United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1974
Provides that the expenses of higher education paid by an individual for himself or anyone else shall be allowable to him as an income tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code. States that the credit shall be an amount equal to the sum of: (1) 100 percent of so much of such expenses as does not exceed $200, (2) 20 percent of so much of such expenses as exceeds $200 but does not exceed $500, and (3) 6 1/2 percent of so much of such expenses as exceeds $500 but does not exceed $1,500. Defines the term "expenses of higher education" and "institutions of higher education" for the purposes of this Act. Provides for adjustments for scholarships and veterans benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1974
Social Security Recipients Fairness Act - Establishes, under the Social Security Act, a procedure for the prompt payment of social security benefits to individuals whose social security checks have been lost, stolen, or otherwise delayed. Provides for expedited hearings and determinations respecting claims for benefits under titles II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) and Title XVIII (Medicare) of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 1974
Government Data Bank Right to Privacy Act - Requires that any organization of Federal, State, or local government maintaining an information system that includes personal information shall: (1) collect, maintain, use, and disseminate only personal information necessary to accomplish a proper purpose of the organizationa; (2) collect information to the greatest extent possible from the data subject directly; (3) maintain information in the system with accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and pertinence as necessary to assure fairness in determinations relating to a data subject; (4) make no dissemination to another system without specifying requirements for security and the use of information exclusively for the purposes set forth in the notice required under this Act; (5) maintain for a reasonable time related to the purposes of the particular system a complete and accurate record, including identity and purpose, of every access to any personal information in a system; and (6) collect no personal information concerning the political or religious beliefs, affiliations, and activities of data subjects unless expressly authorized by statute. Prohibits any Federal agency from requiring any individual to disclose for statistical purposes any personal information unless such disclosure is required by a constitutional provision or Act of Congress, and the individual is so informed. Requires any organization maintaining or proposing to establish an information system for personal information to: (1) give notice of the existence and character of each existing system once a year to the Federal Privacy Board; (2) give public notice of the existence and character of each existing system each year, in the case of Federal organizations in the Federal Register, or in the case of other organizations in local or regional printed media likely to bring attention to the existence of the records to data subjects; (3) assure that such public notice specifies the categories of data maintained, and the categories of all information sources, a description of types of use made of information, and the procedures whereby an individual can gain access to such information and contest its accuracy and the necessity for its retention; and (4) prepare and publish a privacy impact statement describing the consequences to the individual, including his rights, privileges, benefits, detriments, and burdens, of the proposed data system, or in the case of an existing system, any proposed expansion. Requires any organization maintaining personal information to inform an individual asked to supply personal information whether he is legally required, or may refuse, to supply the information requested, and also of any specific consequences which are known to the organization, of providing or not providing such information. Requires data subjects which dispute information about them to have such disputed information disseminated when other information about him is disseminated. Requires, upon request, corrections in information to be sent to past recipients of information, Directs organizations maintaining information to inform, within two years and each year thereafter, individuals on whom data is stored of its content and where a copy of such data may be obtained. Allows the President to exempt organizations from requirements of this Act in the interest of national defense. Makes it unlawful for any organization to require an individual to disclose or furnish his social security account number, for any purpose in connection with any business transaction, because such individual does not disclose or furnish such number unless the disclosure or furnishing of such number is specifically required by Federal law. Establishes the Federal Privacy Board in the Government Accounting Office, whose five members shall be appointed by the Comptroller General of the United States. Directs the Board to: (1) publish an annual Data Base Directory of the United States containing the name and characteristics of each personal information system covered by this Act; (2) make rules to assure compliance with this Act; (3) upon the determination of a violation of a provision of this Act or regulation promulgated under the Act, and after opportunity for a hearing, order the organization violating such provision to cease and desist such violation; and (4) conduct open, publc hearings on all petitions for exceptions or exemptions from provisions, application, or jurisdiction of this Act. States that any organization or responsible officer of an organization who willfully keeps an information system without having notified the Federal Privacy Board; or issues personal information in violation of this Act shall be fined not more than $10,000 in each instance or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. Provides that any person, system, or agency which violates the provisions of the Act, or any rule, regulation, or order issued thereunder, shall be liable to any person aggrieved thereby.
United States · United States Congress · 30 May 1974
Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship Act - Expresses the findings of Congress and declares that it is especially appropriate to honor former President Harry S. Truman through the creation of a perpetual educational scholarship program to develop increased opportunities for young Americans to prepare and pursue careers in public service. Establishes, as an independent establishment of the executive branch of the United States Government, the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, to be subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees. Authorizes the Foundation to award fifty-one scholarships in any fiscal year beginning after June 30, 1973, for undergraduate study for persons who plan to pursue a career in public service. States that each recipient shall be known as a Truman scholar. Sets forth provisions governing: (1) the scholarship requirements; (2) the procedure for selection of Truman scholars; (3) stipends and institutional allowances; and (4) the scholarship conditions. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship Trust Fund. Prescribes the procedure for expenditures from the fund. Directs that there shall be an Executive Secretary of the Foundation, appointed by the Board, who shall be the chief executive officer and shall carry out the functions of the Foundation subject to the supervision and direction of the Board. Authorizes to be appropriated $30,000,000 to the fund. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for administrative expenses incident to carrying out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 May 1974
Provides that, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, real property which is farmland, woodland, or open land and forms part of an estate may be valued, for estate tax purposes, at its value as farmland, woodland, or open land (rather than at its fair market value). Provides that real property which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places may be valued, for estate tax purposes, at its value for its existing use. Provides for the revocation of such lower valuation and recapture of unpaid tax with interest under specified circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1974
Declares it to be the sense of the Senate that: (1) the contribution by the United States to the growing economic and human crisis in the developing world should be primarily in the form of food and the means and technology to produce it; (2) the President, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Agriculture and their advisors should give the highest priority to the immediate expansion of American food assistance and take such additional steps as might be necessary to expedite the transfer of American food commodities on concessional and donation terms to those nations most severely affected; (3) the United States should increase its matching pledge to the World Food Program for 1975-1976 and encourage other nations to do so; (4) the President and the Secretary of State should negotiate with other major food exporting nations to seek to obtain their participation in this emergency effort proportionate to their share of world food exports, and should strongly encourage oil exporting nations to contribute a fair share to these efforts to assist the most severely affected nations; (5) the United States should announce its desire to work with the oil exporting and other nations in a major effort to increase world fertilizer production with the possibility of including the offer of American technology and capital; and (6) the President should encourage the American people to reduce the non-critical, non-food-producing uses of fertilizer which now total nearly three million tons of nutrient a year, to make available increased fertilizer supplies for raising food production at home and in the developing world. Declares the sense of the Senate that the President of the United States and the Secretaries of State and Agriculture should, and are hereby urged and requested to: (1) maintain regular and full consultation with the appropriate committees of the Congress and (2) report to the Congress and the Nation at regular intervals on the progress toward formulating an American response in a cooperative framework to the world food crisis and the needs of the most severely affected developing countries.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1974
Equal Credit Opportunity Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to require that financial institutions and other firms engaged in the extension of credit make that credit equally available to all creditworthy customers without regard to sex or marital status. Makes it unlawful for any creditor to discriminate against any applicant on the basis of sex or marital status. Defines the terms used in the Act. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to prescribe regulations to carry out the purposes of this Act. Makes changes in specified Acts of Congress in order to make those Acts comply with the purposes of this Act. Directs the Federal Trade Commission to enforce the requirements of this Act to the extent that they will not be enforced by another Government agency after enactment of this Act. Provides for the assessment by a United States District Court of actual and punitive damages in any action brought against a violator of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 1974
Makes it the sense of the Congress that the President should immediately initiate negotiations at the highest level of the Turkish Government to prevent the resumption of opium production, and if such negotiations prove unfruitful to exercise the authority provided by the Congress under the Foreign Assistance Act and to terminate all assistance to the Government of Turkey.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1974
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to use funds available for the direct distribution of food to needy children and low income persons for donation to maintain the traditional level of assistance for food assistance programs as are authorized by law, including but not limited to school lunch, institutions, supplemental feeding, disaster relief, and, until July 1, 1976, the family commodity distribution program on Indian reservations not requesting the food stamp program. Provides that the Secretary may, if stocks of the Commodity Credit Corporation are not available, use the funds of the Corporation to purchase agricultural commodities and the products thereof of the types customarily available under the program of commodity distribution to prevent waste. Provides, under the Food Stamp Act, that upon request to the Secretary by the appropriate officials of any Indian tribe, such tribe is authorized to administer a food stamp program under this Act on behalf of the eligible households of such tribe living on an Indian reservation. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior or any State to administer a food stamp program on behalf of any tribe residing on an Indian reservation. Authorizes the Secretary under such Act to pay to each State agency an amount equal to 62.5 percent of all administrative costs, including, but not limited to, the cost of (1) the certification of households; (2) the acceptance, storage, and protection of coupons after their delivery to receiving points within the States; (3) the issuance of such coupons to eligible households; (4) the outreach and fair hearing requirements of this Act; and (5) the control and accounting of coupons. Authorizes the appropriation of necessary sums to encourage milk consumption in schools. Provides that, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for subsequent fiscal years, the minimum rate of reimbursement for a half-pint of milk served in schools and other eligible institutions shall not be less than 5 cents per half-pint served to eligible children, and such minimum rate of reimbursement shall be adjusted on an annual basis each fiscal year thereafter, beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, to reflect changes in the series of food away from home of the Consumer Price Index.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1974
National School Lunch and Child Nutrition Act Amendments - Provides that for the fiscal year 1975, and subsequent fiscal years, the national average value of donated foods, or cash payments in lieu thereof under the National School Lunch Act, shall not be less than 10 percent per lunch. Provides that that amount shall be adjusted on an annual basis each fiscal year after June 30, 1975, to reflect changes in the series for food away from home of the Consumer Price Index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor. Provides that such adjustment shall be computed to the nearest one-fourth cent. Provides that among those commodities delivered under this Act the Secretary of Agriculture shall give special emphasis to high protein foods, meat, and meat alternates. Increases the authorized appropriations under such Act for nonfood assistance. Increases the authorized appropriations under such Act for the special supplemental food program.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1974
Bill of Rights Procedure Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to prohibit any interception of communication, other electronic surveilance, surreptitious entry, mail opening, or the inspection of and procuring of the records of telephone, bank, credit, medical, or other business or private transaction 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 any officer, agent, or employee of the United States or any department or agency thereof who 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; (4) intercepts, endeavors to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept any wire or oral communication except as authorized; shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. Requires that within thirty days after the date of an order authorizing the interception of a wire or oral communication or the opening of mail the person seeking such order or warrant shall report to the Administration Office of the United States Courts and to the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and House of Representatives certain specified information, including: (1) the fact that an order or extension was applied for; (2) the kind of order or extension applied for; and (3) the fact that the order or extension was granted as applied for, was modified, or was denied.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1974
Emergency Home Finance Act - Expresses the findings of Congress, including that there is an urgent need to provide an alternate source of residential mortgage credit on an emergency basis. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to make mortgage loans to finance the purchase of housing in geographic areas where he determines, after consultation with the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board and the Chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, that mortgage credit is not available on reasonable terms at specified interest rates. Establishes in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the National Housing Trust Fund for the purpose of making, processing, and servicing direct mortgage loans. States that, to carry out the purposes of this Act, the Secretary is authorized to issue to the Secretary of the Treasury notes or other obligations in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000,000. Requires the Secretary to transmit to the Congress not later than March 15 of each year a report on his activities under this Act during the preceding year, and on any activities he anticipates during the year in which the report is made.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1974
Title I: Federal Privacy Board - Establishes the Federal Privacy Board in the executive branch of the Government and specifies the composition of the Board. Enumerates the functions of the Board, including to publish a Data Base Directory of the United States containing the name and characteristics of each personal information system. Specifies the powers of the Board, including the power to conduct inspections of information systems at reasonable times, and to order an organization to desist from acts in violation of rules or orders promulgated under this Act. Title II: Standards and Management Systems For Handling Information Related To Individuals - Establishes requirements for the collection, maintenance, use and dissemination by Federal agencies, or State or local governments, or any other organization maintaining an information system, of personal information collected for administrative, statistical-reporting, and research purposes. Requires any organization maintaining or proposing to establish an information system for personal information to give notice of the existence and character of each existing system once a year to the Federal Privacy Board. Specifies the elements of public notice required under this Act to be contained in such notice. States that organizations maintaining personal information shall inform individuals asked to supply personal information of consequences of providing or not providing such information, shall request permission of a data subject to disseminate such information, and grant such individual the right to inspect and to know all personal information about the individual, the nature and sources of the information, and the recipients of personal information about such individual. Provides methods for the challenging, correction, and explanation of personal information by the subject of such information. Requires each such organization maintaining a personal information system to inform all data subjects of the fact within two years of enactment of this Act by notice containing specified elements. Exempts information determined to be vital to the national defense, contained in active criminal investigatory files compiled by Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies, and that maintained by the news media (except information relating to the employees of such organizations) from the provisions of this Act. States that it shall be unlawful for any organization to require an individual to disclose or furnish his social security account number for any activity, unless the disclosure is required by law. Title III: Miscellaneous - Defines the terms used in this Act. States that any revelation of trade secrets required under this Act shall be treated as confidential by those to whom they are made. Authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 1974
Special Supplemental Food Program Amendment - Increases the amount of annual Federal financial assistance to the special supplemental food program authorized pursuant to the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to $131,000,000.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1974
Repeals specified provisions of the Act to provide for the establishment of the Assateague Island National Seashore in the States of Maryland and Virginia relating to the authority to establish suitable overnight and other public accomodations within the Assateague Island National Seashore. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to act upon any claim filed by the county of Worcester, Maryland, within the twelve-month period following the date of the enactment of this Act for losses incurred by such county arising out of or in connection with such repeal.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1974
District of Columbia Election Finance and Conflict of Interest Act - Defines the terms used in this Act. Establishes within the Government of the District of Columbia a committee to be known as the District of Columbia Elections and Ethics Commission Nominating Committee whose function is nominating individuals for appointment as members of the District of Columbia Elections and Ethics Commission. Declares that no person may be appointed as a member of the Committee unless he or she (1) is a citizen of the United States, and (2) is a resident of the District of Columbia and has maintained his or her domicile within the District for at least one year immediately preceding the date of his or her appointment, and (3) is not a member of the Council of the District of Columbia or an officer or employee of the Government of the District of Columbia (including the judicial branch). Provides that the Committee shall be composed of five members: one member shall be the Comptroller General of the United States, or his designee; two members shall be appointed by the Mayor, at least one of whom shall be a lawyer; and two members shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia with the approval of the Council. States that members of the Committee shall be appointed not later than June 30, 1975. Establishes as an independent agency of the District of Columbia a Commission to be known as the District of Columbia Elections and Ethics Commission, consisting of seven members serving for terms of six years each. Provides that the members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor with the approval of the Council of the District of Columbia except for those members of the Commission first appointed after the enactment of this Act. States that of the members first appointed, three shall be appointed by the Commissioner of the District of Columbia, three shall be appointed by the Chiarman of the Council of the District of Columbia, with the approval of the Council, and one shall be appointed by the Comptroller General. Requires the Commission to meet at least monthly during any calendar year in which there is an election and at least quarterly in nonelection years. Requires the Commission to file reports concerning its activities. Enumerates the powers and duties of the Commission. Declares that the Commission shall be the primary civil and criminal enforcement agency for violations of the provisions of this Act and the District of Columbia Election Act. Provides civil and criminal penalties for violation of the provisions of this Act or of the District of Columbia Election Act. Establishes reporting procedures for the election process. Establishes financial disclosure requirements for candidates and public officials (including elected and certain appointed officials of the District Government). Requires each candidate to designate one political committee as his or her central campaign committee and defines the role of this committee. Establishes limits on contributions by an individual to a candidate and a limit on total political contributions by an individual during a calendar year. Limits campaign expenditures of a candidate, including the amount a candidate or his or her family may make from personal funds, and the amount a person may expend on behalf of a candidate. Limits cash contributions to $20 and requires candidates and political committees to report cash contributions weekly to the Commission. Requires that expenditures must be made by check or money order, other than petty cash expenditures not in excess of $50. Declares that elective and public office is a public trust and that any effort to realize personal gain through official conduct is a violation of that trust, and sets forth actions which must be taken in potential conflict-of-interest situations. Authorizes to be appropriated to the District of Columbia such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1974
Funeral Transportation and Living Expense Benefits Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to provide funeral transportation and living expense benefits to the families of deceased prisoners of war who died while classified as prisoners of war or as missing in action during the Vietnam Conflict and whose remains shall have been returned to the United States after January 27, 1973. Lists those classes of relations who shall qualify as eligible family members under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1974
Model Criminal Justice Reform Act - States that the ever-increasing number of serious crimes committed in the United States, the blacklog of criminal cases in the courts, and the overcrowded and inadequate conditions of correctional institutions require that only comprehensive reform can achieve a truly adequate system of criminal justice in the United States. Authorizes the Administrator of the Law Enforcement Administration to make grants and provide technical assistance to States and localities for demonstration projects in accordance with the provisions of this Act, beginning July 1, 1974, and ending June 30, 1981. Provides that a State or locality is eligible for assistance under this Act only if the Administrator determines, pursuant to regulations established by him, that a plan for comprehensive criminal justice system reform submitted to him pursuant to this Act establishes the reasonable likelihood of substantial and fundamental change in the criminal justice system of such State or locality within four years after the enactment of this Act. Requires each and any locality within such State having jurisdiction over the trial of criminal offenses to implement such necessary reforms as will insure that: (1) the trial of all such offenses (excluding juvenile offenses) will be commenced no later than sixty days from the date on which the defendant was arrested or from the date on which the defendant was charged by the authorities with such offense, whichever occurs first, and (2) the charges will be dismissed with prejudice for failure to comply with the requirements of this paragraph, except that the Administrator shall, by regulation, provide for the exclusion from such sixty-day period of any periods of delay that he designates as may reasonably be necessitated in the interest of justice. Directs each State and, where appropriate, each such locality within such State eligible to receive assistance under this Act: (1) to establish a system for classifying persons charged with, or convicted of, criminal offenses so as to permit individualized treatment and security standards appropriate to the individual; and (2) to establish a range of correctional facilities that are adequately equipped and staffed to treat the particular classifications of inmates assigned there, including small-unit, community-based correctional institutions. Requires each State to study, through an appropriate and responsible group, the consolidation of law enforcement agencies within such State, as best suited to the particular needs of that State; and to report to the Administrator on its findings not later than two years following the approval of its State plan under this Act. Provides that any State desiring to receive assistance under this Act shall submit a State plan consistent with such regulations as the Administrator may establish under this Act. States that a grant under this Act pursuant to an approved State plan for criminal justice reform may be made to the appropriate State at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Administrator deems necessary. Authorizes the Administrator to issue regulations to implement the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to, and contract with, States and localities to pay 50 percent of the cost of planning and developing State plans and project applications under this Act. Directs the Administrator to pay in any fiscal year to each State which has a plan approved pursuant to this Act for that fiscal year that Federal share of the cost of such plan as determined by him. Sets forth the conditions under which the Administrator may withhold such payments. States that the Administrator and the Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly authorized representatives, shall have access, for the purpose of audit and examination, to any books, documents, papers, and records of a grant recipient that are pertinent to the grant received. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1974
Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants for the construction of bikeways in urbanized areas. Provides that the Federal share of any project for the construction of a bikeway shall be 80 percent of the total cost of such project, with the remaining 20 percent of such cost to be paid by the grantee. Authorizes $10,000,000 to be appropriated per fiscal year from the Highway Trust Fund, and $10,000,000 per fiscal year out of any other money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 1974
Social Security Administration Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to strengthen the fiscal and administrative structure of the contributory social security programs. Title I: Social Security Administration - Establishes, as an independent agency of the Executive Branch of the Government, a Social Security Administration, headed by a Board appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Declares that it shall be the duty of the Administration to administer the programs established by titles II, XVI, and XVIII of the Social Security Act, and to discharge the duties and responsibilities imposed on the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in connection with the administration of the program established by title IV of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. States that the Administration shall also have the duty of studying and making recommendations as to the most effective methods of providing economic security through social insurance, and as to legislation and matters of administrative policy. Provides for the appointment of an Executive Director and a General Counsel of the Administration. Makes the Administration responsible for administering the old age, survivors, and disability insurance program, medicare, supplemental security income, and the black lung benefit program under the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act. Prohibits the mailing of announcements with Social Security and SSI checks which make reference by name, title, or signature to any officer of the United States. Transfers to the Social Security Administration: (1) all functions carried out by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, with respect to the administration of programs and activities the administration of which is vested in such Administration, by reason of this Act; and (2) all personnel, assets, liabilities, contracts, property, and records, which the Director of the Office of Management and Budget determines to be employed, held, or used by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare primarily in connection with the functions, activities, and programs which, by reason of this Act are vested in or become the responsibility of the Administration. Abolishes the position of Commissioner of Social Security. Title II: Miscellaneous and Conforming Amendments - Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Social Security Act, the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act, the Budget and Accounting Act, and the Executive Schedules of the United States Code.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1974
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, for an 8-percent reduction in the amount of income tax withholding at the source by an employer. States that such reduction shall apply with respect to wages paid on or after the 30th day after enactment of this Act. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 3402(a))
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1974
Extends the nutrition program for the elderly under the Older Americans Act of 1965 by authorizing appropriations of such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 1975. (Amends 42 U.S.C. 3045g)
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1974
Survivors Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Act - Increases the rates of dependency and indemnity compensation to widows of veterans by sixteen percent. Authorizes dependency and indemnity compensation for a survivor of any veteran released from the service with a disability permanent and total in nature. Provides that survivors of an eligible veteran whose subsequent release from active duty developed a service-connected disability, permanent and total in nature, are eligible for dependency and indemnity compensation if the veteran had that rating for at least 20 years prior to his death.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1974
Extends through December 1974, the period during which benefits under the supplemental security income program on the basis of disability may be paid without interruption pending the required disability determination, in the case of individuals who received public assistance under State plans on the basis of disability for December 1973 but not for any month before July 1973.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1974
Veterans Disability Compensation Act - Increases the rates of disability compensation for veterans who have been disabled in or due to their service. Increases by 15 percent: (1) the basic disability compensation, and (2) the dependency allowances payable to veterans with disabilities rated 50 percent or more.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1974
Provides, relating to travel expenses of persons going to and from a Veterans' Administration facility, that in no event shall the per diem rate for meals and lodging be less than $20 or the mileage rate be less than the current Department of Transportation estimate of the average costs of operating an automobile. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 111(a))
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1974
Allied Services Act - Title I: Human Services Planning Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to State governors or agencies to plan, coordinate, and consolidate human services programs within the State. Defines human services as services provided to individuals or their families to help them achieve, maintain, or support the highest level of personal independence and economic self-sufficiency. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct evalutations, directly or by grant or contract, of programs for the coordinated provision of services and to provide such technical assistance as may be necessary to assist in the planning or operation of such programs. Sets forth the criteria for participation in the program established under this Act for States and for local agencies. Sets forth the criteria for local allied services plans to be approved and incorporated into the State allied services plan. Provides that in order for a State to be eligible to participate in the program established under this Act for any fiscal year, a State allied services plan must be submitted which describes the current status of the coordinated provision of services within the State and the steps planned for such year and thereafter. Sets forth the criteria for approval of such plan by the Secretary. Title II: Administrative Support Services - Allows the Secretary to make grants to States which have in effect State plans approved under this Act or through such States to local agencies which have local plans approved by such States, to assist in meeting the initial costs of allying or consolidating administrative support services and management functions necessary to facilitate the allied delivery of human services where funds to cover such costs cannot be obtained from other sources. Title III: Special Authorities - Sets forth regulations for the transfer of funds (provided by the Secretary) within the State. Provides that where funds are advanced for a single project or program pursuant to more than one statutory authority or by more than one Federal agency, any one Federal agency may be designated to act for all in administering the funds advanced. Provides that five years after the date of enactment of this Act the Secretary shall make a report to the Congress on the activities that have been carried out under this Act, including his evaluation of those activities and his recommendations with respect to appropriate legislation dealing with allied delivery of human services.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1974
Emergency Energy Conservation Economic Opportunities Amendments - Provides, under the Economic Opportunity Act, for the establishment of an Emergency Energy Conservation Services Program, designed to enable low-income individuals and families, including the elderly and the near poor, to participate in energy conservation programs designed to lessen the impact of the energy crisis on such individuals and families. States that such program shall provide financial and other assistance for enumerated activities, including winterization of old or substandard dwellings; emergency loans, grants, and revolving funds to deal with increased housing expenses relating to the energy crisis; special fuel voucher or stamp programs; and outreach efforts, including the establishment of energy crisis centers. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act for fiscal year 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1974
Makes it the sense of the Senate that: (1) the President, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, and the Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and their advisors should give the highest priority to concerted efforts to achieve treaties and agreements which will halt the nuclear arms race through reductions of existing weapons stocks on a mutually agreed upon basis of overall equality; and take such additional steps as might be necessary to lessen the probability of nuclear holocaust; (2) concerted efforts should be made to achieve restraint on the part of both the Soviet Union and the United States during the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks now in progress with regard to further expenditures for research, development, testing, and development of all nuclear weapons systems; (3) inequalities that may not exist in the respective nuclear weapons systems of both the United States and the Soviet Union should be eliminated through mutually agreed upon reductions of existing nuclear weapons systems; (4) a mutually agreed upon equality of the deterrent forces of the two countries will necessarily involve an overall balance in their respective forces taking into account the elements listed in this resolution. Makes it the sense of the Senate that the President of the United States and the Secretary of State should, and are hereby urged and requested, to: (1) maintain regular and full consultation with the appropriate committees of the Congress and (2) report to the Congress and the Nation at regular intervals on the progress toward further arms limitations and reductions within the context of an assured deterrent which is the basis of our national security. Directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit copies of this resolution to the President and the Secretary of State.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1974
Makes it the sense of the Senate that the Washington Energy Conference should consider: (1) conservation measures in major oil consuming countries which are necessary to reduce demand, and should be a major part of the policy adopted in concert by the oil consuming nations; (2) an effective plan for the emergency sharing of oil resources which could be acted on subject to the constitutional processes of each country; (3) guidelines for bilateral agreements between individual oil consuming and oil producing countries, which in the present situation of embargo and skyrocketing prices could prove very harmful to the interests of the major oil consuming nations, and could incur the danger of introducing excessive and sophisticated arms into the oil producing nations beyond their legitimate needs for their own security; (4) coordination of research efforts in developing conservation practices and alternative sources of energy; (5) the responsibility for and the means to help to alleviate the plight of the developing countries in the oil crisis; and (6) closer coordination of fiscal and monetary policies to prevent excessive strain on the international monetary systems and the currencies of oil importing countries.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1974
Requires the Administrator of the Federal Energy Office to insure that trucks involved in the transportation of perishable produce receive 100 percent of their current fuel requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1974
Criminal Justice Information Systems Act - Defines "criminal justice information system" as a system utilized for the collection, processing, preservation or dissemination of criminal record information, criminal intelligence information and criminal offender processing information. States that this Act applies to any criminal justice information system which is (1) operated by the Federal Government; (2) operated by a State or local government and funded in whole or in part by the Federal Government; (3) an interstate system, or (4) operated by a State or local government and engaged in the exchange of criminal justice information with a system otherwise covered by this Act. Provides that direct access to information contained in a criminal justice information system subject to this Act shall be available only to authorized officers or employees of a criminal justice agency. Provides that criminal intelligence information may be used only for a criminal justice purpose, and only where need for the use has been established in accord with regulations issued by the Attorney General, except that it may be used for a purpose not related to criminal justice if the Attorney General determines that such use is necessary because of reason of national defense or foreign policy. Specifies the permitted uses for criminal offender processing and record information. Provides that any individual who complies with applicable regulations shall be entitled to review criminal offender record information regarding himself contained in any criminal justice information system subject to this Act, and to obtain a copy of the information for the purpose of challenge or correction. Sets forth procedures for correction of information obtained from any criminal justice information system subject to this Act by an individual with respect to his own record. Provides that any criminal justice agency which contributes criminal offender record information to a criminal justice information system subject to this Act shall assure that the information it contributes is accurate and complete and that it is regularly and accurately revised to include dispositional and other subsequent information. Provides that no information relating to an arrest may be disseminated without the inclusion of the final disposition of the charges if a disposition has been reported. Provides that criminal offender record information concerning the arrest of an individual may not be disseminated or used for a non-criminal justice purpose if: (1) the individual is acquitted of the charge for which he was arrested, (2) the charge is dismissed, (3) a determination to abandon prosecution of the charge is made by the prosecuting attorney, or (4) an interval of one year has elapsed from the date of the arrest and no final disposition of the charge has resulted and no active prosecution of the charge is pending. Lists exceptions to the foregoing provision. Provides that criminal offender record information shall be sealed in accord with the requirements of a court order, a Federal or State statute, or regulations issued by the Attorney General, when appropriate notification is provided by the agency directly responsible for compliance with the order, statute, or regulation. Enumerates the conditions under which criminal offender record information shall be sealed. Sets forth exceptions to the foregoing provision. Provides that all criminal justice information systems subject to this Act shall meet security standards promulgated by the Attorney General to guard against unauthorized access to data contained in the systems. Sets forth the minimum standards to be implemented. Provides that all criminal justice information systems subject to this Act shall include operating procedures which are consistent with the regulations established and promulgated by the Attorney General. Sets forth operating procedures which must be included in all criminal justice information systems as a minimum. Provides that each agency which operates an automated criminal justice information system subject to this Act shall publish notice at least once a year of: (1) its existence, (2) the nature of the system, (3) policies regarding storage, duration of retention and dissemination, (4) procedures whereby an individual can review criminal offender record information regarding himself; (5) the title, name and business address of the person immediately responsible for the system. Sets forth administrative sanctions and civil and criminal penalties for acts contrary to, or in violation of, the provisions of this Act. Directs the Attorney General to issue regulations implementing this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of such funds as may be necessary for the Attorney General to implement this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1974
Criminal Justice Information Control and Protection of Privacy Act - Title I: Findings and Declaration of Policy; Definitions - Declares that in order to insure the security of criminal justice information systems, and to protect the privacy of individuals named in such systems, it is necessary and proper for the Congress to regulate the exchange of such information. Sets forth the definitions of terms used in this Act. Title II: Collection and Dissemination of Criminal Justice Information and Criminal Justice Intelligence Information - Provides that criminal justice information can only be used for criminal justice purposes unless a State or Federal statute specifically authorizes dissemination of conviction records to non-criminal justice agencies. Permits researchers access to the information only if the privacy of the subjects of the information is protected. Provides that only conviction records may be exchanged among criminal justice agencies, with enumerated exceptions: (1) reactions and release information can be disseminated outside of the agency which collected it only where expressly authorized by State or Federal statute; (2) fingerprint information may be freely disseminated as long as no stigma is attached; (3) wanted persons information; and (4) raw arrest records and records of criminal proceedings which did not result in conviction could be exchanged in defined situations. Prohibits agencies or persons who lawfully gain access to information from using the information for a purpose or from disseminating the information in a manner not permitted by this Act. Places limitations on access to criminal justice information via categories other than name. Requires every agency information system covered by this Act to promulgate regulations on security, accuracy, updating and purging. Sets out what such regulations must provide, including that they must provide a method for informing users of changes in disseminated information and for the purging of old, outdated and irrelevant information. Requires every agency or information system to establish a process for access and challenge of incorrect or inaccurate information. Details what such regulations must provide. Places limitations on the collection and dissemination of intelligence information. States that such information may not be maintained in automated systems and must be kept separate and apart from all other criminal justice files. Title III: Administrative Provisions; Regulations; Civil Remedies; Criminal Penalties - Creates a Federal-State administrative structure for enforcement of this Act. Establishes a Federal Information Systems Board as an independent agency with general responsibility for administration and enforcement of this Act. Provides that the Board would be composed of representatives of the Department of Justice and two other Federal agencies, plus six other members nominated by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Provides that the Board would have the authority to issue general regulations applying the Act's policies. Empowers the Board to: (1) operate the interstate information system authorized by this Act; (2) conduct audits; (3) conduct general studies of information systems; and (4) make recommendations to the Congress for additional legislation. Creates an Information Systems Advisory Committee, composed of one representative from each State, to advise the Board on all of the Board's responsibilities and on the Board's operation of the interstate information system. Requires the Federal Information Systems Board to issue regulations to implement this Act. Requires each State to establish a central administrative agency, separate and apart from existing criminal justice agencies, with authority to oversee operation of criminal justice information systems in that State. Requires every information system or agency to give public notice, once annually, of the type of information it collects and disseminates, its sources, purpose, function, administrative director or other pertinent information. Requires every system or agency to give public notice of an expansion and any new system to give public notice before it becomes operational so that interested parties will have an opportunity to comment. Requires audits of systems and agencies which collect and disseminate information. States that such audits are to be conducted by the Federal Information Systems Board, by an independent State agency and by each criminal justice agency. Permits the Federal Government to operate an interstate criminal justice information system under the policy control of the Federal-State board. Limits information contained in such system to an index containing the subject's name and the name of the State or local agency which possesses a more complete file. Lists administrative actions that may be taken by the Federal Information Systems Board in the event that a criminal justice information system is found to have violated any provision of this Act. Provides the judicial machinery for the exercise of the right granted in this Act. Provides that aggrieved individuals may obtain both injunctive relief and damages, $100 recovery for each violation, actual and general damages, attorney's fees, and other litigation costs whether violations were willful or negligent. Provides criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Provides that any State statute, State regulation or Federal regulation which imposes stricter privacy requirements on the operation of criminal justice information systems or upon the exchange of criminal justice information takes precedence over this Act or any regulations issued pursuant to this Act or any other State law when a conflict arises. Authorizes the appropriation of such funds as the Congress deems necessary for the purposes of the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 February 1974
Requires that any agency authorized by the President to issue rules, regulations, or orders under the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970 shall, in regulations prescribed by it, establish procedures which are available to any person for the purpose of seeking an interpretation, modification, or recission of, or seeking an exception or exemption from, such rules, regulations, and orders. States that such regulations shall include provision for a statement of exhaustion of administrative remedies which must be issued within sixty days of a request therefor unless a grant or denial is made. Provides that if such person is aggrieved by the denial of a request for such action, he may request a reveiw of such denial by the agency. Requires the agency, in regulations prescribed by it, to establish appropriate procedures, including hearings where deemed advisable, for considering such requests for action under this Act, except that such agency shall issue no order which has the effect of reducing wages, or salaries in effect, or proposal to be in effect, in an appropriate employee unit unless such order is made on the record after opportunity for a hearing. Provides that not less than thirty days after issuance of such an order a statement of explanation shall be directed to the affected parties and made available to the public. States that such statement shall include a full explanation of the reasons why the existing wage or salary, or proposed wage or salary adjustment, does not meet the requirements of or the standards established by the regulations prescribed by the agency. Provides for due process under the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1974
Provides that veterans' pension and compensation will not be reduced as a result of increases in monthly social security benefits resulting from the enactment of Public Law 93-66 or any subsequent cost-of-living adjustment under title II of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1974
Meetinghouse Preservation Act - States that the purpose of this Act is: (1) to celebrate the Bicentennial of this country through the preservation within each of the several States of a historic site that might otherwise be lost; (2) to provide a meetingplace in each of the several States for those citizens interested in retaining their tangible, indigenous heritage, whether historic, cultural, or natural, and in planning for future changes and developments, and (3) to give existing State programs involved with preserving historic and architecturally important structures an illustration of the best possible techniques used in the preservation of such historic sites and structures, and the multiple, significant ways in which such sites and structures can be used. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make grants to each of the several States for the purpose of enabling each State to acquire and restore an historic site within each State for use as a meetinghouse in accordance with the provisions of this Act, except that no grant to any one State shall exceed $1,000,000. Provides that any application for a grant under this Act shall contain an estimated budget of various acquisition, restoration, and maintenance expenses. Sets forth provisions governing the approval of any application. Establishes a Meetinghouse Coordination Board to review each application made in accordance with the provisions of this Act for the purpose of making recommendations to the Secretary as to which of the historic site or sites contained in such application should be approved by the Secretary. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1974
Declares that the Special Committee on the Termination of the National Emergency is continued for the period from March 1, 1974, through February 28, 1975, except that, commencing on March 1, 1974: (1) such special committee shall thereafter be known as the Special Committee on National Emergencies and Delegated Emergency Powers; and (2) it shall be the function of such special committee to conduct a study and investigation with respect to the termination of existing states of national emergencies proclaimed by Presidents of the United States in 1933, 1950, 1970, and 1971, and with respect to delegated emergency powers. Grants the special committee specified powers from March 1, 1974, through February 28, 1975. Declares that for the period from March 1, 1974, through February 28, 1975, the expenses of the special committee under this resolution shall not exceed $166,000, of which amount not to exceed $25,000 shall be available for the procurement of the services of individual consultants, or organizations thereof,. States that the special committee shall make the final report required by section 5 of that Senate Resolution 9 not later than February 28, 1975, instead of February 28, 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1974
Authorizes the Administrator of the Federal Energy Office to obtain from oil producers, refiners, distributors, and pipeline entities, engaged in interstate or foreign commerce, information with respect to current supplies of crude oil and petroleum products for the purpose of determining the total aggregate inventory of crude oil and other petroleum products under their control. Directs the Administrator of the Federal Energy Office to report to Congress within 45 days of the enactment of this Act his findings with respect to the total aggregate amount of crude oil and petroleum products held as of the 25th day following the date of the enactment of this Act. Provides penalties of imprisonment for not more than three months or a fine of not more than $10,000 or both for willful failure to comply or for willful failure to comply truthfully with the reporting requirements under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1974
Food Program Technical Amendments - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, under the Food Stamp Act of 1964, as amended, to purchase, without regard to the provisions of existing law governing the expenditure of public funds, agricultural commodities to maintain the traditional level of assistance for food assistance programs as are authorized by law. Defines "tribal government" and "Indian reservation" for purposes of the Food Stamp Act. Authorizes the Secretary to formulate and administer a food stamp program at the request of any tribal government. Provides that the Secretary is authorized to pay to each State agency an amount equal to 62.5 percent of administrative costs, and to a tribal government or its agent an amount equal to 100 percent of administrative costs. Enables the Secretary to waive compliance with requirements to such Act in the case of any pilot project which he determines is likely to promote raising the levels of nutritional adequacy among low-income households.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 1973
National Arthritis Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to expand the authority of the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Disgestive Diseases in order to advance a national attack on arthritis. Establishes a National Task Force on Arthritis to formulate a long-range plan to combat arthritis and related musculoskeletal and other related diseases. Provides that the Arthritis Plan shall include recommendations for the utilization and organizations of national resources for the campaign against arthritis, and a program for the National Institute of Arthritis Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases as a major participant in the campaign against arthritis specifies the composition of the Task Force membership. Authorizes to be appropriated $500,000 for fiscal years 1974 and 1975 to carry out the purposes of the national arthritis program. Establishes within the Institute the position of Associate Director for Arthritis, responsible for programs regarding arthritis within such Institute. Provides that the Director of the National Institutes of Health shall establish an Inter-Institute Arthritis Coordinating Committee to be composed of representatives who can make policy commitments for each of the Institutes and divisions involved in arthritis-related research. Creates within the Federal Government an Interagency Technical Committee on Arthritis which shall be responsible for promoting the coordination of those aspects of all Federal health programs and activities relating to arthritis to assure the adequacy and technical soundness of such programs and activities and to provide for the full communication and exchange of information necessary to maintain adequate coordination of such programs and activities. States that the Director of the Institute shall establish programs for cooperation with other health agencies in the screening, detection, prevention, and control of arthritis which emphasize the development of new diagnostic and treatment methods for arthritis, and the dissemination of the knowledge about these methods to the health professions. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out these provisions $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1976; and $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Provides that the Director of the Institute, shall provide for the development of centers for basic and clinical research into, training, in, and demonstration of, advanced diagnostic, prevention, control, and treatment methods for arthritis. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out these provisions $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1975; $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1976; and $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1977. Requires the Director of the Institute after the end of each calendar year, to submit to the President and Congress a report including: (1) a proposal for the Institute's activities during the next five years; and (2) a program evaluation section.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 1973
Expands, under the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Development Act, the boundaries of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park to include specified lands within the areas from North Branch to Cumberland, Maryland. Authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1973
District of Columbia Probate and Administration and Decedents' Estates Act - Revises, under the District of Columbia Code, the procedures relating to the administration and distribution of decedents' estates and the proof of wills. Sets forth provisions governing: (1) opening the estate; (2) personal representatives; (3) administration of the estate; (4) creditors' claims; and (5) closing the estate.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1973
Increases the salaries of police and firemen under the District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1958. Provides for a ten percent night differential in such pay for work performed during the hours of 4 P.M. and 8 A.M.
United States · United States Congress · 19 December 1973
Authorizes the Committee on Commerce to make an investigation of national oceans policy for the purpose of: (1) determining national capabilities in the oceans, (2) determining the adequacy of current Federal programs relating to the oceans and recommending improvements; (3) establishing policies to achieve the goal of full utilization and conservation of living resources for the oceans; (4) assessing the needs for new policies for the development and utilization of the nonliving resources of the oceans; (5) encouraging implementation of coastal zone management; (6) establishing a comprehensive national policy for understanding and protecting the global ocean environment through education, exploration, research, and international cooperation; and (7) making an assessment of proposals for national and international jurisdiction over the oceans. Authorizes, for the purpose of this resolution, the Committee on Commerce to expend, through February 28, 1975, from the contingent fund of the Senate, a sum not to exceed $200,000.
United States · United States Congress · 18 December 1973
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, that real property which is farmland, woodland, or open scenic land and forms part of an estate be valued, for estate tax purposes, at its value as farmland, woodland, or open scenic land (rather than at its fair market value) if it continues to be used as such for at least 5 years after the date on which the estate tax returned is filed. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 2031)
![Official portrait of Sen. Mathias, Charles McC., Jr. [R-MD]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/m000241_200.jpg)