United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1976
Synthetic Fuels Act - Amends the Federal Nonnuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 to authorize the Administrator of the Energy Research and Development Administration to guarantee loan obligations issued for the purposes of financing the constructional and operation costs of commercial demonstration facilities for: (1) the conversion of coal and other resources into synthetic fuels; (2) the generation of energy from renewable sources; (3) the development of energy-efficient industrial equipment; and (4) geothermal resource development. Requires the concurrence of the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to the conditions of any such guarantee. Prescribes limits for the total amount of outstanding indebtedness subject to Federal guarantees. Details conditions under which the Administrator may guarantee an obligation. Establishes procedures for consultation with affected States, localities and Indian tribes. Prohibits the making of Federal commitments where the Governor of the affected State is opposed unless there is an overriding national interest favoring such Federal action. Specifies procedures in the event of a default of any guarantee under this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to make financial payments to affected States, localities, and Indian tribes for the financing of essential community development and planning resulting from the construction of any facilities assisted by this Act. Requires full reports to Congressional committees on proposed Federal actions under this Act. Directs the Administrator to submit a comprehensive plan for energy productions and conservation demonstration programs to the Congress. Establishes a separate fund in the Treasury to finance the programs authorized by this Act. Makes funds from the Geothermal Resources Development Fund available for loan quarantees for geothermal resource development and demonstration projects.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1976
Requests the President to engage in the negotiation of agreements with other nations to help prevent acts of terrorism by, among other means, denying assistance or asylum to persons who perpetuate acts of terrorism, and by invoking sanctions against any nation which gives assistance or grants asylum to such person.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1976
Emergency Food Stamp Vendor Accountability Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, under the Food Stamp Act of 1964, to prescribe regulations to be followed by food coupon vendors with respect to the depositing of funds received for such coupons and the accounting for such funds to the State and Federal Governments. Requires vendors to deposit such funds weekly in accordance with Department of Agriculture regulations. Requires more frequent deposit of balances of $1,000 or more. States that vendors act as fiduciaries of the Federal Government when receiving food coupon funds. Prohibits the use of such funds by vendors for the benefit of anyone other than the Federal Government. Requires vendors to report periodically to State and Federal Government agencies the amount of funds deposited. Establishes criminal penalties for the violation of the regulations established in accordance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1976
Amends the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act of 1973 to stipulate that price controls shall not apply to the first sale of crude oil produced from domestic wells whose daily production of crude oil for the preceding year did not exceed ten barrels per well.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1975
Small Business Estate and Gift Tax Reform Act - Revises, under the Internal Revenue Code, the rate of tax imposed on transfers of taxable estates. Increases the present $60,000 exemption from such tax to $80,000 in 1976, $100,000 in 1978, and $120,000 in 1980. Alters possible gift tax exemptions of a decedent's estate in 1980. Provides that in the computation of the value of a taxable estate, where a bequest is made to the surviving spouse, the limitation on the aggregate of deductions is increased from 50 percent to $240,000 plus fifty percent of the excess of the adjusted gross estate. Allows, in the determination of the value of a decedent's property held as farming property or scenic open property, the consideration of effective restrictions on its use for other purposes. Increases the gift tax exemption from $30,000 to $60,000. Allows a taxpayer to claim, under conditions prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate, an additional exemption which would otherwise be allowed his estate upon his death. Revises the gift tax exemption permitted for gifts to spouses from one half of the transferred property's value to so much of its value as does not exceed $240,000, plus one half of the excess. Extends from 10 to 15 the number of equal installments in which estate taxes on an estate consisting largely of an interest in closely held business may be paid. Permits the Secretary or his delegate, with the taxpayer's consent, to impose a lien on the closely held business assets which constitute the basis for the extension. Allows such lien in lieu of requiring a bond, but treats it as a bond for purposes of the discharge of fiduciary impersonal liability. Revises the eligibility of specified corporations for stock redemption rules and increases the period within which distributions in redemption of stock to pay death taxes must be made. Requires the Secretary or his delegate to study: (1) hardship extensions of the time for payment of estate tax and installments thereof, and (2) extensions of time for payment of estate tax where the estate consists largely of an interest in a closely held business as such extensions affect decisions to continue or dispose of a small or closely held business. Orders a report of such study to be submitted to Congress within 12 months of enactment of these provisions, such report to include findings, conclusions, and recommendations for 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 · 17 December 1975
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should call upon all nations to withhold support from all of the combatants in Angola. Provides that the President should urge the Organization of African Unity to mediate the dispute. Urges the President to curtail exports and impose economic sanctions against countries which persist in intervening in the conflict in Angola.
United States · United States Congress · 10 December 1975
Imposes a one-year moratorium, except for rotational purposes, on the sale or disposition from stockpiles of strategic and critical materials acquired under the Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act, Defense Production Act, Agricultural Trade Development Act or any other Act.
United States · United States Congress · 2 December 1975
Continues the present rates of specified taxes, pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, used to provide revenue to the Highway Trust Fund until September 30, 1979. Continues the Highway Trust Fund created by the Highway Revenue Act until September 30, 1979.
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 · 18 November 1975
States that the Senate commends Secretary of Defense James R. Schlesinger for his excellence in office, his intellectual honesty, personal integrity, courage and independence. Expresses a debt of gratitude to Secretary Schlesinger for his services and particularly for his determination to convey the truth to the American people.
United States · United States Congress · 11 November 1975
Provides that information held by a Federal agency as trustee, regarding the natural resources or other assets of Indian tribes or bands or groups, shall not be subject to the requirement that it be made available to the public. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 552)
United States · United States Congress · 11 November 1975
Condemns the resolution adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations which equates Zionism with racism. Opposes participation by the United States Government in the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. Calls for reconsideration of the Zionism resolution. Directs the Committee on International Relations and the Committee on Foreign Relations to begin hearings immediately to reassess the United States' further participation in the United Nations General Assembly.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 1975
Allows a tax deduction, under the Internal Revenue Code, of an amount equal to 25 percent of the gross income from a geothermal steam and geothermal resources property. States that such deduction may not exceed 50 percent of the taxpayer's taxable income from the property.
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 · 20 October 1975
Higher Education Amendments - Extends and authorizes increased appropriations for student aid and vocational education programs under the Higher Education Act. Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to develop and carry out arrangements to improve collection procedures for the repayment of loans under title IV of the Higher Education Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1975
Express the sense of the Congress that the observance of Thanksgiving include the practice of "Thankful Giving". Invites Americans to share with the hungry of the world.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1975
Oil Pricing Act - Provides for the phased decontrol of crude oil prices under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act. Provides for a gradual transition from mandatory price and allocation controls, under such Act. Permits the President to remove price and allocation control regulation from crude oil or refined petroleum products which are not in short supply.
United States · United States Congress · 25 September 1975
Establishes the Joint Congressional Task Force on Federal Small Business Impact to be composed of one majority and one minority Member from the House Small Business Committee, the Senate Select Committee on Small Business, and the Joint Economic Committee. Directs the task force to establish subject matter priorities and assignments for the committees of the House and Senate in order to coordinate and assign to such committees areas for investigations to be undertaken. Provides that such investigations shall examine Federal programs and laws that affect small business in America. Requires the task force, upon completion of such investigations, to prepare a report and make recommendations for legislation based upon information by the committees. Provides that expenses of the task force shall be apid from the contingent fund of the Senate and House. Authorizes the appropriation of no more than $50,000 for expenses incurred by any committee during such investigations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 September 1975
Revises the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act to permit any recognized Indian tribal organization to qualify as a prime sponsor under that Act, and to make any recognized Indian tribal organization an eligible applicant for Federal financial aid under that Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1975
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, an income tax credit equal to the sum of the employment taxes paid by a taxpayer in connection with wages paid by him during the taxable year to reemployed or newly employed individuals. States that no credit shall be allowed with respect to the employment of an individual if the taxpayer is allowed a credit for work incentive program expenses attributable to such individual for such year. Allows carrybacks and carryovers of unused credits. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to the Congress on the effectiveness of the employment incentive tax credit enacted by this Act in encouraging new employment together with such other information and recommendations as he considers necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 1975
Extends from 18 to 24 months the period which the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating may interpose, at his discretion, between the date of issuance of a boating safety standard requiring major changes in the boat manufacturing industry and the effective date of such safety standard. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct research, testing, and development necessary to carry out the purposes of the Federal Boat Safety Act. Extends through fiscal year 1978 the allocation of Federal funds to State boating safety programs. Authorizes through fiscal year 1978 the appropriation of funds for Federal assistance to State boating safety programs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1975
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President of the United States should direct the Secretary of the Interior to make prompt arrangements to conserve the helium which is now being extracted from natural gas and then vented into the atmosphere.
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 · 16 September 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to prescribe alternative simplified methods for providing disclosure to participants in smaller pension plans under the reporting requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1975
Suspends various provisions of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act relating to development of a standard form for the statement of settlement costs in all transactions involving federally related mortgage loans; requiring advance disclosure of settlement costs to prospective borrowers; and requiring the disclosure of the previous selling price of existing real property.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1975
Expands the definition of the terms "language minorities or language minority group" for purposes of the Voting Rights Act to mean persons who are American Indian, Asian American, Alaskan Natives, or of Spanish heritage, and whose dominant language is other than English.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1975
Provides an additional personal exemption of $1,000 to the taxpayer under the Internal Revenue Code for each senior citizen whose principal place of abode is in the principal residence of the taxpayer, unless the taxpayer is allowed a deduction for trade or business expense for the housing of such senior citizen.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975
Includes independent owner-operator truckers as an exempted class under the Interstate Commerce Act. States that no driver of a motor vehicle performing exempt transportation may collect compensation for transportation at a rate lower then the lowest rate specified for commodities between identical points served.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975
States that whenever any officer in the executive branch of the Federal Government proposes to prescribe any rule or regulation, or change any existing rule or regulation, such rule or regulation must be submitted to each House of Congress together with a report containing a full explantion thereof. Provides that no such rule shall become effective if the Congress disapproves it within a sixty-day period. Specifies that the provisions of this Act shall not apply to regulations dealing with national security, foreign affairs, agency management, or personnel matters.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the National Park Service not phase out overnight lodging in national parks. Emphasizes the importance of such facilities in enabling all of the citizens to use and enjoy their national parks.
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 · 29 July 1975
Directs that committee action on all bills or resolutions involving primarily energy-related matters be completed by September 26, 1975. Creates a Senate task force composed of 10 members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate. States that the function of the task force shall be to make a comprehensive study of all legislative proposals involving primarily energy matters. Provides that the task force shall recommend to the Senate a procedure for the consideration of such proposals in such a manner as to avoid uncoordinated action. Directs the task force to make a final report to the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate on October 10, 1975 setting forth the results of the study. Authorizes the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $100,000 to be paid from the contingent fund of the Senate to meet the expenses of the task force.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1975
Creates a nine-member Commission on the operation of the Senate. Provides that all Commissioners shall be appointed by the President of the Senate upon the joint recommendations of the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate. Provides that the Commission shall make a study of the organization and operation of the United States Senate. Directs that such study shall include: (1) the functioning of Members, officers, and employees of the Senate in the light of the responsibilities of the Senate; (2) conflicts in the programming of business; (3) office accomodations and facilities; (4) information resources; (5) internal management administrative support structures; and (6) ways of improving Senate coordination with the House of Representatives. Authorizes compensation for the Commissoners and appointment of such staff as necessary to carry out the purpose of this resolution. Directs the Commission to submit reports to the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate, which shall set forth the results of the study together with its findings and recommendations. Authorizes the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $500,000 to be paid from the contingent fund of the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1975
Directs the Department of Labor, in cooperation with the Department of Commerce, to study the feasibility and cost of developing and publishing monthly a nationwide unemployment rate among Americans of Spanish origin or descent. Directs such departments and the Department of Agriculture to each collect, and regularly publish, statistics which indicate the social and economic condition of Americans of Spanish origin or descent. Requires the Department of Commerce to provide for the use of bilingual questionnaires in the collection of data required by this Act. Requires such department to implement an aggressive affirmative action program within the Census Bureau for the employment of personnel of Spanish origin or descent.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1975
Provides, under title XX (Grants to States for Services) of the Social Security Act, that no State shall be required to administer individual means tests for provision of education, nutrition, transportation, recreation, socialization, or associated services provided thereunder to groups of low-income individuals aged sixty or older.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 1975
Combined Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance - Income Tax Reporting Amendments - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to make available specified tax returns to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Empowers the Secretary of HEW and the Secretary of the Treasury to enter into an agreement for the processing of information contained in such returns. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to provide to the Secretary of HEW any documents they agree are necessary for such processing. Directs the Managing Trustee of the Trust funds established pursuant to the Social Security Act, including the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund, to pay into the Treasury the amounts he and the Secretary of HEW estimate will be expended from the general fund of the Treasury by the Departments of HEW and Treasury for the administration of (1) titles II and XVIII of the Social Security Act, and (2) specified chapters and subchapters of the Internal Revenue Code. Requires the Secretary of HEW to apportion (between each trust fund and the general fund in the Treasury) the costs of administrating titles II, XVI and XVIII of the Social Security Act and its costs in carrying out specified functions of this Act. Revises the formula by which the adjustment to the contribution and benefit base is to be computed following an increase in social security benefits.
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
Authorizes the construction and maintenance of the General Draza Mihailovich Monument in Washington, District of Columbia, in recognition of the role he played in saving the lives of approximately five hundred United States airmen in Yugoslavia during World War II.
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 · 16 July 1975
Stipulates that Indians committing specified crimes within Indian country shall be subject to the same laws and penalties as all other persons committing such crimes within the excusive jurisdiction of the United States, except that any such offenses not defined and punishable by Federal law shall be defined and punished by the laws of the State in which such offense was committed. Provides that any person committing assault resulting in serious bodily injury within the maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States shall be fined not more than $10,000, or imprisonment not more than ten years, or both.
![Official portrait of Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/d000407_200.jpg)