United States · United States Congress · 15 April 1975
Increases the value of exemptions for taxable estates under the Internal Revenue Code from $60,000 to $200,000 of the value of the gross estate. Increases the limitation on the aggregate marital deduction to 50 percent of the adjusted gross value of the estate, plus $100,000. Allows an executor to value farmland, woodland, and scenic open land at its current use value rather than at its fair market value.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1975
Urges the President to seek a treaty or other appropriate international agreement establishing a wildlife preserve for humpback whales in the West Indies.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1975
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States delegation to the European Security Conference should not agree to the recognition by the European Security Conference of the Soviet Union's annexation of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and it should remain the policy of the United States not to recognize in any way the annexation of the Baltic nations by the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1975
States that the United States should, as expeditiously as possible, take all necessary actions to effect a regional conservation treaty for the protection of northern hemisphere pinnipeds (includes seals and walruses).
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1975
Directs the President to exercise his authority under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 to equalize the ceiling price throughout the United States at which residual fuel oil is sold or exchanged so as to assure equitable electric power rates and charges throughout the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 8 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 · 26 March 1975
Provides for the administrative and judicial review of claims (involving the amount of benefits payable) which arise under the supplementary medical insurance program of title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare).
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 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 · 20 March 1975
Fiscal Integrity Act - Revises the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act to define the term "Federal revenue and budget outlay limit" to be the amount derived through a specified series of mathematical formulas. Prohibits the concurrent resolution on the budget from including any provision which exceeds the Federal revenue and budget outlay limit. Requires that each House include in its report to its House a comparison of estimated budget authority as set forth by the President and by the concurrent resolution. Prohibits amendment of the concurrent resolution during consideration by the Senate or the House of Representatives which exceeds the Federal revenue and budget outlay limit. Requires that the impact of new budget authority and budget outlays, and a projection for the next five fiscal years of the impact of new tax expenditures on the Federal revenue and outlay limit be included in a statement accompanying a bill or resolution reported by a committee of either House. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office to include in his five-year projection report, the concomitant predicted Federal revenue and budget outlay limits for each fiscal year. Prohibits a concurrent resolution from being reported at any time which increases total revenues or the budget outlay limit unless such limit has been suspended pursuant to this Act. Prohibits Congress from making any appropriation for any fiscal year in excess of the Federal revenue and budget outlay limit. Provides for the reduction of the public debt by any revenue which exceeds such limit during any fiscal year. Permits the suspension of the revenue and budget outlay limit by the declaration of a fiscal emergency through the passage of a concurrent resolution approved by two-thirds of the members present in each House. Requires that all bills of a public or private character introduced in either House of Congress have printed at the bottom of the first page a fiscal note which States the amounts likely to be the costs and savings achieved in the implementation of a bill.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1975
Provides, under title II of the Social Security Act (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance), that the remarriage of a widow, widower, or parent shall not terminate his or her entitlement to widow's, widower's or parent's insurance benefits or reduce the amount thereof.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1975
Prohibits any change in the status of any member of the uniformed services who is in a missing status as a result of service in Southeast Asia, until the provisions of the Paris Peace Accord of January 27, 1973, have been fully complied with by North Vietnam or the President has determined and reported to Congress that all reasonable actions have been taken to account for such members.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1975
National Welfare Reform Act - Stipulates that no family shall be eligible for the aid to families with dependent children program (AFDC) under the Social Security Act if its total income, without regard to exclusions, exceeds 150 percent of the family's needs. Provides that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall provide the full cost of AFDC services to needy families who are not U.S. citizens and are lawfully present in the United States. States that unemployed individuals shall be ineligible for AFDC services for specified periods of time if such individual is determined to have, without good cause, refused an offering of bona fide employment or refused to participate under a work incentive program. Provides procedures for the determination of good cause. States that no sanctions will be applied for a ten day period after failure without good cause has been established, if the individual participates in counseling services. Sets forth procedures governing adjustment of AFDC grant overpayments. Prohibits AFDC grant payments where the caretaker relative is unemployed due to participation in a strike or because he has voluntarily terminated his employment. Defines "income" for purposes of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to pay directly to any State up to 75 percent of the costs of investigating and prosecuting complaints of fraud under AFDC program. Requires that recipients of aid be issued a detailed identification card specifying the programs for which the recipient is eligible. Provides that any person who resides in the same household of an eligible family, but is not himself eligible for aid, shall be required to make a contribution to the State in an amount equal to the amount of the standard payment for single person household under the State's plan.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 1975
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 · 18 March 1975
Excludes from coverage under the Food Stamp Act households whose principal wage earner is on strike due to a labor dispute. States that this provision is inapplicable to households which were eligible for and participating in the food stamp program prior to the start of the strike.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1975
Provides that the beneficiary of an insured individual who dies shall, if otherwise qualified under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, be entitled to a prorated benefit for the month of death of the insured.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1975
Provides that the beneficiary of an insured individual who dies shall, if otherwise qualified under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, be entitled to a prorated benefit for the month of death of the insured.
United States · United States Congress · 12 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 · 6 March 1975
Provides that, beginning one year after enactment of this Act, no law enforcement grants under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 will be made to State and local governments unless these units of government have instituted a law enforcement officer's grievance system and have enacted into law a "Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights" which will cover all law enforcement officers in the States. Declares that this Bill of Rights shall provide law enforcement officers statutory protection for certain rights enjoyed by other citizens. Requires the bill of rights to provide, at a minimum, the following: (1) law enforcement officers shall not be prohibited from engaging in political activity, except when on duty or acting in an official capacity; (2) when an officer is subject to an investigation that could lead to disciplinary action or criminal charges: (a) the investigation shall be conducted at a reasonable hour, preferably while the officer is on duty, (b) the investigation shall occur at the office of the investigating officer or at the precinct where the incident occurred, (c) there shall be one interrogator asking all questions to the officer and the names of all investigating officers shall be known by him, (d) the officer shall know the nature of the investigation and the names of complainants, (e) all civilian complaints must be duly sworn to before an official authorized to administer oaths, (f) interrogating sessions shall be of reasonable length, (g) the officer under investigation shall not be subject to abuse or threats, (h) all interrogations shall be recorded, (i) if the officer is to be placed under arrest, he shall be fully informed of his rights before interrogation, and (j) the officer shall have a right to counsel who shall be present during any interrogations dealing with the officer's continued fitness for law enforcement service; (3) citizen review boards having porportionate police representation; (r) law enforcement officers shall have recourse to civil actions for damages suffered or for abridgement of their civil rights arising out of the performance of official duties; (5) financial disclosures shall not be required unless obtained under legal procedures or there is evidence of a conflict of interests; (6) notice of and reasons for all disciplinary action is required; and (7) no officer shall be disciplined or discriminated against in any way by reason of his exercise of these rights. Establishes in each State and unit of local government a law enforcement officers grievance commission composed of an equal number of governmental representatives, law enforcement officers, and members of the general public which shall have the authority to receive, investigate, and determine complaints and grievances arising from claimed infringement of rights of any law enforcement officer. Allows employee organizations to act on the officer's behalf, at his request, regarding any complaint before the commission. Permits certified employee organizations to initiate actions on behalf of their members. Provides that, in addition to this grievance procedure, law enforcement officers may institute a civil action for redress of the grievances.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1975
Provides that the Director of the Office of Management and Budget be paid the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level I of the Executive Pay Schedule. (Amends 5.S.C. 5313).
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1975
States that any officer or employee of the United States may accept voluntary service for the United States if such service is performed by a person who is enrolled as a student in an institution of higher education or a secondary school.
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
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
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
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
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 · 18 February 1975
Hobbs Act Amendment - Provides that anyone who interferes with commerce by damaging to the extent of $2,000 or more any property of a person where business is conducted or property is maintained shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than twenty years or both. Defines the term "extortion" to mean the obtaining of property from another, with his consent, induced by use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear, or under color of official right notwithstanding that the same acts or conduct may also be a violation of State or local law and notwithstanding that the actual or threatened force, violence, or fear was used in the course of a legitimate labor dispute or in the pursuit of legitimate union or labor ends or objectives. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 1951)
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 1975
Directs the President to exercise his authority under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 to equalize the ceiling price throughout the United States at which residual fuel oil is sold or exchanged so as to assure equitable electric power rates and charges throughout the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1975
Makes it unlawful to operate a supersonic aircraft, manufactured in the United States or in a foreign nation, for a commercial flight at supersonic speeds in the navigable airspace of the United States until: (1) the Congress, by law, approves findings by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency that the operation of such supersonic aircraft in the navigable airspace of the United States will not have detrimental physiological and psychological effects on persons on the ground and will not have detrimental effects on the environment; and (2) the Secretary of Transportation shall have made affirmative findings, and submitted a written report thereon to the Congress, that the operation of supersonic aircraft in the navigable airspace of the United States meets all noise and safety standards prescribed by the Secretary with respect to the operation of aircraft capable of operating at supersonic speeds.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1975
Provides that the total contribution of the United States to the United Nations for any calendar year after 1975 shall not exceed an amount which bears the same ratio to the United Nations budget as the total population of the United States bears to the total population of the United Nations member states.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1975
Public Disclosure of Lobbying Act-Defines "lobbying" and other terms used in this Act. Requires each lobbyist, within 15 days of becoming a lobbyist, to file a notice of representation with the Federal Edection Commission. Sets forth minimum elements to be contained in such notice. Enumerates those persons required to maintain records of lobbying activities. Sets forth the required form and content of reports to be made to the commission containing such records. Requires GS-15 and above employees of the executive branch to maintain records of communucations received from outside parties expressing opinions or containing information with respect to the policy making process. Directs each executive agency to make such records available for public inspection. Enumerates the powers of the Commission, including the powers: (1) to require any person to submit in writing such reports and answers to question as the Commission may prescribe: and (2) to initiate, prosecute, defend, or appeal any civil or criminal action in the name of the Commission for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Act through its General Counsel. Provides that it shall be the duty of the Commission to perform specified tasks, including; (1) to develop and furnish to lobbyists forms required to be filed under this Act: (2) to develop forms for the filing of records of outside contacts by executive branch employees; and (3) to prepare a manual setting forth recommended uniform methods of bookkeeping and reporting, filing coding, and cross-indexing. Sets forth criminal penalties for violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1975
Provides that the recommendations of the President transmitted to the Congress under the Federal Salary Act of 1967 (relating to salaries of members of Congress and certain members of the executive and judicial branches of the Federal government) shall become effective at the beginning of the first pay period which begins after the first period of thirty calendar days of continuous session following the transmittal of such recommendations, unless there has been enacted into law a statute which establishes rates of pay other than those proposed by all or part of such recommendations, or unless between the date of transmittal and the end of the thirty day period either House adopts a resolution disapproving all or part of such recommendations. Provides that if the Committee, to which a resolution has been referred disapproving the recommendations of the President, has not reported the resolution at the end of 10 calendar days after its intoduction, it is in order to move the discharge of the Committee. Provides that if the House has not reported the resolution after ten calendar days, it is in order to discharge the committee from further consideration of the resolution. Directs that such motion to discharge may be made only by an individual favoring the resolution and debate thereon is limited to not more than one hour divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the resolution. Directs that the motion to discharge may not be renewed, nor may another motion to discharge the committee be made with respect to any other resolution concerning the same recommendations. Specifies that when the committee has reported, or has been discharged from the further consideration of such resolution, it is in order to proceed to the consideration of the resolution. Stipulates that such motion is not debatable and may not be amended. Limits debate on the resolution to not more than two hours to be divided eqully between those favoring and those opposing the resolution. Provides that motions to postpone, motions to proceed to the consideration of other business and appeals from the decisions of the chair shall be decided without debate. Authorizes any part of the recommendations of the President, in accordance with express provisions of such recommendations, to be made operative on a date later than a date on which such recommendations otherwise are to take effect. (Amends 2 U.S.C. 359)
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study with respect to the feasibility of establishing the Bartram Trail, in the Alabama-Georgia-Florida area, as a national scenic trail.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1975
Authorizes, under the Communications Act of 1934, grants to States and units of local government for the establishment, equipping, and operation of emergency communications centers to make the national emergency telephone number 911 available throughout the United States. Authorizes appropriations of $5,000,000 and $7,500,000 for fiscal years 1975 and 1976, respectively, to make grants under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1975
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States and the various political entities thereof should adopt "911" as the nationwide, uniform, emergency telephone number.
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 · 30 January 1975
Freedom of Access for the Elderly and Handicapped Act - Authorizes, under the Internal Revenue Code, a taxpayer to deduct expenses incurred during the taxable year in removing architectural and transportational barriers to the elderly and handicapped.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Domestic Dog and Cat Animal Protection Act - Prohibits the importation into the United States of commercially produced domestic dog and cat animal products. Prohibits dog and cat animal products moving in interstate commerce. Declares that any such products unlawfully imported into the United States or shipped in interstate commerce shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture. Provides that the Secretary of Commerce shall enforce the provisions of this Act and may utilize, by agreement, the services of other Federal agencies or may designate officers of any State to enforce this Act. Creates a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 for each violation and a criminal penalty of not more than $20,000 for each violation, and/or imprisonment for not more than one year.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Excludes from gross income under the Internal Revenue Code the first $500 of interest on savings in the case of an individual taxpayer in a bank, savings and loan association, credit union, or similar thrift institution.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Provides for the inclusion of qualified drugs, requiring a physician's prescription or certification and approved by a Formulary Committee, among the items and services covered under the hospital insurance program administered pursuant to the Medicare and Old-Age, Survivors', and Disability Insurance programs of the Social Security Act. Establishes a Formulary Committee within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare to list in standardized terms the drugs covered by insurance based on the suitability of such drugs for patient care. Authorizes the Formulary Committee to establish maximum allowable costs for qualified drugs under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Provides that any officer or employee of the Department of this Interior, designated by the Secretary of such Department to maintain law and order and protect persons and property within areas of the National Park System, may, in the performance of his duties: (1) carry firearms and make arrests, under specified circumstances, without warrant for any offense against the United States; (2) execute specified warrants or process; and (3) conduct investigations of offenses against the United States committed in the National Park System. Authorizes the Secretary to designate officers and employees of any other Federal agency or law enforcement personnel of any State or political subdivision thereof to act as special policemen. Empowers the Secretary to provide reimbursement to a State or its political subdivision for expenditures incurred in connection with its activities within the National Park System which were rendered pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Prescribes penalties for the use of firearms in the commission, and carrying firearms during the commission, of any felony with respect to which United States courts have exclusive and original jurisdiction. Prescribes penalties for the use of carrying of any firearm transported in interstate or foreign commerce in the commission of any crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year upon conviction in a State court. Provides a sentence, in addition to the punishment set forth for the commission of such felony or crime, of a term of five to ten years imprisonment. States that in case of a second or subsequent conviction, such person shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than ten years, or to life imprisonment. (Amends 18 U.SC. 924(c))
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Establishes weight restrictions for vehicles on the Interstate System. Provides that no funds authorized to be appropriated for any fiscal year under the Federal-Aid Highway Act shall be apportioned to any State within the boundaries of which the Interstate System may lawfully be used by vehicles in excess of the established weight limitation.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1975
Constitutional Amendment - Permits the imposition and carrying out of the death penalty by any State or the Congress in the case of any crime involving the deliberate and willful taking of human life, and in the case of treason.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Increases to $3,600 the amount of outside earnings which (subject to further increases under the automatic adjustment provisions) is permitted each year without any deductions from benefits under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
![Official portrait of Rep. Young, C. W. Bill [R-FL-13]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/y000031_200.jpg)