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 · 3 June 1975
Emergency Employment Appropriation Act - Authorizes the appropriation of enumerated sums for emergency employment for fiscal year 1975. Title I: - Authorizes specified amounts for the Comprehensive Manpower Assistance, Community Service Employment for Older Americans, and Temporary Employment Assistance programs in the Department of Labor. Authorizes specified amounts for the Health Services, Higher Education, and Social and Rehabilitative Service Work Incentives programs in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Authorizes $5,000,000 for the administrative expenses of the United States Railway Association in the Department of Transportation. Title II: Limits the application of sums under this Act. Prohibits the expenditure of sums authorized by this Act for the acquisition of motor vehicles other than motor vehicles manufactured and assembled in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1975
Defines the term "navigable waters", for purposes of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as it applies to Corps of Engineers responsibility and authority to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 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 · 15 May 1975
Designates the Kanopolis unit as part of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin program, Kansas. Provides that the Kanopolis unit shall be constructed, operated and maintained for the purposes of providing irrigation water for approximately 20,000 acres of land, municipal and industrial water supply, fish and wildlife conservation and development and public outdoor recreation in accordance with the Federal reclamation laws. States that for a period of 10 years from the date of enactment of this Act, no water from the unit shall be used on newly irrigated lands of any basic agricultural commodity, if the total supply of such commodity for the marketing year in which the bulk of the crop would normally be marketed is in excess of the normal supply. Authorizes the appropriation of $42,000,000 for construction of the unit.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1975
Eliminates, under the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code for 1954, medicare taxes as the method for financing the hospital insurance program. Provides that such program shall instead be financed from general revenues.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1975
Extends to all unmarried individuals the full tax benefits of income splitting now enjoyed by married individuals filing joint returns. Provides the same income tax rate tables to all individuals, whether married and filing separately or unmarried. States that such income tax treatment shall become effective after December 31, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1975
Provides that, in the determination of the annual income of recipients of veterans' pensions and dependency and indemnity comepnsation, the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs shall not reduce the amount of such pension or compensation because of increases in monthly social security benefits. Provides that in determining annual income for purposes of veterans' pension, where a veteran is living with his spouse, all income which is reasonably available to or for the veteran in excess of whichever is greater, $1,800 (presently $1,200) or the total earned income of the spouse, shall be considered as the income of the veteran. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 415, 521)
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1975
Extends to 45 months (now 36 months) the eligibility period for educational assistance to veterans and their widows and orphans. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 1661)
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1975
Animal Health Research Act - Sets forth the purpose of this act and authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to cooperate with the several States for the purpose of encouraging and assisting them in carrying out programs of animal health research at eligible institutions. Authorizes the Congress to appropriate such funds, not to exceed $20,000,000 annually, as it may determine necessary to support such research programs. Specifies the formula by which funds appropriated under this Act shall be apportioned. Authorizes to be appropriated such funds, not to exceed $15,000,000 annually, as may be necessary to support research on specific national or regional animal health problems. Provides that in developing plans for the use of such funds the Secretary shall consult the Advisory Board created by this Act. Authorizes to appropriated such sums, not to exceed $12,000,000 annually, as may be necessary to support costs of providing veterinary medical science research facilities. Provides that such funds shall be apportioned in accordance with the formula set forth in this Act. States that each dean or director of an eligible institution shall submit a brief annual report of research accomplishments on a project-by-project basis. Directs the Secretary to appoint a Veterinary Medical Science Research Advisory Board which shall consist of twelve members. Authorizes the SEcretary to prescribe such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 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 · 12 March 1975
Reduces from twenty-four to twelve consecutive months the period for which an individual must have been entitled to disability benefits under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act in order to qualify for medicare benefits under title XVIII of such Act on the basis of disability.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1975
Reduces the basic age of entitlement to Medicare benefits under titles II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Benefits) and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act from age 65 to 62.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1975
Eliminates, under the Internal Revenue Code, medicare taxes and premiums on self-employed individuals, employers, and employees. Provides that both the hospital insurance program and the supplementary medical insurance program of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act shall be financed from general revenues. Authorizes appropriations from time to time to the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund of sums necessary to assure the prompt payment of such benefits and to provide an adequate contingency reserve.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1975
Provides that an individual's entitlement to benefits under title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act shall continue through the month of his or her death (or of the insured individual's death in the case of a dependent), instead of terminating with the preceding month, unless the resulting delay in survivor eligibility would reduce total family benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1975
Reduces, under title II (Old-Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, from 72 to 70 the age beyond which deductions on account of an individual's outside earnings will no longer be made from such individual's benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1975
Includes drugs requiring a doctor's prescription among the medical expenses with respect to which payment may be made under the voluntary program of supplementary medical insurance benefits for the aged under Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1975
Beef Research and Consumer Information Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to enable cattle producers to establish, finance, and carry out a coordinated program to improve markets for cattle, beef and beef products, and to provide an adequate supply of high quality beef to the consumers of the Nation at reasonable prices. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue beef research and promotion orders. Provides that such orders shall be issued only after due notice and opportunity for hearing shall have been given to producers and producer organizations, and after the Secretary shall have determined that the issuance of such an order will effectuate the declared policy of this Act. Declares that such order shall not take effect until approved by a majority of two-thirds of the cattle producers voting in a referendum. Establishes a Beef Board to administer the Order in accordance with its terms and provisions, to make rules and regulations to effectuate the terms and provisions of the Order, to receive, investigate and report complaints of violations of the Order, and to recommend to the Secretary amendments to the Order. Lists the procedures for appointing members of such board. Requires that any plans for advertising, sales promotion, consumer education, producer education, research, and the annual budget be developed by the Beef Board and submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture for approval. Empowers the Beef Board to enter into contracts or agreements for the development and carrying out of the activities authorized under the Order. Declares that producers of cattle shall be assessed at a specific rate to be determined by stated procedures. Provides that each time cattle are sold, the cattle producer shall pay to the purchaser the amount assessed, based upon the sale price of the cattle. Provides that any cattle producer against whose cattle or beef any assessment is made and collected shall have the right to demand and receive from the Beef Board a refund of such assessment. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to preempt or interfere with the workings of any beef board, beef council, or other beef promotion entity organized and operating within and by authority of any of the several states. Provides for the return to members of such beef board or council of an amount to be determined by a specified formula. Stipulates that to qualify for the funds described in this provision, such state beef board, beef council or other beef promotional entity shall demonstrate ability to provide research, promotion and education within the state consistent with this Act and Order. States that each purchaser, handler or agent may be required to report to the Beef Board periodically concerning number of cattle handled, amount assessed, sale price of cattle on which assessment was collected, and other information necessary for the enforcement of this Act. Declares that this Act and any order issued pursuant to it may be enforced in the District Courts of the U.S., with the U.S. Attorney General having authority to bring any Civil suits authorized under this Act. Provides for a fine of not more than $1,000 for violation, of this Act and any orders issued pursuant to it. Stipulates that no funds collected by the Beef Baord shall in any manner be used for the purpose of influencing governmental policy or action. Authorizes to be appropriated such funds as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Stipulates that funds so appropriated shall not be available for payment of the expenses or expenditures of the Beef Board in administering any provisions of any order issued pursuant to the terms of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1975
Provides, under the provisions of the Uniform Time Act of 1966, that daylight saving time shall be observed in the United States from the Sunday after May 30 to the first Sunday following the first Monday in September.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Provides that the House of Representatives of the 95th Congress and each succeeding Congress shall consider and adopt the rules of its proceedings. Limits general debate on the resolution incorporating the proposed rules to 10 hours, to be equally divided and controlled by the majority leader and the minority leader.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Requires that all House-Senate conferences shall be open to the public and that no conference report shall be in order for consideration unless all conference sessions were open.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Declares it to be the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the Government of the United States should maintain and protect its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the canal and zone, and should in no way cede, dilute, forfeit, negotiate, or transfer any of these sovereign rights, power, authority, jurisdiction, territory, or property that are indispensably necessary for the protection and security of the United States and the entire Western Hemisphere; (2) that there be no relinquishment or surrender of any presently vested United States sovereign right, power, or authority or property, tangible or intangible, except by treaty authorized by the Congress and duly ratified by the United States; and (3) that there be no recession to Panama, or other divestiture of any United States-owned property, tangible or intangible, without prior authorization by the Congress (House and Senate), as provided in article IV, section 3, clause 2 of the United States Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Requires, under the Rules of the House of Representatives, that all committee meetings, including the mark-up of legislation, shall be open to the public, except when the committee determines in open session by roll call vote that the disclosure of the matter to be considered would endanger national security or violate any law or rule of the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Prohibits, under the Rules of the House of Representatives, a party caucus or conference from issuing binding instructions on a Member's committee or floor votes. Permits any Member so bound to raise a point of order.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Provides, under the Rules of the House of Representatives, that no rules shall be suspended for the purpose of considering any matter reported from a committee unless the chairman and ranking minority member of the committee, or a majority of the committee, in open session, with a quorum present, by a rollcall vote, requests that such matter be considered by a suspension of the rules.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives to take immediate action to implement a plan for the audio and video broadcasting of House floor proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Provides, under the Rules of the House of Representatives, that any member in committee may demand a rollcall vote on any matter, and that a rollcall vote shall be required on any motion to report a bill or resolution of a public character from committee.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Requires, under the Rules of the House of Representatives, that records of committee actions be made available for public inspection, except for information relating to the national security or which violates any law or rule of the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1975
Provides no part of any appropriation and no local currency owned by the United States shall be available for payment of any expenses, nor shall transportation be provided by the United States, in connection with travel outside the fifty States (including the District of Columbia) of the United States of: (1) any Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or member of either House of Congress after he has been defeated as a candidate for nomination, or election, to a seat in the House of Representatives or Senate of the United States in any primary or regular election until such time as he shall thereafter again become a Member of Congress, or (2) any Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or Member of either House of Congress after the adjournment sine die of the last session of a Congress if he is not a candidate for reelection in the next Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Provides for the establishment of the Agricultural Hall of Fame National Cultural Park in Wagandotte County, Kansas. Establishes the Agricultural Hall of Fame Commission to prepare a recreational plan for the Park, establish standards for the construction of facilities, and generally assist in the administration of the Park. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1975
Provides for certification by the State water pollution control agency of treatment projects within such State where the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency determines that such projects will be carried out in accordance with State laws and standards at least equivalent to those established by Federal law.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Requires that any proposal by the Committee on House Administration to fix or adjust any allowance for Members of the House of Representatives, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, or the Delegate from the District of Columbia must be approved by resolution adopted by the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Provides for the recomputation of military retirement benefits. Provides that a member or former member of a uniformed service: (1) who is sixty years of age or older, and is retired for reasons other than physical disability, whose disability is finally determined to be of a permanent nature and less than 30 percent under the disability rating system, and is entitled to retired pay computed under the rates of basic pay in effect before January 1, 1972; or (2) who is entitled to retired pay for physical disability, whose disability was finally determined to be of permanent nature and at least 30 percent under the schedule of rating disabilities, and whose retired pay is computed under rates of basic pay in effect after October 11, 1949 and before January 1, 1972, is entitled to have that pay recomputed upon the rates of basic pay in effect on January 1, 1972.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Small Business Tax Simplification and Reform Act - Title I: Tax Simplification Relating to Small Business - Creates a Committee on Tax Simplification for Small Business for the purpose of devoting continued attention to the simplification of the Internal Revenue Code to small business, and the regulations, instructions, procedures, and other publications relating to small business taxation. Provides that the membership of the Committee would include representatives of the Secretary of the Treasury (for policy matters); Internal Revenue Service (for technical matters); Office of Management and Budget (for coordinating the paperwork aspects of IRS forms, in view of the Federal Reports Act) and the Small Business Administration to express the interests of the small business community. Creates in the Treasury Department an Office of Small Business Analyst, which would be responsible for looking at tax problems primarily from the view of small business and the free enterprise system. Calls upon the Treasury Department for a comprehensive study of depreciation policies with particular attention to: the impact of legislation; the rapid advances in technology to which small business must adapt; and the practices of other industrialized nations. Calls upon the Treasury to study the entire range of pension, retirement, health, medical, and insurance benefits in the larger context of what both corporations (including large corporate enterprise) and other forms of business are providing for their employees and executives. Authorizes a special study of the differential effect of tax law changes on businesses of different sizes. Title II: Adjustment of Corporate Normal Tax - Effects a progressive reform in the entire corporate tax structure by providing for reductions in normal corporate tax rates based on the corporation's earning. Provides that as corporate earnings rise above $1 million per year the normal tax would incline upward to a maximum of 24 percent for corporations earning over $1 billion annually. Title III: Special Provisions to Encourage Establishment of New Small Business Enterprises - Permits eligible new small business corporatians an income tax deduction equal to the corporation's net operating income so long as that amount does not exceed $2083. Allows an income tax deduction to a partnership for its oragnizational expenses ratably over a period of 60 months. Provides for a bad debt tax deduction for guarantors of obligations of and lenders to small business corporations. Title IV: Provisions to Assist Small Business Growth - Increases the additional first-year depreciation limitation for small business property from $10,000 to $20,000. Extends the period for use of the loss carryover provisions for small businesses by allowing existing corporations to carry these losses over a ten year period. Raises the earning credit in accordance with the costs of doing business to $150,000. Allows the expenses of certain types of small business stock flotations, such as those under Regulation A and section 1244 of the Code, which are not otherwise deductible, to be amortized over a period of 60 months. Allows research and development expenses of small business to be amortized beginning at the time they are made. Permits a limited number of surtax exemptions (up to 5) in the event members of a family are placed in proprietary positions where they have ownership of at least 50 percent of the stock (or other interest) and full time management of a separately incorporated unit of a family business. Title V: Provisions Relating to Partnerships - Allows the closing of the partnership year for a decedent at any of the following times: (1) the normal close of the partnership year if there has been no prior sale, exchange, or liquidation of the partnership interest; (2) the date of any of the above described transactions; or (3) the day after the partner's death. Permits a partner to deduct currently his share of partnership losses in excess of the adjusted basis of his partnership interests, in the event that the partner is unconditionally obligated for his share of such partnership losses. Title VI: Provisions Relating to Subchapter S Corporations - Allows enlargment of the Subchapter S "tax-option" small business corporations in the following 3 ways: (1) initial shareholders could number 15, rather than the present 10; (2) shareholders in excess of this ceiling who take their stock by reason of heirship would not disqualify election; and (3) after 5 years, the number of permissible shareholders would increase to 25. Provides that the classes of shareholders would be expanded to include: (1) trusts where stock passes pursuant to a will, and where the trust is used merely to convey the stock to a long term eligible holder within 60 days; (2) trusts where the entire income is taxable to the grantor; and (3) small business investment companies, subject to such income. Provides for nondisqualification of a Subchapter S corporation by reason of exceeding the limit of 20 percent passive income in a single year. Provides that the election privilege could still be lost pursuant to this proposal if the limit is exceeded in any 2 of 4 consecutive years. Provides that if the corporation is able to establish that the termination was, in fact, inadvertent and gain full compliance within 90 days of notification, its Subchapter S status would be preserved for future years. Title VII: Business Development Corporations - Permits State and local development companies to extend long-term financing to non-bankable new enterprises and such companies would be permitted a bad-debt reserve deduction up to 10 percent of outstanding loans. Provides that certain types of business development corporations would be nontaxable upon the condition that the proceeds from such unusual transactions are re-invested in the area of service and no part of these proceeds insures to the benefit of any individual or private institution. Title VIII: Preservation of Small Business Independence - Allows recovery of losses in 1 or 2 quarters to the extent the newly estimated tax for the year is less than the amount already paid in. Disallows interest deductions beyond $500,000 on any loan for small business acquistion purposes. Permits valuation comparisons with any similar closely held corporation whether or not it is listed on an exchange. Changes the standard of "undue hardship" (required to qualify for 10-year estate tax installments) to "hardship. Directs the Treasury to conduct a comprehensive examination of the pressures of income taxes, capital gains tax, reorganization rules, and estate and gift taxes which are causing so many small business to sell or merge out of existence rather than continue in independent form.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Establishes a forty-five month period maximum for educational assistance in programs administered by the Veterans' Administration for veterans who have served on active duty for 18 months or more since January 31, 1955.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
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 · 14 January 1975
Increases to $4,000 the amount of outside earnings permitted each year without any deductions from benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance).
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Allows a deduction from gross income under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 for social agency, legal, and other necessary expenses incurred in connection with the adoption of a child by the taxpayer.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Establishes a Joint Committee on Energy in the Congress of the United States. Provides that such Joint Committee shall make a continuing investigation and study of the problems relating to the development and use of all forms of energy.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
National Huntington's Disease Control Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to establish a national program for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of, and research in, Huntington's disease. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants for projects for the establishment and operation of Huntington's disease screening, treatment, and counseling programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 for fiscal year 1976 and for each each of the next two fiscal years for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for research in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Huntington's disease. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,500,000 for fiscal year 1976 and for each of the next two fiscal years for use for such grants. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to develop information and educational materials relating to Huntington's disease and to disseminate such information and materials to persons providing health care and to the public in general. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000 for fiscal year 1976, and for each of the next two fiscal years to carry out this information program. Sets forth the requirements for applications for grants under this Act and the administration of such grants. Directs the Secretary to establish a program within the Public Health Service to provide for voluntary Huntington's disease screening, counseling, and treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to develop a system for the payment, on a staggered or cyclical basis during each month, of old-age, survivors and disability insurance benefits and supplemental security income benefits under the Social Security Act. Requires that such system shall take effect not later than July 1, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Occupational Safety and Health Act Amendments - Excludes from the coverage of the Occupational Health and Safety Act any farmer engaged in a contract with any person for the purpose of furnishing and operating farm machinery used in connection with farm activities. Requires safety and health rules proposed by the Secretary of Labor to be accompanied by a statement summarizing the economic impact on affected employers. States that no safety or health standard adopted shall require any employer to replace existing equipment or facilities before the normal useful life of that equipment or facility has expired unless failure to do so would result in a serious violation of the Act. Requires citations for violations of the Act to stipulate with particularity a suggested course or courses of action which if implemented would correct the violating condition or process. Provides for the suspension of all further proceedings concerning a citation pending final action on an application for variance from the Act's standards. States that the posting of a citation shall not be required after the violation has been abated, or a proceeding contesting the citation has been concluded by a final order. Provides that it shall be an affirmative defense to any proceeding under that Act that: (1) the employer furnished adequate notice and exerted all reasonable efforts to obtain the compliance of his employees and the violation of the Act was attributable to such employees; (2) the employer did not receive at least 30 days prior actual notice of a standard; and (3) the standard which is the subject of the violation charged would not have effectively constituted an improvement of occupational safety and health in the circumstances under which the charge is brought. Gives the Review Commission (previously the Secretary) final authority to affirm or modify abatement requirements in a citation. Assesses a civil penalty of up to $1000 for a series of non-serious violations of standards or orders under the Act, unless the employer voluntarily complies with the applicable standards upon such terms as the Secretary determines appropriate under the circumstances. (Amends 29 U.S.C. 653-66)
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Directs the Secretary of Defense to: (1) bring to the United States the remains of an American who lost his life while serving overseas during the Vietnam conflict and whose identity has not been established; and (2) provide for the burial of such unknown American in the Memorial Amphitheater of the National Cemetery at Arlington, Virginia, near or beside the remains of the Unknown American Soldier of the First World War. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes.
![Official portrait of Rep. Shriver, Garner E. [R-KS-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000388_200.jpg)