United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1974
District of Columbia Campaign Finance Reform Act - Title I: Short Title, Definitions - Defines the terms used in the Act. Title II: Financial Disclosures - Requires every political committee to have a chairman and treasurer, each of whom may authorize expenditures on behalf of the political committees in the District of Columbia. States that every person who receives a contribution of $10 or more for or on behalf of a political committee shall, on demand of the treasurer, and in any event within five days after receipt of such contribution, submit to the treasurer of such committee a detailed account thereof, including the amount, the name and address (including the occupation and the principal place of business, if any) of the person making such contribution, and the date on which such contribution was received. Requires the treasurer of a political committee, and each candidate, to keep a detailed and exact account of contributions and expenditures made by such committee or candidate. States that each candidate for office in the District of Columbia shall designate in writing one political committee as his principal campaign committee. Requires the treasurer of each such committee to file reports and statements of candidates designating such committee as his principal committee with the Director of Campaign Finance of the District of Columbia Board of Elections. Requires each political committee, and each candidate accepting contributions or making expenditures, to designate one national bank located in the District of Columbia as the campaign depository of that political committee or candidate. Permits the maintenance of a petty cash fund by political committees and candidates. Requires each political committee to file a statement of organization with the Director within ten days of organization and specifies the items to be included in such statement of organization. Requires individual candidates to file a registration statement with the Director. Specifies the times at which political candidates and committees shall file reports with the Director, and the disclosures to be contained in such reports. Requires contributors who contribute more than $50 within a year to a political committee or candidate to file with the Director a statement containing specified information. States that any candidate who anticipates spending or spends less than $250 in any one election, and who has not designated a principal campaign committee, shall be exempt from the provisions of this Act. Title III: Director of Campaign Finance - Establishes within the Board of Elections a Director of Campaign Finance. Enumerates the duties of the Director consonant with the purposes of and requirements established by this Act. Title IV: Finance Limitations - Enumerates maximum amounts which may be contributed and received in one year with respect to candidates running for specified offices in the District of Columbia. Enumerates maximum amounts which may be expended by any principal campaign committee for a candidate seeking a specified office. Title V: Lobbying - Requires detailed accounts of all contributions, donors, expenditures and the keeping of receipted bills for funds exceeding $10 in amount. Requires that contributions of $200 or more be reported to the organization or person for whom such contribution was received. Requires that the name and address of each person who has made a contribution of $200 or more be filed with the Director, as well as the total cumulative of contributions and expenditures during the calendar year. Requires the Director to make statements available to the public for two years from the date of filing. Enumerates those persons to whom the provisions of this Act apply. Requires the registration of information by a lobbyist under oath including the person by whom he is employed, and in whose interest he appears and information concerning duration of employment, salary and expenditures. Requires each registrant to file an annual, detailed report of all money received and expended; to whom paid; for what purposes; the names of any articles or publications; and the proposed legislation he is employed to support. Provides that any person who violates these provisions shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $5000 or imprisonment of twelve months, or both. Provides that any person convicted is prohibited from lobbying for a three year period. States that a violation of this provision is a felony punishable by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both. Title VI: Penalties and Enforcement Tax Credits, Use of Surplus Campaign Funds, Voters' Information Pamphlets, Study of 1974 and Report by Council, Effective Dates, Amendments to District of Columbia Election Act, and Authorization - Provides that any person or political committee in the District of Columbia who violates any of the provisions of this Act shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned up to six months or both. Provides for a tax credit of 50 percent of any contribution made to any candidate seeking any office referred to in this Act, provided such credit shall not exceed $12.50. States that, not sooner than thirty-five days nor later than twenty days prior to each election (except a run-off election), the Board shall mail to each registered qualified elector a voters' information pamphlet containing campaign statements and photographs of candidates in that election who submit information, as provided in this Act. Provides for a study of the operation and necessity for modification of this Act and the District of Columbia Election Act during 1975. Authorizes to be appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury to the credit of the District of Columbia, such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1974
Makes it unlawful, under the Interstate Commerce Act, for any railroad to refuse to transport any refrigerator car because of the fact that such car is owned or controlled by a shipper or a nonrailroad owner. Makes it the duty of every carrier by railroad to handle all refrigerator equipment in the same manner and subject to the same rules and regulations, regardless of whether such equipment is owned or controlled by railroad or nonrailroad interests.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1974
District of Columbia Real Property Tax Act - Title I: Short Title, Statement of Purpose, and Definitions - Declares the intent of Congress to revise the real property tax in the District of Columbia, enumerating the objectives of such revision, including equitable sharing of the financial burden of the District of Columbia and full public information regarding assessments and appeal procedures. Defines the terms used in this Act. Title II: Authority and Procedure to Establish Real and Personal Property Tax Rates - Levies, for each fiscal year, a tax on real property in the District of Columbia. Directs the District of Columbia Council to set the rate of such taxation. Directs the Commissioner of the District of Columbia to submit annually a proposed real property tax rate for the next fiscal year. Requires that he submit additional specified information at such time, including: (1) the total aggregate assessed value of taxable real property by major class of property, and (2) all information on tax exempt property. Directs the Council to compare tax burdens in the District with the tax burdens of property in the vicinity of the District in establishing the District's tax rate. Requires the Commissioner to publish annually such relative tax burden information. Title III: Assessment and Administration - Provides that the assessed value of all real property shall be listed on the assessment roll for taxation purposes annually as provided in this title. Sets forth the regulations governing: (1) the frequency of assessments; (2) administrative orders; (3) the duties of the Commissioner; (4) assessment in the name of the owner and assessment by address, lot, and squares; (5) the compilation of the assessment roll; and (6) the availability, for public inspection, of such roll. Requires that annually, no later than March 1, each taxpayer shall be notified of the assment of his real property for the next fiscal year. Specifies the content of such notice. Establishes a Board of Equalization and Review for the District to hear complaints on assessments and revise the assessment roll annually and present it to the Commissioner. Prescribes the procedure for complaints and appeals by persons aggrieved by any assessment, equalization or valuation made. Details the duties of the Superior Court in class action cases. Imposes penalties for failure to preform duties required by this, and other, Acts. Title IV: Homeowner Exemption - States that a taxpayer who owns, has title to, and occupies property which is the principal place of residence, including a condominium, may deduct $3,000 from the assessed value of such property, and any cooperative housing project may deduct from the assessed value of its property $3,000 times the number of housing units in such cooperative housing project which are occupied as the principal place of residence of an owner of such cooperative housing project. Title V: Prohibition Against Execessive Tax Increases in One Year Due to Reassessment - Provides that in the event the assessed value is increased by more than 25 percent in one year, the additional value shall be disregarded under the enumerated circumstances. Title VI: Tax Incentives for Rehabilitation of Property and New Construction in Depressed Areas of the City and For the Preservation of Historic Property - Directs the Council to provide tax incentives for: (1) the rehabilitation of existing structures and new construction in depressed areas; and (2) the rehabilitation and maintenance of historic property. Title VII: Tax Relief for Certain Historic Properties - Directs the Commissioner, for certain officially designated historic property, to assess land and improvements which, if less than full market value, shall be the basis of tax liability to the District. Title VIII: Tax Deferral - Provides that an eligible taxpayer may defer each year any real property tax owed in excess of 110 percent of his immediately preceding year's tax liability. Sets forth the eligibility requirements for such deferral. Title IX: Disposal of Tax Delinquent Property to Encourage Homeownership - Provides that in the event that an auction of one- or two-unit residential real property at sale of property for delinquent taxes or of land that could be used for construction of such residential property, produced no bid at least equal to 70 percent of the assessed value of the property, the Commissioner may purchase the property at a price of $1 higher than the highest amount bid. Authorizes the Council to establish a program whereby titles to houses acquired by tax sale may be transferred to persons meeting criteria which shall be established by the Council. Title X: Real and Personal Property Tax Exemptions - Revises the tax exemption laws governing property belonging to the United States, the District of Columbia, or to foreign governments. Requires the Commissioner to publish, by class and by individual property, a listing of all real property exempt from the real property tax in the District. Title XI: Property Tax Credit for District of Columbia Residents - Provides, under the District of Columbia Income and Franchise Act of 1947, that for purposes of providing relief to certain District of Columbia residents who own or rent their principal place of abode and who reside in same, a credit shall be allowed to the eligible claimant equal to the amount by which all or a portion of real property taxes the taxpayer pays, or rent paid constituting property taxes, on his principal place or residence for the taxable year, exceeds a percentage of his household gross income for that year. Defines the term "household gross income" and other terms used in this title. Sets forth the procedures for claiming such tax credit and the circumstances under which it shall not be permitted. Title XII: Repeal of Modification of Existing Law - Repeals specified provisions of enumerated Acts, including the District of Columbia Public Works Act. Title XIII: General Provisions - States that, except as specifically provided in this Act, nothing in this Act, shall be construed so as to affect the authority vested in the Commissioner of the District of Columbia or the authority vested in the District of Columbia Council by Reorganization Plan Numbered 3 of 1967. Details the effect of repeals or amendments by this Act on other provisions, including existing rights and liabilities, of District of Columbia law.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1974
Authorizes a grant program and an appropriation of $10,000,000 from the Highway Trust Fund for research and development of alternative fuels for motor vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1974
Establishes in the executive branch the Department of Social, Economic, and Natural Resources Planning, to be headed by an Administrator. Requires the Department to report annually to the Congress and the President on the status of resources and social programs and goals for better utilization of resources and social programs.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1974
Grants the consent of Congress for the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the District of Columbia to amend the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Regulation Compact to permit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to provide for the execution and authentication of bonds by the manual, lithographed, or printed facsimile signature of members of the board, and by additional authentication by a trustee or fiscal agent appointed by the board, except that one of such signatures shall be manual.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1974
Grants the consent of Congress for the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the District of Columbia to amend the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Regulation Compact to authorize the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to establish and maintain a Metro Transit Police force. Authorizes the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to enter into mutual aid agreements with the various jurisdictions within the Transit Zone.
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
Authorizes the payment under the supplementary medical insurance program of Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for regular physical examinations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1974
Requires the Secretary of Defense to take such action as is necessary to insure that any member of the Armed Forces who is discharged shall receive a discharge certificate which shall indicate that such member was so discharged and which shall not bear any indication of the conditions under which such separation occured. States that the reason why such member was so separated (other than by reason of discharged dismissal pursuant to a sentence of a general or special court-martial) and all other records or documents pertaining to such reason or reasons shall be treated as confidential and shall not be made known to or otherwise released to any private person or any public agency (whether Federal, State, or local) without the prior written consent of the member concerned. Sets forth the conditions under which an enlisted member of the Armed Forces may be discharged under other than honorable conditions. Establishes procedures for military review panels in considering the dishonorable discharge of enlisted personnel. Requires military review panels to conduct hearings which afford the enlisted member concerned an opportunity to: (1) appear before the panel and present evidence in his own behalf; (2) be represented by counsel; (3) confront the witnesses against him; and (4) examine documentary and real evidence against him. States that the recommendation of a review panel appointed under the provisions of this Act for separation under other than honorable conditions may be appealed to an appeal board established by the Judge Advocate General concerned, or the General Counsel of the Department of Transportation, as appropriate. Authorizes the Secretaries concerned to prescribe regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act. Requires the Secretaries concerned, after consultation with the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs, to establish a number (but not less than ten) of regional boards of review throughout the United States. States that the function of the regional boards shall be to review the discharge or dismissal (other than a discharge or dismissal by a general or special court-martial) of any former member of an Armed Forces under the jurisdiction of the military department concerned. Provides that if a request for the review of a discharge or dismissal of any person who was discharged or dismissed from the Armed Forces within the fifteen-year period immediately preceding the effective date of this Act was filed before such effective date and such review resulted in no change to the discharge or dismissal, or no new discharge was issued, another request for review of that discharge or dismissal pursuant to this Act may be filed and such review shall be acted upon without prejudice, if such request for review is filed with the appropriate regional board of review within the one-year period immediately following such effective date.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1974
Provides an income tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 for individuals for purchases of contemporary American art. Limits such tax credit to $1000 per year or 10 percent of the amount of such purchases during the year. Allows a carryover and carryback of such a tax credit.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1974
Removes the sanction against Cuba which directs the President to assure that no contribution to the United Nations Development Program will be used for projects in Cuba so long as Cuba is governed by the Castro regime. Removes the general prohibition against furnishing assistance to Cuba and limits such prohibition to the furnishing of military assistance only. Repeals additional economic sanctions against Cuba contained in specified Acts of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1974
Arthritis Prevention Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to establish: (1) a long-range plan to expand and coordinate the national research, treatment, and control effort against arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases; (2) centers for arthritis prevention, research, screening, early detection, training, treatment, and rehabilitation programs; and (3) programs to develop new and improved methods of arthritis screening and early detection and to establish a central arthritis screening and early detection data bank. Requires the Director of the National Institutes of Health to establish a National Commission on Arthritis and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases. Specifies the composition, duties, and powers of the Commission. States that the Commission shall formulate a long-range plan to combat arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases with specific recommendations for the utilization and organization of national resources for that purpose. States that the plan shall include a plan for a coordinated research program encompassing existing and proposed Federal, non-Federal and local programs. Enumerates investigations, studies, and programs to be carried out under such plan. Authorizes to be appropriated $1,000,000 to carry out the above purposes. Establishes within the National Institute on Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases the position of Associate Director for Arthritis and Related Musculoskeletal Diseases. States that the Director of the National Institutes of Health shall establish an Inter-Institute Arthritis and Related Diseases Coordinating Committee to better coordinate research activities relating to arthritis and related musculoskeletal diseases. Provides for the development, establishment, construction, and operation of arthritis research and training centers. Specifies the purposes to be achieved by such research and training programs. Provides for the geographical distribution, operational support, and evaluation of such research and training centers. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for the establishment of such centers. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish and support arthritis screening, early detection, prevention, and control demonstration programs. Specifies the purpose of such programs. Authorizes specified appropriations for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for the establishment and support of such programs. Requires the Secretary to establish the Arthritis Screening and Detection Data Bank as soon as practicable after the enactment of this Act. Provides that not less than $500,000 of the sums appropriated to the National Institutes of Health to carry out the purposes of this Act shall be obligated for basic and clinical orthopedic research conducted or supported by the National Institute on Arthritis, Rheumatism, and Metabolic Diseases.
United States · United States Congress · 2 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 · 30 April 1974
In Situ Oil Shale Technology Act - Establishes the In Situ Oil Shale Technology Corporation. States that it shall be the function of the Corporation to select the best technically, environmentally, and economically feasible nonnuclear in situ methods for producing a syncrude from oil shale. Authorizes the Corporation to design, construct, operate, and maintain demonstration-type facilities for such methods selected in order to determine the technical, environmental, and economical feasibility thereof. Authorizes the Corporation to design, construct, operate, and maintain, for such methods demonstrated, a full-scale, commercial-size facility to produce a syncrude from oil shale by such method. Requires all research, development, demonstration, or projects contracted for, sponsored, or cosponsored by the Corporation pursuant to this Act, to require as a condition of Federal participation that all information resulting in whole or in part from federally assisted research shall be made available at the earliest possible date to the general public. Directs that on or before the expiration of ten years following the date of the enactment of this section, the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall take such action as may be necessary to dissolve the Corporation. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to make available to the Corporation established by this Act Federal lands under his jurisdiction for the purposes of the Corporation. Authorizes appropriation to the Corporation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the Corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1974
States that the House of Representatives salutes Henry Aaron as an "All-American Good Guy" and extends to him the congratulations, esteem, and affection of the House.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1974
Foreign Investment Study Act - Requires the President to conduct a study of foreign direct and foreign portfolio investment in the United States and to: (1) compare foreign direct and foreign portfolio investment activities in the United States with investment activities of American investors abroad, and compare the impact of such foreign activities in the United States with the impact of investment activities of Americans abroad; (2) determine the impact of foreign direct and foreign portfolio investment in the United States on United States national security, energy resources, balance of payments and trade, agriculture (and other real estate), and international economic position; (3) determine the effect of foreign direct and foreign portfolio investment in the United States on levels of employment and personnel practices in the United States; and (4) evaluate the costs and benefits and determine the various international implications of alternate policy choices available to the United States regarding foreign investment in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1974
Police and Firemen's Salary Act - Authorizes the District of Columbia Council to change the rate of taxes imposed under specified D.C. tax Acts in order to provide for an increase in compensation for police and firemen in the District of Columbia. Establishes a Police and Firemen's Personnel Board. Specifies the composition and duties of such Board, including to report to the Commission any cost-of-living changes, and to study compensation comparisons for police and firemen of other areas. Provides for the submission of labor disputes between the District of Columbia and the police and firemen to a 3-member arbitration board.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1974
Economic Stabilization Amendments- Revises the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970 by stating that the objectives of this Act are to reduce inflation and unemployment. Directs the President to impose economic controls if he finds that the absence of controls would result in inflation and unemployment at levels in excess of the objectives stated in the Act. Sets forth the standards governing the imposition of such controls. Establishes the Economic Stabilization Administration within the Executive Office of the President. Provides that the President shall not delegate powers under this Act to any agency other than the Administration and shall take steps promptly to transfer to the Administration the functions heretofore exercised by the Internal Revenue Service under the Act. Sets forth additional duties for the Administration under the Act. Provides that whenever the President takes any action under this Act to impose controls he shall submit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to the President pro tempore of the Senate a report setting forth the controls imposed. Sets forth the procedures by which Congress may disapprove the controls imposed by the President and by which it may direct the President to act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1974
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to study the feasibility of a national park, recreation area, or wilderness area in the Ridgelands east of the San Francisco Bay in the State of California. Authorizes to be appropriated the sums necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1974
Directs the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a bronze bust or statue of Martin Luther King, Junior, and to cause such sculpture to be placed in a suitable location in the Capitol as determined by the Joint Committee on the Library.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1974
Authorizes a five-year extension of the period of temporary admission into the United States for specified residents of Chile who are presently in the United States as nonimmigrant aliens.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1974
Octane Rating Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct tests of a representative sample of motor vehicles for the purposes of determining the lowest average octane rating of gasoline which can be used without knocking in each motor vehicle sold in the United States, beginning with motor vehicles manufactured for the 1965 model year and ending with motor vehicles manufactured for the 1975 model year, and to publish such findings in the Federal Register not later than December 31, 1974. States that beginning with motor vehicles manufactured for the 1976 model year, no new motor vehicle shall be sold or offered for sale in the United States unless the manufacturer has: (1) tested a motor vechicle which is in all respects substantially the same construction as such new vehicle; (2) submitted the results of such tests to the Secretary for publication in the Federal Register; and (3) published in the owners' manual of such new vehicle the lowest average octane rating of gasoline which can be used without knocking in such vehicle based upon such tests. Requires every major refiner to produce and market to the general public, in amounts determined by the Secretary, a gasoline the average octane rating of which is equal to the lowest average octane rating which can be used without knocking in the particular class of motor vehicles. States that such gasoline shall be produced and marketed after such period as the Secretary finds necessary to permit the development and application of the requisite technology. Sets forth penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 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
Wheat Export Marketing Control Act - Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, to carry out this Act. Title I: Wheat Export Marketing Stamps - Provides that all persons exporting wheat from the United States (except as otherwise provided under this Act) shall, prior to such export, obtain export marketing stamps from the Commodity Credit Corporation based upon the number of bushels to be exported and the price paid by the exporter for such bushels. Directs that the Commodity Credit Corporation shall issue export marketing stamps without payment if the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of State jointly determine that (1) the exports are to a developing country with a serious balance-of-payments deficit; (2) such action would be in the best interests of the foreign relations of the United States; and (3) such action would not adversely affect the regulatory program provided for under this title. Provides that the Secretary of Agriculture may exempt from the requirements of this Act wheat exported for donations abroad and other noncommercial exports of wheat. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide for the issuance of wheat export marketing stamps for wheat and end products. Authorizes the Secretary to promulgate such rules as he considers necessary or appropriate to carry out this Act. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States the Wheat Export Marketing Trust Fund, to consist of moneys collected by the Commodity Credit Corporation from the sale of export marketing stamps under this Act. Prescribes procedures for administration of the Fund. Title II: National Wheat Council - Establishes a nonprofit organization to be known as the National Wheat Council, which shall not be an agency or establishment of the United States, to be composed of twelve members. Sets forth the procedure and criteria for appointment of Council members. Provides that it shall be the responsibility of the Council to be informed of prices, income and population, and demand for farm products, use of resources in agriculture, statistics for analyses of supply and demand for farm products in foreign countries and their effect on prospects for United States exports. Provides that any organization or agency, public or private, may submit plans to the Council which would (1) promote research and production of wheat; (2) improve quality and yield of wheat; (3) promote distribution and use of wheat; (4) disseminate existing and new product knowledge, uses, and values in nutrition of wheat and end products; or (5) promote our foreign wheat markets or help develop foreign wheat markets and increase our share of such markets. Authorizes the Council to approve and fund any such plan.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1974
Hobbs Act Amendment - Provides that anyone who interferes with commerce by damaging to the extent of $2,000 or more any property of a person where business is conducted or property is maintained shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than twenty years or both. Defines the term "extortion" to mean the obtaining of property from another, with his consent, induced by use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear, or under color of official right notwithstanding that the same acts or conduct may also be a violation of State or local law and notwithstanding that the actual or threatened force, violence, or fear was used in the course of a legitimate labor dispute or in the pursuit of legitimate union or labor ends or objectives. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 1951)
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1974
States that whoever mails or causes to be mailed any solicitation for contributions for a charitable purpose shall include with such mailing information which shows the following: (1) the purpose of the solicitation and the use of the contribution to be solicited; (2) the need for the contribution proposed to be solicited, including the reasons and figures, if any, supporting the need; (3) the expenses of the solicitation, including salaries and other items, if any, regardless of what funds are used for the payment of such expenses; (4) the portion of the contribution collected as a result of the solicitation which will remain available for application to the specific purpose of the solicitation; and (5) the amount of all contributions collected or received by such person, or by his agents or assigns, within the calendar year immediately preceding the date of the mailing, and the expenditure or use made of such contributions.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1974
Requires a corporation, association, or partnership to be a citizen of the United States in order to be licensed as a custom broker. States that no corporation, partnership, or association shall be deemed to be a citizen of the United States unless the controlling interest therein is owned by citizens of the United States, and, in the case of a corporation, unless its president and directors are citizens of the United States and the corporation is organized under the laws of the United States or of a State, Territory, District, or possession thereof.
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
Modern Congress Act - Title I: Citizens' Committees to Study Congress - Establishes a committee to be known as the Citizen's Committee to Study Congress to make a complete study relating to the functions, powers, duties, and operation of the Congress. Specifies the membership composition and selection process for such Committee. Enumerates the areas to be studied by the Committee, including: (1) determination of how the Congress may best exercise its function of reviewing and evaluating programs and activities of the United States Government; and examining the operation of the Congress itself (including but not limited to its powers, priorities, privileges, traditions, the means by which the Congress makes decisions, its committee system, and its staffs). Requires the Committee to submit, not later than two years after the date of enactment of this Act, a final, comprehensive report to the Senate and the House of Representatives with respect to its study. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this title. Title II: Office of Congressional Counsel General - Establishes in the legislative branch of the Government the Office of Congressional Counsel General, which shall be under the direction and control of the Congressional Counsel General. Enumerates the duties of the Congressional Counsel General including to: (1) render to the Congress, and to the Comptroller General, legal opinions upon questions arising under the Constitution and laws of the United States; and (2) render to the Congress advice with respect to the purpose and effect of provisions contained in laws, or to be inserted in proposed legislative measures. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Office of the Congressional Counsel General such sums as may be required for the performance of the duties of the Congressional Counsel General under this title. Title III: General Accounting Office - States that whenever the Comptroller General has reasonable cause to believe that any officer or employee of the executive branch is about to expend, obligate, or authorize the expenditure or obligation of public funds in an illegal or erroneous manner or amount, he may institute a civil action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for declaratory and injunctive relief. Provides that specified provisions of this title shall be construed as creating a procedural remedy in aid of the statutory authority of the Comptroller General and not as otherwise affecting such authority. Title IV: Congressional Annual Reports - Provides that not later than 60 days after the end of each regular session of Congress, the Majority Leaders and Minority Leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives shall submit to Congress and the President a "State of the Congress" message with respect to such session. Requires that each such message shall include statements concerning: (1) those matters about which the Congress has taken the initiative, (2) priorities established by the Congress, and (3) matters not acted upon by Congress but upon which Congress should act or have acted. Title V: House Legislative Review Subcommittees - Provides that each standing committee of the House shall establish a subcommittee on legislative review, and that each such subcommittee shall review and study, on a continuing basis, the application, administration, and execution of those laws, or parts of laws, the subject matter of which is within the jurisdiction of the committee. Requires each subcommittee to make reports, not less than once each year, on its studies and reviews, including such comments and recommendations as it considers appropriate. Title VI: Office of Congressional Communications - Establishes for the Congress, under the Architect of the Capitol, an Office of Congressional Communications. States that the Office shall: (1) maintain a library of video tapes of all television network news programs and television programs. of significant public interest; (2) provide for closed circuit telecasts of, and tape, committee proceedings and proceedings of the Senate and House of Representatives; (3) provide equipment in the office of each Member of Congress to receive telecasts of any such proceedings and for the viewing of any tapes; (4) have installed, at appropriate places, equipment to receive information transmitted by any of the major news wire services; and (5) upon request, assist Members with respect to press, photographic, recording, taping, radio, and television matters. Transfers the House Recording Studio and the Senate Recording Studio, and all their records, property, assets, and personnel to the Office. Title VII: Study of Computer Scheduling of Senate Work - States that the Citizen's Committee established in this Act shall arrange for a detailed study, to the scheduling problems of the Senate. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this title, but, in no case shall this sum exceed $100,000. Title VIII: Joint Committee on National Security - Provides that in order to enable the Congress to more effectively carry out its constitutional responsibility in the formulation of foreign, domestic, and military policies of the United States and in order to provide the Congress with an improved means for formulating legislation and providing for the integration of such policies which will further promote the security of the United States, there is established a joint committee of the Congress which shall be known as the Joint Committee on National Security. Details the membership composition of such Committee and outlines its functions, including: (1) to make a study of the foreign, domestic, and military policies of the United States to determine whether such policies are being appropriately integrated in furtherance of the national security; (2) to make a study of the recommendations and activities of the National Security Council relating to such policies; (3) to make a study of Government practices and recommendations with respect to the classification and declassification of documents.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1974
Provides that every individual who is engaged, or wishes to engage, in an organized professional team sport in or affecting interstate commerce has the right to enter into a contract with any person for the purpose of engaging in such sport with a particular team without agreeing to permit that person to control his right, upon the expiration of his contract, to enter into a contract with any other person for such purpose, or agreeing to perform under any such contract for an unreasonable period of time. Makes any contract provision contrary to the provisions of this Act unenforcable. States that any person who deprives, or conspires with any other person to deprive, an individual of his rights under this Act shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than $50,000, imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1974
Public Service Employment Act - Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to provide unemployed and underemployed persons with employment in jobs providing needed public services and appropriate training and related services. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out this Act such sums as Congress determines necessary for each fiscal year ending prior to fiscal year 1978. Provides that the Secretary of Labor shall enter into arrangements with applicants for the purpose of providing financial assistance to public and private nonprofit agencies and institutions for the creation of jobs providing employment for unemployed or underemployed persons in carrying out needed public services. Provides that such eligible applicants shall be: (1) States, counties, cities, and other units or combinations of units of general local government which have established public service employment councils; and (2) other public and private agencies and institutions when government units of services are inadequate or nonexistent. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with eligible applicants, using 25 percent of the funds authorized under this Act, for the purpose of providing employment, for unemployed and underemployed persons residing in areas of substantial unemployment, in jobs providing needed public services, which shall be carried out to the maximum practicable extent within such areas. Provides for the establishment of a public service employment council. Provides that the Secretary shall not provide financial assistance for any program or activity under this Act unless he determines that: (1) the program will result in an increase in employment opportunities over those which would otherwise be available, will not result in the displacement of currently employed workers, will not impair existing contracts for services or result in the substitution of Federal for other funds in connection with work that would otherwise be performed, and will not substitute public service jobs for other federally assisted jobs; (2) persons employed in public service jobs assisted under this Act shall be paid wages which shall not be lower than whichever is the highest minimum wage which would be applicable to the employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, the State or local minimum wage for the most nearly comparable covered employment, or the prevailing rates of pay for persons employed in similar public occupations by the same employer; (3) funds under this Act will not be used to pay persons employed in public service jobs under this Act at a rate in excess of $12,000 per year; (4) all persons employed in public service jobs assisted under this Act will be assured of workmen's compensation, health insurance, unemployment insurance, and other benefits at the same levels and to the same extent as other employees of the employer and to the same working conditions and promotional opportunities as such other employees enjoy; (5) provisions of law relating to health and safety conditions shall apply to such program or activity; (6) the program will, to the maximum extent feasible, contribute to the occupational development or upward mobility of individual participants; (7) not to exceed 10 percent of the funds available for any program under this Act will be used for the acquisition or the rental or leasing of supplies, equipment, materials, or real property; and (8) every participant shall be advised prior to entering upon employment, of his rights and benefits in connection with such employment. Provides that the Secretary shall transmit at least annually a detailed report setting forth the activities conducted under this Act. Provides that the Secretary shall carry out a program of research and pilot projects into alternate ways and means to research full employment.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 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 · 21 February 1974
Provides that the bonus value of food stamps is to be included in the "hold harmless" amount guaranteed to recipients of supplemental security income benefits under the Social Security Amendments of 1972. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to prescribe regulations for the adjustment of an individual's monthly supplemental security income payment in accordance with any increase to which such individual may be entitled under this Act provided, that such adjustment in monthly payment, together with the remittance of any prior unpaid increments to which such individual may be entitled under this Act, shall be made no later than the first day of the first month beginning more than sixty days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1974
Increases, under the National Capital Transportation Act, the Federal share of that portion of the net project cost of the Adopted Regional System incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 30, 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1974
Creates a Joint Committee on Energy to be composed of twenty-four members. Provides that the joint committee shall select a chairman and a vice chairman from among its members at the beginning of each Congress. Directs the joint committee to: (1) make a continuing study of the development, use, and control of all forms of energy; (2) examine current proposals for legislation relating to the development, use, and control of energy; and (3) review the policies and actions of the agencies of the executive branch with respect to the development, use, and control of energy. Enumerates the powers of the joint committee.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1974
Designates specified lands in Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, and South Carolina within the National Wildlife Refuge System as wilderness areas. Designates specified lands in California and Montana within the National Forest System as wilderness areas. Provides that all primitive area classifications of areas herein designated as wilderness are abolished. Provides that the wilderness areas designated by this Act shall be goverened by the appropriate provisions of the Wilderness Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1974
Provides that each Government agency that maintains records, including computer records, concerning any person which may be retrieved by reference to, or are indexed under, a person's name, or some other similar identifying number or symbol, and which contains any information obtained from any source other than such person shall, with respect to such records: (1) refrain from disclosing the record or any information contained therein to any other agency or to any person not employed by the agency maintaining such record, except (a) with notification of the person concerned or of an immediate family member if the person cannot be located (b) that if disclosure of the record is required under law, the person concerned shall be notified by mail at his last known address of any such required disclosure; (2) refrain from disclosing the record or any information contained therein to individuals within that agency other than those individuals who need to examine such record or information for the execution of their jobs; (3) maintain an accurate record of the names and addresses of all persons to whom any information contained in such records is divulged and the purposes for which such divulgence was made; (4) permit any person to inspect his own record and have copies thereof made at his expense, which in no event shall be greater than the cost to the agency of making such copies; (5) permit any person to supplement the information contained in his record by the addition of any document or writing of reasonable length containing information such person deems pertinent to his record; and (6) remove erroneous information of any kind, and notify all agencies and persons to whom the erroneous material has been previously transferred of its removal. Provides that this Act shall not apply to records that are: (1) specifically required by Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of the national defense and foreign policy; and (2) investigatory files compiled for law enforcement purposes. Requires the President to report to Congress before January 30 of each year on an agency-by-agency basis the number of records and the number of investigatory files which were exempted from the application of this Act. Provides that any employee of the United States who under the color of agency authority knowingly and willfully violates a provision of this Act, or permits such a violation, shall be fined $1,000. Establishes a Federal Privacy Board consisting of seven members appointed for a term of two years by the President, by and with the consent of the Senate, to aid in the administration of this Act. (Adds 5 U.S.C. 552 (a))
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1974
District of Columbia Law Revision Commission Act - Establishes in the District of Columbia a District of Columbia Law Revision Commission. Prescribes the method of appointing members and requires members to be District of Columbia residents. Sets forth the compensation for such members. Directs the Commission to examine and propose revisions to the common law and statutes of the District of Columbia, giving priority to the criminal law. Directs the Commission to prepare and recommend uniform rules of practice for judicial and administrative proceedings. Terminates the Commission in four years. Authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1974
Federal Oil and Gas Corporation Act - Directs the Federal Power Commission to establish a corporation to be known as the Federal Oil and Gas Corporation, administered by a Board of Directors consisting of five qualified individuals who shall be selected by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Requires that all members of the Board shall be individuals who believe and profess a demonstrable belief in environmental protection and the purposes of the antitrust and consumer protection laws of the United States. Requires that no member of the Board shall, during his term in office, be engaged in any other business, nor may he have any financial interest in any business entity which is engaged in the exploration, development, production, transportation, or sale of natural gas or oil. Grants the Corporation power to: (1) explore for natural gas and oil on Federal, State, foreign, or private lands; (2) develop and sell natural gas or oil discovered by exploration, or otherwise obtained by sale, lease, purchase, exchange, or contract, and to build and operate all those facilities necessary for the development or sales of such resources; and (3) engage in research directed toward the development or utilization of abundant and nonpolluting supplies of energy, from whatever source. Requires any Federal agency or department having authority to lease, sell, or otherwise dispose of Federal lands, or rights to natural gas or oil which is or may be located on Federal lands, including offshore rights, shall, upon receipt of a request of the Corporation under this Act, grant the Corporation such right to develop without payment within 90 days after the receipt of such request. Directs the Secretary of Defense, acting for the Secretary of the Navy, to transfer possession of certain properties inside the naval petroleum and oil shale reserves, to the Corporation. Requires the Corporation to build, lease, or purchase refining facilities for the crude oil it produces or otherwise obtains only if it is unable to make sales of such oil in a manner which will promote competition among suppliers of crude oil; and to build, lease, or purchase transportation facilities for the natural gas or oil it produces or otherwise obtains only if it is unable to arrange for delivery of such natural gas or oil in a manner which will promote competition among suppliers of natural gas or oil. Requires that sales of natural gas or oil by the Corporation shall be made at fair and reasonable prices designed to promote competition among suppliers of these energy resources. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Corporation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974, and for each of the next ten succeeding fiscal years $50,000,000 to carry out its activities under this Act. Provides that all funds appropriated pursuant to this Act shall remain available until expended.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 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 borad shall be composed of four members appointed by the President, eight members appointed by the Librarian of Congress, the Librarian of Congress ex officio and the director of the center ex officio. Authorizes the Center to establish and implement a program of contracts, grants, and scholarships to preserve, protect, revitalize and disseminate American folklife traditions 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 concurrance 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 such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1974
Education for Exceptional Children Act - Defines "exceptional children" as handicapped children, children with specific learning disabilities, and particularly gifted children. Directs the Commissioner of Education to establish a National Clearinghouse on Exceptional Children which shall obtain and disseminate to the public information pertaining to the education of exceptional children. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974 and for each of the four succeeding years for the establishment and operation of the clearinghouse. Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to make grants pursuant to this Act for the purpose of assisting the States in providing free appropriate public education for exceptional children at the preschool, elementary, and secondary levels. Sets forth the basis on which funds will be allocated to the States. Provides that in order to receive funds under this Act a State must submit to the Commissioner of Education a State plan is required detailing the State program for free appropriate education for exceptional children. Provides that the State plan must contain such information as the Commissioner deems necessary. Sets forth the criteria needed to be met by a State in order to obtain approval of its plan. Authorizes the Commissioner to withhold payments under this Act from any State when it is found that there has been a failure to comply substantially with any provision of this Act. Provides a method for judicial review of the Commissioner's decision. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to State educational agencies to provide training for personnel engaged or preparing to engage in educating exceptional children. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to institutions of higher learning to provide training for leadership personnel for the education of exceptional children. Authorizes the Commissioner to conduct research relating to the education of exceptional children and to make grants to States, educational agencies, institutions of higher learning and other public or private nonprofit education or research agencies for such research. Directs the Commissioner to establish standards and procedures to determine which children are "exceptional children" within the meaning of this Act, such standards and procedures to be applied uniformly by all States submitting plans pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for carrying out the purpose of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 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.
![Official portrait of Rep. Rees, Thomas M. [D-CA-23]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000134_200.jpg)