Agriculture

A bill to amend the Federal Crop Insurance Act to establish an independent corporation to carry out the purposes of such act, to provide for more extensive commodity coverage under such act.

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1975

Renames the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation the Federal Commodity Insurance Corporation. Transfers the functions and duties of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation and the Secretary of Agriculture under the Federal Crop Insurance Act to the Federal Commodity Insurance Corporation. States that the Corporation shall be managed by a Board of Directors. Sets forth procedures for the appointment of the Board. Extends the existing crop insurance program from coverage of 7 agricultural commodities to coverage of 25 commodities. Authorizes the Corporation to extend insurance to other commodities on the basis of demand for such coverage and the anticipated risk of loss to the Corporation. Directs the Corporation to offer its insurance program in additional counties according to a specified plan. Specifies the percentage of loss of each crop that the Corporation shall offer insurance against. Stipulates that insurance offered by the Corporation shall not cover losses due to the neglect or malfeasance of the producer or the failure of the producer to follow established good production practices. Requires the Corporation to report annually to Congress the results of its operations and to include in such report, a list of all agricultural commodities for which insurance has been requested but which are not insured by the Corporation, and a list of all counties for which insurance has been requested but which are not covered by the Corporation. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal year 1976, and each fiscal year thereafter, a sum not to exceed $20,000,000 or an amount equal to 2.3 percent of the total insurance liability assumed by the Corporation in the immediately preceding fiscal year, whichever amount is greater, as may be necessary to cover the operating and administrative costs of the Corporation.

A bill to amend the Food Stamp Act of 1964 by revising the eligibility requirements for participation in the program and increasing the overall efficiency of the program administration through the imposition of a national income formula.

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1975

Revises the eligibility requirements for participation in the food stamp program by requiring that such standards prescribe schedules specifying the amount to be paid by households of different sizes on the basis of the net income and assets fo each such household. Requires that such income and assets be adjusted semiannually to reflect any changes in cost of living during the preceding six-month period. Authorizes a standard deduction of $120 in determining eligibility, plus an additional deduction of $60 in the case of any household with one or more persons sixty years of age or older. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to prescribe a single form for eligibility certification of participants in the food stamp program, the supplemental security income program, the aid to families with dependent children program, and the old age, survivors, and disability insurance program under the Social Security Act. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to cooperatively formulate a proposal for a cooperative nutritional status monitoring system, and submit recommendations for such legislation as may be necessary to carry out such proposal. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out experimental simplified eligibility certification procedures and to establish a realistic set of goals to improve quality control and administrative efficiency under this Act. Specifies that each State must develop and submit to the Secretary a State quality control plan which shall specify the actions such State proposes to take in order to meet the error tolerance goals established by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary to withhold funds from States which fail to carry out the quality control plan approved for such State. Requires the Secretary to prepare and submit to the Congress annually an evaluation plan and a report on the food stamp program.

A bill directing the Secretary of Agriculture to convey the property comprising the Lee Canyon Youth Camp, Toiyabe National Forest, Nev., to Clark County, Nev.

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1975

Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to convey by quitclaim deed the property comprising the Lee Canyon Youth Camp, Toiyabe National Forest, in the State of Nevada to Clark County in such State.

A bill to amend the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to provide the highest possible prices in foreign markets for American agricultural producers and to provide price and supply stability in domestic markets.

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1975

Provides that the Commodity Credit Corporation shall be the seller or marketing agent for all export sales of specified raw agricultural commodities. Authorizes the Corporation to acquire commodities on the domestic market to meet the objectives of this Act. Allows the Corporation to act upon the request of a producer or any other person as an exclusive marketing agent. States that the owner of the commodity may stipulate the minimum price below which the commodity can not be sold. Requires that a record of all terms and conditions of each export scale be made available for public inspection.

A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish certain limitations respecting the authority of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to regulate vitamins and minerals under that act.

United States · United States Congress · 17 September 1975

States that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may not regulate the potency or combinations of vitamins or minerals in food under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act except under specified provisions of such Act or in the case of children or pregnant or lactating women. Requires prominent disclosure of ingredients which are not vitamins or minerals in foods for special dietary use. Provides that a libel for condemnation of misbranded foods may be instituted against the retailer of such food if he is generally responsible for its advertising.

A bill to amend section 321(b) of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to eliminate the credit elsewhere requirement.

United States · United States Congress · 16 September 1975

Provides that disaster loans under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act shall be made without regard to whether the required financial assistance is otherwise available from private, cooperative, or other responsible sources.

A bill to amend the U.S. Grain Standards Act for the purpose of providing that inspections made under such act be made by Federal and State employees, and for the purpose of providing, without compensation, inspection and classification services to procedures of grain.

United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1975

Requires, under the United States Grain Standards Act, that inspections made under such Act be made by Federal or State employees. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide, without compensation, inspection and classification services to grain producers upon request. Authorizes the Secretary to require such examinations as are necessary to determine the competence of any inspector.

A bill to amend the U.S. grain Standards Act to provide for the inspection of export grain by Federal personnel.

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1975

Requires Federal inspection under official standards for export grain that is required to be inspected under the U.S. Grain Standards Act. Authorizes the voluntary inspection by licensees employed by, or operating, official inspection agencies for other grain in the United States under the official standards or for any grain in this country under other criteria approved by the Secretary of Agriculture. Revises the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture relating to issuing regulations requiring operators of grain elevators to install sampling and monitoring devices and other equipment needed for official inspections as a condition of obtaining such inspection. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to report annually to the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry and the House Committee on Agriculture concerning the viability and effectiveness of the grain inspection program and any need for further legislation. Requires the Secretary to conduct investigations into the suitability of current official grain standards and report the findings to these committees. Extends the prohibitions on forcible assaults and related offenses to United States Department of Agriculture personnel and inspection personnel licensed to perform any official inspection function. Makes a conviction of such an offense a basis for denial of inspection service to any applicant. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 111 and 1114)

A bill to amend the computation of the level of price support for tobacco.

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1975

Revises the formula by which the level of price support for tobacco is determined to provide that such price supports shall be computed on a marketing year rather than a calendar year basis.

A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish certain limitations respecting the authority of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to regulate vitamins and minerals under that act.

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1975

States that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may not regulate the potency or combinations of vitamins or minerals in food under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act except under specified provisions of such Act or in the case of children or pregnant or lactating women. Requires prominent disclosure of ingredients which are not vitamins or minerals in foods for special dietary use. Provides that a libel for condemnation of misbranded foods may be instituted against the retailer of such food if he is generally responsible for its advertising.

Joint resolution to amend section 201 of the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended, relating to the support price of milk.

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1975

Requires that the support price of milk be adjusted by the Secretary of Agriculture at the beginning of each quarter to reflect estimated changes during the immediately preceding quarter in the index of prices paid by farmers of production items, interest, taxes and wage rates.

Joint resolution to amend section 201 of the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended, relating to the support price of milk.

United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1975

Requires that the support price of milk be adjusted by the Secretary of Agriculture at the beginning of each quarter to reflect estimated changes during the immediately preceding quarter in the index of prices paid by farmers of production items, interest, taxes and wage rates.

A bill to authorize and direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to quitclaim retained rights to certain land in Orangeburg County, S. C., to the State superintendent of education of the State of South Carolina.

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1975

Authorizes and directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to quitclaim retained rights to specified land in Orangeburg County, South Carolina, to the State superintendent of education of the State of South Carolina.

Dairy Producers Bill of Rights Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1975

Dairy Producers Bill of Rights Act - Prohibits, under the Agricultural Adjustment Act as reenacted and amended by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, specific actions by any association of producers of milk which would tend to restrain the freedom of association members in the conduct of their business. States that such prohibitions shall be considered an antitrust law for specified purposes. Requires all associations of milk producers to provide their members with an annual financial statement prepared by an independent certified public accountant, and to provide a simplified monthly statement which provides an accounting of any sale by the association during the prior month involving any milk produced by its members. States that any association which fails to provide the annual financial statement shall be fined not less than $25,000 for each year in which it fails to provide such statement. Establishes a fine of not less than $10,000 for each month in which an association fails to provide a monthly accounting of milk sales.

A bill to amend the U.S. Grain Standards Act to improve grain inspection and operations of official inspection agencies.

United States · United States Congress · 9 September 1975

Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to designate an agency or person as an official inspection agency upon a showing that such agency or person has adequate personnel, facilities, and training programs, and meets other specified requirements, to assure that official inspection will be provided in accordance with the provisions of the United States Grain Standards Act. Provides that designations of official inspection agencies shall terminate triennially. Prescribes criteria and procedures for renewal of such designations. Requires each inspection agency to pay annually a designation fee based on the volume of grain inspected in the preceding year, or, if none inspected, the anticipated volume for the upcoming year. Authorizes the Secretary to revoke the designation of an official inspection upon determination that one or more criteria of performance is not met. Expands the authority of the Secretary to license grain inspectors. Increases the civil penalty for refusal of inspection to $50,000 for each violation. Increases the criminal penalties for improperly influencing or attempting to improperly influence, and physically interfering with a grain inspector in the performance of his official duties.

A bill to amend the U.S. Grain Standards Act to improve grain inspection and operations of official inspection agencies.

United States · United States Congress · 5 September 1975

Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to designate an agency or person as an official inspection agency upon a showing that such agency or person has adequate personnel, facilities, and training programs, and meets other specified requirements, to assure that official inspection will be provided in accordance with the provisions of the United States Grain Standards Act. Provides that designations of official inspection agencies shall terminate triannually. Prescribes criteria and procedures for renewal of such designation. Requires each inspection agency to pay annually a designation fee based on the volume of grain inspected in the preceding year, or, if none inspected, the anticipated volume for the upcoming year. Authorizes the Secretary to revoke the designation of an official inspection upon determination that one or more criteria of performance are not met. Expands the authority of the Secretary to license grain inspectors. Increases the civil penalty for refusal of inspection to $50,000 for each violation. Increases the criminal penalties for improperly influencing or attempting to improperly influence, and phsically interfering with a grain inspector in the performance of his official duties.

A bill to assist the States to provide additional facilities for research in agriculture and forestry at State agricultural experiment stations, land grant colleges, and cooperating forestry research institutions funded under Public Law 87-788.

United States · United States Congress · 3 September 1975

Declares it to be the policy of the Congress to support research in agriculture and forestry at State agricultural experiment stations, land grant colleges, and other forestry research institutions, through Federal grants to help finance physical facilities as required for the effective conduct of adequate research programs. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to eligible institutions for purposes of planning, acquisition, construction, repair, rehabilitation, renovation, and remodeling of buildings, laboratories and other capital facilities (including the acquisition of fixtures and equipment which are to become a part of such buildings) which are necessary to more effectively conduct research in agriculture, forestry, and related sciences. Authorizes to be appropriated for allocation to eligible institutions for purposes of making such grants such sums as the Congress deems advisible. Sets forth procedures for allocating funds among eligible institutions.

A bill to amend the Agricultural Act of 1970 for the purpose of requiring the Secretary of Agriculture's approval of export sales of wheat and wheat flour, feed grains, and other commodities.

United States · United States Congress · 3 September 1975

Requires any person who enters into an agreement to sell and export wheat, wheat flour, feed grains, or other commodities designated by the Secretary of Agriculture to obtain the approval of the Secretary before exporting such commodity. Sets forth items of information which must be supplied by the prospective exporter. Enumerates factors for the Secretary to consider in deciding whether to approve such sale. Establishes a fine and a prison term for the violation of this Act.

Food Supply Maintenance Program Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975

Food Supply Maintenance Program Act - Provides for a plan to stabilize the production of feed grain wheat. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to provide incentives for grain producers to continue the production of grain during times of oversupplyand to take specified steps to protect producers against excessive price reductions during periods of oversupply. Calls for policies to provide adequate quantities for grain to meet extraordinary export demands during periods of below-normal production. States the goal of avoiding the imposition of normal export controls by assuring consumers in the United States an abundant supply of basic food commodities while providing adequate exports.

A bill to amend section 812 of the Agricultural Act of 1970 to provide for a system of prior approval of export sales of wheat and wheat flour and feed grains.

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975

Provides, under the Agricultural Act of 1970, for a system of prior approval by the Secretary of Agriculture of export sales of wheat and wheat flour and feed grains in excess of 50,000 tons.

Resolution relating to sales for export of wheat and other grain.

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975

Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should require the Secretary of Agriculture to carefully monitor sales and proposed sales of wheat and other grain for export to determine if such sales are likely to have a substantially inflationary impact in the United States on the cost of food products. Directs that if such finding is made the President should initiate action to prohibit or control such exports.

A bill to amend the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, 1930.

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975

Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to assess a single, uniform license fee for all commodity brokers or to assess a graduated fee per applicant based upon the amount and type of business conducted by the firm. Deletes the current restriction that the fee not exceed $100.

A bill to amend the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to provide the highest possible prices in foreign markets for American agricultural producers and to provide price and supply stability in domestic markets.

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975

Provides that the Commodity Credit Corporation shall be the seller or marketing agent for all export sales of specified raw agricultural commodities. Authorizes the Corporation to acquire commodities on the domestic market to meet the objectives of this Act. Allows the Corporation to act upon the request of a producer or any other person as an exclusive marketing agent. States that the owner of the commodity may stipulate the minimum price below which the commodity can not be sold. Requires that a record of all terms and conditions of each export scale be made available for public inspection.

A bill to amend the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to provide the highest possible prices in foreign markets for American agricultural producers and to assure a reliable supply of raw agricultural commodities to foreign purchasers.

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975

Revises the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to provide that the Corporation shall be the seller marketing agent for all export sales of wheat, corn, grain, soybeans, sorgham, barley, oats and rye in raw form. Allows exporters to enter into sales for export of such commodities at prices and terms approved by the Corporation. Authorizes the Corporation to negotiate sales for export of such commodities, to accept purchase bids from foreign purchasers, to offer selling bids to the world market, and to establish reserves to meet future export sales. Requires the Corporation to notify both Houses of Congress of the details of any sale of commodities in which it is acting as seller or as marketing agent and to receive Congressional approval for such sale. Sets forth rules for debate in Congress concerning such details. Directs the Corporation, in negotiating sales of commodities owned by the Corporation, to attempt to barter or exchange, to the maximum extent practicable, for commodities which are in short supply in the United States. Authorizes the Corporation to acquire commodities on the domestic market at prices established by the Agricultural Act of 1948. Provides that the Corporation may act upon the request of a producer or any other person as the exclusive marketing agent for the export sale of any agricultural commodity covered by this Act. Requires that records of all items and conditions of each export sale shall be made available for public inspection. States that the provisions of this Act shall take effect September 1, 1975. Specifies that any contract of sale for export entered into prior to September 1, 1975, shall not be affected by these provisions. Establishes criminal penalties for any individual who sells for export any agricultural commodity described in this Act without having the Corporation serve as marketing agent or approve the terms of such sale.

A bill to repeal the meat quota provisions of Public Law 88-482.

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975

Removes the import quota limitations on meats. (Amends 19 U.S.C. 1202 nt.)

Grain Export Control Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975

Grain Export Control Act - Requires prior approval by the Secretary of Agriculture of the export of wheat, corn, soybeans, or any other grain in excess of one hundred thousand tons.

Voting Rights Act Amendments

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975

National Food Stamp Reform Act - Defines the term "income" as used in the Food Stamp Act as the monthly gross income of all members of a household, including any in-kind payment, and the total value of any publicly funded assistance payments which supplement food and housing needs. Excludes specified individuals from the definition of "household. Provides for the distribution of federally donated foods to households upon the request by a political subdivision that such distribution be made to all eligible households in lieu of food stamps. Excludes households from eligibility for food stamps: (1) if the monthly household income exceeds the poverty index level of income established by the Office of Management and Budget; or (2) if the market value of liquid and nonliquid resources of a household consisting of one individual exceeds $1,500 or the resources of a multiple member household exceed $2,250 exclusive of specified resources. Excludes from eligibility households which include an able-bodied adult between the ages of 18 and 65 who is enrolled in an institution of postsecondary education and such enrollment is a substitute for fulltime employment. Declares that a refusal to work at a plant or site because of a strike or other labor dispute shall be deemed a refusal to work which makes the household of the nonworking individual ineligible for food stamps. Rejects as an excuse for refusal to accept work a condition of employment which requires an individual to join, resign from, or refrain from joining any labor organization. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to require each household receiving benefits under this Act to report its income at least once each month. Requires food coupons to be designed with a space for the recipient to sign upon receipt and again at redemption. Requires one member of each eligible household to be issued a photo-identification card with a color photograph of the recipient. States that such card must be presented at redemption at a food store. Sets forth specific instructions to provide control and accountability over the distribution of food coupons to State agencies. Ties the value of the coupon allotment to the overall retail cost-of-living index. States that the "nutritionally adequate diet" as used to determine the amount of the coupon allotment shall mean the low-cost food plan developed by the Agricultural Research Service of the Department of Agriculture. Establishes as the charge a household shall pay for its coupon allotment the lesser of: (1) the percentage of its income which would be expended for food by an average household of its size and income range in the same region of the country; or (2) 30 percent. Provides, under the requirements for State plans for the administration of the food stamp program, for closer State supervision of eligibility by households. Requires the State agencies administering the program to conduct nutrition education programs for recipients. States that the United States Postal Service shall serve as a food stamp issuing agency upon the request of a State food stamp administration agency. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to pay the States 100 percent of the costs of providing food stamps to eligible aliens, and 75 percent of the costs of State investigations, prosecutions, collections of claims and other State activities related to retrieving food stamp losses. Provides for payment by the Federal Government to the States of a share of the difference between the face value of the coupon allotment and the amount charged eligible households for the allotment. Sets forth the method of determining and paying the Federal share. Directs the transfer of all functions of the Secretary of Agriculture under the Food Stamp Act to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.

Farm Products Security Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975

Farm Products Security Act - Requires, under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, that warehouses used by the Corporation to store agricultural commodities be licensed under the United States Warehouse Act, and to maintain security against loss as specified in this Act. Directs the Corporation to announce its withdrawal of agricultural commodities from any warehouse because of the removal of such warehouse from the Corporation's approved list of warehouses.

A bill to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to permit the use of lands of the forest reserves created from the public domain for commercial outdoor recreation.

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975

Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to permit any person, association, partnership, or corporation to use and occupy areas within the forest reserves which are needed to provide commercial recreational facilities and services for the use and enjoyment of the general public. Provides that the Secretary shall determine the area of land to be covered by a permit within guidelines provided by this Act. States that the permittee shall be deemed to be to the owner of any structure, fixture, or improvement which is not owned by the United States and which is covered by a permit. Requires that each permission shall keep such records as the Secretary may prescribe in the permit to enable the Secretary to determine that all the terms of the permit have been and are being faithfully performed. Provides that this Act shall be construed as supplemental to, and not in derogation of any other Act authorizing special use permits. Authorizes the Secretary to furnish, on a reimbursement of appropriation basis, all types of utility services to concessioners, contractors, permittees or other users of such services, within the National Forest System.

A bill to amend the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, as amended, to provide the highest possible prices in foreign markets for American agricultural producers and to ensure that exports of American agricultural products do not cause domestic economic disruptions.

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975

Requires that the Commodity Credit Corporation be the sole export seller of raw wheat, corn, grain sorghum, barley, oats, rye, and soybeans. Authorizes the Corporation to negotiate sales for export of such commodities, to accept purchase bids from foreign purchasers, to offer selling bids in the world market, and establish reserves to meet future export sales. Permits the Corporation to acquire commodities on the domestic market to meet the objectives of this Act, at a specified price. States that records containing all terms and conditions of each commodity export sale should be made available by the Corporation for public inspection. Provides that sales for export may be at a higher price, but not a lower price, than the domestic purchase price. Stipulates that if the sale price exceeds the price paid by the Corporation for such commodity by 25 percent, 50 percent of the excess shall be repaid by the Corporation to the producer of the commodity and the remaining 50 percent shall be used for energy research, development, and demonstration.

Joint resolution designating April 8, 1976, as National Food Day.

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1975

Designates April 8, 1976, as "National Food Day". Authorizes the President to issue a proclamation to promote public involvement in developing a national policy guided by the needs of people, both in the United States and abroad.

Rice Production Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975

Title I: Rice Allotments and Price Support - Rice Production Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, to establish for each of the 1976 and 1977 rice crops a national acreage allotment of 1,800,000 acres. States that the national acreage allotment shall be apportioned, for each crop of rice, by the Secretary to farms and producers on the basis of allotments established for the 1975 crop. Provides for reserving a portion of the rice allotment for apportionment to new rice farms and new rice producers. Sets forth criteria for reducing or withdrawing entirely the rice allotment of a farm or producer which plants to rice less than the total acreage allotted to it for that crop. Defines exceptions to such criteria. Authorizes the Secretary to transfer for any year because of natural disaster all or a part of such rice acreage for any farm in the county or in any other nearby county on which one or more producers on the farm from which the transfer is to be made will be engaged in the production of rice and will share in the proceeds in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe. Directs the Secretary to permit the owner and operator of any farm for which a farm acreage allotment has been established to sell or lease all or any part to any other owner or operator of a farm in the same administrative area, or to transfer all or any part of such allotment to any other farm owned or controlled by him in the same administrative area. Provides for the apportionment among the heirs of a rice producer of the farm rice acreage allotment of such producer in States in which the allotment is based on past production of rice. Provides for apportionment of acreage upon dissolution of a partnership in such States. Provides for the voluntary surrender to the county committee of a portion of a farm's rice acreage allotment. States that any acreage planted to rice in excess of the farm or producer acreage allotment in the crop years 1975 and 1977 shall not be taken into account in establishing farm or producer acreage allotments in any year following such period. Establishes, under the Agricultural Act of 1949, the price to be used in making payments on rice under the price support program. Sets the price for the 1976 crop at $8 per hundredweight, adjusted for economic and agricultural factors designated in this Act. Bases the 1977 price on the price paid in 1976 as adjusted. Directs the Secretary to make loans and purchases on the 1976 rice crop available to producers who are in cooperation with the rice acreage allotment at a rate of $6 per hundredweight as adjusted for economic and agricultural factors. Bases 1977 loans and purchases on the price paid in 1976 as adjusted. Directs the Secretary to make payments available to cooperators for each of the 1976 and 1977 rice crops. Sets forth criteria for determining the rate of such payments and the total amount of such payments to a cooperator. Directs the Secretary to provide for a set-aside of cropland for a rice crop if an excessive supply of rice for the marketing year under consideration is predicted. Declares that, if set-aside conditions are in effect, cooperators, as a condition of eligibility for payments, loans, and purchases must set aside and devote to conservation uses an acreage of cropland specified in this Act. Authorizes the raising of specified crops other than rice on set-aside acreage. Limits to $55,000 the total amount of payments which a person shall be entitled to receive during a crop year under this rice program. Makes inapplicable to the 1976 and 1977 crops of rice those sections of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 which regulate the apportionment of the national acreage allotment and marketing quotas with respect to rice. Title II: Rice Research - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out regional and national research programs with respect to rice for specified purposes, including: (1) to reduce fertilizer and herbicide usage in excess of production needs; (2) to develop varieties of rice more susceptible to complete fertilizer utilization; and (3) to improve the resistance of rice plants to disease and to enhance their conservation and environmental qualities. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $1,000,000 in any fiscal year to carry out such research. Title III: Miscellaneous - Provides, under the Agricultural Act of 1949, that for the 1975 through 1977 crops of rice, a cooperator shall be a person who has a rice acreage allotment, and, if a set-aside is in effect, who has set aside the acreage required.

Federal Grain Inspection Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975

Federal Grain Inspection Act - Establishes in the Department of Agriculture an agency to be known as the Federal Grain Inspection Agency. Places the direction of such agency in a Director to be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Makes it a duty of such Director to establish the policies and regulations by which the Agency is to carry out the administration of this Act. Makes the Director responsible for inspecting, monitoring, and standardizing all equipment used in connection with the grading of grain under the United States Grain Standards Act. Defines terms used under such Act. Defines the term "deceptive loading, handling, sampling, or weighing" as meaning any manner of loading, handling, sampling, or weighing which deceives official inspection personnel, as specified by regulations of the Federal Grain Inspection Agency. Directs the Director of such Agency to investigate the handling (including weighing), grading, and transportation of grain and to fix and establish standards of kind, class, quality, and condition for corn, wheat, rye, oats, barley, flaxseed, grain sorghum, soybeans, mixed grain, and such other grains as in his judgment the usages of the trade may warrant and permit. Provides that whenever the standards established by the Director under this Act are effective, any lot of grain covered by this Act shall be re-inspected upon entry into the foreign port of destination. Authorizes the Director to charge and collect reasonable fees to cover the estimated cost of official inspections performed by Agency personnel under this Act. Provides that inspection fees under this Act shall be borne by the grain buyer, unless otherwise agreed. Authorizes the Director, whenever he determines it necessary in order to administer the provisions of this Act, to issue a license to any individual who is to be so employed as a result of being licensed under this Act, upon presentation to the Director of satisfactory evidence that such individual is competent to perform all or specified functions involved in official inspection. Stipulates that no person shall perform any official inspection functions for purposes of this Act unless he holds an unsuspended and unrevoked license or authorization from the Director under this Act. Prohibits specified conflicts of interest by official inspection personnel. Prohibits specified acts relating to grain storage and handling. Requires the Director to investigate the cancellation of any contract for the sale of grain required to be inspected under this Act or of any complaint regarding the operation or administration of this Act or any official transaction with which this Act is concerned. Instructs the Director to provide for the registration of all persons engaged in the business of buying grain for sale in interstate or foreign commerce, or in the business of handling, weighing, or transporting of grain for sale in interstate or foreign commerce.

Food Industry Antitrust Reports Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975

Food Industry Antitrust Reports Act - Directs the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Agriculture to submit to the appropriate House and Senate committees a report on actions with respect to the enforcement of the antitrust laws in the various sectors of the food industry. Requires that such report be made not later than six months after the date of enactment of this Act, and yearly thereafter. Provides that no later than five years after the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the Congress a comprehensive report on the market structure and state of competition in the food industries. Requires the Commission and the Department of Justice to provide to the Congress an analysis of the adequacy of available data on which any study is based. Authorizes the appropriation to the Commission of $1,000,000 for each of the next five fiscal years.

Grain Export Control Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975

Grain Export Control Act - Requires prior approval by the Secretary of Agriculture of the export of wheat, corn, soybeans, or any other grain in excess of one hundred thousand tons.

Grain Export Control Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975

Grain Export Control Act - Requires prior approval by the Secretary of Agriculture of the export of wheat, corn, soybeans, or any other grain in excess of one hundred thousand tons.

Domestic Food Price Impact Statement Act

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975

Domestic Food Price Impact Statement Act - States that no agricultural commodity may be exported to any foreign country unless: (1) the person exporting has submitted a registration statement to the Secretary of Commerce; and (2) the Secretary has approved such statement. Provides that the Secretary may not approve an export registration statement for a quantity of a commodity which, when added to the quantity of such commodity already approved, exceeds 20 percent of the level of domestic production. Authorizes the Secretary to establish a limitation lower than 20 percent under specified circumstances. Stipulates that such limitations shall not apply to any commodity with respect to which the Secretary of Commerce causes to be published a domestic food price impact statement which contains the Secretary's certification that: (1) the domestic production of such commodity will be sufficient to insure against domestic scarcity; (2) exports in excess of the limitation will not have any direct or indirect impact on consumer prices in the United States; and (3) such exports will not result in increased unemployment in the United States. States that this Act applies to agricultural commodities planted for harvest in 1975 and subsequent years.

A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish certain limitations respecting the authority of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to regulate vitamins and minerals under that act.

United States · United States Congress · 31 July 1975

States that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may not regulate the potency or combinations of vitamins or minerals in food under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act except under specified provisions of such Act or in the case of children or pregnant or lactating women. Requires prominent disclosure of ingredients which are not vitamins or minerals in foods for special dietary use. Provides that a libel for condemnation of misbranded foods may be instituted against the retailer of such food if he is generally responsible for its advertising.

A bill to amend the Small Business Act and Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to provide additional assistance under such acts, to create a pollution control financing program for small business.

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1975

Title I: Authorizes the Small Business Administration to aid and assist small business concerns which are engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, acquaculture and all other farming and agricultural related industries. Title II: Changes the procedure for determining the interest rate charged for disaster loans made pursuant to the Small Business Act. Title III: Authorizes the Small Business Administration, whenever it determines that small business concerns are or are likely to be at an operational or financing disadvantage with other business concerns with respect to the planning, design, or installation of pollution control facilities, or the obtaining of financing therefor, to guarantee the payment of rentals or other amounts due under qualified contracts. Provides that any such guarantee may be made or effected either directly or in cooperation with any qualified surety company or other qualified company through a participation agreement with such company.

A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a national marketing quota for the 1976 crop of flue-cured tobacco which is 25 percent less than the quota established for the 1975 crop of such tobacco.

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1975

Directs the Serectary of Agriculture to establish a national marketing quota for the 1976 crop of flue-cured tobacco which is 25 percent less than the quota established for the 1975 crop of such tobacco.

A bill to amend the computation of the level of price support for tobacco.

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1975

A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish certain limitations respecting the authority of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to regulate vitamins and minerals under that act.

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 1975

States that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may not regulate the potency or combinations of vitamins or minerals in food under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act except under specified provisions of such Act or in the case of children or pregnant or lactating women. Requires prominent disclosure of ingredients which are not vitamins or minerals in foods for special dietary use. Provides that a libel for condemnation of misbranded foods may be instituted against the retailer of such food if he is generally responsible for its advertising.

International Development and Food Assistance Act of 1975

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1975

International Development and Food Assistance Act - Authorizes assistance for disaster relief and rehabilitation. Provides for overseas distribution and production of agricultural commodities. Title I: International Disaster Assistance - Affirms the willingness of the United States to provide assistance for the relief and rehabilitation of people and countries affected by natural and manmade disasters. Authorizes the President to provide such relief to any foreign country or or international organization on conditions as he may determine. Authorizes the appropriation of $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1976 and 1977 for such purposes. Requires the President to submit quarterly reports to the Congress on the obligation of funds under this title. Calls for maximum effectiveness and coordination in responses to foreign disasters. Provides for the appointment, by the President, of a Special Coordinator for International Disaster Assistance who shall be responsible for such coordination. Title II: Food Aid to Poor Countries - Establishes guidelines for the furnishing of food aid under this Act. Calls upon the President to maintain a significant United States contribution to the goal established by the World Food Conference for food assistance by donor countries. Encourages self help programs by donee nations in poor rural areas. Directs that not more than 30 percent of the food aid shall be given to countries other than those most seriously affected by the inability to secure sufficient food. Allows the President to exceed this maximum if he certifies to the Congress that such assistance is required for humanitarian food purposes. Gives Congress 30 days to disapprove such use. Specifies minimum quantities of agricultural commodities to be distributed under this title. Places limitations upon assistance provided under any agreement permitting generation of foreign currency proceeds. Encourages the President to seek international agreement for a system of national food reserves. Title III: Development Assistance - States that it is the purpose of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide more than financial resources to developing countries. Requires efforts to solve development problems of such countries. Favors those nations which make efforts to involve the poor in their development by expanding services and institutions at the local level. Provides for agricultural research which shall take account of the special needs of small farmers. Provides funds for low-cost, integrated delivery systems to provide health and family planning services especially in rural areas as well as nonformal education methods. Authorizes the President to provide programs for technical assistance in aiding developing countries to alleviate their energy problems, to rebuild after disasters and to establish programs of urban development. Revises the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to allow the President to waive the cost-sharing requirement in the case of a project in a country which meets the United Nation's criteria for least developed countries. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should increase the funds provided to multilateral lending institutions for use in making loans to foreign countries. Adds a new title to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961: Title XI - Famine Prevention and Freedom from Hunger. Calls for action to strengthen the capacities of the United States land grant universities to apply science to solving food and nutrition problems of developing countries. Sets forth a program and authorizes the appropriation of funds necessary to carry out this title.

A bill to amend the Export Administration Act of 1969 to require review by the Secretary of Commerce and the Congress of certain grain export contracts.

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1975

Requires review by the Secretary of Commerce and the Congress, under the Export Administration Act of 1969, of grain export contracts providing for the export of more than 500,000 metric tons per contract, or 5,000,000 tons per year pursuant to a series of such contracts between the same parties.

National Food Stamp Reform Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1975

National Food Stamp Reform Act - Defines the term "income" as used in the Food Stamp Act as the monthly gross income of all members of a household, including any in-kind payment, and the total value of any publicly funded assistance payments which supplement food and housing needs. Excludes specified individuals from the definition of "household. Provides for the distribution of federally donated foods to households upon the request by a political subdivision that such distribution be made to all eligible households in lieu of food stamps. Excludes households from eligibility for food stamps: (1) if the monthly household income exceeds the poverty index level of income established by the Office of Management and Budget; or (2) if the market value of liquid and nonliquid resources of a household consisting of one individual exceeds $1,500 or the resources of a multiple member household exceed $2,250 exclusive of specified resources. Excludes from eligibility households which include an able-bodied adult between the ages of 18 and 65 who is enrolled in an institution of postsecondary education and such enrollment is a substitute for fulltime employment. Declares that a refusal to work at a plant or site because of a strike or other labor dispute shall be deemed a refusal to work which makes the household of the nonworking individual ineligible for food stamps. Rejects as an excuse for refusal to accept work a condition of employment which requires an individual to join, resign from, or refrain from joining any labor organization. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to require each household receiving benefits under this Act to report its income at least once each month. Requires food coupons to be designed with a space for the recipient to sign upon receipt and again at redemption. Requires one member of each eligible household to be issued a photo-identification card with a color photograph of the recipient. States that such card must be presented at redemption at a food store. Sets forth specific instructions to provide control and accountability over the distribution of food coupons to State agencies. Ties the value of the coupon allotment to the overall retail cost-of-living index. States that the "nutritionally adequate diet" as used to determine the amount of the coupon allotment shall mean the low-cost food plan developed by the Agricultural Research Service of the Department of Agriculture. Establishes as the charge a household shall pay for its coupon allotment the lesser of: (1) the percentage of its income which would be expended for food by an average household of its size and income range in the same region of the country; or (2) 30 percent. Provides, under the requirements for State plans for the administration of the food stamp program, for closer State supervision of eligibility by households. Requires the State agencies administering the program to conduct nutrition education programs for recipients. States that the United States Postal Service shall serve as a food stamp issuing agency upon the request of a State food stamp administration agency. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to pay the States 100 percent of the costs of providing food stamps to eligible aliens, and 75 percent of the costs of State investigations, prosecutions, collections of claims and other State activities related to retrieving food stamp losses. Provides for payment by the Federal Government to the States of a share of the difference between the face value of the coupon allotment and the amount charged eligible households for the allotment. Sets forth the method of determining and paying the Federal share. Directs the transfer of all functions of the Secretary of Agriculture under the Food Stamp Act to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.

A bill to prohibit the use of Federal funds to finance, directly or indirectly, the purchase of American agricultural commodities by any communist country.

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1975

Prohibits the use of Federal funds to finance, directly or indirectly, the purchase of American agricultural commodities by any Communist country, including the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Peoples Republic of China.

A bill to amend the computation of the level of price support for tobacco.

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1975

Revises the formula used by the Department of Agriculture in the computation of the level of price support for tobacco under the Agricultural Act of 1949 by using 3 marketing years in the computation (now 3 calendar years).

A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish certain limitations respecting the authority of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to regulate vitamins and minerals under that act.

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 1975

States that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may not regulate the potency or combinations of vitamins or minerals in food under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act except under specified provisions of such Act or in the case of children or pregnant or lactating women. Requires prominent disclosure of ingredients which are not vitamins or minerals in foods for special dietary use. Provides that a libel for condemnation of misbranded foods may be instituted against the retailer of such food if he is generally responsible for its advertising.

A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to establish certain limitations respecting the authority of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to regulate vitamins and minerals under that act.

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 1975

States that the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may not regulate the potency or combinations of vitamins or minerals in food under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act except under specified provisions of such Act or in the case of children or pregnant or lactating women. Requires prominent disclosure of ingredients which are not vitamins or minerals in foods for special dietary use. Provides that a libel for condemnation of misbranded foods may be instituted against the retailer of such food if he is generally responsible for its advertising.

A bill to amend the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to provide the highest possible prices in foreign markets for American agricultural producers and to provide price and supply stability in domestic markets.

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1975

Provides that the Commodity Credit Corporation shall be the seller or marketing agent for all export sales of specified raw agricultural commodities. Authorizes the Corporation to acquire commodities on the domestic market to meet the objectives of this Act. Allows the Corporation to act upon the request of a producer or any other person as an exclusive marketing agent. States that the owner of the commodity may stipulate the minimum price below which the commodity can not be sold. Requires that a record of all terms and conditions of each export scale be made available for public inspection.