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Report from the HillAir. "The Energy Supply and Environmental Coordination Act" is now Public Law 93-319, a number which will be a constant reference point during considerations to pass the longer range extension of the 1970 Clean Air Amendments Act. PL 93-319 provides further time to evaluate energy related postponements of air quality standards and major controversial issues prior to enactment of new legislation. Many League responses to the March CONTINUING TIME FOR ACTION provide valuable specific information about local conditions. More such reports are needed. Safe Drinking Water. The House Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee reported the "Safe Drinking Water Act"--HR 13002, which is similar to Senate passed S433. House Floor action has not been scheduled and the outlook is uncertain. Solid Waste. A copy of Ruth Clusen's testimony scheduled for the Senate Committee on Public Works may be ordered from the LW US: Pub. NO. 373, 20¢, dated July 16,1974. Of the five bills discussed, the League concludes that S 3723, "Resource Conservation and Energy Recovery Act of 1974" is the best, though certain League-supported proposals should be added. LWVUS urged the committee to work from S 3723 to develop sound solid waste legislation, Strip Mining. As we go to press, the House is debating HR 11500, the "Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1974". Two substitutes to the bill reported by the House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee have been defeated: a weaker bill--HR 12898--offered by Rep. Craig Hosmer (R CA) and a bill to phase out strip mining--HR 15000-- offered by Rep. Ken Hechler (D WV). Backers of HR 11500 hope for passage by July 26, but attempts to curtail House consideration of 150 weakening amendments offered by Hosmer have failed thus far. The League supports HR 11500 with strengthening amendments. We have specifically endorsed an amendment by Rep. Frank. Evans (D CO) protecting alluvial valley floors and one by Rep. Andrew Young (D GA) phasing out strip mining on slopes greater than 20 degrees. HUMAN RESOURCES Office of Economic Opportunity. Senator Javits (R NY) and others plan to introduce a bill to replace OEO with a new, independent "Community Economic Development Administration." The bill is different from the House bill transferring OEO programs to HEW--HR 14449. The Senate Subcommittee on Manpower, Poverty and Employment is expected to take up HR 14449 and any other OEO bills soon. We can support the House bill and the Javits' bill, or a proposed Nelson (D WI) modification of the House bill. The goal is Senate passage of as independent an agency for OEO as possible in order to reinforce conference bargaining. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Development Aid. On July 2, the House passed HR 15465 renewing U.S. participation in the International Development Association (IDA); vote <225 to 140. See roll call page IR 2 and thank members who voted for passage. REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT Budget Control. With the President's signature on July 12, a new law modifies congressional handling of budget and appropriations matters--PL 93-344. Voting Rights. The Voting Rights Act of 1970 expires in 1975; in September the board will be considering League action to support extension. Meantime, a new publication about the impact of Sec. 5 may be ordered: Federal Review of Voting Changes: How to Use Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, by David H. Hunter; address: Joint Center for Political Studies, 1426 H Street, N.W., Suite 926, Washington, D.C. 20005; price $2.50, with special rate of $1.50 for non-profit community organizations in areas covered by Sec. 5.
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