United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1976
Imposes a fine of not more than $10,000 and/or imprisonment of not more than ten years for disclosure of (1) the association of any individual or entity with the foreign intelligence operation of the United States, or (2) the identity of such individual where such disclosure may prejudice the safety of such individual.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1976
Amends the Education Amendments of 1972 to exempt Boys State, Boys Nation, Girls State, and Girls Nation conferences, from the sex discrimination provisions of such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1976
National Agricultural Research Policy Act - Declares that the purposes of this Act are to emphasize agricultural research as a distinct mission of the Department of Agriculture, to be certain such research is effectively coordinated, and to provide a mechanism for identifying the Nation's highest priority problems for agricultural research. Provides for an additional Assistant Secretary of Agriculture to be responsible for the agricultural research activities of the Department of Agriculture and to serve as co-chairman of the National Agricultural Research Policy Committee. Directs the Secretary to appoint a scientist to serve and report to such new Assistant Secretary and to act as Executive Secretary of such Committee. Establishes, within the Department of Agriculture, the National Agricultural Research Policy Committee. Specifies the membership of such Committee. States that the Committee's responsibilities shall include: (1) reviewing programs, policies and goals of agricultural research agencies; (2) providing a forum for research sponsoring agencies to exchange information on agricultural plans and programs; and (3) making recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture regarding applications for funding of mission-oriented basic agricultural research. Requires such Committee to annually submit a report of its activities to specified committees of the Congress. Defines "mission-oriented basic agricultural research" as research on fundamental science topics with regard to which there is a basic need in existence for new knowledge that would be genrated by such research, has a strong potential for benefitting mankind and deals with more than an unproven concept. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to land grant colleges and universities eligible for assistance under the First and Second Morrill Acts and to State agricultural experiment stations eligible for assistance under the Hatch Act to carry out mission-oriented basic research. Allows the Secretary to make grants on a competitive basis to Federal agencies, research institutions, organizations and individuals for agricultural research, without regard to matching State funds. Authorizes appropriations of $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 and $250,000,000 for fiscal year 1979. Declares it to be the sense of Congress that Federal funding for existing agricultural research programs be increased by $250,000,000 annually.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1976
Consumer Cost Evaluation Act - Provides for a determination of costs to consumers of any proposed Federal legislation or regulation that may have a significant impact on costs to consumers. Requires that any proposed Federal legislation or regulation must be found to provide benefits to consumers or the public that bear a reasonable relationship to such costs. Requires that every agency of the Federal Government shall prepare, in conjunction with every applicable proposal it makes for legislation or a regulation, a draft consumer cost assessment and upon consultation with other Federal agencies, a final consumer cost assessment. Provides that the cost assessment must allow for public comment. Limits the requirements with respect to the preparation of draft and final consumer cost assessments to proposals for legislation or regulation other than those involving a military or foreign affairs function of the United States or relating to agency management or personnel or public property. Provides that under specified emergency situations the proposed regulation may be published and final action taken on the regulation without compliance with the cost assessment requirements of this Act. Requires that under such circumstances, the agency involved must meet specified alternative requirements. Directs the President to establish guidelines for the preparation of draft and final consumer cost assessments within 90 days after enactment of this Act. Provides for the review of existing regulations. Directs that if a substantial disparity is found between the consumer costs and benefits of such regulations, the agency shall propose amendments to the regulation to eliminate the disparity. Applies the requirement of cost assessment to committees of Congress dealing with proposed legislation that may have a significant impact on costs to consumers. States that guidelines for the preparation of cost assessments by committees of Congress shall be established by the Congressional Office of the Budget.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1976
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the Federal Communications Commission and other agencies shall be encouraged to exercise their full legal authority to insure that the quality and quantity of over-the-air broadcasting service which is now available to the public shall not be reduced or impaired by the operations of pay television. Calls for regulation of pay television in a manner consistent with the establishment and maintenance of over-the-air television broadcast services.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1976
Amends the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 to stipulate that price controls shall not apply to the first sale of crude oil produced from domestic wells whose daily production of crude oil for the preceding year did not exceed ten barrels per well.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1976
Expands the boundaries of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Repeals provisions suspending the Secretary of the Interior's authority to acquire property within the National Lakeshore by condemnation when appropriate zoning agencies have in effect approved valid zoning ordinances applicable to such property. Revises provisions regarding retention of the right of use and occupancy by owners of improved property after such property has been acquired by the Secretary. Increases the membership of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Advisory Commission. Authorizes the appropriation of sums for acquisition of lands and interests in land and for development. Requires the Secretary to complete by the end of 1977 a final master plan detailing the development of the lakeshore. Details guidelines regarding rights-of-way and easements added by this Act to the lakeshore and regarding the acquisition, improvement, and use of specified lands and easements not within the expanded boundaries.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1975
Encourages the Federal Communications Commission to insure that the quality and quantity of over-the-air broadcasting service which is now available to the public is not impaired by the operation of pay television. Expresses the sense of Congress that the development of pay television should be regulated in a manner consistent with the maintenance of free broading.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1975
Occupational Safety and Health Reform Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to improve the administration of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and to provide for regulatory procedures related to such administration. States that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall not propose any rule promulgating a new occupational health or safety standard before he: (1) has, as part of each such proposal, reviewed and published in the Federal Register the financial impact of such proposed standard; and (2) has determined with due regard for that impact that the benefit to be derived from such standard justifies such proposal. Provides that no standard adopted or promulgated shall require any employer to phase out, change, or replace existing equipment or facilities before the normal useful life of that equipment or facility has expired unless failure to so phase out, change, or replace that equipment or facility prematurely would result in a serious violation. Directs the Secretary to prescribe, as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, as part of each existing standard adopted under the Occupational Safety and Health Act: (1) the estimated average and maximum cost per unit to the average employer who is subject to that standard for compliance with the conditions, practices, means, methods, operation, or process used or proposed to be used by that employer under that standard; and (2) the period within which it is, in fact, possible for such employers to meet such standard including, but not limited to, availability of required devices, and possibility of performance of required procedures. Sets forth requirements with respect to notifying an employer of violations of the requirements prescribed pursuant to this Act. States that any employer who has been found to be not in compliance with any rule or standard adopted or promulgated under this Act shall not receive a notice for such violation if he is able to show: (1) that implementing such rule or standard would not materially affect the safety or health of his employees in the facility inspected; (2) that he has employed alternative procedures to protect his employees from the hazards contemplated by the rule or standard which are as effective in protecting the safety and health of his employees; or (3) that he has furnished adequate notice and exerted all reasonable efforts, pursuant to such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, to obtain the compliance of his employee, that such violation was attributable to such employees, and that he could not otherwise have reasonably prevented such violation. Sets forth procedures for enforcement of these regulations. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into compliance agreements with an employer believed to be in violation of an occupational safety and health standard promulgated pursuant to such Act under which enforcement and penalty provisions are waived or deferred upon condition that the employer will voluntarily comply with the applicable standard upon such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines appropriate under the circumstances. States that failure of an employer to abide by such an agreement may be taken into account in resulting enforcement and penalty procedures. Directs the Secretary to provide technical advice, assistance, and consultation to employers with less than 100 employees whenever it is necessary to assist them in complying with applicable standards.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1975
Truth in Government Accounting Act - Requires that the United States Government prepare and make public annual consolidated financial statements utilizing the accrual method of accounting.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 1975
Free Market and Food Protection Resolution - Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to make payments to any farmowner or operator whenever the executive branch of the Federal Government suspends the export sales of corn, wheat, soybeans, or grain sorghum. Requires the farmowners and operators, in order to be eligible for payment, to have in storage at the beginning of the suspension any amount of the commodity for which export sales have been suspended. Specifies that payment shall be at a rate of 7.5 percent of the parity price per bushel of the commodity concerned for the first 20,000 bushels with 5 percent of parity per bushel to be paid for any amount in excess thereof. Directs that such payment be made at the initiation of the suspension of export sales. Provides that payment of 3 percent of parity for the first 20,000 bushels and 2 percent of parity for each bushel in excess thereof, shall be paid for each 30 day period (after the initial payment) during which the suspension is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 1975
Financial Disclosure Act - Requires candidates for Federal office, Members of the Congress, each officer and employee of the Federal Government who is compensated at a rate in excess of $25,000 per year, Federal employees performing the duties of a GS-16 or higher, members of the Uniformed Services in the grade 0-6 or higher, the President, and the Vice President to file annually with the Comptroller General, a report containing a full and complete statement of: (1) the amount and source of each item of income, each gift or aggregate of gifts from one source (other than gifts received from his spouse or any member of his immediate family) received by him, by and his spouse jointly, by his spouse, or by his dependents, during the preceding calendar year which exceeds $100 in amount or value, including any fee or other honorarium received by him for or in connection with the preparation or delivery of any speech or address, attendance at any convention or other assembly of individuals, or the preparation of any article or other compensation for publication, and the monetary value of subsistence, entertainment, travel, and other facilities received by him in kind; (2) the identity of each asset held by him, by him and his spouse jointly, by his spouse, or by his dependents, which has a value in excess of $1,000, and the amount of each liability owed by him or by him and his spouse jointl, together with the amount of each liability which is owned with respect to any financial interest which is under his constructive control, which is in excess of $1,000 as of the close of the preceding calendar year; (3) any transactions in securities of any business entity by him or by him and his spouse jointly, or by any person acting on his behalf or pursuant to his direction during the preceding calendar year if the aggregate amount involved in transactions in the securities of such business entity exceeds $1,000 during such year; (4) all transactions in commodities by him, or by him and his spouse jointly, or by any person acting on his behalf or pursuant to his direction during the preceding calendar year if the aggregate amount involved in such transactions exceeds $1,000; and (5) any purchase or sale of real property or any interest therein by him, or by him and his spouse jointly, or by any person acting on his behalf or pursuant to his direction, during the preceding calendar year if the value of property involved in such purchase or sale exceeds $1,000. Defines the terms used in this Act. Sets forth penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1975
Designates the week beginning April 4, 1976, as "National Rural Health Week." Urges that efforts in disseminating health information be intensified. Calls for improved health services for rural America.
United States · United States Congress · 19 November 1975
Encourages appropriate Federal agencies to insure that the quality or quantity of over-the-air broadcasting shall not be impaired by pay television. Calls for pay television to develop in a way complimentary to free broadcasting.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 1975
Declares that the Congress has not delegated to the Federal Trade Commission any authority to preempt the laws of the States or their political subdivisions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1975
Allows payment of overtime to personnel employed in the Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service if (1) their duties are critical to the inspection services provided by the Department of Agriculture to assure wholesome food products, humane treatment of animals, and to control and eradicate animal and plant diseases and (2) if they are in positions in which overtime work may be required by emergency needs created by disease outbreaks or in which operating requirements cannot be met without substantial work. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 5542(a))
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1975
Propane Allocation Act - States the purpose of the Act of requiring the Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration to deal on a temporary basis with propane shortages to minimize their impact. Directs the Administrator, within given limitations, to regulate the equitable allocation of propane and its wholesale price. Outlines procedures for computing the price of propane recovered from oil and that derived from gas. Terminates authority granted under this Act at midnight, June 30, 1976, except for actions or pending proceedings not finally determined and actions and proceedings based upon any act committed prior to that date. Provides that willful violators may be fined not more than $5000 for each violation. Subjects any violator to a civil penalty of not more than $2500 for each violation. Grants United States district courts exclusive original jurisdiction of all cases or controversies arising under this Act, subject to enumerated conditions. Preempts State and local law whenever there is a conflict involving the allocation of propane. Mandates submission to the Attorney General of any proposed regulations on allocation. Directs the Attorney General to advise the President on the possible effect of such regulations on anticompetitive practices, and to suggest any alternatives which might be more consistent with the antitrust laws. Requires that whenever two or more individuals involved in the propane business meet, confer, or communicate in such a manner as might be construed to violate the antitrust laws, they shall do so only: (1) upon a personal or delegated order of the Administrator, specifying and limiting the subject matter and objectives, and (2) in the presence of a representative of the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division, with a verbatim transcript taken and deposited for public inspection with the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission. Restricts, to levels of prior usage, purchase or use of propane for feedstock for any synthetic natural gas or peak shaving for any gas utility.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to transfer franchise fees received from specified concession operations at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, in the States of Arizona and Utah, to the Navajo tribe in consideration of continued agreement by the tribe to the use for anchoring such operations transferred to the United States from the Navajo Indian Reservation.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to include a 66-mile segment of the New River Gorge in West Virginia as a component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. Prohibist the Federal Power Commission from licensing project works in the New River Gorge area for three years following the date of enactment of this Act. Prohibits loans or assistance by the United States to construct any adverse water projects in such area. Requires, prior to designating the area as a component of the System, that the Secretary determines that West Virginia officials and subdivisions have taken measures to protect such area through mining and land use regulation. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act, not to exceed $2,500,000 for the acquisition and development of lands.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1975
Condemns the resolution adopted by the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly which equates Zionism with racism, and urges the U.N. General Assembly to disapprove such resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 1975
National Food Stamp Reform Act - Defines "household" under the Food Stamp Act as meaning a group of individuals who are sharing common living quarters, but who are not residents of an institution or boarding house, and who have access to cooking facilities and for whom food is customarily purchased in common. Provides that the Secretary of Agriculture may not approve any plan which permits any household to simultaneously participate in both the food stamp program and the distribution of federally donated foods. Requires the Secretary to establish uniform national standards of eligibility for participation by households in the food stamp program. States that the income standards of eligibility shall be the income poverty guidelines prescribed by the Office of Management and Budget adjusted pursuant to the Economic Opportunity Act. Directs the Secretary to prescribe additional standards of eligibility which shall include, but not be limited to, the amounts of liquid and nonliquid assets. Provides that household income for purposes of the food stamp program shall be the gross income of the household less: (1) a standard deduction of $100 a month applicable to all households; (2) an additional deduction of $25 a month for any household in which there at least one member who is age sixty-five or older. Limits eligibility to participate in the food stamp program to citizens and aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residency. States that no individual shall be considered eligible for the food stamp program as a member of a household if he is: (1) over 18; (2) is enrolled at an institution of higher education; and (3) is a dependent child for income tax purposes of a taxpayer who is not a member of an eligible household. Prohibits households which transfer liquid or nonliquid assets for the purpose of qualifying for the food stamp program from becoming eligible for at least a ninety-day period. Requires the Secretary to issue photo identification cards to households certified eligible to participate in the program. States that households shall be charged thirty percent of their income for the coupon allotment issued to them. Provides that if a State agency does not comply with the provisions of the Food Stamp Act, the Secretary may refer the matter to the Attorney General with a request for an injunction, or he may direct that there be no further inssuance of coupons in the political subdivisions where such failure has occurred until such time as satisfactory corrective action has been taken. Directs the Secretary to pay to each State agency out of funds appropriated by Congress an amount equal to 75 percent of all direct costs of State food stamp program investigations, prosecutions, and State activities related to recovering losses sustained in the food stamp program. Provides for a civil money penalty of up to $10,000 for each violation of the Food Stamp Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1975
Requires that States having agreements entered into under the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program of the Social Security Act will continue to make social security payments and reports on a calendar-quarter basis no more frequently than the fifteenth of the second month following the calendar quarter.
United States · United States Congress · 8 October 1975
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States Government while engaged in a lessening of tensions with the People's Republic of China, do nothing to compromise continued close relations with the Republic of China.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1975
Makes the inspection provisions of the Poultry Products Inspection Act applicable to domestic rabbits slaughtered for human food, to persons who slaughter and handle such rabbits, and to establishments in which such rabbits are processed. Allows a State two years from the date of enactment to develop and enforce its own requirements paralleling the Poultry Products Inspection Act before intrastate activities come under Federal regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1975
Small Business Investment Company Tax Act - Exempts small business investment companies from the passive investment income test as a condition of eligibility to elect not to be taxed as a corporation under the Internal Revenue Code. Provides a tax deduction for investments made by small business investment companies in small business concerns. Allows small business investment companies to be shareholders in subchapter "S" corporations (corporations electing to be taxed as partnerships). Authorizes small business investment companies to add to their bad debt reserves at the close of a taxable year an amount sufficient to increase the reserve to 10 percent of the loans outstanding. Provides a deduction for dividends paid on preferred stock to small business investment companies.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1975
National Coal Policy Act - Declares that it shall be the policy of the Federal Government to place major emphasis on the use of coal. Title I: Coal Substitution - Declares that national energy self-sufficiency can be facilitated by the substitution of coal for natural gas and petroleum products. Calls for coal to be utilized as a primary steam-generating fuel. Directs that all new electric powerplants should be equipped with the capability for utilizing coal. Calls for all existing fossil fuel burning electric powerplants not scheduled for retirement, to be utilizing coal as their primary energy source by the end of ten years, in conformance with applicable environmental requirements. Title II: Clean Air Act Amendments - States that it is the finding of the Congress that the Federal Government and the States should achieve a greater compatibility between energy requirements and environmental standards. Directs that where environmental regulations are more restrictive than necessary for the attainment of ambient air quality standards, action should be taken to reduce such requirements. Revises the criteria for granting variances from established regulations. Provides that technological and economic factors shall be given equal consideration with the environment. Title III: Utility Investment tax Credits - Allows electric utilities an investment tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code for construction of qualified facilities. Allows a one-year straight-line amortization under the Code for the installation of pollution control facilites in a pre-1969 plant and for conversion of a facility to nonpetroleum fuel. Allows a utility to elect to begin depreciation for purposes of Federal income income tax, during the construction period, of accumulated construction progress expenditures. Authorizes shareholders of regulated public electric utilities to postpone tax on dividends paid by the utility on its common stock by electing to take additional common stock of utility in lieu of cash dividends. Title IV: Assistance to Railroads - Authorizes low cost federal loans to railroads in serious financial difficulties. Allows a Federal income tax credit of twelve percent for construction of new facilities designed primarily for coal transportation. Allows a one-year writeoff for the cost of construction and improvements of facilities designed for coal transportation. Title V: Coal Pipeline Development - Authorizes railroads to operate coal pipelines on their right-of-way. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to grant certificates of public convience and necessity for such railroads to exercise the power of eminent domain in order to acquire necessary rights-of-way for pipeline construction. Title VI: Mining and Mineral Research and Manpower Training - Authorizes Federal grants, on a matching State fund basis, to public colleges and universities for programs dealing with mineral engineering, mining, mine safety, and mineral research. Title VII: Funding Authorizations For Coal Mining and Preparation Research - Authorizes the appropriation of $60,000,000 to the Bureau of Mines for a coal extraction technology program. Title VIII: Pilot Testing of Coal Land Reclamation Proposals - Authorizes the Bureau of Mines to make grants to States for reclamation research. Title IX: Synthetic Fuels Development Assistance - Allows a one-year amortization for purposes of Federal income tax, for the cost of construction of facilities designed for the purpose of developing synthetic fuels from coal. Authorizes the Federal Government to enter into long-term purchase contracts for synthetic fuels produced from coal. Title X: Writeoff for Coal Mine Equipment - Allows coal procedures to elect a one-year amortization for new coal mining equipment. Title XI: District, or Centralized, Heating Systems - Authorizes financial incentives such as guaranteed Federal loans, investment tax credits, and one-year tax writeoffs, for construction and operation of centralized heating systems. Title XII: Definitions and Report - Directs that the Secretary of the Interior shall have responsibility for carrying out the national coal policy. Requires the Secretary to include in his annual report the state of such program and recommendations for additional legislation as may be necessary to implement the policy of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1975
Title I: National Park Service - Revises the boundary of Mount McKinley National Park to include an additional 3,180,000 acres. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to prescribe regulations for the surface use of any valid mining locations made within the boundaries of that Park. Authorizes the Secretary to permit the killing of game for subsistence use in specified lands included within the Park pursuant to the Alaska Conservation Act of 1974. Redesignates Katmai National Monument as Katmar National Park. Includes an additional 1,870,000 acres within the boundaries of Katmai National Park. Establishes in Alaska additional National Monuments and National Parks. Designates one National Rivers area and one National Reserve. Specifies the boundary maps which describe the areas covered by each newly designated area. Withdraws from the operation of the mineral leasing laws of the United States those lands included within the areas newly designated by this Act. Provides for the treatment of mining claims now established in such areas. Provides for the exploration and development of mineral deposits located within such areas pursuant to the regulation and administration of the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to permit sport hunting on the lands and waters designated by this Act pursuant to such regulations as he may prescribe. Directs the Secretary to permit the continuation of such subsistance uses of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources within the areas designated by this Act to the extent that such uses were in effect on the date of enactment of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Authorizes the Secretary to regulate such subsistence uses. Directs the Secretary to report to the President within three years of the date of enactment of this Act on the suitability of any area designated by this Act for preservation as wilderness. Title II: Wild and Scenic Rivers - Designates specified sections of specified Alaskan rivers as wild and scenic rivers. Title III: Appropriation Authorization - Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1975
Authorizes the people of the Virgin Islands to organize a government pursuant to a constitution of their own adoption under the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Legislature of the Virgin Islands to call a constitutional convention to draft a constitution for the people of the Virgin Islands. Requires that such constitution shall include a bill of rights. Provides for eligibility for membership at the convention. Establishes voting procedures for the approval or disapproval of such constitution as may be drafted by the convention. Provides that upon taking effect, a constitution drafted and approved under this Act shall supersede such provisions of the Organic Act of the Virgin Islands as may be inconsistent with such constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1975
Authorizes the people of Guam to organize a government pursuant to a constitution of their own adoption under the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Legislature of Guam to call a constitutional convention to draft a constitution for the people of Guam. Requires that such constitution shall include a bill of rights. Provides for eligibility for membership at the convention. Provides for voting procedures for the approval or disapproval of such constitution as may be drafted by the convention. Provides that upon taking effect, a constitution drafted and approved under this Act shall supersede such provisions of the Organic Act of Guam as may be inconsistent with such constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1975
Increases from $3,120,000 to $22,162,000 the amount authorized for the acquisition of private property to be included in the Gulf Islands National Seashore in the States of Mississippi and Florida.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1975
National Food Stamp Reform Act - Defines the term "income" as used in the Food Stamp Act as the monthly gross income of all members of a household, including any in-kind payment, and the total value of any publicly funded assistance payments which supplement food and housing needs. Excludes specified individuals from the definition of "household. Provides for the distribution of federally donated foods to households upon the request by a political subdivision that such distribution be made to all eligible households in lieu of food stamps. Excludes households from eligibility for food stamps: (1) if the monthly household income exceeds the poverty index level of income established by the Office of Management and Budget; or (2) if the market value of liquid and nonliquid resources of a household consisting of one individual exceeds $1,500 or the resources of a multiple member household exceed $2,250 exclusive of specified resources. Excludes from eligibility households which include an able-bodied adult between the ages of 18 and 65 who is enrolled in an institution of postsecondary education and such enrollment is a substitute for fulltime employment. Declares that a refusal to work at a plant or site because of a strike or other labor dispute shall be deemed a refusal to work which makes the household of the nonworking individual ineligible for food stamps. Rejects as an excuse for refusal to accept work a condition of employment which requires an individual to join, resign from, or refrain from joining any labor organization. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to require each household receiving benefits under this Act to report its income at least once each month. Requires food coupons to be designed with a space for the recipient to sign upon receipt and again at redemption. Requires one member of each eligible household to be issued a photo-identification card with a color photograph of the recipient. States that such card must be presented at redemption at a food store. Sets forth specific instructions to provide control and accountability over the distribution of food coupons to State agencies. Ties the value of the coupon allotment to the overall retail cost-of-living index. States that the "nutritionally adequate diet" as used to determine the amount of the coupon allotment shall mean the low-cost food plan developed by the Agricultural Research Service of the Department of Agriculture. Establishes as the charge a household shall pay for its coupon allotment the lesser of: (1) the percentage of its income which would be expended for food by an average household of its size and income range in the same region of the country; or (2) 30 percent. Provides, under the requirements for State plans for the administration of the food stamp program, for closer State supervision of eligibility by households. Requires the State agencies administering the program to conduct nutrition education programs for recipients. States that the United States Postal Service shall serve as a food stamp issuing agency upon the request of a State food stamp administration agency. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to pay the States 100 percent of the costs of providing food stamps to eligible aliens, and 75 percent of the costs of State investigations, prosecutions, collections of claims and other State activities related to retrieving food stamp losses. Provides for payment by the Federal Government to the States of a share of the difference between the face value of the coupon allotment and the amount charged eligible households for the allotment. Sets forth the method of determining and paying the Federal share. Directs the transfer of all functions of the Secretary of Agriculture under the Food Stamp Act to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1975
Authorizes payment under the supplementary medical insurance program of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act for optometric and medical vision care.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1975
Authorizes the President to issue a proclamation designating the week in November which includes Thanksgiving Day in each year as "National Family Week".
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1975
Beef Research and Information Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue orders: (1) providing for the establishment and administration of plans for advertising, sales promotion, and consumer information with respect to the use of cattle, beef, or beef products and for the disbursement of necessary funds for such purposes; (2) providing for research and studies with respect to sale, distribution, marketing, utilization, or production of cattle, beef, or beef products, and the creation of new products thereof, to the end that the marketing and utilization of cattle, beef, or beef products may be encouraged, expanded, improved, or made more acceptable, and the data collected by such activities may be disseminated and for the disbursement of necessary funds for such purposes; and (3) providing that slaughterers maintain and make available for inspection such books and records as may be required by any order issued pursuant to this Act. Provides for the establishment of a Beef Board, to be composed of not more than 68 cattle producers or representatives of cattle producers appointed by the Secretary. Sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the Beef Board, including: (1) the administration of the orders of the Secretary in accordance with its terms and provisions; and (2) the issuance of rules and regulations to effectuate the terms and provisions of such orders. Requires the Secretary to conduct a referendum among cattle producers who have been engaged in the production of cattle for the purpose of ascertaining whether the issuance of an order is approved or favored by not less than two-thirds of such producers. Authorizes appropriations of such funds as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1975
Beef Research and Information Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue orders: (1) providing for the establishment and administration of plans for advertising, sales promotion, and consumer information with respect to the use of cattle, beef, or beef products and for the disbursement of necessary funds for such purposes; (2) providing for research and studies with respect to sale, distribution, marketing, utilization, or production of cattle, beef, or beef products, and the creation of new products thereof, to the end that the marketing and utilization of cattle, beef, or beef products may be encouraged, expanded, improved, or made more acceptable, and the data collected by such activities may be disseminated and for the disbursement of necessary funds for such purposes; and (3) providing that slaughterers maintain and make available for inspection such books and records as may be required by any order issued pursuant to this Act. Provides for the establishment of a Beef Board, to be composed of not more than 68 cattle producers or representatives of cattle producers appointed by the Secretary. Sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the Beef Board, including: (1) the administration of the orders of the Secretary in accordance with its terms and provisions; and (2) the issuance of rules and regulations to effectuate the terms and provisions of such orders. Requires the Secretary to conduct a referendum among cattle producers who have been engaged in the production of cattle for the purpose of ascertaining whether the issuance of an order is approved or favored by not less than two-thirds of such producers. Authorizes appropriations of such funds as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1975
Authorizes payment under the Medicare program of the Social Security Act for services furnished by physician extenders and clinical staff of community mental health centers.
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1975
Broadcast License Renewal Act - Permits the Federal Communications Commission to extend three-year broadcast licenses for an additional two years upon a finding of public interest. Requires in making such determination, considerations of whether different term lengths for radio and television stations and for different categories of licensees are in the public interest. Limits other class licenses to a five-year maximum, prescribing the renewal procedures for such licenses and the criteria to be considered in renewal, including responsiveness and lack of serious deficiencies. Sets guidelines for expeditious action on applications for renewal of broadcasting station licenses by limiting material required to be filed. Requires the Commission to examine the renewal process and report within six months on methods of reducing and consolidating filings and supporting documents.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1975
Alaska Conservation Act - Provides for the addition of specified lands in the State of Alaska to the National Park, National Wildlife Refuge, National Forest, and Wild and Scenic Rivers Systems. Title I: National Park System - Adds specified areas to the existing Mount McKinley and Katmai National Parks. Establishes nine new areas in Alaska as national mounments, parks, rivers and reserves. Sets forth general administration provisions governing such areas, including: (1) boundaries and acquisition of property; (2) applicability of mining and mineral leasing laws; (3) sport hunting; (4) subsistence uses; (5) cooperative agreements; and (6) wilderness review for suitability of such areas. Designates seven additions to the Wild and Scenic River System. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the purposes of this title. Title II: National Wildlife Refuge System - Establishes twelve national wildlife refuges, one national arctic range and one national resource range, Sets forth general administrative procedures governing such lands. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this title. Title III: National Forest System - Establishes the Wrangell Mountains, Porcupine and Yukon - Kuskokwim National Forests. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out the provisions of this title. Title IV: Additions to National Wild and Scenic Rivers System Located Outside National Parks, National Wildlife Refuges, and National Forests - Designates specified streams, rivers, and segments in Alaska as scenic rivers. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out the provisions of this title.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1975
Occupational Safety and Health Amendments - Defines "employer," under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, to mean a person engaged in a business affecting commerce who has employees, but does not include the United States, any States or political subdivision of a State, any nonagricultural employer who employed no more than 25 employees at any time during the preceding calendar year, or a small farmer. Requires the evaluation of specified existing standards in order to determine the applicability of each such standard to each class of business concern with each industry. Provides, in specified cases, that the Secretary of Labor give an employer reasonable advance notice that an inspection will be made. Requires that notices of alleged violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act be in writing and state allegations with particularity. Sets forth specified circumstances in which employers in violation of the provisions of such Act shall not receive notices, including: (1) if the employer can show that implementing a specified rule or standard would not materially affect the safety or health of his employees in the facility inspected; and (2) if he can show that he has employed alternative procedures to protect his employees from contemplated hazards. Sets forth procedures for enforcement of the provisions of such Act. Provides that no person shall discharge or discriminate against any employee because such employee has filed any complaint under such Act. Enumerates affirmative defenses to any proceedings brought under such Act. Allows the Secretary of Labor to enter into compliance agreements with employers believed to be in violation of standards. Directs the Secretary, upon request from an employer, to visit the workplaces of employers for the purpose of affording consultation and advice to such employer. Requires the Secretary to provide technical advice, assistance, and consultation to employers with less than 100 employees when it appears to the Secretary that such assistance is necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 1975
Comprehensive Health Care Insurance Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to establish a national health care insurance program that will provide comprehensive benefits, including institutional, medical, dental, and other health care, protecting against ordinary and catastrophic expenses of illnesses for all individuals. Requires every employer to offer each of his employees and their families qualified health care insurance. States that such coverage shall be optional with the employee. Provides that when an employee elects to obtain such coverage, the employer shall contribute to the cost of such coverage for the benefit of the employee and his family at least 65 percent of the premium; the employee shall contribute the balance. Permits the Attorney General to bring suit to compel an employer to comply with the provisions of this Act. Stipulates that employers experiencing substantial increases in payroll costs due to the provisions of this Act will be entitled to a cash payment by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare or a credit against income tax. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary for the Secretary to make such payments. Provides that premiums for employee groups of one to 100 persons and self-employed persons shall not exceed 125 percent of the estimated average in the State of annual premium for employee groups of more than 100 persons. Establishes a program of Federal participation, through a system of certificates of entitlement issued by the Secretary and credits against income tax, in the premium for qualified health care insurance providing comprehensive hospital, medical, dental, and other health care services for non-employed and self-employed individuals and families. States that the amount of Federal participation shall be related to income of the individual or family, the Government to pay the full premium for those whose annual incomes are insufficient to create income tax liability, and to pay a gradually smaller proportion of the premium for others in relation to increasing amounts of income tax liability. Provides that if an individual or family incurs no income tax liability for a base year, such individual or family shall be eligible for a certificate of entitlement or a credit against income tax for 100 percent of the premium for qualified health care insurance. Stipulates that the premium rate to be charged for a qualified health care insurance policy offered under this part for any year shall in no case exceed 125 percent of the estimated average of premiums paid in the State for qualified health care insurance for groups of employees with more than 100 members. Excludes from qualified health care insurance coverage payment for stipulated items, including: (1) personal comfort items; (2) eyeglasses, hearing aids, or orthopedic shoes; and (3) private room inpatient hospital accomodations. Limits the aggregate amount of expenditures for castastrophic illness expenses. Sets forth requirements which must be met by qualified health care insurance plans. Defines terms used in this Act. Establishes the Federal Health Insurance Redemption Fund. Authorizes appropriations to the fund of amounts equal to the aggregate amount of premiums paid under this Act. Requires carriers offering qualified health care insurance policies to participate in an assigned-risk pool which may be established in such State by the State insurance department or by such agency as may be authorized by the State. Establishes a Health Insurance Advisory Board to: (1) prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Act; (2) establish minimum Federal standards for the use of State insurance departments in determining whether an insurance company and plan are qualified under this Act; (3) in consultation with carriers, providers of services, and consumers, plan, review, and develop, where necessary programs whose purposes are to provide for maintaining the quality of medical care; and (4) review the effectiveness of the program established in this Act. Stipulates that individuals collecting unemployment compensation are eligible for coverage under this Act, unless covered through an employed member of his family. Permits an income tax credit for premiums paid for qualified insurance plans under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1975
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee of the United States Postal Service should recommend to the Postmaster General that a special postage stamp be issued commemorating two hundred years of free enterprise in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1975
Beef Research and Information Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue orders: (1) providing for the establishment and administration of plans for advertising, sales promotion, and consumer information with respect to the use of cattle, beef, or beef products and for the disbursement of necessary funds for such purposes; (2) providing for research and studies with respect to sale, distribution, marketing, utilization, or production of cattle, beef, or beef products, and the creation of new products thereof, to the end that the marketing and utilization of cattle, beef, or beef products may be encouraged, expanded, improved, or made more acceptable, and the data collected by such activities may be disseminated and for the disbursement of necessary funds for such purposes; and (3) providing that slaughterers maintain and make available for inspection such books and records as may be required by any order issued pursuant to this Act. Provides for the establishment of a Beef Board, to be composed of not more than 68 cattle producers or representatives of cattle producers appointed by the Secretary. Sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the Beef Board, including: (1) the administration of the orders of the Secretary in accordance with its terms and provisions; and (2) the issuance of rules and regulations to effectuate the terms and provisions of such orders. Requires the Secretary to conduct a referendum among cattle producers who have been engaged in the production of cattle for the purpose of ascertaining whether the issuance of an order is approved or favored by not less than two-thirds of such producers. Authorizes appropriations of such funds as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1975
Constitutional Amendment - States that the U.S. Constitution shall not bar any State or territory or the District of Columbia from allowing, regulating, or prohibiting the practice of abortion.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1975
Provides for certification by the State water pollution control agency of treatment projects within such State where the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency determines that such projects will be carried out in accordance with State laws and standards at least equivalent to those established by Federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1975
Requires under the Social Security Act the continued application of the 8 1/2 percent nursing salary cost differential which is presently allowed in determining the reasonable cost of inpatient nursing care for purposes of reimbursement to providers under the medicare program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1975
Designates specified lands in the North Cascades National Park and in the Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas, Washington, as the North Cascades Wilderness.
![Official portrait of Rep. Sebelius, Keith G. [R-KS-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000217_200.jpg)