United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1975
Older Americans Community Service Employment Amendments - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to establish an older American community service program in order to promote useful part-time work opportunities in community service activities for unemployed low-income persons 55 years old or older who have poor employment prospects. Makes provisions for allotment of funds to State, local and private organizations to further the purposes of the program. Authorizes appropriations of $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, $150,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, and $200,000,000 for fiscal year 1978 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1975
Directs that an additional $300,000,000 in contract authority for low-income housing be available to local housing authorities pursuant to the U.S. Housing Act of 1937.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1975
Home Purchase Incentive Act - Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make home purchase incentive payments, and to enter into commitments to make such payments, as provided in this Act, in order to encourage the construction and purchase of single-family residential dwellings. States that the Secretary shall make a home purchase incentive payment to any individual who purchases a single-family dwelling to be used as his principal residence: (1) during the four-month period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, if construction of that dwelling was completed prior to such date of enactment and such dwelling remained unoccupied after the completion of construction; (2) during the six-month period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, if the construction of that dwelling is completed during such six-month period; or (3) during the one-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, if the construction of that dwelling commences during the six-month period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act and is completed within the one-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act. Provides that the amount of a home purchase incentive payment shall be $1,000 in the case of a dwelling designed for occupancy by one family, $1,500 in the case of a dwelling designed for occupancy by two families, $2,000 in the case of a dwelling designed for occupancy by three families, or $2,500 in the case of a dwelling designed for occupancy by four families. Provides that no payment may be made under this Act with respect to single-family dwelling: (1) having a purchase price in excess of such amount as the Secretary determines is the median cost for such a dwelling in the housing market area; (2) the size of which does not equal or exceed the minimum size for such dwellings prescribed by the Secretary; or (3) which does not comply with local code standards for decent, safe, and sanitary housing. Authorizes the appropriation of not to exceed $1,000,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1975
Provides that not less than 50 percent of the food commodities budgeted for Cambodia shall be made available in Cambodia for humanitarian purposes. Directs that such food be administered by voluntary agencies already established in Cambodia.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1975
Revises the provisions of title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act by increasing the increment in old-age benefits payable to individuals who delay their retirement beyond age 65.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1975
Japan-United States Friendship Act - Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to provide for the use of part of the sums to be paid by Japan to the United States in connection with the reversion of Okinawa to Japanese administration in order to enhance the understanding and support of the close friendship and mutuality of interest between our two nations. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the Japan-United States Friendship Trust Fund. Requires such amounts in the fund to be used for the promotion of scholarly, cultural, and artistic activities between Japan and the United States. Provides that amounts in the fund may also be used to pay administrative expenses of the Japan-United States Friendship Commission. Establishes such Commission and authorizes it to develop and carry out programs for the promotion of scholarly, cultural and artistic activities by Japan and the United States, and to make grants to carry out such programs. Makes administrative provisions to enable the Commission to carry out its functions under this Act. States that the Japan-United States Friendship Trust Fund shall consist of: (1) 10 percent of the funds paid to the United States pursuant to the agreement between Japan and the United States concerning the Ryukyu Islands and the Daito Islands; (2) any other amounts received by the fund by way of gifts and donations; and (3) interest and proceeds credited to it from portions of the fund invested by the Secretary of the Treasury. Provides that such investments may be made only in interest-bearing obligations of the United States or in obligations guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1975
Increases from thirteen to twenty-six the maximum number of weeks for which an individual may receive emergency compensation under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act. Requires that amounts established by States for individuals in emergency compensation accounts must equal the lesser of (1) 100 percent (presently 50 percent of the total amount of regular compensation payable to the individual with respect to the benefit year on the basis of which he most recently received regular compensation, or (2) 26 times (presently 13 times) his average weekly benefit amount for his benefit year. (Amends U.S.C. 3304m.)
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1975
Increases from 26 to 39 the maximum number of weeks for which an individual may receive unemployment assistance under the special unemployment assistance program established by the Emergency Jobs and Unemployment Assistance Act of 1974. Requires States to make unemployment assistance payments in the manner prescribed by the special unemployment assistance program in order to be eligible to participate in such program.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Eliminates the waiting period for disability benefits under Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act for individuals with a disability which is anticipated to result in death within 12 months.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
MHD (Magnetohydrodynamics) Research, Development, and Demonstration Act - Declares that Congress finds that MHD electricity generation will help eliminate the dependence of the United States upon foreign energy sources. Declares it to be the policy of the Federal Government to pursue a program of research and development of MHD as a major source of energy and to provide for the development and demonstration of practicable means to employ MHD on a commercial scale. Declares that the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration shall have responsibility for such research, development and demonstration program. Directs the Administrator to initiate and carry out such research and development program for the purpose of achieving commercial utilization of MHD energy in the United States by the mid-1980's. Creates in the Energy Research and Development Administration a Division of MHD Electric Power Generation. Directs the Administrator to establish and operate an MHD energy information data bank. Authorizes and directs the Administrator to support programs of education to provide the necessary trained personnel to perform the MHD energy research, development, and demonstration programs required under this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal year 1976 such sum, not to exceed $50,000,000 as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated for each fiscal year from 1977 to 1980 such sum, not to exceed $100,000,000, as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1975
Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to grant financial assistance within 45 days under Title XVI of the Social Security Act (Grants to States for Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled) for (1) replacement of lost, stolen, or undelivered benefit checks, or (2) replacement of lost or stolen cash determined by the Secretary to constitute the proceeds of one or more of such checks. Requires the Secretary to make a cash advance of $100 to individuals who have applied for emergency benefits while their application is pending.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1975
Provides that, in determining the eligibility of any household for a couple allotment under the Food Stamp Act, there shall be disregarded so such of the income of any member of such household as is attributable to any cost-of-living increase in social security benefits which takes effect in 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1975
Requires that, for purposes of determining medicaid eligibility under title XIX of the Social Security Act, there be disregarded so much of an individual's social security income as is attributable to any cost-of-living increase in social security benefits which takes effect in 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 18 February 1975
Directs the Secretary of Defense to provide for displaying for public viewing at the Arlington National Cemetery the names of deceased veterans upon the request of the spouse or next of kin of such veterans. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1975
Emergency Unemployment Health Benefits Act - Includes a new title under the Emergency Jobs and Unemployment Health Benefits Act establishing an emergency health benefits program for the unemployed. Declares all unemployed individuals who: (1) are entitled to receive State or Federal unemployment benefits and; (2) would, if their employment had not been discontinued, be covered under an employer-sponsored health insurance plan to be eligible for health insurance benefits of the type provided by their previous employer. Extends such benefits to the dependent spouse and the dependent children of such eligible individuals. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to enter into arrangements with carriers and State agencies to carry out this Act. Stipulates that no health insurance benefits may be provided under this Act after June 30, 1976. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1975
Emergency Public Service Employment Extension Act - Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary for fiscal year 1976 to carry out the emergency jobs program under the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1975
Child and Family Service Act - Title I: Child and Family Service Programs - Provides that the Secretary shall take all necessary action to coordinate child and family service programs under his jurisdiction and that, to this end, he shall establish and maintain within the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare an Office of Child and Family Services administered by a Director appointed by the President with the advise and consent of the Senate. Provides that such office shall assume the responsibility of the Office of Child Development and shall be the principal agency of the Department for the administration of this Act. Establishes a Child and Family Services Coordinating Council, consisting of the Director of the Office of Child and Family Services (who shall serve as chairperson), and representatives from the Federal agencies administering the Social Security Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and from the appropriate Federal agencies. Requires the Department of Labor, and other appropriate agencies, to meet on a regular basis, as they may deem necessary, in order to assure coordination of child and family service activities under their respective jurisdictions so as to assure maximum use of available resources through the prevention of duplication of activities; and to structure the activities related to the purposes of this Act. States that funds available for this title may be used (in accordance with approved applications and plans) for planning and developing child and family service programs; establishing, maintaining, and operating child and family service programs, which may include: (1) part-day or full-day child care programs, which provide educational, health, nutritional, and social services directed toward enabling participating children to attain their maximum potential; (2) other health, social, recreational, and educational programs designed to meet the special needs of children and families including before- and after- school and summer programs; (3) social services to help families determine the appropriateness of child and family services and the possibility of alternative plans; (4) prenatal, post partum and other medical care, including services to expectant mothers who cannot afford such services, designed to help reduce handicapping conditions among the newborn; (5) programs designed to meet the special needs of ethnic groups and to meet the needs of all children to understand the history and cultural backgrounds of ethnic groups and the role of members of such groups in the history and cultural development of the Nation and the region in which they reside; (6) food and nutritional services; (7) diagnosis, identification, and treatment, and special activities designed to ameliorate physiological, mental, psychological, and emotional barriers to full participation in child and family service programs; (8) programs designed to extend child and family service gains (particularly parent participation) into the kindergarten and early primary grades, in cooperation with local educational agencies; (9) other such services and activities as the Secretary deems appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of this Act; (10) rental, lease or lease-purchase, mortgage amortization payments, renovation, acquisition and maintenance of necessary equipment and supplies, and to the extent authorized by this Act, construction or acquisition of facilities, including mobile facilities; (11) preservice and inservice education and training for professional and paraprofessional personnel, including parents and volunteers, especially education and training for career development and advancement; (12) staff and other administrative expenses of child and family service councils and of project policy committees established and operated in accordance with the provisions of this Act; and (13) dissemination of information in the functional language of those to be served to assure that parents are well informed of child and family service programs available to them and may participate in such programs. Provides that a State, locality, or combination of localities may be designated by the Secretary as a prime sponsor for the purpose of entering into arrangements to carry out programs under this title. Enumerates the requirements which must be met by States and localities submitting prime sponsorship applications. States that each prime sponsor shall establish and maintain a Child and Family Service Council of specified composition. States that such Council shall be responsible for approving child and family service plans, basic goal, policies, procedures, overall budget policies and project funding, and the selection or establishment and annual renewal of an administering agency or agencies and will be responsible for annual and ongoing evaluation of child and family service programs according to criteria established by the Secretary. States that financial assistance under this title may be provided by the Secretary for fiscal year 1976 and any subsequent fiscal year to a prime sponsor only pursuant to a child and family service plan which is submitted by such prime sponsor and approved by the Secretary in accordance with the provisions of this title. Specifies the elements to be contained in such plans, and the procedure including opportunity for airing of views with respect to such plan, for approval or disapproval of the plan. States that funds may be provided by the prime sponsor for carrying out any program under such prime sponsor's comprehensive child and family service plan only to a qualified public or private agency or organization, including but not limited to an educational agency or institution, a community action agency, single-purpose Headstart agency, community development corporation, parent cooperative, organization of migrant agricultural workers, organization of Indians, organization interested in child care, employer or business organization, labor union, or employee or labor management organization, or by any other public or private agency whose project application is approved by the Child and Family Service Council of the prime sponsorship. Provides for special grants to States for necessary expenses incident to the operation of programs authorized by this Act in such States, and, in addition to the conditions which must be met for such grants, requires that grants for construction or acquisition of facilities may be made only if such construction or acquisition is essential to the provision of adequate child care services. Title II: Standards, Enforcement, And Evaluations - Provides that, within six months after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate a common set of program standards which shall be applicable to all programs providing child care services under this or any other Federal Act, to be known as the Federal Standards for Child Care. Provides that the Secretary shall, within sixty days of the enactment of this Act, appoint a Special Committee on Federal Standards for Child Care to participate in the development of Federal Standards for child care and modifications thereof. Provides for the development of a minimum code for child and family service facilities to be addressed to the health, safety, and physical comfort of the children participating in such programs. Provides for the withholding of grants where prime sponsors fail to conform with their approved plans or applicable standards and regulations. Title III: Research and Demonstrations - States that it is the purpose of this title to assist and encourage the provision of urgently needed facilities for child care and comprehensive child services programs. States that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare is authorized to insure any mortgage (including advances on such mortgage during construction) in accordance with the provisions of this title upon such terms and conditions as he may prescribe and make commitments for insurance of such mortgage prior to the date of its execution or disbursement thereon. Provides that the mortgage shall be executed by a mortgagor approved by the Secretary, and that such mortgages shall involve in principal obligation of up to $250,000 and not to exceed 90 percent of the estimated replacement costs of properties or projects when the proposed improvements are completed. Creates a Child and Family Services Facility Insurance Fund which shall be used by the Secretary as a revolving fund for carrying out all the insurance provisions of this title, including mortgage insurance. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, contracts, or other arrangements to carry out a program of research and demonstration projects, which shall include but not be limited to: (1) research to develop techniques to measure and evaluate child and family services, and to develop standards to evaluate professional and paraprofessional child and family service personnel; (2) research to test preschool programs emphasizing reading and reading readiness; (3) preventive medicine, techniques, and technology to improve the early diagnosis and treatment of diseases and learning disabilities of pre-school children; (4) research to test alternative methods of providing child and family service; (5) evaluation of research findings and the development of these findings and the effective application thereof; (6) dissemination and application of research and development efforts and demonstration projects to child and family service programs and early childhood education programs; (7) production of informational systems and other resources necessary to support the activities authorized by this Act; and (8) a study of the need on a nationwide basis for child and family services programs and of the resources, including personnel, which are available to meet this need. Title IV: Training of Personnel for Child and Family Services - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to enable individuals employed or preparing for employment in child and family services programs assisted under this Act to participate in preservice or inservice training programs for professional and nonprofessional personnel. Title V: General Provisions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Provides for nutrition services to be provided to child and family service programs under the National School Lunch Act of 1946 and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1975
Homeowners' Loan Act - Establishes the Homeowner's Loan Corporation. Requires the Board of Directors of the Corporation to determine the minimum amount of capital stock of the Corporation and to increase such capital stock from time to time in such amounts as may be necessary. Authorizes the Corporation to issue bonds in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000,000 which may be sold by the Corporation to obtain funds for carrying out the purposes of this Act. Directs the Corporation during such period to make assistance payments to individuals and families who have incurred substantial losses of income as a result of unemployment. Directs that such payments be sufficient to enable such individuals and families to meet home mortgage payments. Stipulates that such payments not be made for a period in excess of eighteen months with respect to any mortgagor. Prohibits such payments unless the Corporation determines that such mortgagor will be able to avoid or cure a default on the mortgage. Authorizes the Corporation for a period of three years, but only during any three calendar quarters beginning with one in which the Federal Home Loan Bank Board determines that the foreclosure rate exceeds one-half of 1 percent, to acquire home mortgages and other obligations and liens secured by real estate. States that each home mortgage or other obligation or lien so acquired shall be carried as a first lien or refinanced as a home mortgage by the Corporation on the basis of the price paid therefor by the Corporation, and shall be amortized by means of monthly payments sufficient to retire the interest and principal within a period of not to exceed thirty years. Requires that the aggregate amount of payments with respect to any mortgagor be secured by a lien on the mortgaged property. Directs the Board to issue such rules and regulations as may be necessary, including rules and regulations providing for the appraisal of the property on which loans are made under this section so as to accomplish the purposes of this Act. States that whoever makes any statement, knowing it to be false, or whoever willfully overvalues any security, for the purpose of influencing in any way the action of the Homeowners' Loan Corporation of the Board upon any application, advance, discount, purchase, or repurchase agreement, or loan under this Act, or any extension thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for not more than two years, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 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 · 7 February 1975
Declares that any time during the consideration of a bill or resolution in the Senate it shall be in order to move that no amendment which is not germane or relevant to the subject matter of the bill or resolution, shall thereafter be in order. Provides that if such a motion is agreed to by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Senators present and voting, then an amendment thereafter proposed (except amendments proposed by the committee which reported such bill or resolution) which is not germane or relevant to the subject matter of such bill or resolution, or to the subject matter of an amendment proposed by the committee which reported such bill or resolution shall not be in order.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Bilingual Courts Act - Provides for bilingual proceedings in all district courts of the United States in both civil and criminal actions where it is determined that a party to the action or one of his witnesses does not understand the English language. Authorizes appropriations to the Federal Judiciary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Congressional Election Financing Act - Adds to the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 a Title V: Public Financing of Congressional Elections. Sets forth the definitions of terms to be used in this Act. States that to be eligible to receive payments under this title, a candidate for election to Federal Office shall agree: (1) to obtain and to furnish to the Commission any evidence it may request about his campaign expenditures and contributions; (2) to keep and to furnish to the Commission information it may request; (3) to permit an audit and examination by the Commission and to pay any amounts required; and (4) to furnish statements of campaign expenditures and proposed campaign expenditures. Enumerates the eligibility certification requirements to be met by every candidate prior to receiving payments under this Act. Provides that every eligible candidate is entitled to payments in connection with his primary election campaign in an amount which is equal to the amount of contributions he accepts for that campaign. Describes the amounts which major party and minor party candidates are entitled to receive. Requires th Secretary of the Treasury to maintain in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund a separate account to be known as the Congressional Election Account. Directs the Secretary to deposit in the Account the amount available after payments for Presidential elections and nominating conventions have been set aside plus such additional amounts as may be authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title. Directs the Secretary to pay to candidates from this Account the amounts certified by the Federal Elections Commission. Requires that, after each congressional election, the Commission shall conduct a thorough examination and audit of the campaign expenditures of all candidates who received payments under this title. Provides for repayment of funds to the Account in the case of excess payments, the failure to make expenditures of any portion of the payments received, or the expenditure of such payments for purposes other than campaign expenses. Directs every candidate to furnish a detailed statement of expenditures and proposed expenditures whenever the Commission so requires, and directs the Commission to make available for public inspection summaries of all such statements. Requires the Commission to submit an annual report to Congress setting forth the expenditures of each candidate who received payments, the amounts certified for payment to each, and any amount required to be returned by a candidate. States that each such report submitted shall be printed as a Senate document. Imposes for violation of this title a fine of not more than $50,000, or not more than five years imprisonment, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Authorizes each Senator serving on a committee to hire staff to assist him in his duties as a member of each committee on which such Senator serves. Allows each Senator serving as chairman of any subcommittee or ranking minority member of any subcommittee to hire staff to assist him in his duties. States that individuals so appointed shall be in addition to employees otherwise authorized.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Expresses the Senate's disapproval of the President's proposed deferral of budget authority to carry out the homeownership assistance program of the National Housing Act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1975
Requires the monthly publication of a Consumer Price Index for the Aged which shall be used in the provision of cost-of-living benefit increases authorized by title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act when it results in a higher benefit than the Consumer Price Index.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Provides that no change in the status of any member of the uniformed services who is in a missing status as a result of his performance of service of Southeast Asia may be made unless and until the following two provisions have been complied with: (1) the President of the United States has determined, and notified the Congress in writing, that all reasonable actions have been made to enforce the provisions of the Paris Peace Accord of January 27, 1973; and (2) the Secretary concerned notifies the next of kin in writing of the proposed change in status, and next of kin has not filed within 60 days of such notification, and objection to such a proposed change.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Full Employment and Job Development Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to provide for the implementation of a full employment policy. Establishes as an independent agency in the executive branch of the Government a Federal Full Employment Board, to consist of five members appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Authorizes the Board to perform specified functions, including the following: (1) recommend to the President and the Congress by January 20 of each year (beginning January 20, 1976) a program to achieve full employment in each fiscal year and alternative means of attaining that objective; (2) review and make recommendations with respect to monetary, fiscal, income, and other governmental policies in terms of the impact of such policies upon achieving full employment; (3) review and make recommendations with respect to decisions made by public and private employers and establish appropriate procedures for the collection of information, from such employers, necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act. Sets forth the powers and authority of the Board. Directs the Board to transmit annually to the Congress a report, to be known as the Full Employment Report, setting forth a program to achieve full employment for the following fiscal year, and alternative means of attaining that objective, as required under the provisions of this Act, together with a statement of the Board's activities for the following fiscal year. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 1975, and for each of the two succeeding fiscal years for the activities of the Board.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Foreign Investment Act - Requires notification under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by foreign investors of proposed acquisitions of more than 5 percent of the equity securities of United States companies and, if the assets of such company exceed $1,000,000, requires that such notification be given at least 30 days before acquisition. Authorizes the President to prohibit any such acquisition as appropriate for the national security, to further the foreign policy, or to protect the domestic economy of the United States. Requires issuers of registered securities to maintain and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a list of the names and nationalities of the beneficial owners of their equity securities. Confers on Federal district courts the jurisdiction to enjoin foreign investors, or to enforce compliance by such investors, with respect to the notification provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments - Title I: Purposes, Definitions, and National Policy for Managing the Resources of the Outer Continental Shelf - States that the purposes of this Act are to: (1) establish policies and procedures for managing the oil and natural gas resources of the Outer Continental Shelf in order to achieve national economic goals; (2) preserve, protect, and develop oil and natural gas resources in the Outer Continental Shelf; (3) encourage development of new and improved technology for energy resource production that will increase human safety and eliminate or reduce risk of evnironmental damage; and (4) assure that coastal States which are directly impacted by oil and natural gas exploration and development are provided with an opportunity to take part in policy and planning decisions. Title II: Amendments to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act - Revises bidding and lease administration under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Provides for the orderly development of oil and gas leases and requires that no geological and geophysical exploration shall take place in the Outer Continental Shelf without a permit issued by the Secretary of the Interior. Directs the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive exploratory program designed to obtain sufficient data to evaluate the extent, location, and potential for developing the oil and gas resources in the Outer Continental Shelf. States that the Secretary shall, by regulation, establish procedures for determining the areas to be considered for exploratory drilling and potential leasing. Authorizes to be appropriated for such purposes $200,000,000 during fiscal years 1976 and 1977. Requires the Secretary to transmit a leasing and development plan to Congress at least 90 calendar days prior to announcing the invitation to bid on each tract in which oil or gas is found in commercial quantities. Provides that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall be considered the "lead agency" for purpose of complying with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act as such Act pertains to the implementation of this Act. Requires that the environmental impact statements include such information as: (1) the probable impact of the proposed exploration or development on the marine and coastal environments; and (2) any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources that would be involved in the proposed exploration or development. Makes provisions for the development, promulgation, and enforcement of safety regulations for operations in the Outer Continental Shelf. Requires that the Coast Guard make regular inspections and strictly enforce the safety regulations. States that any person who knowingly and willfully violates any provision of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $100,000, or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. Allows citizen suits by persons having an interest which is, or may be, adversely affected. Permits civil actions against any person, including the United States, and against the Secretary of the Interior where there is alleged a failure of the Secretary to perform any act or duty under this Act which is not discretionary. Provides that any person in charge of any oil and gas operations in the Outer Continental Shelf shall be subject to a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for mot more than one year, or both, for failure to immediately notify an appropriate agency of the U.S. Government of a discharge or spillage of oil. Authorizes, for the purpose of removing a discharge or spilling, the withdrawal of money available in the Offshore Oil Pollution Settlements Fund established pursuant to this Act. Imposes on each barrel of oil produced pursuant to any lease issued or maintained under this Act a fee of two and a half cents per barrel to pay costs of administration of this Act. Provides that collection of amounts for the fund shall cease when $100,000,000 has been accumulated, but shall be renewed when the accumulation in the fund falls below $85,000,000. Provides that immediately upon the date of enactment of this Act, there shall cease any additional leasing of tracts for the purpose of developing oil and gas under the authority of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act in all regions and areas where there has been no previous development of oil and gas on the Outer Continental Shelf or other areas where geological or environmental conditions make such development hazardous. States that such moratorium shall continue until a specified time. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires that the Secretary of the Interior shall prepare and publish a report with recommendations for achieving an equitable system of lease sales while maximizing production and revenues from the leasing of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands. Provides that the Secretary shall study the most appropriate means of developing a National Strategic Energy Reserve.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Eliminates the earnings limitation under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act for all workers age sixty-five and over (presently age 72).
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Repeals, under the Sherman Antitrust Act and under the Federal Trade Commission Act, exemptions in the antitrust laws relating to fair trade laws (also known as resale price maintenance or quality stabilization laws) which agreements prescribe minimum or stipulated prices for the resale of brand-name commodities.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Establishes the Frederick Law Olmsted Home and Office in Brookline, Massachusetts, as a national historic site. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Social Security Administration Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to strengthen the fiscal and administrative structure of the contributory social security programs. Title I: Social Security Administration - Establishes, as an independent agency of the Executive Branch of the Government, a Social Security Administration headed by a Board appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Declares that it shall be the duty of the Administration to administer the programs established by titles II, XVI, and XVIII of the Social Security Act, and to discharge the duties and responsibilities imposed on the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in connection with the administration of the program established by title IV of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. States that the Administration shall also have the duty of studying and making recommendations as to the most effective methods of providing economic security through social insurance, and as to legislation and matters of administrative policy. Provides for the appointment of an Executive Director and a General Counsel of the Administration. Makes the Administration responsible for administering the old age, survivors, and disability insurance program, medicare, supplemental security income, and the black lung benefit program under the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. Prohibits the mailing of announcements with Social Security and SSI checks which make reference by name, title, or signature to any officer of the United States. Transfers to the Social Security Administration: (1) all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, with respect to the administration of programs and activities the administration of which is vested in such Administration, by reason of this Act; and (2) all personnel, assets, liabilities, contracts, property, and records, which the Director of the Office of Management and Budget determines to be employed, held, or used by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare primarily in connection with the functions, activities, and programs which, by reason of this Act are vested in or become the responsibility of the Administration. Abolishes the position of Commissioner of Social Security. Title II: Miscellaneous and Conforming Amendments - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Social Security Act, the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act, the Budget and Accounting Act, and the Executive Schedules of the United States Code.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Joint Committee on Intelligence Oversight Act - Establishes the Joint Committee on Intelligence Oversight, consisting of seven members from each House, to conduct a continuing study and investigation of the activities of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Secret Service, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and all other departments and agencies insofar as their activities pertain to intelligence gathering. Prohibits the appropriation of funds for intelligence activities unless such funds have been specifically authorized by legislation enacted after enactment of this Act. Requires that legislation pertaining to intelligence activities be reported from such joint committee. Grants subpena power to the chairman of such joint committee.
United States · United States Congress · 23 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 products 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) 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 the 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 · 21 January 1975
States that the Senate disapproves the proposed deferral of budget authority to carry out the comprehensive planning grants program under the Housing Act of 1954 as set forth in the special message transmitted by the President to the Congress on November 26, 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1975
Allows the Secretary of Commerce to grant exemption, under such terms as he may prescribe, to the Endangered Species Act to allow possession and sale of bones and teeth of marine mammals of the order cetacea, which were lawfully held within the United States on December 21, 1972. Provides that in actions brought for specified violations of the Endangered Species Act there shall be a rebuttable presumption that such presumption that such exemption does not apply, and that any person claiming the benefit of such exemption shall have the burden of overcoming the presumption.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1975
Consumer Protection Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to promote protection of consumers with respect to specified areas, including: (1) the safety, quality, purity, potency, healthfulness, durability, performance, repairability, effectiveness, dependability, availability, and cost of any real or personal property or tangible or intangible goods, services, or credit; and (2) the preservation of consumer choice and a competitive market. Establishes as an independent agency in the executive branch the Agency for Consumer Advocacy. Directs the Administrator of the Agency to prepare and submit an annual report simultaneously to the Congress and the President, not later than April 1 of each year. Specifies the content of such report, including the Agency's activities and court actions affecting the interests of consumers. Directs the Agency to advise the Congress and the President on matters affecting the interests of consumers and to protect and promote the interests of the people of the United States as consumers of goods and services. Enumerates the functions of the Administrator, including the following: (1) to represent the interests of consumers before Federal agencies and courts; (2) to conduct and support research, studies, and testing; (3) to submit recommendations annually to the Congress and the President on measures to improve the operation of the Federal Government in the protection and promotion of the interests of consumers; and (4) to publish material developed in carrying out this Act to inform consumers of matters of interest to them. States that whenever the Administrator determines that the result of any Federal agency proceeding may substantially affect an interest of consumers, he may as of right intervene as a party or otherwise participate for the purpose of representing an interest of consumers. Provides that whenever the Administrator receives any complaint which discloses: (1) an apparent violation of law relating to an interest of consumers; or (2) a commercial, trade, or other practice which is detrimental to an interest of consumers; he shall transmit such complaint to any Federal, State, or local agency which has the authority to enforce any relevant law or to take appropriate action. Directs the Administrator to maintain a public document room containing, for public inspection and copying, an up-to-date listing of all consumer complaints of any significance which the Agency has received, as arranged in meaningful and useful categories, together with annotations of actions taken in response thereto. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct studies, and to obtain data and information from persons engaged in a trade, business, or industry which substantially affects interstate commerce and whose activities he determines may substantially affect an interest of consumers. Stipulates that the Administrator shall not have the power to require the production or disclosure of any data or other information under this Act from any small business. Provides that, upon written request by the Administrator, each Federal agency is directed to furnish access to all documents which the Administrator deems necessary for the performance of his functions. Sets forth limitations on the disclosure of any information obtained pursuant to any authority conferred by this Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that small business enterprises should have their varied needs considered by all levels of government in the implementation of the procedures provided for throughout this Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act not to exceed $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, not to exceed $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, and not to exceed $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1978. Provides for the transfer of employees and property of the Consumer Product Information Coordinating Center in the General Services Administration to the Agency. Requires Federal agencies to issue standards governing public participation in agency proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1975
Securities Acts Amendments - Permits exchanges to be registered as national securities exchanges under the requirements of this Act by filing appropriate registration forms with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Sets forth prerequisites to such registration, including the ability of an exchange to enforce compliance by its members with the provisions of this Act. Allows a national securities exchange to deny membership to any registered broker or dealer who is subject to an order of the Commission denying or suspending his broker or dealer's registration, or who does not meet standards of financial responsibility or standards of training and experience. Extends such standards to persons associated with members. Provides for a procedure of discipline for exchange members and their associates. Prohibits any national securities exchange from imposing any schedule or fixing rates of commissions or other charges for trading on such exchange, except pursuant to a rule of the exchange approved by the Commission. Prohibits exchange members from effecting any transaction for any account in which they have a financial interest, with specified exceptions. Directs the Commission to establish a national market system for securities qualified for trading in such a system. Requires such system to include a system for composite reporting of all transactions, a system for the composite display of quotations, equal regulation of markets for such securities and of the members, brokers and dealers effecting transactions in such securities. Prohibits use of the mails or of any means of interstate commerce by a securities information processor unless such person is registered in accordance with this Act. Prohibits national securities exchanges, members, registered securities associations, securities information processors, brokers, or dealers from using the mails or interstate commerce to collect, process, distribute, or publish information regarding transactions of securities in violation of rules and regulations of the Commission for the protection of investors. Authorizes the Commission to prohibit brokers and dealers from effecting transactions in specified securities except through a national securities exchange. Permits the Commission to suspend registration of or trading in securities the issuer of which has failed to comply with provisions of this Act; and, with the approval of the President, to suspend trading on an exchange. Lists items of information which institutional investment managers must submit to the Commission, and which the Commission must make public. Makes it unlawful for any broker or dealer to make use of a national securities exchange, the mails, or interstate commerce to effect any transaction unless they are registered in accordance with this Act. Sets forth procedures for such registration and for disciplining of brokers and dealers. Describes conditions which will necessitate disciplinary action, including fraudulent registration with the Commision and conviction of specified crimes. Provides for disciplining of persons associated with brokers and dealers. Requires brokers and dealers to meet standards of operational capability and of training and experience. Prohibits brokers and dealers from engaging in fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative practices and violations of Commission rules designed to protect investors and expedite the national market system. Permits an association of brokers and dealers to register as a national securities association pursuant to this Act. Prescribes conditions to be met before an association may register, including ability to enforce compliance by its members with the provisions of this Act, the eligibility of any registered broker or dealer to become a member, and the adoption of rules designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative practices. Stipulates those to whom an association may deny membership, including those under expulsion or suspension. Sets forth procedures for the disciplining of association members, including notification and hearing for the members. Sets forth the conditions of denial and suspension of membership. Makes it unlawful for any municipal securities dealer to use the mails or interstate commerce to effect any transcation unless such dealer is registered in accordance with this Act. Directs the Commission to establish a Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board to propose and adopt rules to accomplish the purposes of this Act regarding transactions in municipal securities. Requires the Board's rules to include specified minimum requirements, establish fair procedures for the nomination and election of members of the Board, be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative practices, and prescribe the records to be kept by municipal securities brokers and dealers. Permits the Commission to censure, limit, suspend from transacting, or revoke the registration of brokers and dealers in municipal securities. Sets forth procedures for such actions. Authorizes the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and the appropriate regulatory agency (for nonmembers of an association) to conduct periodic examinations of municipal securities dealers. Prescribes specified recordkeeping of exchanges, brokers, dealers, members, association, information processors, clearing agencies, and transfer agents, including where the Commission is not the appropriate regulatory agency for such an entity. Allows the Commission to authorize self-regulatory agencies to examine members for compliance with this Act and to enforce this Act. Directs the Commission to establish a national system for the clearance and settlement of transactions in securities. Makes it unlawful to use the mails or interstate commerce to perform the functions of a clearing agency unless registered in accordance with this Act. Sets forth the conditions to be met by such agencies in order to be registered under this Act, including operational capabilities and ability to enforce complaince with this Act by participants. Details the procedures governing disciplining of clearing agency participants, including notification and a hearing. Sets forth the conditions under which a person may be registered as a transfer agent by registering with the appropriate regulatory agency. Requires clearing agencies and transfer agents to comply with rules and regulations of the Commission and of the appropriate regulatory agencies. Sets forth the requirements and procedures relating to approval by the Commission of rule changes by self-regulatory organizations, including standards to be enforced regarding approval or disapproval. Sets forth similar items relating to self-regulatory organizations for which the Commission is not the appropriate regulatory agency. Permits the Commission by rule, to abrogate, add to, or delete from the rules of self-regulatory organizations. Requires such organizations to file notice of final disciplinary action upon any members with the appropriate regulatory agency, which may review such action, and, after appropriate procedures, cancel or reduce such action. Empowers the appropriate regulatory agencies to suspend the registration of, to censure, or impose limitations on self-regulatory organizations. Sets forth additional disciplinary procedures which may be taken by such agencies toward self-regulatory organizations. Authorizes the Commission to make necessary investigations to determine whether any person has violated this Act. Empowers the Commission to bring appropriate actions in federal district court upon the discovery of past, present, or threatened violations of this Act. Requires the Commission to consider the effect upon competition of any rules or regulations promulgated under this Act. Provides for public inspection of records and documents arising pursuant to this Act. Allows judicial review of orders and rules of the Commission adverse to parties under this Act, provided the Commission has been petitioned first. Requires national securities exchanges to pay to the Commission by March 15 of each year a registration fee for the privilege of doing business. Establishes requirements regarding amounts or benefits accruing to investment advisers in connection with a sale of securities.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1975
National Trust for the Preservation of Historic Ships Act - Provides that in order to acquire, restore, and put on display ships of national interest and importance in the history of this Nation, and to identify and focus public attention and support for such acquisitions, restoration, and display, there is hereby created a charitable, educational, and nonprofit corporation, to be known as the National Trust for the Preservation of Historic Ships. Authorizes the Historic Ships Trust to acquire, with donated, appropriated, or other funds, ships of national interest and importance in the technical, commercial, and cultural maritime history of the United States and to restore and display such ships. Designates the members of a temporary board of trustees for the Historic Ships Trust. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution to establish a suitable advisory commission. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Historic Ships Trust for fiscal year 1976 and for each of the next following four fiscal years the sum of $1,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1975
States that all tax returns made with respect to taxes imposed by the Internal Revenue Code are confidential records, and that, except where provided otherwise, no return shall be open to inspection nor shall information contained therein be disclosed. Authorizes inspections of returns by the following persons: (1) the taxpayer or his representative; (2) officers and employees of the Departments of Justice, the Treasury, State agencies entrusted with carrying out the income tax laws, and the Internal Revenue Service solely for administration and enforcement of the income tax laws; and (3) the President of the United States. Authorizes the disclosure of statistical information to State and Federal agencies and the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue. Imposes civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Grants a Federal charter to the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Incorporated, a non-profit corporation with its principal offices in Indianapolis. States that such Corporation's purpose shall be to preserve and encourage the study of historical evidence relating to December 7, 1941, and to stimulate interest in the affairs and future of America.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Directs the Secretary of the Interior to give notice of the sale of leases to develop oil and gas deposits in the Outer Continental Shelf to the Governor of any coastal State, the lands of which are within 300 miles of the land to be leased. States that at any time prior to such sale the Governor may request postponement of such sale for up to three years if he determines that such sale will result in adverse environmental or economic impact or other damage to the State or its residents. Establishes a National Coastal Resources Appeals Board to review adverse decisions against postponement by the Secretary. States that the Board shall be composed of the Vice President, who shall be Chairman of the Board, the Secretary of the Interior, the Administration of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Imposes upon every new automobile manufactured, produced, or imported, a tax based upon the respective weight of such automobile. States that the purposes of such tax are to stimulate the conservation of energy and to encourage the development, manufacture, and importation of automobiles which efficiently consume fuel. Requires that the tax shall be paid by the manufacturer, producer, or importer at such time and in such manner as the Secretary of Transportation shall prescribe.
![Official portrait of Sen. Brooke, Edward W. [R-MA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b000871_200.jpg)