United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1973
Authorizes the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs to purchase from one or more life insurance companies a policy or policies of mortgage protection life insurance on a group basis for veterans unable to obtain commercial life insurance at a substandard rate because of a service-connected disability. Sets forth the maximum amount of insurance under a policy provided under this Act. Authorizes the Administrator to deduct insurance premiums from any compensation or other cash benefits payable to veterans by the Veterans' Administration, and to pay such premiums to the insurers. Provides that the United States shall bear all of the cost of the insurance provided under this Act, except the amount of premium rates. States that any amount of insurance in force under this Act on the date of death of an insured veteran shall be paid only to the holder of the mortgage loan on the veteran's home as a credit toward loan indebtedness. Requires each policy purchased under this Act to provide for the following: (1) reinsurance with other insurers which meet the Administrator's criteria; (2) that the Administrator may discontinue a whole policy, or exclude from coverage loans made after a date fixed by him; (3) issuance to each insured veteran of a certificate setting forth the benefits to which he is entitled; (4) any other provisions necessary to carry out this Act; and (5) an annual accounting to the Administrator of the amount of premiums paid, the total of all mortality and other claim charges incurred, and the amount of the insurer's expenses and risk charges. States that insurance under this Act shall terminate upon whichever of the following events first occurs: (1) satisfaction of the veteran's indebtedness under the loan upon which the insurance is based; (2) the veteran's 70th birthday; (3) termination of the veteran's ownership of the property securing the loan; (4) discontinuance of payment of premiums by the veteran; or (5) discontinuance of the entire contract or agreement. (Adds 38 U.S.C. 791-95)
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1973
National Diabetes Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to expand the authority of the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases in order to advance the national attack on diabetes. Authorizes the Director to the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases, with the advice of the National Advisory Council of the Institute, to develop a plan for a national diabetes program. Sets forth general guidelines for such program and provides that the program shall be coordinated with the other programs conducted or administered by the research institutes of the National Institure of Health. Provides that the plan required to be developed by this Act shall be developed within two hundred seventy days after the effective date of this Act. Requires the Director of the Institute at the end of each calender year, to prepare and submit to the President for transmittal to the Congress a report on the activities, progress and accomplishments under the progrom during the preceding year and a plan for the program for the succeding five-year period. to establish programs as necessary in cooperation with other Federal health agencies, state, local and regional public health agencies, and nonprofit private health agencies, in the prevention, control diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, appropriately emphasizing the prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment of such diseases in children. Authorizes to be appropriated $25,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974, $35,000,000 for fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and $45,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, for the purpose of establishing such programs. States that the Director of the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases may provide for the development of not less that fifteen centers for basic and clinical research into, training in, and demonstration of advanced diagnostic, prevention and treatment methods for diabetes prevention. States that support of such a center may be for a period of not to exceed five years and may be extended by the Director of the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases for additional periods of not more than five years each, after review of the operations of the centers by a scientific review group established by the Director. Establishes an Interagency Technical Committee on Diabetes which shall be responsible for coordinating those aspects of all Federal Health Programs and activities relating to diabetes.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1973
Extends eligibility for coverage under Servicemen's Group Life Insurance to: (1) a person on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training in the uniformed services in a commissioned, warrant, or enlisted rank or grade,or a cadet or midshipman at the United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy, or the United States Coast Guard Academy; (2) a person who volunteers for assignment to the Ready Reserve of a uniformed service and is assigned to a unit or position in which he may be required to perform active duty, or active duty for training, and each year will be scheduled to perform at least twelve periods of inactive duty training that is creditable for retirement purposes, (3) a person assigned to, or who upon application would be eligible for assignment to, the Retired Reserve of a uniformed service who has not received the first increment of retirement annuities or has not yet reached sixty-one years of age and has completed at least twenty years of satisfactory service creditable for retirement purposes, and (4) a member, cadet, or midshipman of the Reserve Officers Training Corps while attending field training or practice cruises. Provides that an insurance policy for a member of the Ready Reserve shall cease 120 days after separation or release from such assignment unless on the date of separation the member is totally disabled or has completed 20 years of service creditable for retirement purposes. Continues the insurance policy of a member of the Retired Reserve until such time as the member receives the first increment of retirement annuity, or the member's sixty-first birthday, whichever occurs earlier. Makes provisions for the conversion of Servicemen's Group Life Insurance following termination to a policy with a participating life insurance company. Provides for the payment of premiums by a deduction from the pay of a member of the reserve or Ready Reserve. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army or the Secretary of the Air Force, as the case may be, to allow a member of the National Guard who is not on active duty to make allotments from his pay for the payment of premiums under a group life insurance program sponsored by the military department of the State in which such member holds his national guard membership or by the national guard association of such State. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 765-771; Adds 37 U.S.C. 707)
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1973
Employment and Inflation Act - States that the purpose of the Act is to so control administrative inflation so that fiscal and monetary measures can bring about full employment without an excessive rise in prices, rates of pay, interest rates, or rents; and to adopt 4 percent unemployment as the interim goal for calendar year 1973, and 3.8 percent unemployment as the interim goal for calendar year 1974. Establishes a Price-Wage Board, composed of five members, appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate for a term of one year. Authorizes the Board to issue orders and regulations to stabilize prices and rates of pay at levels not less than those prevailing on January 10, 1973. Requires the Board to issue standards and guidelines for noninflationary price and pay adjustments. Authorizes the Board to make such exceptions with respect to price and pay adjustments as are necessary to foster orderly economic growth and to prevent gross inequities, hardships, serious market disruptions, domestic shortages of raw materials, localized shortages of labor, and windfall profits. Authorizes the President to issue orders and regulations to stabilize rents, interest rates, corporate dividends, and similar transfers at levels not less than those prevailing on May 25, 1970. Requires the President to issue fair and equitable standards to serve as a guide for determining such levels of rents, interest rates, and corporate dividends. Extends the authority to issue regulations under the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970 through April 30, 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1973
Urgent Supplemental Appropriations Act - Authorizes an urgent supplemental appropriation for the fiscal year 1973 of $1,800,000 for an additional amount for operating expenses for the national industrial reserve established by the National Industrial Reserve Act of 1948.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1973
Provides an additional income tax exemption for a taxpayer supporting a dependent who is mentally retarded. Defines the term "mentally retarded" as used in this Act. (Adds 26 U.S.C. 151(f))
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1973
Drug Pushers Elimination Act - Title I : Increased Penalties - Increases, under the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act, the penalties for the manufacture or distribution of a controlled narcotic drug to : (1) not less than 5 years, nor more than 25 years, imprisonment, and a fine of up to $50,000; (2) not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, and a fine of up to $100,000 if a person had a previous felony conviction relating to controlled substances; (3) not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000 if the crime was committed while such person was on release from a charge of violating this Act. Excepts addicted persons from the minimum term of imprisonment in all three categories of this Act. Provides that a conspiracy to commit any offense of this Act shall be punished as prescribed for the commission of the offense. Title II: Conditions of Release - Adds, for the judicial officer's consideration in setting conditions of release, the element of whether the person poses a danger to the safety of other persons, himself, the community, and the property of others. Sets forth procedures to govern the pretrial and posttrial release of persons charged with offenses involving specified narcotic drugs. Title III: Miscellaneous - Adds to the list of property which is subject to forfeiture all moneys used, or intended for use, in manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, or acquiring any controlled substances.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 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 · 22 March 1973
Provides that foreign currencies owned by the United States may be used to pay foreign import duties on American exports under the Foreign Assistance Act. Sets forth the required provisions of any agreement entered into between the United States and a foreign country under this Act. (Amends 22 U.S.C. 2362)
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1973
Provides an itemized deduction under the Internal Revenue Code for individuals who rent their principal residences in an amount equal to 25 percent of the aggregate amount paid. (Adds 26 U.S.C. 219)
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1973
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, that the designation of payments to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund shall be made on the front page of the taxpayer's income tax return form. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to give extensive publicity to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund from January 1 to April 15 of each year.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1973
Provides, under the Federal Trade Commission Act, that exclusive territorial arrangements in any trademark licensing contract or agreement for the manufacture, distribution and sale of a trademarked food product shall not be deemed unlawful, provided: (1) that such product is in free and open competition with products of the same general class manufactured, distributed, and sold by others; (2) the licensee is in free and open 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. (Amends 15 U.S.C. 41)
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1973
Allows a tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code against the Federal income tax for State and local real property taxes or an equivalent portion of rent paid on their residences by individuals who have attained the age of 65. Provides that where an indivudal has attained the age of 65, there shall be allowed as a credit the amount of real property taxes paid which were imposed by a State or political subdivision on property owned and used by him as a principal residence or rent constituting such taxes as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. Allows payment by the U.S. Treasury to taxpayers to the extent of the difference between the credit and amount of such real property taxes where the tax imposed is less than real property taxes. Provides that the total credit payment for any taxable year shall not exceed $300 (or $150 in case of a single return). Reduces the amount of the credit allowed by the amount that the taxpayer's income exceeds $6,500 (or $3250 in the case of a married person filing a separate return). Directs that the credit be applied collectively in cases of joint ownership. Provides that where the joint return of the husband or wife is filed, the age requirement is met if either person is 65 or older. Apportions the credit allowed to cover only that part of a residence actually used by the taxpayer or that part of a farm not in excess of forty acres. Provides that an individual who is a tenant-stockholder in a cooperative housing corporation shall be treated as owning the house or apartment which he occupies and such person shall be treated as having paid real property taxes equal to the deduction allowable in direct proportion to taxes actually paid on a particular residence where during the taxable year there has been a change in residence. Provides that the term 'rent constituting property taxes" means an amount equal to 25 percent of the rent paid during a taxable year by the taxpayer for the right to occupy his dwelling (exclusive of charges for utilities, services, and furnishings). Reduces the amount of real property taxes paid by an individual by the amount of any refund given on such taxes. Provides that there shall be no assessment of interest charges where there has been an underpayment of taxes by an individual if the amount due is paid within sixty days after the taxpayer receives a refund of real property taxes which caused the underpayment. Specifies that deductions for State and local real property taxes shall not be affected by the credit allowed.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1973
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to establish and maintain a national cemetery in each State in which there is no national cemetery as of the date of the enactment of the Act. Provides an additional sum of $400 as a burial allowance with respect to any deceased veteran who is interred in other than a national cemetery.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1973
Provides that in any hearing before the Federal Communications Commission involving an application for renewal of a broadcasting license, under the Communications Act of 1934, if the applicant for renewal makes a prima facie showing that: (1) its broadcasting service during the preceding license period has reflected a good-faith effort to serve, and demonstrated a responsiveness to, the needs and interest of its area; and (2) the operation of the station has not otherwise been characterized by serious deficiencies, then the burden of proof with respect to any petition to deny such application or any other application for the same broadcasting service shall be upon the petitioner or competing applicant to show that it would not be in the public interest, convenience, and necessity to grant the application for renewal. Provides that the Commission shall give expeditious treatment to all proceedings involving an application for renewal of a broadcasting license and shall provide that any hearing shall be structured so as to proceed as expeditiously as possible. Provides that such licences may be renewed for a term of not to exceed five years if the Commission finds that the public interest, convenience, and necessity would be served thereby.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 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 · 20 March 1973
Extends from one to three years the period that a member of the uniformed services has following his retirement to select his home for purposes of travel and transportation allowances. (Amends 37 U.S.C. 404(c), 406(g))
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1973
Authorizes the President, through the temporary Vietnam Children's Care Agency, to enter into arrangements with the Government of South Vietnam to provide assistance in improving the welfare of children in South Vietnam and to facilitate the adoption of orphaned or abandoned Vietnamese children, particularly children of United States fathers. Authorizes necessary funds to carry out the purposes of this Act. Authorizes additional funds that may be necessary to assist the United Nations or any other multi-lateral or non-profit organization to perform functions which would otherwise be performed by the Agency under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1973
Community Service Fellowship Act - States it to be the purpose of this Act to establish a community service fellowship program to: (1) encourage the development of meaningful learning experiences through full-time work in community service jobs throughout the country; (2) help break the academic lockstep by providing legitimate options to the immediate continuation of formal education courses; and (3) help provide creative and energetic manpower for presently undone but needed community tasks. Directs the Director of ACTION to develop and carry out a community service fellowship program, and national board to assist him in carrying out this Act. Provides that it shall be the duty of the national board to advise the Director, particularly with respect to: (1) criteria for the selection of community services projects to participate in the program; (2) approval of applications for community service projects; (3) names of persons it deems suitable for appointment to regional boards; (4) evaluation of community service programs being carried out under this Act; and (5) recommendations for the improvement of programs carried out under this Act. Directs the Director to establish not to exceed ten regional boards for regions which he shall establish. Provides that it shall be the duty of each regional board: (1) to propose for approval community service projects which meet criteria established by the Director with the advice of the national board; (2) to keep itself continually informed with respect to the conduct of community service projects in its region; (3) to recommend persons for designation as community service fellowship holders; (4) to encourage the utilization of fellows by local community service organizations; and (5) to perform such other duties as the national board may assign. Provides that the Director may not approve an application unless: (1) it provides for the employment of fellows in activities which contribute to the social well-being of the community; (2) it will result in the creation of new positions; and (3) it provides for certain planned activities which will help fellows understand the broad context and role of community services within the area represented by the applicant. Provides that each fellow participating in a community service project shall accumulate entitlement to educational benefits, so that for each month during which he is a fellow he shall be entitled to receive $150 for use by him for his educational expenses when he resumes his education.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1973
Autistic Children Research Act - Provides, under the Public Health Service Act, for the Director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to: (1) plan and develop a coordinated autism research program; (2) collect, analyze, and disseminate all data useful in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of autism; and (3) establish comprehensive, coordinated diagnostic and evaluation procedures for early detection guidance for autistic children. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as are necessary to carry out these provisions. Authorizes $500,000 for fiscal year 1974 and $5,000,000 per year for fiscal years 1975-1978 for loans and grants to any public or private nonprofit entity operating a center with education programs for autistic children. Defines, for the purpose of this Act, the term "autistic."
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1973
Emergency Crime Control Act - Title I: Planning and Law Enforcement Grants to High Crime Urban Areas - Provides that State plans for law enforcement assistance that qualify for grants under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act shall provide that each high crime urban area (of 250,000 population, or more) within such State shall constitute a separate regional planning unit which shall assist in the development of the comprehensive State plan, take receipts from the State planning agency of all Federal funds granted for use in such high crime urban area, and assist in coordinating all law enforcement efforts within such high crime urban area which are in whole or in part assisted by Federal funds under such Act. Prescribes a formula by which such State planning grants under such Act shall be allocated to such high crime urban areas. Provides, under the provision of such Act for disbursements by State planning agencies, that each State planning agency shall make a block grant in lieu of program and project grants to each high crime urban area within the State which notifies such agency that there has been organized within such area an Urban Law Enforcement Council and submits to such agency a plan for the use of such grant. Prescribes a formula by which such State planning agency shall measure such grants to such high crime urban area. Title II: Special Impact Grants to High Intensity Urban Area - Provides that the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration shall make a block grant, to each high crime urban area, measured by $5 multiplied by the population of such area, which notifies it that there has been organized within such area an Urban Law Enforcement Council, and submits to it a plan for the use of such grant. Provides that grants shall be made available under this section for fiscal years 1974, 1975, and 1976. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the purposes of carrying out this section.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1973
Provides, under the Federal Aviation Act, for reduced rate transportation on a space available basis for youth (between 12 and 22), elderly people (aged 65 and older), and military personnel who are members of the United States armed services traveling at their own expense, in uniform and while on official leave, furlough, or pass. (Amends 49 U.S.C. 1373(b))
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1973
Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to nonprofit private entities and to enter into contracts with private entities: (1) for specified research and development projects designed to improve systems and delivery of health care for persons who are critically ill; (2) to support biomedical engineering projects for testing new instrumentation and systems for delivery of critical health care; and (3) for the establishment and initial operation of not more than ten critical care facilities for the delivery of health care to critically ill patients, which facilities would be used for clinical testing of new instrumentation and health care delivery systems and to train personnel in the use of such instrumentation and systems. Specifies conditions for such grants. Authorizes to be appropriated $20,000,000 to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1973
Opportunities Industrialization Assistance Act - Authorizes $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1974. $150,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, and $200,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 for the purposes of this Act. Provides that appropriations not obligated in one fiscal year may be obligated in the next fiscal year and that obligated funds may be expended for two years after obligations. Directs the Secretary of Labor to assist the States in the establishment and operation of opportunities industrialization centers designed to provide comprehensive employment services and job opportunities for low-income persons who are unemployed or underemployed. Requires assurances that residents of the area to be served participate in the planning and operation of the center and that local businessmen will be consulted as to its development and operation. Gives priority to programs in the inner-city areas with high unemployment or underemployment. Authorizes the Secretary to establish criteria for the equitable distribution of money to the States. Limits federal financial assistance to 90 percent of the program costs. Permits contributions in excess of this percentage if the Secretary determines that this is necessary in furtherance of the objectives of this Act. Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations to assure that these programs are operated in a manner designed to best fulfill the purposes of this Act. Directs the Secretary to include, in the annual Department of Labor report, information as to activities conducted under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1973
Establishes, under the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970, a Food Price Control Commission. Grants such Commission the authority to stabilize and otherwise control the wholesale and retail level of food prices at levels prevailing on October 31, 1972.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1973
Authorizes life imprisonment for persons convicted of illegally dealing in dangerous narcotic drugs in schedule I or II of the Controlled Substances Act. (Amends 21 U.S.C. 845)
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1973
Authorizes each executive agency, under the Federal Property and Administration Services Act of 1949, to furnish excess property to any grantee under a program established by law and for which funds are appropriated by the Congress if the head of that executive agency determines that the use of excess property by that grantee will: (1) expand the ability of that grantee to carry out the purposes for which the grant was made; (2) result in a reduction in the cost to the Government of the grant; or (3) result in an enhancement in the product or benefit from the grant.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1973
Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the Commission on the Capability of the National Guard to Control Civil Distrubances: (1) to establish minimum training, doctrine, and equipment standards for the National Guard with respect to its use in civil disturbances; (2) to perform annual inspection of all National Guard units to determine whether or not such standards are being implemented and adhered to at the unit level and on a statewide basis; (3) to take such action as is authorized under this Act in order to insure that such standards are met; (4) to perform comprehensive reviews and critiques of the operations of any National Guard unit when used in civil disturbance control duty; (5) to contract for studies and for research and development for the purpose of devising effective nonlethal weapons and devices suitable for civil disturbance control use; (6) to act as principal coordinator between State National Guards and State and local law enforcement agencies with respect to the formulation of contingency plans and preparations for the control of civil disturbances and the exchange of relevant information and technology; and (7) to report at least annually to Congress with respect to the administration of this Act and the readiness and capability (including the availability and sufficiency of recommended protective clothing and devices, communications equipment, and nonlethal weapons) of the National Guard of each State to perform civil disturbance functions in accordance with the prescribed standards. Provides that, if the Commission finds that any unit of a State National Guard has refused to implement any of the standards prescribed by the Commission under this Act does not routinely meet or enforce any such standards, or, when deployed in civil disturbance, violates any such standards, the Commission shall bar the National Guard unit concerned from receiving money or any other aid, benefit, or privilege authorized by law until such time as the Commission determines that the unit has taken such actions as the Commission deems appropriate and necessary to insure that such unit will thereafter comply with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1973
Eliminates the limitation on the use of Federal funds for social service programs under the Social Security Act whereby no more than 10% of amounts alloted to States could be expended for services to individuals who were not recipients of or applicants for aid or public assistance under the Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1973
Omnibus Fire Research and Training Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to develop and carry out a comprehensive fire research and training program designed to provide more effective measures of protection against the hazards of death, injury, and damage to property resulting from fire by the widest possible use of new approaches and improvements in fire prevention and control. Establishes, within the Department of Commerce as a part of the National Bureau of Standards, a Fire Research and Safety Center which shall provide additional scientific and technical knowledge applicable to the prevention and reduction of fires; conducting medical research aimed at improving the performance of men in fighting fires and at the healing of victims of fires; and in the operating of a comprehensive fire data and information system. Provides that the Director of the Center shall perform studies into the operational and managerial aspects of fire departments and services using quantitive techniques, including operations research, management economics, and cost effectiveness studies. Establishes, within the Department of Commerce, as part of the National Bureau of Standards, a United States Fire Academy which shall advance the professional development of fire service personnel; and conduct such development, testing, and demonstration projects as are deemed necessary to introduce new technological standards, operating methods, command techniques, and managerial systems into use in the fire services of the nation. Authorizes the Academy to conduct courses and programs of training and education in the basic techniques of fire prevention, fire inspection, firefighting and the administration and management of fire departments and fire services. Provides for the education and training of local fire units and departments, state and local governments, and private institutions through the establishment of fire training courses and programs in fire engineering at junior colleges and universities. Provides for the inclusion of fire prevention and detection technology and practices in the education and professional practice of architects, builders, city planners engaged in the design and planning affected by fire safety problems. Provides that the Superintendent shall admit to the Academy individuals who are members of the firefighting forces with due regard to an adequate geographic representation. Authorizes the provision stipends to students attending Academy courses and programs in amounts not to exceed 75 percent of the cost of attendance. Authorizes the Superintendent to make payments to institutions of higher education for loans to individuals enrolled on a full-time basis in recognized undergraduate or graduate programs in fire research or engineering not to exceed $2,500 per academic year for any individual. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to appoint a 12 member Board of Visitors to the United States Fire Academy to review annually the program of the Academy consisting of two members of the Senate, two members of the House of Representatives, and eight individuals designated by the Secretary from persons representative of the fire service community. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,000,000 for the fiscal year 1974 to establish the Academy. (Amends 15 U.S.C. 278g)
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1973
Establishes a national adoption information exchange system in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare to aid in the placement of children for adoption. Authorizes $1,000,000 to be appropriated for fiscal year 1973, and such sums as may be necessary for succeeding fiscal years, to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1973
Provides that there shall be adopted regulations governing the implementation of titles I, IV-A, IV-B, X, XIV, and XVI of the Social Security Act which shall be consistent with the following model regulations. States that Federal financial participation is available for expenditures under a State plan approved under any of the previously mentioned titles. Requires a single organizational unit, within the single State agency, at the State and local level which is responsible for the furnishing of family services, WIN (Work Incentive Program), support services, and child welfare services. Requires the establishment of an advisory committee on social service programs at the State and local level. Requires the establishment of an advisory committee on day care services. Makes provisions for a fair hearing under which applicants and recipients may appeal denial of or an exclusion from a service program. Requires a State plan to specify how the services will be provided and, in the case of provision by other public agencies, identify the agency and the service to be provided. States that, if a State elects to provide services for additional groups of families or individuals, the state plan must identify such groups and specify the services to be made available to each group. Provides that services to individuals must be in accord with plans developed in cooperation with the individual, be responsive to the needs of the individual applicant, and be related to one or more of the specific goals described in this Act. Defines the term "services" to include chore services, day care services for adults, child care services, educational services, employment services, family planning services, adult services, foster care services for adults, foster care services for children, services to meet health needs, home delivered or congregate meals, homemaker services, home management and other functional educational services, housing improvement services, legal services, community planning, protective services for adults and children, special services for the blind, and transportation services. Sets forth requirements a State plan must meet before it can authorize the provision of services by purchase from other State or local public agencies, from nonprofit or proprietary private agencies or organizations, or from individuals. Provides that the total amount of Federal funds paid to any State shall not exceed an amount which bears the same ratio to $2,500,000,000 as the population of all the States.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1973
Requires the U.S. Postal Service to establish and assure, to all postal patrons, service standards which include but are not limited to: (1) next-day delivery of mail deposited for delivery within a city; (2) delivery within not more than 3 consecutive days of mail deposited for delivery within the U.S.; (3) carrier service on a six-day-a-week basis; (4) post office window service on a six-day-a-week basis; (5) second-attempt delivery of parcel post; and (6) multiple delivery and collection service. Provides for the payment out of the general fund of the Treasury of public service costs for providing a maximum degree of effective postal service nationwide, in communities where post offices may not be deemed self-sustaining, and in complying with the standards set forth under this Act. Requires the Postal Service annually, in requesting authorizations, to present to the appropriate legislative and appropriations committees of the Congress a comprehensive statement of its compliance with the public service cost policy established under this Act. (Amends 39 U.S.C. 101(b), 2401(b),(c),(d),(e))
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1973
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, that gross income does not include amounts received as compensation for service as a full-time law enforcement officer in the employ of the United States, the District of Columbia, a State or political subdivision thereof, to the extent that the aggregate of such amounts does not exceed $5,000 in the taxable year. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 124)
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1973
Bill of Rights for the Mentally Retarded - States that the purpose of this Act is to establish standards which assure the humane care, treatment, habilitation, and protection of the mentally retarded in residential facilities, and to improve the system for the provision of services to the mentally retarded through the encouragement of and support for the planning and development of strategies to implement such standards, minimize inappropriate admissions to residential facilities and stimulate the development of regional and community programs integrating such residential facilities which conform to such standards. Provides for a new title to the Public Health Service Act: Title XI: Support of Residential Facilities for the Mentally Retarded - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to States to aid them with the cost of bringing existing residential facilities into compliance with the standards established under this Act, and to improve existing residential facilities for the mentally retarded. Authorizes to be appropriated $30,000,000 ($15,000,000 for each program) for fiscal year 1973, and for each of the next two succeeding fiscal years, for such grants. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to enable the Secretary to make grants to States for the purpose of assisting States in meeting the expenses for bringing publicly operated facilities and publicly assisted facilities into conformity with the standards established by this Act. Stipulates that any State desiring to receive such a grant shall submit a plan to the Secretary setting forth a schedule for compliance with such standards. Provides that the total of the grants with respect to any such project bringing facilities into conformity with the standards imposed by this Act may not exceed 75 percent of the necessary cost thereof as determined by the Secretary. Requires, within five years after the date of enactment of this Act, that no residential facility for the mentally retarded shall be eligible to receive payments either directly or indirectly under any Federal law, unless such facility meets the standards promulgated under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to any public or private non-profit agency, organization or institution to meet the costs of development, improvement, extension, or expansion of community resources and community living situations for the mentally retarded other than live-in-residential facilities for the mentally retarded. Establishes a National Advisory Council on Standards for Residential Facilities for the Mentally Retarded to: (1) advise the Secretary with respect to any regulations promulgated or proposed in the implementation of the standards established under this Act; (2) study and evaluate such standards authorized by this Act; and (3) recommend to the Secretary any changes, revisions, modifications, or improvements in the standards established under this Act. Provides that the ultimate aim of the residential facility shall be to foster those behaviors that maximize the human qualities of the resident, increase the complexity of his behavior, and enhance his ability to cope with his environment. Requires such facilities to be located within, and conveniently accessible to, the population served, so as to have access to necessary generic community services. Provides that the facility and the surrounding community should be encouraged to share their services and resources on a reciprocal basis. Provides that residents of the facility should be integrated to the greatest possible extent with the general population. Provides that the facility shall have a written outline of the philosophy, objectives, and goals it is striving to achieve. Requires such outline to be available for distribution to staff, consumer representatives, and the interested public. Provides that the governing body of the facility shall exercise general direction and shall establish policies concerning the operation of the individuals served. Provides that the administration of the facility shall provide for effective staff and resident participation and communication. Requires the facility to designate a percentage of its operating budget for self-renewal purposes. Provides that the facility shall have a description of services for residents that is available to the public. Provides that the facility shall provide for meaningful and extensive consumer-representative and public participation. Provides that a public education and information program should be established that utilizes all communication media, and all service, religious and civil groups, to develop attitudes of understanding and acceptance of mentally retarded persons in all aspects of community living. Provides that admission and release procedures shall: (1) encourage voluntary admission; (2) give equal priority to persons of comparable need; (3) facilitate emergency, partial, and short-term residential care; and (4) utilize the maximum feasible amount of voluntariness in each individual case. Authorizes the residential facility to admit only residents who have had a comprehensive evaluation. Provides that all admissions to the residential facility shall be considered temporary. Provides that there shall be a regular, at least annual, joint review of the status of each resident by all relevant personnel. Provides that at the time of permanent release or transfer there shall be recorded a summary of findings, progress, and plans for protective supervision and other followup services in the resident's new environment. Provides that the performance of each employee of the facility shall be evaluated at least annually. Provides that staffing shall be sufficient so that the facility is not dependent upon the use of residents or volunteers for productive services. Provides that food services shall recognize and provide for the physiological, emotional, and cultural needs of each resident, through provision of a planned, nutritionally adequate diet. Provides that each resident shall have an adequate allowance of neat, clean, fashionable, and seasonable clothing. Provides that residents shall be trained to exercise maximum independence in health, hygiene, and grooming practices. Provides that living unit components or groupings shall be small enough to insure the development of meaningful interpersonal relationships among residents and between residents and staff. Requires dental services to be provided all residents in order to maximize their general health by maintaining an optimal level of daily oral health, through preventive measures and correcting existing oral diseases. Provides that educational services, defined as deliberate attempts to facilitate the intellectual, sensorimotor, and affective development of the individual, shall be available to all residents, regardless of chronological age, degree of retardation, or accompanying disabilities or handicaps. Provides that food and nutrition services shall be provided in order to: (1) insure optimal nutritional status of each resident, thereby enhancing his physical, emotional, and social well-being; and (2) provide a nutritionally adequate diet, in a form consistent with developmental level, to meet the dietary needs of each resident. Makes library services, which include the location, acquisition, organization, utilization, retrieval, and delivery of materials in a variety of media, available to the facility, in order to support and strengthen its total habilitation program by providing complete and integrated multimedia information services to both staff and residents. Provides that medical services shall be provided in order to: (1) achieve and maintain an optimal level of general health for each resident; (2) maximize normal function and prevent disability; and (3) facilitate the optimal development of each resident. Provides that residents shall be provided with nursing services, in accordance with their needs, in order to: (1) develop and maintain an environment that will meet their total health needs; (2) foster optimal health; (3) encourage maximum self-care and independence; and (4) provide skilled nursing care. Provides that, where appropriate to the facility, there shall be a pharmacy and therapeutics committee, that includes one or more pharmacists, to develop policy on drug usage in the facility, and to develop and maintain a current formulary. Provides that physical and occupational therapy services shall be provided in order to: (1) prevent abnormal development and further disability; (2) facilitate the optimal development of each resident; and (3) enable the resident to be a contributing and participating member of the community in which he resides. Requires psychological services be provided in order to facilitate, through the application of psychological principles, techniques, and skills, the optimal development of each resident. Provides that recreation services should provide each resident with a program of activities that: (1) promotes physical and mental health; (2) promotes optimal sensorimotor, cognitive, affective, and social development; (3) encourages movement from dependent to independent and interdependent functioning; and (4) provides for the enjoyable use of leisure time. Make religious services available to residents, in accorance with their basic right to freedom of religion. Provides that all social services shall be available to all residents and their families in order to foster and facilitate: (1) maximum personal and social development of the resident; (2) positive family functioning; and (3) effective and satisfying social and community relationships. Provides that speech pathology and audiology services shall be available, in order to: (1) maximize the communications skills of all residents; and (2) provide for the evaluation, counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation of those residents with speech, hearing and/or language handicaps. Requires each facility to provide all its residents with rehabilitation services, which include the establishment, maintenance, and implementation of those programs that will ensure the optimal development or restoration of each resident physically, psychologically, socially and vocationally. Provides that volunteer services shall be provided in order to enhance opportunities for the fullest realization of the potential of each resident by: (1) increasing the amount, and improving the quality, of services and programs; and (2) facilitating positive relationships between the facility and the community which it serves. Provides that a record shall be maintained for each resident that is adequate for: (1) planning and continuous evaluating of the resident's habitation program; (2) providing a means of communication among all persons contributing to the resident's habilitation program; (3) furnishing documentary evidence of the resident's progress and of his response to his habilitation program; (4) serving as a basis for review, study, and evaluation of the overall programs provided by the facility for its residents; (5) protecting the legal rights of the residents, facility, and staff; and (6) providing data for use in research and education. Provides that the administration of the facility shall make provision for the design and conduct, or the supervision, of research that will objectively evaluate the effectiveness of program components and contribute to informed decisionmaking in the facility. Provides that the requirements of the Secretary shall be met, with specific reference to the following: (1) provision of adequate and alternate exits and doors; (2) provision of exit ramps, with nonskid surface and slope not exceeding one foot in twelve; and (3) provision for handrails on stairways. Provides that there shall be records that document strict compliance with the sanitation, health, and environmental safety codes of the State or local authorities having primary jurisdiction over the facility. Provides that adequate, modern administrative support shall be provided to efficiently meet the needs of, and contribute to, program services for residents, and to facilitate attainment of the goals and objectives of the facility. Provides that funds shall be budgeted and spent in accordance with the principles and procedures of program budgeting. Provides that there shall be written purchasing policies regarding authority and approvals for supplies, services, and equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1973
Federal Employees' Political Activities Act - Provides that an employee in an executive agency or an individual employed by the government of the District of Columbia may not use his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election. Provides that such an individual retains the right to vote as he chooses, to express his opinion on political subjects and candidates, and to take an active part in political management or in political campaigns in his role as a private citizen and without involving his official authority or influence. Provides that the phrase "an active part in political management or in political campaigns" includes: (1) candidacy for or service as delegate, alternate, or proxy in any political convention or service as an officer or employee thereof; (2) participation in the deliberations of any primary meeting, mass convention or caucus, addressing the meeting, making motions, preparing or assisting in preparing resolutions before the meeting, or taking a prominent part therein; (3) preparing for, or organizing or conducting a political meeting or rally, addressing such a meeting on any partisan political matter, or taking any part therein; (4) membership in political clubs and organizing of such a club, except that persons specified in this Act shall not hold club office or receive from the club any compensation; (5) distributing campaign literature and distributing or wearing campaign badges and buttons; (6) publishing or having editorial or managerial connections with any newspaper including those generally known as partisan from a political standpoint, and writing for publication or publishing any letter or article, signed or unsigned, soliciting votes in favor of or against any political party, candidate, or fraction, except that no such editorial, letter, or article shall make reference to the writer's official employment or authority; (7) organizing or participating in any political parade; (8) initiating or signing nominating petitions on behalf of a partisan candidate, including canvassing for signatures of others; and (9) candidacy for nomination or election to any National, State, county, or municipal office. Provides that an employee in an executive agency, including an employee appointed by the President, may not request or receive from, or give to, an employee, a Member of Congress, or an officer of a uniformed service a thing of value for political purposes. Provides that violations shall be enforced by the Civil Service Commission. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 7324, 7323) Requires State and local governments, in order to receive funds under the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972, to permit their officers and employees to take an active part in political management or in political campaigns.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1973
Wilderness Study Act - Provides for a study of various lands enumerated in this Act to determine their suitability for designation as wilderness in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to report the findings of such study to the President within five years after the date of the enactment of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Designates lands in the Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee, as the North Cohutta Wilderness Preserve.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1973
Designates specified lands in the following national forests for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System including: (1) Bankhead National Forest, Alabama; (2) Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas; (3) Ozark National Forest, Arkansas; (4) Appalachicola National Forest, Florida; (5) Chattahooche and Cherokee National Forests, Georgia and Tennessee; (6) White Mountain National Forest, Maine; (7) Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri; (8) White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire; (9) Natahala and Cherokee National Forests, North Carolina and Tennessee; (10) Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia; (11) George Washington National Forest, Virginia and West Virginia; (12) Jefferson National Forest, Virginia; (13) Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky; (14) Sumter National Forest, South Carolina, (15) Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont; (16) Chequamegon National Forest, Wisconsin; (17) Clark National Forest, Missouri, Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan; and (18) Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri. Authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1973
Health Security Act - Title I: Health Security Benefits - Provides that every resident of the U.S. (and every non-resident citizen when in the U.S.) will be eligible for covered services. Permits reciprocal and "buy-in" agreements for groups of non-resident aliens, and in some cases benefits to U.S. residents when visiting in other countries. Entitles every eligible person to have payments made by the Health Security Board for covered services provided within the United States by a participating provider. Provides that all necessary professional services of physicians, wherever furnished are covered, including preventive care, with two important restrictions: (1) specialist services are covered only when performed by a qualified specialist except in emergency situations, and generally only on referral from a primary physician; and (2) psychiatric services to an ambulatory patient are covered only for active preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic or rehabilitative service with respect to mental illness. Provides that comprehensive dental services (exclusive of most orthodontic services) are covered for children under age 15, with the covered age group increasing by two years each year until all those under age 25 are covered. Provides that: (1) inpatient and outpatient hospital services and services of a home health agency are covered without arbitrary limitation; (2) pathology and radiology services are specifically included as parts of institutional services; and (3) custodial care is specifically excluded in specified institutional settings. Limits payment for skilled nursing home care to 120 days per spell of illness, except that this limit may be increased when the nursing home is owned or managed by a hospital and payment for care is made through the hospital's budget. Limits the psychiatric hospital benefit to 45 consecutive days of active treatment during a spell of illness. Provides coverage for two categories of drug use: prescribed medicines administered to inpatients or outpatients within participating hospitals; or to enrollees of comprehensive health service organizations, and drugs necessary for the treatment of specified chronic illnesses or conditions requiring long or expensive therapy. Requires the Board and the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish two lists of approved drugs, taking into account the safety, efficacy and cost of each drug. Provides a broad list of approved medicines available for use in institutions and by comprehensive health service organizations and a more restricted list which is available for use outside such organized settings. Provides that the appliances benefit is similar in concept and operation to the drug benefit, subject to a limitation on aggregate cost. Asserts that the professional services of optometrists and podiatrists are covered, subject to regulations, as are diagnostic or therapeutic services furnished by independent pathology laboratories and radiology services. States that health services furnished or paid for under a workmen's compensation law are not covered. Provides that the services of a professional practitioner are not covered if they are furnished in a hospital which is not a participating provider. Requires that participating providers meet standards established in this title or by the Board. Requires that such providers must agree to provide services without discrimination, to make no unauthorized charge to the patient for any covered service, and to furnish data necessary for utilization review by professional peers, statistical studies by the Board, and verification of information for payments. Makes professional practitioners, licensed when the program begins, eligible to practice in the State where they are licensed and requires that all newly licensed applicants for participation meet national standards established by the Board in addition to those required by his State. Establishes conditions of participation for general hospitals similar to those required under Medicare. States that the two requirements not found in the Medicare program are: (1) that the hospital must not discriminate in granting staff privileges on any grounds unrelated to professional qualifications; and (2) that it establish a pharmacy and drug therapeutics committee for supervision of hospital drug therapy. Provides that psychiatric hospitals will be eligible to participate only if the Board finds that the hospital (or a distinct part of the hospital) is engaged in furnishing active diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative services to mentally ill patients. Establishes conditions of participation for skilled nursing homes similar to those established for extended care facilities under Medicare. Makes provisions for the participation of home health service agencies. Describes as eligible a health maintenance organization which undertakes to provide an enrolled population either with complete health care or with complete health security services (other than institutional services, mental health or dental services) for the maintenance of the health and care of ambulatory patients. Permits a foundation sponsored by a county or other local medical society to participate as a provider of services. Authorizes the Board to deal separately with the primary care portion of a system of comprehensive health care where it is necessary to rely on arrangements with other providers. Permits the Board to contract directly with public or other nonprofit mental health centers and mental health day care services. Specifies the broad and general conditions under which independent pathology laboratories, independent radiological services, and providers of drugs, devices, appliances, equipment, or ambulance services may qualify as providers under Health Security. Requires that a participating skilled nursing home have in effect an agreement with at least one participating hospital for the transfer of patients and medical and other information as medically appropriate. Prohibits in malpractice judgments any damages to be awarded to the injured party for the cost of remedial services which he is entitled to receive under this Act. Excludes the institutions of the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration, and institutions of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare serving merchant seamen or Indians or Alaskan natives, from serving as participating providers, as well as any employee of these institutions when he is acting as an employee. Provides reimbursement for any services furnished by these institutions or agencies to eligible persons who are not a part of their normal clientele. Permits a physician, dentist, optometrist, or podiatrist, licensed in one State and meeting the national standards, to furnish Health Security benefits in any other State, the scope of his permissible practice being governed by the law of the State in which he is practicing. Grants a similar authority to other health professional and nonprofessional personnel. Establishes the Health Security Trust Fund, to receive the net assets of existing (Medicare) funds taken over by the Health Security program, the yield of the Health Security taxes, and the Government's contribution from general revenues amounting to 100 percent of the yield from these taxes. Provides that three separate accounts shall be established in the Health Security Trust Fund: a Health Service Account, a Health Resources Development Account, and an Administration Account. Provides that in each of the first two years of the program operation, 2 percent of the Trust Fund shall be set aside for the Health Resources Development Fund; and the allocation shall increase by 1 percent at two-year intervals to 5 percent within the next 6 years. Provides for allocation of the Health Services account among the regions of the country. Provides that the allocation to each region shall be based on the aggregate sum expended during the most recent 12-month period for covered services (with appropriate modification for estimated changes in the consumer price index, the expected number of eligible beneficiaries, and estimated changes in the number of participating providers). Provides that the Board will divide the allocation to each region into funds available to pay: institutional services; physician services; dental services; furnishing of drugs; furnishing of devices, applications, and equipment; and miscellaneous services. Provides that payments for covered services provided to eligible persons by participating providers will be made from the Health Service Account in the Trust Fund. Describes the method to be used in applying, as between practitioners electing the various methods of payment fee for service, the monies available in each health service area for payment to each category of professional providers. Authorizes the Board to experiment with other methods of reimbursement so long as the experimental method does not increase the cost of service or lead to overutilization or underutilization of services. Provides that skilled nursing homes and home health agencies will be paid in the same manner as a general hospital (on an approved annual budget basis). Provides that a health maintenance organization will be paid for covered services, on the basis of a fixed capitation rate multiplied by the number of eligible enrollees. Contains a series of provisions for developing a continuous process of health service planning and for assisting in the recruitment, education, and training of health personnel. Authorizes special improvement grants: (1) to any public or other nonprofit health agency or institution to establish improved coordination and linkages with other providers of services, and (2) to organizations providing comprehensive ambulatory care to improve their utilization review, budget, statistical, or records and information retrieval systems, to acquire equipment needed for those purposes, or to acquire equipment useful for mass screening or for other diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of HEW and the Board with regard to this title. Creates an administrative structure within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare with exclusive responsibility for administration of the Health Security program. Establishes a five-member full-time Health Security Board serving under the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Provides that the members shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, for five-year overlapping terms. Creates the position of an Executive Director, appointed by the Board with the approval of the Secretary. Provides that the Executive Director shall serve as secretary to the Board and shall perform such duties in the administration of the program as the Board assigns to him. Provides that the program will be administered through the regional offices of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Requires the establishment of sub-regional (service area) offices. Establishes a National Health Security Advisory Council, with the Chairman of the Board serving as the Council's Chairman and 20 additional members not in the employ of the Federal Government. Authorizes the Advisory Council to appoint professional or technical committees to assist in its functions. Provides that the Advisory Council will advise the Board on matters of general policy in the administration of the program, the formulation of regulations and the allocation of funds for services. Charges the Board with responsibility for informing the public and providers about the administration and operation of the Health Security program. Requires the Board to make a continuing study and evaluation of the program, including adequacy, quality and costs of services. Authorizes the Board directly or by contract to make detailed statistical and other studies on a national, regional, or local basis of any aspect of the title; to develop and test incentive systems for improving quality of care, methods of peer review of drug utilization and of other service performances; to develop and test systems of information retrieval, budget programs, instrumentation for multiphasic screening or patient services, reimbursement systems for drugs; and to make such other studies which it considers would improve the quality of services of administration of the program. Grants authority to the Board, in accordance with regulations, to make determinations of who are participating providers of services, determinations of eligibility, of whether services are covered, and the amount to be paid to providers. Allows a provider of services who is dissatisfied with a final Board determination to obtain a hearing before a Board panel, and judicial review of a final decision. Authorizes the Board, with the advice and assistance of the Commission on the Quality of Health Care, to issue and review regulations assuring the quality of care furnished under this Act. Requires continuing professional education by physicians, dentists, optometrists, and podiatrists. Provides for the appointment of a Deputy Secretary of HEW and an Under Secretary for Health and Science. States that no provision of this Act shall alter any contractual obligation of an employer to provide health services to his employees and their dependents. Title II: Health Security Taxes - Converts the existing Medicare hospital insurance payroll taxes into Health Security taxes, and raises the rates to 1 percent on employees and 3.5 percent on employers. Raises the wage base for the employee tax from the present $7,800 to $15,000 or, if higher 125 percent of the contribution and benefit base. Broadens the definitions of covered employment to include foreign agricultural workers, employees of the U.S. and its instrumentalities (other than members of the armed forces and the President, Vice-President, and Members of Congress), employees of charitable and similar organizations, railroad employees, and (for the employee tax only) employees of States and their political subdivisions and instrumentalities. Excludes from the gross income of employees, for income tax purposes, payment by their employers of part or all of the Health Security taxes on the employees. Spells out the precise effective dates of the new payroll tax provisions. Converts the existing Medicare self-employment tax into a Health Security self-employment tax, and raises the rate to 2.5 percent, and raises the maximum taxable self-employment income from $7,800 to $15,000. Adds a new 1 percent Health Security tax on unearned income (unless such income is less than $400 a year), subject to the same maximum on taxable income as is applicable to the employee and self-employment taxes. Title III: Commission on the Quality of Health Care - Establishes in the Department of HEW a Commission on the Quality of Health Care, with the primary responsibility of: (1) initiating and continuing development of methods of assessing the quality of health care furnished under the Health Security Act, and (2) submitting to the Secretary and the Health Security Board its findings and recommendations. Stipulates that in carrying out its duties the Commissioner shall emphasize, and give first consideration to, care furnished for those illnesses and conditions which have relatively high incidence in the population and which are relatively amenable to medical or other care. Title IV: Repeal or Amendment of Other Acts - Makes various conforming amendments to the medicare, medicaid, vocational rehabilitation, and Federal employees health benefits statutes to bring it into conformity with this Act. Requires that, after the effective date of benefits, no State shall be required to furnish any service covered under Health Security as a part of its State plan for participation under Medicaid, and that the Federal government will have no responsibility to reimburse any State for the cost of providing a service which is covered under Health Security. Provides that funds available under the Vocational Rehabilitation Act or the Maternal and Child Health title of the Social Security Act shall not be used to pay for personal health services after the effective date of benefits, except (to the extent prescribed in regulations by the Secretary of HEW) to pay for services which are more extensive than those covered under Health Security. Title V: Studies Related to Health Security - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Treasury to study the coverage of health services for U.S. residents in other countries. Directs the Secretary of HEW to study the feasibility and desirability of coordinating the Federal health benefit programs for merchant seamen, and Indians and Alaskan natives, and veterans and members of the Armed Forces, with the Health Security Benefit Program.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1973
Consumers' Information and Counsel Act - Title I: Consumers' Counsel for Regulated Services - Establishes, within the executive branch of the Government, an independent agency to be known as the Office of Consumers' Counsel for Regulated Services. Provides that such agency shall be headed by a Consumers' Counsel appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of five years. Sets forth the functions of the Consumers' Counsel. Provides that such functions shall include: (1) the promulgation of rules to carry out the functions of the Office; (2) representing the interests of consumers before Federal or State agencies or courts in accordance with this Act; (3) disseminating information to the public which he considers desirable for the protection of consumers; (4) making grants to State and local governments which are involved in specified consumer interest programs; and (5) preparing model laws in the area of consumer protection. Title II: Public Information and Reports - Requires every regulated company to furnish to the consumers' specified information and counsel such other information as the counsel may deem necessary to obtain, compile, and disseminate to inform consumers of regulated companies. Provides penalties for the protection of any of the provisions or regulations issued under this Act. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Requires Federal agencies to make full use of automatic date processing in preparing the information required under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
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 · 7 March 1973
Makes it the sense of Congress that: (1) the President vigorously press our NATO allies to assume a greater proportion of the cost of their own defense; and (2) the President, as Commander in Chief, take whatever steps he deems necessary to implement this burden-sharing concept. Declares that no action taken pursuant to this resolution should weaken either our resolve or our ability to fulfill our commitments under the North Atlantic Treaty.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1973
Provides an additional income tax exemption for a taxpayer supporting a dependent who is mentally retarded. Defines the term "mentally retarded" as used in this Act. (Adds 26 U.S.C. 151(f))
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1973
Makes it unlawful for any oil company: (1) to acquire any coal or uranium asset; or (2) to own or control any coal or uranium asset after the expiration of 3 years after the enactment of this Act. Requires each oil company which presently owns or controls any coal or uranium asset to file a report with the Attorney General within 120 days of enactment. Authorizes the Attorney General to seek injunctive relief in the appropriate district court for violations of this Act, and prescribes penalties for such violations. States that a violation of this Act by a corporation shall be deemed to be also a violation by the individual directors, officers, receivers, trustees, or agents of such corporation who shall have authorized or done any of the acts constituting the violation in whole or in part. (Amends 15 U.S.C. 18)
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
Provides an additional income tax exemption for a taxpayer supporting a dependent who is mentally retarded. Defines the term "mentally retarded" as used in this Act. (Adds 26 U.S.C. 151(f))
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
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, that gross income does not include any amount received as a pension, annuity, or similar benefit to the extent that such pension, annuity, or benefit is based on service which was performed as a full-time policeman or other law enforcement officer, or as a full-time fireman, in the employ of a Federal, State or local government or governmental entity. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 123)
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1973
National Science Policy and Priorities Act - Title I: Science Policy and Priorities for Civilian Research and Engineering - Science Policy Act - Directs the National Science Foundation to: (1) analyze information regarding Federal expenditures for research and engineering activities in order to focus these activities on meeting the needs of the Nation in such areas as health care, poverty, public safety, sanitation and utilities, pollution, unemployment, housing, education, transportation, nutrition, communications, and energy resources; (2) develop and recommend to the President and the Congress programs and activities which will contribute to carrying out such policies; and (3) submit to the President for the transmittal to the Congress not later than January 31 of each calendar year a report of its activities under this Act. Authorizes appropriations of $5,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974, $10,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975; and $15,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, to carry out the provisions of this title. Title II: Design and Demonstration of Civil Science Systems - Civil Science Systems Act - Establishes, within the National Science Foundation, the Civil Science Systems Administration and the Science Research and Education Administration. Prohibits the transfer of funds between these two Administrations. Establishes a Civil Science Systems Advisory Council to advise the Director of the Civil Science Systems Administration with respect to the discharge of his responsibilities under this Act. Authorizes the Director to conduct planning studies, to transfer funds to other departments and agencies of the Federal Government, and to make grants to, or to enter into contracts with, academic institutions, nonprofit institutes and organizations, State, regional, and local governmental agencies, and private business firms, for the conduct of the following programs: (1) planning studies for the design and demonstration of civil science systems capable of providing improved civil services; (2) applied social research into the economic, sociological, political, legal, administrative, and psychological aspects of civil science systems capable of providing improved public services; (3) research with respect to civil science systems capable of providing improved public services in areas such as health care, public safety, sanitation and utilities, pollution control, productivity, unemployment, education, housing, transportation, nutrition, communications, and energy resources; (4) testing and evaluating civil science systems which make use of advanced science and technology; (5) establishment of a computerized Civil Science System Information Service to collect and integrate the scientific, technical, and social information pertaining to civil science systems resulting from programs under this title, and to provide such information to interested organizations in Federal, State, and local government, industry, academic institutions, and the nonprofit sector, upon request from such organizations, in accordance with such administrative procedures as are established by the Director; and (6) construction and public exhibition of civil science systems demonstration projects, which illustrate the functioning and associated benefits of alternative, effective civil science systems resulting from research and design activities conducted or assisted under this title. Authorizes appropriations for the various programs established under this title of $120,000,000 for fiscal year 1974; $315,000,000 for fiscal year 1975; and $435,000,000 for fiscal year 1976. Title III: Transition of Technical manpower to Civilian Programs - Technical Manpower Transition Act - Authorizes the Foundation to make grants to, or enter into contracts with, academic institutions, nonprofit institutes and organizations, public agencies, and private business firms, for the purpose of: (1) researching the social, economic research and engineering activities to civilian-oriented research and engineering activities; (2) conducting programs at the State, local, or regional level, which are designed to facilitate the transition of scientific and technical activities to civilian programs within the particular State, local, or geographic area; (3) planning or operating training programs for officers and employees of Federal, State, and local government who will be responsible for, or participate in, determining or administering government assisted or conducted programs for civilian, socially oriented research and engineering activities; (4) paying the travel and subsistence expenses of government employees incurred in connection with their participation in training programs carried out under the previous programs; (5) establishing community conversion corporations; (6) enabling private corporations to hire scientists, engineers, and technicians for work on projects for which they are not yet fully qualified; (7) awarding career transition fellowships and awards to technicians to enable them to pursue a course of study through which they can acquire specialized technical knowledge and skills in fields other than the ones in which they are already proficient; (8) entering into contracts with scientific, professional, technical, and business associations and labor unions in order to establish and operate placement programs for unemployed or underemployed scientists, engineers, and technicians; and (9) planning, developing, strengthening, or carrying out education programs which design courses and curriculums intended to prepare students for careers in civilian, socially oriented research and engineering activities. Authorizes appropriations for the various provisions of this title of $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1974; $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1975; and $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1976. Title IV: General Provision - Sets forth the definitions of terms used in this Act and specifies certain administrative provisions. (Amends 42 U.S.C. 1862, 1863; 42 U.S.C. 1864(e),(a); 42 U.S.C. 1873; Amends 5 U.S.C. 5314, 5315; 5 U.S.C. 5316)
![Official portrait of Rep. Eilberg, Joshua [D-PA-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/e000096_200.jpg)