United States · United States Congress · 29 September 1975
Private Individuals' Postal Rate Relief Act - States that the rate of postage for letters of private individuals within any class of mail for transmission of letters sealed against inspection shall not exceed 10 cents per ounce per letter. Excludes any letter mailed by a corporation, company, business, association, proprietorship, professional entity, partnership, institution, organization or governmental unit from such provision. Provides a civil fine of $2,500 for each use of the private individuals' reduced rate without authorization.
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 · 23 September 1975
Prohibits, under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code, the reduction of disability payments under employer-maintained disability compensation plans whenever qualified benefit payments under the Social Security Act are increased.
United States · United States Congress · 23 September 1975
Increases the amount of the estate tax exemption under the Internal Revenue Code from $60,000 to $150,000. Provides that farmland included in the gross estate be valued according to its use as farmland.
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
Stipulates that four specified publications on the Northern and Southern Paiute, the Washoe, and the Western Shoshone) detailing the history of the Indian tribes of Nevada shall be subject to copyright by the Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada, the author of such publications.
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 · 31 July 1975
National Commission on School Busing Act - Establishes a fifteen-member commission to be known as the National Commission on School Busing. Provides that the members be appointed by the President from representatives of concerned parents and from the field of education and law. Directs the Commission to make an investigation with respect to school busing compelled by order of the court or by a plan approved by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requires the Commission to submit a final report to the President and Congress not later than March 1, 1976. Calls upon the Commission to consider the feasibility of a constitutional amendment to prohibit compulsory school busing, a modification of court orders and plans formulated by the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare and alternatives to achieving quality education. Authorizes the Commission to hold hearings and issue subpenas as necessary to carry out this resolution. Provides for the appointment of and compensation for the members and their staff. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums, but not to exceed $1,000,000, as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975
Expresses the sense of Congress that compulsory school busing be discontinued until such time as an adequate study of the effects of such busing and alternatives to it is completed.
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 in computing the total number of civilian personnel authorized in any fiscal year for the Department of Defense or any military department thereof, there shall be excluded from such computation civilian personnel engaged in industrially funded activities.
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 · 28 July 1975
Provides for the administration of oaths and affirmations and for the issuance of subpenas in investigations, hearings, and proceedings in the Department of the Interior.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1975
Revises the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exclude from the definition of the term "individual employed by a public agency" specified State and local employees, and employees of interstate governmental agencies. Excludes State and local governments from the term "Public agency. Repeals the provisions of such Act which regulates the hours of fire protection and law enforcement employees of public agencies.
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 · 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
States that the Congress finds that sections 86.37 (c) and 86.41 of the regulations of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare relating to non-discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities receiving Federal fianancial assistance exceed the authority conferred by title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Disapproves such sections of such regulations in that they seek to regulate athletic programs and activities which receive no Federal financial assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1975
Requires any gasoline rationing plan to take into consideration area or regional differences in the availability of public transportation and driving distances, and to ration based on such differences.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1975
Provides that title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, relating to discrimination, shall not apply to an intercollegiate athletic activity insofar as such activity provides to the institution gross receipts or donations required by such institution to support that activity.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 1975
Broadcast License Renewal Act - Requires the Federal Communications Commission to establish procedures to be followed by licensees of broadcasting stations for ascertaining the problems, needs, and interests of the residents of their respective service areas for purposes of their broadcasting operations. States that a license granted for the operation of any class of station shall be for not more than five years. Permits such licenses to be renewed if the Commission finds that the public interest, convenience, and necessity would be served thereby. States that in making such a determination, the Commission shall consider whether the licensee followed applicable procedures for the ascertainment of the problems, needs, and interests of the residents of its service area for purposes of its broadcast operations. Authorizes the Commission to prescribe the period or periods for which licenses should be granted and renewed for particular classes of stations. States that appeals from any order or decision of the Commission should be brought in the U.S. court of appeals for the circuit in which such broadcast facility is located. Directs the Commission to review its rules and regulations to determine which ones no longer serve the public interest. Requires the Commission to report to specified committees of the Congress and to include any recommendations for legislation resulting from its review.
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 · 26 June 1975
Judicial Salary Act - Removes the review of the rates of pay of Federal judges from the purview of the Commission on Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Salaries. Provides for automatic adjustments of the salaries of Federal judges commensurate with adjustments to the General Schedule of pay for Federal employees. Increases the salary of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to $74,500 annually; and the salaries of the associate justices to $72,000 annually. Increases the salaries of other Federal judges as set forth in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1975
Establishes a Select Committee of the Senate on Federal Responsiveness and Accountability to study the problems of accountability and responsiveness at all levels of the Federal Government. Limits the expenses of the committee to an amount not to exceed $400,000 before February 29, 1976.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 1975
National Food Stamp Reform Act - Defines the term "income" as used in the Food Stamp Act as the monthly gross income of all members of a household, including any in-kind payment, and the total value of any publicly funded assistance payments which supplement food and housing needs. Excludes specified individuals from the definition of "household. Provides for the distribution of federally donated foods to households upon the request by a political subdivision that such distribution be made to all eligible households in lieu of food stamps. Excludes households from eligibility for food stamps: (1) if the monthly household income exceeds the poverty index level of income established by the Office of Management and Budget; or (2) if the market value of liquid and nonliquid resources of a household consisting of one individual exceeds $1,500 or the resources of a multiple-member household exceed $2,250 exclusive of specified resources. Excludes from eligibility households which include an able-bodied adult between the ages of 18 and 65 who is enrolled in an institution of postsecondary education and such enrollment is a substitute for fulltime employment. Declares that a refusal to work at a plant or site because of a strike or other labor dispute shall be deemed a refusal to work which makes the household of the nonworking individual ineligible for food stamps. Rejects as an excuse for refusal to accept work a condition of employment which requires an individual to join, resign from, or refrain from joining any labor organization. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to require each household receiving benefits under this Act to report its income at least once each month. Requires food coupons to be designed with a space for the recipient to sign upon receipt and again at redemption. Requires one member of each eligible household to be issued a photo-identification card with color photograph. States that such card must be presented at redemption at a food store. Sets forth specific instructions to provide control and accountability over the distribution of food coupons to State agencies. Ties the value of the coupon allotment to the overall retail cost-of-living index. States that the "nutritionally adequate diet" as used to determine the amount of the coupon allotment shall mean the low-cost food plan developed by the Agricultural Research Service of the Department of Agriculture. Establishes as the charge a household shall pay for its coupon allotment the lesser of: (1) the percentage of its income which would be expended for food by an average household of its size and income range in the same region of the country; or (2) 30 percent. Provides, under the requirements for State plans for the administration of the food stamp program, for closer State supervision of eligibility by households. Requires the State agencies administering the program to conduct nutrition education programs for recipients. States that the United States Postal Service shall serve as a food stamp issuing agency upon the request of a State food stamp administration agency. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to pay the States 100 percent of the costs of providing food stamps to eligible aliens, and 75 percent of the costs of State investigations, prosecutions, collections of claims and other State activities related to retrieving food stamp losses. Provides for payment by the Federal Government to the States of a share of the difference between the face value of the coupon allotment and the amount charged eligible households for the allotment. Sets forth the method of determining and paying the Federal share. Directs the transfer of all functions of the Secretary of Agriculture under the Food Stamp Act to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1975
Establishes within the Internal Revenue Service a Division for Taxpayer Assistance to investigate taxpayer complaints and criticisms. Requires the Internal Revenue Service to publish and distribute with every return form furnished to a taxpayer an outline of criteria used to select returns for audit and the procedures relevant to assessments and collections arising out of an audit for a taxpayer's return.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1975
Alien Employment Act - Provides, under the Immigration and Nationality Act, that any person who willfully or knowingly, or who in the exercise of due diligence should know, employs, whether as an agent or as an employer, or refers, for a fee, an alien for employment by an employer, or refers for employment, any alien in the United States who is not lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, unless the employment of such alien is authorized by the Attorney General, shall be guilty of misdemeanor and shall be punished for a first offense by a fine not in excess of $1,000 for each alien with respect to whom a violation occurs, and for any subsequent offense such person shall be fined not exceeding $1,000 or imprisoned for not exceeding one year, or both, for each such alien with respect to whom such a violation occurs. Assigns responsibilities to the Social Security Administration relating to the issuance of account numbers for persons covered by this Act. Assigns duties to the Attorney General pertaining to the enforcement of provisions of this Act. Exempts from the provisions of this Act specified nonimmigrant agricultural labor force personnel lawfully admitted to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1975
Wild Horses and Burros Amendments Act - Authorizes the capture and sale or donation of wild horses and burros whenever the Secretary of the Interior determines that such action is necessary to maintain an ecological balance on public lands. Prohibits the donation or sale of such animals unless the Secretary first determines that they will receive humane treatment. Authorizes the Secretary to return, without payment, any horse or burro to any person claiming ownership thereof.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1975
Defines the term "navigable waters", for purposes of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as it applies to Corps of Engineers authority and responsibility to regulate the discharge of dredged or fill material.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1975
Disapproves specified regulations of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare relating to nondiscrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities receiving or benefiting from Federal financial assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1975
Requires, under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act, comprehensive State plans to include provisions for the prevention of crimes against the elderly.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 1975
Restricts the authority of the Army Corps of Engineers to supervise waterways activities to navigable waters which are presently used, or are susceptible to use in their natural condition or by reasonable improvement, as a means to transport interstate or foreign commerce. Abolishes Corps authority over the discharge of fill material into such waterways. Permits the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Engineers to waive jointly any requirements they may have for review and approval of any activities on waters of the United States if the Chief of Engineers determines that such activities will not have a substantial adverse impact on the affected waters for their use to transport interstate or foreign commerce and can be effectively regulated by the State concerned.
United States · United States Congress · 20 May 1975
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to establish the Valley Forge National Historical Park in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Stipulates that such park is not to exceed 3,500 acres. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1975
Clinical Laboratories Improvement Act - Requires the licensing of all clinical laboratories, as defined by this Act. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to issue such licenses. Authorizes the Secretary to delegate licensing authority to the States, providing the Secretary determines that State standards meet or exceed Federal standards. Sets forth the standards that must be met by clinical laboratories in order to receive and maintain the license required by this Act. Provides that such standards shall be designed to assure consistently accurate laboratory procedures and service. Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of Clinical Laboratories. Declares that the purpose of such Office shall be to centralize the laboratory regulatory functions authorized by this Act and to assume responsibility for the laboratory component of other health programs administered and enforced by the Secretary. Creates an advisory council to advise the Office with respect to guidelines for laboratory licensing, personnel, and performance standards. Provides that no grant or reimbursement which the Secretary is authorized to make, or contract which he is authorized to award, whether to or for any health care facility, including but not limited to health maintenance organizations, hospitals, skilled nursing or intermediate care facilities, or in connection with the procurement and reimbursement for clinical laboratory services shall be entered into unless the laboratory meets the standards established by the Secretary. Provides for grants and technical assistance to those States which desire to establish State licensing procedures and regulations for development, administration, and enforcement purposes. Provides that any person who willfully violates any provision of this Act or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder shall be subject to imprisonment for not more than one year, or a fine of not more than $1,000, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1975
National Welfare Reform Act - Stipulates that no family shall be eligible for the aid to families with dependent children program (AFDC) under the Social Security Act if its total income, without regard to exclusions, exceeds 150 percent of the family's needs. Provides that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall provide the full cost of AFDC services to needy families who are not U.S. citizens and are lawfully present in the United States. States that unemployed individuals shall be ineligible for AFDC services for specified periods of time such individual is determined to have, without good cause, refused an offering of bona fide employment or refused to participate under a work incentive program. Provides procedures for the determination of good cause. States that no sanctions will be applied for a ten day period after failure without good cause has been established if the individual participates in counseling services. Sets forth procedures governing adjustment of AFDC grant overpayments. Prohibits AFDC grant payments where the caretaker relative is unemployed due to participation in a strike or because he has voluntarily terminated his employment. Defines "income" for purposes of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to pay directly to any State up to 75 percent of the costs of investigating and prosecuting complaints of fraud under the AFDC program. Requires that recipients of aid be issued a detailed identification card specifying the programs for which the recipient is eligible. Provides that any person who resides in the same household as an eligible family, but is not himself eligible for aid, shall be required to make a contribution to the State in an amount equal to the amount of the standard payment for single person household under the State's plan.
United States · United States Congress · 13 May 1975
Directs each standing committee of the Senate (other than the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on the Budget) to make a special study to determine the effectiveness of existing Federal programs in meeting present priority needs in relation to the cost incurred. Provides that committees shall make recommendations concerning the effectiveness of administrative implementation, duplication of programs and the elimination of programs. Requires each committee to report the results of its study to the Senate not later than December 31, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1975
Authorizes amounts available but not committed for military assistance to South Vietnam and Cambodia to be used for humanitarian assistance for refugees from South Vietnam and Cambodia.
United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1975
Provides under the Internal Revenue Code that no interest is payable on income tax deficiencies in the case of returns prepared by the Internal Revenue Service until the expiration of thirty days after notice to the taxpayer of such deficiency.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1975
Permits the Secretary of the Treasury under the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act to withhold a percentage of the total entitlement payment for any period to insure sufficient funds for final allocation of funds among the State and local units of government. Appropriates to the State and Local Government Fiscal Assistance Trust Fund: (1) $1,625,000,000 for fiscal year 1976; (2) $6,687,500,000 for fiscal year 1977; (3) $6,837,500,000 for fiscal year 1978; (4) $6,987,500,000 for fiscal year 1979; (5) $7,137,500,000 for fiscal year 1980; and (6) $7,287,500,000 for fiscal year 1981. Appropriates to the Fund as noncontiguous States adjustment: (1) $1,195,000 for fiscal year 1976; and (2) $4,780,000 for each of the fiscal years 1976 through 1981. Exempts amounts appropriated to the Fund from the provisions of the Congressional Budget Act. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to submit a report with appropriate recommendations to the Congress no later than September 30, 1980, concerning the extension of such Act. Declares that if the entitlement of any Indian tribe or Alaskan native village is waived for any entitlement period, then the amount of such entitlement shall become part of the entitlement of the county government of the county in which such unit is located. Directs each State and local unit of government which receives funds under such Act to submit a report to the Secretary after the close of each entitlement period on the use of the funds received. Directs each unit of local government which expects to receive funds to submit a report to the Secretary on how it plans to use the funds it expects to receive. Empowers the Secretary whenever he determines that a unit of government has failed to comply with an applicable regulation to withhold all or a portion of the entitlement funds due such unit of government, to terminate the eligibility of such unit of government, and to require repayment of the entitlement funds expended. Requires units of government to provide an opportunity for citizens to give recommendations and views on the proposed expenditures of all funds distributed under such Act within such unit.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1975
Home Purchase Tax Rebate Amendments - Provides that the lowest offering price requirement for eligibility by the purchaser for the 5 percent (up to $2,000) tax rebate for purchase of a new principal residence under the Internal Revenue Code be limited to offers after December 31, 1974. Sets time limits during which regulations for such eligibility must be propounded.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 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, and seven members appointed by the Librarian of Congress. Directs the Librarian to appoint a Director of the Center. Authorizes the Center to establish and implement a program of contracts, grants, loans and scholarships to promote and support 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 his 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.
![Official portrait of Sen. Laxalt, Paul D. [R-NV]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000148_200.jpg)