United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1975
Provides that veterans' pension and compensation will not be reduced as a result of increases in monthly social security benefits resulting from the enactment of Public Law 93-66 or any subsequent cost-of-living adjustment under title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act. Provides that the provisions of this Act shall apply to annual income determinations made for calendar years after 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1975
Directs the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a bronze bust or statue of Martin Luther King Junior, and to cause such sculpture to be placed in a suitable location in the Capitol as determined by the Joint Committee on the Library.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1975
Women's Equal Educational Opportunity Act - Requires, under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, that State plans for Title II school library and textbook grants set forth nonsexist criteria to be used in the selection of library resources, textbooks and other instructional materials provided under Title II. Requires that such State plans provide assurances that Federal funds made available under such Act for any fiscal year shall be used, on a priority basis and where possible, in the acquisition of non-sexist library resources, textbooks and other instructional materials. Allows funds under ESEA's Title III (Supplementary Educational Centers and Service) to be used for demonstration projects promoting new approaches to expand educational opportunities for women, including comprehensive physical education programs and sports activities for women. States that not less than 15 percent of the funds granted under ESEA in any fiscal year shall be used for programs or projects designed to meet the special educational needs of women. Allows, under ESEA's Title V (Grants to Strengthen State Departments of Education), funds apportioned to the States to be used for programs promoting equal educational opportunities for women, the elimination, reduction or prevention of sex discrimination in education and public information activities to increase the awareness of educational personnel and the public concerning problems relating to sex discrimination. Requires that in using funds reserved for special projects to develop State leadership in education, priority consideration be given to projects designed to increase the proportion of women in leadership positions. Authorizes funds for the improvement of post-secondary education activities designed to improve the status of women in post-secondary education. Specifies programs to meet the needs of women as one of the methods by which the National Institute of Education shall seek to improve education. Requires, under the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, that consideration be given to the capability and willingness of institutions of higher education to provide effective community service programs designed to improve the status of women. Expands the uses of HEA funds to include programs designed to increase the proportion of women serving as school administrators, and programs to train teachers and other personnel. Expands the criteria for making leadership development awards to include encouraging the participation of women in vocational education administration, and fields traditionally dominated by the opposite sex. Increases, under the Voacational Education Act (VEA) of 1963, the eligible purposes of grants for State vocational education programs to include the training of students of both sexes for occupations dominated by the other sex. Requires that State plans consider the need to ensure the training of students for occupations traditionally dominated by one sex. Expands VEA programs to include occupational aspirations and opportunities by eliminating barriers based on sex. Requires that State plans under VEA include provisions for all persons who have use for skills relating to the establishment and maintenance of the home. Includes, under VEA, the development and dissemination of vocational educational materials which increase awareness of the changing role of women in the world of work and also requires that curriculum materials developed or disseminated under VEA be fee of sex biases.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1975
Ozone Protection Act - Declares that the release of chlorofluromethane may pose a danger to public health and safety. Provides for a study by the National Academy of Sciences of the nature and likelihood of potential effects on public health and the environment of the discharge of such gas. Directs the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to report to the Congress on such potential effects. Provides for a program of standards to limit the emissions of such gas from major sources. Provides for the enforcement of prohibitions upon the manufacture and sale of aerosol spray containers which discharge such gas, including penalties of up to $10,000 in civil fines per day of violation under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1975
Refers S. 1330, entitled "A bill for the relief of Yaroslav L. Tiajoloff," to the Chief Commissioner of the United States Court of Claims for a report thereon.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1975
Provides, under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, that the sale of competitive food in food service facilities during the time of service of food under such Act or the National School Lunch Act may be prohibited even though proceeds from such sales will inure to the benefit of the schools. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to make cash grants to the education department of each State for the purpose of providing funds to local school districts and private nonprofit school systems for the establishment of courses in nutrition education. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as the Congress considers necessary to carry out such purpose. Allows the Secretary to distribute funds directly to the school systems when the State education agency is unable to do so. Directs the Secretary to withhold not less than one percent of such funds in order to carry out research and development projects in nutritional information.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 1975
Authorizes the President to call a White House Conference on Women in 1976. States that the purpose of the Conference shall be the recognition of the contributions of women to the development of our country and to set goals and recommendations for the improvement of the status of women. Directs that the Conference shall be planned and conducted under the direction of the Citizen's Advisory Council on the Status of Women. Authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to appoint six additional members to the Council. Directs the Council to cooperate with Federal departments and agencies in providing technical and financial assistance to the States to enable them to organize and conduct local and State conferences. Calls upon the Council to prepare and make available background materials for the use of delegates to the Conference, insure each State is adequately represented and establish a travel budget for those unable to pay their own expenses. Authorizes the Council to accept in the name of the United States grants, gifts and bequest of money for the furtherance of the Conference. Authorizes, without fiscal year limitations, the appropriation of an amount not to exceed $10,000,000 as may be necessary to carry out this joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1975
Federal Mine Safety and Health Amendments - Title I: Amendments to the General Provisions of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 - Sets forth the definition of "mine" under this Act. Transfers the functions of the Secretary of the Interior in developing health and safety standards to the Secretary of Labor. Title II: Mine Safety and Health Standards Amendments - Revises title I of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. Establishes the duty of: (1) each mine operator and miner to comply with the health and safety standards of this Act, and (2) each mine operator to furnish a place of employment free from recognized hazards. Provides that the Secretary may by rule promulgate, modify, or revoke any health and safety standard. Provides that the Secretary may request the recommendations of an advisory committee whenever he determines that a rule should be promulgated. Sets forth the time period for the reporting of any recommendations by the Committee. Prescribes procedures for publication and public hearings with respect to any rule proposed by the Secretary prior to its issuance. Requires the Secretary, in promulgating standards, to set the standard which assures miners will not suffer impairment of health, functional capacity, or diminished life expectancy even if regularly exposed to hazards throughout their working lives. Directs the Secretary to consider (1) the latest available scientific data in the field; (2) the feasibility of the standards; and (3) experience gained under this and other health and safety statutes. Provides that any standard promulgated must prescribe the use of labels or other warnings necessary to ensure that miners are apprised of all hazards to which they are exposed, relevant symptoms and appropriate emergency treatment and proper conditions and precautions of safe use or exposure. Sets forth additional factors which must be prescribed in specified instances. Requires that no safety or health standard promulgated under this Act shall reduce the protection afforded miners below that provided by any safety or health standard previously in effect. States that where the Secretary determines that miners are potentially subjected to physical or mental impairment from exposure to toxic substances, he may promulgate an emergency standard. Sets forth the procedures for promulgation of such emergency standard. Allows operators to apply to the Secretary for a temporary order permitting limited non- compliance with a standard. Specifies the circumstances under which such order shall be originally granted and renewed. Allows an operator to apply for a variance from a standard. Permits persons adversely affected by a standard to challenge its validity, within 60 days of its promulgation, in the appropriate U.S. Court of Appeals. Empowers the Secretary to appoint advisory committees to assist and advise him. Sets forth the composition and compensation of the members of any such committee. Authorizes the Secretary, or the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare: (1) to enter any mine subject to this Act, and (2) to make reasonable inspections and investigations and to question privately employers, owners, operators, agents, or employees. Requires inspections of underground mines at least four times a year. States that no advance notice of inspections shall be given. Sets forth rules regarding the maintenance of records by operators with regard to work-related deaths, injuries, illness, miner exposure to toxic substances, and all accidents, except specified roof falls. Provides that if any miner or their representative believes that a standard violation exists that threatens physical harm or that an imminent danger exists, he may request an inspection by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to provide a minimum of one spot inspection of all or part of a mine during every five working days at irregular intervals, if the mine contains some especially hazardous conditions. Provides that if, upon inspection or investigation, the Secretary or his representative believes an operator has violated any standard, he shall issue a citation to the operator, describing the nature of the violation, and fixing a reasonable time for the violation's abatement. Prescribes rules governing (1) gross violations of standards; (2) follow-up inspections; and (3) withdrawal from the area of unabated violations of all but specified personnel. Requires the Secretary to notify, within a reasonable time, an operator issued a citation of any penalty to be assessed, and that the operator has 15 working days to notify the Secretary that he wishes to contest the citation or proposed penalty. Prohibits discharging, discriminating against, or interfering with the exercise of statutory rights by any mine employee or applicant for employment because he filed a complaint or instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding under or related to this Act or testified or is about to testify for himself or others. Provides that if an operator notifies the Secretary that he intends to contest a citation, the Secretary shall immediately advise the Commission, which must then provide an opportunity for a hearing and issue an order affirming, modifying, or vacating the Secretary's order. Permits any person adversely affected or aggrieved by an order of the Commission to obtain review of such order in any appropriate U.S. Court of Appeals and specifies the procedures to be followed after a petition for review is filed. Provides procedures for counteracting dangerous conditions, including: (1) issuance of withdrawal orders barring all except specified persons from an area, and (2) issuance of notices where less than imminent dangers exist and an investigation is being conducted into such conditions. Authorizes the Secretary to institute civil action for relief, including a permanent or temporary injunction, in any appropriate United States district court whenever an operator or his agent: (1) violates or does not comply with any order or decision issued under this Act; (2) hinders the Secretary or the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare or their representatives in carrying out the provisions of this Act; (3) refuses to admit such representatives to the mine; (4) refuses to permit the inspection of the mine, or the investigation of an accident or occupational disease related to such mine; (5) refuses to furnish any information or report requested in furtherance of this Act's provisions; or (6) refuses to permit access to and copying of such records as are necessary in carrying out provisions of this Act. Imposes penalties for violation of this Act. Provides that if a mine is closed by an order issued under this Act, all miners working during the shift when the order was issued who are idled shall be entitled to full compensation at their regular rates of pay for the period they are idled, but not more than the balance of the shift. Authorizes the Secretary to administer this Act through the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Authorizes the appropriation of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated that may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this title. Title III: Relationship to Occupational Safety and Health Program - Provides that nothing in this Act applies the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1972 to the working conditions in the mines. Increases the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission from three to five members appointed by the President with the Senate's consent. Sets forth the duties and procedure for operation of the Commission. Directs the Commission to prescribe rules of procedures for its review of decisions in cases under this Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 which shall meet specified standards. Authorizes the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to conduct research related to the development of safety and health standards under this Act. Provides that the Secretary, in carrying out his functions under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, shall include accurate statistics on the work injuries and illnesses occurring in the mines. States that nothing in this Act prohibits the application of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to sand and gravel mines. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Transfers the functions of the Secretary of the Interior under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 and the Federal Metallic and Nonmetallic Mine Safety Act of 1966 to the Secretary of Labor, except those expressly transferred to the Commission by this Act. Provides that the mandatory and advisory standards relating to mines which are in effect on the date of enactment of this Act shall remain in effect as mandatory standards under title I of this Act until the Secretary issues new or revised standards. Establishes in the Labor Department a Mine Administration for Safety and Health to be headed by an Administrator appointed by the President, with the Senate's advice and consent. Provides that research activities relating to mine health will be carried out by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare through the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and the Secretary's research activities relating to safety are extended to all mines now covered by this Act. Extends to all mines covered by this Act the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare's authorization to conduct studies and research involving the protection of life and prevention of diseases relating to certain non-miners who work with or around mine products. Provides that any State law or regulation providing for health and safety standards applicable to any mine now covered by this Act and that (1) is more stringent than Federal law, or (2) applies to any area not covered by Federal law, shall not be held to be in conflict with this Act. Repeals the Federal Metal and Nonmetallic Mine Safety Act of 1966.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1975
Prohibits the disposition of food to foreign countries under the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 in any fiscal year unless the Secretary of Agriculture determines and certifies that all domestic feeding programs, including those under the National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act, will be adequately provided with appropriate foods in such fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1975
Establishes the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Range (Montana); the Charles Sheldon National Wildlife Range (Nevada and Oregon); and the Kofa National Wildlife Range (Arizona) as areas within the National Wildlife Refuge System. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to administer such ranges in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act. Provides that no lands or waters within any of the ranges may be disposed of by sale, donation, or otherwise, nor may the administration of the ranges be transferred, in whole or part, from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, unless such disposal or transfer is authorized by Act of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1975
National Wildlife Refuge System Organic Act - Defines the terms used in the Act. States the findings and policy of Congress with regard to maintaining for the American people an enduring wildlife heritage. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to develop a systematic planning program to guide the administration and management of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and its component units. Establishes, specifies, and classifies such component units. Provides that no lands within the system may be disposed of, nor may the administration or management of any unit of the system be transferred in whole or in part, unless the Secretary of the Interior has determined that such disposal or transfer will have no adverse impact on wildlife or human environments and has transmitted a report of his findings, including environmental impact, and recommendations to the President. Directs the Secretary to review all lands and waters contiguous to and within all units of the National Wildlife Refuge System in existence on the effective date of this Act and report his findings and recommendations to the President within three years with respect to lands and waters which should be acquired or withdrawn. Directs the Secretary to review lands and waters in the public domain, in proximity to urban areas, and all coastal and marine waters within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States, to determine whether such lands and waters should be included within the System. Makes the National Wildlife Refuge Service responsible for the administration and management of the System.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 1975
Plutonium Recovery Control Act - Prohibits the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from licensing, permitting, or otherwise authorizing, except for military or research and development purposes (1) the operation of any nuclear power reactor using recycled plutonium fuel, or (2) other construction or operation of any facility which reprocesses or recovers plutonium from spent nuclear power reactor fuel. Requires the Office of Technology Assessment to conduct and complete within three years a comprehensive study of the recycling of plutonium for the purpose of determining the extent of the dangers to the public health and safety and to the environment from such recycling. States that such study shall include: (1) investigation of the toxicity and carcinogenic characteristics of plutonium; (2) investigation of the risks of the unauthorized diversion or theft of plutonium; and (3) consideration of the development of systems for the use of plutonium which will assure the protection of the public health and safety and of the environment.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1975
Voter Registration Act - Establishes within the Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce, the Voter Registration Administration. Provides that the President shall appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, an Administrator and two Associate Administrators for terms of four years each. Sets forth the duties and powers of the Administration. Authorizes the Administration to establish and administrater a voter registration program in accordance with this Act for all Federal elections. Provides that an individual who fulfills the requirements to be a qualified voter under State law and who is registered to vote under the provisions of this Act shall be entitled to vote in Federal election in that State, except that each State shall provide for the registration or other means of qualification of all residents not later than 30 days prior to any Federal election. Directs the Administration to prepare voter registration forms. Authorizes the Administration to enter into agreements with the Postal Service, with departments and agencies of the Federal Government, and with State officials for the distribution of registration forms. Requires the Administration to assist State officials in detecting fraudulent voter registration, when such assistance is requested. Provides that the district courts of the United States or the United States District Court of the District of Columbia shall have jurisdiction, without regard to any amount in controversy, of proceedings instituted pursuant to this Act. Provides that whoever knowingly or willfully gives false information for the purposes of establishing eligibility to register or vote, or conspires for the purpose of encouraging false registration or illegal voting, or pays, offers, or accepts payment either for registration to vote or for voting registers to vote with intention of voting more than once in the same election shall be fined not more than $10,000, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. States that any person who deprives, or attempts to deprive any other person of any right under this Act shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. Authorizes the Administration to pay to each appropraite State the reasonable cost of processing registration forms prescribed under this Act. Provides that any State that adopts the Federal assistance post card form shall be deemed to be in full compliance with specified provisions of this Act. Authorizes appropriations of such as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1975
Provides under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, that persons who are blind and have at least six quarters of coverage shall be eligible for disability insurance benefits. Outlines those regulations which apply to the amount of benefits to be received. Defines blindness as used in this Act. Continues payment of such benefits as long as the blindness lasts, notwithstanding the amount of the individual's earnings.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1975
Establishes a temporary select committee of the Senate comprised of 12 members to conduct a thorough study of the Senate committee system. Provides the committee with the powers necessary to carry out the study. Authorizes the appropriation of an amount not to exceed $900,000. Requests the select committee to submit interim reports and a final report with recommendations by February 28, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 1975
Automile Fuel Economy Act - Declares it the purpose of this Act to stimulate the production of more fuel efficient automobiles and to provide incentives to American consumers to buy such products. Imposes a tax on every passenger automobile sold by the manufacturer which fails to meet specified fuel efficiency rates. Specifies the rate of such tax. Provides that such tax shall become effective on September 1, 1976. Defines the terms used in the Act. Makes technical and conforming amendents. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay to each individual who, after September 1, 1976 and, on or before August 30, 1982, purchases a new fuel efficient passenger automobile, an amount, determined by the fuel efficiency rate of such automobile. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish test procedures to determine the fuel efficiency rates of passenger automobiles sold within the United States. Requires the label affixed to automobiles to include the fuel efficiency rate and the tax imposed by this Act. Prohibits the adjusting of passenger automobiles if such adjustment would lower the fuel efficiency rate. Imposes a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for such violation. Establishes, within the Treasury of the United States, an Energy Research Trust Fund. Authorizes appropriations to the Trust Fund of the excess of the amount of this Act over the amount paid to individuals purchasing fuel efficient automobiles, and authorizes to be appropriated such additional sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of the Act. Directs that out of such Fund $500,000 annually shall be made available to the Council on Enviromental Quality and $1,000,000 annually shall be made available to the Water Resources Council.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1975
Price Disclosure Act - Provides that no person engaged in business in the sale at retail of any packaged consumer commodity which has been distributed in commerce, shall sell, offer for sale, or display for sale any such commodity unless: (1) the total selling price of such commodity is plainly marked by a stamp, tag, or label affixed to a principal display panel of the package; and (2) the retail unit price of such commodity is plainly marked by a stamp, tag, or label affixed to a principal display panel of the package, or a label or sign in close proximity to the point of display of such package, which label or sign shall also contain the name and quantity of contents of such commodity. Exempts from these requirements any individual retail outlet which sells or offers for sale packaged consumer commodities and whose total gross sales do not exceed $250,000 per annum, unless such an outlet is one of a number of outlets owned substantially or whose inventory is supplied substantially, by a single person, partnership, or corporation whose total gross sales exceeds $500,000 per annum; or any retail outlet in any State which has enacted mandatory unit pricing law and whose law, in the judgment of the Federal Trade Commission, is in full effect and is comparable in scope and comprehensiveness to the requirements of this Act, except that retailers (including chainstores and affiliated stores) who operate outlets in any such State shall be subject to the provisions of this Act if they also operate outlets in one or more other States. Redefines the term "consumer commodity" and defines the term "retail unit price" for purposes of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. Abolishes the authority of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to promulgate regulations under such Act, and transfers that authority to the Federal Trade Commission. Directs the Commission to request, and the Secretary of Commerce to initiate, a voluntary product standard for consumer commodities under the procedures for the development of voluntary products standards established by the Secretary pursuant to specified provisions of law whenever the Commission determines that there is undue proliferation of the weights, measures, or quantities in which any consumer commodity or reasonably comparable consumer commodities are being distributed in packages for sale at retail and such undue proliferation impairs the reasonable ability of consumers to make value comparisons with respect to such consumer commodity or commodities. Requires that regulations with respect to fair packaging and labeling standards be promulgated by the Commission in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act. Directs the Commission to give interested persons an opportunity for oral presentations of views, data, and arguments. Authorizes travel and per diem reimbursement for persons being trained by the Commission to carry out the provisions of the Act. Declares that any violation of any of the provisions of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act or the regulations issued pursuant to such Act, with respect to any consumer commodity delivered for introduction in commerce, or sold at retail, offered for sale at retail, or displaced for sale at retail, shall constitute an unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting commerce and shall be subject to penalties under specified provisions of law.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1975
Records Management Act - Defines terms used in this Act and declares that the purpose of this Act is to require the establishment of standards and procedures to assure efficient and effective records management in the Federal Government. States that such standards and procedures shall seek to effectuate specified goals, including: (1) accurate and complete documentation of the policies and transactions of the Federal Government; (2) control of the quantity and quality of records produced by the Federal Government; and (3) simplification of the processes through which records are created, stored, retrieved, and used. Directs that the Administrator of General Services shall provide guidance and assistance to Federal agencies with respect to records creation, records maintenance and use, and records disposition. Requires the Administrator to conduct inspections or paperwork studies of the records, records practices, and records management programs of every Federal agency. Authorizes and directs the Administrator to charge any Federal agency for the cost of any paperwork study. Directs the Administrator to transmit yearly reports to Congress. Enumerates the types of information that such report shall contain. Establishes the Records Review Board as an independent organization in the executive branch, such Board to consist of five members. Sets the rates of pay for Board members. Allows the Board to appoint and fix the pay of such personnel as it deems necessary to carry out its functions under this Act. Empowers any executive agency to appeal to the Board any order issued by the Administrator pursuant to this Act. Requires the head of each Federal agency to make and preserve records containing adequate and proper documentation of the organization, functions, policies, decisions, procedures, and essential transactions of such Agency. Grants the Administrator immediate custody and control of the National Archives Building and its contents. Directs the Administrator to establish standards for the selective retention of records of continuing value. Authorizes the Administrator to establish and operate records centers for specified purposes and centralized microfilming services for Federal agencies. States that the head of each Federal agency shall establish safeguards against the removal or loss of records he determines to be necessary and required by the rules of the Administrator. Authorizes the Administrator to prescribe such rules as he considers essential to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1975
Social Security Recipients Fairness Act - Title I: Replacement of Lost, Stolen, or Delayed Checks - Requires the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish procedures for expedited payment of monthly benefits. Requires the Secretary, within one day after the date an individual files for late payment of benefits, to cause such monthly insurance benefits to be paid. Title II: Expediting of Hearings and Determination - States that in administration of the programs established by titles II, (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Benefits) XVI, (Grants to States for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled), and XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, the Secretary shall establish procedures designed to assure that: (1) any duly requested hearing to which an individual is entitled will be held within a reasonable period of time after requested, if such hearing is requested with respect to a determination of entitlement to benefits; and (2) not later than ninety days after such a hearing is requested, the Secretary shall render a final determination on the issues, or if no final determination of the Secretary has been made at that time, the Secretary shall make payments of benefits to such individual in like manner as if a final determination has been made full in favor of such individual. Title III: Expedited Payment of Black Lung Benefits; and Expedited Hearings and Determinations Respecting Such Benefits - Provides for expedited payments of black lung benefits under the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. Directs the Secretary to establish procedures for expediting hearings and determinations on claims for such benefits. Title IV: Limitation of Benefit Reduction to Compensate for Benefit Overpayment - Limits to 25 percent the reduction that may be made in an individual's Social Security benefit check for any month because of any previous overpayment of monthly benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1975
Increases by 20 percent the food stamp allotment under the Food Stamp Act for eligible households in which one or more members require a special diet as the result of health problems. States that coupon allotments shall be made available through Post offices, banks, credit unions, and other similar institutions. Increases the Federal share from 50 to 65 percent of State administrative expenses in carrying out the Food Stamp program. Authorizes additional appropriations of $20,000,000 per fiscal year to assist State agencies to employ unemployed individuals necessary to expedite the acceptance, processing, and approval or disapproval of applications for participation in the food stamp program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1975
National Emergencies Act - Title I: Terminating Existing Declared Emergencies - States that all powers and authorities conferred by law upon the President, any other officer or employee of the Federal Government, or upon any department, agency, independent establishment, or any other body of the Federal Government, and all powers and authorities conferred by any Executive Order pursuant to law as a result of the existence of any national emergency in effect immediately prior to the two hundred and seventy-first day after the date of enactment of this Act, are terminated on such two hundred and seventy-first day. Title II: Future National Emergencies - Provides that in the event the President finds that the proclamation of a national emergency is essential to the preservation, protection, and defense of the Constitution, and is essential to the common defense, safety, or well-being of the territory and people of the United States, the President is authorized to proclaim the existence of a national emergency. Title III: Declarations of War by Congress - Stipulates that whenever Congress declares war, any provisions of law conferring powers and authorities to be exercised during time of war or a national emergency shall be effective from the date of such declaration and remain in effect only in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Title IV: Future National Emergencies - Provides that when the President declares a national emergency, or Congress declares war, any provisions of law conferring powers and authorities to be exercised during such a national emergency or during a war declared by the Congress shall be effective and remain in effect with respect to such emergency or war only in accordance with this Act. States that when the President declares a national emergency, no powers made available by statute for use in the event of an emergency shall become operative unless and until the President specifies by Executive Order the specific provisions of law under which he proposes that he, or other officers of the executive branch, will act. Provides that any national emergency declared by the President in accordance with this title shall terminate 180 days after the date the national emergency was declared unless Congress, by concurrent resolution, provides otherwise. Title V: Miscellaneous - Provides that when the President declares a national emergency, or Congress declares war, the President shall be responsible for maintaining a file, and an index thereof, of all Executive Orders issued by the President. Directs the President to transmit to the House of Representatives and the Senate and to the appropriate committees of the Congress the texts of each order, rule, or regulation, by whatever name called, promulgated by any executive department, administration, independent establishment, board, commission, official, group of officials, or other rulemaking authority. Title VI: Repeal of Certain Emergency Power Statutes - Provides for the repeal of specified provisions of law dealing with emergency powers.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1975
Expresses the sense of the Senate that discrimination in international commerce against individuals or institutions on religious, racial or ethnic grounds should not be tolerated. Urges action to be taken to end such discrimination.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1975
Directs the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to pay a pension to each veteran who served in the active military, naval, or air service at any time during World War I and who is not eligible for other pension benefits. Defines World War I as meaning the period beginning on April 5, 1917, and ending on July 2, 1921. Provides for a schedule of pension payments under this Act. Provides that if the veteran is married and living with or reasonably contributing to the support of his spouse, or has a child or children, the monthly rate of pension under this Act shall be $150. Provides that if the veteran is unmarried (or married but not living with or reasonably contributing to the support of his spouse) and has no child, the monthly rate of pension shall be $135. Provides that if the veteran has a disability by reason of which he is permanently housebound, the monthly rate hereunder shall be increased by $50. Provides that veterans in need of regular aid and attendance shall have their monthly rates increased by $125. Directs the Administrator to pay to widows of veterans, receiving benefits under this Act at time of death, pension benefits as prescribed in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1975
National School Lunch and Child Nutrition Act Amendmends - Authorizes appropriations for the fiscal years subsequent to that of 1975 to enable the Secretary of Agriculture to formulate and carry out a program of assistance to the States to initiate maintain, or expand nonprofit breakfast programs in schools. States that as a national nutrition and health policy it is the purpose and intent of the Congress that the school breakfast program under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 be made available in all schools where it is needed to provide adequate nutrition for children in attendance. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, in cooperation with State agencies, to carry out a program of information to the schools in furtherance of this policy. Requires that within ninety days after the enactment of this legislation, the Secretary shall report to the committee of jurisdiction in the Congress his plans and those of cooperating State agencies, to bring about the needed expansion in the school breakfast programm. Sets forth the schedule of income limitations for reduced price lunches. Provides for the disbursement of funds under this Act to nonprofit private schools. Provides for the inclusion of specified commodities, such as cereal and shortening, in the food donations to the school lunch program covered by this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as are necessary to enable the Secretary to formulate and carry out a program to assist States through grants-in-aid and other means to initiate, maintain, or expand nonprofit food service programs for needy children in institutions providing child care. Sets forth requirements for the apportionment of funds under this Act to the States. Authorizes the use of funds under the National School Lunch Act for nonfood assistance for the special food service program. Establish a National Advisory Council on Maternal, Infant, and Fetal Nutrition. Provides for the membership of such council. Makes it the function of the Council to make a continuing study of the operation of the special supplemental food program and any related Act under which diet supplementation is provided to women, infants, and children, with a view to determining how such programs may be improved. Directs the Council to submit to the President and and the Congress annually a written report of the results of its study together with such recommendations for administrative and legislative changes as it deems appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1975
Revises the Foreign Assistance Act and the joint resolution of October 17, 1974, to remove the February 5, 1975, termination of the President's power to suspend the laws restricting military assistance to the Government of Turkey. Requires the President to submit to Congress within thirty days after the enactment of this Act, and each thirty day period thereafter, a report on progress made toward a negotiated solution of the Cyprus conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1975
Provides for investigations and studies by standing committees of the Senate to ascertain and identify those areas in which differences in treatment or application, on the basis of sex, exist in connection with the administration and operation of those provisions of law under their respective jurisdictions. Requires that each committee present to the Senate a preliminary and final report on such investigations with recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1975
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to insure that Off-Shore drilling sites operating under leases insued under the provisions of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act be inspected at least once every sixty days to determine whether such site is being operated according to the rules and regulations issued pursuant to such Act. Establishes the Outer Continental Shelf Liability Fund as a nonprofit corporate entity. States that the fund shall consist of: (1) 20 percent of monies paid as bids on Outer Continental Shelf leases, and (2) 10 cents per barrel of oil produced at any leased site under the Act. States that such collections and contributions to the fund shall cease when amounts in the fund reach and remain above the level of $500,000,000. Provides that each lease, and the fund, shall be strictly liable without regard to fault for all damages, including clean up costs, sustained by any person or entity (public or private) as a result of operations or activities at, related to, or in the vicinity of any offshore drilling site operated by the lessee. Makes the owner or operator or any vessel, and the fund, strictly liable for damages resulting from any discharge of oil from the operation of any offshore drilling site, including the transportation of oil from the drilling site to an onshore storage site. States that strict liability will be imposed if the damages result from an act of war, negligence of the United States or other governmental entity, or negligence by the party sustaining the damage. Limits the liability to $500,000,000 for any one incident. Establishes the Outer Continental Shelf Research Fund, to be administered jontly by the Secretaries of Interior, Commerce, and Transportation. States that amounts in the Fund shall be available to (1) improve the technology related to the exploration and development of the oil and gas resources of the Outer Continental Shelf; (2) develop baseline data relating to the marine environment on the Outer Continental Shelf; and (3) develop data regarding the impact of developing the oil and gas resources of the Outer Continental Shelf on the marine and associated onshore environment.
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 · 25 February 1975
Requires the filing of supplemental environment impact statements under the National Environmental Policy Act prior to preproduction exploration and production development of oil and gas lease sites on the Continental Shelf. States that such statements must include: (1) the specific environmental hazards associated with such exploration, development, and production; and (2) the specific measures which will be taken by the lessee and the Federal agency concerned to alleviate such hazards including those performance standards which will be applied with respect to any equipment used during such exploration, production, or development.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1975
Prohibits Federal agencies from commencing any preproduction exploration (except geophysical exploration) or production with respect to any offshore energy facility within any area of the Outer Continental Shelf before the affected coastal state (1) develops, and the Secretary of Commerce approves, the coastal zone management program pursuant to the Coastal Zone Management Act concerning the impact on the coastal zone of such State of activities related to the development and operation of offshore energy facilities in such area; or (2) certifies to the Secretary that the prohibition on such Federal agency action set forth in this Act shall not apply with respect to the area of the Outer Continental Shelf adjacent to such State. Permits other coastal States to petition the Secretary to suspend Federal agency action in non-adjacent Continental Shelf areas if such state considers that such action may have an impact on its own coastal zone. Requires each appropriate Federal agency to inform, on a continuing basis, all affected coastal States of the nature, location, and magnitude of potential resources in or on the Outer Continental Shelf. Requires such agencies to coordinate and consult with affected coastal states likely to be impacted by exploration and development of such resources. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to coastal States for one or more of the following activities: (1) The collection and assessment of the economic, environmental, and social data which is necessary to enable such State to identify and designate those sites within or adjacent to its coastal zone which are suitable or unsuitable for the location of related on-shore facilities; (2) the development of a process for the selection and designation of such sites within, or adjacent to, its coastal zone; and (3) the construction of such public facilities and works, and the provision of such public services, as may be necessary and appropriate to privide for the integration of any related on-shore facility into the community where sited. Sets forth criteria to be met by states in order to be eligible for such grants. Establishes the Affected Coastal States Fund for the purposes of making grants under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Fund of $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1976 and 1977 and such sums as may be necessary for subsequent fiscal years.
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 · 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 · 12 February 1975
Provides for a credit under the Internal Revenue Code for 20 percent of the amounts deposited by the taxpayer in an educational savings plan for himself or a dependent. Sets limitations on the amount of such credit, depent upon the nature of the account. Defines "educational savings plan" and other terms used in this Act. Provides for the recapture of any such credit allocable to nonqualified noneducational uses or for failure to use the account.
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 · 5 February 1975
Coastal Zone Management Act Amendments - Redefines "costal zone" under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, and defines, under such Act, "Outer continental shelf energy activity," "energy facilities," and "coastal energy activity. Makes changes in the Management Act, by adding the following requirements for the coastal zone management program which a State is to develop and maintain under the Act: (1) the program is to include a general plan for the protection of, and access to, public beaches and other coastal areas of environmental, recreational and historical, esthetic, ecological, and cultural value; and (2) the State coastal zone management program is to include a process for the planning for energy facilities likely to be located in the coastal zone and for the planning for, and management of, the anticipated impacts from any energy facility. Increases the maximum Federal share of the costs of the development phase of a coastal zone management program to 80 percent from the present 66 2/3 percent and extends, by one year, the time during which a coastal State may receive such grants for development of a program before it must have an approved program in order to continue to receive grants under the Act. Extends from June 30, 1977 to September 30, 1979, the authority to make such grants. Increases the maximum Federal share for administrative costs of the ongoing State program operation to 80 percent from the present 66 2/3 percent. Requires a coastal State to establish an effective coordination and consultative mechanism between a designated State coastal zone agency and local governments within such State. Requires States to consider any applicable interstate energy plans or programs in the planning for and siting of energy facilities in the coastal zone of such States. Requires each Federal lease to be submitted to each State with, an approved coastal zone management program for a determination by that State as to whether or not the lease is consistent with such State's program. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in cooperation with the Executive Office of the President, to mediate the difference between a Federal agency and a State in the implementation of an approved State management program, in cases of serious disagreement. Requires such differences to be resolved through public hearings in the area concerned. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to administer and coordinate a coastal energy impact program. Requires pursuant to this program the provision of financial assistance to meet the needs of coastal States and local governments. Provides for formula grants to coastal States. Specifies the purposes for which such grants may be used. Requires the Secretary to make such grants if the Secretary finds that the coastal zone of such State is being, or is likely to be, significantly affected by the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of new or expended energy facilities. Requires the making of loans to assist any State or local unit of government to provide new or improved public facilities or public services required by coastal energy activity. Directs each coastal State to apportion any financial assistance granted to such State to units of local government on a basis of need. Establishes the Coastal Energy Impact Fund for the purpose of making payments under the coastal energy impact program. Encourages the coastal States to coordinate coastal zone planning in areas which are contiguous to areas within the coastal zone of other States and to study, plan, and/or implement unified coastal zone policies for such areas. Provides the coastal States with the consent of Congress to negotiate, and enter into interstate agreements and compacts for the development and administration of coordinated coastal zone planning, policies, and programs. Encourages, and provides for, Federal-State consultation procedures by the parties to interstate agreements and compacts and the Federal Government. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct a program of research study and training to support development and implementation of State coastal receiving grants under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to any coastal State to assist such State in carrying out research, studies, and training required in support of coastal zone management up to 80 percent of the cost. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to coastal States for up to 50 percent of the cost of acquisition of access to public coastal areas. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the appointment within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of an Associate Administrator for Coastal Zone Management to implement and administer the Coastal Zone Management Act. Directs the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive review of the molluscan shellfish industry and to evaluate the impact upon such industry of Federal law concerning quality. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress the finding of this study. Coastal Zone Environment Act - Provides, under the Coastal Zone Management Act, that any applicant for a required license, lease, or permit for the development or production of energy resources in a coastal zone shall certify that the proposed activity complies with any approved State management program. Establishes in the Department of the Treasury the Coastal Impact Fund. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make 100 percent annual grants from the Fund to those coastal States which the Secretary determines are likely to be significantly or adversely impacted by the development or energy resources or by the siting of energy facilities. Directs the Secretary to establish requirements for grant eligibility and lists circumstances under which the regulations shall provide that a State is eligible. States that the authorization of Congress is given two or more States to negotiate and enter into the interstate agreements for the purpose of study, planning, and implementation of unified coastal zone policies and for the coordination of such policies. Authorizes the Secretary to make annual grants for such purposes, provided they do not exceed 90 percent of the cost. Authorizes the Secretary to provide assistance to the coastal States to develop a capability for carrying out short-term research, studies, and training required in support of coastal zone management. Requires the Secretary to submit additional information each year to the President for transmittal to Congress including: (1) a general description of the economic, environmental, and social impacts of the development or production of energy resources or the siting of energy facilities affecting the coastal zone; and (2) a description and evaluation of interstate and regional planning mechanisms developed by the coastal States. Extends until 1980 the authority of the Secretary to make grants to the coastal States for the development of land and water resources management programs. Authorizes to be appropriated $200,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 and for each of the four succeeding fiscal years for grants made from the Coastal Impact Fund. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal years 1976-79 such sums, not to exceed $5,000,000 for interstate coordination grants to the coastal States. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal years 1976-79 such sums, not to exceed $5,000,000 for coastal research assistance grants to the coastal States. Includes "islands" and "beach" within the definition of coastal zone under the Coastal Zone Management Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to make annual grants to any coastal State for the purpose of assisting in the development of a management program, including plans for the protection of access to public beaches and other coastal areas.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Removes the requirement of service on or after the effective date of the National Guard Technicians Act of 1968 as a prerequisite for creditable service for civil service retirement purposes for National Guard technicians. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 8332(b))
United States · United States Congress · 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
International Humanitarian Assistance Act - Authorizes the President to furnish assistance to foreign countries, on such terms and conditions as he may determine, for disaster relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction in the case of disasters that require large-scale relief and rehabilitation efforts. Provides that such assistance shall be distributed to the maximum extent practicable under the auspices and direction of the United Nations, other international organizations, multilateral institutions, or private voluntary agencies. Requires the President to submit to specified individuals and committees in Congress a report describing the dsiposition and use of funds made available by this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated to the President to carry out the purposes of this Act such sums, not in excess of $50,000,000 in any fiscal year, as may be necessary for relief in any country, and for fiscal year 1975, $50,000,000 for specified relief in Bangladesh, Cyprus, and various African countries.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
National Oil Recycling Act - Directs all Federal officials to act within their authority to encourage the use of recycled oil. States that this Act shall in no way preempt State regulation of recycled oil or used oil disposal whenever such regulation provides for stricter control of recycled oil or used oil than provided for by Federal law. States that the States should encourage the use of recycled oil in order to accomplish the purposes of this Act. Requires that in order to qualify for Federal grants under this Act, a State shall adopt laws, regulations, and administrative machinery which shall provide for, but not be limited to: (1) requiring that used oil collectors obtain a State permit prior to engaging in used oil collecting activities; (2) requiring that used oil recyclers obtain a State permit prior to engaging in recycling operations; (3) when recycled oil is available at prices competitive with new oil produced for the same purpose, using recycled oil for all automotive and industrial uses of the State government, and requiring all parties contracting with the State to use recycled oil in the performance of such contracts; (4) regulating the retail sales of automobile oil so as to encourage the recycling of used oil; (5) prohibiting the use of used oil as fuel oil or for the oiling of State roads, unless such oil has been processed to meet the minimum standards for such uses established by Federal and State pollution control laws; and (6) educating the public and private sectors of the State as to the merits of recycled oil, and the need for its use in order to reduce the drain on the Nation's oil reserves and minimize the disposal of used oil in ways harmful to the environment. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate regulations with respect to the labeling of recycled oil in order to carry out the purpose of this Act. Directs the Administrator to promulgate regulations requiring all containers of automotive and industrial oil, both new and recycled, to bear labels relating to the proper disposal of such oils after use. Makes it unlawful for any person to enter into any contract or agreement where the intent of such contract or agreement is to discourage the recycling of used oil. Provides for a fine of $50,000 for a violation of such prohibition, or imprisonment for a term of one year or less, or both. Requires records to be kept by parties covered by the provisions of this Act. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make annual reports to the Congress. Sets forth the contents of such reports. Provides that whenever the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency determines that: (1) in implementing the provisions of this Act, a United States patent right not otherwise available is necessary to enable any person to comply with this Act; (2) there are no reasonable alternative methods to accomplish this Act's purposes; and (3) the unavailability of such patent right may result in a substantial lessening of competition or a tendency to create a monopoly in any line of the Nation's commerce; the Administrator, through the Attorney General, may so certify to a district court of the United States, which may order the person owning the patent to license it on such reasonable terms as the court, after hearing, may determine. Provides that any person violating any provision of this Act which does not provide for specific penalties or punishment thereunder shall upon conviction thereof be guilty of a misdemeanor which shall be punishable by a term of six months in prison for each violation, or a fine of not to exceed $25,000, or both. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal year 1975, and for each succeeding fiscal year, $25,000,000 for grants to the States to assist them in fulfilling the purposes and provisions of this Act. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make allotments to the States, not to exceed 10 cents per capita for any State based on the latest national census, when he has determined that they are in compliance with this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal year 1975, and for each succeeding fiscal year through fiscal year 1978, $10,000,000 for the development of new processes and technology to be used in the economical and ecological recycling of used oil. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal year 1975, and for each succeeding fiscal year, through fiscal year 1978, $5,000,000 for the development of standards and testing methods to facilitate the comparison of recycled oil with new oil. Imposes a tax of 6 cents per gallon on specified oils other than recycled oils sold in the United States by the manufacturer or producer.
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.
![Official portrait of Sen. Case, Clifford P. [R-NJ]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000220_200.jpg)