United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1975
Authorizes all unmarried individuals to use the same tax tables when computing their tax as are presently applicable to married individuals filing joint returns and to surviving spouses. Authorizes married individuals filing separately to use such table so long as such individual reports all income earned by him or her on the return.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1975
Expresses the sense of the House that the United States Government should seek agreement with other members of the United Nations on the prohibition of weather modification activity as a weapon of war.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Tax and Loan Account Interest Act - Terminates the insurance of any bank under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, which fails to pay the Federal funds rate of interest on all tax and loan accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, for reductions in Social Security taxes relating to the rate of tax on self-employment income for purposes of old-age, survivors, and disability insurance. States that such reductions shall apply in the case of taxes imposed with respect to self-employment income for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1975, and with respect to wages paid or received during calendar years after 1975. Provides for Federal participation in the costs of the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance program under title II of the Social Security Act. Increases the earnings counted for benefit and tax purposes under the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act - Title I: Statement of Findings and policy - Declares that most of the nation's coal reserve can only be mined by underground methods. States the purposes of this Act, including to establish a nationwide program to prevent the adverse effects to society and the environment from surface coal mining. Title II: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement - Establishes in the Interior Department the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement with a director appointed by the President. States that such office shall administer the programs required by this Act and assist the States in development of State programs for surface coal mining and reclamation. Title III: State Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute - Authorizes appropriation to the Secretary of the Interior of sums adequate to provide for each participating State $200,000 for fiscal year 1975, $300,000 for fiscal year 1976, and $400,000 for each fiscal year thereafter for 5 years, to assist the States in carrying on the work or a competent and qualified mining and mineral resources research institute or center agency at the school of mines of one public college or university of the State. Requires such monies to be matched dollar for dollar by the States. Authorizes appropriation of $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, such sum to be increased by $2,000,000 each fiscal year for 6 years thereafter, for specific projects in mining and mineral research in research institutes. Directs the Secretary to establish a center for cataloging current and projectd scientific research in mining and mineral resources. Directs the Secretary to establish a center for cataloging current and projected scientific research in mining and mineral resources. Requires the Secretary to appoint an Advisory Committee on Mining and Mineral Research to advise him on all matters concerning mining and mineral resources research. Title IV: Abandoned Mine Reclamation - Creates the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund in the Treasury. Requires operators of coal mines to pay into the fund quarterly fees of $.35 per ton of coal produced by surface mining and $.25 per ton of coal produced by underground mining, or 10 percent of the value of the coal in the mine, whichever is less. Authorizes use of money in the Fund for acquisition and reclamation of abandoned and unreclaimed mined lands and for acquisitions and fillings of voids and sealing of tunnels and entryways in abandoned mines. Permits the Secretary to acquire land by condemnation for reclamation. Encourages States to acquire abandoned and unreclaimed land, and to transfer to the Secretary for reclamation, and authorizes matching grants for such purpose, up to 90 percent of land price. Allows resale of reclaimed land by public bidding, and allows local public participation in determining the use of reclaimed land. Title V: Control of the Environmental Impacts of Surface Coal Mining - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to implement within 135 days of enactment, a Federal program of enforcement of specified standards to remain in effect until State programs are approved. Directs publication within 180 days of enactment of regulations covering surface coal mining and reclamation, setting standards for State programs. States that such regulations must meet approval of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator. Requires States, within 18 months of enactment, to submit programs for carrying out this Act, such programs to include a State regulatory authority capable of regulating surface coal mining, State laws providing for sanctions for violations of regulations, and a permit system for surface coal mining regulation. Demands that such State programs meet the approval of the EPA Administrator. Subjects State programs to approval of Secretary of Interior within 6 months. Requires implementation of a Federal program of surface coal mining regulation where States fail in such implementation. Permits State laws and regulations that are more stringent than this Act. Requires, 30 months after enactment, that no surface coal mining shall take place except where a permit, good for 5 years, has been issued. States that permits application must demonstrate ability and intent to comply with this Act and assurance that reclamation can be achieved. Requires permit applications to describe the method of mining and equipment proposed to be used, to describe by maps the land to be affected, and to contain a statement of results of test borings or core samplings of the affected land. States that permits must be accompanied by a mining and reclamation plan which shall include a description of present uses of the land, steps to be taken to prevent environmental damage, and a description of the reclamation activities. Requires the posting of performance bonds and possession of liability insurance by applicants for permits. Sets general performance standards for environmental protection in surface coal mining which permittees under this Act must meet. Imposes additional standards for steep-slope surface mining. Directs the Secretary to promulgate rules and regulations directed at the surface effects of underground mining, including specified requirements. Directs and authorizes inspection of surface coal mining and reclamation to determine compliance with this Act and regulations. Provides for requirement of record keeping and submittal and monitoring by mine operators. Requires surprise inspections by regulatory agencies not less than once a month. Requires civil penalties for violation of this Act or regulations under it. Provides that when an operator completes the backfilling, regrading, and drainage control of a bonded area, he may request a release of 60 percent of the bond. Provides that the remaining amount may be returned upon completion of all reclamation. Allows persons with a legal interest to file objections to release of bond, and for public hearings to follow. Permits any person to bring a civil suit against any person, including the United States, alleged to be in violation of this Act. Allows the court to award costs of litigation to parties in suits brought under this Act. Permits the Secretary to intervene in actions under this Act. Allows, where State regulatory authorities do not exist or fail to act, for Federal enforcement of this Act and of permit conditions. Permits issuance of an order to cease mining and reclamation. Provides for the Attorney General to institute civil suit for a restraining order or injunction to enforce this Act or regulations under it. Directs States to designate as unsuitable for surface coal mining those areas where reclamation is impossible or where land is fragile or of historical value. Prohibits existing mining operations from being declared unsuitable. Requires implementation of a Federal lands program applicable to all surface mining and reclamation operations on Federal land. Requires such program to, at least, adopt all requirements of this Act. Demands separate regulations for programs for special bituminous coal surface mines that meet speicified criteria, and for anthracite coal surface mines which are regulated by environmental protection standards of the States. Title VI: Designation of Lands Unsuitable for Noncoal Mining - Allows the Secretary to designate Federal lands unsuitable for mining materials other than coal, if they are predominantly urban or suburban in character or if such mining operations would have an adverse impact on lands used primarily for residential and related purposes. Title VII: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Prohibits discrimination against employees for filing suit under this Act and for testifying in a proceeding under this Act. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress. Directs the President to minimize the adverse impact upon employment of any actions taken pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make grants to the States to provide cash benefits to individuals who have lost their jobs as a direct result of this Act and who are not eligible for unemployment assistance or who have exhausted their unemployment benefits. Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering for a study of surface coal mining conditions in Alaska in order to determine which, if any, of the provisions of this Act should be modified with respect to such operations in Alaska. Directs the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering and other groups for a study of the technology for surface and open-pit mining and reclamation for minerals other than coal designed to assist in the development of regulation for such operations. Directs the Secretary to consult with Indian tribes in studying the regulation of surface mining on Indian lands. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act, as follows: (1) $10,000,000 for various contract authority immediately and for the next two fiscal years; (2) for administrative and other purposes, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, $20,000,000 for fiscal years 1976 and 1977, and $30,000,000 for fiscal years thereafter; (3) for research and demonstration projects, $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 and for each fiscal year thereafter, $250,000 for the Alaskan surface coal mine study; and (4) $500,000 for the study of surface mining of other minerals. Requires the written consent of the owner of the surface rights before the Secretary shall lease Federally-owned mineral rights, and requires compensation to be paid by the lessee to the surface owner.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Performance Life Disclosure Act - Requires manufacturers of durable consumer products, including appliances and electronic items, to disclose on a conspicuous label or tag affixed to each item sold at retail to consumers the performance life, under normal operating conditions, of each manufactured durable product. Authorizes the National Bureau of Standards of the Department of Commerce to make regulations for this Act, and to determine the performance life of products and components of products covered by this Act. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to prevent any person from violating the provisions of this Act in the same manner and with the same jurisdiction as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act were incorporated into and made a part of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Sales Promotion Game Act - Declares it to be an unfair method of competition for any manufacturer, producer, distributor, or wholesaler doing business in interstate commerce to require or encourage any retail seller to participate in a game in connection with the sale of any item, or for a retail seller to engage on his own in a game in connection with the sale of any item. Provides that whoever willfully violates the provisions of this Act shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years or both. (Amends 15 U.S.C. 41-58)
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Consumer Price Information Act - States that the Congress finds that during periods of severe inflation, consumers can minimize the effects of rapidly rising prices by avoiding the purchase of products that have experienced sharp price increases over a brief time span. Expresses the policy of Congress to provide consumers with point of sale information concerning the nature and extent of price variations for products offered for sale at retail in commerce. Provides that no person engaged in commerce may, in the course of such commerce, sell or offer for sale at retail any products, goods, wares, or merchandise unless there is conveniently available to consumers at the place of sale price information, in such form and manner as shall be prescribed by the Federal Trade Commission, which contains: (1) the retail price at which such item or article is currently being offered for sale at retail by such person; and (2) the price at which the item or article was usually sold at retail by such person in the course of business (A) immediately before and (B) twelve and eighteen months before such time as the price referred to in clause (1) was established as the current retail price, if such former retail prices and the current retail price differ. Sets forth criminal penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act. Exempts specified entities from the operation of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Appliance Dating Act - Requires any consumer durable product determined by the Federal Trade Commission to be of a type whose design or performance features are changed on a periodic basis in such a manner as to make its date of manufacture a relevant factor in connection with sales to consumers to be labeled by the manufacturer as to the month and year of manufacture.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Intergovernmental Consumer Assistance Act - Authorizes appropriations of $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, $7,500,000 for fiscal year 1978, and $9,00,000 for fiscal year 1979 for the establishment and strengthening of consumer protection offices of State and local governments. Requires the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations to assist the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in carrying out the purposes of this Act. Directs the Secretary to allot each possession $10,000 for the three fiscal years and to allot each State the sums of $50,000, $75,000, and $90,000 for each of the three fiscal years, respectively. Provides that allotments shall be made to each State and possession which has submitted an adequate consumer protection plan that has been approved by the Secretary. Requires each consumer plan to provide for consumer education; consumer research; representation of consumer interests; studying the problems of low income consumers; serving as consumer complaint centers; providing counseling including legal services to the consumer; mediating consumer-retailer disputes; investigating complaints; cooperating with Federal and State agencies; setting forth fiscal controls and providing that Federal funds be used only in carrying out this plan. Provides that the Federal share of the cost of carrying out a plan submitted by a consumer protection office shall not exceed 75 percent. Authorizes the Secretary to withhold Federal funds for failure to comply with the approved consumer plan. Requires the Secretary to submit a detailed report as part of the annual report of the Department of HEW on the administration of this Act. Designates this Act as the "Intergovernmental Consumer Assistance and Protection Act".
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Revises title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to: (1) eliminate the five- month waiting period for disability benefits; (2) permit adopted children to qualify for benefits without regard to time of adoption; (3) eliminate the reconsideration state in benefit determinations; (4) provide for the issuance of duplicate benefit checks where the initial checks are lost or delayed; and (5) provide for expedited benefit payments to disability beneficiaries. Increases to $7,500 the amount of outside earnings which an individual may earn without a deduction in benefits under title II of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Specifies that the provisions of the Strategic and Critical Materials Stocks Piling Act regarding the acquisition and development of strategic raw materials shall not apply to regulations or prohibitions pertaining to economic relations and/or communications with foreign nations or foreign nationals which are established under the authority of the United Nations Participation Act in response to sanctions imposed by the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1975
Sets forth standards, relating to the rights of patients under the General Provisions of the Social Security Act, to be met by intermediate care facilities participating in programs under title XVIII (Medicare) and title XIX (Medicaid) of such Act. Provides that the statement of rights required to be adopted by such facilities shall include guarantees: (1) that the patient's civil and religious liberties will not be infringed; (2) that the patient has the right to private communications with his physician, attorney, or any other person; and (3) that the patient has the right to have privacy in treatment and in caring for personal needs and confidentiality in the treatment of personal and medical records.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1975
Allows any nonimmigrant foreign student to be employed, with the approval of the school attended by such student: (1) during any regularly scheduled school vacation; or (2) during any school term during which such person is not enrolled, if the institution determines that he continues to qualify as a full-time student.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1975
Provides that an individual may qualify for disability insurance benefits under the Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program of the Social Security Act and the disability freeze if he has 40 quarters of coverage, regardless of when such quarters were earned.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1975
Provides for an increase in the amount of the personal exemption under the Internal Revenue Code for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1974, from $750 to $1000.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1975
Prohibits the dumping of spent oil shale on any Federal land other than Federal land leased for the operation of shale oil recovery facilities. Provides for the recovery of treble damages for injury to the United States caused by the unlawful dumping of spent oil shale.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1975
Provides no part of any appropriation and no local currency owned by the United States shall be available for payment of any expenses, nor shall transportation be provided by the United States, in connection with travel outside the fifty States (including the District of Columbia) of the United States of: (1) any Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or member of either House of Congress after he has been defeated as a candidate for nomination, or election, to a seat in the House of Representatives or Senate of the United States in any primary or regular election until such time as he shall thereafter again become a Member of Congress, or (2) any Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or Member of either House of Congress after the adjournment sine die of the last session of a Congress if he is not a candidate for reelection in the next Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1975
States that any mailing of matter, as penalty mail, in excess of five thousand identical pieces, may not be carried in the mails as penalty mail until the officer, executive department, or independent establishment of the Government which intends to transmit such matter has submitted to the Comptroller General of the United States a request for certification that the carriage of such matter in the mails as penalty mail is in compliance with law and has received such certification from the Comptroller General.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1975
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 · 17 January 1975
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 · 14 January 1975
Prescription Drug Patent Licensing Act - Requires that whenever the Federal Trade Commission, upon complaint made to it by a qualified applicant for a license under a drug patent, determines through an investigation and hearing that such application for license was not granted and that the price quoted to druggists by the patentee is more than 500 percent of the total cost of production, the Commission shall order such patentee to grant an unrestricted license to any qualified applicant to make, use, and sell such drug. States that the Commission may delay such order up to five years to provide a fair return on the patentee's invested capital. (Adds 35 U.S.C. 294)
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Prescription Drug Freshness Act - Requires that over-the-counter drugs whose effectiveness or potency becomes diminished after storage must be prominently labeled by the manufacturer as to the date beyond which the product shall not be used. Requires that similar prescription drugs be similarly labeled by the retailer dispensing the product.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Prescription Drug Price Information Act - Requires drug retailers to post prominently a list of the prices of the one hundred prescription drug products that had the highest dollar volume of retail sales by such drug retailer. Enables any person, including States, to commence a civil action to obtain an injunction restraining any drug retailer from violating this Act. Prescribtion Drug Advertising Act - Directs the Federal Trade Commission, in cooperation with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and with the appropriate agency of any State, to establish programs and procedures to implement the advertising, at the discretion of vendors, of prescription drug prices, and to eliminate any legal impediments to such advertising. Defines as an unfair act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act the prohibition or burdening of advertising of prescription drug prices.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Prescription Drug Labeling Act - Requires that in the labeling and advertising of drugs sold by prescription the "established name" of such drug must appear each time their proprietary name is used.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Consumer Food Labeling Act - Title I: Truth in Food Labeling Act - Truth in Food Labeling Act - Requires, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, that the labels on all foods disclose each of their ingredients in order of predominance and the amounts of the ingredients in the food. Title II: Nutritional Labeling Act - Nutritional Labeling Act - Requires any packaged consumer food product to be labeled by the processor in conformity with specified information, including: with respect to processed food products, an analysis of nutritional contents including fat content, vitamin and protein value, fats and fatty acids, calories, and any other nutritional information deemed appropriate. Requires such lable to contain a statement of the nutritional value of the food commodity, and to appear in conspicuous and easily legible type on the package. Provides that the label of any packaged consumer product which has been packaged in a container of any given net content (by weight or volume) and which afterwards is packaged in a container of a different net content, shall conspicuously set forth the amount of difference. States that the appropriate Federal agencies shall prescribe regulations to carry out the purposes of this Act. Provides for injunctions in Federal courts to assure compliance with this Act. Prescribes a civil penalty of not to exceed $1,000 for any willful violation of this Act; such sum to be assessed by the appropriate agency and enforced in a Federal court in the name of the United States. Title III: Open Dating of Perishable Food Act - Open Dating of Perishable Food Act - Provides, under the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act, that no person who manufactures or packages a perishable or semiperishable food in the form in which it is sold by retail distributors to consumers may distribute for purposes of sale a perishable or semiperishable food packaged by him in such form unless he has labeled such packaged to show the pull date for such food and the optimum temperature and humidity conditions for its storage by the ultimate consumer. Provides, with certain exceptions, that no retail distributor may sell, offer to sell, or display for sale any food whose pull date has expired. States that no person may place packages on foods in shipping containers or wrappings unless such containers or wrappings are labeled by him to show the pull date. Provides that no person may change, alter, deface or remove before sale to the ultimate consumer any pull date. States that any person who violates any provision of this Act shall be imprisoned for not more than one year or fined not more than $5,000, or both. Provides that the United States district courts shall have jurisdiction to restrain violations of this Act. Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to submit an annual report to the Congress concerning activities and enforcement of this Act. Title IV: Marketing Practices Disclosure Act - Marketing Practices Disclosure Act - Requires that labels on packaged foods contain the names and places of business of the manufacturer, packer and distributor, rather than just one of the three. Title V: Consumer Food Grading Act - Consumer Food Grading Act - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, after consultation with representatives of consumers, producers, and processors, to develop and promulgate a system of retail qualify grade designations for consumer food products expressed in a uniform nomenclature. Authorizes the Secretary to determine the manner in which the system of consumer food grade designations shall be displayed and disseminated to the public. Provides that in developing and updating quality grade standards, consideration shall be given to the nutritional quality and wholesomeness of food products, as well as the acceptability of the products. Requires that any food products sold more than nine months after the promulgation of applicable quality standards in accordance with this Act shall either be conspicuously labeled in accordance with such standards or shall be conspicuously labeled "not quality graded by the United States Department of Agriculture". Title VI: Unit Pricing Act - Unit Pricing Act - Provides that no person engaged in business in the sale at retail of any packaged consumer commodity which has been distributed in commerce, or the distribution of which affect commerce, shall sell, offer for sale, or display for sale any such commodity unless: (1) the total selling price of such commodity is plainly marked by a stamp, tag, or label affixed to a principal display panel of the package or by a label or sign at the point of display of such package; and (2) the retail unit price of such commodity is plainly marked by: (a) stamp, tag, or label affixed to a principal display panel of the package, or (b) a label or sign in close proximity to the point of display of such package, which label or sign shall also contain the name and quantity of contents of such commodity. Exempts from the requirement of marking the unit price of commodities: (1) any individual retail outlet which sells or offers for sale packaged consumer commodities and whose total gross sales do not exceed $250,000 per annum, unless such an outlet is one of a number of outlets owned substantially or whose inventory is supplied substantially, by a single person, partnership, or corporation whose total gross sales exceed $500,000 perannum; (2) any retail outlet in any State or any political subdivision thereof which has enacted mandatory unit pricing laws and whose laws, in the judgment of the Federal promulgating authority, are in scope and comprehensiveness superior to the requirements of this Act; except that retailers (including chainstores and affiliated stores) who operate outlets in any such geographical area shall be subject to the unit pricing requirement of this Act if they also operate outlets in one or more other States or political subdivisions. Title VII: New Ingredient Notification Act - New Ingredient Notification Act - Requires a food to carry a label setting forth in a conspicuous manner any change in its ingredients for six months after such change. Title VIII: Misleading Brand Names Act - Misleading Brand Names Act - Expands the meaning of "unfair or deceptive act or practice" under the Federal Trade Commission Act to inlcude advertising a brand name of a product which inherently misleads the public as to the product's value, quantity, quality of contents, or performance.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Directs the Department of Labor in cooperation with the Bureau of the Census, to immediately undertake a study to determine the feasibility and cost of developing and publishing monthly, in addition to quarterly, a nationwide unemployment rate among Americans of Spanish origin or descent. Requires the Bureau of the Census and the Department of Labor and the Department of Agriculture to undertake further efforts to collect and publish regularly statistics which provide indicators of the social and economic condition of Americans of Spanish origin or descent. States that the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in cooperation with the Director of the Bureau of the Census and with the heads of other data-gathering Federal agencies, shall develop a Government-wide program for the collection of data with respect to Americans of Spanish origin or descent.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
States that the House of Representatives disapproves the deferral of budget authority relating to comprehensive planning grants under the Housing Act of 1954 (deferral numbered D 75-107) which is proposed by the President in his special message of November 26, 1974 transmitted pursuant to the Impoundment Control Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to immediately rescind the food stamp regulations proposed on December 6, 1974, and take all necessary steps to insure that the Nation's elderly and poor will continue to benefit from the food stamp program to the extent which they presently do.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1974
Provides that, beginning fifteen months after the date of the enactment of this Act, it shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture or import chlorofluoromethane, except under a license issued pursuant to this Act. States that any person who manufactures or imports chlorofluoromethane in violation of this Act shall be fined not more than $10,000, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both, for each day of violation. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to apply to any United States District Court to obtain a temporary restraining order, an injunction, and other appropriate equitable relief from any such violation. States that the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall have the power, after public hearing and consultation with appropriate Federal agencies and scientific entities, and after considering the report made by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration pursuant to this Act, to make rules prescribing the maximum steady-state ozone reduction due to chlorofluoromethane which is consistent with the protection of the public health, and to issue licenses to manufacture or import a quantity of chlorofluoromethane equivalent to the control level thereby established.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1974
Directs the President to appoint a Commission on Fertilizer Availability: (1) to review and recommend specific conservation steps and other measures which would be taken to increase the short-term availability of fertilizer for food production; and (2) to encourage increased production of fertilizer to meet the medium and long-term fertilizer needs such as investment incentives and machinery to increase production capacity. Limits the amounts of chemical fertilizer used by any department or agency of the Federal Government during 1975 for ornamental or decorative growing purposes. Provides that such prohibition shall not apply to decorative growing aimed at preventing soil erosion.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 1974
Extends to forty-five months (presently thirty-six months) the maximum number of school months covered by veterans' educational benefits for eligible veterans. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 1661)
United States · United States Congress · 15 October 1974
Makes it a violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act for any retailer to increase the price of consumer commodities once he marks the price on any such consumer commodity, and permits the Federal Trade Commission to order any such retailer to refund any amounts of money obtained by increasing the price of such consumer commodity.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1974
Increases the excise tax on small cigarettes, weighing 3 pounds or less per thousand, to $4 per thousand plus an additional $1 per thousand, and that on large cigarettes, weighing over 3 pound per thousand, to $8.40 per thousand plus an additional $2.10 per thousand, effective June 30, 1975. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 5701 (b)) Establishes the National Cancer Research Fund to be used to fund the research programs of the National Cancer Institute. Provides that, beginning with fiscal year 1976, there shall be appropriated to the trust fund amounts equivalent to the additional tax on cigarettes imposed by this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the trust fund from the general fund of the Treasury through September 30, 1977.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1974
Food Research and Development Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to public and nonprofit entities and to individuals for research into, and development and demonstration of, new methods of protein production, fertilizer production, irrigation, processing of non-animal proteins, and marketing of the products produced by new methods. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act through fiscal year 1978. Provides that the products developed under this Act shall be available for school lunch programs. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to develop an educational program relating to the preparation and use of the food products produced pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1974
Makes it a violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act for any retailer to increase the price of consumer commodities once he marks the price on any such consumer commodity, and permits the Federal Trade Commission to order any such retailer to refund any amounts of money obtained by increasing the price of such consumer commodity.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1974
National Condominium and Tenants Rights Act - Expresses the findings of Congress and declares the purposes of the Act, including to establish minimum national standards governing the sale, ownership, conversion to, and extension of credit for condominiums. States that no condominium housing loan shall be made: (1) to any developer unless the creditor received a written property statement containing specified names, address, legal descriptions, costs and assurances; or (2) to any prospective purchaser unless the same written property statement has been submitted to such purchaser 21 days prior to to any legally obligating document's execution. Provides similar protection for tenants in cases of condominium conversions. Prohibits discrimination against condominium-unit purchasers in the extension of credit on the basis of age, sex, marital status, religion, race, or national origin. Provides for the designation of an Assistant Secretary for Condominiums in the Department of Housing and Urban Development and enumerates the duties to be performed. Requires each creditor subject to the provisions of this Act to file an annual report with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development showing the extent of compliance with the provisions of this Act. Creates a civil remedy against creditors by persons discriminated against in violation of this Act. States that any developer or creditor who violates the provisions of this Act shall be fined not more than $15,000 for each violation. Empowers the Secretary to encourage and make grants to State and local governments to help establish offices to administer and enforce State and local requirements with respect to condominiums. Enumerates the requirements to be met by any plan for the protection of purchasers of condominium units and those displaced by conversion to such units prior to the making of any grant. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out such grants. Defines the terms used in this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1974
Expresses the sense of the House that efforts of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to promote the desegregation of public schools should be applied with the same intensity, standards, and sanctions in every region of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1974
Provides that tax returns are confidential, and, therefore, are not open to inspection, and that information contained in them shall not be disclosed. Permits, under regulations established by the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, the inspection of tax returns by the taxpayer, the Internal Revenue Service, the Justice Department, State tax authorities, the President, and the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation. Requires a report to the Joint Committee of returns inspected and by whom inspected. Establishes criminal penalties for unauthorized disclosure or receipt of tax return information.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1974
Emergency Jobs Act - Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to permit the Secretary of Labor to make financial assistance available for the purpose of providing transitional employment for unemployed persons in jobs providing needed public services, and training and manpower services. Makes $1,000,000,000 available for the purposes of this Act for obligation in any twelve-month period in which the national rate of unemployment exceeds 4 1/2 percent for three consecutive months, and an additional $1,000,000,000 for every increment of one-half percent over 4 1/2 percent not to exceed a 6 percent unemployment rate.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1974
Reconstruction Finance Corporation Act - Establishes a body corporate with the name "Reconstruction Finance Corporation" with a principal office to be located in the District of Columbia. Provides that the Corporation shall have a capital stock of $2,000,000,000 to appropriated from the Treasury of the United States. Specifies the membership of the Board of Directors of such Corporation and grants the Corporation the powers necessary to function as such. Authorizes the Corporation, in order to aid in financing agriculture, commerce, and industry, to make loans to any business concern: (1) to enable such business concern to finance plant construction, conversion, or expansion, or the acquisition of equipment, facilities, machinery, supplies, or materials; (2) to supply such business concern with working capital; or (3) to aid such business concern in the payment of current debts or obligations, if such aid is considered by the Board of Directors to be in the public interest. Provides that no loan may be made to any business concern under this Act unless such business concern is unable to obtain a loan on reasonable terms from any other source. Provides that each loan made under this Act may be made for a period not exceeding 10 years, and the Corporation may extend the time of payment of any such loan up to 12 years from the date upon which such loan was made originally. States that each such loan shall bear interest at a rate equal to the current average yield (as certified by the Secretary of the Treasury to the Corporation) on all outstanding obligations of the United States as of the last day of the month immediately preceding the month in which the loan is made. Requires all loans made under this Act to be fully and adequately secured, and specifies the requirements of any collateral to be accepted by the Corporation as security for such loans. Authorizes the Corporation to guarantee the payment of principal and interest on a loan made to such business concern by a non-Federal lender under the same circumstances in which the business would be eligible for a loan from the Corporation if it was not available on reasonable terms from any other source. Provides that the aggregate of the principal amounts of the loans outstanding at any time with respect to which guarantees have been made under this section shall not exceed $2,000,000,000. Authorizes the Corporation to have outstanding at any one time, obligations in an aggregate amount not exceeding three times its subscribed capital. Provides that such obligations shall be free from taxation. Provides criminal sanctions for: (1) false statements in the attempt to secure loans under this Act; (2) false statements or fraudulent acts in connection with any obligation incurred by the Corporation under this Act; or (3) willful misapplication of funds by any individual entrusted with such funds under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1974
Public Documents Act - Provides that all books, correspondence, documents, papers, pamphlets, models, pictures, photographs, plats, maps, films, motion pictures, sound recordings, and other objects or materials which are prepared for or originated by any elected official of the United States in connection with the transaction of public business during any period when such official holds elective office, and which would not have been prepared if such official had not held such office shall be retained by such official for transmission and preservation pursuant to the provisions of this Act. Directs the elected official to transmit any objects or materials which the Administrator of General Services determines to be public documents to the Administrator within one hundred and eighty days after such official ceases to hold his office. Requires the Administrator to deposit the documents in the National Archives, or donate all or any portion of such documents to any educational institution designated by the elected official. States that a decision by the Administrator of General Services that any object or material is a public document of an elected official of the United States within the meaning of this Act shall be a final agency decision. Provides that, not withstanding any other provision of law or any agreement or understanding, the Administrator of General Services shall obtain or retain, as the case may be, complete possession and control of all public documents prepared for or originated by the President of the United States during the period beginning January 20, 1969, and ending August 9, 1974. Directs the Administrator to prescribe regulations governing public access to the documents of former elected officials. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1974
Freedom from Military Surveillance Act - Restricts, under the first amendment and fourth amendment to the Constitution and the constitutional right of privacy, the actions of any civil officer of the United States or any member of the Armed Forces of the United States in using the Armed Forces of the United States to exercise surveillance of civilians or to execute the civil laws. Sets forth penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Special Prosecutor of the Watergate Special Prosecution Force: (1) should proceed with whatever criminal investigation and legal action he considers to be appropriate with respect to the conduct of Richard Nixon from January 20, 1969, through August 9, 1974, including proceeding to any indictment or indictments which may be justified by evidence presented to the grand jury; and (2) should, at such time and in such manner as he deems to be proper and appropriate, release and make part of the public record whatever evidence he may have in his possession with respect to the conduct of Richard M. Nixon from January 20, 1969, through August 9, 1974. Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the fundamental principle of equal justice under law will be damaged, not served, by the granting of Presidential pardons at this time to other individuals charged with or convicted of offenses against the United States with respect to the Watergate matter.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1974
Records Management Act - Requires the establishment of standards and procedures to assure efficient and effective government records management. States that such standards and procedures shall seek to effectuate the following goals: (1) accurate and complete documentation of the policies and transactions of the Federal Government; (2) control of the quantity and quality of records produced by the Federal Government; (3) simplification of the processes through which records are created, stored, retrieved, and used; (4) the judicious preservation and disposal of records; (5) the establishment and maintenance of a system which focuses continuous attention upon records from their initial creation to their final disposition; (6) the establishment and maintenance of mechanisms of control with respect to records creation, in order to assure the prevention of unnecessary records; and (7) the establishment and maintenance of such other systems or techniques as the Administrator considers necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Provides that the Administrator shall provide guidance and assistance to Federal agencies with respect to records creation, records maintenance and use, and records disposition. Directs the Administrator of General Services to: (1) conduct inspections or paperwork studies, at regular intervals as determined to be necessary by the Administrator, of the records and records management practices and programs of every Federal agency; (2) require the head of every Federal agency to transmit a report to the Administrator with respect to the records and records management practices and programs of each such Federal agency during each period of two calendar years; (3) prescribe rules with respect to records management; and (4) order, to the extent he considers necessary, the head of any Federal agency to take specific action with respect to the records or records management practices of his agency. Establishes in the executive branch a Records Review Board to review any order issued by the Administrator under the provisions of this Act upon appeal by any Federal agency. Directs the head of each Federal agency to make and preserve records containing adequate and proper documentation of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, and essential transactions of the Federal agency and designed to furnish the information necessary to protect the legal and financial rights of the Federal Government and of persons directly affected by the activities of the Federal agency. Requires each agency head to establish safeguards against the removal or loss of records he determines to be necessary and required by the rules of the Administrator.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 1974
Franchise Act - Sets forth the findings of Congress and the definitions of terms used in this Act. States that the Securities and Exchange Commission may, by its rules and regulations, exempt from the disclosure requirements of this Act any franchise where the Commission finds such exemption is necessary and appropriate. Enumerates what actions shall constitute unfair practices. States that any contract or agreement for the purpose of a franchise covered by this Act shall be voidable at the option of the franchisee, providing specified conditions are met. Provides that, with specified exceptions, the effective date of a disclosure statement shall be the twentieth day after the filing or such earlier date as the Commission may determine having due regard to the public interest and the protection of prospective franchisees. Requires that a disclosure statement contain such information as the Commission may require as being necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of prospective franchisees, including: (1) the name of the franchisor, the trade name(s) or trademark(s) under which he intends or is doing business, and the name of any parent or affiliated company that will engage in transactions with franchisees; (2) the name of the State under which the franchisor is organized and the location of the principal place of business; (3) the names and addresses, educational and business background, and biographical data, stated individually, of the directors, the chief executive, the financial accounting, principal executive officer, all partners, and of the franchisor; and (4) other enumerated statements relating to the franchise and attendant interests. Specifies the procedures for applications for registration, registration renewal statements and amendments thereto. Authorizes the Commission to promulgate such rules and regulations as it deems necessary to implement and interpret this Act. Sets forth civil liabilities for violations of this Act and other remedies available for violations of specified provisions. Provides for the jurisdiction of offenses and suits under this Act. Provides that the fact that a disclosure statement has been filed or is in effect shall not be deemed a finding by the Commission that such statement is in any way true and accurate in substance or on its face, or be held to mean that the Commission has in any way passed upon the merits or given approval to such franchise. States that any condition, stipulation, or provision binding any person acquiring any franchise to waive compliance with any provision of this Act or the rules and regulations prescribed thereunder shall be without effect and void.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 1974
Requires the monthly publication of a Consumer Price Index for the Elderly and provides for studies and legislative recommendations to be made with regard to utilizing such index in determining cost-of-living adjustments authorized in Federal programs for individuals who are at least sixty-two years of age.
![Official portrait of Rep. Schroeder, Patricia [D-CO-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000142_200.jpg)