United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1975
Standby Energy Authorities Act - Sets forth the findings of Congress with regard to energy shortages. States that the purposes of this Act are to grant specific temporary standby authority to impose end-use rationing and to reduce demand by regulating public and private consumption of energy, subject to congressional review and right of approval or disapproval, and to authorize specified other temporary emergency actions to be exercised, to assure that the essential needs of the United States for fuels will be met. Authorizes the President to establish a program for the rationing and ordering of priorities among classes of end-users of crude oil, residual fuel oil, or any refined petroleum products. Provides that such a program shall take effect only if the President finds that it is necessary to achieve the objectives of this Act. Empowers the President to promulgate energy conservation plans which, subject to congressional review and right of approval of disapproval, may be implemented to reduce energy consumption to levels which can be supplied by available energy resources. Details the procedure for congressional review of energy conservation plans. Requires that any proposed energy conservation or rationing plan submitted to Congress for approval be accompanied by findings of fact on which the action is based, the rationale for the proposal, and an evaluation of the potential economic impact of the proposal. Authorizes the President to allocate supplies of material and equipment in order to maximize domestic energy supplies if he finds: (1) that such supplies are scarce and essential to maintain or further exploration, production, refining, transportation, and conservation of energy; and (2) such maintenance and furtherance cannot reasonably be accomplished without exercising authority specified in this Act. Requires the President to submit to Congress, within 30 days after enactment of this Act, a report on the manner in which such allocation is to be administered. Empowers the President to undertake measures to supplement domestic energy supplies. Authorizes the President to require on a mandatory basis that existing domestic oil fields on Federal lands produce at their maximum efficient rate. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize the production from specified Naval Petroleum Reserves. Requires that any allocation made under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act must be adjusted to take into account other factors besides the historical supply period now used as the allocation base. Provides for priority fuel allocations to be made to those engaged in the exploration, production, and transportation of fuels and other minerals. Provides that, to the maximum extent practicable, restrictions on the use of energy shall be designed to be carried out in such manner so as to be fair and to create a reasonable distribution of the burden on all sectors of the economy, without imposing an unreasonably disproportionate share on any specific industry, business, or commercial enterprise. Provides that, within 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Civil Aeronautics Board, the Federal Maritime Commission, and the Interstate Commerce Commission shall report separately to the appropriate committees of Congress on the need for additional regulatory authority in order to conserve fuel while continuing to provide for the public convenience and necessity. States that, except as otherwise specifically provided in this Act, nothing in this Act shall be deemed to convey to any person subject to this Act any immunity from civil or criminal liability or to create defenses to actions, under the antitrust laws. Authorizes the Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration to provide for the establishment of such advisory committees as he determines are necessary. States that any such committees shall be subject to provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Requires that a full and complete verbatim transcript of all advisory committee meetings shall be kept and made available for public inspection and copying. Provides until June 30, 1985, for the establishment of voluntary agreements and plans of action to accomplish the objectives of this Act. Requires the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission to monitor the development, implementation, and carrying out of plans of action and voluntary agreements authorized under this Act to assure the protection and fostering of competition and the prevention of anticompetitive practices and effects. Provides that actions taken in good faith to implement a voluntary agreement or carry out a plan of action developed in accord with this Act constitute a limited defense to any civil or criminal action brought under the antitrust laws. States that such defense shall not apply to acts or practices (1) occurred prior to the enactment of this Act; (2) outside the scope and purpose or not in compliance with the terms and conditions of this Act; or (3) subsequent to the expiration or repeal of this Act. Authorizes the President to restrict exports of fuels and equipment needed for energy exploration and production under such terms as he deems appropriate and necessary to carry out the purpose of this Act, and taking into account the historical trading relations of the United States with Canada and Mexico. Sets forth the administrative procedures to govern actions taken pursuant to this Act and to a specified provision of the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act. States that notice of all proposed substantive rules and orders of general applicability described in this Act shall be given by publication of such rule or order in the Federal Register, with a minimum of 10 days thereafter provided for opportunity to comment. Grants an exception to the 10-day requirement where the President finds that strict compliance would seriously impair the operation of the program to which such rule or order relates. Provides that judicial review of administrative rulemaking of general and national applicability done under this Act may be obtained only by filing a petition for review in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, or, in the case of rulemaking with less than national applicability, in the appropriate circuit court of appeals. States that notwithstanding the amounts in controversy, the U.S. district courts shall have exclusive original jurisdiction of all other cases or controversies arising under this Act, except any actions taken by specified commissions. Declares that the Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration may by rule prescribe procedures for State or local boards which carry out functions under this Act or the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act. Provides for a civil penalty of not more than $2,500 for each violation of any provision of this Act or of rules, regulations, or orders issued pursuant to any such provision. Prescribes a fine or not more than $5,000 for each violation where such violation is willful. Makes it unlawful for any person to offer for sale or distribute in commerce any product or commodity in violation of an applicable order or regulation issued pursuant to this Act. States that any person who knowlingly and willfully violates this provision after having been subjected to a civil penalty for a prior violation of such provision shall be fined not more than $50,000 or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. Authorizes the Attorney General to obtain temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions against actual or impending violations of this act. Provides that private individuals suffering legal wrong because of any act or practice arising out of a violation of this Act may seek an injunction or declaratory judgment, but may not recover damages. States that, within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Federal Energy Administration shall by rule, after opportunity for interested persons, to make oral presentations establish criteria for delegation of his functions under this Act or the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act to officers or local boards (of balanced composition reflecting the community as a whole) of States or political subdivisions thereof. Allows appropriate offices and boards to petition for the receipt of such delegation. Directs the Administrator to provide financial assistance for the purpose of assisting eligible State or local energy conservation programs, with at least one half of such sums apportioned on the basis of each State's population. Sets forth criteria that a State must meet in order to be eligible to receive financial assistance. Authorizes to be appropriated for such purpose a sum not to exceed $50,000,000 for each of the two fiscal years including and following the effective date of this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to request, acquire, and collect such energy information as he determines is necessary to achieve the purposes of this act. Defines the term "energy information. Provides that the authority under this Act to prescribe any rule or order, or to enforce any such rule or order, shall expire at midnight, June 30, 1985, but such expiration shall not affect any action or pending proceedings not finally determined on such date. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Administrator such sums as are necessary to implement the provisions of this Act. Declares that if any provision of this Act, or the application of any such provision to any person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, the remainder of this Act, or the application of such provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid, shall not be affected thereby. Directs the President to designate, where applicable and not otherwise provided by law, an appropriate Federal agency to carry out the provisions of this Act after the termination of the Federal Energy Administration in accordance with the Federal Energy Administration Act. Extends the mandatory allocation program under the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act until December 31, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1975
Petroleum Price Increase Limitation Act - Prohibits for a period of ninety days the lifting of all price controls on domestic oil. Requires thereafter the submission to, and the right of review and disapproval of, the Congress of such action within thirty days.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1975
Child and Family Service Act - Title I: Child and Family Service Programs - Provides that the Secretary shall take all necessary action to coordinate child and family service programs under his jurisdiction and that, to this end, he shall establish and maintain within the Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare an Office of Child and Family Services administered by a Director appointed by the President with the advise and consent of the Senate. Provides that such office shall assume the responsibility of the Office of Child Development and shall be the principal agency of the Department for the administration of this Act. Establishes a Child and Family Services Coordinating Council, consisting of the Director of the Office of Child and Family Services (who shall serve as chairperson), and representatives from the Federal agencies administering the Social Security Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and from the appropriate Federal agencies. Requires the Department of Labor, and other appropriate agencies, to meet on a regular basis, as they may deem necessary, in order to assure coordination of child and family service activities under their respective jurisdictions so as to assure maximum use of available resources through the prevention of duplication of activities; and to structure the activities related to the purposes of this Act. States that funds available for this title may be used (in accordance with approved applications and plans) for planning and developing child and family service programs; establishing, maintaining, and operating child and family service programs, which may include: (1) part-day or full-day child care programs, which provide educational, health, nutritional, and social services directed toward enabling participating children to attain their maximum potential; (2) other health, social, recreational, and educational programs designed to meet the special needs of children and families including before- and after- school and summer programs; (3) social services to help families determine the appropriateness of child and family services and the possibility of alternative plans; (4) prenatal, post partum and other medical care, including services to expectant mothers who cannot afford such services, designed to help reduce handicapping conditions among the newborn; (5) programs designed to meet the special needs of ethnic groups and to meet the needs of all children to understand the history and cultural backgrounds of ethnic groups and the role of members of such groups in the history and cultural development of the Nation and the region in which they reside; (6) food and nutritional services; (7) diagnosis, identification, and treatment, and special activities designed to ameliorate physiological, mental, psychological, and emotional barriers to full participation in child and family service programs; (8) programs designed to extend child and family service gains (particularly parent participation) into the kindergarten and early primary grades, in cooperation with local educational agencies; (9) other such services and activities as the Secretary deems appropriate in furtherance of the purposes of this Act; (10) rental, lease or lease-purchase, mortgage amortization payments, renovation, acquisition and maintenance of necessary equipment and supplies, and to the extent authorized by this Act, construction or acquisition of facilities, including mobile facilities; (11) preservice and inservice education and training for professional and paraprofessional personnel, including parents and volunteers, especially education and training for career development and advancement; (12) staff and other administrative expenses of child and family service councils and of project policy committees established and operated in accordance with the provisions of this Act; and (13) dissemination of information in the functional language of those to be served to assure that parents are well informed of child and family service programs available to them and may participate in such programs. Provides that a State, locality, or combination of localities may be designated by the Secretary as a prime sponsor for the purpose of entering into arrangements to carry out programs under this title. Enumerates the requirements which must be met by States and localities submitting prime sponsorship applications. States that each prime sponsor shall establish and maintain a Child and Family Service Council of specified composition. States that such Council shall be responsible for approving child and family service plans, basic goal, policies, procedures, overall budget policies and project funding, and the selection or establishment and annual renewal of an administering agency or agencies and will be responsible for annual and ongoing evaluation of child and family service programs according to criteria established by the Secretary. States that financial assistance under this title may be provided by the Secretary for fiscal year 1976 and any subsequent fiscal year to a prime sponsor only pursuant to a child and family service plan which is submitted by such prime sponsor and approved by the Secretary in accordance with the provisions of this title. Specifies the elements to be contained in such plans, and the procedure including opportunity for airing of views with respect to such plan, for approval or disapproval of the plan. States that funds may be provided by the prime sponsor for carrying out any program under such prime sponsor's comprehensive child and family service plan only to a qualified public or private agency or organization, including but not limited to an educational agency or institution, a community action agency, single-purpose Headstart agency, community development corporation, parent cooperative, organization of migrant agricultural workers, organization of Indians, organization interested in child care, employer or business organization, labor union, or employee or labor management organization, or by any other public or private agency whose project application is approved by the Child and Family Service Council of the prime sponsorship. Provides for special grants to States for necessary expenses incident to the operation of programs authorized by this Act in such States, and, in addition to the conditions which must be met for such grants, requires that grants for construction or acquisition of facilities may be made only if such construction or acquisition is essential to the provision of adequate child care services. Title II: Standards, Enforcement, And Evaluations - Provides that, within six months after the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall promulgate a common set of program standards which shall be applicable to all programs providing child care services under this or any other Federal Act, to be known as the Federal Standards for Child Care. Provides that the Secretary shall, within sixty days of the enactment of this Act, appoint a Special Committee on Federal Standards for Child Care to participate in the development of Federal Standards for child care and modifications thereof. Provides for the development of a minimum code for child and family service facilities to be addressed to the health, safety, and physical comfort of the children participating in such programs. Provides for the withholding of grants where prime sponsors fail to conform with their approved plans or applicable standards and regulations. Title III: Research and Demonstrations - States that it is the purpose of this title to assist and encourage the provision of urgently needed facilities for child care and comprehensive child services programs. States that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare is authorized to insure any mortgage (including advances on such mortgage during construction) in accordance with the provisions of this title upon such terms and conditions as he may prescribe and make commitments for insurance of such mortgage prior to the date of its execution or disbursement thereon. Provides that the mortgage shall be executed by a mortgagor approved by the Secretary, and that such mortgages shall involve in principal obligation of up to $250,000 and not to exceed 90 percent of the estimated replacement costs of properties or projects when the proposed improvements are completed. Creates a Child and Family Services Facility Insurance Fund which shall be used by the Secretary as a revolving fund for carrying out all the insurance provisions of this title, including mortgage insurance. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants, contracts, or other arrangements to carry out a program of research and demonstration projects, which shall include but not be limited to: (1) research to develop techniques to measure and evaluate child and family services, and to develop standards to evaluate professional and paraprofessional child and family service personnel; (2) research to test preschool programs emphasizing reading and reading readiness; (3) preventive medicine, techniques, and technology to improve the early diagnosis and treatment of diseases and learning disabilities of pre-school children; (4) research to test alternative methods of providing child and family service; (5) evaluation of research findings and the development of these findings and the effective application thereof; (6) dissemination and application of research and development efforts and demonstration projects to child and family service programs and early childhood education programs; (7) production of informational systems and other resources necessary to support the activities authorized by this Act; and (8) a study of the need on a nationwide basis for child and family services programs and of the resources, including personnel, which are available to meet this need. Title IV: Training of Personnel for Child and Family Services - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to enable individuals employed or preparing for employment in child and family services programs assisted under this Act to participate in preservice or inservice training programs for professional and nonprofessional personnel. Title V: General Provisions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Provides for nutrition services to be provided to child and family service programs under the National School Lunch Act of 1946 and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1975
Homeowners' Loan Act - Establishes the Homeowner's Loan Corporation. Requires the Board of Directors of the Corporation to determine the minimum amount of capital stock of the Corporation and to increase such capital stock from time to time in such amounts as may be necessary. Authorizes the Corporation to issue bonds in an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000,000 which may be sold by the Corporation to obtain funds for carrying out the purposes of this Act. Directs the Corporation during such period to make assistance payments to individuals and families who have incurred substantial losses of income as a result of unemployment. Directs that such payments be sufficient to enable such individuals and families to meet home mortgage payments. Stipulates that such payments not be made for a period in excess of eighteen months with respect to any mortgagor. Prohibits such payments unless the Corporation determines that such mortgagor will be able to avoid or cure a default on the mortgage. Authorizes the Corporation for a period of three years, but only during any three calendar quarters beginning with one in which the Federal Home Loan Bank Board determines that the foreclosure rate exceeds one-half of 1 percent, to acquire home mortgages and other obligations and liens secured by real estate. States that each home mortgage or other obligation or lien so acquired shall be carried as a first lien or refinanced as a home mortgage by the Corporation on the basis of the price paid therefor by the Corporation, and shall be amortized by means of monthly payments sufficient to retire the interest and principal within a period of not to exceed thirty years. Requires that the aggregate amount of payments with respect to any mortgagor be secured by a lien on the mortgaged property. Directs the Board to issue such rules and regulations as may be necessary, including rules and regulations providing for the appraisal of the property on which loans are made under this section so as to accomplish the purposes of this Act. States that whoever makes any statement, knowing it to be false, or whoever willfully overvalues any security, for the purpose of influencing in any way the action of the Homeowners' Loan Corporation of the Board upon any application, advance, discount, purchase, or repurchase agreement, or loan under this Act, or any extension thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for not more than two years, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1975
Emergency Petroleum Allocation Extension Act - Provides for the extension of the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act from August 31, 1975, to December 31, 1980.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1975
Expresses the sense of Congress that there shall be a national policy recognizing the right of all citizens to the full development of their economic, social and personal potential regardless of their physical disabilities. Directs that there be a mobilization of private and public resources to remove barriers from the man-made environment. Expresses as a goal the integration of handicapped people into their communities.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Bilingual Courts Act - Provides for bilingual proceedings in all district courts of the United States in both civil and criminal actions where it is determined that a party to the action or one of his witnesses does not understand the English language. Authorizes appropriations to the Federal Judiciary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Authorizes each Senator serving on a committee to hire staff to assist him in his duties as a member of each committee on which such Senator serves. Allows each Senator serving as chairman of any subcommittee or ranking minority member of any subcommittee to hire staff to assist him in his duties. States that individuals so appointed shall be in addition to employees otherwise authorized.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Expresses the Senate's disapproval of the President's proposed deferral of budget authority to carry out the homeownership assistance program of the National Housing Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1975
Authorizes the Joint Committee on the Library to obtain likenesses of members of minority groups to be placed in the United States Capitol. Provides for the establishment of an advisory committee to be composed of nine distinguished citizens from the public and private sectors, for the purpose of selecting members of minority groups it deems appropriate who have made significant contributions to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 3 February 1975
Food Supplement Amendment - Defines the term "food supplement" for purposes of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act to mean food for special dietary uses, and defines the meaning of "special dietary uses" as particular uses of food for man which meets specified requirements. Provides that in administering such Act the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare shall not limit the potency, number, combination, amount, or variety of any synthetic or natural vitamin, mineral, or other nutritional substance, or ingredient of any food for special dietary uses if the amount recommended to be consumed does not ordinarily render it injurious to health.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1975
Permits individuals who are residents in skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, or residential facilities to receive supplementary security income benefits under title XVI of the Social Security Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1975
Authorizes the establishment of the Tule Elk National Wildlife Refuge in California. Establishes a Federal-State management program for the conservation, protection, and enhancement of tule elk and other species. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 28 January 1975
Directs the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to provide for radio and television coverage of proceedings in the Senate Chamber during the first session of the Ninety-fourth Congress, except for closed-door sessions. Requires video tapes of such broadcasts to be kept and made available to commercial broadcast stations. Provides for monitors of such broadcasts in various offices and for audio monitors in members' offices, if desired.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Council on Wage and Price Stability Act Amendments - Authorizes the Council on Wage and Price Stability, under the Council on Wage and Price Stability Act, to require periodic reports and to issue subpenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of information relating to wages, prices, costs, profits, and productivity by product line. Provides that information obtained under this Act shall be made available to the public unless the Council determines that public disclosure would impose an undue competitive disadvantage on the person submitting such information. Authorizes the Council to require any person having gross sales or revenues in excess of $250,000,000 during its most recent fiscal year to submit a prenotification to the Council with respect to any price increase of any product or service not more than 30 days prior to the effective date of such increase. Declares that the Council may require any person who grants a wage increase affecting more than 5,000 employees to submit a prenotification of such increase not more than 30 days prior to the effective increase date. Gives the Council the authority to delay up to 60 days any price or wage increase which the Council determines would or could significantly increase inflation. Provides that the Council may request the Attorney General to bring an action to enjoin any act or practice which constitutes a violation of any requirement imposed by the Council on Wage and Price Stability Act. Extends the life of the Council to September 30, 1977, and increases the sum authorized to be appropriated to the Council from $1,000,000 to $4,000,000 for each fiscal year. Requires the Council to control the price of domestic "old oil" at a level equal to its price on January 1, 1975, and "new oil" at a price no higher than 70 percent of the actual average world market price for crude oil purchased for export from major oil producing countries during the two-week period of January 1 through January 14, 1975, as determined by the Secretary of State. Provides that the appointment of any future Director of the Council shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments - Title I: Purposes, Definitions, and National Policy for Managing the Resources of the Outer Continental Shelf - States that the purposes of this Act are to: (1) establish policies and procedures for managing the oil and natural gas resources of the Outer Continental Shelf in order to achieve national economic goals; (2) preserve, protect, and develop oil and natural gas resources in the Outer Continental Shelf; (3) encourage development of new and improved technology for energy resource production that will increase human safety and eliminate or reduce risk of evnironmental damage; and (4) assure that coastal States which are directly impacted by oil and natural gas exploration and development are provided with an opportunity to take part in policy and planning decisions. Title II: Amendments to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act - Revises bidding and lease administration under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Provides for the orderly development of oil and gas leases and requires that no geological and geophysical exploration shall take place in the Outer Continental Shelf without a permit issued by the Secretary of the Interior. Directs the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive exploratory program designed to obtain sufficient data to evaluate the extent, location, and potential for developing the oil and gas resources in the Outer Continental Shelf. States that the Secretary shall, by regulation, establish procedures for determining the areas to be considered for exploratory drilling and potential leasing. Authorizes to be appropriated for such purposes $200,000,000 during fiscal years 1976 and 1977. Requires the Secretary to transmit a leasing and development plan to Congress at least 90 calendar days prior to announcing the invitation to bid on each tract in which oil or gas is found in commercial quantities. Provides that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall be considered the "lead agency" for purpose of complying with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act as such Act pertains to the implementation of this Act. Requires that the environmental impact statements include such information as: (1) the probable impact of the proposed exploration or development on the marine and coastal environments; and (2) any irreversible and irretrievable commitments of resources that would be involved in the proposed exploration or development. Makes provisions for the development, promulgation, and enforcement of safety regulations for operations in the Outer Continental Shelf. Requires that the Coast Guard make regular inspections and strictly enforce the safety regulations. States that any person who knowingly and willfully violates any provision of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $100,000, or by imprisonment for not more than one year, or both. Allows citizen suits by persons having an interest which is, or may be, adversely affected. Permits civil actions against any person, including the United States, and against the Secretary of the Interior where there is alleged a failure of the Secretary to perform any act or duty under this Act which is not discretionary. Provides that any person in charge of any oil and gas operations in the Outer Continental Shelf shall be subject to a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for mot more than one year, or both, for failure to immediately notify an appropriate agency of the U.S. Government of a discharge or spillage of oil. Authorizes, for the purpose of removing a discharge or spilling, the withdrawal of money available in the Offshore Oil Pollution Settlements Fund established pursuant to this Act. Imposes on each barrel of oil produced pursuant to any lease issued or maintained under this Act a fee of two and a half cents per barrel to pay costs of administration of this Act. Provides that collection of amounts for the fund shall cease when $100,000,000 has been accumulated, but shall be renewed when the accumulation in the fund falls below $85,000,000. Provides that immediately upon the date of enactment of this Act, there shall cease any additional leasing of tracts for the purpose of developing oil and gas under the authority of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act in all regions and areas where there has been no previous development of oil and gas on the Outer Continental Shelf or other areas where geological or environmental conditions make such development hazardous. States that such moratorium shall continue until a specified time. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires that the Secretary of the Interior shall prepare and publish a report with recommendations for achieving an equitable system of lease sales while maximizing production and revenues from the leasing of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands. Provides that the Secretary shall study the most appropriate means of developing a National Strategic Energy Reserve.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 1975
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 · 27 January 1975
Expresses the sorrow of the Senate upon hearing of the death of Representative John C. Kluczynski of Illinois. Appoints a committee of two Senators to join the committee appointed by the House of Representatives to attend the funeral of Representative John C. Kluczynski.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
National Standards No-Fault Motor Vehicle Insurance Act - Title I: General Provisions - Sets forth definitions of terms used in the Act. Requires every owner of a motor vehicle in a State to continuously provide in accordance with this Act with respect to that motor vehicle, while it is either present or registered in the State, security for the payment of basic restoration benefits and, at the option of the State, security for the payment of tort liabilities arising from maintenance or use of the motor vehicle. Specifies that security may be provided by a contract of insurance or by qualifying as a self-insurer. Provides that the State commissioner of insurance shall establish or approve a plan assuring that liability insurance and basic reparation shall be available to each applicant for insurance who cannot obtain insurance through ordinary methods at rates not in excess of those applicable to applicants under the plan. Permits the plan to be by assignment of applicants among insurers, pooling, or other joint insuring or reinsuring arrangement. Makes provisions for cancellation, refusal to renew, or other termination of insurance by an insurer. States that basic and added reparation benefits are payable monthly as work loss, survivor's economic loss, or allowable expense is incurred. Allows a claim for basic or added benefits to be discharged by a settlement agreement for an agreed amount payable in installments or in a lump sum, if the reasonably anticipated net loss does not exceed $2,500. Establishes a statute of limitations of two years from the time the loss occurred, or four years from the time of the accident, whichever is earlier. Provides for a statute of limitations for survivor's benefits of one year from the date of death or four years from the time of the accident, whichever is earlier. Prohibits the assignment of rights for loss accruing in the future, as well as garnishment or execution. Provides for reasonable attorney's fees. Allows restoration obligors providing basic restoration insurance in a State, or the State insurance commissioner in their absence, to organize an assigned claims bureau and an assigned claims plan, and adopt rules for their operation and for assessment of costs on a fair and equitable basis consistent with this Act. Authorizes the commissioner to regulate reparation obligors, and to provide information to consumers about insurer's rates so that they may be able to compare them. Establishes minimum liability insurance coverage required. Sets forth subrogation and indemnity rights of a restoration obligor. Limits Federal jurisdiction in insurance claim proceedings to cases in which the United States is a party. Sets forth provisions governing injuries arising out of the use of a Federal motor vehicle where the claim is against the United States as a restoration obligor. Title II: National Standards for State No-Fault Motor Vehicle Insurance Plan - Provides that by the completion of the first general legislative session commencing after the enactment of this Act, a State may establish a plan for no-fault motor vehicle insurance designed to meet or exceed the requirements established by this title. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to periodically review the laws and regulations of each State pertaining to no-fault motor vehicle insurance to determine whether or not they meet or exceed the requirements established by this title. Makes title III of this Act applicable if a State fails to adopt a plan for no-fault motor vehicle insurance within the time specified. Authorizes the Secretary to provide grants to any State for the purpose of reimbursing such State for any governmental cost increases resulting from the implementation or administration of a no-fault plan in accordance with this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of not in excess of $10,000,000 for the Secretary to carry out his functions under this Act. Sets forth requirements for State no-fault plans, and specifies the right of any person injured to basic restoration benefits in accordance with this Act. Provides that, under any State no-fault motor vehicle insurance plan, tort liability arising out of the operation, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle is abolished except as follows: (1) the liability of an owner of a motor vehicle involved in an accident who has not provided insurance or self-insurance covering the vehicle at the time of the accident; (2) the liability of a person in the business of designing, manufacturing, or repairing motor vehicles arising from a defect in a motor vehicle caused by an act or omission; (3) liability of a person for intentionally caused injury; (4) liability for damages for physical damage to property other than motor vehicles in use; and (5) intangible damages if the injured person dies or sustains permanent, significantly, incapacitating, loss of body function, permanent serious disfigurement, or an injury resulting in more than six months of complete inability of an injured person to work in his occupation. Sets forth requirements of tort liability coverage and territorial coverage which an insurance policy must meet. Provides means of computing loss from an accident, and sets limits on amounts recoverable under a no-fault plan. Specifies benefits that may be offered by insurers as optional added restoration coverages. Disqualifies from receiving benefits the converter of a motor vehicle or a person intentionally causing injury to himself or another person. Title III: Alternative State No-Fault Motor Vehicle Insurance Plan - Sets forth the requirements of a Federal alternative no-fault plan, to be applicable in a State not enacting a no-fault plan. Provides that basic restoration benefits payable for work loss may not exceed $1,000 per month, and survivor's replacement services loss, and survivor's losses arising from injury to one person and attributable to the calendar week during which the accident causing injury occurs and to each calendar week thereafter may not exceed $200. Makes similar provisions to those of title II with respect to the partial abolition of tort liability. Allows optional added restoration coverage by insurers.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Fair Marketing of Petroleum Products Act - Prohibits refiners or distributors of petroleum products from canceling, failing to renew, or otherwise terminating a franchise unless the retailer or distributor whose franchise is terminated failed to comply substantially with any essential and reasonable requirement of such franchise or failed to act in good faith in carrying out the terms of such franchise, or unless such refiner or distributor withdraws entirely from the sale of refined petroleum products in commerce for sale other than resale in the United States. Sets forth procedural and jurisdictional requirements for suits brought as result of violation of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Natural Gas Agricultural Priority Act - Provides, under the Natural Gas Act, a priority system for specified agricultural uses of natural gas. Directs the Federal Power Commission to prohibit any interruption or curtailment of natural gas and take such other steps as are necessary to assure as soon as possible the availability in interstate commerce of sufficient quantities of natural gas for use as a raw material feedstock or process fuel in the production of fertilizer, animal feed grade chemicals, essential agricultural chemicals, and for use in agricultural crop drying. Defines "sufficient quantities of natural gas" for purposes of this Act. Provides that the rule implemented by the Commission shall also apply with respect to the availability of natural gas sold in intrastate commerce in any State which has not, within ninety days, adopted a rule to implement the purposes of the first provision of this Act. Directs the Commission to, by rule, prohibit boiler fuel use of natural gas and propane in interstate and intrastate commerce not contracted for prior to the date of enactment of this Act by users other than residential or small commercial users unless, upon petition by a user, the Commission determines that enumerated criteria are met.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Emergency Natural Gas Act - Directs the Federal Power Commission to grant relief from any existing natural gas allocation plan to producers of fertilizer and agricultural chemicals which require natural gas for their production, when necessary to prevent the impairment of such production. Exempts from this provision such amounts of natural gas as are required by residential and small commercial users. Provides that this Act shall expire on December 31, 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1975
Provides that no new tariff, fee or other charge, no increase in existing tariffs, fees or other charges, and no new quota or other limitation on imports of crude oil or petroleum products other than those in effect on January 1, 1975, may be imposed unless: (1) such action is specifically authorized by law enacted after the date of enactment of this joint resolution; or (2) the specific action proposed to be taken is submitted to both Houses of the Congress. States that if such action is disapproved by either House within the thirty-day review period, no officer or agency shall have authority to take any action inconsistent with the provisions of this joint resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 21 January 1975
States that the Senate disapproves the proposed deferral of budget authority to carry out the comprehensive planning grants program under the Housing Act of 1954 as set forth in the special message transmitted by the President to the Congress on November 26, 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1975
Consumer Protection Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to promote protection of consumers with respect to specified areas, including: (1) the safety, quality, purity, potency, healthfulness, durability, performance, repairability, effectiveness, dependability, availability, and cost of any real or personal property or tangible or intangible goods, services, or credit; and (2) the preservation of consumer choice and a competitive market. Establishes as an independent agency in the executive branch the Agency for Consumer Advocacy. Directs the Administrator of the Agency to prepare and submit an annual report simultaneously to the Congress and the President, not later than April 1 of each year. Specifies the content of such report, including the Agency's activities and court actions affecting the interests of consumers. Directs the Agency to advise the Congress and the President on matters affecting the interests of consumers and to protect and promote the interests of the people of the United States as consumers of goods and services. Enumerates the functions of the Administrator, including the following: (1) to represent the interests of consumers before Federal agencies and courts; (2) to conduct and support research, studies, and testing; (3) to submit recommendations annually to the Congress and the President on measures to improve the operation of the Federal Government in the protection and promotion of the interests of consumers; and (4) to publish material developed in carrying out this Act to inform consumers of matters of interest to them. States that whenever the Administrator determines that the result of any Federal agency proceeding may substantially affect an interest of consumers, he may as of right intervene as a party or otherwise participate for the purpose of representing an interest of consumers. Provides that whenever the Administrator receives any complaint which discloses: (1) an apparent violation of law relating to an interest of consumers; or (2) a commercial, trade, or other practice which is detrimental to an interest of consumers; he shall transmit such complaint to any Federal, State, or local agency which has the authority to enforce any relevant law or to take appropriate action. Directs the Administrator to maintain a public document room containing, for public inspection and copying, an up-to-date listing of all consumer complaints of any significance which the Agency has received, as arranged in meaningful and useful categories, together with annotations of actions taken in response thereto. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct studies, and to obtain data and information from persons engaged in a trade, business, or industry which substantially affects interstate commerce and whose activities he determines may substantially affect an interest of consumers. Stipulates that the Administrator shall not have the power to require the production or disclosure of any data or other information under this Act from any small business. Provides that, upon written request by the Administrator, each Federal agency is directed to furnish access to all documents which the Administrator deems necessary for the performance of his functions. Sets forth limitations on the disclosure of any information obtained pursuant to any authority conferred by this Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that small business enterprises should have their varied needs considered by all levels of government in the implementation of the procedures provided for throughout this Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act not to exceed $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, not to exceed $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, and not to exceed $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1978. Provides for the transfer of employees and property of the Consumer Product Information Coordinating Center in the General Services Administration to the Agency. Requires Federal agencies to issue standards governing public participation in agency proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 1975
States that the Senate of the United States: (1) commends the agreement in principle reached at Vladivostok on November 24, 1974; (2) expresses its firm belief that this agreement in principle must lead to further mutual arms limitations and reductions; and (3) expresses its understanding that the Vladivostok agreement establishes limits within which the United States and the Soviet Union may deploy strategic forces, but than any deployment of United States strategic nuclear weapons, up to the limits established by the Vladivostok agreement, should be based solely upon the actual needs of United States security. Expresses the advice of the Senate that the President should make every possible effort: (1) to complete the negotiations resulting from the Vladivostok agreement in principle; and (2) in addition, to reach further specified agreements regarding nuclear arms limitations. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Vladivostok agreement be submitted to the Senate for its advice and consent in accordance with the treaty provisions of the U.S. Constitution.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 1975
Requires the President and the Vice President, each Member of the Senate and the House of Representatives (including Resident Commissioners and Delegates), candidates for such offices, each civil or military officer of the executive branch of any department or agency thereof, each judge or justice of a court of the United States, and each employee of the legislative, executive, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States or any department or agency thereof who is compensated at a rate in excess of $25,000 per year to file annually with the Comptroller General a financial report. Requires such report to contain a full and complete statement of: (1) the amount and source of each item of income, each item of reimbursement for any expenditure, and each gift or aggregate of gifts from one source which exceeds $100 in amount or value; (2) the value of each asset held by him, or by him and his spouse jointly, and the amount of each liability owned by him, or by him and his spouse jointly, as of the close of the preceding calendar year; (3) all dealings in securities or commodities by him, or by him and his spouse jointly, or by any person acting on his behalf or pursuant to his direction during the preceding calendar year; and (4) all purchases and sales of real property or any interest therein by him, or by him and his spouse jointly, or by any person acting on his behalf or pursuant to his direction, during the preceding calendar year. Provides that all reports filed under this Act shall be maintained by the Comptroller General as public records which, under such reasonable regulations as he shall prescribe, shall be available for inspection by members of the public. Sets forth penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 1975
Provides, under the Standing Rules of the Senate, that conference committee meetings shall be open to the public except when the managers of either the Senate or the House of Representatives determine by a rollcall vote that all or part of a meeting shall be closed to the public. Provides that this provision will not become effecitve until a similar rule is adopted by the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Provides that a married individual who files a separate return shall be taxed on his or her earned income at the same rate as an unmarried individual under the Internal Revenue Code.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Government in the Sunshine Act - Title I: Congressional Procedures - Requires each meeting of each standing, select, or special committee or subcommittee of the Senate and House of Representatives, including meetings to conduct hearings, to be open to the public. Provides that a portion or portions of such meetings may be closed to the public if the committee or subcommittee determines by vote of a majority of a quorum of the members present that the matters to be discussed or the testimony to be taken: (1) will disclose matters necessary to be kept secret in the interests of national defense or the confidential conduct of the foreign policy of the United States; (2) will relate solely to matters of committee staff personnel or internal staff management; or (3) will tend to charge with crime or misconduct, or to disgrace any individual, or will represent a clearly unwarranted invasion of the privacy of any individual (unless it relates to any government officer or employee with respect to his official duties or employment); (4) will disclose information pertaining to any investigation conducted for law enforcement purposes, with specified limitations; or (5) will disclose information relating to the trade secrets or financial or commercial information pertaining specifically to a given person. Directs each standing, select, or special committee or subcommittee of the Senate and House of Representatives to make a public announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of each meeting at least one week before such meeting unless the committee or subcommittee determines by a vote of the majority of a quorum that committee business requires that such meeting be called at an earlier date, in which case the committee shall make public announcement of the date, place and subject matter of such meeting at the earliest practicable opportunity. Provides that a complete transcript shall be made of each meeting of each standing, select, or special committee or subcommittee. Provides that a copy of each such transcript shall be made available for public inspection within seven days and additional copies shall be furnished to any person at the actual cost of duplication. Provides that all the aforegoing requirements and exceptions applicable to the meetings of the committees and subcommittees of the House and Senate shall also be applicable to each meeting of a committee of conference. Establishes procedures to review and reverse any committee and subcommittee vote to close a meeting to the public or to delete from the publicly available copy a portion of a meeting transcript. Title II: Agency Procedures - Requires all meetings of any Federal agency to be open to the public unless a majority of the entire membership of an agency determines the meeting: (1) will disclose matters necessary to be kept secret in the interests of national defense or the confidential conduct of the foreign policy of the United States; (2) will relate solely to individual agency personnel or to internal agency office management and administration or financial auditing; (3) will tend to charge with crime or misconduct, or to disgrace, any person, or will represent a clearly unwarranted invasion of the privacy of any individual (unless it relates to any government officer or employee with respect to his official duties or employment); (4) will disclose information pertaining to any investigation conducted for law enforcement purposes, with specified limitations; or (5) will disclose information relating to the trade secrets or financial or commercial information pertaining specifically to a given person. Directs each agency to make public announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of each meeting (whether open or closed to the public) at least one week before each meeting unless the agency determines by a vote of the majority of its members that agency business requires that such meetings be called at an earlier date, in which case the agency shall make public announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of such meeting at the earliest practicable opportunity. Provides that a complete transcript, including a list of all persons attending and their affilations, shall be made of each meeting of each agency (whether open or closed to the public). Provides that a copy of each such meeting shall be made available to the public for inspection, and additional copies of any transcript shall be furnished to any person at the actual cost of duplication. Requires each agency to promulgate regulations to implement the requirements of this title. States that any citizen or person resident in the United States may bring a proceeding in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit: (1) to require an agency to promulgate such regulations if such agency has not done so within the time period specified herein; or (2) to set aside agency regulations that are not in accord with the requirements of this title and to require the promulgation of regulations that are in accord with such requirements. Gives the district courts of the United States jurisdiction to enforce the requirements of this title by declaratory judgment, injunctive relief, or otherwise. Provides that such actions shall be brought in the district wherein the plaintiff resides, or has his principal place of business, or where the agency in question has its headquarters. Sets forth provisions governing ex parte communications in agency proceedings.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Expresses the findings of Congress with regard to the national interest in the Nantucket Sound Islands in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Establishes the Nantucket Sound Island Trust to provide for the preservation of the unique values of the islands. Creates the Nantucket Trust Commission, the Martha's Vineyard Trust Commission, and the Elizabeth Islands Trust Commission, to be known collectively as the Nantucket Sound Island Trust Commissions. Enumerates the membership composition and responsibilities of each Commission. Designates the areas comprising the Trust. Classifies the trust lands into categories of: (1) open lands; (2) resource management lands; and (3) town lands. Prescribes the procedures for the assignment of the trust lands and waters into such classifications. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to sell lands and waters and interests therein at fair market value to accomplish the purposes of this Act. Defines the terms used in this Act. Directs the Commissions to cooperate in a study and formulate plans for beach and shoreline erosion control and restoration projects in those areas most immediately threatened. Calls for programs: (1) in dune and headland erosion control; and (2) against pollution of the waters in and around trust lands. Sets forth the rules governing nonvehicular rights of passage across trust land beaches. Directs the Commission to survey public and private water and air access to trust lands and make recommendations to appropriate bodies for legislative or administrative action. Provides for the suspension of the authority to acquire lands from specified private, nonprofit organizations. Sets forth compensable land use regulations and calls for new employment opportunities for residents of the trust area. Places a freeze date on the construction of any improvement on specified trust lands. Directs the Martha's Vineyard Commission to establish an orderly program for determining the extent of Indian Common Lands on Martha's Vineyard. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act, within specified limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, an exclusion from income taxation for income of condominium housing associations, homeowner associations, and cooperative housing corporations operated for the management, maintenance, landscaping, and repair of common areas and dwellings.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Authorizes Federal reimbursement to the States for the construction of specified sewage treatment works constructed with financial assistance appropriated pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Water Pollution Control set for any fiscal year beginning July 1, 1966, and ending June 30, 1971. (Amends 86 Stat. 838).
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Constitutional Amendment - Provides for the direct popular election of the President and Vice President. Provides that each voter shall cast a single vote for two persons who shall have consented to the joining of their names as candidates for the offices of President and Vice President. States that the persons joined as candidates for President and Vice President having the greatest number of votes shall be elected President and Vice President, if such number be at least 40 percent of the total number of votes cast. Stipulates that if, after such election, none of the persons joined as candidates for President and Vice President is elected, the Congress shall assemble in special session and choose immediately, from the two pairs of persons joined as candidates for President and Vice President who received the highest numbers of votes cast in the election, one such pair by ballot. States that the Congress may by law provide for the case of the death, inability, or withdrawal of any candidate for President or Vice President before a President and Vice President have been elected, and for the case of the death of both the President-elect and Vice-President-elect.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Provides that on or after January 14, 1975, no new tariffs, fees, or quotas on imports of crude oil or petroleum products shall be effective unless authorized by law enacted after the date of enactment of this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Provides that all meetings of Senate committees shall be open to the public, unless the members of such committee determine by majority vote that the matters to be discussed or the testimony to be taken involve specified matters, including the following: (1) will disclose matters necessary to be kept secret in the interests of national defense or the confidential conduct of the foreign relations of the United States; (2) will relate solely to matters of committee staff personnel or internal staff management or procedure; or (3) will tend to charge an individual with crime or misconduct, to disgrace or injure the professional standing of an individual, or otherwise to expose an individual to public contempt or obloquy, or will represent a clearly unwarranted invasion of the privacy of an individual.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1975
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President submit to the Congress his proposal for a tariff on imported oil for appropriate congressional study and action.
United States · United States Congress · 14 January 1975
Provides under the Standing Rules of the Senate, that if at any time a motion signed by sixteen Senators, to bring to a close the debate upon any measure, motion, or other matter pending before the Senate, or the unfinished business, is presented to the Senate, the Presiding Officer shall at once state the motion to the Senate, and one hour after the Senate meets on the following calendar day but one, he shall lay the motion before the Senate and direct that the Secretary call the roll, and upon the ascertainment that a quorum is present, the Presiding Officer shall, without debate, submit to the Senate by a yea-and-nay vote the question of whether it is the sense of the Senate that the debate shall be brought to a close. States that if that question be decided in the affirmative by three-fifths of the Senators present and voting, then said measure, motion, or other matter pending before the Senate, or the unfinished business, shall be the unfinished business to the exclusion of all other business until disposed of.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 1974
Natural Gas Agricultural Priority Act - Provides, under the Natural Gas Act, a priority system for specified agricultural uses of natural gas. Directs the Federal Power Commission to prohibit any interruption or curtailment of natural gas and take such other steps as are necessary to assure as soon as possible the availability in interstate commerce of sufficient quantities of natural gas for use as a raw material feedstock or process fuel in the production of fertilizer, animal feed grade chemicals, essential agricultural chemicals, and for use in agricultural crop drying. Defines "sufficient quantities of natural gas" for purposes of this Act. Provides that the rule implemented by the Commission shall also apply with respect to the availability of natural gas sold in intrastate commerce in any State which has not, within ninety days, adopted a rule to implement the purposes of the first provision of this Act. Directs the Commission to, by rule, prohibit boiler fuel use of natural gas and propane in interstate and intrastate commerce not contracted for prior to the date of enactment of this Act by users other than residential or small commercial users unless, upon petition by a user, the Commission determines that enumerated criteria are met.
United States · United States Congress · 4 December 1974
Foreign Bank Act - Redefines "bank" to include branches and agencies of foreign banks established or operating under the laws of the United States, any State, or the District of Columbia. Adds definitions of other terms to the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956. Requires foreign banks with worldwide assets in excess of $500,000,000 to become members of the Federal Reserve System. Prescribes regulations for the acquisition and establishment of additional branches and agencies by bank holding companies and foreign banks. Requires divestiture within 2 years of the date of enactment by bank holding companies, foreign bank holding companies, and their subsidiaries, of any branch or agency outside the State in which the operations of the company's banking subsidiaries are principally conducted, which was acquired after December 3, 1974. Requires divestiture within 10 years of non-banking interests acquired after December 3, 1974 by foreign bank companies. Allows the retention of banking facilities in the State in which the foreign bank's operations are principally conducted and expansion in that State in any form permitted by State law. Allows expansion outside the principal State in the same form as that in which the bank company's operations are presently conducted in the non-principal State. Redefines, and adds, terms to the Federal Reserve Act. Provides that any branch of a foreign bank operating under this Act which fails to become a member of the Federal Reserve System within one year of passage of this Act shall forfeit all of its rights, privileges, and franchises. Allows the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to waive the requirements of the Federal Reserve Act that a majority of the shares of a corporation doing foreign banking be owned or controlled by United States citizens and that all of the directors of such a corporation be United States citizens. Permits a national banking association to be formed under the National Bank Act by or on behalf of a foreign bank. Allows the Comptroller of the Currency to permit one-half of the directors of a national bank to be non-citizens of the United States. Directs the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to submit to the Congress within ninety days of enactment a proposal for extending insurance coverage to deposits in branches and agencies of foreign banks. Allows a foreign bank to establish and operate branches in any State upon receipt of a certificate of authority from the Comptroller, notwithstanding the laws of the State. Allows a foreign bank to convert branches or agencies operating under State law to federally-certified branches to be operated under this Act. Directs the Comptroller to consider the views of the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Board of Governors, and the bank supervisory authorities of the States in deciding whether to issue certificates of authority to foreign banks to operate branches under this Act. Prohibits the Comptroller from issuing such certificate if the establishment of the branch would adversely affect the domestic or foreign commerce, or otherwise would not be in the interest of the United States. Provides that upon the issuance of a certificate of authority the foreign bank may conduct its business with the same rights, privileges, duties and restrictions as a national bank. Requires annual examinations by the Comptroller of branches operating under this Act, reports by the banks in accordance with the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, and such additional reports as the Comptroller may prescribe. Prescribes penalties for failure to make such reports. Sets forth the assets which foreign banks are required to keep on deposit in the appropriate national bank. Provides for the appointment of a receiver by the Comptroller whenever he has revoked the certificate of authority of a foreign bank, with the same powers in the receiver as are now exercised by receivers of national banks. Requires the appointment of an agent for service of process by each bank holding on certificate of authority in each State where it has established a branch under this Act, and allows service upon the Comptroller in the absence of such an agent. Provides civil and criminal penalties for the violation of this Act by a foreign bank holding a certificate of authority. Grants Federal district courts original jurisdiction in any civil action commenced by the United States against a foreign bank and in any action by a foreign bank to enjoin the Comptroller or a receiver acting under his direction. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the United States criminal code, the Bank Protection Act, the Truth-in-Lending Act, and the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Authorizes the Board of Governors, the Comptroller and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to enter into agreements with foreign bank supervisory authorities for the exchange of information on banking institutions. Requires a Federal banking license for any foreign bank controlling, establishing, or operating a bank in the United States which has not received a certificate of authority, except that those banks existing at the date of enactment need only register with the Comptroller. Empowers the Secretary of the Treasury to approve such licenses after consulting with the Secretary of State and the Board of Governors. Directs the Comptroller not to issue such license if the Secretary of the Treasury determines that issuance would adversely affect the domestic or foreign commerce of the United States or would otherwise not be in the interests of the United States. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury and the Comptroller to issue rules and regulations deemed necessary to enforce compliance with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 25 November 1974
Tax Reform and Relief Act - Title I: Tax Relief for Low-and Middle-Income Taxpayers - States that at the election of the taxpayer, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1974, there shall be allowed, as a credit, an amount equal to $175 multiplied by the number of exemptions to which the taxpayer is entitled under section 151 of the Internal Revenue Code. Requires that such credit shall not exceed the tax imposed for the taxable year. Sets forth a special rule for exemptions for the taxable year 1974. Provides that there shall be allowed to a taxpayer who is an eligible individual as a credit an amount equal to a specified percentage of the social security taxes imposed on him and his employer with respect to wages received by the taxpayer during that year. States that the amount of the credit allowable to a taxpayer shall not exceed an amount equal to 10 percent of so much of his wages as does not exceed $4,000 received by that individual during that year with respect to employment, and that the amount of the credit shall be reduced by one-fourth of the amount by which a taxpayer's income exceeds $4,000. Provides that a taxpayer may receive an advance refund of the credit allowable to him not more frequently than quarterly by filing an election for such refund with the Secretary. States that if the taxpayer elects to base his claim for refund on social security taxes imposed on him, his spouse, and their employers, the election shall be a joint election signed by the taxpayer and his spouse. Title II: Amendments to Increase Revenues - Provides for the termination of special tax treatment for a Domestic International Sales Corporation (DISC). Imposes an excise tax on the windfall profits from domestic crude oil removed from the premises on every person entitled to a deduction for depletion with respect to the crude oil. States that each person liable for such tax shall be allowed, as a credit against such tax, an amount equal to such person's plowback investment for such taxable period. Defines "windfall profit" as the excess of the removal price over the adjusted base price. Sets forth provisions and regulations governing the imposition and collection of the windfall profits tax on crude oil. Provides, for a gradual phaseout of the percentage depletion allowance for domestic oil and natural gas production. Specifies special rules governing the taxation of foreign oil and gas income. Title III: Increases Incentive for Expanded Investment - Provides for an increase in the investment tax credit for expanded investment. Defines "expanded investment" as the amount by which the qualified investment of the taxpayer for such year exceeds the average amount of qualified investment of the taxpayer per taxable year, as determined on the 3 most recent previous taxable years, determined without regard to investment credit carryovers and carrybacks.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1974
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Secretary of the Interior shall offer oil and gas leases pursuant to the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act only in accordance with the following specified criteria, including: (1) the Council on Environmental Quality, with the concurrence of the Review Panel of the National Academy of Sciences, has specified and evaluated all necessary environmental research for any areas to be leased; and (2) the adjacent coastal States have established or are establishing coastal zone management programs to prevent or ameliorate environmental and socioeconomic impacts from activities resulting from leasing.
United States · United States Congress · 9 October 1974
Expresses the sense of the Senate that the Federal Energy Administration should withdraw its proposed price regulation change and maintain propane gas prices at or below the level established by existing regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 1974
Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should take immediate steps to restrain the inflationary impact of Federal expenditures and to conserve the use of energy by ordering each department and agency of the Federal Government to reduce expenditures on the travel and transportation of persons by at least 25 percent.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 1974
Animal Fighting Prohibition Act - Expresses the findings of Congress, including that the practice of promoting for purposes of sport, wagering, or entertainment, any show, or other activity involving a fight between animals, including animals which were captured, bred, or trained for such purpose, is cruel and inhumane treatment of such animal. Makes specified acts unlawful, including for any person to: (1) capture, breed, or train, for sale or movement in commerce, any animal for use in any show or other activity involving a fight between such animal and any other animal for the purpose of sport, wagering, or entertainment; (2) manufacture for sale or movement in commerce any device or equipment for use in any show or other activity involving a fight between two or more animals; or (3) promote or participate in, for purposes of sport, wagering, or entertainment, any show or other activity involving a fight between two or more animals, if any one or more of such animals, if any one or more of such animals, or any equipment or devices used in connection therewith, was moved in commerce. Provides that any person guilty of violating any provision of this Act or any regulation issued under this Act shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $25,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.
![Official portrait of Sen. Stevenson, Adlai E., III [D-IL]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000890_200.jpg)