United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1975
Declares it to be the sense of the Senate 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 soverign 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 divestitute of any United States owned peroperty, 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 · 3 March 1975
Increases to $3,600 the annual amount which individuals may earn without suffering deductions from their social security benefits on account of excess earnings under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1975
Authorizes appropriations of $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 and for each of the four succeeding fiscal years for the purpose of making grants to States for establishing, expanding or improving veterans' cemeteries. Requires the States to provide at least 35 percent of the costs of cemetery acquisition or improvement. Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to annually pay to each State up to 65 percent of the annual costs of maintaining veterans' cemeteries within such State.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 1975
Authorizes, under the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, and the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, the participation by owners of properties located in nonparticipating communities to participating communities to participate in the flood insurance programs of such Acts.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1975
Part-Time Career Opportunity Act - Phases in, at the rate of 2 percent each year for five years up to a maximum of 10 percent, part-time jobs in the Federal Civil Service. Authorizes the Civil Service Commission to waive or reduce any such percentage minimum for a period not to exceed one year under specified circumstances. Authorizes to be appropriated the sums necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
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 · 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 · 17 February 1975
Natural Gas Production and Conservation Act - Defines the terms used in this Act. States that new natural gas may be sold or transferred in commerce by a producer only if its total price at the time deliveries are first commenced does not exceed the base price, applicable adjustment, or additional amount, if any, authorized by this Act. Directs the Federal Power Commission to establish an initial national base price for natural gas within 180 days of enactment, and to make such price retroactive to January 1, 1975. States that the initial national base price shall not be less than $.40 nor more than $.75 per thousand cubic feet of natural gas. Provides for an annual adjustment of the base price to account for any inflation. States that the Commission may authorize charges for natural gas in excess of the base price in any high-cost production areas designated by the Commission according to specified criteria set forth in this Act. Permits the pass through, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, of the cost of all new natural gas unless the costs exceed the applicable price ceiling. Limits the applicability of the provisions of this Act to new natural gas. Allows small producers to sell new natural gas at a price which exceeds the applicable authorized price by up to 50 percent. Requires that for sales of old natural gas, priority be given to local distribution companies to meet requirements of each such company's residential and small users. Makes it unlawful for local distribution companies to charge residential and small users rates which do not reflect the lesser cost of natural gas for such users. Directs the Commission to grant or deny approval for the construction of new gas pipelines within 120 days. Stipulates that agreements pertaining to oil or gas development on Federal lands shall require, as a condition to such agreement, that the person granted the right of development design and implement immediately an exploratory and development program designed to obtain maximum production from such lands as soon as practicable, upon approval by the Secretary of the Interior. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to report annually to the Commission and to Congress on the status of all Federal lands leased for oil and gas development. Directs producers and small producers to keep the Commission currently informed on a reservoir to resovoir basis of all natural gas reserves which it has discovered. Prohibits the use of natural gas and propane for boiler fuel by users other than residential or small users unless, upon petition by a user, the Commission determines that (1) such user has a plan to convert as soon as possible to alternative fuels produced in any State; or (2) it is not feasible to utilize such alternative fuels at the time of such Commission determination. Directs the Commission to promulgate by rule a national plan to prohibit as soon as practicable boiler fuel use of natural gas and propane contracted for prior to January 1, 1975, by users other than residential or small users. Requires the Commission to take necessary steps to assure the availability in interstate commerce of sufficient quantities of natural gas for use as a raw material feedstock or process fuel in the production of fertilizer and essential agricultural chemicals in existing and new plants. Authorizes the Commission, upon a finding that it is in the public interest, to direct any natural-gas company to establish a physical interconnection between any specified facility of such company and any specified facility of any other such company, or any producer, or any small producer. States that upon a finding that there is a natural gas supply emergency in a specific area, the Commission may, by order, direct any natural-gas company or companies which is not itself experiencing such an emergency to make specified deliveries of natural gas, directly or indirectly, to the natural-gas company which is experiencing the emergency. Requires that the company delivering gas for such an emergency be compensated at a rate equal to the price of the highest-cost natural gas sold by such company plus any additional price authorized by the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 1975
Increases detention benefits provided to American civilian internees in Southeast Asis from $60 per month to $150 per month under the War Claims Act of 1948.
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
Expresses the Senate's disapproval of the President's September 20, 1974, proposal deferral of budget authority for water program operations construction grants.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Requests the President to proclaim the period from February 16 to March 15, 1975, as "Energy Conservation Month". Directs the President to publicize the need for energy conservation. Requests the President to report to Congress by March 31, 1975, steps taken to promote energy conservation and recommendations for a continuing program. Directs the President to report monthly to the American people and Congress the state of energy resources.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1975
Indian Health Care Improvement Act - States that the Congress declares that it is the policy of this Nation, in fulfillment of its special responsibilities and legal obligation to the American Indian people, to meet the national goal of providing the highest possible health status to Indians and to provide existing Indian health services with all resources necessary to effect that policy. Defines the terms used in this Act. Title I: Indian Health Manpower - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare acting through the Indian Health Service, to make grants to public or nonprofit private health or educational entities or Indian tribes or tribal organizations to assist such entities in meeting the costs of: (1) identifying Indians with a potential for education or training in the health professions and encouraging and assisting them; (2) publicizing existing sources of financial aid available to Indians enrolled in any medical or health-related school referred to in this Act are undertaking training necessary to qualify them to enroll in any such school; or (3) establishing other programs which the Secretary determines will enhance and facilitate the enrollment of Indians, and the subsequent pursuit and completion by them of courses of study, in any school referred to in this act. Authorizes to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of the five fiscal years after enactment of this Act for payment of such grants. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to make scholarship grants for up to two years to Indians who: (1) have successfully completed their high school education or high school equivalency; and (2) have demonstrated the capability to successfully complete courses of study in schools of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, or allied health professions. Authorizes appropriations for scholarship grants of $2,000,000 for the first fiscal year after enactment of this Act; $4,000,000 for the second fiscal year; and $6,000,000 for each of the three succeeding fiscal years. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to make scholarship grants to individuals who are enrolled in schools of medicine, osteopathy, denistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatry, pharmacy, public health, nursing, or allied health professions, and who agree to provide their professional services to Indians after the completion of their professional training. Authorizes appropriations for such grants of $8,000,000 for the first fiscal year after enactment of this Act; $16,000,000 for the second fiscal year; $22,000,000 for the third fiscal year; $30,000,000 for the fourth fiscal year; $34,000,000 for the fifth fiscal year; and, for each succeeding fiscal year, such sums as may be necessary to continue to make scholarship grants under this section to individuals who have received such grants prior to the end of the fifth fiscal year and who are eligible for such grants during each such succeeding fiscal year. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to make grants to individuals, nonprofit entities, appropriate public or private agencies, educational institutions, or Indian tribes and tribal organizations to enable the recipients of such grants to establish and carry out programs to train individuals so as to enable them to provide their services to Indians. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out the provisions of this section $1,000,000 for each of the five fiscal years after enactment of this Act. States that the Secretary, may provide allowances to health professionals employed in the Service to enable them for a period of time each year prescribed by regulation of the Secretary to take leave of their duty stations for professional consultation and refresher training courses. Title II: Health Services - Authorizes the Secretary to expend specific amounts of funds over a five-year fiscal period for the following health services: (1) patient care, (2) field health, excluding dental care, (3) dental care, (4) mental health, (5) treatment and control of alcoholism, (6) provision of health care personnel in primary and secondary Bureau of Indian Affairs schools, and (7) maintenance and repair. Title III: Health Facilities - Authorizes the Secretary to expend $561,000,000 over a five-fiscal-year period in order to eliminate inadequate, outdated, and otherwise unsatisfactory service hospitals, health centers, health stations, and other service facilities. Authorizes the Secretary to expend $378,000,000 within a five-fiscal-year period following the enactment of this Act, to supply unmet needs for safe water and sanitary waste disposal facilities in existing and new Indian homes and communities. Title IV: Access to Health Services - Provides that the Secretary may enter into agreements with the appropriate State agency for the purpose of reimbursing such agency for health care and services provided in Service facilities to Indians who are beneficiaries of the Medicaid provisions of the Social Security Act. Title V: Health Services for Urban Indians - Directs the Secretary, acting through the Service, to enter into contracts with urban Indian organizations to assist such organizations to establish and administer, in the urban centers in which such organizations are situated, programs which meet the requirements set forth in this Act of making health services more accessible to the urban Indian population. Authorizes to be appropriated for the purpose of this title: $5,000,000 for the first fiscal year after enactment of this Act; $10,000,000 for the second fiscal year; and $15,000,000 for the third fiscal year. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Requires the Secretary to report annually to the President and the Congress on progress made in effecting the purposes of this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of $150,000 to support a one-year study by the National Indian Health Board of mental health problems, including alcoholism and related problems, among Indians.
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 · 29 January 1975
Authorizes the establishment of the Tule Elk National Wildlife Refuge in California. Establishes a Federal-State management program for the conservation, protection, and enhancement of tule elk and other species. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Low-Cost Air Transportation Act - Declares the sense of Congress, including that: (1) scheduled air carrier services are becoming increasingly costly and financially prohibitive for millions of Americans who want to travel by air; (2) the promotion, development, and removal of impediments to charter or nonscheduled air carrier services is in the public interest; (3) the Civil Aeronautics Board has failed consistently to provide for responsible regulation of such services consistent with the need to encourage and develop such services; and (4) senior citizens who have retired, young people who have not yet entered the job market, and the handicapped should not be denied access to air transportation, but such a denial occurs unless a reduction in fare is authorized for such persons consistent with their lower-than-average incomes. Requires the Civil Aeronautics Board to issue regulations, defining the full scope of the activities in air commerce which are permitted to be engaged in by persons who have not been authorized to engage in air transportation within the meaning of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958 but who are: (1) air travel clubs which operate aircraft and which are engaged in the carriage of persons who pay an assessment, dues, membership fees, or any similar type of remittance; or (2) commercial operators of aircraft who are engaged in the carriage of persons or property for compensation or hire. Stipulates that any air carrier or foreign air carrier, under such terms and conditions as the Board may prescribe, may grant reduced rate transportation to families and to handicapped persons and may grant reduced rate transportation on a space-available basis to religious ministers and to persons who are sixty-five years of age or older or twenty-one years of age or younger. Defines "inclusive tour charter trip" and "advance-looking charter trip."
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Suspends, until July 1, 1980, the requirement on pre-patented, located mining claims that not less than $100 worth of labor be performed or improvements be made each year. Expresses the finding of Congress that a significant fuel savings could be realized by suspending such nominal improvement requirement. Prescribes the filing requirements for claimants to benefit from this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Authorizes the Director of the Bureau of Mines to extend assistance, financially or otherwise, to small, independent, individual operators engaged in mineral exploration and development. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Federal Lands for Parks and Recreation Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make Federal lands available to State and local governments for park and recreation purposes. Specifies the criteria which such lands must meet before being so transferred.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Declares that all right, title, and interest of the United States in approximately 2,640 acres of land in the State of Nevada are hereby held by the United States in trust for the Paiute-Shoshone Tribe of the Fallon Indian Reservation, Nevada.
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
Older Americans Tax Counseling Assistance Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, through the Internal Revenue Service, to enter into agreements with nonprofit agencies or organizations to prepare volunteers to assist the elderly in the preparation of their Federal income tax returns and to provide technical assistance for this purpose. Directs the Secretary to publicize to the elderly those provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 particularly important to them. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Secretary $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 and $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Provides for the establishment of a national cemetery in the State of Nevada by the Veterans' Administration. 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
Declares that all right, title, and interest of the United States in approximately 90 acres of specified lands in Nevada is to be held in trust for the Ely Indian Colony.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to provide for the construction of a Veterans' Administration hospital in southern Nevada. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Authorizes the use of facilities at the Owyhee Indian Hospital of the Duck Valley Indian Reservation in Nevada to provide non-emergency medical care on a fee-for-service basis to non-Indians.
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
Authorizes the production of petroleum (including crude oil and associated gas and other hydrocarbons) from Naval Petroleum Reserve Number 1 at a rate to help insure that the needs of national defense are met, but not to exceed the maximum efficient rate in accordance with sound engineering and economic principles. Establishes on the books of the Treasury Department the Naval Petroleum Reserve Account. Provides that funds available in the Naval Petroleum Reserve Account shall be available for the expenses of: (1) production, including preparation for production, as authorized by this resolution and as may hereafter be authorized; (2) all capital costs necessary for facilities both within and outside the reserve incident to production and delivery of crude petroleum; and (3) exploration prospecting, conservation, development, use, and operation of the naval petroleum and oil shale reserves.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Authorizes additional expenditures of $432,600 by the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration for inquiries and investigations relating to: (1) privileges and elections of members of the Senate; and (2) computer services for the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Directs the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to prepare a revised edition of the Senate Rules and Manual for the use of the Ninety-fourth Congress. Authorizes the printing of the manual as a Senate Document, and the printing of 2,000 additional copies for the use of the Senate, the Committee on Rules and Administration, and for miscellaneous purposes as directed by the Committee.
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 · 16 January 1975
Authorizes appropriations of $2,500,000 for each of fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 to the Secretary of Commerce for the promotion of tourist travel.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 1975
Expresses the finding of Congress and makes it the policy of the United States to continue experimentation with satellite systems for the remote sensing of the Earth's resources, through January 1, 1980, unless a permanent operational system is established. Directs the President to: (1) take all practical steps to continue the availability of data on the satellite systems; (2) foster improvements in them; and (3) promote their widest possible use and understanding. Requires the President to transmit to Congress not later than April 15, 1975, a report containing recommendations for proposed actions to be taken to carry out the policy set forth in this Act and such revisions in the budget proposed by fiscal 1976 as the President deems necessary to do so. Requires the President to submit each year prior to 1980, as part of the Aeronautics and Space Report, a description of activities and evaluation of progress under this Act, and an evaluation of the desirability of establishing a permanent Earth resources satellite system.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Provides a penalty of 5 to 10 years imprisonment for possession or use of a firearm during the commission of a felony subject to original jurisdiction in Federal court. States that this penalty is in addition to the punishment imposed for the felony itself. Lowers the age limit for persons who may purchase firearms from 21 to 18 years of age. Eliminates record keeping requirements with respect to the identity and address of purchase of ammunition.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
States that in order to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases and parasites harmful to honeybees, and the introduction of genetically undesirable germ plasma of honeybees, the importation into the United States of all honeybees is prohibited, except that honeybees may be inported into the United States by the United States Department of Agriculture for experimental or scientific purposes, or from countries determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to cooperate with the Governments of Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and Columbia, or the local authorities thereof, in carrying out necessary research, surveys, and control operations in those countries in connection with the eradication, suppression, control, and prevention or retardation of the spread of undesirable species and subspecies of honeybees. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
National Policy and Priorities for Science and Technology Act - Declares that it is the continuing policy and responsibility of the Federal Government to take appropriate measures directed toward achieving various goals, including: (1) a continuing Federal investment in science and technology adequate to the needs of the Nation; and (2) the strengthening of national capabilities for technological planning and policy formulation. Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to promote the effective application of science and technology to the furtherance of national goals by: (1) establishing a Council of Advisors on Science and Technology in the Executive Office of the President to provide a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment to the President; (2) establishing an Intergovernmental Science and Technology Advisory Committee to foster the application of science and technology to State and regional needs; (3) establishing an Interagency Federal Coordinating Committee on Science and Technology to coordinate agency research and development efforts; and (4) having the President submit an annual Science and Technology Report to the Congress. Title I: Council of Advisors on Science and Technology - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President a Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Directs the Council to annually appraise progress in science and technology in relation to the needs of the Nation and, taking account of the state of the economy through consultation with the Council of Economic Advisors, to determine the desired level of Federal investment in science and technology for the fiscal year immediately following the fiscal year in which such determination is made, and make appropriate recommendations to the President and Congress. States that the Council shall serve as a source of scientific and technological analysis and judgment for the President with respect to major policies, plans, and programs of science and technology of the Federal Government. Requires the President to transmit annually to the Congress, beginning October 15, 1976, a Science and Technology Report which shall set forth: (1) a review of development of national significance in science and technology; (2) the significant effects of current and foreseeable trends in science and technology on the social, economic, and other requirements of the Nation; (3) a review and appraisal of selected science and technology-related programs, policies, and activities of the Federal Government; (4) an inventory and projection of critical and emerging national problems the resolution of which might be substantially assisted by the application of science and technology; (5) the identification and assessment of scientific and technological measures that can contribute to the resolution of such problems, in light of the related social, economic, political, and institutional considerations; (6) the existing and projected scientific and technological resources, including specialized manpower, that could contribute to the resolution of such problems; (7) recommendations for legislation on science and technology-related programs and policies that will contribute to the resolution of such problems; and (8) recommendations with regard to Federal investment level and priorities in science and technology, as made by the Council pursuant to this Act. Title II: Federal Coordinating Committee for Science and Technology - Establishes the Federal Coordinating Committee for Science and Technology. States that the Committee shall consider problems and developments in the fields of science and technology and related activities affecting more than one Federal agency, and shall recommend policies and other measures: (1) to provide more effective planning and administration of Federal scientific and technological programs; (2) to identify research needs including areas of research requiring additional emphasis; (3) to achieve more effective utilization of the scientific and technological resources and facilities of Federal agencies, including the elimination of unnecessary duplication; and (4) to further international cooperation in science and technology. Abolishes the Federal Council for Science and Technology. Title III: National Science Foundation - Directs the National Science Foundation to recommend and encourage the pursuit of national policies designed to foster research and education in science and engineering, and the application of scientific and technical knowledge to the solution of national problems. Requires the Foundation to initiate an educational program of continuing education in science and engineering in order to enable scientists and engineers who have been engaged in their careers for at least five years to pursue courses of study designed to: (1) provide them with new knowledge, techniques, and skills in their special fields; or (2) acquire new knowledge, techniques, and skills in other fields which will enable them to render more valuable contributions to the Nation. Title IV: State and Regional Science and Technology Programs - Establishes, within the National Science Foundation, an Intergovernmental Science and Technology Advisory Committee. Provides that the Committee shall advise and assist the Foundation in: (1) identifying and defining civilian problems at the State, regional, and local levels and the environment in which solution to these problems ought to be provided; (2) identifying areas of highest priority for study, assessment, and development of policy alternatives by the Foundation under this title; and (3) identifying and fostering ways to facilitate the transfer and utilization of results of civilian research and development activities so as to maximize the application of science and technology to civilian needs. Authorizes the Director of the National Science Foundation to make grants not to exceed $100,000 to any State to pay a part of the cost of establishing an Office of State Science and Technology. Title V: General Provisions - Authorizes appropriations to carry out the various provisions and titles of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Education for All Handicapped Children Act - States the findings of the Congress, including that: (1) the special educational needs of handicapped children are being fully met in only a few school systems; (2) one million of the handicapped children in the United States are excluded entirely from the public school system and will not go through the educational process with their peers; and (3) it is in the national interest that the Federal Government assist State and local efforts to provide programs to meet the educational needs of handicapped children in order to assure equal protection of the laws. Describes the purposes of this Act, including to insure that all handicapped children have available to them not later than 1978 special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs. Defines the terms used in this Act. Provides that during July 1, 1975, and September 30, 1980, the Commissioner of Education shall, in accordance with provisions of the Education of the Handicappped Act, make payments to State educational agencies for grants made for assistance in providing full educational opportunity to all handicapped children. Provides for State entitlement and eligibility under this Act. States that funds allocated under this Act shall be used by the State to initiate, expand, and improve special education and related services for handicapped children in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Sets forth requirements for eligibility including the following which a State must demonstrate to the Commissioner: (1) the State has in effect a policy that assures all handicapped children the right to a free appropriate public education; and (2) each local educational agency in the State will maintain an individualized written education program for each handicapped child and review at least annually and revise its provisions when appropriate with the agreement of the parents or guardian of the handicapped child. Requires that, as soon as practicable after the enactment of this Act, the Commissioner shall prescribe uniform categories and accounting procedures to be utilized by State agencies in submitting an application for assistance under this Act in order to assure equity among the States. Authorizes to be included for each fiscal year in the appropriation for the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare such sums as are necessary to administer provisions of this Act. States that in carrying out his responsibilities under this part, the Commissioner shall conduct directly, or by grant or contract such studies, investigations, and evaluations as are necessary to assure effective implementation of this Act. States that a maximum of 1 1/2 percent of the total of the grants paid under this Act for one year to a State agency or $75,000, whichever is greater, may be paid to such agency by the Commissioner for the administration of this Act. Authorizes appropriations for this purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior, at any time prior to January 1, 1980, from issuing or carrying out any order banning the use of lead shot for the hunting of waterfowl.