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 · 3 November 1975
Authorizes a fine of not more than $25,000, (presently $1,000); or imprisonment for one year, or both, for anyone who promises any employment made possible by any Act of Congress to anyone as consideration for political activity. Authorizes a fine of not more than $25,000, (presently $1,000), or imprisonment for one year, or both, for anyone who directly or indirectly deprives any person of employment or other benefit made possible in whole or part by an act of Congress on account of race, creed, color or any political activity. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 600,601)
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 · 9 October 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 · 24 September 1975
Federal Taxpayers' Rights Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prepare pamphlets which set forth in nontechnical terms (1) the rights and obligations of a taxpayer and the Internal Revenue Service during an audit; (2) the procedures by which a taxpayer may appeal any adverse decision of the Service (including administrative and judicial appeals); (3) the procedures for prosecuting refund claims and filing of taxpayer complaints; and (4) the procedures which the Service may use in enforcing the internal revenue laws (including assessment, jeopardy assessment, levy and distraint, and enforcement of liens). Establishes within the Internal Revenue Service an office to be known as the Office of Taxpayer Services to be under the supervision and direction of an Assistant Commissioner of Internal Revenue who shall assist taxpayers in obtaining easily understandable tax information and answering questions on tax liability, among other functions. States that, upon application filed by a taxpayer, the Assistant Commissioner for Taxpayer Services may issue a Taxpayer Assistance Order if, in the determination of the Assistant Commissioner, the taxpayer is suffering from an unusual, unnecessary, or irreparable loss as a result of the manner in which the internal revenue laws are being administered by the Secretary or his delegate. Authorizes the President of the Legal Services Corporation to establish Taxpayer Representation Offices in four cities (selected by the President) for purposes of providing legal assistance to individuals in connection with: (1) any audit by the Service of any return made by or on behalf of the individual with respect to any tax imposed by chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or (2) an assessment or collection from any such individual of any tax imposed by such chapter. Provides for show cause hearings with respect to jeopardy assessments and termination of taxable years. Increases the monetary value of specified items to be exempt from levy. Provides criminal penalties (a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to 2 years, or both) for investigation into or surveillance over the beliefs, associations, or activities of any individual or organization which are not directly related to such revenue laws. Prohibits a civil cause of action for damages or an injunction, or both, for such violations. Prohibits inspection of tax returns pursuant to a criminal investigation unless a search warrant has been issued upon probable cause to believe that no alternative source of necessary information is available. Provides rules for civil investigation related to: (1) payment of Social Security and Railroad Retirement Taxes; (2) pension administration; (3) census information; (4) enforcement of taxpayer's rights under this Act; (5) inspection by States; (6) inspection by a Committee of Congress; and (7) disclosure to persons having a substantial interest (agents of partnerships and corporations, and shareholders of corporations). Provides a civil action for damages for unauthorized disclosure of tax information.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1975
Provides under the Social Security Act that where benefits are claimed under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (title XIV), the Medicaid program (title XIX) other Social Services programs, and Federal-State public assistance programs, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall make a determination as to the eligibility of the claimant within 90 days of submission of the claim (120 days where the Secretary requires more information from the appropriate State and such information is not furnished within the first 60 days after submission of the claim). Provides that payments made to States for medical assistance to aged, blind, or disablied individuals later determined by the Secretary to be ineligible for such payments shall not be deemed an overpayment to such state.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1975
Allows as deductions under the Internal Revenue Code amounts paid in cash by or on behalf of an individual: (1) to an employee's trust; or (2) for the purpose of an annuity contract as defined in the Code. Establishes the limitations on such deductions.
United States · United States Congress · 8 September 1975
Authorizes the President to issue a proclamation designating Sunday, September 14, 1975, as "National Saint Elizabeth Seton Day" and calling upon the people of the United States to observe that day with appropriate ceremonies.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1975
National Commission on Regulatory Reform Act - Establishes the National Commission on Regulatory Reform. Directs the Commission to make a full and complete study of such regulatory activities of the independent regulatory agencies of the Federal Government as the Commission determines to be primarily economic in nature and to have a significant effect on the segments of the economy involving transportation, communication, the development and distribution of energy resources, or financial institutions. States that such study shall be undertaken to determine: (1) whether such regulatory activities have limited competition within such segments of the economy, and if they have, what the economic consequences have been, (2) whether such regulatory activities have, in other way, contributed to current economic difficulties, in particular inflation; and (3) whether changes need to be made with regard to such independent Federal establishments and their regulatory activites. Requires that such study shall include, with regard to each independent Federal establishment whose regulatory activities are included in such study: (1) an analysis of the purposes for which it was created, its structure and jurisdiction, the statutory framework governing its operation and activities, and the procedures and policies it has adopted; (2) an assessment of its effectiveness in carrying out its purposes; (3) an analysis of the costs and benefits of its various programs and policies, with particular reference to any adverse economic impact; and (4) an examination of the relationship between its regulatory activities and those of State and local regulatory agencies. Sets forth the membership, powers, and authority of the Commission. Directs the Commission to submit to the President and Congress within one year a report containing: (1) a statement of the status of the study being conducted pursuant to this Act; (2) a detailed statement of any findings made or conclusions reached by the Commission; and (3) any recommendations for legislation or administrative action, or both, deemed appropriate by the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1975
Expresses the sense of Congress that the officers and administrators of the various governmental institutions supported by public moneys should take steps to remove from facilities under their control all architectual barriers to the handicapped. Directs that funds for such efforts be taken from their discretionary funds.
United States · United States Congress · 3 September 1975
Truth in Budgeting Act - Provides for full congressional review of all Federal programs every 2 years by the appropriate standing committees of the House and Senate. Provides that each comprehensive review conducted by a committee with respect to a Federal program under this Act shall include a detailed consideration of the past experience under the program and a projection of the expected future experience of the program, a consideration of alternate ways of carrying out the activities involved and alternative funding levels for such activities, and evaluation of each such alternative in terms of its probable costs and benefits, a comparison of each such alternative with other programs and activities in the same or related fields, and an evaluation of the overall success or failure of the program. Details the method to be used to review such programs by the standing committee. Provides that no funds in excess of the appropriations for the previous year may be authorized for a program that has not been subject to review during that calendar year.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975
Provides that Members of the House of Representatives and employees of the House, except in specified cases, may not be reimbursed for the difference between the cost of first-class air travel accommodations and the cost of other air travel accommodations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975
Expresses the House of Representatives strong disapproval of efforts to expel Israel from the United Nations. States that if Israel is expelled the United States should reassess its relationship with the United Nations General Assembly. Provides that such reassessment shall include possible withdrawal from that body.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975
Congressional Public Financing Act - Adds a new subtitle to the Internal Revenue Code: the Congressional Election Campaign Fund Act. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to maintain in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund a separate account to be known as the Congressional Election Payment Account. Directs the Secretary to deposit into the Congressional Election Payment Account that portion of the annual amounts designated by taxpayers on their income tax returns that equals the excess above 25 percent of the total amount made available in the last Presidential election. Authorizes the Federal Election Commission to conduct an examination and audit of the campaign contributions raised for purposes of obtaining matching funds and the qualified campaign expenditures made by all candidates for Federal office and official political party committees who received payments under this Act. Provides criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Provides for payments of funds in amounts matching the contributions received by candidates for the office of U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative. Imposes limitations on the amounts of such funds to be disbursed to any individual candidate, and restricts the uses to which such matching funds may be put.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1975
Provides under the Social Security Act that where benefits are claimed under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (title XIV), the Medicaid program (title XIX) other Social Services programs, and Federal-State public assistance programs, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall make a determination as to the eligibility of the claimant within 90 days of submission of the claim (120 days where the Secretary requires more information from the appropriate State and such information is not furnished within the first 60 days after submission of the claim). Provides that payments made to States for medical assistance to aged, blind, or disablied individuals later determined by the Secretary to be ineligible for such payments shall not be deemed an overpayment to such state.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1975
Disapproves the proposed amendment by the President to remove existing price controls relating to crude oil as submitted by the Federal Energy Administrator to the Speaker of the House on July 25, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1975
Disapproves the proposed amendment by the President to remove existing price controls relating to crude oil as prescribed by the Federal Energy Administrator and submitted to the Speaker of the House on July 25, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1975
Disapproves the proposed amendment by the President to remove existing price controls relating to crude oil as submitted by the Federal Energy Administrator to the Speaker of the House on July 16, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
Provides that a unit of general local government having a population of fifty thousand or more (the present eligibility requirement is one hundred thousand) shall be eligible to be a prime sponsor under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 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 · 20 May 1975
Requires all passenger automobiles manufactured after model year 1977 to meet specified fuel consumption rates. Permits the Secretary of Transportation to exempt small manufacturers from such requirements if such exemption is necessary to avoid an unreasonable burden on such manufacturer. Directs the Secretary to prescribe fuel economy standards for all light duty trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles manufactured after model year 1977. Directs the Secretary, not later than July 1, 1977, to prescribe average fuel economy standards for new automobiles manufactured from model year 1981 through model year 1984. Permits the Secretary to revise such standards. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to determine if the fuel economy standards established by to this Act are being complied with. Provides that test procedures to determine compliance shall be those utilized by the Administrator for model year 1975. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations requiring each manufacturer to submit a report to the Secretary during the 30-day period preceding the beginning of each model year, and during the 30- day period beginning on the 180th day of each model year. Provides that each such report shall contain a statement as to whether such manufacturer will comply with applicable fuel economy requirements; a plan which describes the steps the manufacturer intends to take in order to comply with such requirements; and such other matter as the Secretary may require. Provides that beginning no later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, each manufacturer shall cause to be affixed and each dealer shall cause to be maintained on each new automobile, in a prominent place, a sticker indicating the fuel economy which a prospective purchaser can expect from such automobile, representative average annual fuel costs associated with the operation of such automobile, and the range of fuel economy performance of automobiles of similar size and weight (as determined by the Administrator). Provides for the imposition of civil penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act.
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 · 8 April 1975
Creates a select committee in the House of Representatives with authority to conduct a full and complete investigation of the problem of United States servicemen missing in action or known to be dead whose bodies have not been recovered, as a result of military operations in North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Provides that such investigation shall include an examination of the need for additional international inspection teams to determine whether there are servicemen still held as prisoner of war. Authorizes the Committee to hold hearings, issue subpenas, and maintain a staff as necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this resolution. Directs the committee to report to the House the results of its investigation no later than one year after adoption of this resolution. Provides that the committee's authority shall expire 30 days after the filing of such report. Directs that the expenses of the select committee shall be paid from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives upon vouchers signed by the Chairman.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1975
American Folklife Preservation Act - Creates an American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress. Provides that the center shall be subject to the supervision and direction of a board of trustees. Specifies the composition of the board, including: four members appointed by the President, eight members appointed by the Librarian of Congress, the Librarian of Congress and the director of the Center. Authorizes the Center to establish and implement a program of contracts, grants, revitalize and scholarships to preserve, protect, revitalize and disseminate American folklife traditions and arts. Provides that no payment shall be made pursuant to this Act to carry out any research or training over a period in excess of two years, with specified exceptions. Provides that no former employee of the Federal government shall be eligible to receive any grant or other assistance under this Act in the two year period following the termination of such employment. Requires the Center to submit to the Librarian of Congress, for inclusion in its annual report to the Congress, an annual report of its operations under this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Center to carry out the provisions of this Act $167,750 for fiscal year 1976, $710,000 for fiscal year 1977, and $1,716,000 for fiscal year 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 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 · 4 March 1975
Stipulates that the east-west toll road in northern Indiania (Interstate Route 80/90) shall be free of all restrictions under Federal law with respect to the imposition and collection of tolls or other charges upon payment by the State of Indiana to the Treasurer of the United States the amount of Federal aid-highway funds received for the construction of specified interchanges with such toll road. Provides for crediting such payment to the unprogrammed balance of Federal- aid highway funds apportioned to such State. Abrogates any portion of an agreement between the United States and the State of Indiana or any department thereof which is inconsistent with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1975
Revises the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act to declare that any amendment to the regulation promulgated by the President permitting the national average price of crude oil to increase by more than 50 cents per barrel above the national average shall not take effect unless the President submits such amendment to the Congress for approval. Requires the President to rescind any part of the regulation which permits the national average price of crude oil to increase by more than 50 cents per barrel above the national average price of old crude oil. Permits the President to amend the regulation to exempt crude oil, residual fuel oil, or any refined petroleum product from the provisions of such regulation. Requires the President to support any such proposed amendment to the regulation by finding that such exemption is consistant with the objectives of the Act, and by making other specified findings with respect to the exemption of an oil or oil product. Requires the President to transmit any amendment to the regulation together with supporting documents and explanations to both Houses of Congress. Requires that any amendment transmitted to Congress be accompanied by a statement of the President's views of the potential economic impact of such amendment. Postpones the termination of the regulation and extends the authority to amend the regulation to December 31, 1975. Extends the authority of the Federal Energy Administration under the Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act to issue orders or rules to December 31, 1975.
![Official portrait of Rep. Sharp, Philip R. [D-IN-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000294_200.jpg)