United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Youth Camp Safety Act - Makes it the purpose of this Act to protect and safeguard the health and well-being of youth attending day camps, resident camps, and travel camps by providing for the establishment of Federal standards for the safe operation of youth camps. Establishes in the Office of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare an Office of Youth Camp Safety to be headed by a Director of Youth Camp Safety. Confers upon the Director the primary responsibility for the promulgation and enforcement of Federal and State youth camp safety regulations. Requires any State which desires to assume responsibility for the development and modification of youth camp safety standards to submit a State plan to the Director for his approval. Allows a State whose plan has been rejected to obtain review of the decision in the United States Court of Appeals. Authorizes the Director to make grants to States which have in effect approved State plans, such grants not to exceed eighty percent of the cost of carrying out the State plan. Authorizes to be appropriated $7,500,000 for fiscal year 1975, and for each succeeding fiscal year, to make the grants provided for in this Act. Authorizes the Director to enter and inspect youth camps and their records. Directs the Director to establish within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare an Advisory Council on Youth Camp Safety and to submit to Congress at least once a year a comprehensive and detailed report on his administration under this Act. Prescribes penalties for each violation by youth camp operators of the standards promulgated pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the Director to request directly from any department or agency of the Federal Government information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics needed to carry out his functions under this Act; and such department or agency is authorized to furnish such information, suggestions, estimates, and statistics directly to the Director.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1975
Sets forth standards, relating to the rights of patients under the General Provisions of the Social Security Act, to be met by intermediate care facilities participating in programs under title XVIII (Medicare) and title XIX (Medicaid) of such Act. Provides that the statement of rights required to be adopted by such facilities shall include guarantees: (1) that the patient's civil and religious liberties will not be infringed; (2) that the patient has the right to private communications with his physician, attorney, or any other person; and (3) that the patient has the right to have privacy in treatment and in caring for personal needs and confidentiality in the treatment of personal and medical records.
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 · 20 January 1975
Provides that no new tariff, fee or other charge, no increase in existing tariffs, fees or other charges, and no new quota or other limitation on imports of crude oil or petroleum product other than those in effect on January 1, 1975, may be imposed unless: (1) such action is specifically authorized by law enacted after the date of enactment of this joint resolution; or (2) sixty days after the date of enactment of this joint resolution the specific action proposed to be taken is submitted to both Houses of the Congress. States that if such action is disapproved by either House within a thirty-day review period, no officer or agency shall have authority to take any action inconsistent with the provisions of this joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1975
Removes the requirement of service on or after the effective date of the National Guard Technicians Act of 1968 as a prerequisite for creditable service for civil service retirement purposes for National Guard technicians. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 8332(b))
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1975
Electronic Funds Transfer Moratorium Act - Defines the terms used in this Act. Prohibits and makes unenforceable any contract entered into after December 19, 1974 by any financial institution, which involves electronic methods of fund transfers at places of business other than the premises of the financial institution. Provides that this Act shall expire December 1, 1976, or at such time as the Congress shall determine while it considers the report of the National Commission on Electronic Fund Transfers established by Public Law 93-495.
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
Health Security Act - Title I: Health Security Benefits - Provides that every resident of the U.S. (and every non-resident citizen when in the U.S.) will be eligible for covered services. Permits reciprocal and "buy-in" agreements for groups or non-resident aliens, and in some cases benefits to U.S. residents when visiting in other countries. Entitles every eligible person to have payments made by the Health Security Board for covered services provided within the United States by a participating provider. Provides that all necessary professional services of physicians, wherever furnished are covered, including preventive care, with two restrictions: (1) specialist services are covered only when performed by a qualified specialist except in emergency situations, and generally only on referral from a primary physician; and (2) psychiatric services to an ambulatory patient are covered only for active preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic or rehabilitative service with respect to mental illness. Provides that comprehensive dental services (exclusive of most orthodontic services) are covered for children under age 15, with the covered age group increasing by two years each year until all those under age 25 are covered. Provides that: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital services and services of a home health agency are covered without arbitrary limitation; and (2) pathology and radiology services are specifically included as parts of institutional services. Limits payment for skilled nursing home care to 120 days per spell of illness, except that this limit may be increased when the nursing home is owned or managed by a hospital and payment for care is made through the hospital budget. Limits the psychiatric hospital benefit to 45 consecutive days of active treatment during a spell of illness. Provides coverage for two categories of drug use: prescribed medicines administered to inpatients or outpatients within participating hospitals; or to enrollees of comprehensive health service organizations, and drugs necessary for the treatment of specified chronic illnesses or conditions requiring long or expensive therapy. Requires the Board and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish two lists of approved drugs, taking into account the safety, efficacy and cost of each drug. Provides a broad list of approved medicines available for use in institutions and by comprehensive health service organizations and a more restricted list which is available for use outside such organized settings. Provides that the appliances benefit is similar in concept and operation to the drug benefit, subject to a limitation on aggregate cost. Asserts that the professional services of optometrists and podiatrists are covered, subject to regulations, as are diagnostic or therapeutic services furnished by independent pathology laboratories and radiology services. States that health services furnished or paid for under a workmen's compensation law are not covered. Provides that the services of a professional practitioner are not covered if they are furnished in a hospital which is not a participating provider. Requires that participating providers meet standards established in this title or by the Board. Requires that such providers must agree to provide services without discrimination, to make no unauthorized charge to the patient for any covered service, and to furnish data necessary for utilization review by professional peers, statistical studies by the Board, and verification of information for payments. Makes professional practitioners licensed when the program begins eligible to practice in the State where they are licensed and requires that all newly licensed applicants for participation meet national standards established by the Board in addition to those required by his State. Establishes conditions of participation for general hospitals similar to those required by Medicare. States that the two requirements not found in the Medicare program are: (1) that the hospital must not discriminate in granting staff privileges on any grounds unrelated to professional qualifications, and (2) that it establish a pharmacy and drug therapeutics committee for supervision of hospital drug therapy. Provides that psychiatric hospitals will be eligible to participate only if the Board finds that the hospital (or a distinct part of the hospital) is engaged in furnishing active diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services to mentally ill patients. Establishes conditions of participation for skilled nursing homes similar to those established for extended care facilities under Medicare. Makes provisions for the participation of home health service agencies. Describes as eligible a health maintenance organization which undertakes to provide an enrolled population either with complete health care or, at least, with complete health security services (other than institutional services, mental health or dental services) for the maintenance of health and the care of ambulatory patients. Permits a foundation sponsored by a county or other local medical society to participate as a provider of services. Permits the participation of community health centers or the like which, though furnishing services as comprehensive as are required by this Act, do not serve an enrolled or otherwise predetermined population and may not meet other requirements of this Act. Authorizes the Board to deal separately with the primary care portion of a system of comprehensive health care where it is necessary to rely on arrangements with other providers. Permits the Board to contract directly with public or other nonprofit mental health centers and mental health day care services. Specifies the conditions under which independent pathology laboratories, independent radiological services, and providers of drugs, devices, appliances, equipment, or ambulance services may qualify as providers under Health Security. Requires that a participating skilled nursing home have in effect an agreement with at least one participating hospital for the transfer of patients and medical and other information as medically appropriate. Prohibits in malpractice judgments any damages to be awarded to the injured party for the cost of remedial services which he is entitled to receive under this Act. Excludes the institutions of the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration, and institutions of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare serving merchant seamen or Indians or Alaskan natives, from serving as participating providers, as well as any employee of these institutions when he is acting as an employee. Provides reimbursement for any services furnished by these institutions or agencies to eligible persons who are not a part of their normal clientele. Permits a physician, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist, licensed in one State and meeting the national standards, to furnish Health Security benefits in any other State, the scope of his permissible practice being governed by the law of the State in which he is practicing. Grants a similar authority to other health professional and nonprofessional personnel. Establishes the Health Security Trust Fund, to receive the net assets of existing (Medicare) funds taken over by the Health Security program, the yield of the Health Security taxes, and the Government's contribution from general revenues amounting to 100 percent of the yield from these taxes. Provides that three separate accounts shall be established in the Health Security Trust Fund: a Health Service Account, a Health Resources Development Account, and an Administration Account. Provides that in each of the first two years of program operation, 2 percent of the Trust Fund shall be set aside for the Health Resources Development Fund; and the allocation shall increase by 1 percent at two-year intervals to 5 percent within the next 6 years. Provides for allocation of the Health Services account among the regions of the country. Provides that the allocation to each region shall be based on the aggregate sum expended during the most recent 12-month period for covered services (with appropriate modification for estimated changes in the consumer price index, the expected number of eligible beneficiaries, and estimated changes in the number of participating providers). Provides that the Board shall divide the allocation to each region into funds available to pay: institutional services; physician services; dental services; furnishing of drugs; furnishing of devices, appliances, equipment; and miscellaneous services. Provides that payments for covered services provided to eligible persons by participating providers will be made from the Health Service Account in the Trust Fund. Describes the method to be used in applying, as between practitioners electing the various methods of payment (fee-for-service and capitation), the monies available in each health service area for payment to each category of professional providers. Authorizes the Board to experiment with other methods of reimbursement so long as the experimental method does not increase the cost of service or lead to overutilization or underutilization of services. Provides that skilled nursing homes and home health agencies will be paid in the same manner as a general hospital (on an approved annual budget basis). Provides that a health organization will be paid for covered services, on the basis of a fixed capitation rate multiplied by the number of eligible enrollees. Contains a series of provisions for developing a continuous process of health service planning and for assisting in the recruitment, education, and training of health personnel. Authorizes special improvement grants: (1) to any public or other nonprofit health agency or institution to establish improved coordination and linkages with other providers of services, and (2) to organizations providing comprehensive ambulatory care, to improve their utilization review, budget, statistical, or records and information retrieval systems, to acquire equipment needed for those purposes, or to acquire equipment useful for mass screening or for other diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of HEW and the Board with regard to this title. Creates an administrative structure within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare with exclusive responsibility for the administration of the Health Security program. Establishes a five-member, full-time Health Security Board serving under the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Provides that the members shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, for five-year overlapping terms. Creates the position of an Executive Director, appointed by the Board with the approval of the Secretary. Provides that the Executive Director will serve as secretary to the Board and shall perform such duties in the administration of the program as the Board may assign. Provides that the program will be administered through the regional offices of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requires the establishment of sub-regional (service area) offices. Establishes a National Health Security Advisory Council, with the Chairman of the Board serving as the Council's Chairman and 20 additional members not in the employ of the Federal Government. Authorizes the Advisory Council to appoint professional or technical committees to assist in its functions. Provides that the Advisory Council will advise the Board on matters of general policy in the administration of the program, the formulation of regulations and the allocation of funds for services. Charges the Board with responsibility for informing the public and providers about the administration and operation of the Health Security program. Requires the Board to make a continuing study and evaluation of the program, including adequacy, quality and costs of services. Authorizes the Board directly or by contract to make detailed statistical and other studies on a national, regional, or local basis of any aspect of the title; to develop and test incentive systems for improving quality of care, methods of peer review of drug utilization and of other service performances; to develop and test systems of information retrieval, budget programs, instrumentation for multiphasic screening or patient services, and reimbursement systems for drugs; and to make such other other studies which it considers would improve the quality of services of the administration of the program. Grants authority to the Board, in accordance with regulations, to make determinations of who are participating providers of services, determinations of eligibility, of whether services are covered, and the amount to be paid to providers. Allows a provider of services who is dissatisfied with a final Board determination to obtain a hearing before a Board panel, and judicial review of a final decision. Authorizes the Board, with the advice and assistance of the Commission on the Quality of Health Care, to issue and review regulations assuring the quality of care furnished under this Act. Requires continuing professional education by physicians, dentists, optometrists, and podiatrists. Provides for the appointment of a Deputy Secretary of HEW and an Under Secretary for Health and Science. States that no provision of this Act shall alter any contractual obligation of an employer to provide health services to his employees and their dependents. Title II: Health Security Taxes - Converts the existing Medicare hospital insurance payroll taxes into Health Security taxes, and raises the rates to 1 percent on employees and 3.5 percent on employers. Raises the wage base for the employee tax from the present $7,800 to $15,000; or, if higher, 125 percent of the contribution and benefit base. Broadens the definitions of covered employment to include foreign agricultural workers, employees of the U.S. and its instrumentalities (other than members of the armed forces and the President, Vice-President, and Members of Congress), employees of charitable and similar organizations, railroad employees, and (for the employee tax only) employees of States and their political subdivisions and instrumentalities. Excludes from the gross income of employees, for income tax purposes, payment by their employers of part or all of the Health Security taxes on the employees. Spells out the precise effective dates of the new payroll tax provisions. Converts the existing Medicare self-employment tax into a Health Security self-employment tax, raising the rate to 2.5 percent, and raises the maximum taxable self-employment income from $7,800 to $15,000. Adds a new 1 percent Health Security tax on unearned income (unless such income is less than $400 a year), subject to the same maximum on taxable income as is applicable to the employee and self-employment taxes. Title III: Commission on the Quality of Health Care - Establishes in the Department of HEW a Commission on the Quality of Health Care, with the primary responsibility of: (1) initiating and continuing development of methods of assessing the quality of health care furnished under the Health Security Act, and (2) submitting to the Secretary and the Health Security Board its findings and recommendations. Stipulates that in carrying out its duties the Commissioner shall emphasize, and give first consideration to, care furnished for those illnesses and conditions which have relatively high incidence in the population and which are relatively amenable to medical or other care. Title IV: Repeal or Amendment of Other Acts - Requires that after the effective date of benefits, no State shall be required to furnish any service covered under Health Security as a part of its State plan for participation under Medicaid. Title V: Studies Related to Health Security - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Treasury to study the coverage of health services for U.S. residents in other countries. Directs the Secretary of HEW to study the feasibility and desirability of coordinating the Federal health benefit programs for merchant seamen and Indians and Alaskan natives and also veterans and members of the Armed Forces, with the Health Security Benefit Program.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1974
Delays until April 21, 1975, the effective date of Public Law 93-373, which permits United States citizens to purchase, hold, sell, or otherwise deal with gold in the United States or abroad.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1974
Electronic Funds Transfer Moratorium Act - Defines the terms used in this Act. Prohibits and makes unenforceable any contract entered into after December 19, 1974 by any financial institution, which involves electronic methods of fund transfers at places of business other than the premises of the financial institution. Provides that this Act shall expire December 1, 1976, or at such time as the Congress shall determine while it considers the report of the National Commission on Electronic Fund Transfers established by Public Law 93-495.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1974
Economic Stabilization Act Amendments - Establishes an Economic Stablilzation Board, to be composed of three members, representing labor, business and the consuming public to be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Freezes all prices, wages, rents, and interest rates at levels no higher than those prevailing on December 1, 1974. Allows the Board to make ajustments in such levels in order to correct gross inequities. Directs the Board, within 60 days of enactment of this Act, to roll back prices, rents and interest rates to levels lower than those necessary to eliminate windfall profits or to carry out the purposes of this Act. Allows the Board, on petition of interested parties, to eliminate inequities which may have developed in the wage-price relationship by allowing upward adjustments in wages. Specifies that such increases not exceed the difference between the rate of price increases as measured by the Consumer Price Index between August 15, 1971 and the date of enactment, and the average wage increases in the firm or industry during the same period. Exempts from the wage freeze all workers whose earnings are substandard or who are members of the working poor. Specifies that this Act shall not preclude any increase in wages required by the Fair Labor Standards Act or other preexisting wage determinations. Establishes in the legislative branch the Office of Consumer Counsel, to be headed by the Counsel, appointed for one year by the Temporary Emergency Court of Appeals. Authorizes the Consumer Counsel: (1) to investigate any complaints concerning actions of the Board; (2) to issue subpenas for the testimony of witnesses and the production of records; (3) to intervene as a party in rulemaking and other decisions by the Board which the Counsel believes may be contrary to law or to the public interest; and (4) to apply to the appropriate court for relief if the Board makes a decision notwithstanding the objections of the Consumer Counsel. Directs the Office of the Consumer Counsel to advise consumers of information necessary to make intelligent decisions on the purchase of goods and services. Requires the Board to transmit quarterly reports to the Committee on Banking and Currency of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs of the Senate, describing the actions taken and assessing the progress attained in achieving the purpose of this Act. Makes technical and conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 17 December 1974
Establishes the effective date of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Act of 1974 as January 1, 1975, in order to provide for the regulation of futures trading and speculation through the enforcement of specific licensing procedures for brokers involved in sales under futures contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 1974
Delays until April 21, 1975, the effective date of Public Law 93-373, which permits United States citizens to purchase, hold, sell, or otherwise deal with gold in the United States or abroad.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 1974
Establishes the effective date of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Act of 1974 as January 1, 1975, in order to provide for the regulation of futures trading and speculation through the enforcement of specific licensing procedures for brokers involved in sales under futures contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1974
Imposes, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, a tax on every new automobile, except commercial and farm vehicles, manufactured, produced, or imported between July 1, 1975 and June 30, 1980, based on their fuel consumption rates. Provides that such tax shall be paid by the manufacturer, producer or importer. Requires the public disclosure of the fuel consumption rate of every new automobile. Directs the Secretary of the Department of Transportation to submit to Congress, not later than July 1, 1979, a report recommending legislation which would provide for taxation of all new automobiles after June 30, 1981, based upon a universally applicable standard of fuel consumption to be developed by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to conduct a program to develop more efficient automobile engines, using funds received from the tax imposed by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 November 1974
Drug Safety, Consumer Information, and Medical Records Act - Title I: National Center for Clinical Pharmacology - Establishes, under the Public Health Service Act and within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, the National Center for Clinical Pharmacology to provide support in the nature of grants for the study of clinical pharmacology. Enumerates the nature and general provisions of such grants. Provides for the collection of data regarding drug experiences and adverse drug reactions. Calls for a study to be conducted on the inappropriate prescribing of drugs and on whether controls are needed for such inappropriate prescribing. Requires all organizations receiving assistance under this Act to review the prescribing and administering of all drugs in the course of delivery of health care. Calls for the establishment of procedures to insure the confidentiality of medical records pertaining to the experiences of a specific individual in taking drugs. Provides for Congressional inspection of medical data. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1976 to carry out the purposes and projects of this title. Title II: Promotional Practices - Prohibits, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the giving by any person engaged in the manufacture, propagation, processing, or distribution of any drug of any gift or other free promotional item having a retail value of more than $5.00 to any practitioner, pharmacist, student, or any other person engaged in the delivery of health care. Prohibits the transfer of samples and free drugs to practitioners unless each such practitioner has filed a written request for such drug. Places additional restrictions on the transfer of any sample or other free drug. Places a prohibition on prescription surveys. Provides for: (1) price information in drug advertising; (2) restrictions on remainder labeling and advertising and false and misleading advertising; and (3) certification of training programs for manufacturers' representatives. Title III: Drug Quality - Provides, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, for the establishment of regulations governing the requirements for proof of therapeutic equivalences of drugs. Defines the terms used in this Act. Provides procedures for certification of batches of specified kinds of drugs (other than insulin and antibiotics). Sets forth recordkeeping and reporting requirements for drugs by persons subject to registration under this Act, specifying the procedures under which any such reports shall be made available to the committees of Congress. Title IV: National Drug Compendium: - Calls for the preparation of a drug compendium listing by established name drugs lawfully available in the United States, to provide adequate and reliable prescribing information. Sets forth the method for compilation and publication of such compendium, including: (1) the appointment of a committee to advise the Secretary on compendium matters; and (2) the requirements governing advertising of information contained in the compendium. Title V: Consumer Drug Information - Requires that specified prescription drug information be included on all drug labels in such terms so that it is likely to be understood by the ordinary individual. Directs the establishment of a uniform system of coding of drugs consisting of symbols representing: (1) the identity of the manufacturer of the drug, and the final packager; (2) the dosage form and strength of the drug; and (3) the number of drug units in the immediate container. Requires that pharmacies post prescription drug prices. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to identify methods for informing consumers of the costs associated with the manufacture and distribution of retail drugs. Empowers the Secretary to make grants to consumer groups for informing the public with price comparison data of drugs. Authorizes $1,000,000 to be appropriated for such grants for fiscal year 1975. Title VI: Recall Authority; Increased Criminal Penalty - Vests the Secretary with authority to recall an article of food, drug device or cosmetic which is liable to be proceeded against on libel of information and condemnation. Increases from $1,000 to $5,000 the criminal penalty for violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) the President does not have authority to exempt any crude oil from price controls under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 (except as provided in section 4(e) (2) and 4(g) (1) (B) of such Act); and (2) the regulation under section 4 of that Act should not be amended in a manner which results in an increase in the price of crude oil produced in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1974
Provides that the automatic cost-of-living benefit increases authorized under title II (Old-Age, Survivors', and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act shall be made on a semiannual basis (rather than on an annual basis as at present).
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1974
Allows an income tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code to a claimant who is domiciled in the United States and 62 years of age for a taxable year for the property taxes accrued or 25 percent of the gross rent actually paid by a household solely for its right of occupancy for such taxable year, or both. Sets forth a table of claims allowed under the provisions of this Act, based on household income and taxes paid. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make available suitable forms with instructions for claimants, including a form which may be included with or a part of the individual income tax form. Allows any person aggrieved by the denial in whole or in part of relief to appeal such denial to the Tax Court by filing a petition with such court within 30 days after such denial. (Adds 26 U.S.C. 1601-1605)
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1974
Authorizes the Administrator of General Services to assign to the Secretary of Commerce for disposal by sale or transfer to the States, such surplus property, including buildings, fixtures, and equipment situated thereon, as is determined by the Secretary of Commerce to be required to help multistate, State, and local areas meet special needs arising from actual or threatened severe unemployment arising from actions of the Federal Government in closing Federal facilities. Provides that any such sale or transfer shall be made only if the Secretary of Commerce (1) approves the transferee's plan for preparation and utilization of the surplus property for economic development purposes, and (2) determines that transfer of the property at fair market value would discourage reuse of the property for economically productive purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1974
Requests the President to express the concern of the United States Government for the safety and freedom of Valentyn Moroz, historian, writer, and spokesman for the cultural integrity of the Ukranian people.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1974
Prohibits any increase in the price of consumer commodities by any retailer once a price is placed on any such commodity by such retailer. Imposes civil penalties under the Federal Trade Commission Act for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1974
Authorizes the use of ad valorem taxes to satisfy the user charge system requirement for applicants for treatment works grants under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. (Amends 33 U.S.C. 1284)
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1974
Expresses the findings of Congress, including that Federal information reporting requirements have placed an unprecedented paperwork burden upon private citizens, recipients of Federal assistance, businesses, governmental contractors, and State and local governments. Establishes a Commission on Federal Paperwork to study procedures and practices of the Federal Government relating to information gathering, dissemination, and the management and control of information activities. Enumerates the areas to be considered by the Commission in its studies. Directs the Commission to make a final report to the Congress and the President within two years of the date of its first meeting. Sets forth the membership composition of the Commission and their compensation. Details the administrative powers of the Commission. Calls for cooperation between Federal agencies and the Commission. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Commission such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 1974
Disaster Insurance Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to assure the widest possible provision of adequate insurance coverage against catastrophic losses resulting from disasters by requiring such coverage in the case of residential housing and small businesses receiving Federal assistance, by encouraging the purchase of such coverage by property owners in all other cases, and by creating a new federally chartered quasi-public entity to assist the private insurance industry, through risk-sharing reinsurance and otherwise, in making such coverage available on the widest possible basis and facilitating its provision and administration. Requires that no officer or agency of the United States shall make or enter into a contract or commitment to make any grant or loan, or provide or enter into a contract or commitment to provide assistance in the form of mortgage insurance or loan guaranty or in any other form, to aid in the purchase, construction, rehabilitation, or maintenance or residential real property which is designed principally for the occupancy of from one to four families or of nonresidential property which is owned or leased and operated by one or more small businesses, unless the property involved is or will upon completion be covered (as a part of the coverage provided under a fire or extended coverage insurance policy or otherwise) by insurance against catastrophic losses. States that loan or other financial assistance to aid in the purchase, construction, rehabilitation, or maintanance of residential real property which is designed principally for the occupancy of from one to four families or of nonresidential property which is owned or leased and operated by one or more small businesses shall be made or provided by any financial institution or other lender the deposits or accounts of which are insured by an agency of the Federal Government, or which is itself regulated by an agency of the Federal Government, unless the property involved is or will upon completion be covered (as a part of the coverage provided under a fire or extended coverage insurance policy or otherwise) by insurance against catastrophic losses. Establishes a Disaster Insurance Corporation. States that the basic function of the Corporation is to encourage and facilitate the provision by private insurance companies of insurance against catastrophic losses for owners and lessors of real property of reinsuring such companies (directly or by purchasing policies of reinsurance) against abnormally high losses resulting from the provision of such insurance. Provides that if at any time catastrophic insurance is unavailable from private industry, the Corporation shall provide such insurance through the facilities of the Federal Government. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States a fund to be used by the Corporation for its operating and capital expenses under this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated to the fund out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, not to exceed $100,000,000 to provide such fund with necessary initial capital.
United States · United States Congress · 22 August 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that: (1) all military, economic, or other assistance, all sales of defense articles and services, all sales of agricultural commodities and services, and all licenses with respect to the transportation of arms, ammunitions, and implements of war (including technical data relating thereto) to the Government of Turkey should be suspended on the date of adoption of this resolution; and (2) the provisions of this resolution should cease to apply when the President reports to the Congress that the Government of Turkey has withdrawn all of its armed forces from Cyprus.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1974
Internal Revenue Commission Act - Establishes an independent commission to be known as the Internal Revenue Commission, the principal office of which shall be in the District of Columbia. Provides that all the functions with respect to the administration and enforcement of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 which, immediately prior to the date that this Act takes effect, were performed by the Secretary of the Treasury, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, or any other officer or employee of the Department of the Treasury are transferred to the Internal Revenue Commission. Provides that the transfer of functions under this Act shall not affect any act done or any right accruing or accrued before such transfer. States that so much of the positions, personnel, assets, liabilities, contracts, property, and records of the Department of the Treasury which, as determined by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, were employed, held, used, or available or to be made available in connection with the functions transferred by this Act shall be transferred to the Internal Revenue Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 21 August 1974
Empowers the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to discharge specified responsibilities for actions, determinations, or approvals with repect to projects for treatment works under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act by accepting a certification by the State water pollution control agency of its performance of such responsibilities.
United States · United States Congress · 14 August 1974
Establishes the Commission on Electronic Fund Transfers to study and recommend administrative action and legislation necessary for establishing public or private electronic fund transfer systems. Requires such study to take into account: (1) preservation of competition among financial institutions; (2) user and consumer rights; and (3) the impact on monetary and economic policy and on availability of credit. Authorizes an appropriation of $2,000,000 for the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 August 1974
Permits persons operating stands in Federal buildings to participate in the sale or exchange of chances for any lottery conducted by an agency of a State acting under authority of State law.
United States · United States Congress · 8 August 1974
Provides that the President should take immediate action to control inflation and allocate credit pursuant to the Credit Control Act by authorizing the Federal Reserve Board to channel extensions of credit toward essential and productive capital investment, low-and middle-income housing, State and local governments, and small business, and away from loans for speculation in real estate and commodities, to finance anticompetitive acquisitions, and for other inflationary purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 7 August 1974
Solar Energy Research, Development and Demonstration Act - Expresses the findings of Congress and declares that it is the policy of the United States to pursue a vigorous and adequately funded program with the objective of utilizing solar energy as a major source for our national energy needs. Defines the terms used in this Act. Establishes the Solar Energy Coordination and Management Project to have responsibility for management and coordination of a national solar energy research, development and demonstration program. Directs the Project to carry out its duties in cooperation with specified Federal agencies, including the Atomic Energy Commission and the Federal Power Commission. Makes conforming amendments to the National Science Foundation Act and the National Aeronautics and Space Act. Instructs the Project to initiate a solar energy resource determination and assessment program, emphasizing identification of promising areas for commercial exploitation and development. Enumerates the specific goals of the determination and assessment program. Directs the Project: (1) to initiate a research and development program for resolving the major technical problems inhibiting commercial utilization of solar energy in the United States; (2) to implement a research and development program to demonstrate the technical means for securing and utilizing the resource base; and (3) to initiate a program to design and construct facilities to demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing the various forms of solar energy. Details the goals of each such program. Authorizes the National Science Foundation to support, coordinate, and encourage the development of policies set forth in this Act. Establishes a Solar Energy Research Institute to perform research functions in connection with the Project's activities under this Act. Calls for the creation of a Solar Energy Information Data Bank, specifying the content of data to be collected and compiled. Transfers specified functions, documents, and personnel to the Energy Research and Development Administration. Authorizes to be appropriated to the National Science Foundation for fiscal year 1975, $2,000,000 for use in the preparation of the comprehensive program. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out this Act, for fiscal years beginning after 1975, such sums as the Congress may hereafter authorize.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1974
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 · 25 July 1974
Expresses the sense of the House that the President should make available to the House Judiciary Committee and the Special Prosecutor all subpoenaed tapes and evidentiary information, and comply fully with the United States Supreme Court ruling on this matter.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1974
Fuel Adjustment Relief Act - States that there shall be allowed as a tax credit against income tax an amount equal to 50 percent of the increased residential electricity expenses paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year. Prescribes a method for computing for the taxable year the increased residential electricity expenses. States that the credit authorized by this Act shall apply to calendar years 1974 through 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1974
Provides for the expansion of the powers and functions of the Export-Import Bank of America. States that the Bank shall, in connection with the export financing of instrumentalities of other governments, seek to minimize competition in Government-supported export financing. Stipulates that no loan, guarantee, or insurance or combination thereof made to a Communist country or agent or national thereof in an amount which equals or exceeds $50,000,000 shall be finally approved by the Board of Directors of the Bank unless the Bank has submitted to the Congress with respect to such loan, guarantee, or insurance or combination thereof, a statement explaining the transaction at least thirty legislative days prior to the date of final approval. Provides that pending consideration and action by the Senate upon the bill H.R. 10710, as introduced in the first session of this Congress, cited as the "Trade Reform Act of 1973, and as amended and passed by the House, no loan, guarantee, insurance, or credit shall be extended by the Bank to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics shall not participate in any program of the Government of the United States which extends credits or credit guarantees or investment guarantees, directly or indirectly. Authorizes the Bank to charge against the limitations imposed by the Export-Import Bank Act not less than 25 percent of the related contractual liability which the Bank incurs for guarantees, insurance, coinsurance, and reinsurance against political and credit risks of loss. States that the aggregate amount of guarantees, insurance, coinsurance, and reinsurance which may be charged on this fractional basis pursuant to this section shall not exceed $20,000,000,000 outstanding at any one time.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1974
Prohibits, under the Federal Power Act, public utilities from increasing any rate or charge for electric energy, by means of any fuel adjustment clause in a wholesale rate schedule, in order to reflect any increased fuel cost.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 1974
Makes optional the cost-sharing fees now required to be paid by enrollees under medicaid who were not receiving aid under, or who were not qualified under, a State plan.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1974
Provides for the regulation of the issuance and sale of debt obligations, which carry effective maturities of less than seven years or rights of redemption that may be exercised in less than seven years, by parents of member banks, nonmember insured banks (including insured mutual savings banks), and savings and loan associations, under the Federal Reserve Act, the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, and the Federal Home Loan Bank Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 1974
State Lottery Exemption Act - Exempts State-conducted lotteries, sweepstakes, and wagering pools, as well as vending machines maintained by State agencies for such purposes, from the wagering tax imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
United States · United States Congress · 2 July 1974
Food Supplement Amendment - Defines the term "food supplement" for purposes of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act to mean food for special dietary uses, and defines the meaning of "special dietary uses" as particular uses of food for man which meets specified requirements. Provides that in administering such Act the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare: (1) shall not limit the potency, number, combination, amount, or variety of any synthetic or natural vitamin, mineral, substance, or ingredient of any food supplement unless such article is intrinsically injurious to health in the recommended dosage; and (2) shall not require a warning label on any food supplement unless such article is intrinsically injurious to health in the recommended dosage.
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 1974
Provides for the reimbursement of regulated public utility companies engaged in the sale of electric power at the retail level for any amount expended for residual fuel oil which is more than $7.50 a barrel.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1974
Prohibits the military departments from using dogs in connection with any research or other activities relating to biological or chemical warfare agents.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1974
Prohibits a petroleum refiner or distributor from cancelling, failing to renew, or otherwise terminating a franchise unless he furnishes notification in writing to each affected distributor or retailer by certified mail not less than ninety days prior to the date on which such franchise will be canceled, together with a statement of the reasons of such cancellation and of the remedies available. Provides that a petroleum refiner or distributor shall not cancel, fail to renew, or otherwise terminate a franchise unless the retailer or distributor whose franchise is terminated failed to comply substantially with any essential and reasonable requirement of such franchise or failed to act in good faith in carrying out the terms of such franchise. States that if a refiner or distributor engages in conduct prohibited under this Act, a retailer or distributor may maintain a suit against such refiner or distributor.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should (1) immediately initiate negotiations at the highest level of the Turkish Government to prevent the resumption of opium production; and (2) if such negotiations prove unfruitful, exercise the authority provided by the Congress under the Foreign Assistance Act, to terminate all assistance to the Government of Turkey.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should (1) immediately initiate negotiations at the highest level of the Turkish Government to prevent the resumption of opium production; and (2) if such negotiations prove unfruitful, exercise the authority provided by the Congress under the Foreign Assistance Act, to terminate all assistance to the Government of Turkey.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1974
Special Unemployment Compensation Act - Provides that each State which enters into an agreement with the Secretary of Labor, pursuant to which it makes payments of special unemployment compensation, shall be paid by the United States such amounts as are deemed necessary by the Secretary of Labor to carry out the provisions of this Act in the State. States that an individual shall be eligible to receive a payment of special unemployment compensation or waiting period credit with respect to a week of unemployment occurring during and subsequent to a special unemployment compensation period in accordance with the provisions of this Act if the individual meets the specified requirements, including the exhaustion of all rights to compensation under all State unemployment compensation and other laws. Provides for the periods of time to be covered by special unemployment compensation under this Act. States that a special unemployment compensation period shall commence in an area designated by the Secretary with the third week after the first week for which there is an "on" indicator for such area, and shall terminate with the third week after the first week for which there is an "off" indicator for such area. Provides that no special unemployment compensation period shall have a duration of less than 13 weeks. Sets forth the criteria for establishing "on" and "off" indicators. Prescribes the calculations to be followed in determining the weekly amount of special unemployment benefits and sets maximum benefit amounts. Empowers the Secretary to promulgate rules necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Defines the terms used in this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1974
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should (1) immediately initiate negotiations at the highest level of the Turkish Government to prevent the resumption of opium production; and (2) if such negotiations prove unfruitful, exercise the authority provided by the Congress under the Foreign Assistance Act, to terminate all assistance to the Government of Turkey.
![Official portrait of Rep. St Germain, Fernand J. [D-RI-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000762_200.jpg)