United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1973
Interim Fisheries Zone Extension and Management Act - Extends the jurisdiction of the United States over specified ocean areas and fish for purposes of protecting the domestic fishing industry. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to conduct research in order to promote the conservation of fish originating in the United States territorial sea and contiguous fisheries zone. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $1,000,000 in any fiscal year to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1973
Federal Elections Commission Act - Establishes as an independent establishment of the executive branch a six member Federal Elections Commission. Sets forth the investigative and administrative powers of the Commission under the Federal Elections Campaign Act of 1971. Transfers the powers of the Secretary of the Senate, the Clerk of the House, and the General Accounting Office involving receiving and publishing reports of campaign contributions under the Act to the Commission. States that each candidate for a Federal election shall designate one political committee as his central campaign committee which shall receive all reports made by any other political committee accepting contributions or making expenditures for the purpose of influencing the nomination for election, or election, of the candidate who designated it as his central campaign committee. Requires each such central campaign committee to furnish all reports required by the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to the Federal Elections Commission. Requires each political committee which anticipates receiving contributions during the calendar year in an aggregate amount exceeding $1,000 to register with the Commission. Provides that reports by political committees on convention financing shall be made to the Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 1973
States that all moneys received from the sale of stamps, under the Duck Stamp Act, shall be available until expended, and no action of any kind may be taken to withhold, delay, or otherwise preclude the obligation or expenditure of such moneys except to the extent specifically authorized or required by law on the basis of circumstances or considerations having particular application to such moneys. (Amends 16 U.S.C. 718d)
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1973
Provides that nothing contained in the Federal Trade Commission Act, or in any of the antitrust Acts, shall render unlawful the inclusion and enforcement in any trademark licensing contract or agreement, pursuant to which the licensee engages in the distribution or sale of a trademarked private label food product, of provisions granting the licensee the sole and exclusive right to distribute or sell such product in a defined geographic area or limiting the licensee, directly or indirectly, to the distribution or sale of such product only for ultimate resale to consumers within a defined geographic area. Provides that the provisions of this Act shall apply only if in such defined geographic area: (1) such product is in substantial and effective competition with products of the same general class distributed or sold by others; (2) the licensee is in substantial and effective competition with vendors of other products of the same general class; and (3) the licensor retains control over the nature and quality of such product in accordance with the provisions of the Trademark Act of 1946, as amended. Defines, for the purposes of this Act, the term "trademarked". Provides that private label food product means a food product that is both: (1) sold under a trademark owned by an organization that licenses such product for sale exclusively by either; (a) food wholesalers or food retailers who cooperatively own and control such organization; or (b) food wholesalers for resale to retail food stores that do business under a common trademark name owned by such organization; and (2) produced and packaged to specifications determined solely by the organization that owns the trademark.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1973
Hobbs Act Amendment - Provides that whoever obstructs, affects, or interferes with commerce by willfully damaging to the extent of $2,000 or more any real, personal or mixed property of an employer owner, or other person at or near a factory, construction site, or any other place where work or business of the employer is carried on shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 1951)
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1973
States that a Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps midshipman or cadet may receive financial assistance for a five-year program if he is enrolled in an engineering program approved by the Secretary of the military department concerned which normally takes five academic years to complete, and may receive subsistence for 30 months.
United States · United States Congress · 2 August 1973
Provides, under the Merchant Marine Act, that the appropriate agencies take steps to assure that at least 20 per cent of the gross tonnage of all petroleum and petroleum products imported into the United States on ocean vessels be transported on privately owned United States flag commercial vessels. Requires that the quantity to be carried in United States-flag commercial vessels be at least 25 per cent after June 30, l975, and at least 30 per cent after June 30, l977. (Amends 46 U.S.C. 1241))
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 1973
Authorizes the President to issue annually a proclamation designating the fourth Sunday of November of each year as "National Grandparents' Day". Calls upon the people of the United States and interested groups and organizations to observe such day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1973
Establishes within the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture a Youth Conservation Corps. Specifies that the Corps shall consist of young men and women between the ages of 15 and 19 whom the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture may employ without regard to civil service classification regulations for the purpose of developing, preserving, and maintaining the lands and waters of the United States. Outlines the functions of the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture under this Act. Provides for a program of grants to the States to assist them in meeting the costs of this Act. Requires the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to prepare a joint report to be annually submitted to the President and Congress. Authorizes the sum of $150,000,000 for each fiscal year to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1973
Prohibits the United States from furnishing, under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, or any authority of law, any assistance to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam).
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1973
Suspends the powers of the Secretary of the Interior to acquire land by condemnation with respect to any improved property within the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park in Montgomery, Frederick, Washington or Allegheny Counties in the State of Maryland, during any period when the county within which such improved property is located has in force and applying to such improved property a valid zoning bylaw approved by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary after consulting with the counties involved, to issue regulations specifying standards for approval by him of such zoning bylaws. Prohibits approval by the Secretary of any zoning bylaw which contains any provision adverse to the preservation and development of the park. Sets forth conditions under which the Secretary may terminate the suspension of his authority to acquire such improved property by condemnation. Requires the Secretary to furnish to any party in interest requesting the same, a certificate indicating that such authority to acquire property by condemnation has been suspended, and stating the reasons therefor.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1973
Provides that contributions to the Indoor Sport and Outdoor Athletic Recreation Foundation shall be deductible for purposes of Federal income and estate and gift taxes. Creates on the books of the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the Indoor Sports and Outdoor Athletic Recreation Trust Fund, consisting of donations deposited by individuals, and of an Equal amount for each fiscal year appropriated from money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated. Creates the Indoor Sports and Outdoor Athletic Recreation Foundation, consisting of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretaries of the Interior, and of Health, Education, and Welfare, Defense, Labor, and Housing and Urban Development, the Commissioner of Education, and ten persons appointed for terms of five years by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Authorizes compensation for members of the Foundation who are not full-time employees of the United States. Authorizes the Foundation to solicit and accept donations given to further the purposes of the Foundation. Authorizes the Foundation to accept and utilize the services of voluntary and uncompensated personnel, and to make rules and regulations necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of the Act. States that the duties of the Foundation shall be: (1) to make a study of existing sports and recreational facilities for youth in the United States and classify such facilities according to their adequacy; (2) to make a plan for, and estimate the cost of, any necessary expansion of existing or construction of new sports and recreational facilities for youth; (3) to make a plan for financing the construction of such facilities, either separately or as a part of multiple use facilities, through grants and loans to communities or through charges for the use of such facilities; (4) to make studies and recommendations with respect to the establishment of urban physical fitness centers and of other new kinds of sports and physical fitness facilities in urban areas; and (5) to develop and make available standards of architectural design which will permit greater utilization for sports purposes of public buildings, apartment buildings, and open spaces. Authorizes the Foundation to make grants to public or nonprofit organizations and agencies to carry out experimental or demonstration projects. Requires the Foundation to render an annual report to the President for transmission to the Congress, summarizing the activities of the Foundation and making appropriate recommendations. (Adds 26 U.S.C. 170(c)(6), 2055 (a)(5), 2522(a)(5))
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1973
Provides that if the total budget receipts for any fiscal year do not equal or exceed total outlays, no allocation or payment shall be made under the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972 to any State or unit of local government for any entitlement which begins in that fiscal year. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer to the general fund of the Treasury all amounts which are not paid out of such entitlement period by reason of the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1973
Makes it the sense of Congress that it shall be the policy of the United States to require repayment of the longstanding debts which are delinquent in nature. Makes it the sense of Congress that the Department of the Treasury submit to the Congress within ninety days of passage of this resolution a list and report on the extent of such indebtedness on the part of foreign nations. Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the Department of the Treasury, through the appropriate departments and agencies, should, immediately after the filing of this report, begin consultations with foreign governments involved for the purpose of making arrangements for the prompt repayment of those longstanding debts which are delinquent.
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1973
Establishes the Select Committee on the Cost and Availability of Food, to be composed of twelve Members of the House of Representatives to be appointed by the Speaker, to conduct a full and complete investigation of all matters affecting, influencing, and pertaining to the cost and availability of food to the American consumer. Requires the committee to report to the House as soon as practicable during the present Congress the results of its investigation and study, together with such findings, conclusions, and recommendations as it deems advisable. Grants the committee various powers to carry out the objectives of this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1973
Designates November 11 of each year as "Armistice Day", and authorizes the President to annually issue a proclamation to observe such day in commemoration of the cessation of hostilities in Europe at the end of World War I.
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1973
Makes it the sense of the House of Representatives that should United States gold be offered for public sale, the sale of such gold must be restricted to the domestic market and American citizens for a period of 30 days before being offered on the world market.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1973
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, a depreciation deduction with respect to any certified byproduct or waste energy conversion facility. Provides that any capital improvements made after such property is placed in service shall be treated as separate property.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1973
Foreign Trade and Investment Act - Declares the purpose of the Act to insure that the production of goods which have historically been produced in the United States is continued and maintained, to encourage the return of production of goods that has been transferred abroad, and to encourage the development of new product production in the United States. Title I : - Provides that if a foreign corporation is a controlled foreign corporation for an uninterrupted period of 30 days or more during any taxable year, every United States shareholder of such corporation who owns stock in such corporation on the last day in such year on which such corporation is a controlled foreign corporation shall include in its gross income, for the taxable year on which the corporation ends, its pro rata share of the corporations' earnings and profits for such year. Defines the pro rata share of the stockholder and the earnings and incomes of such corporations. Provides that the earnings and profits of a foreign corporation attributable to amounts which are, or have been, included in the gross income of a United States shareholder shall not, when distributed to such shareholder or to a trust of which such shareholder is a beneficiary, be again included in the gross income of such United States shareholder or trust. Provides that, under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate, the basis of a United States shareholder's stock in a controlled foreign corporation shall be increased by the amount required to be included in its gross income with respect to such stock, but only to the extent to which such amount was included in the gross income of such United States shareholder. Authorizes the Secretary or his delegate to require by regulation that each person who is or has been a United States shareholder of a foreign corporation to maintain such records as may be prescribed. Repeals the foreign tax credit allowed corporations. Requires the Treasury Department, by December 31, 1974, to submit to Congress a report on the administration of the income tax imposed by the Internal Revenue Code as it applies to business activities carried on outside the United States by United States corporations. Title II: United States Foreign Trade and Investment Commission - Provides that the United States Foreign Trade and Investment Commission shall be composed of three commissioners to be appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate. Prescribes the qualifications for the Commissioners. Title III: Quantitative Restraints on Imports - Limits the total quantity of each category of goods produced in a foreign country which may be entered during the calendar year 1974 to the average annual quantity determined by the Commission to have entered during the calendar years 1965 to 1969. Limits the total quantity of such goods which may be entered during any calendar year after 1974 to the total determined as above plus the increase estimated by the Commission to be necessary to make the total quantity of imports in each category bear the same relationship to United States production of goods in such category as existed during the period 1965-1969. Authorizes the President to make bilateral or multilateral arrangements for regulating the quantity of articles produced in such foreign countries which may be imported into the United States. Title IV: Amendments to the Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Acts - Provides that whenever a class or kind of foreign merchandise is being sold in the United States at less than its fair value and an industry in the United States is being hurt or prevented from being established by reason of the importation of such merchandise, there shall be levied in addition to other duties a special dumping duty in an amount equal to the difference between the purchase price or the exporter's sales price and the foreign market value. Authorizes an additional duty where any country pays a bounty for the production of any goods and those goods are then imported into the United States, the duty to be equal to the bounty. Title V: Amendments to the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 - Adjustment Assistance - Provides for the presentation, consideration, and disposition of petitions for tariff adjustments. Title VI: Foreign Investment and Technology Export Controls - Authorizes the President to prohibit any person within the jurisdiction of the United States from engaging in any transaction involving a direct or indirect transfer of capital to or within any foreign country or to any national thereof when in the judgment of the President the transfer would result in the net decrease in employment in the United States. Imposes a fine of not more than $100,000 and imprisonment of not more than one year for each violation. Title VII: Other Foreign Trade Provisions - Requires the Export-Import Bank of Washington to submit to Congress semi-annually a complete report of its operations. Requires that all goods having foreign made components be clearly marked, indicating the origin of such foreign made components.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1973
National Healthcare Act - Title I: Findings and Declaration of Purpose - Declares the purpose of this Act to be to improve the organization, delivery, and financing of health care for all Americans by increasing health personnel, promoting ambulatory care, strengthening health planning, establishing national standards of health care benefits, including coverage for medical catastrophes, encouraging provisions of such benefits through comprehensive health care insurance, and by assisting persons of low income or in poor health to secure that insurance. Title II: Provisions to Increase the Supply and Improve the Distribution of Health Care Personnel - Allows a medical student to borrow the lesser of the sum of the full cost of tuition, fees, and reasonable amounts for room, board, books, supplies, and other related costs, or $5,000. Authorizes $100 million a year for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for this purpose. Grants loans to student nurses covering the lesser of the sum of the full cost of tuition, fees, and reasonable amounts for room, board, books, supplies and other related costs, or $3,500. Authorizes $75 million a year for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for this purpose. Provides that scholarship grants may, in accordance with regulations of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, be awarded, according to the needs of the individual, up to the full cost of his tuition, fees, books, equipment and living expenses. Authorizes for this purpose $50 million a year for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977. Allows loans for students in the allied health professions covering the full cost of tuition fees, and reasonable amounts for room, board, books, supplies, and other related costs. Provides that up to half of the loan may be forgiven at the rate of 20 percent a year for service in a public or nonprofit private institution or agency and that up to 100 percent of the loan may be forgiven at the rate of 33 1/3 percent a year for appropriate service in an area designated as having a substantial shortage of allied health professionals. Authorizes $40 million for fiscal year 1975, $60 million for fiscal year 1976, and $75 million for fiscal year 1977 for this purpose. Includes junior colleges, colleges and universities which offer training in health care center administration or curriculums providing the allied health-professionals needed to operate comprehensive ambulatory health care centers within the training grant provisions of the Public Health Service Act. Establishes a new program of special project grants to help education institutions meet the cost of developing curriculums and training programs to develop the skills needed to administer and staff comprehensive ambulatory health care centers. Authorizes $40 million for fiscal year 1975, and $50 million a year for fiscal years 1976 and 1977 for this purpose. Establishes a program of Federal grants to medical personnel in return for service in urban and rural areas of critical need to alleviate the distribution of health care personnel. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to contract with individual health professionals, nurses, or allied health professionals who agree to provide health care services for a period of at least two years in an area designated by the Secretary as having a critical need for those services. Provides that the amount of the grant is that amount which, when added to the recipient's income from providing health care services for each contract year, provides a total income equal to 110 percent of the national annual median income for persons of comparable education and training, or 110 percent of his earnings from providing health care services in the previous year, whichever is greater. Provides that in determining the precise amount of the grant the Secretary may consider such factors as he deems relevant, including: (1) the national median annual income for the applicant's profession; (2) the cost of living in the area of need; (3) the background, training, and education of the applicant; (4) the amount of income the applicant can reasonably expect to receive from service in the area; (5) the number of persons of applicant's profession needed in the area; and (6) where appropriate, cost of equipment, supplies, and facilities. Title III: Provisions to Encourage Comprehensive Ambulatory Health Care Centers - Provides grants to comprehensive ambulatory health care centers. Sets up a special category of grants to comprehensive ambulatory health care centers. Revises the declaration of purpose of title VI of the Public Health Service Act to recognize specifically the concept of a comprehensive ambulatory health care center. Provides that for fiscal years commencing after June 30, 1973 there is authorized an additional $200 million in grant authority to be used for the construction of comprehensive ambulatory health care facilities. Provides this sum through a new allotment category which is separate from existing allotment categories for construction and modernization of hospitals and other medical facilities. Provides that a portion of the funds available for grants hereunder be used to assist nearly-constructed facilities to pay initial start-up and operation expenses during the first three years of operation of such centers. Directs that funds available for the construction and modernization of comprehensive ambulatory health care centers will be allotted to the several States on the same basis as allotments now made for construction of hospitals and other medical facilities. Provides that transfers from allotments for the construction and modernization of comprehensive ambulatory health care facilities to allotments for the construction of other types of facilities are not authorized. Permits carryovers of unused allotments from one fiscal year to the other. Requires that priorities for awarding grants to comprehensive ambulatory health care centers be given to proposed facilities in densely populated areas now lacking such facilities. Provides that, in its evaluation of the health needs of its citizens, the State health planning agency would be required to determine as part of its planning process the number of comprehensive ambulatory health care centers needed in the State and a plan for distribution of such centers. Requires the adoption of a program providing for construction of those comprehensive ambulatory health care centers identified as needed in its State plan, or for modernizing such existing facilities. Adds comprehensive ambulatory health care centers to the list of types of health facilities from which recovery of Federal funds may be made by the Federal Government from facilities which no longer qualify. Adds comprehensive ambulatory health care centers to the list of types of facilities which qualify for Public Health Service Act loans, guarantees and interest subsidies for construction or modernization of health facilities. Defines comprehensive ambulatory health care centers to encompass only facilities which provide a wide range of preventive, diagnostic and treatment services for ambulatory patients. Title IV: Provisions to Strengthen Health Care Planning - Provides that the President shall make a health report to the Congress no later than July 1 of each year on the status of the nation's health needs and health care system with a program for meeting those needs. Creates a three-man Council of Health Policy Advisers in the Executive Office of the President, its members appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Authorizes the Council to hire officers, employees and such experts and consultants as may be needed. Requires the Council to make an annual health report to the President not later than April 1 of each year to be transmitted to the Congress as a supplement to the next Health Report of the President to the Congress. Provides that in its first report to the President the Council shall specifically review and advise the President on health programs. Requires the Council to develop and recommend goals for a national health policy to promote efficiency, eliminate waste and duplication in the utilization of health facilities and resources, and to recommend specific programs to streamline and consolidate health manpower programs. Directs the Council to consult with the National Advisory Health Council, and other advisory councils or committees as well as such representatives of the private sector as it deems advisable and to utilize the services, facilities and information of other public and private organizations to the fullest extent to avoid unnecessary overlapping or duplication of effort. Provides that the Chairman shall be compensated at the rate of Level II and the other members at the rate of Level IV of the Executive Schedule Pay Rates. Authorizes such sums as are needed to enable the Council to function, not to exceed $1 million in any fiscal year. Requires every agency of the Federal Government to include, to the fullest extent possible, in each report on proposals for legislation or other major Federal action significantly affecting health or the health care system, the impact of the proposal on the nation's health care system, adverse effects, alternatives, the relative priority established by the Council of Health Policy Advisers, and any irreversible or irretrievable commitments of resources involved. Provides that in order to qualify for the comprehensive health planning grants that a State plan for comprehensive State health planning must, in addition to existing requirements, provide for the project certification procedures established by this Act. Increases the funds authorized for project grants for areawide health planning to $100 million for fiscal year 1975. Directs that to be eligible for the grants the agency must be prepared to function as the "appropriate comprehensive health planning agency" for the area or region. Requires the agency to be prepared to play a strengthened role in coordinating areawide health affairs, including the determination of health needs, capital expenditures programs, cooperative use of facilities, optimum use of available manpower and improved management techniques. Requires the agency to provide for consultation with the areawide health planning council and other groups, for the representation of health care facilities and physicians for enlisting public support, and for educating the public concerning the proper use of facilities and services available. Provides that, in the case of applications for Federal grants, loans, or other financial aid involving more than $100,000 which require certification by the appropriate comprehensive health planning agency, the application may be approved by the Secretary only after he is satisfied that the review provisions of this title have been met. Requires that the agency have reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the application and has certified to its essential need and high priority. Provides that if the "appropriate comprehensive health planning agency" is a metropolitan or other local planning agency, that agency, after reviewing the application, must have communicated its comments to both the applicant and the State agency. Directs the State planning agency to make its own determination that the application fits in with the State's overall needs and priorities as expressed in the State plan. Requires that if two or more States are involved, each State agency must make a separate certification as to the need and priority of the project in its State. Provides that in the case of a project affecting an entire State, the appropriate comprehensive health planning agency is the agency designated in the State plan. Provides that in the case of a project affecting a region, metropolitan area, or other local area, the appropriate comprehensive health planning agency is the areawide comprehensive health planning agency or such other public or nonprofit private agency determined in accordance with regulations to be performing the required health planning functions. Title V provisions to make comprehensive health care insurance available to all requires that benefits paying for not less than the health care required under the minimum standards must be included in private or State established health care plans as a condition of eligibility for the Federal tax or other public financial assistance accorded under this bill. Permits additional benefits and allows a qualified private health care plan to provide for a covered individual's payment of medical expenses exceeding established deductible and co-payment standards. Permits qualifying health care plans to include various other optional provisions. Assures that the minimum standards of health care required to be provided to needy and uninsurable individuals will be no less than those required for others. Assigns one of three "priority designations" to each of the benefits covered and requires benefits in the several priority categories to be phased-in in accordance with a schedule prescribed in the law. Authorizes the President, under restricted conditions stated in the law, to defer the scheduled time for phase-in benefits under this title. Specifies the initial minimum standard healthcare benefits for individuals covered under qualified private plans and those for individuals covered under qualified public plans. Revises the Internal Revenue Code to restrict the Federal income tax deduction otherwise allowable to an employer for any amount paid or incurred by the employer for medical care of any employee or his dependents. Restricts this deduction to 50 percent of the described expense for the medical care of the employee if the amount is incurred in 1975, 75 percent if the amount is incurred in 1976, and 100 percent thereafter. Provides that if the employer establishes and maintains a qualified employee healthcare plan the restriction will not apply, and 100 percent of the described expense is deductible. Applies such provision to taxable years after December 31, 1974, except that, in the case of any employer plan providing medical care for employees which was established pursuant to a collectively-bargained agreement, the restrictions on the deduction will not apply until the expiration of the agreement, or December 31, 1977, whichever occurs first. Requires that each qualified employee healthcare plan provide at least the minimum standard healthcare benefits described in this Act and be in writing, adopted by the employer, and communicated to his employees. Requires that a coordination of benefits provision be included in a qualified plan to avoid costly duplication of coverage and the plan must permit eligible employees to seek coverage instead from any approved health maintenance organization in cases where specified conditions are satisfied. Allows 100 percent of medical care insurance premiums as an income tax deduction, if such expenses are paid by an individual who is covered by a qualified individual healthcare plan, a qualified employee healthcare plan, or a qualified state healthcare plan. Requires that each qualified individual healthcare plan provide at least the minimum standard healthcare benefits described in this Act. Requires that a qualified individual insurance contract contain provisions which obligate the insurer to renew the policy, and allows covered dependents to continue their coverage under the policy after the death of the insured as if he were still alive. Adds a new title XX to the Social Security Act to provide for the establishment of publicly subsidized health care insurance plans on a State by State basis. Provides that each State will have a health insurance pool, which all private entities in that State (both profit and non-profit) which currently indemnify the cost of health care would be required to underwrite. Directs that one or more private insurance carriers will be designated by the State to administer the State plan on a retention accounting basis. Provides that these State plans will guarantee that minimum standard healthcare benefits are made available to individuals and families who previously were unable to purchase health care insurance, either because of their low income or their extremely poor health. Provides that, in order to encourage a State to establish a plan, Federal appropriations otherwise payable to the State pursuant to titles V and XIX of the Social Security Act are conditioned on the State having in operation a Qualified State Healthcare Plan. Provides that individuals or families who are eligible to receive public cash assistance under a program financed in whole or in part by Federal funds will be enrolled in the State plan automatically, and without cost. Permits those individuals who are financially capable of procuring health insurance, but who are uninsurable because of poor health, to enroll in the State plan at their own expense; however, these individuals may not be charged more than the established rate for other individuals enrolled in that State plan. Provides that enrollment of other individuals and families who had low incomes the previous year (less than $4,000 for single individuals, less than $6,000 for a family of two, and less than $8,000 for a family of three or more) is voluntary. Allows such individuals and families to elect to be enrolled once each year and requires them to make contributions toward the cost of insuring their own health care, depending on the size of their family and the amount of their income. Provides that the premiums to be charged for each policy year under a State plan will be actuarially determined in each State, and for each family size risk category. Directs that if the established premiums are found to be unjustified within a particular State, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may direct a reduction in the Federal appropriation for that State's premium cost. States that each State has the primary obligation to provide the uncontributed premium cost for its plan; but if the State implements and utilizes controls which are designed to promote the delivery of lower-cost, higher-quality institutional health care services, if it exempts qualified state healthcare plan transactions from State taxation, and if it eliminates discriminatory State tax treatment of health care insurers, then the State will receive Federal appropriations reimbursing it for a percentage of its total uncontributed premium cost. Provides that the base figure may be between 70 and 90 percent, depending on the State's per capita income, but further adjustments to this percentage may be made if institutional rates charged in any particular State for health care services are unjustifiably high in comparison with other States. Gives States the authority to review in advance the rates to be charged by health care institutions for their services, and to refuse to approve these rates for payment under the State plan. Provides that a professional service, otherwise covered by these State plans, shall be reimbursed only if it falls within professionally established utilization guidelines or is found to be necessary health care by a qualified peer review committee. Asserts that no charge for a necessary service shall be reimbursed to the extent that it exceeds the prevailing charge in a locality for similar services. Provides that if the premiums collected and other monies received under the State plan are not sufficient to pay the claims incurred and the other costs of operating the State plan, the private underwriters of the plan shall bear the losses to the extent of 3 percent of the premiums collected for that year. Directs the State to bear the excess losses equal to the base Federal percentage for that State's premium costs. Provides that enrollment is not available to those individuals or families covered under a qualified employee healthcare plan. Provides that applicants for enrollment in the State plan must provide and certify all information required to make an eligibility determination. States that any Federal or State agency may be required to furnish information deemed by the administering carrier to be necessary to verify eligibility. Revises title V of the Social Security Act (Maternal and Child Health and Crippled Children's Services) to avoid unnecessary and costly duplication of federally subsidized health care programs. Excludes payment for items and services now covered under title V of the Social Security Act if they also would be covered under a qualified state healthcare plan. Provides that title V will continue to pay for items and services which are not covered by qualified state healthcare plans. Revises title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove existing limitations on Medicare Part B enrollment which prevent otherwise eligible State plan enrollees from qualifying for qualified State healthcare plan to pay the premium for supplementary medical insurance benefits under Part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act for individuals and families who are eligible to enroll in the Part B program and who are also eligible to receive public cash assistance under a federally financed program. Revises title XVIII to allow a State to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare pursuant to which all of these indigent State plan enrollees will be enrolled under the program established by Part B of title XVIII. Revises title XIX of the Social Security Act (Grants to States for Medical Assistance Programs) to avoid unnecessary and costly duplication of federally subsidized health care programs. Provides that on July 1, 1975, or upon a State's establishment of a qualified State healthcare plan, whichever occurs first, payment for items and services now covered under title XIX would be excluded if they would be covered under a qualified state healthcare plan. Directs that title XIX will continue to pay for items and services which are not covered by qualified State healthcare plans. Establishes standards for the quality and cost to enrollees for health care service provided by physicians or other medical practitioners and for health care services rendered to State plan enrollees in health care institutions. Provides that these standards shall apply to determine "reasonable cost" under the existing federally subsidized health care programs established by title V, XVIII, and XIX of the Social Security Act. Requires that the premiums and other monies received pursuant to the operation of a qualified State healthcare plan will, to the extent feasible, be invested by the administering carrier in interest-bearing obligations and other income-yielding securities. Exempts this interest or other income from Federal income taxation. Requires insurance carriers to pool their efforts and resources to insure that all individuals and families will receive higher-quality, lower-cost health care benefits. Provides that these carriers will not be subject to Federal or State antitrust legislation solely as a result of their efforts to comply with the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1973
Allows a deduction from gross income under the Internal Revenue Code, for social agency, legal, and related expenses incurred in connection with the adoption of a child by the taxpayer. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 219)
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1973
Provides that, beginning one year after enactment of this Act, no law enforcement grants under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 will be made to State and local governments unless these units of government have instituted a law enforcement officer's grievance system and have enacted into law a "Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights" which will cover all law enforcement officers in the States. Declares that this Bill of Rights shall provide law enforcement officers statutory protection for certain rights enjoyed by other citizens. Requires the bill of rights to provide, at a minimum, the following: (1) law enforcement officers shall not be prohibited from engaging in political activity, except when on duty or acting in an official capacity; (2) when an officer is subject to an investigation that could lead to disciplinary action or criminal charges: (a) the investigation shall be conducted at a reasonable hour, preferably while the officer is on duty, (b) the investigation shall occur at the office of the investigating officer or at the precinct where the incident occurred, (c) there shall be one interrogator asking all questions to the officer and the names of all investigating officers shall be known by him, (d) the officer shall know the nature of the investigation and the names of complainants, (e) all civilian complaints must be duly sworn to before an official authorized to administer oaths, (f) interrogating sessions shall be of reasonable length, (g) the officer under investigation shall not be subject to abuse or threats, (h) all interrogations shall be recorded, (i) if the officer is to be placed under arrest, he shall be fully informed of his rights before interrogation, and (j) the officer shall have a right to counsel who shall be present during any interrogations dealing with the officer's continued fitness for law enforcement service; (3) citizen review boards having porportionate police representation; (r) law enforcement officers shall have recourse to civil actions for damages suffered or for abridgement of their civil rights arising out of the performance of official duties; (5) financial disclosures shall not be required unless obtained under legal procedures or there is evidence of a conflict of interests; (6) notice of and reasons for all disciplinary action is required; and (7) no officer shall be disciplined or discriminated against in any way by reason of his exercise of these rights. Establishes in each State and unit of local government a law enforcement officers grievance commission composed of an equal number of governmental representatives, law enforcement officers, and members of the general public which shall have the authority to receive, investigate, and determine complaints and grievances arising from claimed infringement of rights of any law enforcement officer. Allows employee organizations to act on the officer's behalf, at his request, regarding any complaint before the commission. Permits certified employee organizations to initiate actions on behalf of their members. Provides that, in addition to this grievance procedure, law enforcement officers may institute a civil action for redress of the grievances.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1973
Provides that the discriminatory treatment and outright persecution of Jews by the Governments of Iraq and Syria should be condemned as religious persecution and as violating fundamental human rights. Makes it the sense of the Congress that the President should issue a public statement of United States policy condemning the treatment of the Jewish population of Iraq and Syria by their Governments. Makes it the sense of the Congress that the Attorney General should exercise his parole authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to facilitate entry into the United States by Jewish citizens of Iraq and Syria fleeing persecution in such countries.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1973
Provides that gross income during any taxable year for Federal tax purposes does not include any amount received as an annuity, pension or other retirement benefit, so long as the total of such benefits for any one year does not exceed $5,000. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 72(a))
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1973
Act for Freedom of Emigration in East-West Trade - States that after October 15, 1972, products from any nonmarket economy country shall not be eligible to receive most-favored-nation treatment, such country shall not participate in any program of the Government of the United States which extends credits or credit guarantees or investment guarantees, directly or indirectly, and the President of the United States shall not conclude any commercial agreement with any such country during the period beginning with the date on which the President determines that such country: (1) denies its citizens the right or opportunity to emigrate; (2) imposes more than a nominal tax on emigration or on the visas or other documents required for emigration, for any purpose or cause whatsoever; or (3) imposes more than a nominal tax, levy, fine, fee, or other charge on any citizen as a consequence of the desire of such citizen to emigrate to the country of his choice. Provides that, before any of the aforementioned commercial agreements are entered into with any foreign country, the President shall submit to the Congress a report indicating that such country is not in violation of any of the requirements of the preceding paragraph.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1973
Provides that no license granted for the operation of a broadcasting station under the Communications Act of 1934 shall be for a longer term than five years. Provides for renewal of such license where the Federal Communications Commission finds that the public interest, convenience, and necessity would be served. Provides that an applicant for renewal who is legally, financially and technically qualified shall be awarded the license if such applicant shows that its broadcast service during the preceding license period has reflected a good-faith effort to serve the needs and interests of its area as represented in its immediately preceding and pending license renewal application and if it has not demonstrated a callous disregard for law or the Commission's regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1973
National Agricultural Marketing and Bargaining Act - Title I: Agricultural Marketing and Bargaining - Legislative Findings and Purpose - Sets for the findings of the Act. States that the purpose of this title is to provide standards for the qualification of agricultural cooperative organizations for bargaining; to define the mutual obligation of handlers and agricultural cooperative organizations to bargain with respect to the production, sale, and marketing of agricultural products; and to provide for the enforcement of such obligations. Sets forth definitions of terms relating to the title. Establishes in the Department of Agriculture a National Agricultural Bargaining Board, which shall administer the provisions of the Act. Provides that the Board shall consist of three members to be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets forth the qualifications of those associations of producers which shall be entitled to the benefits of this title. Requires an association of producers to file with the Board a petition for qualification. Directs the Board to hold a public hearing and qualify such association if it finds that specified requirements are met. Provides that after qualification the Board shall give notice of such qualification to all known handlers that in the ordinary course of business, purchase the agricultural commodities that such association represents. Requires a qualified association to file annually a report to the Board. Provides that bargaining, as used in this title, is the mutual obligation of a handler and a qualified association to meet at reasonable times and negotiate in good faith with respect to the price, terms of sale, compensation for commodities produced under contract, and other contract provisions relative to the commodities that such qualified association represents and the execution of a written contract incorporating any agreement reached if requested by either party. Provides that such obligation on the part of any handler shall extend only to a qualified association that represents producers with whom such handler has had a prior course of dealing, and states that such obligation does not require either party to agree to a proposal or to make a concession. Requires a handler to be deemed to have had a prior course of dealing with a producer if such handler has purchased commodities produced by such producer in any two of the preceding five years. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be deemed to prohibit a qualified bargaining association from entering into contracts with handlers to supply the full agricultural production requirements of such handlers. Makes it unlawful for a handler to negotiate with other producers of a product with respect to the price, terms of sale, compensation for commodities produced under contract, and other contract provisions relative to such product while negotiating with a qualified bargaining association able to supply all or a substantial portion of the requirements of such handler for such product. Makes it unlawful for a handler to purchase a product from other producers under terms more favorable to such producers than those terms negotiated with a qualified bargaining association for such product. Authorizes enforcement of orders and provides for judicial review in any United States Court of Appeals. Provides that the Board shall, at all reasonable times, have access to and the right to copy evidence relating to any person or action under investigation by it in connection with any refusal to bargain. Empowers the Board to administer oaths and to issue subpenas requiring the attendance of witnesses or the production of evidence. Provides that in case of a refusal to obey a subpena issued to any person, the district court, upon application by the Board, shall have jurisdiction to order such person to appear before the Board to produce evidence or to give testimony touching the matter under investigation, and any failure to obey such order may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof. Provides that no person shall be excused from attending and testifying or from producing books, records, correspondence, documents, or other evidence in obedience to the subpena of the Board, on the ground that the testimony or evidence required of him may tend to incriminate him or subject him to a penalty or forfeiture. Provides that no individual shall be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction, matter, or thing concerning which he is compelled, after having claimed his privilege against self-incrimination, to testify or produce evidence, except that such individual so testifying shall not be exempt from prosecution and punishment for perjury committed in so testifying. Title II: Assignment of Association Fees - Provides that if any producer of a farm product voluntarily executes and causes to be delivered to a handler, either as a clause in a sales contract of other instrument in writing, a notice of assignment of dues or fees to a qualified association directly representing the specific product involved, by which the handler is directed to deduct a sum from the price to be paid for such product and to pay the same over to such association as dues or fees for the producer, then such handler shall deduct the amount authorized from the price to be paid for any farm product being sold by any such producer and pay said amount over to the qualified association as assignee. Provides that no provision which is inserted in any contract that is prepared by a handler which makes ineffective an assignment of the dues described in this title is valid. Provides that an assignment of dues or fees may not exceed 2 percent of the total value of the product which is delivered by the producer to the handler. Title III: Marketing Orders - Provides that notwithstanding any of the commodity, product, area, or approval exceptions or limitations, any agricultural commodity or product (except canned or frozen products) thereof, or any regional or market classification thereof, shall be eligible for an order, exempt from any special approval required by the preceding sections, if after a referendum of the affected producers of such commodity the Secretary finds that a majority of such producers voting in such referendum favor making such commodity or product thereof, or the regional or market classification thereof specified in the referendum, eligible for an order. Provides that such referendum shall not be required for any commodity or product for which an order otherwise is authorized and for which no special approval or area limitation is specified therein.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1973
Bicycle Transportation Act - Makes funds authorized for Federal-aid highways available to finance the Federal share of the cost of projects for the construction of exclusive or preferential bicycle lanes or paths, bicycle traffic control devices, and shelters and parking facilities to serve bicycles and persons using bicycles. (Adds 23 U.S.C. 145)
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1973
Repeals the legislation establishing an emergency agricultural and rural loan program under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act, for disasters occuring after June 30, 1971, and before July 1, 1973. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans in any area designated by him or by the President as a major disaster area: (1) to qualifying farmers, ranchers, or oyster planters who are citizens of the United States; and (2) to eligible private domestic corporations or partnerships engaged primarily in farming, ranching, or oyster planting. Establishes a 6 percent interest rate on emergency agricultural loans. Increases from $100,000,000 to $500,000,000 the limitation on loans made from the Agricultural Credit Insurance Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1973
Includes amounts spent for the use of communications media for purposes of opposing a candidate for Federal elective office within the campaign expenditure limitations of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. Provides that no person or broadcasting station licensee may make any charge for use of any newspaper, station use, or outdoor advertising facility for the purpose of opposing a candidate for Federal elective office, unless another legally qualified candidate certifies in writing to such person or licensee that he authorizes such use and that the payment of such charge will not violate any expenditure limitation applicable to such other candidate. (Amends Pub. Law 92-225)
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1973
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture, in carrying out the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, to make payments or grants of other aid to agricultural producers, including tenants and sharecroppers, in an aggregate amount not less than the sums appropriated therefor during the year with respect to which such payments or grants are made and measured by: (1) their treatment or use of their land, or part thereof, for soil restoration, soil conservation, or the prevention of erosion; (2) changes in the use of their land; (3) their equitable share, as determined by the Secretary, of the normal national production of any commodity or commodities required for domestic consumption; (4) their equitable share, as determined by the Secretary, of the national production of any commodity or commodities required for domestic consumption and exports adjusted to reflect the extent to which their utilization of cropland on the farm conforms to farming practices which the Secretary determines will best effectuate the purposes of the Act; or (5) any combination of the above. (Amends 16 U.S.C. 590h(b))
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1973
Provides that no license granted for a broadcasting station operation under the Communications Act of 1934 shall be for a longer term than five years (now three years). Provides under the Communications Act that the Federal Communications Commission in acting upon the applications for renewal of broadcast licenses may not consider the application of any other person for the facilities for which renewal is sought if the Commissioner finds that the public interest, convenience and necessity would be served by granting the renewal application to the present operator. Provides that if the Commissioner determines that the renewal applicant would not be in the public interest it may deny such application and accept other applications.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Health Care Insurance Act - Provides, under the Social Security Act, for medical, dental, and hospital care through a system of voluntary health insurance financed in whole for low-income groups through issuance of certificates, and in part for all other persons through allowance of tax credits. Adds to the Social Security Act a new title entitled Federal Financing of Voluntary Health Insurance. Provides that, for the purpose of providing assistance on behalf of the individuals and their dependents whose income and resources are insufficient to meet the costs of necessary medical, dental, and hospital services, there is established a program of hospital, dental, and medical benefits for any eligible beneficiary and his dependents through the issuance of health insurance certificates, in full payment of allowable premium on a qualified health care insurance policy of his choice. Asserts that health insurance certificiates of entitlement will be redeemable by the carrier by payment from the Federal Health Insurance Redemption Fund. Includes as eligible beneficiaries under this title any husband and wife both under age 65 and living together and any unmarried person under age 65 who is not a dependent beneficiary. Defines a dependent beneficiary as any child of an eligible beneficiary receiving more than 50 percent of his support from the eligible beneficiary, which child is under 21, or if a student, under age 23. Provides that every individual who is an eligible beneficiary whose income results in no individual income tax liability during his base year, whose dependent beneficiaries have no such liability for their taxable years which end during his base year, and who is not eligible to receive military medical care, shall be eligible to receive a health insurance certificate of entitlement. Asserts that such certificates shall be applicable in full payment of allowable premiums for a qualified health care insurance policy or plan. Requires that such policy or plan shall provide protection for the eligible beneficiary and his dependent beneficiaries for a 12-month period beginning during his benefit year against the expenses of health care, including catastrophic expenses of illness. Allows tax credits for health care insurance. Asserts that every individual who is an eligible beneficiary who has not elected, where eligible, to receive benefits under the provisions for fully-paid health care insurance for the low-income group and who is not eligible to receive military medical care, shall be allowed at his election a credit against his income tax liability for his taxable year which ends during his base year; or a health insurance certificate of entitlement acceptable by a qualified carrier in payment toward a premium, under a qualified health care insurance policy. Specifies the amount of the tax credit or the value to be assigned to the health insurance certificate on the basis of allowable premiums. Provides that a health insurance certificate of entitlement means a certificate issued by the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare upon application to him by an eligible beneficiary to apply toward payment of premium on a qualified health care insurance policy or plan. Specifies that a qualified health care insurance policy or plan shall be a contractual agreement specifying benefits under a program offered by a qualified carrier which has been registered by a State Agency and which provides basic institutional and medical coverage and catastrophic expense coverage. Declares that each such qualified health care insurance policy or plan shall be noncancellable and guaranteed renewable so long as the carrier continues to offer to the public one or more qualified health care insurance policies or plans, shall provide protection against the expense of health care without regard to any pre-existing conditions, and shall provide for payment under this title of usual and customary charges for services covered under the policy or plan. Stipulates what costs shall be included under basic coverage and under catastrophic expense coverage. Establishes deductibles for each of the two types of coverage. Creates a Health Insurance Advisory Board which shall consist of eleven persons including the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. Directs that the remaining members, not otherwise in the employ of the Government, shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointment in the competitive service. Asserts that the Secretary of HEW shall serve as Chairman. Provides that the members shall be selected from persons who are specifically qualified to serve on such Board by virtue of their education, training, or experience. Provides that the Health Insurance Advisory Board shall perform such functions as: (1) prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Act; (2) establish minimum Federal standards for the use of State insurance departments in determining whether an insurance company and plan are qualified under this Act; (3) in consultation with carriers, providers of services, and consumers, plan and develop programs whose purposes are to provide for maintaining the quality of medical care; and (4) review the effectiveness of the tax credit program and file an annual report. Grants the States the power to decide which carriers are qualified. Forbids any Federal officer or employee to exercise any supervision or control over the practice of medicine or dentistry or the manner in which medical or dental services are provided, or over the selection, tenure, or compensation of any officer or employee or any institution, agency, or person providing health services; or to exercise any supervision or control over the administration or operation of any such institution, agency, or person. Creates in the Treasury a trust fund to be known as the Federal Health Insurance Redemption Fund to consist in part of an amount equal to the aggregate amount of premiums paid under this title through the redemption of health insurance certificates.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1973
Provides that in the determination of the annual income of recipients of vetetans' pensions and dependency and indemnity compensation the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs shall not reduce the amount of such pension or compensation because of increases in monthly social security benefits under Public law 92-336. (Adds 38 U.S.C. 415(g)(4) 503(d))