United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1975
Provides that a charitable organization shall be denied exemption from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code where amounts paid or incurred by such organization during each taxable year to influence legislation exceed specified sums of money, or where a significant portion of the activities of such organization consists of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. Designates charitable organizations to which this Act applies, and defines the term "influencing legislation". Disallows deductions to charitable organizations where the contribution is made for the purpose of influencing legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1975
Regulatory Reform Act - States Congress' finding that Government economic regulation has become a burden to American business, consumers, and the economy. Requires the President to submit at least once a year a plan designed to eliminate regulation which has led to inflationary consumer prices or a reduction of competition. Directs that each plan establish more efficient organizational and administrative forms for the regulation of commerce, and include provisions necessary to modify or abolish existing agencies and functions so as to eliminate overlapping regulatory jurisdictions, and anticompetitive and duplicative regulations. Defines terms as used in this Act. Provides that the President shall submit each plan required by this Act to the Congress for review by the Committees on Government Operations of the House of Representatives and Senate. Requires such committees to review the plan and report a bill approving or disapproving such plan in whole or in part, with such amendments as are deemed appropriate. Directs that in the event no regulatory reform legislation has been enacted with respect to any area covered by this Act, all rules of any agency described in the President's plan shall be of no force or effect after the last day of June in the calendar year next following the calendar year in which such plan was submitted.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1975
Excludes from gross income, under the Internal Revenue Code, amounts received by volunteer firemen for service as members of a firefighting or rescue unit of a State or local government.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1975
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Government of Cuba cooperate with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of the Organization of America States and admit representatives of the International Commission of Jurists or the International Red Cross or Amnesty International to Cuba, allowing them to inspect all detention facilities where political prisoners are confined.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 1975
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the signing in Helsinki of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe did not change in any way the longstanding policy of the United States on non-recognition of the Soviet Union's illegal seizure and annexation of the three Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
United States · United States Congress · 3 December 1975
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that no law varying the compensation for the services of Senators and Representatives shall take effect until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1975
Regulatory Limitation Act - Provides that the rules and regulations implementing the public laws of the United States shall not take effect before 60 calendar days of continuous session of Congress after the date on which the rule was published in the Federal Register. Directs that such regulations shall not be implemented if either House of Congress passes a resolution disapproving them.
United States · United States Congress · 20 November 1975
Provides for the designation, at the Department of the Treasury and in the Congress, (as part of the Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation), of experts on long-range tax simplification and tax reform for small business.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1975
Establishes the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe to monitor the acts of the signatories which reflect compliance with the articles of the Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. Provides that the Commission shall be composed of 11 members to be appointed as specified in this Act. Gives the Commission the power to subpena witnesses and records as necessary to carry out the responsibilities imposed by this Act. Requires the Commission to make periodic reports to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 1975
Regulatory Agency Responsibility Act - Title I: Abolition of Unnecessary Agencies - States that the purpose of this Act is to abolish specified Federal regulatory agencies which have failed to promote the public welfare and to provide for the automatic termination of new agencies established after the enactment of this Act which fail to accomplish the purposes for which they were established. Abolishes each Federal regulatory agency as of October 1, 1976, unless: (1) the President recommends its continuance; (2) the relevant Congressional committees conduct an investigation of its effectiveness; and (3) the Congress adopts a concurrent resolution disapproving the abolition of the agency or agencies. Provides for the automatic termination of the remaining Federal agencies after 7 years unless the President and Congress take action to disapprove such abolition. Sets forth procedures for the automatic termination of new regulatory agencies established after the date of enactment of this Act after 15 years unless the President and Congress disapprove. Provides for an orderly transfer of essential functions of the abolished agencies to successor agencies. Stipulates that Congress must approve such plan before it may take effect. States that the orders, rules, certificates, and licenses which have been promulgated by an abolished agency shall continue in effect according to their terms until modified, terminated, or repealed by the President, the head of a designated successor agency or by any court of competent jurisdiction, or by operation of law. Title II: Budget Requests and Legislative Recommendations - Reports to the Congress - Requires specified agencies to submit all legislative recommendations to the Congress as well as to the President.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 1975
Provides for the updating of cost estimates of specified routes on the Interstate Highway System based on changes in construction costs of such highway routes.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 1975
Dairy and Meat Import Inspection and Identification Act - Establishes labeling and sanitation requirements for imported meat and dairy products. Title I: Dairy Products - Defines terms as used in this title. Directs that no dairy products shall be imported into the United States unless the Secretary of Agriculture first certifies that such products are wholesome and pure. Requires the Secretary to establish standards comparable to standards imposed upon domestic dairy products. Provides that such imports must comply with United States packaging and labeling requirements. Requires that the package or container of any food product made in whole or in part of imported dairy products shall be labeled "imported" or "imported in part". Establishes criminal penalties for violation of the requirements of this Act. Title II: Meat and Meat Products - Imposes the same labeling requirements on meat products as those imposed by title I of this Act. Requires that such products meet the same health standards as imposed upon domestically produced meats. Requires that inspectors employed by the Department of Agriculture supervise the testing of imported meats. Directs that periodic tests of imported meats shall be conducted in the United States by the Department of Agriculture.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 1975
Provides that the States may submit to the Secretary of Commerce a program for the completion of the Interstate System, including a proposal for the issuance of bonds or other obligations of such State. Authorizes the Secretary to approve such programs and to enter into a contractual arrangement on behalf of the United States to pay, over a twenty-year period, the principal and interest on such bonds or other obligations. Directs that no State shall receive less than one-half of one percent of the aggregate payments to all States for the liquidation of obligations incurred as a result of the completion. Requires the Secretary to make an annual report to Congress with respect to all activities pursuant to this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of such amounts as are necessary to make payments on financial obligations assumed by the United States pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, under the National Trails System Act, to conduct a study with respect to the feasibility of establishing the 1,300 mile Florida Trail as a national scenic trail.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 1975
Lobbying Act - Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to provide for the disclosure to the Congress, the executive branch, and to all members of the public of the efforts of organizations and individuals who are paid to engage in efforts to influence issues before Congress or the executive branch, without intefering with the right of the people of the United States to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Defines terms used in this Act. States that the term "lobbying" means the making of "lobbying communications" or "lobbying solicitations", as such terms are defined in this Act. Defines the term "lobbyist" to mean any person or organization which receives any income other than personal travel expenses and other specified income: (1) to make or for making in any quarterly period one or more lobbying communications; or (2) to make or for making in any quarterly period one or more lobbying solicitations which refer to the same issue or issues before the Congress or the executive branch and which reach, or may reasonably be expected to reach, a total of five hundred or more persons. Makes a further definition of the term "lobbyist" to include any organization which conducts specified activities designed to affect the outcome of legislation. Requires each person to register with the Comptroller General of the United States not later than 15 days after becoming a lobbyist. States that such registration shall contain the identification of the lobbyist, and the identification of the subject matter of each category of issues before the Congress or executive branch, which the lobbyist expects to seek to influence. Requires each lobbyist to disclose each organization from which he received income during the 12-month period preceding the filing. Requires voluntary membership organizations to approximate the number of persons who are members of the organization, and to describe the methods which the organization expects to use. States that such registrations shall also include: (1) an identification of each person on whose behalf the lobbyist's services have been retained; (2) a description of the financial terms and conditions under which the lobbyist is retained by each such person; and (3) an identification of each individual to whom, as of the date of filing, the lobbyist expects to provide income (other than personal travel expenses) to make one or more lobbying communications. States that such registration shall be effective for 12 months. Requires each lobbyist and person retaining a lobbyist to maintain such financial and other records as the Comptroller General shall prescribe. States that such records shall be subject to examinations by the Comptroller General. Requires each lobbyist to file quarterly reports with the Comptroller General covering the lobbyist's activities during that period. Sets forth the information required to be included in such report. Enumerates the powers of the Comptroller General pursuant to the enforcement of the provisions of this Act. Grants the Comptroller General the power to subpena witnesses and documentary evidence. Sets forth the duties of the Comptroller General pursuant to this Act. States that the Comptroller General shall make available to the public the information contained in the registration and reports filed by lobbyists under this Act. Directs the Comptroller General, in response to a written request by any person, to render an advisory opinion with respect to the recordkeeping, registration, or reporting requirements of this Act. Directs the Comptroller General to investigate any apparent violation of this Act when it appears that any person has engaged, or is about to engage in, any acts or practices which would constitute a violation of this Act. Authorizes the Comptroller General to correct such violations by informal means, or, that failing, by legal action. Sets forth rules of procedure with respect to legal actions brought to enforce the provisions of this Act. Establishes civil penalties consisting of fines of up to $10,000 per day for each day of violation of the provisions of this Act. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the President and to Congress annually with respect to its activities and functions under this Act. Repeals the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 1975
Provides that the inpatient hospital deductible under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act shall be increased from $40 to $92 in the case of any spell of illness beginning before 1977. Sets forth a formula for adjusting the impatient deductible for subsequent years, equal to $92 multiplied by the ratio of the current average per diem rate for inpatient hospital services for the preceding year to the current average per diem rate for such services for 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 1 October 1975
Revises the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act to subject imported tomatoes to restrictions regulating the pack of any container comparable to those applicable to domestic tomatoes.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1975
Requires the Comptroller General to make an audit for each fiscal year of the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Reserve banks and their branches, the Internal Revenue Service, the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Office of Alien Property. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on the results of the audit.
United States · United States Congress · 22 September 1975
Denies Members of Congress any increase in their rate of pay under any law passed, or plan or recommendation received, during a Congress unless such increase is to take effect not earlier than the first day of the next Congress. Makes such prohibition retroactive to apply to those laws passed after June 30, 1975, and to plans and recommendations regarding pay transmitted by the President after such date.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1975
Revises the eligibility requirements for participation in the food stamp program by requiring that such standards prescribe schedules specifying the amount to be paid by households of different sizes on the basis of the net income and assets fo each such household. Requires that such income and assets be adjusted semiannually to reflect any changes in cost of living during the preceding six-month period. Authorizes a standard deduction of $120 in determining eligibility, plus an additional deduction of $60 in the case of any household with one or more persons sixty years of age or older. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to prescribe a single form for eligibility certification of participants in the food stamp program, the supplemental security income program, the aid to families with dependent children program, and the old age, survivors, and disability insurance program under the Social Security Act. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to cooperatively formulate a proposal for a cooperative nutritional status monitoring system, and submit recommendations for such legislation as may be necessary to carry out such proposal. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out experimental simplified eligibility certification procedures and to establish a realistic set of goals to improve quality control and administrative efficiency under this Act. Specifies that each State must develop and submit to the Secretary a State quality control plan which shall specify the actions such State proposes to take in order to meet the error tolerance goals established by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to withhold funds from States which fail to carry out the quality control plan approved for such State. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to the Congress annually an evaluation plan and a report on the food stamp program.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, in determining the cost of specified additional mileage of the Interstate Highway System, to reflect changes in construction costs which occurred between the date of the original estimate and which are generally applicable to the most recent cost estimate prepared for other interstate routes.
United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1975
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should, upon his visit to the People's Republic of China, request that the Chinese officials use their offices to obtain an accounting of members of the United States Armed Forces missing in action and confined as prisoners of war in Southeast Asia.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1975
Provides that the Export-Import Bank shall not approve assistance for the export of nuclear materials or technology to any nation not a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Allows for exception to this provision when the President certifies to Congress that such transfer is required in the interest of national security.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1975
Increases from $3,120,000 to $22,162,000 the amount authorized for the acquisition of private property to be included in the Gulf Islands National Seashore in the States of Mississippi and Florida.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975
Broadcast License Renewal Act - Permits the Federal Communications Commission to extend three-year broadcast licenses for an additional two years upon a finding of public interest. Requires in making such determination, considerations of whether diffferent term lengths for radio and television stations and for different categories of licensees are in the public interest. Limits other class licenses to a five-year maximum, prescribing the renewal procedures for such licenses and the criteria to be considered in renewal, including responsiveness and lack of serious deficiencies. Sets guidelines for expenditious action on applications for renewal of broadcasting station licenses by limiting material required to be filed. Requires the Commission to examine the renewal process and report within six months on methods of reducing and consolidating filings and supporting documents.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1975
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the United States should not seek a normalization of relations with the Government of Cuba until the following issues are resolved: (1) acceptance of fundamental human rights; (2) acceptance of the standard of international law; (3) acknowledgement of claims for compensation for confiscated American property; (4) cessation of terrorist activities in Puerto Rico; and (5) acceptance of principles set down in the charter of the Organization of American States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1975
National Productivity and Quality of Working Life Act - Title I: Findings, Purpose, and Policy Definitions - Declares it to be the finding of Congress that the rate of productivity growth has declined during four of the past six years in the United States, and that such decline is detrimental to the social and economic welfare of the American people. States that there is a national need to identify the factors which affect adversely the productivity growth, to improve productivity, and to increase employment security. Declares it to be the purpose of this Act: (1) to establish a national policy which will encourage productivity growth consistent with needs of the economy, the natural environment, and the needs, rights, and best interests of management, the work force, and consumers; and (2) to establish as an independent establishment of the executive branch a National Center for Productivity and Quality of Working Life to focus, coordinate, and promote efforts to improve the rate of productivity growth. Title II: National Center for Productivity and Quality of Working Life Established - Creates as an independent establishment of the executive branch of the Government the National Center for Productivity and Quality of Working Life. Sets forth provisions for the establishment of the Board of Directors of the Center. Includes specified cabinet members and Federal officials ex officio, and provides for the appointment of other members by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Enumerates the functions of the Center, including: (1) the development and establishment of a national policy for productivity growth in the public and private sectors of the United States; (2) the stimulation of the maximum participation of the public and private sectors of the Nation's economy in efforts to improve the rate of productivity growth; (3) the recommendation of legislation and revision of regulations as appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Act; and (4) the dissemination of information collected through surveys and studies conducted under this Act. Defines the powers of the Center, including the power to organize and contract for studies pursuant to the purposes of this Act. Requires the Center to report annually to the President and to the Congress on its activities during the preceding fiscal year. Title III: Federal Agency Coordination and Liaison with Center - Directs each department, agency, and independent establishment of the Federal Government to designate an individual to serve as liaison with the Center. Directs such offices to keep the Center informed of all programs and initiatives relevant to this Act, and to provide the Center with any information and material which it may request. Title IV: Administrative Provisions - Authorizes the Executive Director of the Center to carry out such actions as are necessary for effective operation pursuant to this Act. Title V: Evaluation by the Comptroller General - Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to audit, review, and evaluate the implementation of the provisions of this Act by the Center and to report the results of such inspection to Congress within 30 to 36 months of the enactment of this Act. Title VI: Repeal and Transfer - Transfers the functions and staff of the National Commission on Productivity and Work Quality to the Center. Title VII: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes the appropriation of funds to carry out the purposes of this Act for fiscal years 1976, 1977, and 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1975
Extends the coverage of the automobile assistance program and the specially adapted housing program to those disabled veterans whose disability is the result of an injury incurred or disease contracted or aggravated as the result of hospitalization, medical or surgical treatment, or the pursuit of a course of vocational rehabilitation. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 801;1901)
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1975
Congressional Right to Information Act - Requires the head of every Federal agency: (1) to keep each committee and subcommittee of Congress fully informed with respect to all matters relating to the agency which are within the jurisdiction of the committee or subcommittee; and (2) to provide the Congress, its committees and subcommittees, with all information requested. Requires all officers or employees of the United States, when summoned to testify or to produce evidence before Congress or a committee or subcommittee thereof, to appear as requested, and to furnish all information required. Provides for the withholding of such information by instruction of the President. Provides for the subpena of an officer or employee of the United States or of information requested by Congress, when such officer fails to appear or such information is withheld. Provides for the bringing of a civil action to enforce such subpena. Sets forth rules for the treatment of any resolution introduced in Congress to enforce a subpena issued pursuant to this Act. Grants to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia the original jurisdiction over actions brought to enforce a subpena issued pursuant to this Act. Directs the Congress, and each committee and subcommittee thereof to take measures to insure the confidentiality of any information made available to it under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1975
Indochina Refugee Children Assistance Act - Defines terms used in this Act. Directs the Commissioner of Education to make grants to State and territorial educational agencies for the public education of Vietnamese and Cambodian refugee children. Sets forth a formula for determining the amount of such grants. States that no such grants may be made unless the State submits an application to the Commissioner containing specified information and assurances that such payments will be distributed among local educational agencies within that State in direct proportion to the number of Indochinese refugee children served by each such local educational agency. Authorizes supplementary assistance grants of $300 per child to any State educational agency which provides for the unique educational needs of Indochinese refugee children who are aged five to seventeen, inclusive. Authorizes appropriations for basic entitlement grants of $57,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, $14,500,000 for the period beginning January 1, 1976 and ending September 30, 1976, and $29,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Authorizes specified appropriations for supplementary assistance grants.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 1975
Requires that the Congressional Record for the Senate shall contain a verbatim account of remarks delivered on the floor of the Senate. Allows supporting data to be included. Provides that revisions of remarks in the Record shall be limited to the correction of grammatical and typographical errors. Allows, by unanimous consent, the inclusion in the Congressional Record of remarks not actually delivered on the floor. Directs that such insertions shall be printed in a typeface distinctively different from that used for verbatim remarks.
United States · United States Congress · 17 July 1975
Expresses the disapproval of the United States Senate of attempts to expel Israel for the United Nations. States that if Israel is expelled the Senate will review United States commitments to the Third World nations involved in the expulsion and will consider the implication of continued membership in the United Nations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study with respect to the feasibility of establishing the Bartram Trail, in the Alabama-Georgia-Florida area, as a national scenic trail.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 1975
Federal Conflict of Interest Act - Imposes a civil penalty equal to the amount of any profit gained by an officer or employee of the Federal Government for engaging in personal business transactions based upon his or her official position or authority. Makes it unlawful for any such person to knowingly violate any standard of ethical conduct promulgated by the Commission on Conduct (established by this Act). Requires persons in the employ of the Federal Government compensated in excess of $25,000 per year to make an annual financial disclosure, including elected officials. Authorizes the Commission to investigate any alleged violation of any provision of this Act or regulation promulgated under it. Specifies the procedures to be followed by the Commission upon finding that an individual has violated the standards of ethical conduct of the Commission or any requirement of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated for each fiscal year such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 July 1975
Prohibits the authorization of budget authority for a period of more than four years for laws enacted after the effective date of this Act. Limits to four years the budget authorization of existing laws which provide such authorization for a period of more than four years. Limits to six years the budget authorization of existing laws which provide such authorization for an unspecified number of years. Requires congressional committees to conduct a comprehensive review and study of existing programs in considering legislation extending budget authority for such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 8 July 1975
Authorizes the President, under the Export-Import Bank Act, to suspend the extension of credits by the Export-Import Bank to countries which are restricting exports to the United States or which are maintaining increased prices for such exports.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 1975
Imposes an additional income tax under the Internal Revenue Code on taxable income attributable to countries which are members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.
United States · United States Congress · 25 June 1975
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of State should request the Organization of American States to consider as soon as possible the topic of Cuban political prisoners and the need for inspection of the places of their confinement.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1975
Directs the heads of each executive agency to submit to the President inventories of the following relationships between the United States and each country from which the United States imports crude oil, natural gas, or petroleum products: (1) exports from the United States; (2) arrangements for the performance of research and development projects; (3) arrangements for the provision of educational or training programs for such a country by the United States; (4) investments held by such country in the United States, and by the United States in such other countries; and (5) arrangements for the United States to furnish military supplies to such countries. States that such information may be used for, but is not limited to, assisting in negotiations between the United States and oil producing countries.
United States · United States Congress · 18 June 1975
Provides for the recomputation of military retirement benefits. Provides that a member or former member of a uniformed service: (1) who is 60 years of age or older, and is retired for reasons other than physical disability, whose disability is finally determined to be of a permanent nature and less than 30 percent under the disability rating system, and is entitled to retired pay computed under the rates of basic pay in effect before January 1, 1972; or (2) who is entitled to retired pay for physical disability, whose disability was finally determined to be of a permanent nature and at least 30 percent under the schedule of rating disabilities, and whose retired pay is computed under rates of basic pay in effect after October 11, 1949, and before January 1, 1972, is entitled to have that pay recomputed upon the rates of basic pay in effect on January 1, 1972.
United States · United States Congress · 17 June 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to convey islands and other public lands omitted from prior surveys to States or their political subdivisions. Prohibits such conveyance unless the applicant prepares, and the Secretary approves, a comprehensive land-use plan covering the lands involved. Directs the Secretary to charge the fair market value of such lands, unless he determines that it is in the public interest not to do so. Provides for an automatic reversion to the United States of those conveyed lands which are not used in accordance with the plan required by this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1975
Changes Senate Rule XIX to provide that no Senator may: (1) speak from prepared materials on the Senate floor; (2) insert prepared remarks in the Congressional Record to be shown as delivered by him on the floor; and (3) make use of any staff member for advice in the performance of his duties while on the Senate floor.
![Official portrait of Sen. Chiles, Lawton [D-FL]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c000356_200.jpg)