United States · United States Congress · 9 March 1976
Alaskan Natural Gas Pipeline Authorization Act - Expresses the intent of Congress that the Alaskan natural gas pipeline be constructed promptly, without further administrative or judicial delay or impediment. Declares that the most efficient and economical method available for the transportation of Alaskan natural gas is a pipeline system from northern Alaska, across Canada, to the lower forty-eight States. Directs the Federal Power Commission to issue all necessary permits and authorizations in order to expedite the construction and operation of such pipeline within 60 days of the date of enactment of this Act. Grants the holders of such permits the powers of eminent domain under the Natural Gas Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior and other appropriate Federal officials to issue all necessary permits and take appropriate action within 60 days to expedite the enforcement of all rights-of-way related to the construction and operation of such pipeline. Authorizes the Secretary to modify the pipeline route through the States to provide greater environmental protection during the construction period. Requires compliance with requirements of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 relating to the rights-of-way for pipelines through Federal lands. Exempts such pipeline from requirements regarding (1) environmental protection, (2) technical and financial capacity of applicants, (3) public hearings, (4) licensing requirements for crude oil under the Export Administration Act of 1969, and (5) furnishing of specified information and reports. Authorizes the Secretary and the Commission to waive procedural requirements of Federal law where desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Act. Declares that (1) the actions of Federal officers and agencies under this Act and (2) the legal or factual sufficiency of any environmental statement relative to such pipeline under provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 shall not be subject to judicial review of the courts. Allows the claims that (1) this Act is unconstitutional, (2) actions under this Act will deny Constitutional rights, and (3) actions taken are beyond the scope of authority conferred by this Act, provided that such claims are filed within 60 days following the date of the challenged action. Declares that exclusive jurisdiction shall be vested in the United States District Courts, and that review of any final order shall be had only upon direct appeal to the United States Supreme Court. Declares that the power to issue injunctive relief against the issuance of any certificate, except in cases where a final judgment is entered. Declares that authorizations issued pursuant to this Act shall grant no immunity from Federal antitrust laws.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1976
Amends the Social Security Act to authorize payment under the medicare program for specified services performed by chiropractors, including x-rays and physical examinations, and related routine laboratory tests.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1976
Authorizes and requests the President to issue a proclamation: (1) designating the week beginning April 4, 1976, as "National Rural Health Week"; (2) urging an intensification in efforts to disseminate health information; and (3) urging all persons concerned with the rural population to consider ways in which they can promote improved health services for rural America.
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 · 31 October 1975
Establishes a special annual entrance permit to designated units of the National Park System for handicapped persons. Entitles the holders of such permit to utilize special recreational facilities at a rate of 50 percent of the daily use fee.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1975
Local Freight and Passenger Services Amendments - Redefines "interim light density lines" for purposes of the Regional Rail Reorganization Act as meaning all rail properties used or useful in providing local rail service in the region, except rail properties (1) designated in the final system plan as profitable lines to be operated by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation or profitable railroads pursuant to this Act; (2) approved for abandonment prior to the effective date of the final system plan; or (3) which are out of service as of the effective date of the final system plan. Directs the Corporation to determine and publish criteria to assist States and local and regional transportation authorities in making determinations whether to provide rail service continuation subsidies to maintain in operation particular rail properties, and provide legal and technical assistance to such authorities. States that the Corporation must issue regulations containing standards for the computation of subsidies for rail passenger services. Permits discontinuance of freight service on any interim light density line if such line is not subject to an offer of or an agreement for purchase or subsidy, and notice of intent to discontinue freight service is sent to the Governor and local governments of the affected States. Authorizes discontinuance of rail passenger service after specified conditions have been met. Prohibits discontinuance or abandonment if a shipper, a State, the United States, a local or regional transportation authority, or any other responsible person offers (1) a rail service continuation subsidy which covers the difference between the revenue attributable to such rail properties and the avoidable costs of providing service on such rail properties plus a reasonable return on the value of such rail properties; or (2) to purchase such rail properties in order to operate rail service over such properties. Sets forth procedures governing the rehabilitation of out-of-service and interim light density lines. Directs the U.S. Railway Association to issue a supplement to the final system plan which shall (1) provide for the transfer of all interim light density lines to the Corporation; and (2) designate the value of all interim light density lines and the value of the securities and other benefits to be received for rail properties transferred to the Corporation. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to provide grants to States to help such States meet the cost of establishing and implementing State rail plans. Stipulates that State plans are not suitable unless such plan provides for prompt determination and evaluation of (1) the amount of rail service continuation subsidies required for each interim light density line; (2) the total direct and indirect costs of abandonment of interim light density lines; and (3) the total direct and indirect costs of maintaining interim light density lines. Authorizes the appropriation of specified sums to carry out the purposes of this Act. Directs the Secretary to make supplementary grants to State, local, or regional transportation authorities for the purpose of assisting such entities in paying for additional costs of passenger service resulting from the implementation of the regulations promulgated by the Office pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 October 1975
Authorizes the President to issue a proclamation designating November 10, 1975, in commemoration of the two hundredth anniversary of the United States Marine Corps.
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, under the Privacy Act of 1974, the disclosure to individual Members of Congress or their designates of information regarding individuals. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 552a)
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 · 11 September 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 · 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 · 1 August 1975
Stipulates that Members of Congress may not, for purposes of State income tax laws, be treated as residents of any State other than the State from which they were elected. (Amends 4 U.S.C 113)
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
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 · 31 July 1975
Requires the Attorney General of the United States to conduct an investigation to determine whether antitrust violations are occurring in the manufacture or marketing of replacement home canning lids. Directs the Attorney General to submit a report to the Congress no later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this joint resolution detailing his findings, proposed action and recommendations concerning legislation. Calls for a final report no later than one year after enactment of this joint resolution detailing actions taken by the Attorney General against any person violating the antitrust acts in regard to the manufacture or marketing of such lids.
United States · United States Congress · 20 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 · 20 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 · 11 June 1975
Permits the States to use supplementary security income payments under the Social Security Act plus a State supplement of not less than $100 per resident per month to provide care for residents in nonmedical shelter care facilities, provided that such facilities conform to specified standards.
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 · 4 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 · 16 April 1975
Constitutional Amendment - States that with respect to the right to life, the word 'person' as used in this article and in the fifth and fourteenth amendments to the Constitution of the United States, applies to all human beings, irrespective dependency including their unborn offspring at every stage of their biological development. Provides that no person shall be deprived of life by any person. Provides that this article shall not prohibit a law permitting only those medical procedures required to prevent the death of the mother.
United States · United States Congress · 25 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 · 21 March 1975
Provides that specified rural hospitals shall be exempt for a period of 18 months from the requirements and provisions of Title XI of the Social Security Act relating to the establishment of professional standards review organizations and from the provisions of such Act and the regulations governing utilization review and utilization control procedures under the medicare, medicaid, and maternal and child health programs. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to investigate alternative methods of utilization review and control for rural hospitals. Defines "rural hospitals" for purposes of this Act as meaning a hospital which is located in a community having a population of less than 50,000, but only if: (1) there is no other is no other community which has a population of fifty thousand or more within a ten-mile radius of such hospital; (2) the combined average patient load for all hospitals within such ten-mile radius is less than forty per day; and (3) the number of practicing physicians on the regular staff of such hospital does not exceed seven.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1975
Provides hospital and medical care to members of the armed forces of Poland or Czechoslovakia who participated in armed conflict with an enemy of the United States during World War I or World War II, and who have been citizens of the United States for not less than 10 years. Provides that such hospital and medical care shall be available to the same extent as if such service had been performed in the Armed Forces of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1975
Excludes from gross income, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, the first $5,000 received as annuities, pensions, or other retirement benefits by an individual who has attained age 65 before the close of the taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Designates the Federal office building to be located in Carbondale, Illinois, as the Kenneth S. Gray Federal Building. Provides that the Administrator of General Services is not permitted to change the designated name of such building.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Provides, under the Employment Act, that it is the policy of the Federal Government to foster conditions under which there will be stability of the general price level. Requires the President to include in his economic report to Congress current and foreseeable trends of the stability of the general price level. Requires the Council of Economic Advisers to formulate and recommend national economic policy to promote the stability of the general price level.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1975
Eliminates the outside earnings limitation of the Social Security Act which presently operates to reduce the benefits payable under the Federal Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program in the case where the insured individual has outside earnings in excess of such limitation.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act - Title I: Statement of Findings and policy - Declares that most of the nation's coal reserve can only be mined by underground methods. States the purposes of this Act, including to establish a nationwide program to prevent the adverse effects to society and the environment from surface coal mining. Title II: Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement - Establishes in the Interior Department the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement with a director appointed by the President. States that such office shall administer the programs required by this Act and assist the States in development of State programs for surface coal mining and reclamation. Title III: State Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute - Authorizes appropriation to the Secretary of the Interior of sums adequate to provide for each participating State $200,000 for fiscal year 1975, $300,000 for fiscal year 1976, and $400,000 for each fiscal year thereafter for 5 years, to assist the States in carrying on the work or a competent and qualified mining and mineral resources research institute or center agency at the school of mines of one public college or university of the State. Requires such monies to be matched dollar for dollar by the States. Authorizes appropriation of $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, such sum to be increased by $2,000,000 each fiscal year for 6 years thereafter, for specific projects in mining and mineral research in research institutes. Directs the Secretary to establish a center for cataloging current and projectd scientific research in mining and mineral resources. Directs the Secretary to establish a center for cataloging current and projected scientific research in mining and mineral resources. Requires the Secretary to appoint an Advisory Committee on Mining and Mineral Research to advise him on all matters concerning mining and mineral resources research. Title IV: Abandoned Mine Reclamation - Creates the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund in the Treasury. Requires operators of coal mines to pay into the fund quarterly fees of $.35 per ton of coal produced by surface mining and $.25 per ton of coal produced by underground mining, or 10 percent of the value of the coal in the mine, whichever is less. Authorizes use of money in the Fund for acquisition and reclamation of abandoned and unreclaimed mined lands and for acquisitions and fillings of voids and sealing of tunnels and entryways in abandoned mines. Permits the Secretary to acquire land by condemnation for reclamation. Encourages States to acquire abandoned and unreclaimed land, and to transfer to the Secretary for reclamation, and authorizes matching grants for such purpose, up to 90 percent of land price. Allows resale of reclaimed land by public bidding, and allows local public participation in determining the use of reclaimed land. Title V: Control of the Environmental Impacts of Surface Coal Mining - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to implement within 135 days of enactment, a Federal program of enforcement of specified standards to remain in effect until State programs are approved. Directs publication within 180 days of enactment of regulations covering surface coal mining and reclamation, setting standards for State programs. States that such regulations must meet approval of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator. Requires States, within 18 months of enactment, to submit programs for carrying out this Act, such programs to include a State regulatory authority capable of regulating surface coal mining, State laws providing for sanctions for violations of regulations, and a permit system for surface coal mining regulation. Demands that such State programs meet the approval of the EPA Administrator. Subjects State programs to approval of Secretary of Interior within 6 months. Requires implementation of a Federal program of surface coal mining regulation where States fail in such implementation. Permits State laws and regulations that are more stringent than this Act. Requires, 30 months after enactment, that no surface coal mining shall take place except where a permit, good for 5 years, has been issued. States that permits application must demonstrate ability and intent to comply with this Act and assurance that reclamation can be achieved. Requires permit applications to describe the method of mining and equipment proposed to be used, to describe by maps the land to be affected, and to contain a statement of results of test borings or core samplings of the affected land. States that permits must be accompanied by a mining and reclamation plan which shall include a description of present uses of the land, steps to be taken to prevent environmental damage, and a description of the reclamation activities. Requires the posting of performance bonds and possession of liability insurance by applicants for permits. Sets general performance standards for environmental protection in surface coal mining which permittees under this Act must meet. Imposes additional standards for steep-slope surface mining. Directs the Secretary to promulgate rules and regulations directed at the surface effects of underground mining, including specified requirements. Directs and authorizes inspection of surface coal mining and reclamation to determine compliance with this Act and regulations. Provides for requirement of record keeping and submittal and monitoring by mine operators. Requires surprise inspections by regulatory agencies not less than once a month. Requires civil penalties for violation of this Act or regulations under it. Provides that when an operator completes the backfilling, regrading, and drainage control of a bonded area, he may request a release of 60 percent of the bond. Provides that the remaining amount may be returned upon completion of all reclamation. Allows persons with a legal interest to file objections to release of bond, and for public hearings to follow. Permits any person to bring a civil suit against any person, including the United States, alleged to be in violation of this Act. Allows the court to award costs of litigation to parties in suits brought under this Act. Permits the Secretary to intervene in actions under this Act. Allows, where State regulatory authorities do not exist or fail to act, for Federal enforcement of this Act and of permit conditions. Permits issuance of an order to cease mining and reclamation. Provides for the Attorney General to institute civil suit for a restraining order or injunction to enforce this Act or regulations under it. Directs States to designate as unsuitable for surface coal mining those areas where reclamation is impossible or where land is fragile or of historical value. Prohibits existing mining operations from being declared unsuitable. Requires implementation of a Federal lands program applicable to all surface mining and reclamation operations on Federal land. Requires such program to, at least, adopt all requirements of this Act. Demands separate regulations for programs for special bituminous coal surface mines that meet speicified criteria, and for anthracite coal surface mines which are regulated by environmental protection standards of the States. Title VI: Designation of Lands Unsuitable for Noncoal Mining - Allows the Secretary to designate Federal lands unsuitable for mining materials other than coal, if they are predominantly urban or suburban in character or if such mining operations would have an adverse impact on lands used primarily for residential and related purposes. Title VII: Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Prohibits discrimination against employees for filing suit under this Act and for testifying in a proceeding under this Act. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the President and the Congress. Directs the President to minimize the adverse impact upon employment of any actions taken pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make grants to the States to provide cash benefits to individuals who have lost their jobs as a direct result of this Act and who are not eligible for unemployment assistance or who have exhausted their unemployment benefits. Directs the Secretary to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering for a study of surface coal mining conditions in Alaska in order to determine which, if any, of the provisions of this Act should be modified with respect to such operations in Alaska. Directs the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality to contract with the National Academy of Sciences-National Academy of Engineering and other groups for a study of the technology for surface and open-pit mining and reclamation for minerals other than coal designed to assist in the development of regulation for such operations. Directs the Secretary to consult with Indian tribes in studying the regulation of surface mining on Indian lands. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act, as follows: (1) $10,000,000 for various contract authority immediately and for the next two fiscal years; (2) for administrative and other purposes, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, $20,000,000 for fiscal years 1976 and 1977, and $30,000,000 for fiscal years thereafter; (3) for research and demonstration projects, $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 and for each fiscal year thereafter, $250,000 for the Alaskan surface coal mine study; and (4) $500,000 for the study of surface mining of other minerals. Requires the written consent of the owner of the surface rights before the Secretary shall lease Federally-owned mineral rights, and requires compensation to be paid by the lessee to the surface owner.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Revises title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to: (1) eliminate the five- month waiting period for disability benefits; (2) permit adopted children to qualify for benefits without regard to time of adoption; (3) eliminate the reconsideration state in benefit determinations; (4) provide for the issuance of duplicate benefit checks where the initial checks are lost or delayed; and (5) provide for expedited benefit payments to disability beneficiaries. Increases to $7,500 the amount of outside earnings which an individual may earn without a deduction in benefits under title II of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1975
Provides that an individual may qualify for disability insurance benefits under the Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program of the Social Security Act and the disability freeze if he has 40 quarters of coverage, regardless of when such quarters were earned.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Black Lung Benefits Reform Act - Provides that employment in a coke oven area where the coal dust is substantially equivalent to that in underground coal mines at the time of employment shall be deemed to be employment of a miner in an underground coal mine for entitlement to black lung benefits. Provides that, for the purposes of eligibility for benefits under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, if a miner was employed for twenty-five years or more in one or more underground coal mines there shall be a rebuttable presumption that he is totally disabled due to pneumoconiosis, that his death was due to pneumoconiosis, or that at the time of his death he was totally disabled by pneumoconiosis, and such presumption may be rebutted only by the negative result of a blood-gas study. Provides that if a miner was employed for thirty-five years or more in one or more underground coal mines there shall be an irrebuttable presumption that he is totally disabled due to pneumoconiosis, that his death was due to pneumoconiosis, or that at the time of his death he was totally disabled by pneumoconiosis. Provides that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall not apply all or any portion of any requirement that a miner work in an underground mine where he determines that conditions of a miner's employment in a coal mine other than an underground mine were substantially similar to conditions in an underground mine. Provides for an offset for benefits received under this Act against workmen's compensation benefits. States that for the purposes of assuring that all individuals who are eligible for benefits under this Act are afforded an opportunity to apply for and, if entitled thereto, to receive such benefits, the Secretary is directed to undertake a program in cooperation with mine operators and the Department of the Interior to locate individuals who likely are eligible for such benefits and have not filed a claim therefor. Establishes the Black Lung Disability Insurance Fund in the United States Treasury from which the Secretary of Labor shall pay benefits after December 31, 1973, in any case where a qualified disabled miner will not receive workmen's compensation benefits. Provides that coal mine operators shall pay premiums into the fund to insure the payment of benefits under this Act. Provides that an operator who fails or refuses to pay any premium required by this Act may be subject to a civil action or assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1974
Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency from requiring, under the Clean Air Act, an indirect source emission review as a part of any applicable implementation plan. States that any rules or regulations with respect to the requirement of such review as a part of any such plan previously promulgated by the Administrator shall be void on the date of the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1974
Black Lung Benefits Reform Act - Provides that employment in a coke oven area where the coal dust is substantially equivalent to that in underground coal mines at the time of employment shall be deemed to be employment of a miner in an underground coal mine for entitlement to black lung benefits. Provides that, for the purposes of eligibility for benefits under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, if a miner was employed for twenty-five years or more in one or more underground coal mines there shall be a rebuttable presumption that he is totally disabled due to pneumoconiosis, that his death was due to pneumoconiosis, or that at the time of his death he was totally disabled by pneumoconiosis, and such presumption may be rebutted only by the negative result of a blood-gas study. Provides that if a miner was employed for thirty-five years or more in one or more underground coal mines there shall be an irrebuttable presumption that he is totally disabled due to pneumoconiosis, that his death was due to pneumoconiosis, or that at the time of his death he was totally disabled by pneumoconiosis. Provides that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall not apply all or any portion of any requirement that a miner work in an underground mine where he determines that conditions of a miner's employment in a coal mine other than an underground mine were substantially similar to conditions in an underground mine. Provides for an offset for benefits received under this Act against workmen's compensation benefits. States that for the purposes of assuring that all individuals who are eligible for benefits under this Act are afforded an opportunity to apply for and, if entitled thereto, to receive such benefits, the Secretary is directed to undertake a program in cooperation with mine operators and the Department of the Interior to locate individuals who likely are eligible for such benefits and have not filed a claim therefor. Establishes the Black Lung Disability Insurance Fund in the United States Treasury from which the Secretary of Labor shall pay benefits after December 31, 1973, in any case where a qualified disabled miner will not receive workmen's compensation benefits. Provides that coal mine operators shall pay premiums into the fund to insure the payment of benefits under this Act. Provides that an operator who fails or refuses to pay any premium required by this Act may be subject to a civil action or assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary of the Treasury.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1974
Excludes former Presidents, whose service is terminated by resignation while impeachment proceedings are pending against them in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, from specified allowances and compensation provided by Federal law. (Amends 3U.S.C. 102nt.)
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1974
Public Documents Act - Provides that all books, correspondence, documents, papers, pamphlets, models, pictures, photographs, plats, maps, films, motion pictures, sound recordings, and other objects or materials which are prepared for or originated by any elected official of the United States in connection with the transaction of public business during any period when such official holds elective office, and which would not have been prepared if such official had not held such office shall be retained by such official for transmission and preservation pursuant to the provisions of this Act. Directs the elected official to transmit any objects or materials which the Administrator of General Services determines to be public documents to the Administrator within one hundred and eighty days after such official ceases to hold his office. Requires the Administrator to deposit the documents in the National Archives, or donate all or any portion of such documents to any educational institution designated by the elected official. States that a decision by the Administrator of General Services that any object or material is a public document of an elected official of the United States within the meaning of this Act shall be a final agency decision. Provides that, not withstanding any other provision of law or any agreement or understanding, the Administrator of General Services shall obtain or retain, as the case may be, complete possession and control of all public documents prepared for or originated by the President of the United States during the period beginning January 20, 1969, and ending August 9, 1974. Directs the Administrator to prescribe regulations governing public access to the documents of former elected officials. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1974
Provides criminal penalties for the robbery of a controlled substance from a pharmacy, and for any assault or killing taking place during such robbery or attempted robbery.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1974
Increases the exemption for the Federal estate tax from $60,000 to $200,000. Limits the aggregate deduction for value of property passed to a surviving spouse to $100,000, plus 50 percent of the value of the adjusted gross estate. Allows an estate executor to determine the value of any real property in an estate by its use for farmland, woodland, or scenic open space.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1974
Eastern Wilderness Areas Act - Designates specified lands in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. Provides for a study of specified additional lands in 18 States and Puerto Rico for such inclusion. Authorizes to be appropriated the sums necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1974
Revises the Employment Act of 1946 to make the promotion of price stability a recognized factor in the formulation of national economic policy, along with the promotion of employment, production, and purchasing power.
![Official portrait of Rep. Shipley, George E. [D-IL-22]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000367_200.jpg)