United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1975
Authorizes cost-of-living increases in supplemental security income benefits under Title XVI (Grants to States for Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled) of the Social Security Act whenever an equivalent cost-of-living adjustment is made under Title II (Old Age, Survivors', and Disability Insurance) of such Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to grant financial assistance to individuals eligible for Social Security whose expenses exceed one-third of his or her annual income. Limits such assistance to the lesser of: (1) the amount by which such individual's housing expenses exceed one-third of his or her income or; (2) $600. Permits individuals receiving supplemental security benefits to elect to retain food stamp eligibility in lieu of receiving the bonus value of food stamps in the form of a supplementary payment increase. Directs the Secretary to provide financial assistance to Social Security recipients whose benefit checks or the cash proceeds thereof are lost or stolen, where the loss or theft has been promptly reported to and verified by appropriate local law enforcement officials. Requires the Secretary to supplement to the correct amount any check which is determined to be in an amount less than that to which the individual was entitled. Permits financial grant assistance to individuals receiving benefits who are faced with extreme financial need due to specified circumstances, including the destruction or loss by theft or natural disaster of furniture and clothing and to prevent eviction due to non-payment of rent when such nonpayment is due to poor financial management or extraordinary expenses. Limits such assistance grants to no more than $500 per occurrence.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1975
Food Research and Development Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to fund new research for the purpose of assisting the development and utilization, in the United States and other countries, of (1) new low-cost foods of high nutritional value, and (2) improved, low-cost methods of food and animal feed production, fertilizer production, and irrigation which make maximum efficient use of energy, land, water, and protein resources and promote the preservation of environmental quality. Establishes a Food Research Advisory Committee within the Department of Agriculture. Sets forth the membership of the Committee. Directs the Committee, in accordance with this Act, to (1) determine specialized research areas; (2) accept evaluations for research grants from review boards appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture; and (3) make recommendations to the Secretary. Establishes within the Committee a review board for each specialized research area with regard to which the Committee makes recommendations for the purpose of awarding grants under this Act. Requires each review board to recommend to the Committee applications on the basis of the scientific merit, feasibility, and significance of the research project proposed in the application and on the basis of the competency and facilities of the applicant to perform the project. Provides that grants shall be made to approved applicants for the purpose of financing research projects which are designed to develop new, low-cost foods of high nutritional value and to improve methods of food and fertilizer production through making maximum efficient use of energy, land, water, and protein resources while promoting environmental quality. Stipulates that not less than 10 percent of the sums available for grants shall be served for applicants from agriculturally underdeveloped nations. Establishes a Special Food Research and Development Fund, to make research grants under this Act. Authorizes appropriations of $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 to carry out the purposes of this Act, and such sums as may be necessary thereafter. Specifies that at least 85 percent of such appropriations must be appropriated to the Special Food Research and Development Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1975
Provides that concerted activities on the part of labor organizations or laborers employed in the construction business shall be unfair labor practices within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act when directed at any of several employers on a construction site only if such acts would otherwise be unfair labor practices within the meaning of the Act. Requires ten days' notice to be given to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service of intent to strike a military installation engaged in specified activities.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1975
Industrial Energy Conservation Act - Directs the Administrator of Energy Research and Development under the Energy Reorganization Act to establish and maintain a comprehensive program for the conduct, sponsorship, and promotion of research, development, and demonstration of industrial energy-conserving technologies. Specifies criteria that the Administrator is required to apply in reaching decisions regarding the directions, priorities activities, and operations of the industrial energy conservation program. Requires the Administrator, in furthering the goals of this Act, to: (1) allocate 60 percent of the funds available for contracts, grants, and loans to depressed areas; and (2) promulgate rules and regulations. Requires the Administrator to compile a list of depressed industrial areas. Authorizes to be appropriated for the fiscal year 1976, and for each fiscal year thereafter, such funds as necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1975
Requires, pursuant to the War Powers Resolution, that the President, before making a final decision to introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, shall in every possible instance provide the relevant information to and discuss the proposed decision for using such Armed Forces with Members of Congress, and shall ask for their advice and counsel before ordering such introduction of United States Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1975
Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act - Title I: Procurement - Authorizes the appropriation of funds in specified amounts for the fiscal year 1976 and the period ending September 30, 1976 for the use of the Armed Forces of the United States for procurement of aircraft, missiles, naval vessels, tracked vehicles and other weapons. Title II: Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation - Authorizes the appropriation of funds in specified amounts for the use of the Armed Forces of the United States for research, development, test and evaluation for the fiscal year 1976 and the period ending September 30, 1976. Title III: Active Forces - Authorizes an end strength for active duty personnel of named units of the Armed Forces. Title IV: Reserve Forces - Directs the Selected Reserve of each Reserve component of the Armed Forces to be programmed to attain specified average strengths. Provides for reductions in such strengths. Title V: Civilian Personnel - Authorizes an end strength for civilian personnel in the Department of Defense for specified fiscal years. Title VI: Military Training Student Loads - Sets an average military training student load for each component of the Armed Forces for specified fiscal years. Title VII: General Provisions - Provides that this Act may be cited as the "Department of Defense Appropriation Authorization Act, 1976/1977."
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1975
Right to Financial Privacy Act - States that the purposes of this Act are to protect and preserve the confidential relationship between financial institutions and their customers and the constitutional rights of those customers, and promote commerce by prescribing policies and procedures to insure that customers have the same right to protection against unwarranted disclosure of customer records as if the records were in their possession. Prohibits any Federal agency or employee, or any State or local government from obtaining copies of, access to, or the information contained in, the financial records of any customer from a financial institution unless the financial records are described with particularity and: (1) such customer has authorized such disclosure in accordance with this Act; (2) such financial records are disclosed in response to an administrative subpena or summons; (3) such financial records are disclosed in response to a court order; or (4) such financial records are disclosed in response to a judicial subpena. States that no financial institution may provide a Federal agency or employee, or any State or local government, copies of or the information contained in the financial records of any customer except in accordance with the requirements of this Act. Sets forth provisions governing customer authorization, administrative subpenas and summons and judicial subpenas. Provides that the Secretary of the Treasury may not require an institution to maintain any financial records or to transmit any reports relating to customers unless: (1) such records are required for use by a supervisory agency in the supervision of that institution; or (2) such records are required to be maintained by the Internal Revenue Code. Prescribes civil and criminal penalties for violation of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to maintain a program by which the Department of Agriculture collects, prepares, makes available, and distributes information regarding the establishment and operation of farmers' markets and the potential of such markets for increasing the income of small farmers. Directs the Secretary to: (1) make available horticultural and marketing materials to small farmers; (2) obtain existing materials concerning farmers' markets, prepare new materials, and make available such materials to interested parties; and (3) conduct, or contract for, specified research. Defines "farmers' market" as any marketplace where at least 10 farmers congregate for the purpose of selling their agricultural commodities directly to consumers in a manner designed to lower the cost of food for the consumers while providing an increased income to the farmers. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Repeals the Military Selective Service Act. Provides that all activities and duties of the Reconciliation Service program of the Selective Service System shall be transferred to the Department of Justice.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act - Prohibits the transfer of nuclear materials to any country which has not ratified the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons unless the President determines, and the Congress by concurrent resolution approves, that such sale is essential to national security.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1975
Revises clause 6 of rule XXVIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives to provide that managers appointed by the House to each conference committee shall transact all business in meetings open to the public except where the House, by majority vote and in open session, shall vote to close such meeting or meetings. Directs that it shall be in order to debate such motion to close for ten minutes before the vote is taken on that motion, one-half of such time to be given to debate by the mover of the motion and one-half to debate in opposition to the motion.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1975
Provides that appointments, promotions, assignments, and transfers within the Federal civil service shall be made without regard to political recommendations. Prohibits Members of Congress, State and local elected officials, officials of political parties, and any other individual or organization from making recommendations with respect to any person being considered for appointment, transfer, promotion, or assignment. Prohibits officers or employees of the United States from soliciting, considering, or accepting such recommendations. Authorizes any officer or employee of the United States to solicit or furnish a statement with respect to a person if: (1) it is furnished pursuant to a request or requirement of the executive agency concerned and consists solely of an evaluation of the work performance, ability, aptitude, and general qualifications of such person; (2) it relates solely to the character and residence of such person; (3) it is furnished pursuant to a request made by an authorized representative of the United States solely in order to determine whether such person meets the loyalty, suitability, and character requirements for employment with the United States; or (4) it is furnished by a former employer of such person pursuant to a request of the executive agency concerned, and consists solely of an evaluation of the work performance, ability, aptitude, and general qualifications of such person during his employment with such former employer. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 3303)
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1975
Defense Economic Adjustment Act - Title I: Defense Economic Adjustment Council - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the Defense Economic Adjustment Council to be composed of Cabinet members and Directors of government agencies. Specifies the duties of the Council, including the duty to assist communities, industries, and employees which may be substantially and seriously affected to make adjustment to closure and reduction of bases or cancellation or reduction of defense contracts. Title II: Community Economic Adjustment Planning - Authorizes the Council to allocate economic development funds appropriated to Federal agencies to communities which would be substantially affected by reduction or elimination of Government military facilities or curtailment or conclusion of military contracts. Title III: Industrial Economic Adjustment - Requires defense contractors to undertake planning and preparation for the employment of the personnel and utilization of the facilities employed on a contract after its completion. Authorizes the Chairman of the Council to provide assistance to defense and nonprofit contractors on conversion to nondefense industry, and appropriates $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 for such purpose. Specifies the criteria for assigning priorities among economic projects applying for support under this Act. Title IV: Economic Adjustment Fund - Requires payment to the Council of one-half of one percent of the amount of any defense contract for funding of the Workers Economic Adjustment Reserve Trust Fund to be established in the Treasury. Provides for the return of unexpended moneys of a contractor in the fund if all of his obligations under this Act have been discharged and he has not contracted with the Federal Government to furnish defense materials within 24 months. Title V: Economic Adjustment Assistance For Workers - Provides for the payment of economic adjustment benefits for workers or nonprofit contractors who have been displaced from private defense facilities for 2 years following such displacement. Provides that such assistance shall include up to 80 percent of weekly wages, maintenance of insurance coverages, vested pension credit, and retraining. Conditions the eligibility of workers for such benefits upon maintenance of registration with the Secretary of Labor and an agreement to accept employment determined by the Secretary of Labor to be suitable.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1975
Consumer Goods Pricing Act - Repeals the provision of the Sherman Antitrust Act which permits contracts or agreements by the producer or distribution of such commodity prescribing minimum prices for the resale of a commodity bearing a trademark or tradename.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1975
Provides under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, that persons who are blind and have at least six quarters of coverage shall be eligible for disability insurance benefits. Outlines those regulations which apply to the amount of benefits to be received. Defines blindness as used in this Act. Continues payment of such benefits as long as the blindness lasts, notwithstanding the amount of the individual's earnings.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1975
African Development Fund Act - Authorizes the President to accept participation for the United States in the African Development Fund. Requires the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint a Governor, and an Alternate Governor, of the Fund. Requires the Governor to cast the votes of the United States for the Director to represent the United States in the Fund. Prohibits any person or agency unless Congress authorizes by law from : (1) agreeing to increase the subscription of the United States to the fund, (2) agreeing to any amendment which increases the subscription of the United States, or (3) making a loan or providing other financing for the Fund. Authorizes to be appropriate $150,000,000 as the United States subscription to the Fund. Stipulates that any reserve bank requested by the President to act as a despository for the Fund shall do so. Declares that the agreement establishing the Fund shall have full force and effect in the United States, upon acceptance of participation.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1975
Industrial Energy Conservation Act - Directs the Administrator of Energy Research and Development under the Energy Reorganization Act to establish and maintain a comprehensive program for the conduct, sponsorship, and promotion of research, development, and demonstration of industrial energy-conserving technologies. Specifies criteria that the Administrator is required to apply in reaching decisions regarding the directions, priorities activities, and operations of the industrial energy conservation program. Requires the Administrator, in furthering the goals of this Act, to: (1) allocate 60 percent of the funds available for contracts, grants, and loans to depressed areas; and (2) promulgate rules and regulations. Requires the Administrator to compile a list of depressed industrial areas. Authorizes to be appropriated for the fiscal year 1976, and for each fiscal year thereafter, such funds as necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1975
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Santa Moncia Mountains and Seashore Urban National Park in the State of California. Specifies which lands shall be included within the boundaries of the Park. Requires the Secretary to identify lands which should be acquired to achieve the purposes of this Act. States that with respect to improved properties, the Secretary shall not acquire fee title unless he determines that such property is being used, or is threatened with uses, which are detrimental to the purposes of this Act. Defines "improved property" as property on which a detatched single family dwelling is located or property developed for agricultural uses. Permits owners of improved properties to retain a right of use and occupancy for a definite term of up to 25 years. Requires the Secretary to submit to the Committees on Interior and Insular Affairs and to the Committees on Appropriations of the United States Congress a detailed program identifying the lands selected and the annual acquisition program which he recommends for the ensuing five fiscal years. Authorizes the Secretary to cooperate with local government in establishing zoning laws or ordinances which will assist of achieving the purposes of this Act. Establishes the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashores Urban National Park Advisory Commission, to be composed of 15 members appointed by the Secretary for terms of three years each. Directs the Secretary to meet at least annually with the Commission to consult on general policies and specific matters related to planning, administration, and development affecting the park. Authorizes specific appropriations of up to $500,000 for the development of needed public facilities. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1975
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should be supported in his efforts in furishing humanitarian and resettlement assistance to refugees from South Vietnam and Cambodia and that such funds as may be necessary to furnish such assistance be provided as expeditiously as possible.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1975
Provides that the Sequoia National Game Refuge shall become part of the Sequoia National Park, and authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish the new area. States that nothing in this Act shall terminate or impair any private right in permits or property in the Game Refuge.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 1975
Nuclear Energy Reappraisal Act - Terminates the granting of construction licenses of nuclear fission powerplants in the United States pending action by the Congress following a comprehensive five-year study of the nuclear fuel cycle with particular reference to its safety and environmental hazards, to be conducted by the Office of Technological Assessment. Empowers the Office to compel delivery of any information in the possession of the National Laboratories which the Office deems necessary for conducting its study. Specifies that all Government agencies shall cooperate to the fullest extent with the Office. Directs the Office of Technology Assessment to submit, within five years, a report to Congress and the public concerning safety and environmental hazards of nuclear fission powerplants and the nuclear fuel cycle. Requires the report to include recommendations as to whether a resumption of the licensing of nuclear fission power plants should be allowed, and if so, the conditions under which licenses should be granted. Authorizes appropriations for the study of $15,000,000 for each of the five fiscal years beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1975
Provides for assistance to refugees from South Vietnam or Cambodia under the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962, provided that due consultation is made with the appropriate State and local agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1975
National Resource Lands Organic Act - Defines the term "national resource lands" to mean all lands and interests in lands now or hereafter administered by the Secretary through the Bureau of Land Management, except the Outer Continental Shelf. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to manage the national resource lands under principles of multiple use and sustained yield, in accordance with specified considerations. Directs the Secretary to submit an annual report to Congress on his activities under this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Act. Title I: General Management Authority - Directs the Secretary to prepare and maintain on a continuing basis an inventory of all national resources lands, and their resource and other values, giving priority to areas of critical environmental concern. Directs the Secretary to, with public participation, develop land use plans for the national resource lands consistent with the terms and conditions of this Act and coordinated so far as he finds feasible and proper, or as may be required by law. Title II: Conveyance and Acquisition Authorities - Authorizes the Secretary to sell national resource lands, if he determines that the sale of such tract will not cause needless degradation of the environment. Provides that sales of land under this Act shall be conducted under competitive bidding procedures to be established by the Secretary. Provides that all conveyance of title issued by the Secretary under this Act shall reserve to the United States all minerals in the lands, together with the right to prospect for, mine, and remove the minerals under applicable law and such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, except in prescribed circumstances. Provides that the Secretary shall insert in any patent or other documents of conveyance he issues under this Act such terms, covenants, and conditions as he deems necessary to insure proper land use and protection of the public interest. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire by purchase, exchange, donation, or otherwise lands or interests therein needed for the management of the national resource lands including, but not limited to, lands needed to provide access by the general public to national resource lands. Title III: Management Implementing Authority - Authorizes the Secretary to conduct investigations, studies, and experiments involving the management, protection, development, acquisition, and conveying of the national resource lands. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into contracts or cooperative agreements involving the management, protection, development, acquisition, and conveying of the national resource lands. Establishes a working capital fund for the mangement of national resource lands. Authorizes up to $3,000,000 to be appropriated to the fund as initial capital. Authorizes the imposition of civil and criminal penalties against those violating management regulations issued by the Secretary pursuant to this Act. Directs the Secretary to prepare and implement a comprehensive long-range plan for the management, use, and protection of the national resource lands within the California desert conservation area in accordance with principles of multiple use and maintenance of environmental quality. Provides that such plan shall be completed and implementation thereof initiated on or before June 30, 1979. Directs the Secretary, within 60 days of enactment of this Act, to establish a California Desert Conservation Area Advisory Commission making the function of the Commission to advise the Secretary with respect to the preparation of the long-range program and plan for the management, use, and protection of the California desert. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal years 1976 through 1980 not to exceed $40,000,000 for such purposes. Title IV: Authority to Grant Rights-of-Way - Authorizes the Secretary to grant, issue, or renew rights-of-way over, upon, or through the national resource lands for specified facilities. Specifies the terms and conditions of such rights- of-ways. Title V: Construction of Law, Preservation of Valid Existing Rights, and Repeal of Laws - Provides that all actions by the Secretary under this Act shall be subject to valid existing rights. Repeals specified laws relating to the disposal of national resource lands, the administration of national resource lands, and to rights-of-way.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1975
Requires retail and wholesale food concerns authorized to accept food stamps under the Food Stamp Act of 1964 to offer informational materials and application forms to customers. Requires States: (1) to provide an opportunity to receive and file an application for participation in the food stamp program to any person on the same day of such person's first reasonable attemp to make an oral or written request for food stamp aid; and (2) to complete the certification of all eligible households and provide an authorization-to-purchase card not later than thirty days after such an initial attempt to request assistance. Provides that all eligible households in areas of substantial or persistant unemployment shall be immediately certified for food stamps upon request.
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1975
Authorizes the attorneys general of the States to secure actual damages and other relief for persons, classes of persons, and political subdivisions of their States which are injured by reason of any violation of the antitrust laws. Permits the determination of such damages in the aggregate by use of statistical sampling or any other reasonable method, rather than requiring proof of amount of damage to each individual member of the injured class. Provides that, in any action with respect to any federally funded program affected by a violation of the antitrust laws, a State may recover treble damages plus actual damages sustained by the United States. Authorizes the Attorney General of the United States to bring the action to protect Federal interests or on behalf of a State if the State attorney general fails to do so within 180 days after the Attorney General has notified the State attorney general of the violation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1975
Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act - Removes the size limitation (40 acres or multiples thereof) on tracts of land which may be leased by the Secretary of the Interior for the mining of coal. Prohibits the lease of Federal lands for coal production where the prospective lessee has not produced coal for 10 or more years from other lands held under such a lease. Provides that lands containing coal deposits may only be offered for lease after inclusion in a comprehensive land use plan. Provides that each coal lease shall contain provisions requiring compliance with the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1975, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and the Clean Air Act. Requires that an exploration license be acquired from the Secretary prior to the conduct of coal exploration for commercial purposes oil lands subject to the Mineral Lands Leasing Act. Provides that coal leases shall be for 20 years and for so long thereafter as coal is produced annually in commercial quantities from that lease, except that any lease not producing coal in commercial quantities at the end of 10 years shall be terminated. Provides that each lease shall be subject to the conditions of diligent development and continued operation of the mine or mines. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive exploratory program for developing the known recoverable coal resources within the coal lands subject to the Mineral Lands Leasing Act. Requires such program to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. Authorizes and directs the Director of the Office of Technology Assessment to analyze for Congress mining activities, present and potential value of coal leases, receipts of the Federal Government from such leases, and recommendations as to the feasibility of use of deep mining technology in a leased area. Provides that no person or legal entity may acquire more than 100,000 acres of land in the United States subject to coal leases under the Mineral Lands Leasing Act after the date of enactment of this Act. Provides that lands set apart for military or naval purposes with mineral deposits may be leased under such Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1975
Food Research and Development Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to fund new research for the purpose of assisting the development and utilization, in the United States and other countries, of (1) new low-cost foods of high nutritional value, and (2) improved, low-cost methods of food and animal feed production, fertilizer production, and irrigation which make maximum efficient use of energy, land, water, and protein resources and promote the preservation of environmental quality. Establishes a Food Research Advisory Committee within the Department of Agriculture. Sets forth the membership of the Committee. Directs the Committee, in accordance with this Act, to (1) determine specialized research areas; (2) accept evaluations for research grants from review boards appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture; and (3) make recommendations to the Secretary. Establishes within the Committee a review board for each specialized research area with regard to which the Committee makes recommendations for the purpose of awarding grants under this Act. Requires each review board to recommend to the Committee applications on the basis of the scientific merit, feasibility, and significance of the research project proposed in the application and on the basis of the competency and facilities of the applicant to perform the project. Provides that grants shall be made to approved applicants for the purpose of financing research projects which are designed to develop new, low-cost foods of high nutritional value and to improve methods of food and fertilizer production through making maximum efficient use of energy, land, water, and protein resources while promoting environmental quality. Stipulates that not less than 10 percent of the sums available for grants shall be served for applicants from agriculturally underdeveloped nations. Establishes a Special Food Research and Development Fund, to make research grants under this Act. Authorizes appropriations of $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 to carry out the purposes of this Act, and such sums as may be necessary thereafter. Specifies that at least 85 percent of such appropriations must be appropriated to the Special Food Research and Development Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1975
Social Security Rights Act - Requires that procedures be established for the expedited replacement of undelivered benefit checks. Requires that decisions (and reconsiderations) on initial benefit claims be made within 90 days. Requires that payment of benefits on approved claims begin no later than the day regularly fixed for delivery of benefits checks in the second month following the month in which the claim was approved.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1975
Food Research and Development Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to fund new research for the purpose of assisting the development and utilization, in the United States and other countries, of (1) new low-cost foods of high nutritional value, and (2) improved, low-cost methods of food and animal feed production, fertilizer production, and irrigation which make maximum efficient use of energy, land, water, and protein resources and promote the preservation of environmental quality. Establishes a Food Research Advisory Committee within the Department of Agriculture. Sets forth the membership of the Committee. Directs the Committee, in accordance with this Act, to (1) determine specialized research areas; (2) accept evaluations for research grants from review boards appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture; and (3) make recommendations to the Secretary. Establishes within the Committee a review board for each specialized research area with regard to which the Committee makes recommendations for the purpose of awarding grants under this Act. Requires each review board to recommend to the Committee applications on the basis of the scientific merit, feasibility, and significance of the research project proposed in the application and on the basis of the competency and facilities of the applicant to perform the project. Provides that grants shall be made to approved applicants for the purpose of financing research projects which are designed to develop new, low-cost foods of high nutritional value and to improve methods of food and fertilizer production through making maximum efficient use of energy, land, water, and protein resources while promoting environmental quality. Stipulates that not less than 10 percent of the sums available for grants shall be served for applicants from agriculturally underdeveloped nations. Establishes a Special Food Research and Development Fund, to make research grants under this Act. Authorizes appropriations of $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 to carry out the purposes of this Act, and such sums as may be necessary thereafter. Specifies that at least 85 percent of such appropriations must be appropriated to the Special Food Research and Development Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1975
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the people of the District constituting the seat of government of the United States shall elect two Senators and the number of Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State. States that each Senator or Representative so elected shall be an inhabitant of the District and shall possess the same qualifications as to age and citizenship and have the same rights, privileges, and obligations as a Senator or Representative from a State.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1975
Tax Neutrality Act - Repeals, under the Internal Revenue Code, the special tax credit granted with respect to dividends received by shareholders owning stock in foreign Lesser Developed Country Holding Companies. Eliminates the special deduction for Western Hemisphere Trade Corporations. Imposes a tax on the undistributed profits of foreign corporations to such corporations' United States shareholders based on each shareholders' prorata share of such undistributed profits. Excludes from gross income distributions to shareholders which have been previously taxed. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to require shareholders of controlled foreign corporations to maintain records and accounts necessary to achieve the purposes of this Act. Repeals the tax exemption presently permitted to Domestic International Sales Corporations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1975
Investment Tax Credit Act - Increases to 150 percent the qualified investment for purposes of the investment tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code for qualified machinery and equipment utilized in any plant in a trade or business which: (1) on the date of enactment of this Act had been owned and used by the taxpayer for 10 or more calendar years; (2) is located within 10 miles of such plant; or (3) is located in a metropolitan area with an unemployment rate exceeding the national average by at least 2 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 1975
Authorizes the Administrator of General Services to provide for the disposal of asbestos chrysotile from the national stockpile and the supplemental stockpile. Requires the avoidance of market disruptions in the timing and method of such disposal.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1975
Authorizes the Administrator of General Services to assign to the Secretary of Commerce for disposal by sale or transfer to the States, such surplus property, including buildings, fixtures, and equipment situated thereon, as is determined by the Secretary of Commerce to be required to help multistate, State, and local areas meet special needs arising from actual or threatened severe unemployment arising from actions of the Federal Government in closing Federal facilities. Provides that any such sale or transfer shall be made only if the Secretary of Commerce (1) approves the transferee's plan for preparation and utilization of the surplus property for economic development purposes, (2) determines that transfer of the property for economic development purposes, and (3) determines that transfer of the property at fair market value would discourage reuse of the property for economically productive purposes. Stipulates that the sale price shall not be less than 25 percent of the fair market value.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1975
Family Farm Antitrust Act - Finds that vertical integration of the agricultural industry by corporations engaged in the processing, distributing and retail industries, and other conglomerate corporations, tends to create monopolies in the agricultural industry and produce unfair competition for family farms, contributing to the decline of rural populations and the consequent crowding of metropolitan centers. Declares it to be the national policy to restore competition to the agricultural industry and to provide for the continuance of the family farm. Provides that no person engaged in commerce in a business other than farming, whose nonfarming business assets exceed $3,000,000 shall engage in farming or the production of agricultural products, or participate in farming by any means of acquisition or control of another person who is engaged in farming. Specifies exceptions including charitable, educational, or nonprofit institutions, and farmer owned and controlled cooperatives. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to acquire at fair market value any property or interest of which a person is required to divest himself under the provisions of this Act, if the person is otherwise unable to divest himself of such property. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1975
National Oil Recycling Act - Exempts from the excise tax under the Internal Revenue Code lubricating oils sold for use in producing rerefined oil. Directs all Federal officials to encourage the use of recycled oil, through procurement policies, contracts and education. Requires the General Services Administration, the Department of Defense, and all other Federal agencies to revise their procurement specifications to encourage the use of recycled oil. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make a grant to any State which submits a waste oil management plan which includes specified provisions required by this Act. Limits the authorization to one grant for each State in an amount not to exceed $200,000 for fiscal years 1976 through 1980. Specifies the standards to be used by the Administrator in determining the amounts of such grants. Limits to $500,000 the grants to any State during fiscal years 1976 through 1980 for the implementation and operation of the waste oil management plan of such State. Permits States to provide for stricter control of recycled oil, used oil, or new oil than that provided for by Federal law. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations: (1) with respect to the labeling of recycled oil in order to carry out the purpose of this Act; and (2) requiring any container of automotive and industrial oil, to have affixed a label stating the proper disposal of such oil. Requires automotive oil packaged for sale to be sold in resealable containers. Directs the Administrator of Energy Research and Development to conduct a program of research to improve the performance and marketability of recycled oil. Requires the Administrator to conduct research into the environmental and public health impacts of various used oil disposal practices. Imposes a penalty of $50,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year for entering into any contract with the intent to discourage the recycling of used oil. Requires specified oil users, users of oil recycler, or used oil collectors to maintain complete records of the use or collection and the disposition of such oil. Specifies the reports which the Administrator of Energy Research and Development shall submit regarding the research conducted pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the Administrator, through the Attorney General and a district court of the United States, to order the licensing of a patent whenever necessary to effectuate this Act or to prevent a lessening of competition. Imposes a general penalty for violating any provision of this Act of $25,000 or six months in prison. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal years 1976 through 1980 specified amounts to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1975
Provides that the National Wildlife Refuge System shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. States that areas designated as part of the National Wildlife System as of January 1, 1975, shall continue to be a part of the System until otherwise specified by Act of Congress unless such lands are disposed of in accordance with provisions of the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1975
Revises the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the manufacturer's excise tax on tires, inner tubes, and tread rubber. Provides a floor stock credit or refund (without interest) to the manufacturer of the amount of tax paid on the sale of such rubber article, with specified limitations. Provides for refunds with respect to enumerated consumer purchases. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 23 April 1975
Authorizes the diversion and withdrawal of additional water from Lake Michigan into the Illinois Waterway. Requires the Chief of Engineers, Department of the Army, to at all times have direct control and supervision of the amounts of water directly diverted from Lake Michigan under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 April 1975
Title I: - Revises the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by increasing to twenty years the time period during which a declaratory judgment that no voting test or device has been used to abridge the right to vote on account of race or color may not issue in a case brought by a State or local political subdivision. Title II: - Prohibits the denial of the right to vote in any Federal, State, or local election because of failure to comply with any test or device unless the United States District Court for the District of Columbia determines that no such test or device has been used during the ten years preceding the filing of the action. Declares the finding of Congress to be that voting discrimination against citizens of language minorities is pervasive and national in scope. Prohibits any voting qualification or prerequisite to voting from being imposed by any State or political subdivision to deny the right of any citizen to vote because he is a member of a language minority group. Title III: - Provides, under the Voting Rights Act, that no State or political subdivision shall provide voting materials only in English if the Director of the census determines that more than five percent of the citizens of voting age are members of a language minority, or that the illiteracy rate of such persons is higher than the national illiteracy rate. Title IV: - Requires the Director of the Census to conduct a survey of voting statistics: (1) in every State subject to the prohibitions of the Voting Rights Act,; and (2) in every State designated by the United States Commission on Civil Rights.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1975
Directs the Comptroller General to audit annually the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Advisory Council, the Federal Open Market Committee, and all Federal Reserve banks and branches. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress within six months after the end of each fiscal year on the results of the audit. States that such report shall specifically indicate any program, financial transaction, or undertaking observed in the course of the audit which in the opinion of the Comptroller General has been carried out without legal authority.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 1975
Authorizes $200,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 to provide humanitarian assistance to all people in need in South Vietnam and Cambodia. Stipulates that such assistance shall be provided under the auspices of the United Nations and its specialized agencies, or other international organizations, or by arrangements with multilateral institutions and private voluntary agencies. Requires that, not later than six months after the date of enactment of this Act, the President shall transmit to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate: (1) the names of all agencies and organizations involved in the distribution of such assistance; (2) the means with which such distribution is carried out; and (3) the recipients of such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1975
Ground Propulsion Systems Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Declares it to be the policy of the United States to carry out a program of research, development, and demonstration directed toward improved ground propulsion systems. Defines the term "ground propulsion system" to mean the engine, transmission, or other drive mechanism, and associated controls, necessary to power automobiles, trucks, trains, buses, and light land and marine recreational vehicles. Makes the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration responsible for providing effective management and coordination in connection with ground propulsion systems research, development, and demonstration, including programs for developing ground propulsion systems which are energy conserving, have clean emmission characteristics, and are capable of being mass produced at a reasonable per unit cost. Directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to assist the Administrator in ground propulsion system research and development. Authorizes appropriations for carrying out the provisions of the Act for fiscal years 1976 through 1979.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1975
Food Research and Development Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to fund new research for the purpose of assisting the development and utilization, in the United States and other countries, of (1) new low-cost foods of high nutritional value, and (2) improved, low-cost methods of food and animal feed production, fertilizer production, and irrigation which make maximum efficient use of energy, land, water, and protein resources and promote the preservation of environmental quality. Establishes a Food Research Advisory Committee within the Department of Agriculture. Sets forth the membership of the Committee. Directs the Committee, in accordance with this Act, to (1) determine specialized research areas; (2) accept evaluations for research grants from review boards appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture; and (3) make recommendations to the Secretary. Establishes within the Committee a review board for each specialized research area with regard to which the Committee makes recommendations for the purpose of awarding grants under this Act. Requires each review board to recommend to the Committee applications on the basis of the scientific merit, feasibility, and significance of the research project proposed in the application and on the basis of the competency and facilities of the applicant to perform the project. Provides that grants shall be made to approved applicants for the purpose of financing research projects which are designed to develop new, low-cost foods of high nutritional value and to improve methods of food and fertilizer production through making maximum efficient use of energy, land, water, and protein resources while promoting environmental quality. Stipulates that not less than 10 percent of the sums available for grants shall be served for applicants from agriculturally underdeveloped nations. Establishes a Special Food Research and Development Fund, to make research grants under this Act. Authorizes appropriations of $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 to carry out the purposes of this Act, and such sums as may be necessary thereafter. Specifies that at least 85 percent of such appropriations must be appropriated to the Special Food Research and Development Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1975
Increases to $450,000,000 the minimum amount of the annual contributions to public housing agencies to be made by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under the Housing Act of 1937.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 1975
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to purchase from one or more life insurance companies a policy or policies of mortgage protection life insurance on a group basis for veterans unable to obtain commercial life insurance because of a service- connected disablility. Sets forth the maximum amount of insurance under a policy provided under this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to deduct insurance premiums from any compensation or other cash benefits payable to veteran by the Veterans' Administration, and to pay such premiums to the insurers. States that any amount of insurance in force under this Act on the date of death of an insured veteran shall be paid only to the holder of the mortgage loan on the veteran's home as a credit toward loan indebtedness. Requires each policy purchased under this Act to provide for the following: (1) reinsurance with other insurers which meet the Administrator's criteria; (2) that the Administrator may discontinue a whole policy, or exclude from coverage loans made after a date fixed by him; (3) issuance to each insured veteran of a certificate setting forth the benefits to which he is entitled; (4) any other provisions necessary to carry out this Act; and (5) an annual accounting to the Administrator of the amount of premiums paid, the total of all mortality and other claim charges incurred, and the amount of the insurer's expenses and risk charges. States that insurance under this Act shall terminate upon whichover of the following events first occurs: (1) satisfaction of the veteran's indebtedness under the loan upon which the insurance is based; (2) the veteran's 70th birthday; (3) termination of the veteran's ownership of the property securing the loan; (4) discontinuance of payment of premiums by the veteran; or (5) discontinuance of the entire contract or agreement. (Adds 38 U.S.C. 791-95)
![Official portrait of Rep. Seiberling, John F. [D-OH-14]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000230_200.jpg)