coordination Board to review each application made in accordance with the provisions of this Act for the purpose of making recommendations to the Secretary as to which of the historic site or sites contained in such application should be approved by the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
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 · 10 April 1974
Geothermal Energy, Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Title I: Geothermal Energy Coordination and Management Project - Establishes the Geothermal Energy Coordination and Management Project, which shall have responsibility for management and coordination of a national geothermal energy research, development, and demonstration program. States that such responsibility shall be carried out in cooperation with the Interior Department, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Atomic Energy Commission, and National Science Foundation. Directs the Project to explore and assess national geothermal resources and to identify promising areas for industrial exploration and development. Directs the Project to initiate a research and development program to resolve technical problems inhibiting commercial utilization of geothermal resources; including: (1) development of effective drilling methods; (2) development of methods for converting geothermal energy to useful forms; and (3) development of improved methods for controlling emissions and wastes from geothermal utilization. Directs the Project to initiate a program to design and construct geothermal demonstration plants, including design and construction of plants to produce electrical power and large scale production and utilization of useful byproducts. Title II: Loan Guarantees - Authorizes the guarantee of loans by financial institutions for commercial development of geothermal resources. Limits such loans guarantees to 75 percent of the project costs. Requires repayment of such loans in 30 years, and limits such loans for any project to $25,000,000. Authorizes the payment of the interest on such loans by an agency designated by the Project chairman if the borrower is unable to pay the interest and such payment is in the public interest. Establishes the Geothermal Resources Development Fund in the Treasury to carry out the loan guarantee and interest payment provisions of this title. Title III: General Provisions - Requires that activities under this Act shall not endanger persons or the environment. Requires semi-annual reports to the President and Congress on the progress of activities under this Act. Provides for the transfer of the functions of the Project upon the establishment of a permanent Federal energy agency. Authorizes the appropriation of $300,000,000 to the National Science Foundation for fiscal years 1975-1980 for research, development, and demonstration projects funded by it under this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of $50,000,000 each year to carry out the loan guarantee provisions of Title II.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1974
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act - Makes appropriations to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for research and development, construction of facilities, and research and program management.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1974
Revises the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 with respect to the base period for purposes of allocation to independent marketers by designating 1973 (now 1972) as the base year.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1974
Establishes a standing Committee on the Environment in the House of Representatives, to consist of twenty-five members. States that all proposed legislation and other matters pertaining to the quality of the physical environment of the United States and its possessions shall be referred to the Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1974
Authorizes, under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Health Insurance for the Aged), the payment under the supplementary medical insurance program for outpatient surgery.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1974
Equal Consumer Credit Act - Prohibits discrimination on account of sex or marital status against individuals seeking credit. Prescribes fines for specified categories of violations of this Act and costs, together with a reasonable attorney's fee, of any successful action to enforce a liability under this Act, to be assessed against the liable party.
United States · United States Congress · 28 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 · 27 February 1974
Prohibits the exportation of fertilizer from the United States until the Secretary of Agriculture determines that an adequate domestic supply of fertilizer exists.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1974
Provides that Members of Congress shall not come under the purview of that section the Federal Salary Act of 1967 relating to adjustment of compensation as determined by the Commission on Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Salaries. (Amends 2 U.S.C. 356)
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1974
States that the House of Representatives disapproves the recommendations of the President with respect to rates of pay of Members of Congress transmitted to the Congress in the Appendix to the Budget for the fiscal year 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 1973
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 date 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 refused or neglect to provide information, and the providing of false information, under this Act. Title III: Energy Resources Inventories and Inspections by the Department of the Interior - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to compile, maintain, and keep current on not less than an annual basis an inventory of all mineral fuel reserves and natural energy resources in the public lands of the United States, including the Outer Continental Shelf. Specifies the content of such compilation. Title IV: Information on Mineral Fuel Reserves and Natural Energy Resources - Makes it the duty of every substantial energy resources company, foreign or domestic, engaged in commerce to report annually to the Director full and complete details of all mineral fuel reserves and natural energy resources which it, together with its affiliates, owns or controls anywhere in the world. Provides that all reports required by this title and title V shall be entered by the Director, immediately upon receipt, into one of the three libraries of the System. Title V: Information on the Energy Industries - Makes it the duty of every major energy company, foreign or domestic, engaged in commerce, to report annually to the Director on its assets and operations, worldwide, on an establishment basis. Specifies the content of such reports. Authorizes the requiring of additional reports, at the discretion of the Secretary of Commerce or the Director. Title VI: General Accounting Office Oversight - Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to review and evaluate the procedures and activities of the Bureau. Title VII: Conformance of and with Other Statutes - Provides that whenever any of the information obtained from any major energy company under this Act is contained in any other report of such company, such report having been filed prior to the effective date of this Act, the Director may excuse such company from filing a report with him, containing the same information. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Freedom of Information Act and the Federal Reports Act. Title VIII: Miscellaneous - Provides that if any provision of this Act or the applicability thereof is held invalid the remainder of this Act shall not be affected thereby. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior such amounts as may be requisite to full and efficient performance of the duties imposed upon such Departments by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1973
Fire Prevention and Control Act - Title I: Establishes within the Department of Commerce a National Bureau of Fire Safety headed by a Director appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Declares the function of the Bureau to be to improve the nation's efforts in fire prevention and control through public education, advanced technology, training and education, improved statistics, and other relevant efforts. Requires the Director to undertake programs in public education for the further development of fire technology. States that the Director shall operate directly or through contracts an integrated, comprehensive national fire data program based on the collection, analysis, publication, and dissemination of fire information related to the prevention, occurrence, control, and results of fires of all types. Establishes, within the Department of Commerce, as part of the Bureau, a United States Fire Academy which shall have the mission of advancing the professional development of fire service personnel, civil defense personnel, and related fire safety personnel. States that the Academy shall be headed by a Superintendant. Sets forth the duties of the Superintendent. Authorizes to be appropriated an amount not to exceed $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 to carry out the provisions of this title. Title II: Establishes within the Department of Commerce a Fire Research Center which shall perform and support basic and applied research on all aspects of fire with the aim of providing scientific and technical knowledge applicable to the prevention and reduction of fires. Requires such program to include investigations of (1) the physics and chemistry of combustion processes; (2) the dynamics of flame ignition, flame spread, and flame extinguishment; (3) the composition of combustion products developed by various sources and under various environmental conditions; (4) the unique aspects of fire hazards arising from the transportation and use in industrial and professional practices of combustible gases, fluids, and materials; and (5) design concepts for providing increased fire safety consistent with habitability, comfort, and human impact, in buildings and other structures. Directs the Center to conduct research on: (1) the biological and physiological effects of toxic substances encountered in fires; (2) the trauma, cardiac conditions, and other hazards resulting from exposure to fires; (3) the development of simple, reliable tests for the determination of the cause of death from fires; (4) improved methods of providing first aid to the victims of fires; (5) the psychological and motivational characteristics of persons who engage in arson, and the prediction and cure of such behavior; (6) the conditions of stress encountered by firefighters, their effects, and their alleviation or reduction; and (7) such other biological, physiological, and psychological effects of fire as may have significance for purposes of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated for purposes of this title an amount not to exceed $3,500,000 for fiscal year 1975. Title III: Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish, within the National Institutes of Health, and expanded program of research on burns, treatment of burn injuries, and rehabilitation of victims of fires. Authorizes to be appropriated $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 to carry out the provisions of this title. Title IV: Provides that the Secretary and the Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly authorized representatives, shall have access to any books, documents, papers, and records of the recipient that are pertinent to its activities under this Act for the purpose of audit or to determine whether a proposed activity is in the public interest.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 1973
Provides for the establishment of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove on the Potomac, in Washington, D.C. States that the authorization granted by this resolution shall lapse unless development of the memorial is begun within ten years of the enactment of this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1973
Fire Prevention and Control Act - Title I: Fire Research Center - Establishes, within the Department of Commerce, a Fire Research Center which shall perform and support basic and applied research on all aspects of fire with the aim of providing scientific and technical knowledge applicable to the prevention and reduction of fires. Enumerates specific areas of inquiry for the Fire Research Center, such inquiry to be conducted directly or through contracts or grants. Authorizes the appropriation of not in excess of $3,500,00 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975 for the purposes of this title. Repeals Title I of the Fire Research and Safety Act of 1968. Title II: National Bureau of Fire Safety - Establishes, within the Department of Commerce, a National Bureau of Fire Safety, to improve the Nation's efforts in fire prevention and control through public education, advanced technology, training, and improved statistics. Provides that the Director of the National Bureau of Fire Safety shall undertake, in collaboration with existing public and private organizations, a continuing and extensive program of public education in fire prevention and fire safety. Provides that the Director shall conduct a program of continuing development, testing, and evaluation of equipment for use by the Nation's fire, rescue, and civil defense services with the aim of making available improved suppression, protective, auxiliary, and warning devices incorporating the latest technology. Enumerates activities which shall be included in such program. Provides that the Director shall operate directly or through contracts an integrated, comprehensive national fire data program based on the collection, analysis, publication, and dissemination of fire information related to the prevention, occurrence, control, and results of fires of all types in order to provide an accurate national picture of the fire problem, identify major problem areas and assist in setting priorities, determine possible solutions to problems, and monitor progress of programs to reduce fire losses. Establishes, within the Department of Commerce, as part of the Bureau of Fire Prevention and Control, a United States Fire Academy which shall advance the professional development of fire service personnel, civil defense personnel, and related fire safety personnel. Authorizes the Superintendent of the Academy, in furtherance of the mission of the Academy, to conduct courses and programs of training and education in the techniques of fire prevention, fire inspection, firefighting, and fire and arson investigation for members of the firefighting forces of the Nation. Provides for the establishment of admission criteria, tuition fees, and scholarships for the Academy. Requires the Superintendent of the Academy to establish a Committee on Fire Training and Education which shall inquire into and make recommendations regarding the desirability of establishing a mechanism for accreditation of fire training and education programs and courses, and the role which the Academy should play if such programs are recommended. Authorizes each fire district or department that engages in the fighting of a fire on Federal property to file a report with the National Bureau of Fire Safety in order to receive compensation for the cost of fighting such fire. Sets forth the items to be contained in such report and the method of computation of the payment. Authorizes the appropriation of $2,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975 for the purposes of this title. Title III: Victims of Fire - Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish within the National Institutes of Health an expanded program of research on burns, treatment of burn injuries, and rehabilitation of victims of fires. Directs the National Institutes of Health to: (1) sponsor and encourage the establishment throughout the Nation of twenty-five additional burn centers, which shall comprise separate hospital facilities providing specialized burn treatment and including research and teaching programs, and twenty-five additional burn units, which shall comprise specialized facilities in general hospitals used only for burn victims; (2) provide training and continuing support of specialists to staff the new burn centers and burn units; (3) sponsor and encourage the establishment in general hospitals of ninety burn programs, which comprise staffs of burn injury specialists; (4) provide special training in emergency care for burn victims; (5) augment sponsorship of research on burns and burn treatment; (6) administer and support a systematic program of research concerning smoke inhalation injuries; and (7) sponsor and support other research and training programs in the treatment and rehabilitation of burn injury victims. Authorizes the appropriation of not in excess of $2,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975 for the purposes of this title. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, upon such terms and conditions as he may prescribe, to make commitments to insure loans made by financial institutions to nursing homes and intermediate care facilities to provide for the purchase and installation of fire safety equipment necessary for compliance with the 1969 edition of the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association. Title IV: Administrative and Related Provisions - Sets forth auditing, patent, and other administrative procedures pertinent to the activities provided for in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1973
Expresses the support of Congress for the President in his efforts to secure the cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the Provisional Revolutionary Government in accounting for the thirteen hundred men listed as missing in action in Southeast Asis and the exhumation and repatriation of our dead.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1973
Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act - Declares it to be the policy of the United States and the purpose of this Act to provide for the demonstration within a three-year period of the practical use of solar heating technology and to provide for the development and demonstration within a five-year period of the practical use of combined heating and cooling technology. Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to initiate and carry out a program as provided in this Act for the development and demonstration of solar heating systems for use in residential dwellings and commercial buildings. Provides for the installation of solar heating systems in residential dwellings, to be monitored by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Provides that such residential dwellings shall be located in a sufficient number of different geographic areas in the United States to assure a realistic and effective demonstration of solar heating and cooling systems involved. Directs the Director of the National Science Foundation to initiate, support and fund basic and applied research activities related to solar energy in support of the objectives of this Act. Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to assure the full dissemination of information with respect to the activities conducted under this Act to Federal, State, and local authorities, the building industry and the public at large. Directs the Secretary to establish and operate a Solar Heating and Cooling Information Data Bank for collecting, reviewing, processing, and disseminating solar heating and cooling information in support of the objectives of this Act. Sets forth reporting requirements for agencies conducting activities under this Act. Provides for adjustment of the maximum dollar amount of any Federally-assisted mortgage loan or the maximum per-unit or other cost of any Federally-constructed housing if such structure is furnished with solar heating or combined solar heating and cooling equipment under the demonstration program established by this Act. Provides that within sixty days after creation of any permanent Federal organization having jurisdiction over the energy research and development functions of the United States, all research and development functions vested in other agencies by this Act, along with related records, documents, personnel, obligations and other items shall be transferred to the new organization. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $50,000,000 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1973
Directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to develop ground propulsion systems which are energy conserving, have clean emission characteristics, and are capable of being produced in large numbers at a reasonable mass production per unit cost. Requires that such ground propulsion systems must meet or better all air quality standards set by or under the National Emission Standards Act, the Clean Air Act, and the Air Quality Act of 1967, while substantially reducing per mile energy comsumption. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act not to exceed $30,000,000 in the aggregate for the fiscal years 1974 through 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 26 November 1973
Freedom of Access for the Elderly and Handicapped Act - Allows, under the Internal Revenue Code, a deduction for expenditures to remove architectural and transportation barriers to the handicapped and elderly. (Adds 26 U.S.C. 189)
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1973
Authorizes the establishment of the Big Thicket National Preserve in the State of Texas. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, but not to exceed $63,812,000 for the acquisition of lands and interests in lands and not to exceed $7,000,000 for development.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1973
Expresses the support of Congress for the President in his efforts to secure the cooperation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the Provisional Revolutionary Government in accounting for the thirteen hundred men listed as missing in action in Southeast Asis and the exhumation and repatriation of our dead.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1973
Commends the President of the United States for his actions in the Middle East, particularly his efforts through the United Nations to create the atmosphere in which the negotiations could take place and his dialogue with the Soviet Union in an effort to reduce tensions.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1973
Commodities Exchange Commission Act - Establishes a Commodity Exchange Commission, composed of five commissioners appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, as an independent agency in the executive branch of the Government. Transfers specified functions from the Secretary of Agriculture to the Commission and delegates enumerated housekeeping functions to the Chairman. Authorizes the employment of persons without regard to Civil Service laws. Provides, with regard to rules governing registration of Commission merchants and brokers, that if after requesting a contract market to make specified changes in its rules and practices, the contract market has not made the changes, the Commission may order the contract market to alter the rules of such contract market as necessary to effect changes in specified areas. Requires that contract markets serve an economic purpose. Prohibits orders by futures commission merchants for their own accounts. States that no member of a contract market shall execute any order for future delivery and on the same intentionally enter into any transaction for future delivery in such commodity for any account in which such member has trading discretion, with specified exceptions. Provides that if any contract market, director, officer or agent is not enforcing or is violating any of the provisions of this Act, the Commission may enter an order directing that such contract market, director, officer, agent, or employee cease and desist from such violation and assess a civil penalty of not more than $100,000 for each such violation. Increases the amount of specific penalties for violations of this Act. Empowers the Commission with injunctive authority to restrain potential violations of this Act. Penalizes, with treble damages, the use of confidential information in violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 1973
Establishes a Federal Railroad Equipment Obligation Insurance Fund to be used by the Secretary of Transportation as a revolving fund for the purpose of carrying out this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to insure the interest on, and the unpaid principal balance of, any equipment obligation offered to him which he determines is eligible for insurance under this Act. States that the aggregate unpaid principal amount of equipment obligations insured under this part shall not exceed $1,000,000,000 at any one time. Sets forth specified standards and conditions to be satisfied before the Secretary shall insure any equipment obligation. States that if at any time the moneys in the fund are not sufficient to pay any amount the Secretary is required to pay under an agreement made under this Act, the Secretary is authorized to issue to the Secretary of the Treasury notes or other obligations in such forms and denominations as may be prescribed by the Secretary, with the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury. Provides penalties for any person who makes any statement knowing it to be false, or who wilfully overvalues any security, for the purpose of obtaining any loan guarantee. Authorizes the Secretary to assist in the design of a national rolling stock information service and to contract with and provide technical and financial assistance to individual railroads or groups of railroads. Directs the Secretary to report semiannually to the Congress with respect to the progress made by railroads in implementing the national system. Authorizes to be appropriated $40,000,000 for the purpose of this section. States that in any case in which any person enters into a contract to export grain from the United States, which contract calls for the exportation of more than one million bushels of grain, such person shall submit to the Secretary of Transportation a plan for the transportation of such grain to the United States port from which it is proposed to be exported. Requires the Secretary to determine if such plan will jeopardize the availability of railroad freight cars for the movement of other commodities in interstate commerce. Sets forth criteria under which the Secretary may disapprove any such plan. Provides penalties for any person, partnership or corporation which fails to submit a plan to the Secretary or which ships such grain to port in spite of the Secretary's disapproval.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 1973
Geothermal Energy Research, Development, and Commercial Demonstration Act - Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation to initiate and support basic and applied research relating to geothermal energy development. Requires the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to initiate and carry out commercial demonstrations, research, and development in geothermal energy technology. Provides that the Administration shall dispose of, by sublease or otherwise, all projects undertaken under this Act. Directs the Administration to assure the protection of the environment, persons, and property in projects undertaken pursuant to this Act. Requires the Administration to report to the Congress and the President every six months on the progress made under this Act. Authorizes appropriations for six fiscal years of $80,000,000 to carry out programs under this Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Pickle, J. J. [D-TX-10]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000328_200.jpg)