United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1974
Emergency Coal Administration Act - Establishes within the Federal Energy Office of the President an Emergency Coal Administration, to be administered by the Administrator of the Federal Energy Office. Authorizes the Administrator to take such action as may be necessary to insure the maximum increase in the production, transportation, and conversion of coal so long as the present energy crisis exists. Sets forth the powers and authority of the Administrator under the provisions of this Act, including the following: (1) to set goals for the production and conversion of coal into energy; (2) to encourage, assist, and take such steps as shall provide for increased production, transportation, and conversion of coal into energy; (3) to issue orders which shall constitute a prior claim upon producers of materials and supplies essential to the increased production, transportation, and conversion of coal into energy; and (4) to afford necessary, reasonable, and proper financial assistance to persons, firms, or corporations converting to the use of coal as a source of energy. Authorizes the Administrator to enter into contracts directly or for the account of any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the production, transportation, and conversion of coal upon terms he deems fair and reasonable for any equipment or parts or other essential articles necessary to increase the production, transportation, and conversion of coal. States that the Administrator may engage in such research and development as he deems necessary, including, but not limited to, the construction and operation of pilot plants and projects relating to the production, transportation, and conversion of coal. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 December 1973
Increases the rates of educational assistance benefits payable to veterans. Provides that such rates shall be recomputed at the beginning of each fiscal year to reflect any increase in the Consumer Price Index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 1973
Provides for the designation of the United States Courthouse and Federal Office Building at 110 Michigan Street, N.W., Grand Rapids, Michigan, as the "Gerald R. Ford Federal Office Building".
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 1973
National Energy Emergency Act - Title I: Statement of Findings and Purposes - Sets forth the determination of Congress that there is currently an energy shortage in the United States and enumerates the purposes of this Act. Title II: Emergency Fuel Shortage Contingency Programs - Declares that current and imminent fuel shortages have created a nationwide energy emergency. Authorizes the President, for the duration of the energy emergency, to enter into appropriate agreements with foreign states, foreign nationals, or international organizations to adjust and allocate imports of fossil fuels. Provides that any such formal agreement shall not become final until the Senate has had fifteen days to disapprove of such agreement. Provides that the declared nationwide energy emergency and the authority granted by this Act shall terminate one year after the date of enactment of this Act unless extended by Congress. Sets forth limitations for the export of domestically mined coal during the term of any energy emergency declared by or under this Act. Revises the Emergency Petroleum Allocation Act by directing the President to provide for an ordering of priorities among users of crude oil, residual fuel oil, or any refined petroleum product and to assign to such users rights entitling them to obtain any such oil or product in precedence to other users not similarly entitled, if the President finds that such action is necessary. Authorizes the President to require adjustments in the production rates of refineries in the United States whenever he finds that such adjustments are necessary to assure the production of residual fuel oil and refined petroleum products in such proportions necessary to meet the priorities for use of such products established under the Energency Petroleum Allocation Act. Directs the President to propose one or more energy conservation plans within thirty days of enactment of this Act which will result in a reduction of energy consumption to a level which can be supplied by available energy resources.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 1973
Permits the use of any area within the wildlife refuge system for purposes such as, but not necessarily limited to, powerlines, telephone lines, canals, ditches, pipelines, and roads, including the construction, operation, and maintenance thereof, whenever such use is determined compatible with the purposes for which the area is established, and there is no feasible and prudent alternative to such use. Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from granting to any Federal, State, or local agency or to any private individual or organization any right-of-way, easement, or reservation in, over, across, through, or under any area within the system unless the grantee pays to the Secretary the fair market value of the right-of-way, easement, or reservation. Provides that all sums received by the Secretary pursuant to these provisions shall, after necessary administration expenses incurred by him, be deposited into the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund and shall be available to carry out the provisions for land acquisition of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act. Provides that any request for permission to use an area within the National Wildlife Refuge System which was filed with the Secretary of the Interior on which the Secretary has not taken final action before such date of enactment shall be treated by the Secretary as having been filed with him. Provides that this Act shall apply with respect to any right-of-way, easement, or reservation granted by the Secretary of the Interior on or after the date of the enactment of this Act, including any right-of-way, easement, or reservation granted on or after such date in connection with any use permitted by him under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 1973
Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act - Declares it to be the policy of the United States and the purpose of this Act to provide for the demonstration within a three-year period of the practical use of solar heating technology. Defines the terms used in this Act. Directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to initiate, support and carry out basic and applied research and development in solar heating and cooling technologies. Provides for the installation of solar heating systems in residential dwellings under the monitoring of the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the National Bureau of Standards and in consultation with the Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development and Defense. Provides that such residential dwellings shall be located in a sufficient number of different geographic areas (not less than three) in the United States to assure a realistic and effective demonstration of solar heating and cooling systems involved. Directs the Director of the National Science Foundation to initiate, support and fund basic and applied research activities related to solar energy in support of the objectives of this Act. Authorizes the appropriation of up to $50,000,000 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1973
Special Prosecution Conservancy Act - Vests the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia with supervisory jurisdiction to issue and enforce all orders necessary and appropriate to insure the integrity and inviolability of all files, notes, correspondence, memoranda, documents, physical evidence, and other records and work product compiled, obtained, or otherwise produced and maintained by the office of Special Prosecutor from the date of assumption of that office on May 24, 1973, until the appointment of a successor Special Prosecutor pursuant to this Act. Vests the Chief Judge of the United States District Court with authority to appoint a Special Prosecutor for the purposes and with the powers set forth in this Act, and to replace such officer only for extraordinary improprieties in the exercise of his responsibilities. Sets forth the authority and responsibilities of the Special Prosecutor. States that the prosecutor shall have exclusive authority to conduct all grand jury presentments and all other criminal proceedings arising from the following acts or transactions: (1) offenses arising out of the unauthorized entry into Democratic National Committee Headquarters at the Watergate; (2) offenses arising out of the 1972 Presidential election; (3) allegations of criminal offenses involving the President, members of the White House Staff, or other Presidential appointees; and (4) such other matters as bear a relation to the foregoing and which the Special Prosecutor consents to accept. Sets forth powers of the Special Prosecutor, including: (1) the power to determine whether and how far to contest the assertion of executive privilege or any other testimonial or evidentiary privilege, and (2) the power to decide whether or not to prosecute any person and how to conduct and argue any appeals or petitions arising out of his prosecutorial activities. Authorizes the United States District Court for the District of Columbia to extend the term of the Grand Jury of that Court which was impaneled on June 5, 1972, for additional periods of six months, until the court determines that the business of that Grand Jury has been completed. Authorizes to be appropriated to the office of the Special Prosecutor such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 October 1973
Directs the Committee on the Judiciary to inquire into and investigate whether grounds exist for the impeachment of Richard M. Nixon, and to report its findings to the House with such resolutions or articles of impeachment deemed proper.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 1973
Declares it to be the sense of the House that the President, acting in accordance with the announced policy of the United States Government to maintain Israel's deterrent strength, and under existing authority, should continue to transfer to Israel the Phantom aircraft and other equipment in the quantities needed by Israel to repel the attack and to offset the military equipment and supplies furnished to the Arab States by the Soviet Union.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 1973
Provides that the Secretary of Defense shall take such action as may be necessary and appropriate to insure that discharge certificates issued to members of the Armed Forces shall not bear any letter or number or other indicator of any kind whatsoever which discloses any reason why such member was discharged or separated from service; and no information indicating or relating to any reason why any former member of the Armed Forces was discharged or separated from service may be made available to any private person or entity by any officer or employee of any military department or agency. (Adds 10 U.S.C. 975)
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1973
Makes it the sense of the Congress that the President should take immediate and determined steps to: (1) impress upon the Soviet Government the grave concern of the American people with the intimidation of those within the Soviet Union who do not adhere to prevailing ideology; (2) call upon the Soviet Government to permit the free expression of ideas and free emigration by all its citizens in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and (3) use the medium of current negotiations with the Soviet Union as well as informal contacts with Soviet officials in an effort to secure an end to repression of dissent.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 1973
Provides that the Secretary of Defense, after consulting with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, may contract with health maintenance organizations as identified by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. States that the provisions of such a contract may deviate from the cost-sharing arrangements prescribed and the types of health care authorized under title 10 of the United States Code when the Secretary of Defense determines that such a deviation would serve the purpose of that title. Provides that such a contract, however, may not provide for annual payments per beneficiary, by the Government and a beneficiary, of any amount greater than the estimated average annual cost for comparable amounts of care of similar quality provided under the cost-sharing arrangements prescribed in that title. (Adds 10 U.S.C. 1809)
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1973
Provides that whoever contributes more than $5,000 to the political campaign of a Presidential candidate shall be ineligible to serve as an ambassador, minister, head of an executive department, or a member of an independent regulatory body while such candidate is President.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1973
Directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives to certify the report of the Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives as to the refusal of George Gordon Liddy to be sworn or to take affirmation to testify before a duly authorized subcommittee of the said Committee on Armed Services to the United States attorney for the District of Columbia, to the end that the said George Gordon Liddy may be proceeded against in the manner and form provided by law.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1973
Expresses the sense of Congress that it shall be the policy of the United States that the Government of the United States shall cease forthwith all consideration of aid, trade, diplomatic recognition, or any other form of communication, travel, or accomodation with the Democratic Republic of North Vietnam or the Viet Cong until such time as agreements relating to facilitating the location and care of graves of the dead, exhumation, and repatriation of the remains have been complied with to the fullest extent.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1973
Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to appoint students at State maritime academies and colleges as Reserve midshipmen in the United States Navy upon graduation from such academies or colleges. (Adds 46 U.S.C. 1389)
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 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 · 18 June 1973
American Folklife Preservation Act - Creates an American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress. Provides that the center shall be subject to the supervision and direction of a board of trustees. Provides that such board shall be composed of four members appointed by the President, eight members appointed by the Librarian of Congress, the Librarian of Congress ex officio and the director of the center ex officio. Authorizes the centers to establish and implement a program of contracts, grants, revitalize and scholarships to preserve, protect, revitalize and disseminate American folklife traditions and arts. Provides that no payment shall be made pursuant to this Act to carry out any research or training over a period in excess of two years. States that such research or training may be extended to a period not to exceed five years with the concurrance of at least two-thirds of the members of the board. Provides that no former employee of the Federal government shall be eligible to receive any grant or other assistance under this Act in the two year period following the termination of such employment. Requires the center to submit to the Library of Congress, for inclusion in its annual report to the Congress, an annual report of its operations under this Act. Authorizes such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 1973
Defines the term "inclusive tour charter trip", for purposes of the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, to mean a charter trip which combines air transportation, pursuant to a contract between an air carrier or foriegn air carrier and a person authorized by the Civil Aeronautics Board to sell inclusive tours, and land arrangements at one or more points of destination, sold to members of the public at a price which is not less than the just and reasonable fare for charter air transportation plus a compensatory charge for land arrangements, and subject to such other requirements not inconsistent herewith as the Board shall by regulation prescribe.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1973
Provides that States may not have less strict standards with respect to marketing, labeling, packaging, and ingredient requirements than those made under the Federal Meat Inspection Act. (Amends 21 U.S.C. 678)
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1973
Provides, under the Higher Education Act, that no institution of higher education may deny, withdraw, or suspend the eligibility of a student-athlete to compete in any intercollegiate athletic event, including preseason, regularly scheduled, tournament, or championship events, because such student-athlete has expressed an intention to participate or has participated in amateur international athletic competition against any other country. States that no union or organization that sponsors, approves, or sanctions amateur international competition may declare ineligible for amateur international competition any student-athlete because he has participated in an amateur athletic event not sponsored, approved, or sanctioned by such union, or organization. Directs that no coach of a student-athlete may be prohibited from or penalized for participating in international competition because such competition was not sponsored or sanctioned by an organization of which the institution of higher learning is a member. Penalizes any violation of this Act by a fine of up to $10,000.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1973
Makes it a Federal crime to carry out any research activity on a human fetus or to intentionally take any action to kill or hasten the death of a human fetus in any Federally supported facility or activity. Provides criminal penalties for violation of this Act. (Adds 18 U.S.C. 246)
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1973
Provides that no funds heretofore or hereafter appropriated shall be expended for the conduct by United States forces of bombing missions or other combat operations in or over or from off the shores of Indochina, including Cambodia, Laos, the Republic of Vietnam, and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, without prior, specific authorization by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1973
Makes it the sense of Congress that it shall be the policy of the United States to require repayment of the longstanding debts which are delinquent in nature. Makes it the sense of Congress that the Department of the Treasury submit to the Congress within ninety days of passage of this resolution a list and report on the extent of such indebtedness on the part of foreign nations. Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the Department of the Treasury, through the appropriate departments and agencies, should, immediately after the filing of this report, begin consultations with foreign governments involved for the purpose of making arrangements for the prompt repayment of those longstanding debts which are delinquent.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 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 · 27 March 1973
Increases to 2100 the number of Central Intelligence Agency employees who may retire each year on an annuity upon meeting the specified requirements for retirement.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1973
Defines Continental Shelf fishery resources which appertain to the United States. States that such resources refer to living organisms belonging to sedentary species; that is to say, organisms which, at the harvestable stage, either are immobile on or under the seabed or are unable to move except in constant physical contact with the seabed or the subsoil of the Continental Shelf.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1973
Provides, under the Higher Education Act, that no institution of higher education may deny, withdraw, or suspend the eligibility of a student-athlete to compete in any intercollegiate athletic event, including preseason, regularly scheduled, tournament, or championship events, because such student-athlete has expressed an intention to participate or has participated in amateur international athletic competition against any other country. States that no union or organization that sponsors, approves, or sanctions amateur international competition may declare ineligible for amateur international competition any student-athlete because he has participated in an amateur athletic event not sponsored, approved, or sanctioned by such union, or organization. Directs that no coach of a student-athlete may be prohibited from or penalized for participating in international competition because such competition was not sponsored or sanctioned by an organization of which the institution of higher learning is a member. Penalizes any violation of this Act by a fine of up to $10,000.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1973
Provides, under the Economic Opportunity Act, that when Federal assistance to a community action program is discontinued, Federal property used for the program shall be transferred to the organization continuing the program.
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
Rights of Conscience in Abortion Procedures Act - Requires Medical institutions to provide a certificate indicating respect for an individual employee's right not to participate in abortions contrary to that individual's conscience as a requirement for hospital eligibility for Federal financial assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1973
Provides for the presentation of a flag of the United States for deceased members of the National Guard and Selected Reserve who die under honorable circumstances. (Adds 10 U.S.C. 1482 (e)
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1973
Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to provide for participation by the Federal Government with State and local governments, private individuals, and other interested persons in a comprehensive program to prevent further damage to the lands, waters, and natural resources of the Nation from unregulated or inadequately regulated surface and underground coal mining operations, to stabilize lands damaged by surface coal mining, to promote an effective continuing conservation land-use and management program for the coal mining industry, and to assist any worker adversely affected by this Act. Provides that this Act shall be administered by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Provides that each coal mining operation, the products of which enter interstate commerce, or the operations or products of which indirectly or directly affect interstate commerce, and each operator of such mining operation, shall be subject to this Act. Title I: Environmental Protection Coal Mining Limitation - Provides that no surface coal mining shall hereafter be conducted in any area of the national wildlife refuge system, the national park system, or the national forest system. States that no underground coal mining shall be permitted in any designated wilderness area or in any area under study as a wilderness area. Provides that no operator shall begin or renew any surface coal mining operation in any State on or after the effective date of this Act. States that no operator shall conduct contour surface coal mining operations in any State on and after the effective date of this Act. Provides that any operator who, on the effective date of this Act, is actively carrying out surface coal mining operations, other than contour surface coal mining, may continue to do so as provided in this Act if such operator obtains a permit under this title within six months after such date, and if the Administrator determines that such mining is not in violation of, or will not result in any violation of, any provision of the Clean Air Act, and does not cause, or will not result in, irrevocable or lasting injury to the public health or welfare, or damaging, flooding, or destruction of agricultural land, or dislocation or disturbance of surface or subsurface streams, or destruction of, or damange to, historic values, or destruction or damage to valuable recreational or wildlife areas, or destruction or damage of contiguous areas. States that, within two months after the effective date of this Act, no operator shall engage in surface or underground coal mining operations if he has not applied for a permit under the provisions of this Act. Sets forth the requirements for obtaining such permits. Provides that no permit application shall be approved unless the Administrator finds that the applicable requirements of this title and the rules and regulations adopted thereunder will be observed, and that, in the case of a surface coal mining application, there is probable cause to believe that the stabilization of the area of affected land can be achieved. Provides that a stabilization plan shall accompany every application for a permit for surface coal mining and be made available to the public and be approved in the same manner as a permit. Provides that after a permit application has been approved for surface coal mining but before such a permit is issued, the applicant shall file with the Administrator a bond for performance payable to the United States and conditioned on the operator faithfully performing all the requirements of this Act. Creates in the Department of the Treasury a revolving fund to be known as the Coal Mine Lands Stabilization Fund. Authorizes to be appropriated to the fund initially the sum of $100,000,000, and such other sums as may thereafter be appropriated by the Congress. Provides that moneys in the fund may be expended by the Chief of the Corps of Engineers to acquire by purchase, donation, exchange, or otherwise land which has been affected by surface coal mining operations, has not been fully stabilized prior to the effective date of this Act, and has been abandoned or is declared inactive as determined by him. Authorizes the Chief of the Corps of Engineers to stabilize directly or by contract the lands so acquired. Provides for renewal of licenses issued under this Act. Requires every surface coal mining operator to stabilize the land affected by his mining. Sets forth the required standards for such stabilization. Restricts dumping and the use of explosives on operations authorized under this Act. Requires each mining operator to report to the Administrator on the amount of coal produced, the number of employees, the days worked, the number and location of acres of land mined, number and location of acres of the land stabilized, and a description of the progress made toward the completion of the reclamation plan. Sets forth conditions for the release of bonds filed under this Act. Provides for the periodic inspection of operations authorized under this Act. Allows any person to commence a civil action on his own behalf: (1) against any person, including the United States, and any other governmental instrumentality or agency, who is alleged to be in violation of this title; or (2) against the Administrator and the Chief of the Corps of Engineers where there is alleged a failure of the Administrator or the Chief to perform any act or duty under this title which is not discretionary with the Administrator or the Chief. Provides that no Federal agency may enter into any contract for the procurement of goods, materials, and services with any operator who is convicted of any offense under this title to perform such contract at any coal mining operation at which the violation which gave rise to such conviction occurred. States that no person shall discharge or in any other way discriminate against or cause to be discharged or discriminated against any employee of a surface mine or any authorized representative thereof by reason of the fact that such employee or representative has: (1) notified the Administrator or his authorized representative of any alleged violation or danger, (2) has filed instituted, or caused to be filed, or (2) instituted, any proceeding under this Act, or (3) testified or is about to testify in any proceeding resulting from the administration or enforcement of the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General to apply to the appropriate United States district court for injunctions restraining or enforcing compliance with the provisions of this title. Authorizes actions for damages (including attorney fees) by persons injured by violations of this title. Provides for a civil penalty of not to exceed $10,000 for each violation of this title. Prohibits States from enacting mining standards that are less stringent than those established by this Act. Authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out this title. Title II: Assistance to Workers - Provides that payment of a readjustment allowance shall be made to a worker adversely affected by this Act who applies for such allowance for any week of unemployment which begins after the thirtieth day after the date of the enactment of this Act. Provides that such allowance shall be an amount equal to 90 percent of his average weekly wage or to 90 percent of the average weekly manufacturing wage, whichever is greater. Provides for a diminishing of such allowance to the extent that it is supplied through other provisions of law. States that adversely affected workers shall be afforded, where appropriate, the testing, counseling, training, and placement services provided for under any Federal law. Provides for a relocation allowance for any adversely affected worker who is the head of a family and who has been totally separated. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this title.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1973
Sets forth restrictions on the procurement or instigation of an investigative consumer report. States that a person may not procure or cause to be prepared a consumer report on any consumer unless it is clearly and accurately disclosed to the consumer that such a report may be made. Entitles the consumer to a copy of such report. Provides that any consumer reporting agency which negligently or maliciously publishes any untrue statement or representation with respect to a consumer shall be liable to such consumer for: (1) actual damages, but not less than liquidated damages of $1,000; (2) punitive damages; and (3) a reasonable attorney's fee and other litigation costs reasonably incurred. Directs the President to establish a Board of Consumer Investigation Examiners. Provides that the Board shall promulgate such rules and procedures, as it deems necessary or appropriate in order to regulate the examining, licensing, and practices of individuals who investigate consumers for the purpose of preparing or aiding in the preparation of investigative consumer reports. Establishes procedures and guidelines for granting or revoking licenses granted individuals to prepare or aid in the preparation of investigative consumer reports. Provides for judicial review in an appropriate United States district court for any individual aggrieved by any final decision of the Board denying, revoking, or suspending a license. Makes it unlawful for any individual: (1) to investigate any consumer for the purpose of preparing or aiding in the preparation of any investigative consumer report without a license issued to such individual by the Board; or (2) to violate the terms of any license issued to him by the Board. Provides that any individual who violates the above paragraph shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. Authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1973
To amend title 38, United States Code, to stabilize and "freeze" as of January 1, 1973, the Veterans' Administration Schedule for Rating Disabilities, 1945 edition, and the extension thereto.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1973
Trade Adjustment Assistance Organization Act - Title I: Transfer of Functions and Establishment of Administration and Advisory Council - States that it is the purpose of this Act to consolidate in a single agency in the executive branch the administration and coordination of programs of economic development and worker retraining and assistance, and to provide a comprehensive program for the solution of economic and unemployment problems caused by economic dislocation resulting from increased imports. Establishes within the Department of Labor the Trade Adjustment Assistance Administration to assist the Secretary of Labor in carrying out the purposes of this Act. Establishes an Economic Priorities Advisory Council to: (1) advise and assist the Secretary and Administrator with respect to the activities of the Trade Adjustment Assistance Administration under this Act; (2) review and evaluate the effectiveness of programs carried out under this Act; (3) conduct surveys and establish area and industry priorities for the application of trade adjustment assistance under this Act; (4) carry out studies and prepare projections of future areas of economic activity in which the United States can expect to be competitively disadvantaged and identify industries in which economic adjustment assistance may be necessary; and (5) conduct research and propose new measures and programs to provide economic adjustment assistance to workers and firms who may be eligible for assistance under this Act. Title II: Trade Adjustment Assistance - Prescribes the requirements for a firm, individual, or community to receive trade adjustment assistance under this Act. Provides that upon the filing of a petition the Secretary shall determine whether a firm, the workers of a firm, or a community is eligible for economic adjustment assistance under this Act. States that a firm certified as eligible for economic adjustment assistance under this Act may, at any time within 2 years after the date of such certification, file and application with the Secretary for such economic adjustment assistance. Provides that economic adjustment assistance under this Act consist of technical assistance, financial assistance, and tax assistance, which may be furnished singly or in combination. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Secretary such sums as are necessary to carry out purposes of this section. Requires each recipient of economic adjustment assistance under the Act to keep records which fully disclose the amount and disposition by such recipient of the proceeds of such assistance which will facilitate an effective audit. States that the Secretary and the Comptroller General of the United States shall have access for the purpose of audit and examination to any books, documents, papers, and records of the recipient pertaining to economic adjustment assistance under this Act. Stipulates that whoever makes a false statement of a material fact knowing it to be false knowingly fails to disclose a material fact, or whoever willfully overvalues any security, for the purpose of influencing in any way the action of the Secretary under this Act, or for the purpose of obtaining money, property, or anything or value under this Act, shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned for not more than two years, or both. Authorizes any adversely affected worker to file an application with the Secretary for economic adjustment assistance in the form of readjustment allowances, training benefits, relocation allowances, and early retirement benefits. Provides that the readjustment allowance payable to an adversely affected worker for a week of unemployment shall be an amount equal to 85 percent of his average weekly wage. Provides that payment of readjustment allowances shall not be made to an adversely affected worker for more than 52 weeks, except that, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary: (1) such payments may be made to an adversely affected worker for the entire period of his retraining to assist him to complete the training approved by the Secretary, or (2) such payments shall be made to an adversely affected worker who had reached his 60th birthday for the period of time until he qualifies for social security payments, or until he has been relocated in suitable employment. Requires every adversely affected worker who applies for a readjustment allowance under this Act to apply for testing , counseling, training, and placement assistance. Directs the Secretary, insofar as possible, to provide assistance under this Act through existing programs established by law. Directs the Secretary to contract for basic and supplemental hospital and medical care for persons receiving assistance under this Act under such insurance plans as he deems appropriate. Provides that a relocation allowance may be granted to assist an adversely affected worker in relocating within the United States if the Secretary determines that such worker cannot reasonably be expected to secure suitable employment in the commuting area in which he resides and that such worker: (1) has obtained suitable employment affording a reasonable expectation of long-term duration in the area in which he wishes to relocate, or (2) has obtained a bona fide offer of such employment. Authorizes the Secretary to pay to each adversely affected worker who meets the requirements of this Act, and who files an application therefor, the retirement pay or the benefits under the old-age, survivors, and disability insurance provisions of the Social Security Act, in the same amounts, and subject to the same terms and conditions, as the adversely affected worker will receive when he becomes entitled to receive such retirement pay or benefits. Authorizes the Secretary on the behalf of the United States to enter into an agreement with any State or State agency under which such State or agency will receive applications for, and will provide assistance under, the programs established by this Act. Provides that a community certified as eligible to apply for adjustment assistance may, at any time within two years after the date of such certification, file an application with the Secretary of Commerce for adjustment assistance under this subtitle. Directs the Community, within a reasonable time after filing his application, to present a proposal, either separately or in conjunction with a firm or a group of workers or both, for its economic adjustment. Directs the Secretary, upon approval of such application, to provide a community such additional technical assistance as in his judgment will materially contribute to the economic adjustment of the community. Title III: Location of Firms - Requires every firm with plans to relocate faciltites outside the United States to apply for all economic adjustment assistance for which its workers are entitled under this Act and to offer first choice of future employment in the new facilities to individuals employed in the old facilities. Provides that any firm which fails without good cause to comply with the requirement of this section shall be liable to the United States for one-half the cost incurred in providing economic adjustment assistance to its workers. Title IV: Establishment of an Early Warning System - Requires the Trade Adjustment Assistance Administration to undertake to develop an integrated system of foreign and domestic economic statistics, which would provide the data necessary to forcast problems of economic adjustment, and to shift industrial and manpower planning into priority economic areas. Requires each firm engaged in the manufacture, sale or transportation of products in the interstate or foreign commerce of the United States to give the Trade Adjustment Assistance Administration advance notice of decisions to relocate facilities outside the United States, which would cause any total separations, partial separations, or other reductions in their work force. Provides that any firm or individual who willfully violates this section shall be assessed a civil penalty by the Adminsitration of not more than $5,000 for each such violation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1973
Provides that partial disability and death pensions in specified amounts be paid in the case of veterans whose annual income exceeds the annual income limitation by an amount not in excess of the minimum amount of pension payable in one year. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 521 (b)
United States · United States Congress · 22 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 · 22 February 1973
Authorizes the issuance of safety regulations under the Interstate Commerce Act for private carriers of passengers, including operators of schoolbuses, which operate without compensation and are designed to carry more than 16 passengers. (Adds 49 U.S.C. 303(a)(24))
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1973
Allows a tax deduction under the Internal Revenue Code for specified percentages of the amounts paid during the taxable year by the taxpayer to purchase recycled solid waste materials for manufacture by the taxpayer into useful raw materials or salable products. Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, by regulation and after a hearing, to disallow such deduction with respect to any solid waste material if the Administrator finds that such deduction is not required to alleviate the depletion of any virgin natural resource. Allows every taxpayer, at his election in lieu of any depreciation deduction, to deduct the amortized basis of any solid waste recycling facility based on a period of 60 months. Provides that the taxpayer may, at any time after making such election, discontinue the amortization deduction with respect to the remainder of the amortization. (Adds 26 U.S.C. 189, 190)
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1973
Provides that, in the case of the death of a petitioner on any approved petition for preference status under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the alien beneficiary will be allowed a period of sixty days from the date of such death to become the beneficiary of another petition without losing his preference status. (Adds 8 U.S.C. 1155(b)
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1973
Authorizes each Member of the House of Representatives (including the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico and each Delegate to the House) to hire and pay not more than two additional student congressional interns (to serve as such within or outside the District of Columbia).
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1973
Provides for the burial in the Memorial Amphitheater of the National Cemetery at Arlington, Virginia, of the remains of an unknown American who lost his life while serving overseas in the Armed Forces of the United States during the Vietnam conflict.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1973
Forest Lands Restoration and Protection Act - Title I: Commercial Forest Lands - Asserts that within forty-five days after the enactment of this Act the Secretary of Agriculture shall publish in the Federal Register proposed criteria for the designation by the States of commercial forest lands located therein. Provides that within a reasonable time for interested person to submit opinions (but no later than ninety days after the initial publication) the Secretary shall promulgate such criteria. Requires each State to designate all lands consistent with the criteria as commercial forest lands and in addition each State shall adopt: (1) standards for timber harvesting and land management of such designated lands and (2) a plan for the implementation, maintenance and enforcement of such standards. Restricts the sale or introduction of any timber into commerce which was harvested from any land in the several States other than from designated commercial forest lands or which was harvested in violation of the applicable standards or plans. Asserts that a person convicted of the above violation shall be punished by a fine of not more than $10,000, or by imprisonment for not more than one year or both for the first conviction and for second and subsequent offenses by a fine up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment up to 5 years. Provides that one-third of the fine shall be paid to any person who gives information leading to a conviction. Authorizes the Secretary to require the person who owns, leases, operates, or otherwise controls such forest lands to maintain records and to make such reports as he may require. Provides that the Secretary shall have a right of entry to such lands and at reasonable times access to the records maintained pursuant to this Act. Provides that each State shall establish requirements for the licensing by the State of all foresters working within the State in accordance with criteria to be established by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to cooperate with the States in providing technical assistance to small forest landowners in the development of timber harvesting and land management plans. Title II: Timber Harvesting and Land Management on Federal Forest Lands - Asserts that, beginning one year after the enactment of this Act, timber harvesting on Federal forest lands shall be conducted under timber harvesting and land management plans promulgated under this title. Requires the Secretary, or in certain cases the Secretary of the Interior, to promulgate plans for the harvesting of timber on Federal forest lands. Provides that any contract for timber harvesting on Federal lands shall be entered into by competitive bidding and the appropriate Secretary shall also provide that it is the responsibility of said contractor to comply fully with the policies and requirements of this Act. Provides penalties for the violation of any plan promulgated under this Act. Provides that no logs or unfinished forest products from Federal forest lands or from commercial forest lands shall be exported from the United States unless the Secretary shall find that the Nation's projected timber supply needs for each of 5 consecutive years thereafter can be satisfied entirely by domestic supplies. Establishes the Federal Forest Land Fund and provides that the Fund shall consist of such amounts as may be appropriated or credited to the Fund as provided in this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Fund amounts equal to the net proceeds accruing to the United States from the sale of forest products. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to hold the Fund and to report to the Congress not later than the 1st day of March each year on the financial condition and the results of the operations of the Fund. Provides that amounts in the Fund shall be available to the Secretary to complete the national forest system, to enlarge tree-planting operations, and to carry out other activities to improve the environment within Federal forest lands. Provides protection for employees of timber harvesting operations who believe they were discharged or discriminated against by reason of the fact that any such employee has notified the Secretary of an alleged violation of this Act or has testified or is about to testify in any proceedings resulting from the administration or enforcement of the provisions of this Act. Provides that the Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior shall submit to the Congress on September 1 of each year a report on the actions taken by each under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1973
Midwest States Fuel Oil Act - Title I: - Sets forth the Congressional findings that: (1) a major cause of inadequate supplies of home heating oil in the upper Midwest States is the limitation on imports of petroleum and petroleum products established by Presidential Proclamation 3279, as amended (the oil import program); and (2) the special supply and demand problems relating to home heating oil in the Midwest States requires creation of a separate import control system for that area. Defines Midwest States as North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Provides that after the effective date of this Act, no quantitative limitations or other import restrictions shall be imposed on the importation of home heating oil into the Midwest States. Title II: - Makes provisions for the duty-free entry into the United States of specified petroleum products. Title III: - Authorizes the Secretary of State to enter into negotiations with the Government of Canada for establishment of a "northcentral regional oil area" consisting of central Canada and Midwest States, and intended to eliminate all restrictions on trade in petroleum and petroleum products between the United States and Canada so as to provide furnished petroleum products at a reasonable cost, consistent with the national security. Requires an annual report to the Congress on the progress and results of such negotiations.
![Official portrait of Rep. Nedzi, Lucien N. [D-MI-14]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/n000019_200.jpg)