United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1975
Directs the officers of the House of Representatives to conduct seminars for freshmen Members of Congress. Provides for the curriculum and expense reimbursement for such seminars. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out this Act. Authorizes each freshman member to employ an interim staff between election and the next regular session of Congress. Authorizes expenditures for stationary during such period. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary for such purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1975
Bill of Rights Procedures Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to prohibit any interception of communication, other electronic surveillance, surreptitious entry, mail opening, or the inspection of and procuring of the records of telephone, bank, credit, medical, or other business or private transactions, of any individual without a court order issued upon probable cause that a crime has been or is about to be committed, supported by oath or affirmation and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. Provides that whoever, being an officer, agent, or employee of the United States or any department or agency thereof willfully: (1) searches any private dwelling used and occupied as a dwelling without a warrant directing such search or maliciously and without reasonable cause searches any other building or property without a search warrant; (2) procures or inspects the records of telephone calls, bank, credit, medical, or other business or private transactions of any individual without a search warrant or the consent of the individual; (3) opens any foreign or domestic mail not directed to him without a search warrant directing such opening or without the consent of the sender or addressee of such mail; or (4) intercepts, endeavors to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept any wire or oral communication except as authorized by law; shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. Requires that within 30 days after the date of an order authorizing or approving the interception of a wire or oral communication (or each extension thereof) entered under authority of law, or the denial of an order approving an interception, the person seeking such order shall report to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and House of Representatives: (1) the fact that an order or extension was applied for; (2) the kind of order or extension applied for; (3) the fact that the order or extension was granted as applied for, was modified, or was denied; (4) the period of interceptions authorized by the order, and the number and duration of any extensions of the order; (5) the names of all parties to the intercepted communications; (6) the offense specified in the order or application; (7) the identity of the investigative or law enforcement officer and agency making the application and the person authorizing the application to be made; (8) a copy of the court order authorizing, approving, or denying such interception; and (9) the nature of the facilities from which or the place where communications were intercepted. Specifies that reports be made within 90 days after the date of an order approving the interception of a wire or oral communication on the disposition of all records of any such interception and the identity of and action taken by all individuals who had access to any such interception. Sets forth reporting requirements in the case of warrants issued authorizing the opening of mail.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1975
Increases the surtax exemption allowed to corporations under the Internal Revenue Code from $25,000 to $50,000 for taxable year 1976, and then in increments of $10,000 per taxable year to $100,000 for taxable year 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1975
Provides that a general increase in social security benefits shall not be taken into account in determining the eligibility of individuals or families to receive benefits under any Federal plan or program or any State plan or program which is funded in whole or in part by Federal funds if the effect of such increase would be to reduce or eliminate the benefits available under such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Prohibits a petroleum refiner or distributor from cancelling, failing to renew, or otherwise terminating a franchise unless he furnishes notification in writing to each affected distributor or retailer by certified mail not less than ninety days prior to the date on which such franchise will be canceled, together with a statement of the reasons of such cancellation and of the remedies available. Provides that a petroleum refiner or distributor shall not cancel, fail to renew, or otherwise terminate a franchise unless the retailer or distributor whose franchise is terminated failed to comply substantially with any essential and reasonable requirement of such franchise or failed to act in good faith in carrying out the terms of such franchise. States that if a refiner or distributor engages in conduct prohibited under this Act, a retailer or distributor may maintain a suit against such refiner or distributor.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Provides that any individual who is eighteen years of age or older and who is receiving half of his income from any member of another household which, because of its income and other financial resources, is not eligible to receive food stamps shall not be considered as a member of household for purposes of the Food Stamp Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to purchase from one or more life insurance companies a policy or policies of mortgage protection life insurance on a group basis for veterans unable to obtain commercial life insurance because of a service- connected disablility. Sets forth the maximum amount of insurance under a policy provided under this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to deduct insurance premiums from any compensation or other cash benefits payable to veteran by the Veterans' Administration, and to pay such premiums to the insurers. States that any amount of insurance in force under this Act on the date of death of an insured veteran shall be paid only to the holder of the mortgage loan on the veteran's home as a credit toward loan indebtedness. Requires each policy purchased under this Act to provide for the following: (1) reinsurance with other insurers which meet the Administrator's criteria; (2) that the Administrator may discontinue a whole policy, or exclude from coverage loans made after a date fixed by him; (3) issuance to each insured veteran of a certificate setting forth the benefits to which he is entitled; (4) any other provisions necessary to carry out this Act; and (5) an annual accounting to the Administrator of the amount of premiums paid, the total of all mortality and other claim charges incurred, and the amount of the insurer's expenses and risk charges. States that insurance under this Act shall terminate upon whichover of the following events first occurs: (1) satisfaction of the veteran's indebtedness under the loan upon which the insurance is based; (2) the veteran's 70th birthday; (3) termination of the veteran's ownership of the property securing the loan; (4) discontinuance of payment of premiums by the veteran; or (5) discontinuance of the entire contract or agreement. (Adds 38 U.S.C. 791-95)
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Returnable Beverage Container Act - Provides that no person shall manufacture for sale, sell, offer for sale, or introduce or deliver for introduction in interstate commerce any beverage container other than a returnable beverage container. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish such regulations as are necessary for the purpose of this Act. Sets forth penalties of up to a $1,000 fine and/or up to six months imprisonment for violation of provisions of this Act. Directs that the provisions of this Act shall be applicable, one year after passage, to metal cans with attached opening devices and to all other non-returnable containers three years after passage.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Provides price support for milk, under the Agricultural Act of 1949, at not less than 85 percent of the parity price therefor, beginning on the date of enactment and ending on March 31, 1977. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to adjust the parity price at the beginning of each quarter to reflect the changes in the prices paid by farmers for production items, interest, taxes and wages in the preceeding quarter. States that it is the sense of the Congress that the President shall take appropriate action to limit the quantity of meat imports to an amount equal to the adjusted quantity estimate for the current calendar year. States that it is further the sense of Congress that the President issue a proclamation stating that import quotas on butter, butter oil, cheddar cheese, and nonfat dry milk not be increased above the levels prevailing as of June 1, 1971.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Provides that the House of Representatives of the 95th Congress and each succeeding Congress shall consider and adopt the rules of its proceedings. Limits general debate on the resolution incorporating the proposed rules to 10 hours, to be equally divided and controlled by the majority leader and the minority leader.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Requires that all House-Senate conferences shall be open to the public and that no conference report shall be in order for consideration unless all conference sessions were open.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Requires, under the Rules of the House of Representatives, that all committee meetings, including the mark-up of legislation, shall be open to the public, except when the committee determines in open session by roll call vote that the disclosure of the matter to be considered would endanger national security or violate any law or rule of the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Prohibits, under the Rules of the House of Representatives, a party caucus or conference from issuing binding instructions on a Member's committee or floor votes. Permits any Member so bound to raise a point of order.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Provides, under the Rules of the House of Representatives, that no rules shall be suspended for the purpose of considering any matter reported from a committee unless the chairman and ranking minority member of the committee, or a majority of the committee, in open session, with a quorum present, by a rollcall vote, requests that such matter be considered by a suspension of the rules.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives to take immediate action to implement a plan for the audio and video broadcasting of House floor proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Provides, under the Rules of the House of Representatives, that any member in committee may demand a rollcall vote on any matter, and that a rollcall vote shall be required on any motion to report a bill or resolution of a public character from committee.
United States · United States Congress · 19 February 1975
Requires, under the Rules of the House of Representatives, that records of committee actions be made available for public inspection, except for information relating to the national security or which violates any law or rule of the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1975
Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to encourage the design, production, manufacture, and sale of passenger automobiles which are more efficient in the consumption of petroleum and other natural resources through the imposition of an excise tax or the allowance of a tax credit upon the sale of an automobile, depending on the rate at which it consumes fuel. Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, for an excise tax with respect to the price for which such automobile is sold by the manufacturer, dealer, or importer thereof, such tax ranging from zero on an automobile that averages between 18.5 and 19.5 gallons per mile to $1,000 on an automobile that averages less than 14.5 miles per gallon. Sets forth the procedure for computing such tax for the period from July 1, 1977, to June 30, 1980. Allows a tax credit on every new automobile based on the rate at which it consumes fuel according to guidelines set forth in this Act. Provides that the credit for the period beginning January 1, 1975, and ending June 30, 1977, shall range from zero on an automobile averaging between 18.5 and 19.5 miles per gallon and $1,000 for an automobile averaging over 26.5 miles per gallon. Sets forth the procedure for establishing such credits for the period from July 1, 1977, to June 30, 1980. Provides that no taxpayer shall be entitled to any tax credit more than once in each 24 month period, and such credit shall be claimed only during the tax year in which such purchase is made. Provides that the tax imposed under this Act shall be paid by the manufacturer, producer, or importer of the automobile in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe. States that the rates of fuel consumption to be utilized in computing the tax under this Act shall be determined by the Environmental Protection Agency.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 1975
Bill of Rights Procedures Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to prohibit any interception of communication, other electronic surveillance, surreptitious entry, mail opening, or the inspection of and procuring of the records of telephone, bank, credit, medical, or other business or private transactions, of any individual without a court order issued upon probable cause that a crime has been or is about to be committed, supported by oath or affirmation and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. Provides that whoever, being an officer, agent, or employee of the United States or any department or agency thereof willfully: (1) searches any private dwelling used and occupied as a dwelling without a warrant directing such search or maliciously and without reasonable cause searches any other building or property without a search warrant; (2) procures or inspects the records of telephone calls, bank, credit, medical, or other business or private transactions of any individual without a search warrant or the consent of the individual; (3) opens any foreign or domestic mail not directed to him without a search warrant directing such opening or without the consent of the sender or addressee of such mail; or (4) intercepts, endeavors to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept any wire or oral communication except as authorized by law; shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. Requires that within 30 days after the date of an order authorizing or approving the interception of a wire or oral communication (or each extension thereof) entered under authority of law, or the denial of an order approving an interception, the person seeking such order shall report to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and House of Representatives: (1) the fact that an order or extension was applied for; (2) the kind of order or extension applied for; (3) the fact that the order or extension was granted as applied for, was modified, or was denied; (4) the period of interceptions authorized by the order, and the number and duration of any extensions of the order; (5) the names of all parties to the intercepted communications; (6) the offense specified in the order or application; (7) the identity of the investigative or law enforcement officer and agency making the application and the person authorizing the application to be made; (8) a copy of the court order authorizing, approving, or denying such interception; and (9) the nature of the facilities from which or the place where communications were intercepted. Specifies that reports be made within 90 days after the date of an order approving the interception of a wire or oral communication on the disposition of all records of any such interception and the identity of and action taken by all individuals who had access to any such interception. Sets forth reporting requirements in the case of warrants issued authorizing the opening of mail.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1975
Postsecondary Vocational Education Act - Establishes a division of funds between secondary vocational and postsecondary occupational education in allotments to States under the Vocational Education Act of 1963. Provides that funds granted to States for occupational education may be used for: (1) strengthening State Advisory Councils on Vocational Education in order that they may effectively carry out the additional functions imposed by this Act; and (2) enabling the States to initiate and conduct a program of planning, including the development of a long-range strategy for placing occupational education on an equal footing with traditional academic education. Directs the Commissioner of Education to make grants to the States for specific projects relating to the design, establishment, and conduct of post secondary occupational education programs. Directs any State desiring to receive the amount of its occupational education allotment for a fiscal year to submit a State plan for occupational education at such time, in such detail, and containing such information as the Commissioner of Education may prescribe. Sets forth criteria to be met for approval of State plans by the Commissioner. Provides that the Commission shall pay, from the State's occupational education allotment for a fiscal year, an amount equal to 50 percent of the total expenditures made in carrying out the State's approved plan. Directs each State to establish a local coordinating committee for each locality in the State. Provides that each local coordinating committee shall make a continuing study of the needs in its locality for vocational education, occupational education, and manpower training programs. States that on the basis of the information derived from such study, the local coordinating committee shall develop and propose a strategy which will present a coherent, integrated, and comprehensive set of vocational education, occupational education, and manpower training programs designed to meet such needs. Stipulates that aggregate expenditures for administration may not exceed 5 percent and guidance, counseling, and technical assistance may not exceed 15 percent of the State's vocational education allotment for that year. Provides for the consolidation, under the Vocational Education Act, of programs for research and training, exemplary programs, and project and curriculum development. Sets forth provisions governing how appropriated sums shall be divided by the Commissioner among specific projects. Authorizes appropriations of $135,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 and for each of the four succeeding fiscal years for the improvement of vocational and occupational education programs pursuant to this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1975
Public Disclosure of Lobbying Act-Defines "lobbying" and other terms used in this Act. Requires each lobbyist, within 15 days of becoming a lobbyist, to file a notice of representation with the Federal Edection Commission. Sets forth minimum elements to be contained in such notice. Enumerates those persons required to maintain records of lobbying activities. Sets forth the required form and content of reports to be made to the commission containing such records. Requires GS-15 and above employees of the executive branch to maintain records of communucations received from outside parties expressing opinions or containing information with respect to the policy making process. Directs each executive agency to make such records available for public inspection. Enumerates the powers of the Commission, including the powers: (1) to require any person to submit in writing such reports and answers to question as the Commission may prescribe: and (2) to initiate, prosecute, defend, or appeal any civil or criminal action in the name of the Commission for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Act through its General Counsel. Provides that it shall be the duty of the Commission to perform specified tasks, including; (1) to develop and furnish to lobbyists forms required to be filed under this Act: (2) to develop forms for the filing of records of outside contacts by executive branch employees; and (3) to prepare a manual setting forth recommended uniform methods of bookkeeping and reporting, filing coding, and cross-indexing. Sets forth criminal penalties for violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1975
Provides price support for milk, under the Agricultural Act of 1949, at not less than 85 percent of the parity price therefor, beginning on the date of enactment and ending on March 31, 1977. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to adjust the parity price at the beginning of each quarter to reflect the changes in the prices paid by farmers for production items, interest, taxes and wages in the preceeding quarter. States that it is the sense of the Congress that the President shall take appropriate action to limit the quantity of meat imports to an amount equal to the adjusted quantity estimate for the current calendar year. States that it is further the sense of Congress that the President issue a proclamation stating that import quotas on butter, butter oil, cheddar cheese, and nonfat dry milk not be increased above the levels prevailing as of June 1, 1971.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1975
Sets forth standards, relating to the rights of patients under the General Provisions of the Social Security Act, to be met by intermediate care facilities participating in programs under title XVIII (Medicare) and title XIX (Medicaid) of such Act. Provides that the statement of rights required to be adopted by such facilities shall include guarantees: (1) that the patient's civil and religious liberties will not be infringed; (2) that the patient has the right to private communications with his physician, attorney, or any other person; and (3) that the patient has the right to have privacy in treatment and in caring for personal needs and confidentiality in the treatment of personal and medical records.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Authorizes appropriations for the Interstate Commerce Commission, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Power Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Federal Communications Commission, Civil Aeronautics Board, and the Food and Drug Administration for fiscal years 1976, 1977, and 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1975
Authorizes, under the Communications Act of 1934, grants to States and units of local government for the establishment, equipping, and operation of emergency communications centers to make the national emergency telephone number 911 available throughout the United States. Authorizes appropriations of $5,000,000 and $7,500,000 for fiscal years 1975 and 1976, respectively, to make grants under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1975
Constitutional Amendment - Lowers the age requirements for membership in the House of Representatives to twenty- two years and for membership in the Senate to twenty-seven years.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1975
Requires that any proposal by the Committee on House Administration to fix or adjust any allowance for Members of the House of Representatives, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, or the Delegate from the District of Columbia must be approved by resolution adopted by the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1975
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States and the various political entities thereof should adopt "911" as the nationwide, uniform, emergency telephone number.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1975
Expands, under the Internal Revenue Code, the special rule which permits, in the case of insurance proceeds received as a result of destruction or damage to crops, a taxpayer to elect to include such proceeds as income in the year following destruction (if the crop income would have been reported in such year), to treat payments received under the Agricultural Act of 1949 as a result of destruction or damage to crops by natural disaster (or inability to plant because of such disaster) as insurance proceeds.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1975
Authorizes the President to provide financial assistance to land- grant-type universities to enable such universities to assist and cooperate in developing and improving land-grant-type universitites in agriculturally developing nations. Lists programs designed to effectuate this assistance including: (1) cooperation in developing capacity in the university in the cooperating nation for classroom teaching, and (2) cooperation in agricultural research to promote efficiency in the production of food. Establishes an International Land-Grant University Advisory Board to assist in the administration of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Stipulates that such sums shall not exceed $150,000,000 in a fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1975
American Folklife Preservation Act - Creates an American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress. Provides that the center shall be subject to the supervision and direction of a board of trustees. Specifies the composition of the board, including: four members appointed by the President, eight members appointed by the Librarian of Congress, the Librarian of Congress and the director of the Center. Authorizes the Center to establish and implement a program of contracts, grants, revitalize and scholarships to preserve, protect, revitalize and disseminate American folklife traditions and arts. Provides that no payment shall be made pursuant to this Act to carry out any research or training over a period in excess of two years, with specified exceptions. Provides that no former employee of the Federal government shall be eligible to receive any grant or other assistance under this Act in the two year period following the termination of such employment. Requires the Center to submit to the Librarian of Congress, for inclusion in its annual report to the Congress, an annual report of its operations under this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Center to carry out the provisions of this Act $167,750 for fiscal year 1976, $710,000 for fiscal year 1977, and $1,716,000 for fiscal year 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
National Commission on Regulatory Reform Act - Establishes the National Commission on Regulatory Reform. Directs the Commission to make a full and complete study of such regulatory activities of the independent regulatory agencies of the Federal Government as the Commission determines to be primarily economic in nature and to have a significant effect on the segments of the economy involving transportation, communication, the development and distribution of energy resources, or financial institutions. States that such study shall be undertaken to determine: (1) whether such regulatory activities have limited competition within such segments of the economy, and if they have, what the economic consequences have been, (2) whether such regulatory activities have, in other way, contributed to current economic difficulties, in particular inflation; and (3) whether changes need to be made with regard to such independent Federal establishments and their regulatory activites. Requires that such study shall include, with regard to each independent Federal establishment whose regulatory activities are included in such study: (1) an analysis of the purposes for which it was created, its structure and jurisdiction, the statutory framework governing its operation and activities, and the procedures and policies it has adopted; (2) an assessment of its effectiveness in carrying out its purposes; (3) an analysis of the costs and benefits of its various programs and policies, with particular reference to any adverse economic impact; and (4) an examination of the relationship between its regulatory activities and those of State and local regulatory agencies. Sets forth the membership, powers, and authority of the Commission. Directs the Commission to submit to the President and Congress within one year a report containing: (1) a statement of the status of the study being conducted pursuant to this Act; (2) a detailed statement of any findings made or conclusions reached by the Commission; and (3) any recommendations for legislation or administrative action, or both, deemed appropriate by the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Declares that for 90 days following enactment of this Act the President shall have no authority to adjust imports of petroleum or petroleum products under the Trade Expansion Act or any other Federal law. Provides that in the event of a declaration of war, an attack upon the United States, or other involvement in hostilities by the Armed Forces within the 90 day period, this provision shall not thereafter apply. Provides that any action taken by the President between January 15, 1975, and the date of enactment of this Act which results in the imposition of a duty tax or fee on petroleum or petroleum products shall cease to have effect on the date of enactment. Allows a rebate of any amount paid as a tax or fee on petroleum products which was imposed by the President after January 15, 1975, and before enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Interim Fisheries Zone Extension and Management Act - Extends the jurisdiction of the United States over specified ocean areas and fish for purposes of protecting the domestic fishing industry. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to conduct research in order to promote the conservation of fish originating in the United States territorial sea and contiguous fisheries zone. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $1,000,000 in any fiscal year to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Allows a tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code for the ordinary and necessary expenses paid during the taxable year by a taxpayer for the improvement of the thermal design of the principal residence of the taxpayer, including that amount of the purchase price of a principal residence allocable to any storm door, storm window, or solar heating and cooling equipment (up to $1000 for the period during which such credit is available under the Internal Revenue Code, no more than $250 of which may be allowed as a credit for the purchase of conventional materials). Authorizes the taxpayer to elect a deduction of up to $4000 for the period during which the provisions of this Act are effective (no more than $1,000 of which may be allowed as a deduction for the purchase of conventional materials) in lieu of the credit provided by this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to report to the Federal Energy Administration an analysis of the energy savings achieved through the operation of this Act no later than September 15, 1978.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1975
Prohibits the imposition by the President of any tariff, fee or quota upon petroleum imports under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, unless the Congress first approves such imposition by concurrent resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 1975
Provides that no new tariff, fee or other charge, no increase in existing tariffs, fees or other charges, and no new quota or other limitation on imports of crude oil or petroleum product other than those in effect on January 1, 1975, may be imposed unless: (1) such action is specifically authorized by law enacted after the date of enactment of this joint resolution; or (2) sixty days after the date of enactment of this joint resolution the specific action proposed to be taken is submitted to both Houses of the Congress. States that if such action is disapproved by either House within a thirty-day review period, no officer or agency shall have authority to take any action inconsistent with the provisions of this joint resolution.
![Official portrait of Sen. Jeffords, James M. [I-VT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/j000072_200.jpg)