United States · United States Congress · 6 May 1974
Combined Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance - Income Tax Reporting Amendments - Title I: Amendments to Title II of the Social Security Act - 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, 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. Provides that average monthly wage, quarters of coverage, and coverage credits derived from self-employment income for taxable years beginning before 1974 are to be determined on a basis of income credited to calendar quarters. Limits quarters coverage to quarters occuring before 1974 and makes additional modification to taxation of self-employed persons. Allocates, under the Social Security Act, coverage credits for earnings before 1974 based on quarters of coverage and after 1973 on the basis of earnings during the calendar year. Provides that a person will satisfy the requirements prerequisite to a determination of disability if he has 20 or more coverage credits which were credited to the period ending on the day the disability arose and consisting of that part of the current calendar year up until the day the disability began and the nine prior calendar years. Redefines a "fully insured individual" in terms of coverage credits rather than quarters of coverage. States that any person upon attaining the age of 62 with the proper number of coverage credits is fully insured. Provides that specified benefits be paid to individuals not citizens of the United States who amassed sufficient coverage credits. Title II: Amendments Preserving Relationship Between Railroad Retirement and Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance - Provides, under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1937, that in the calucalation of an employee's "average monthly remumeration" after calendar year 1974 an individual employee shall obtain the benefit of full allowable coverage credits, irrespective of whether particular quarters of coverage were otherwise available for calculation purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1974
Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to establish within the General Accounting Office a unit to review tax forms, instructions, and other such use documents prepared by the Internal Revenue Service and to make recommendations with respect to the simplification, scope, and use of such forms. Sets forth procedures for the revision of Federal tax forms. Makes various technical and conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1974
Automobile Free Trade Act - Imposes temporary quotas on motor vehicles imported into the United States from foreign countries which do not allow substantially equivalent market access to motor vehicles manufactured in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1974
Requires that new forms and reports, and revisions of existing forms, resulting from legislation be contained in reports of Congressional committees reporting the legislation.
United States · United States Congress · 29 April 1974
States the finding of the Congress that: (1) an individual's personal privacy is directly affected by the kind of disclosure and use made of identifiable information about him in a record; (2) a record containing information about an individual in identifiable form must be governed by procedures that afford the individual a right to participate in deciding what the content of the record will be, and what disclosure and use will be made of the identifiable information in it; and (3) any recording, disclosure, and use of identifiable information by an agency not governed by such procedures must be prescribed as an unfair information practice unless such recording, disclosure, or use is specifically authorized by Federal statute. Declares the purpose of this Act to be to insure safeguards for personal privacy from Federal agencies. Requires each Federal agency that maintains records to: (1) refrain from disclosing the record or any information contained therein to any other Federal, State, or local agency or to any person not employed by the agency maintaining such record, except: (A) with consent or constructive consent of the individual concerned or, in the event such individual cannot be located or communicated with after reasonable effort, with permission from members of the individual's immediate family, guardian, or, only in the event that such individual, members of the individual's immediate family, and guardian cannot be located or communicated with after reasonable effort, upon good cause for such disclosure, or (B) that if disclosure of such record is required under this section of this chapter or by any other provision of law, including by means of compulsory legal process, the individual concerned shall be notified by mail at his last known address of any such required disclosure, and shall be afforded full access to the records at least ten days before they are made available in response to the demand; (2) refrain from disclosing the records to any individuals within that agency other than those individuals who need to examine such records in the performance of their duties; (3) maintain an accurate register which shall become part of the individual's record, of the names and job classifications of all persons to whom such records are disclosed and the purposes for which such disclosure was made; (4) permit any data subject to inspect his own record upon proper identification at a convenient local office or by mail, or by telephone, and have copies thereof made at his expense, which in no event shall be greater than the cost of reproduction; (5) permit any data subject to supplement the information contained in his record by the addition of any document or writing or photograph containing information such individual deems pertinent to his record, and notify all agencies and persons to whom the records were previously disclosed of the supplemental information; (6) remove from records and promptly destroy all erroneous or irrelevant information and notify all agencies or persons to whom such information has been previously transferred of its removal, and in case of dispute as to what constitutes erroneous or irrelevant information, the issue shall be determined by the Federal Privacy Board; (7) upon written request of any data subject, give notice to such individual, in the event that his record has been augmented, of the contents of the augmentation, the source of the augmentation, and the purpose for which the augmentation is being effected; (8) inform an individual asked to supply personal data for any agency record keeping system whether he is legally required, or may refuse, to supply the data requested, and also of any specific consequences for him, which are known to the agency, of providing or not providing such data; and (9) assure that no use of individually identifiable data is made that is not within the stated purposes of the system as reasonably understood by the individual, unless, in the case of each use of such date, the informed consent of the individual has been explicitly obtained. Makes exceptions to provisions of this Act for records authorized under criteria established by an Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy and the disclosure of which would: (1) endanger the active military plans or deployment of United States forces, (2) reveal details about current military technology or weaponry, or (3) endanger the life of any person engaged in foreign intelligence gathering operations of the United States Government. Requires the President to report to Congress before January 30 of each year on an agency-by-agency basis the number of records which were exempted from the application of this Act. Provides that any person who under the color of agency authority willingly or knowingly permits or causes to occur an unfair information practice shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year or suspended from employment without pay for not more than one year, or any combination thereof. Provides that any individual who has reason to believe that his records have been, are being, or are about to be disclosed in violation of this Act may bring an action in the appropriate district court of the United States to enjoin such disclosure, and upon a proper showing a temporary restraining order or a preliminary or permanent injunction shall be granted without bond. Establishes the Federal Privacy Board. Requires such Board to periodically publish and distribute through local post offices a Citizen's Privacy Index which shall include: (1) the name and location of every agency data keeping system; (2) the title, name, and address of the person immediately responsible for the system; (3) the nature and purpose of the system; (4) the categories and number of persons on whom data are maintained; (5) the categories of data maintained, indicating which categories are stored in computer-accessible files; (6) each agency's policies and practices regarding data storage, duration of retention of data, and disposal thereof; (7) the categories of data sources; (8) a description of all types of use made of data, including all classes of users and the agency relationships among them; and (9) the procedures whereby an individual can (A) be informed if he is the subject of data in the systems; (B) gain access to such data; and (C) contest their accuracy, completeness, timeliness, pertinence, and the necessity for retaining such data.
United States · United States Congress · 24 April 1974
Requires the President within 30 days after enactment of this Act to establish maximum prices for crude oil, residual fuel oil, or any refined petroleum product at levels of November 1, 1973 base prices. Allows exceptions to such prices to allow passthrough of costs. Disallows excessive profits on such products. Disallows specification of prices under the Economic Stabilizaiton Act for first sale of new crude oil produced from United States property by qualified producers.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1974
States that in implementing any proposed program for the establishment of Agricultural Service Centers in any State, the Secretary of Agriculture shall provide for the establishment of such a center in each county of such State if, on the date of enactment of this Act, one or more local field offices of the Department of Agriculture were located within such county. Authorizes the Secretary to provide, in the Agricultural Service Center, as many services of the Department of Agriculture (applicable to such county) as practicable.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1974
Home Health Services Act - Provides, under the Public Health Service Act, for the establishment and initial operation of public and nonprofit private agencies which will provide home health services in areas in which such services are not otherwise available. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants: (1) to meet the initial and expanding costs of such agencies; and (2) for programs for the training of professional and paraprofessional personnel to provide home health services. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1974
Authorizes the additional appropriation of $20,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974, for the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare for research on the cause and treatment of diabetes under the Public Health Service Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1974
Provides, under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, that whenever the President deems it to be in the national interest, he shall endeavor to insure that, to the maximum extent practicable, such assistance shall be furnished only pursuant to agreements which provide for the exchange of necessary strategic or critical raw materials for such assistance. Defines the term "necessary strategic or critical raw materials" to include petroleum, fossil fuels, metals, minerals, or other substances which: (1) are in short supply in the United States or (2) the United States requirements of which are not produced in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 1974
Provides that members of the Armed Forces may be separated or discharged from active service only by an honorable discharge, a general discharge, or discharge by court-martial.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1974
Prescribes a World War I Veterans' pension of $150 for married veterans or veterans with one child or $135 for unmarried veterans, and an extra $125 for those in need of regular attendance. Authorizes hospital, domiciliary, and medical care to such veterans for non-service-connected disabilities, and costs for medical services unavoidably incurred outside Veterans Administration facilities. Authorizes the payment of a pension to the widow of a World War I veteran if she is not otherwise entitled to a pension.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1974
Student Loan Amendments - Increases the maximum rate of interest to be charged on a loan secured under the Emergency Insured Student Loan Act of 1969 from 3 to 4 percent. Extends to July 1, 1976, the time within which an eligible loan may be made which is insured under such Act. Requires, under the Higher Education Act of 1965, that to be eligible for interest payment to be made in behalf of a student who is receiving a loan under such Act, the student must have been enrolled as a regular student at an institution of higher education prior to April 1, 1973. Provides for reimbursement of 80 percent of the losses incurred by default of the borrower to public or private institutions operating a student loan insurance program. Authorizes the Commissioner of Education to increase the basic grant payment, the amount of such increase to be determined by and limited to, an estimation of the amount of interest which will accrue on the outstanding and anticipated loans of a student which were necessary for him to attend an institution of higher learning during previous years or which are necessary to enable such student to continue to attend such an institution during such year. Permits the compounding of interest on loans made pursuant to the Higher Education Act of 1965. Increases the loan limitations for undergraduate students to $2500 in one year and for graduate or professional students to $5000 in one year. Increases the total amount any student may borrow to $25,000. Extends the maximum allowable repayment period for federally insured loans from 10 to 15 years, this period to begin nine months after graduation. Extends the maximum allowable period of the loan from 15 to 20 years. Provides for the determination of need and the granting of a loan based on such determination to eligible students outside of the United States. Eliminates the defense of infancy with respect to written agreements executed by a student relating to federally insured student loans.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 1974
Directs the Joint Committee on the Library to procure a bronze bust or statue of Martin Luther King, Junior, and to cause such sculpture to be placed in a suitable location in the Capitol as determined by the Joint Committee on the Library.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1974
Increases the authorization of appropriations for the Land and Water Conservation Fund from a minimum of $300,000,000 to a minimum of $900,000,000 for each fiscal year hereafter through 1989. (Amends 16 U.S.C. 460l-5)
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1974
Automobile Free Trade Act - Imposes temporary quotas on motor vehicles imported into the United States from foreign countries which do not allow substantially equivalent market access to motor vehicles manufactured in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1974
Octane Rating Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct tests of a representative sample of motor vehicles for the purposes of determining the lowest average octane rating of gasoline which can be used without knocking in each motor vehicle sold in the United States, beginning with motor vehicles manufactured for the 1965 model year and ending with motor vehicles manufactured for the 1975 model year, and to publish such findings in the Federal Register not later than December 31, 1974. States that beginning with motor vehicles manufactured for the 1976 model year, no new motor vehicle shall be sold or offered for sale in the United States unless the manufacturer has: (1) tested a motor vechicle which is in all respects substantially the same construction as such new vehicle; (2) submitted the results of such tests to the Secretary for publication in the Federal Register; and (3) published in the owners' manual of such new vehicle the lowest average octane rating of gasoline which can be used without knocking in such vehicle based upon such tests. Requires every major refiner to produce and market to the general public, in amounts determined by the Secretary, a gasoline the average octane rating of which is equal to the lowest average octane rating which can be used without knocking in the particular class of motor vehicles. States that such gasoline shall be produced and marketed after such period as the Secretary finds necessary to permit the development and application of the requisite technology. Sets forth penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1974
Establishes a standing Committee on the Environment in the House of Representatives, to consist of twenty-five members. States that all proposed legislation and other matters pertaining to the quality of the physical environment of the United States and its possessions shall be referred to the Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1974
Food Allowance for Older Americans Act - Establishes, under the Social Security Act, a food allowance program under which qualified elderly persons shall be provided with an opportunity to obtain an adequate level of nutrition through the issuance to them, without charge or fee or condition of any kind, a food allowance of $50 for each month after December 1973 in the form of coupons that can be used only to purchase food from retail stores. States that an individual is eligible for a food allowance under this Act only if such individual is (1) sixty-five years of age or older, (2) the head of his or her own household, and (3) has an annual income which does not exceed $5,000. Provides for the issuance of coupons reduced in value to individuals whose annual income exceeds $5,000 by not more than $480 and who otherwise meet the conditions of eligibility. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1974
Provides for increases in the standard deduction and low income allowances under the Internal Revenue Code. Allows a limited income exemption for self-employment income up to the sum of the amount of personal exemptions to which the taxpayer is entitled plus a low-income allowance of $1,800 per household, or $900 in the case of a married individual filing a separate return. Prescribes the method of computation of the annual limited income exclusion. Requires an employee claiming an exemption under this Act to certify to his employer and to the Secretary of the Treasury the information necessary for computation of the limited income exclusion.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1974
Food Commodity Program Amendment - Allows the Secretary of Agriculture, notwithstanding any other provision of law, to purchase agricultural commodities and their products to maintain the 1973 level of assistance to food assistance programs. Authorizes the use of the funds of the Commodity Credit Corporation for such purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1974
Food Commodity Program Amendment - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to use funds for the exportation and domestic consumption of agricultural products to purchase, without regard to the provisions of existing law governing the expenditure of public funds, agricultural commodities and their products to maintain the 1973 level of assistance for food assistance programs as are authorized by law, including but not limited to school lunch, institutions, Indian reservations not requesting a food stamp program, supplemental feeding, and domestic relief distribution. Provides that if the stocks of the Commodity Credit Corporation are not available, the Secretary may use the funds of the Corporation to purchase agricultural commodities and the products thereof under the Agricultural Act of 1949 to meet such requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 26 March 1974
National Huntington's Disease Control Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to establish a national program for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of, and research in, Huntington's disease. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants for projects for the establishment and operation of Huntington's disease screening, treatment, and counseling programs. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for each each of the next two fiscal years for such grants. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for research in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Huntington's disease. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,500,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975 and for each of the next two fiscal years for use for such grants. Directs the Secretary to carry out a program to develop information and educational materials relating to Huntington's disease and to disseminate such information and materials to persons providing health care and to the public in general. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and for each of the next two fiscal years to carry out this information program. Sets forth the requirements for applications for grants under this Act and the administration of such grants. Directs the Secretary to establish a program within the Public Health Service to provide for voluntary Huntington's disease screening, counseling, and treatment.
United States · United States Congress · 25 March 1974
Empowers the Atomic Energy Commission to enter into an agreement with any State agency or regional agency under which such State or regional agency shall conduct an environmental review of and shall issue or deny an application for a site certificate for any proposed nuclear power reactor site in the State or region with respect to which such agency has jurisdiction. States that any such agreement shall expire five years from its effective date and the parties may agree to enter into subsequent five-year agreements. Directs the Atomic Energy Commission to, in consultation with the Council on Environmental Quality, formulate any requirements to be imposed in any such agreement. Provides that such an agreement shall provide that a State or regional agency may issue a site certificate for a proposed nuclear power reactor only if such agency finds, after having considered and balanced the environmental and economic costs and benefits of the nuclear power reactor if constructed on the site proposed, the need for electric power, and other relevant factors, that the construction and operation of the nuclear power reactor on the proposed site is in the public interest. States that any such agreement shall provide that in making site certification decisions the State or regional agency which is a party to the agreement shall, on its own motion or on application of any person proposing to construct a nuclear power reactor: (1) hold public hearings and offer to consider comments from any affected Federal, State, or local agency; and (2) prepare a detailed environmental impact statement on the proposed site. Requires such an agency to issue, within one year after submission of an application for a site certificate by a person proposing to construct one or more nuclear power reactors, a final decision granting or denying a site certificate to the applicant. States that in any proceeding under this Act concerning a license or construction permit, or application to transfer control, and in any proceeding dealing with the activities of licenses, or for the payment of compensation, the Commission shall grant a hearing upon the request of any person whose interest may be affected by the proceeding. Provides that, unless a State or regional agency is party to such an agreement at the time site approval is sought for one or more nuclear power reactors, the Commission is authorized to consider and grant or deny by order an application by any person for approval of a site for one of more nuclear power reactors, except that such construction permit or operating license or amendment to a construction permit or operating license for a nuclear power reactor shall not be issued unless all site-related restrictions in the site approval are complied with. Authorizes the Commission to consider and grant or deny petitions for the issuance of a rule or on its own initiative issue a rule approving the preliminary or final design of part of a nuclear power reactor. States that Congress finds that it is in the national interest to minimize the environmental impact of nuclear powerplants by locating and designating sites for nuclear power parks in each region of the Nation. States that such parks may be the site for locating several nuclear powerplants serving the region in which they are located, and may include nuclear fuel fabricating and reprocessing facilities, and all other facilities required for a complete fuel cycle. Directs the Atomic Energy Commission to make or cause to be made a national survey to locate and designate a nuclear power park site in each of the existing nine electric reliability regions.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1974
Establishes the Wounded Knee Compensation Board in the Interior Department to compensate losses arising from the occupation of Wounded Knee, South Dakota between February 27, 1973, and May 8, 1973. Provides the payment of compensation: (1) for personal injury and property damage; (2) to designated persons in cases where other persons have died; and (3) for anticipated loss of future earnings or loss of support of the victim for 90 days or more, or child care payments. Requires claims for compensation to be filed within six months of enactment of this Act. Establishes a fund in the Treasury for such compensation and authorizes the appropriation of $2,000,000 and other necessary sums to the fund.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1974
Corporate Management Interlocks Act - Prohibits, unless specific approval has been granted by the Attorney General, corporate management interlocking relationships. States that this Act shall apply (1) if any one of the persons involved in an interlocking relationship shall have capital, surplus, and undivided profits aggregating more than $1,000,000, and (2) if any one of the persons involved in an interlocking relationship is engaged in commerce: provided, however, that this Act shall not prohibit any interlocking relationship when one of the persons involved directly or indirectly lawfully owns more than 50 percent of the voting stock of the other company, or where 50 percent or more of the voting stock of each of the persons involved in an interlocking relationship is directly or indirectly lawfully owned by the same person. Sets a fine of not more than $50,000 and/or imprisonment not exceeding one year upon conviction of a willful violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1974
Provides veterans' educational assistance and home loan benefits to individuals who fulfill their obligation to perform alternative civilian service under the selective service laws.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1974
Emergency Fuel Tax Suspension Act - Suspends the excise tax on diesel and special motor fuels during the 180-day period beginning on the day following the date of enactment of this Act. Directs the President to specify a ceiling price for diesel fuel and special motor fuels at levels prevailing on January 15, 1974, less an amount per gallon equal to the amount by which excise taxes were suspended with respect to such products under this Act. States that such ceiling price shall be in effect for the 180-day period beginning on the day following the date of the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1974
Disallows, under the Internal Revenue Code, percentage depletion deductions on foreign oil and gas wells, tax deductions for intangible drilling and development costs for foreign oil or gas wells, and tax credits for income, war profits, or excess profits tax paid or accrued which is attributable to income from foreign oil or gas wells. Allows a tax deduction for excess profits taxes imposed by foreign countries to the extent a credit is denied for such taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1974
Declares that it is the purpose of Congress to: (1) establish a national transportation rate policy for all recovered materials; and (2) eliminate discriminatory transportation rates charged by regulated carriers for the movement in commerce of recovered waste and recycled or recyclable materials. Directs the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Federal Maritime Commission to effect such lawful changes in the rate structure of the country as will promote the freedom of movement by common carriers of recovered materials at the lowest possible lawful rates compatible with the maintenance of adequate transportation service. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to take such steps as are necessary to insure that the directives of this Act are carried out as expeditiously as possible, including the initiation of, and intervention in, proceedings before the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Federal Maritime Commission. Directs the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Federal Maritime Commission to undertake studies to be completed within two years of the enactment of this Act of the feasibility of establishing a transportation rate policy for all recoverable materials. Specifies areas to be covered in such study and requires that it be submitted to Congress. Directs the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Federal Maritime Commission, and the Federal Railroad Administration to establish a transportation research and demonstration program coordinated by the Secretary of Transportation with the objective of facilitating the most efficient movement of recycled materials in commerce. Prohibits any railroad, common carrier by water, or motor carrier in interstate or foreign commerce from charging, demanding or collecting any rate for the transportation of recovered materials which is unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory. Describes procedures for complaints with respect to such alleged discrimination. Provides civil penalties for violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1974
Provides that recipients of veterans' pension and compensation shall not have the amount of such pension or compensation reduced, or entitlement thereto discontinued, because of increases in monthly social security benefits resulting from the enactment of Public Law 93-66, Public Law 93-233, and subsequent cost-of-living increases under title II of the Social Security Act. Provides that the provisions of this Act shall apply with respect to annual income determinations made for calendar years after 1972.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1974
Authorizes, under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended, the assignment of surplus real property to executive agencies for disposal in areas of substantial, consistent, and persistent unemployment. Provides for the administration of property transfers under this Act. (Amends 40 U.S.C. 484)
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1974
Expresses the sense of Congress that in any allocation of energy supplies or other actions by Federal departments and agencies to alleviate the energy shortage, proper consideration should be given to the provision of adequate energy supplies to all elements of the tourism industry.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1974
National Resource and Energy Conservation Act - Title I: Formal Provisions - Declares it to be the purpose of the Congress to reduce the wasteful allocation of scarce resources by recovering materials and producing energy from waste through an intensive research and development program in the Environmental Protection Agency (with the assistance of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and a program of technical assistance and support to Government agencies and persons producing or using such energy. Title II: Product Standards and Regulation - States that it shall be unlawful for any person to introduce or deliver for introduction in commerce any product which does not conform to the standards or regulations prescribed by the Administrator under this title. Provides that any person, other than a person who commits a criminal violation, who is found by the Administrator after notice and an opportunity for an adjudicative hearing to have committed an act prohibited by this title, shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty of a sum which is not more than $20,000 for each day of violation. Requires that, within one year after the date of enactment of this title, the Administrator shall promulgate and shall, from time to time, revise such standards regulating the manufacture and distribution of certain products in commerce as he determines necessary to protect health or the environment against unreasonable burdens and risks associated with the disposal of such products. Permits the Administrator or the Attorney General to file an action against any product which constitutes an imminent hazard as prescribed by this title or any product which the Administrator finds is manufactured or distributed in violation of this title for seizure of such product. Directs the Administrator to conduct a study of possible methods of regulating the design, use, reuse, and recycling of certain products to reduce the generation of solid waste, reduce the consumption of virgin materials resources, or to reduce burdens on the environment associated with the manufacture, utilization, or disposal of such products. Directs the Administrator to conduct research, investigations, experiments, surveys, studies and demonstrations of means of reducing waste generation and increasing the recovery of materials and the production of energy from solid, liquid, and semisolid wastes from residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural sources. Title III: Unsafe Disposal Practices - Provides that, within eighteen months after the date of enactment of this title and from time to time thereafter, the Administrator shall issue regulations in accordance with this title and after consultation with representatives of other appropriate agencies: (1) identifying unsafe disposal practices; (2) identifying hazardous wastes; and (3) establishing standards for the control of unsafe disposal practices, including requirement of a permit for persons generating hazardous wastes and establishment of requirements for permit holders. Provides that, within eighteen months after promulgation of final regulations and in accordance with this title, each State shall establish a State implementation plan to regulate disposal practices and submit such plan to the Administrator for approval. Establishes a $25,000 fine for each day of noncompliance by a violator of this title. Provides that for the purpose of developing or assisting in the development of any regulation or enforcing the provisions of this title, any person who stores, treats, transports, disposes of, or otherwise handles hazardous wastes shall, upon request of any officer or employee of the Environmental Protection Agency or of any State or political subdivision, duly designated by the Administrator, furnish or permit such person at all reasonable times to have access to, and to copy all records relating to such wastes. Requires that, within eighteen months following the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall conduct, and upon completion, report to the Congress and the President the results of, a study of the feasibility of designing a national resource recovery plan to be implemented by the States individually or in cooperation with other States which will encourage the maximum recovery of resources from wastes and the subsequent recovery of energy from those wastes which are not otherwise recoverable. Permits the Administrator to make grants to appropriate State and interstate agencies and general purpose local governments, or combinations thereof, in an amount not to exceed 60 percent of the reasonable costs of such programs, to assist them in the administration, enforcement, planning, implementation, training, manpower development, technical assistance, public information, basic data collection, or analytical services relating to the collection, transport, processing, recovery, and disposal of hazardous waste. Requires the Administrator to conduct, encourage, cooperate with, and render financial, technical, and other assistance to appropriate authorities, agencies, an institutions, in the conduct of, research, development, investigations, experiments, surveys, and studies relating to: (1) any adverse effects on human health or the environment upon the release into the environment of material present in the land disposal solid, liquid, and semisolid waste, and methods to eliminate such effects; and (2) the development and application of new and improved methods of collecting and disposing of solid waste and processing and recovering materials and energy from solid, liquid, and semisolid wastes. Title IV: Federal Procurement and Measurement - Requires that with respect to each purchase and contract for property, the aggregate amount of which exceeds $5,000, no procurement shall be made by any procuring agency in the case of procurement items purchased through advertisement for bids, of any procurement item which in comparison with other competing items offered for sale by suppliers is not composed of the greatest percentage of recovered materials and is not to the greatest extent recyclable or reusable following the use for which it was purchased, whenever a significant difference as to these characteristics exists between such items and competing items. Title V: Material Recovery and Energy Production - Directs the Administrator, alone or in conjunction with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, to conduct research, development, investigations, experiments, surveys, studies, and demonstrations of means of increasing the recovery of materials and the production of energy in usable forms, or both, from solid, liquid, and semisolid waste, from residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural sources; and to develop, within three years from the date of enactment of this title, not less than three major facilities to demonstrate, substantiate, and validate any determinations made pursuant to this title. Directs the Administrator to provide funds by grant or contract to initiate, continue, supplement, and maintain research and development programs or activities which, in his judgment, appear likely to lead to the development of a facility for the recovery of materials or production of energy from waste, or both. Authorizes the Administrator to guarantee and to make commitments to guarantee the payment of interest on and the principal balance of an obligation to initiate, continue, supplement, and maintain research and development of programs leading to a facility for recovery of material or production of energy from waste. Authorizes appropration to the Administrator not to exceed $50,000,000 to pay interest on, and the principal balance of, any obligation guaranteed by the Administrator as to which the obligor has defaulted. Requires each recipient of financial assistance or guarantees under this title, whether in the form of grants, subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, loans, loan or other obligation guarantees, or other arrangements, to keep such records as the Administrator shall prescribe, and that they shall be subject to audit by the Comptroller General. Title VI: Council on Environmental Representation - Environmental Representation Act - Establishes an independent agency to be known as the Council on Environmental Representation for the purpose of providing support for legal representation and assistance in proceedings, for matters relating to the quality of the environment as described in this title. States that the functions of the Council shall be to establish programs, including local offices if necessary, to provide direct legal and other assistance to eligible clients and to make grants to eligible clients for the purpose of securing adequate representation and assistance to such clients before Federal, State, and local legislative bodies, administrative agencies, and courts in matters dealing with the environment of such clients. Authorizes the Chairman of the Council to intervene as a party or otherwise participate for the purpose of representing the interests of eligible clients in any proceeding before any Federal agency in matters affecting the environment of eligible clients, regardless of whether an agreement has been reached between the Council and an eligible client with respect to representing such eligible client's interests. Directs the Chairman to establish a program for disseminating information to eligible clients with respect to the type of services which may be available under this title. Authorizes appropration for the purpose of carrying out the activities of the Council under this title, $25,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, $50,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, and $75,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1977. Title VII: National Commission on Environmental Costs - Establishes the National Commission on Environmental Costs to conduct a comprehensive study, including field testing and controlled experimentation to the extent possible, of the feasibility, practicality, and value of the establishment of a system of national disposal cost charges on all products, other than consumables; and to examine all feasible methods of environmental disclosure including notices regarding the damage done by polluters, labeling of products to indicate their environmental costs, and other means of effectively informing the public of pollution sources and alternative nonpolluting modes of public and private action. Authorizes appropriation to the Commission of such sums as may be necessary not to exceed a total of $1,500,000. Title VIII: General Provisions - Allows any person to commence a civil action for injunctive relief on his own behalf, whenever such action constitutes a case or controversy: (1) against any person (including the United States or any other governmental instrumentality or agency to the extent permitted by the eleventh amendment to the Constitution) alleged to be in violation of any regulation, order, or permit requirement promulgated pursuant to this Act; or (2) against the Administrator where there is alleged a failure of the Administrator to perform any act or duty under any title of this Act which is not discretionary with the Administrator. Requires each manufacturer of a product to which title II of this Act is applicable to establish and maintain such records, make such reports, provide such information, and make such tests as the Administrator or the Secretary of the Treasury may, at his discretion, reasonably require to enable him to determine whether such manufacturer has acted or is acting in compliance with such title II. Provides that in addition to specific authorizations for appropriations contained herein, there are authorized to be appropriated for purposes of carrying out this Act such additional sums as are necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1974
Declares that it is the purpose of Congress to: (1) establish a national transportation rate policy for all recovered materials; and (2) eliminate discriminatory transportation rates charged by regulated carriers for the movement in commerce of recovered waste and recycled or recyclable materials. Directs the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Federal Maritime Commission to effect such lawful changes in the rate structure of the country as will promote the freedom of movement by common carriers of recovered materials at the lowest possible lawful rates compatible with the maintenance of adequate transportation service. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to take such steps as are necessary to insure that the directives of this Act are carried out as expeditiously as possible, including the initiation of, and intervention in, proceedings before the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Federal Maritime Commission. Directs the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Federal Maritime Commission to undertake studies to be completed within two years of the enactment of this Act of the feasibility of establishing a transportation rate policy for all recoverable materials. Specifies areas to be covered in such study and requires that it be submitted to Congress. Directs the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Federal Maritime Commission, and the Federal Railroad Administration to establish a transportation research and demonstration program coordinated by the Secretary of Transportation with the objective of facilitating the most efficient movement of recycled materials in commerce. Prohibits any railroad, common carrier by water, or motor carrier in interstate or foreign commerce from charging, demanding or collecting any rate for the transportation of recovered materials which is unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory. Describes procedures for complaints with respect to such alleged discrimination. Provides civil penalties for violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1974
Increases, under title II of the Social Security Act (Old-Age, Survivors', and Disability Insurance), the amount of outside earnings which (subject to further increases under the automatic adjustment provisions) is permitted each year without any deductions from benefits. Revises the method for determining such amount.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1974
Prohibits the exportation of fertilizer from the United States until the Secretary of Agriculture determines that an adequate domestic supply of fertilizer exists.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1974
Directs the Secretary of State to keep the appropriate committees of Congress fully and currently imformed of the ongoing status of any negotiations with any foreign government, regarding the cancellation, renegotiation, rescheduling, or settlement of any debt owed to the United States Government by such foreign governments under any program.
United States · United States Congress · 4 March 1974
Provides, under the provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, that it shall be an unlawful employment practice to discriminate against individuals who are physically disabled because of such disability.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1974
Postal Reorganization Act Amendments - Provides that if there is a collective-bargaining agreement in effect for postal service employees no party to such agreement shall terminate or modify such agreement unless the party desiring such termination or modification serves written notice upon the other party to the agreement of the proposed termination or modification not less than ninety days prior to the expiration date. Requires the party serving such notice to notify the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service of the existence of a dispute within forty-five days of such notice, if no agreement has been reached by that time. Requires that if arbitration is selected by the parties and if they do not agree upon the procedures therefor, an arbitration board shall be established and its decisions shall be binding upon the parties. Provides that in the event the bargaining representatives agree to go on strike if an agreement cannot be reached during the forty-five-day period prior to the termination or modification, the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service shall promptly communicate with the employer and the bargaining representatives and use the service's best efforts, by mediation and conciliation, to bring them into agreement, and shall continue to do so for a period of thirty days after the date of termination or modification of the agreement, during which period of time no lawful strike shall be engaged in. Prohibits reduction in rank or pay or removal from the Postal Service of postal employees because of union membership. States that in any lawful strike declared against the Postal Service by the employees thereof, the Postal Service and the bargaining representatives jointly may determine and agree upon, before the close of the third calendar day after the calendar day on which the strike becomes effective, the number of employees needed to accept, process, dispatch, and deliver specified necessary categories of mail, such as social security checks. Provides for a mandatory delivery of such mail during a strike if the parties cannot agree upon a strike-delivery method.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1974
Public Service Employment Act - Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to provide unemployed and underemployed persons with employment in jobs providing needed public services and appropriate training and related services. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out this Act such sums as Congress determines necessary for each fiscal year ending prior to fiscal year 1978. Provides that the Secretary of Labor shall enter into arrangements with applicants for the purpose of providing financial assistance to public and private nonprofit agencies and institutions for the creation of jobs providing employment for unemployed or underemployed persons in carrying out needed public services. Provides that such eligible applicants shall be: (1) States, counties, cities, and other units or combinations of units of general local government which have established public service employment councils; and (2) other public and private agencies and institutions when government units of services are inadequate or nonexistent. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into agreements with eligible applicants, using 25 percent of the funds authorized under this Act, for the purpose of providing employment, for unemployed and underemployed persons residing in areas of substantial unemployment, in jobs providing needed public services, which shall be carried out to the maximum practicable extent within such areas. Provides for the establishment of a public service employment council. Provides that the Secretary shall not provide financial assistance for any program or activity under this Act unless he determines that: (1) the program will result in an increase in employment opportunities over those which would otherwise be available, will not result in the displacement of currently employed workers, will not impair existing contracts for services or result in the substitution of Federal for other funds in connection with work that would otherwise be performed, and will not substitute public service jobs for other federally assisted jobs; (2) persons employed in public service jobs assisted under this Act shall be paid wages which shall not be lower than whichever is the highest minimum wage which would be applicable to the employee under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, the State or local minimum wage for the most nearly comparable covered employment, or the prevailing rates of pay for persons employed in similar public occupations by the same employer; (3) funds under this Act will not be used to pay persons employed in public service jobs under this Act at a rate in excess of $12,000 per year; (4) all persons employed in public service jobs assisted under this Act will be assured of workmen's compensation, health insurance, unemployment insurance, and other benefits at the same levels and to the same extent as other employees of the employer and to the same working conditions and promotional opportunities as such other employees enjoy; (5) provisions of law relating to health and safety conditions shall apply to such program or activity; (6) the program will, to the maximum extent feasible, contribute to the occupational development or upward mobility of individual participants; (7) not to exceed 10 percent of the funds available for any program under this Act will be used for the acquisition or the rental or leasing of supplies, equipment, materials, or real property; and (8) every participant shall be advised prior to entering upon employment, of his rights and benefits in connection with such employment. Provides that the Secretary shall transmit at least annually a detailed report setting forth the activities conducted under this Act. Provides that the Secretary shall carry out a program of research and pilot projects into alternate ways and means to research full employment.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1974
States that the House of Representatives disapproves the recommendations of the President with respect to the rates of pay of Federal officials transmitted to the Congress in the budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1974
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, for the paying of interest to individual taxpayers who file returns before March 1 if the refund check is not mailed out within 30 days after the return is filed. Requires the Internal Revenue Service to give specified information when making refunds. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 6611)
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 1974
Empowers the Small Business Administration to make such loans (either directly or in cooperation with banks or other lending institutions) as the Administration may determine to be necessary to assist, or to refinance the existing indebtedness of, any small business concern seriously affected by a shortage of energy-producing materials or by any restriction imposed by law or regulation upon travel or the use of motor fuels.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1974
Provides for the expansion of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Increases the membership of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Advisory Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1974
Establishes a select committee to be composed of seven Members of the House of Representatives. Authorizes the committee to conduct a full and complete investigation and study of shortages of materials and natural resources affecting the United States, including: (1) causes, extent, and effects; (2) the adequacy of current machinery and procedures of the Congress and the executive branch pertaining to the solution of such problems; and (3) comprehensive measures to assure Federal support and assistance for the securement of materials and natural resources at home and abroad based on relative need in order to achieve an adequate supply, considering present and projected needs of the Nation. Authorizes the committee to hold hearings during the present Congress at such times and places as deemed advisable, and to request the attendence and testimony of witnesses, and the production of such records, books, correspondence, memorandums, papers, and documents as it deems necessary.
![Official portrait of Sen. Riegle, Donald W., Jr. [D-MI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/r000249_200.jpg)