United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1973
Provides for the reclassification of positions of deputy U.S. marshals. States that employees and positions classified at: (1) GS-4 shall be reclassified at GS-5 (trainee); (2) GS-5 or GS-6 shall be classified at GS-7; (3) GS-7 or GS-8 shall be classified at GS-9; and (4) GS-9 shall be classified at GS-11. (Adds 5 U.S.C. 5109 (c))
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1973
Congressional Districting Act - Directs each State to establish a redistricting commission composed of 5 members appointed as follows: the majority and minority leaders of each house of the State legislature shall each appoint one member and the highest court in the State shall apoint one member. Directs each commission to formulate a plan for Congressional redistricting within 180 days of appointment of the commission. Calls for public hearings, publication of the plan in the Federal Register, adoption of the plan 60 days after publication, and appliciability of the plan until the next census. Provides that no district shall contain a number of persons which differs by more than one percent from the quotient obtained by dividing the population of the State by the number of representatives to which the State is entitled. Directs the Commission to provide for fair representation for all peoples, take cognizance of communities of interest, strive for district representation for the city, suburban and rural areas, and follow existing political subdivision boundaries to the maximum extent practicable. Provides for judicial review of commission decisions in the federal district courts. (Amends 2 U.S.C. 2)
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1973
Authorizes the Attorney General to revise the pay structure from the present GS-6 through GS-9 levels to GS-7 through GS-11 rates for nonsupervisory positions of deputy United States marshal. (Adds 5 U.S.C. 5366, 5102(c)(28))
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1973
Authorizes funds not to exceed $638,000 for the expenses of the investigation and study for the House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service authorized by H. Res. 180, 93rd Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1973
Provides that, beginning one year after enactment of this Act, no law enforcement grants under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 will be made to State and local governments unless these units of government have instituted a law enforcement officer's grievance system and have enacted into law a "Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights" which will cover all law enforcement officers in the States. Declares that this Bill of Rights shall provide law enforcement officers statutory protection for certain rights enjoyed by other citizens. Requires the bill of rights to provide, at a minimum, the following: (1) law enforcement officers shall not be prohibited from engaging in political activity, except when on duty or acting in an official capacity; (2) when an officer is subject to an investigation that could lead to disciplinary action or criminal charges: (a) the investigation shall be conducted at a reasonable hour, preferably while the officer is on duty, (b) the investigation shall occur at the office of the investigating officer or at the precinct where the incident occurred, (c) there shall be one interrogator asking all questions to the officer and the names of all investigating officers shall be known by him, (d) the officer shall know the nature of the investigation and the names of complainants, (e) all civilian complaints must be duly sworn to before an official authorized to administer oaths, (f) interrogating sessions shall be of reasonable length, (g) the officer under investigation shall not be subject to abuse or threats, (h) all interrogations shall be recorded, (i) if the officer is to be placed under arrest, he shall be fully informed of his rights before interrogation, and (j) the officer shall have a right to counsel who shall be present during any interrogations dealing with the officer's continued fitness for law enforcement service; (3) citizen review boards having porportionate police representation; (r) law enforcement officers shall have recourse to civil actions for damages suffered or for abridgement of their civil rights arising out of the performance of official duties; (5) financial disclosures shall not be required unless obtained under legal procedures or there is evidence of a conflict of interests; (6) notice of and reasons for all disciplinary action is required; and (7) no officer shall be disciplined or discriminated against in any way by reason of his exercise of these rights. Establishes in each State and unit of local government a law enforcement officers grievance commission composed of an equal number of governmental representatives, law enforcement officers, and members of the general public which shall have the authority to receive, investigate, and determine complaints and grievances arising from claimed infringement of rights of any law enforcement officer. Allows employee organizations to act on the officer's behalf, at his request, regarding any complaint before the commission. Permits certified employee organizations to initiate actions on behalf of their members. Provides that, in addition to this grievance procedure, law enforcement officers may institute a civil action for redress of the grievances.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1973
Act for Freedom of Emigration in East-West Trade - States that after October 15, 1972, products from any nonmarket economy country shall not be eligible to receive most-favored-nation treatment, such country shall not participate in any program of the Government of the United States which extends credits or credit guarantees or investment guarantees, directly or indirectly, and the President of the United States shall not conclude any commercial agreement with any such country during the period beginning with the date on which the President determines that such country: (1) denies its citizens the right or opportunity to emigrate; (2) imposes more than a nominal tax on emigration or on the visas or other documents required for emigration, for any purpose or cause whatsoever; or (3) imposes more than a nominal tax, levy, fine, fee, or other charge on any citizen as a consequence of the desire of such citizen to emigrate to the country of his choice. Provides that, before any of the aforementioned commercial agreements are entered into with any foreign country, the President shall submit to the Congress a report indicating that such country is not in violation of any of the requirements of the preceding paragraph.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 1973
Provides that all portions of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways be free from tolls by the time the last segment of that system is completed in 1979. Provides for equitable reimbursement from the Federal Highway Trust Fund to each State having a highway, bridge or tunnel incorporated into the Interstate System. Provides that such payments shall be made in four equal annual installments starting with the 1975 fiscal year. Provides that the basis for reimbursement on toll facilities shall be 90 percent of the estimated 1979 depreciated value of each facility based on original construction costs plus the cost of all subsequent improvements minus the amount of the total principal paid on the bonded indebtedness of the facility as of June 30, 1979. Provides that the basis for reimbursement on toll-free facilities shall be 90 percent of the estimated 1979 depreciated value of each facility based on original construction costs plus the costs of all subsequent improvements which shall be based on the non-Federal-aid financing of the project.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1973
National Agricultural Marketing and Bargaining Act - Title I: Agricultural Marketing and Bargaining - Legislative Findings and Purpose - Sets for the findings of the Act. States that the purpose of this title is to provide standards for the qualification of agricultural cooperative organizations for bargaining; to define the mutual obligation of handlers and agricultural cooperative organizations to bargain with respect to the production, sale, and marketing of agricultural products; and to provide for the enforcement of such obligations. Sets forth definitions of terms relating to the title. Establishes in the Department of Agriculture a National Agricultural Bargaining Board, which shall administer the provisions of the Act. Provides that the Board shall consist of three members to be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets forth the qualifications of those associations of producers which shall be entitled to the benefits of this title. Requires an association of producers to file with the Board a petition for qualification. Directs the Board to hold a public hearing and qualify such association if it finds that specified requirements are met. Provides that after qualification the Board shall give notice of such qualification to all known handlers that in the ordinary course of business, purchase the agricultural commodities that such association represents. Requires a qualified association to file annually a report to the Board. Provides that bargaining, as used in this title, is the mutual obligation of a handler and a qualified association to meet at reasonable times and negotiate in good faith with respect to the price, terms of sale, compensation for commodities produced under contract, and other contract provisions relative to the commodities that such qualified association represents and the execution of a written contract incorporating any agreement reached if requested by either party. Provides that such obligation on the part of any handler shall extend only to a qualified association that represents producers with whom such handler has had a prior course of dealing, and states that such obligation does not require either party to agree to a proposal or to make a concession. Requires a handler to be deemed to have had a prior course of dealing with a producer if such handler has purchased commodities produced by such producer in any two of the preceding five years. Provides that nothing in this Act shall be deemed to prohibit a qualified bargaining association from entering into contracts with handlers to supply the full agricultural production requirements of such handlers. Makes it unlawful for a handler to negotiate with other producers of a product with respect to the price, terms of sale, compensation for commodities produced under contract, and other contract provisions relative to such product while negotiating with a qualified bargaining association able to supply all or a substantial portion of the requirements of such handler for such product. Makes it unlawful for a handler to purchase a product from other producers under terms more favorable to such producers than those terms negotiated with a qualified bargaining association for such product. Authorizes enforcement of orders and provides for judicial review in any United States Court of Appeals. Provides that the Board shall, at all reasonable times, have access to and the right to copy evidence relating to any person or action under investigation by it in connection with any refusal to bargain. Empowers the Board to administer oaths and to issue subpenas requiring the attendance of witnesses or the production of evidence. Provides that in case of a refusal to obey a subpena issued to any person, the district court, upon application by the Board, shall have jurisdiction to order such person to appear before the Board to produce evidence or to give testimony touching the matter under investigation, and any failure to obey such order may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof. Provides that no person shall be excused from attending and testifying or from producing books, records, correspondence, documents, or other evidence in obedience to the subpena of the Board, on the ground that the testimony or evidence required of him may tend to incriminate him or subject him to a penalty or forfeiture. Provides that no individual shall be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction, matter, or thing concerning which he is compelled, after having claimed his privilege against self-incrimination, to testify or produce evidence, except that such individual so testifying shall not be exempt from prosecution and punishment for perjury committed in so testifying. Title II: Assignment of Association Fees - Provides that if any producer of a farm product voluntarily executes and causes to be delivered to a handler, either as a clause in a sales contract of other instrument in writing, a notice of assignment of dues or fees to a qualified association directly representing the specific product involved, by which the handler is directed to deduct a sum from the price to be paid for such product and to pay the same over to such association as dues or fees for the producer, then such handler shall deduct the amount authorized from the price to be paid for any farm product being sold by any such producer and pay said amount over to the qualified association as assignee. Provides that no provision which is inserted in any contract that is prepared by a handler which makes ineffective an assignment of the dues described in this title is valid. Provides that an assignment of dues or fees may not exceed 2 percent of the total value of the product which is delivered by the producer to the handler. Title III: Marketing Orders - Provides that notwithstanding any of the commodity, product, area, or approval exceptions or limitations, any agricultural commodity or product (except canned or frozen products) thereof, or any regional or market classification thereof, shall be eligible for an order, exempt from any special approval required by the preceding sections, if after a referendum of the affected producers of such commodity the Secretary finds that a majority of such producers voting in such referendum favor making such commodity or product thereof, or the regional or market classification thereof specified in the referendum, eligible for an order. Provides that such referendum shall not be required for any commodity or product for which an order otherwise is authorized and for which no special approval or area limitation is specified therein.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1973
Provides that a person connected with or employed by the news media or press, or who is independently engaged in gathering information for publication or broadcast, shall not be required to disclose before the Congress or any Federal court, grand jury, or administrative entity any information, written or oral, or pictorial material or the source of that information or material procured for publication or broadcast. Provides that the above provisions shall not apply with respect to the source of any allegedly defamatory information in any case where the defendant in a civil action for defamation asserts a defense based on the source of such information.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1973
Urban Mass Transportation Assistance Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation, under the Urban Mass Transportation Act, to make grants or loans to assist States and local public bodies and agencies thereof in the payment of operating expenses incurred in connection with the provision of mass transportation service in urban areas. Requires a State or public body or agency to submit a comprehensive mass transportation service improvement plan to qualify for such assistance. Authorizes to be appropriated for such grants $400,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1974 and 1975. Increases to 80 percent the Federal share of projects other than projects for the paying of operating expenses. Increases to $6,100,000,000 the obligations the Secretary may incur to finance urban mass transportation projects under the Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants and loans under the Act to private nonprofit corporations and associations for the specific purpose of assisting them in providing transportation services meeting the special needs of elderly and handicapped persons for whom mass transportation services, planned, designed, and carried out under the Act are unavailable, insufficient, or inappropriate. Provides that no financial assistance shall be provided under the Act to any State or local public body or agency thereof which engages directly or indirectly in the transporting of schoolchildren and school personnel to and from school and school-authorized functions, or proposes to expand present routes, schedules, service, or facilities for the purpose of providing transportation for schoolchildren and school personnel to and from school and school-authorized functions, in competition with or supplementary to the service currently provided by a private transportation company, or other person, engaged in so transporting such schoolchildren and school personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Requires the Secretary of Labor, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, to recognize the difference in hazards to employees between the heavy construction industry and the light residential construction industry in promulgating health and safety standards. (Amends 29 U.S.C. 655)
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Provides, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, that where violations are corrected within the prescribed abatement period no penalty shall be assessed. (Amends 29 U.S.C. 659, 660, 666)
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Consumer Protection Agency Act - Title I: Office of Consumer Affairs - Creates an Office of Consumer Affairs within the Executive Office of the President. Provides that the office shall be headed by a Director and a Deputy Director, both of whom shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Gives the Director powers to carry out the provisions of this Act. Requires the Director to transmit to Congress and the President in January of each year a report of the activities of the Office during the preceding year including a summary of consumer complaints and recommendations for additional legislation deemed necessary to protect the interests of U.S. consumers. Provides that it shall be the function of the Office to: (1) coordinate the programs and activities of all Federal agencies relating to the interests of consumers in order to achieve effectiveness, avoid duplications and inconsistencies, and to promote the purposes of this title; (2) encourage and assist in the development and implementation of consumer programs and activities in the Federal Government; (3) assure that the interests of consumers are taken into consideration by appropriate Federal agencies both in the formulation of policies with respect to consumers and in the operation of programs that may affect consumer interests; (4) cooperate with and, when requested, provide assistance to the Administrator of the Consumer Protection Agency in carrying out its functions under title II of this Act; (5) advise and make recommendations to all Federal agencies with respect to general policy matters concerning the effectiveness of programs and activities relating to the interests of consumers; (6) submit recommendations to the Congress and the President on the means by which programs and activities relating to the interests of consumers can be improved; (7) conduct conferences and surveys concerning the needs, interests, and problems of consumers which are not duplicative in significant degree to similar activities conducted by other Federal agencies; (8) encourage, initiate, coordinate, and participate in consumer education and counseling programs (including credit counseling); (9) cooperate with and give technical assistance to State and local governments in the promotion and protection of consumer interests; (10) cooperate with and assist private enterprise in the promotion and protection of consumer interests; (11) publish and distribute in a Consumer Register material which will include notice of Federal hearings, proposed and final rules and orders, and other useful information, translated from its technical form into language which is understandable by the public; and (12) keep the appropriate committees of the Congress fully and currently informed of all its activities. Title II: Consumer Protection Agency - Establishes as an independent agency within the executive branch of the Government the Consumer Protection Agency, headed by an Administrator and a Deputy Administrator, both of whom shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Gives the Agency powers to carry out the objective of this Act. States that the functions of the Agency shall be to: (1) represent the interests of consumers before Federal agencies and courts to the extent authorized by this title; (2) encourage and support research, studies, and testing leading to a better understanding of consumer products and improved products, services, and consumer information; (3) submit recommendations annually to the Congress and the President on measures to improve the operation of the Federal Government in the protection and promotion of the consumer interest; (4) publish and distribute material developed pursuant to carrying out its responsibilities under this Act which will inform consumers of matters of interest to them; (5) conduct conferences, surveys, and investigations, including economic surveys, concerning the needs, interests, and problems of consumers which are not duplicative in significant degree to similar activities conducted by other Federal agencies; (6) keep the appropriate committees of Congress fully and currently informed of all its activities; and (7) cooperate with and, when requested, provide assistance to the Director of the Office in the carrying out of his functions.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Makes it the sense of the Congress that: (1) the producers and distributors of motion pictures and television and radio programs should cease the production and distribution of those films and programs which defame, sterotype, ridicule, demean, or degrade ethnic, racial, or religious groups; (2) those responsible persons in the motion picture and broadcasting industries who are desirous of contributing to the vitality of democratic institutions by promoting ethnic, racial, and religious harmony should establish adequate standards for the production of films and broadcasts which portray ethnic, racial, or religious groups and that such standards should be rigorously enforced by the motion picture and broadcasting industries; and (3) if within one year after the enactment of this resolution the motion picture and broadcasting industries have failed to establish and enforce adequate standards for the production of films and broadcasts which portray ethnic, racial, or religious groups, appropriate committees of the House and Senate shall formulate and propose such measures as are necessary to establish and implement such standards.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 1973
Entitles the widows, parents, and next of kin of members of the armed forces of the United States who lost or lose their lives in armed hostilities during or subsequent to World War I or II in which the United States has been, or may be, engaged to the gold star lapel button. (Amends 10 U.S.C. 1126(a)
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 1973
Higher Education Funding Act - Authorizes an income tax deduction under the Internal Revenue Code for contributions to a qualified higher education fund established by the taxpayer for the purposes of funding the higher education of his dependents. Limits the amount of the deduction to the lesser of: (1) $500 times the number of qualified beneficiaries; (2) 10 percent of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income; or (3) $2,500. Provides that a qualified education fund must be established by the taxpayer pursuant to a written plan: (A) solely for the purpose of defraying the cost of room, board, and tuition at an institution of higher education of one or more eligible beneficiaries; (B) which provides that no distribution shall be made by the fund (except upon termination thereof) other than to, or on behalf of, eligible beneficiaries; (C) which provides that upon termination of the fund all assets of the funds shall be distributed to the taxpayer or to his estate; (D) which prohibits contributions to the fund in excess of amounts deductible; and (E) under which the taxpayer consents to the income tax treatment upon termination of the fund. Defines "institution of higher education" as an educational institution: (A) which regularly offers education at a level above the twelfth grade; (B) contributions to or for the use of which constitute charitable contributions; (C) which is legally authorized to provide and does provide a program of postsecondary education; and (D) which is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association listed by the United States Commissioner of Education.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 1973
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the U.S. House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second and fourth year by the people of the several States. Provides that the term of office of a Representative shall be four years. Establishes procedures to determine which half of the members of the House of Representatives will serve a four year term after the first regular election to which this article applies. Provides that when the number of Representatives of a State are increased or decreased following a reapportionment of Representatives among the several States, all of the Members of the House of Representatives from that State elected at the first election following the reapportionment shall be divided by lot, as equally as may be, into two classes so that, as nearly as possible, the seats of the Members of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year, and the seats of the Members of the second class shall be vacated at the expiration of the fourth year. Provides that when a vacancy occurs by resignation of a Member of the House of Representatives, or otherwise, the Member elected to fill that vacancy shall serve for the unexpired period of the term of the Member originally elected for that House seat. Forbids a Member of the House of Representatives to seek or accept the nomination or election to any elective office other than that of United States Representative during his term of office, except when a vacancy occurs in another elective office during his term. Requires a Representative to submit his resignation as a Member of the House of Representatives prior to seeking or accepting the nomination or election to any such other elective office. Provides that the Representatives from any newly admitted State shall be divided into the two classes described in this article immediately after the House of Representatives shall be assembled in consequence of the first election of Representatives from such State.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Establishes an Institute for Continuing Studies of Juvenile Justice to serve as a coordinating center for the collection and dissemination of information in the field of juvenile delinquency and control, including comparisons and analysis of State and Federal laws and model laws and recommendations designed to promote effective and efficient systems of juvenile justice; and as a training center for representatives of all levels of government who are connected with the treatment and control of juvenile offenders. Provides that the Institute shall be under the supervision of a Director, appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, who will supervise the staff, faculty, and administrative personnel necessary to the Institute's functioning. Gives the Institute powers to carry out the objectives of this Act. Creates an Advisory Commission to design a curriculum for the Institutes enrollees and to supervise the overall policy and operations of the Institute. Authorizes the appropriation of such sums as may be necessary for the purposes of this Act. (Adds 18 U.S.C. 5041-5048)
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Repeals provisions relating to the interstate transportation of petroleum products, which provisions are for the purpose of protecting interstate commerce from burdens caused by contracts of oil and of encouraging the conservation of crude oil deposits. (Repeals 15 U.S.C. 715-715m)
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Provides that on or after June 30, 1973, no import quota or other nontariff trade restriction shall be imposed by or pursuant to law with respect to the importation into the United States of petroleum and petroleum products. (Amends 19 U.S.C. 1862)