United States · United States Congress · 26 June 1973
Expresses the finding of Congress that an adequate supply of pure, safe human blood is essential to the welfare of the Nation. Establishes the National Blood Bank program within the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare to perform enumerated duties to assure an adequate supply of blood throughout the Nation. Establishes an Advisory Council to make recommendations to the Secretary regarding: (1) policy goals of the program; (2) motivation and recognition of blood donors; (3) reciprocal transactions between national blood bank systems; and (4) removal of blood purchasing costs from health insurance plan coverage. Declares that only class A blood banks may maintain blood deposit or pledge programs in advance of their needs. Provides criminal penalties for persons violating the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 1973
Reduces the retirement annuity of a Member of Congress by 10 percent for each full year by which the age of the Member at the time of retirement exceeds 70.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1973
Provides for an income tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code for the cost of motor vehicle emission controls on 1975 model motor vehicles sold in the State of California. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 42)
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1973
Provides that Federal Indian tribes which were unilaterally brought under State civil jurisdiction in actions to which Indians are parties, and State jurisdiction over offenses committed by or against Indians in Indian country, without having consented thereto, may remove themselves from all or such measure of State jurisdiction as they are agreeable to. Requires that unwillingness to consent to the continuation of such jurisdiction be evidenced by a majority vote of all eligible adult Indians voting at a special election for that purpose.
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1973
Fire Prevention And Control Act - Declares it to be the finding of Congress that the federal government must help to develop sulutions to fire problems. States that the intention of Congress is to supplement existing programs of fire research, training, and education, and to encourage new and improved programs and activities by State and local governments. Title I: United States Fire Administration - Establishes, within the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the United States Fire Administration. Sets forth the duties of the Administration, including: (1) to survey the fire problem, evaluate progress in fire prevention, assess new problem areas, and to evaluate the cost; (2) to recommend actions to be taken by federal, state, and local governments and private organizations and individuals to improve fire prevention; (3) to act as a coordinator of studies of fire protection methods; (4) to cooperate with and render assistance to other federal departments, to all organizations in matters relating to fire prevention and control; and (5) to undertake research relating to fire prevention and control. Title II: National Fire Academy - Establishes, within the Administration, a National Fire Academy; (1) to facilitate specialized training in fire protection; (2) to assist State and local jurisdictions in planning and implementing fire protection programs; (3) to assist the dissemination of information on fire prevention and control; and (4) to encourage fire protection agencies to give greater attention to fire prevention measures. Directs the Academy to establish a National Fire Academy Advisory Board. Sets forth composition and compensation of Board members. Title III: National Fire Data System - Establishes within the Administration a National Fire Data System. Directs the System to collect data on fire injuries and deaths, property losses, and information concerning causes, locations, and numbers of fires, to be incorporated into an information retrieval system. Title IV: Research and Development - Sets forth the functions and responsibilities of the Administration, including to (1) evaluate the total area of fire research needs in the Federal, state, and local government sectors and the private sector; (2) sponsor and encourage research into promising but highly unconventional solutions to fire problems; and (3) encourage research on firefighting equipment and personal protective equipment for firefighters. Title V: Grants for State and Local Program Assistance - Directs the Administration to make grants to States for (1) the establishment and operation of state fire prevention and control planning agencies; and (2) for programs to improve and strengthen fire prevention and control. Sets forth the requirements a State plan must encompass in order to receive grants. Directs the allocation of funds appropriated to the Administration for the purpose of making grants. Title VI: Functions of Certain Other Federal Agencies - Expands the authorizations of the Secretary of Commerce to include specified fire research and safety programs. Directs the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish, within the National Institutes of Health, a program to augment current sponsorship of research on burns and burn treatment. Requires the Federal Insurance Administration to provide low-cost insured loans to homeowners and businessmen for the purpose of installing fire protection equipment. Title VII: Administrative Provisions - Grants the Administration specified powers in carrying out its functions including (1) the power to hold hearings; and (2) to use services of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Sets forth the procedure to be followed when an application for a grant has been rejected. Directs the Administration to carry out the programs of this Act during fiscal year 1974, and for the five succeeding fiscal years. Authorizes appropriations of $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, $50,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, and $128,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, and for succeeding fiscal years such sums as the Congress might authorize. Title VIII: General Provisions - Makes the provisions of this Act separable if one is found invalid.
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1973
Permits the continuation of family fares under the Federal Aviation Act. Authorizes reduced-rate transportation for handicapped persons and their attendants. Authorizes reduced-rate transportation for elderly people and young people on a space-available basis.
United States · United States Congress · 14 May 1973
Title I: Objectives - Gives recognition to the problems caused to the States of Arizona, California, and Nevada, due to the increasing salinity of the Colorado River. Declares it to be Congress' intent to institute a salinity control program based upon the policy adopted in the Conclusions and Recommendations published in the proceedings of the reconvened seventh session of the conference in the matter of the pollution of the interstate waters of the Colorado River and its tributaries in the States of California, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming held in Denver, Colorado, on April 26-27, 1972, and approved on June 9, 1972 by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. Directs the Secretary of Interior to implement the program generally as described in Chapter VI of the Secretary's report entitled, "Colorado River Water Quality Improvement Program", October 1972. Title II: Initial Stage -Authorizes the Secretary to construct as initial units of the Colorado River Basin Salinity Control Program the La Verkin Springs unit, Paradox Valley unit, and Grand Valley unit. Title III: Continuing Program - Authorizes and directs the Secretary to expedite completion of the planning report on specified units. Directs the Secretary to cooperate with the Secretary of Agriculture in his actions toward salinity control. Title IV: Advisory Council - Creates a Colorado River Salinity Control Advisory Council composed of no more than three members appointed by the Governor from each of the seven Colorado River Basin states. States that the Council is to be advisory to the Secretary of the Interior in his work of carrying out the salinity control program. Title V: Allocation of Costs, Repayments - Provides for allocation and repayment of costs. Provides that 75 percent of the total costs of construction, operation, and maintenance and replacement of each unit of the salinity control projects is declared to be non-reimbursable and the remaining 25 percent is to be allocated to the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund and the Lower Colorado River Basin Development Fund. Provides for repayment of the costs of the salinity control projects allocated to the Lower Colorado River Basin Development Fund and the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund. Authorizes the Secretary to raise the rates for electrical energy under all contracts administered under the Colorado River Storage Project Act to the extent necessary to repay the costs allocated to the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund with respect to salinity control projects. Title VI: General Provisions - Provides for biennial reporting by the Secretary on the progress of the salinity control program, and the anticipated work to be accomplished in the future. Authorizes the necessary funds to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 1973
Schoolbus Safety Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish standards which require schoolbuses be equipped with seat backs of sufficient height and design to prevent, to the extent possible, any injury to each seated passenger and the driver. Makes standards applicable to buses manufactured after June 30, 1972. Authorizes the Attorney General to commence a civil action in the United States district courts to obtain a temporary or permanent injunction restraining any person from violating the Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to nay State or political subdivision thereof or to any school system to pay all or part of the cost of complying with the Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the Act. (Amends 15 U.S.C. 1392, 1395)
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1973
Federal Disaster Insurance Act - Creates a body corporate to be known as the Federal Disaster Insurance Corporation which shall be an independent establishment in the executive branch of the Government. Provides that the management of the Corporation shall be vested in a board of directors, which shall consists of nine members appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Defines the term "natural disaster" as meaning any hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, earthquake, drought, fire, avalanche, landslide, or other catastrophe in any part of the United States which is determined by the President to be a major disaster for purposes of the Disaster Relief Act of 1970, or which is otherwise determined by the Federal Disaster Insurance Corporation to be actually or potentially of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant coverage under insurance made available pursuant to this Act. Provides that the Corporation shall have a capital stock of $1,000,000,000 which shall be subscribed to by the Secretary of the Treasury on behalf of the United States. Provides that payment upon such subscription shall be subject to call in whole or in part at any time by the board of directors of the Corporation. Authorizes to be appropriated, out of money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of $1,000,000,000 which shall be available for payment by the Secretary of the Treasury for capital stock of the Corporation. Directs the Corporation to carry out the purpose of this Act by providing, to any citizen or resident of the United States who makes application therefor and qualifies in accordance with this Act, insurance against damage to or loss of property due to natural disaster. Creates in the Treasury of the United States a National Disaster Insurance Fund which shall be available to the Corporation without fiscal year limitation: (1) for making such payments of insurance as may from time to time be required under this Act; (2) to redeem stock issued under this Act; and (3) to pay the administrative expenses of carrying out the program, including the costs of processing applications and servicing claims.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1973
Retirement Benefits Tax Act - Sets minimum standards relating to funding eligibility & vesting. Defines "minimum funding standard" as the excess of the sum of (1) the normal cost of the plan for such year plus interest on the unfunded liability, computed under the funding method used to determine normal costs, 5 percent of the unfunded liability for nonforfeitable benefits under the plan (computed as the excess of the present value of the then accrued nonforfeitable benefits over the fair market value of the assets), and the total of the amounts determined under clauses (1) and (2) with respect to the plan for each of the preceding plan years beginning after December 31, 1973, over "the total of the amounts determined under clauses (1) (2) with respect to the plan for each of the preceding plan years beginning after December 31, 1973, over "the total of the amounts contributed to or under the plan for each of the preceding plan years beginning after December 31, 1973. Outlines the criteria which must be met in order for a trust to qualify under this Act and defines the term "employee's accrued benefits". States that a trust has vested when an employee's rights to his accrued benefit derived from his own contributions are nonforfeitable (other than by reason of death), and his rights in at least 50 percent of such accrued benefit derived from employer contributions are nonforfeitable (other than by reason of death) as of the close of the first plan year in which the sum of his age and the period of his active participation in the plan equals or exceeds 35 years, and his rights in the remaining percentage of all of his accrued benefit derived from employer contributions become nonforfeitable (other than by reason of death) not less rapidly than ratably over the next succeeding 5 plan year. Define those employees who are eligible as (1) any employee who has not attained the age of 30 years and has a period of continuous service with the employer of 3 or more years, (2) any employee who has attained the age of 35 years but has not attained the age of 35 years and has a period of continuous service with the employer of 2 or more years, and (3) any employee who has attained the age of 35 years and who has a period of continuous service with the employer of 1 or more years. Allows a deduction under the Internal Revenue Code for retirement savings where an individual paid cash amounts: (1) to or under a qualified individual retirement account which is exempt from tax, if the individual established such account, (2) to an employees' trust which is exempt from tax for his benefit, (3) for the purchase of an annuity contract for the individual under a plan which meets specified requirements of, or (4) to or under a qualified bond purchase plan, for his benefit. Outlines special rules and limitations under this Act for persons over 70 l/2 years of age, married persons; employer contributions and recontributed amounts. Outlines those special rules and definitions applying to trusts qualifying as individual retirement accounts. Imposes for each taxable year on the assets of a qualified individual retirement account which is exempt from tax a tax equal to 10 percent of an amount which bears the same ratio to the fair market value of the toal assets in such account at the beginning of the taxable year as the minimum ammount required to be distributed during such year reduced (but not below zero) by the total amount actually distributed during such year by the account to the individual who established such account or his beneficiary bears to the minimum amount required to be distributed during such year. Directs that the tax imposed by this provision shall apply only for taxable years beginning after the taxable year in which the individual who established such account attains the age of 70 l/2 years. Establishes special rules for contributions on behalf of self-employed indivuduals and share holder-employees of electing small business corporations. Imposes a tax with respect to qualified pension profit sharing and stock bonus plans on each prohibited transaction at the rate of 5 percent of the amount involved with respect to the prohibited transaction for each year in the taxable period. Defines "prohibited transaction" as that term is set forth under the Welfare & Pension Plans Disclosure Act of August 28, 1958 as amended. Makes conforming amendments under this section. Outlines rules applicable to custodial accounts and excess contributions. Specifies those amounts from the employer's contribution which should be included in gross income by the employee.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1973
Allows the advance payment of subscription charges for publications for official U.S. Government use, whether prepared for auditory or visual usage. (Amends 31 U.S.C. 530a)
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 · 10 April 1973
Trade Reform Act - States that the purposes of this Act are to provide authority in the trade field supporting United States participation in an interrelated effort to develop an open, nondiscriminatory, and fair world economic system; to facilitate international cooperation in economic affairs; to stimulate United States economic growth and enlarge foreign markets for United States exports; to establish a program of temporary import relief and to provide trade adjustment assistance to workers; to improve the means for dealing with unfair import competition; to provide additional authority for the President to obtain fair and equitable access to foreign markets for United States exports; to provide the President more flexible authority to deal with trade matters; to enable the United States to take advantage of new trade opportunities with countries with which it has not recently had trade agreement relations; and to enable United States participation in the effort by developed countries to provide generalized preferential treatment to products of developing countries. Title I: Authority for New Negotiations - Grants to the President authority to enter into trade agreements with foreign countries, and unlimited authority to modify, continue, or eliminate duties on imports persuant to such agreements. Provides that aggregate reductions in the rate of duty up to 3 percent ad valorem may be put into effect each year for five years. Allows the President to interrupt and to extend the staging period for such reductions as long as he deems appropriate for certain products. Allows the President to exempt from staging requirements reductions not in excess of 10 percent of the duty prior to reduction, by rounding fractions or decimals. Sets forth the findings of Congress on nontariff barriers to trade which reduce the growth of foreign markets for products of United States commerce, and diminish the intended mutual benefits of reciprocal trade concessions. Urges the President to negotiate mutual reduction, elimination, or harmonization of such barriers to trade with other countries. Grants the President advance authority to implement such agreements with respect to customs valuation, establishing the quantities on which assessments are made, and requirements for marking of country of origin. Establishes procedures for serving notice to the Congress 90 days before such agreements take effect. Sets forth prenegotiation requirements. Provides for the publication and transmission to the Tariff Commission by the President of lists of articles which may be considered for concessions in connection with any proposed trade agreement. Requires the Tariff Commission to advise the President on each article within six months of its judgment as to the probable economic effect of modifying or continuing duties on domestic industries producing like or directly competitive articles. Outlines the economic factors which the Tariff Commission shall investigate and analyze. Requires the Tariff Commission to hold public hearings during the course of preparing this advice. Requires the President, before entering into a trade agreement to seek information and advice with respect to each agreement from the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Interior, Labor, State, Treasury, and from the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations, and to seek information and advice as appropriate from other sources such as the Department of Transportation. Provides that meetings of selected industry, labor, and agriculture groups advising the President or any agency on United States negotiating objectives and bargaining positions in specific product sectors prior to entry into trade agreements shall be exempt from the requirements relating to open meetings and public participation under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Requires the President to hold public hearings in connection with any proposed trade agreement under this title to enable interested persons to present their views with respect to the list of articles considered for change in duty status, any concessions which should be sought from foreign countries, and any other relevant matters. Requires the President to designate an agency or interagency committee to hold these hearing and to provide a summary to the President. Requires the President to receive such summary of the hearings before making an offer to modify or continue any duty or to continue duty-free treatment on any article in negotiations. Requires the President to transmit to each House of the Congress a copy of all trade agreements, with a statement of his reasons for entering into the agreement in the light of the Tariff Commission's advice and other relevant considerations. Title II: Relief from Disruption Caused by Fair Competition Outlines procedures to be followed by the Tariff Commission in conducting an investigation to determine the existence of injury to a domestic industry due to imports. Provides that a petition for eligibility for import relief may be filed with the Tariff Commission by an entity, such as a trade association, firm, or union, which is broadly representative of an industry. Requires that the petition include a statement describing the specific purpose for which import relief is sought, such as to facilitate the transfer of resources to alternative employment and other means to adjust to new competitive conditions. Requires the Tariff Commission to transmit a copy of any petitions to the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations and to the Government agencies which are directly concerned in particular cases, such as the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Interior, Labor, State, and Treasury. Requires the Tariff Commission to conduct an investigation to determine whether there is injury to a domestic industry caused primarily by substantially increased quantities of imports like or directly competitive with articles produced by the domestic industry, and offered at prices substantially below those of comparable domestic articles. Provides that, in making its determination with respect to injury, the Tariff Commission shall take into account all economic factors it considers relevant, including significant unemployment or underemployment in the industry, inability of a significant number of firms to operate at a reasonable level of profit and significant idling of productive facilities in the industry. Provides that determining whether imports are the primary cause of injury, the Commission shall consider relevant factors such as the extent to which current business conditions, changes in taste or technology, or competitive conditions within the industry may be contributed to the competitive difficulties experienced by firms in the industry. Requires the Tariff Commission to investigate and report on efforts by firms in the industry to compete more effectively with imports. Requires the Tariff Commission to hold public hearings in connection with any proceedings with regard to import relief for market disruption by imported goods. Requires the Tariff Commission to report to the President its findings relating to such import relief, and to publish a summary of its findings in the Federal Register. Provides for a determination by the President within 60 days whether to provide import relief following an affirmative finding by the Tariff Commission of injury to an industry due to imports. Enumerates factors which the President must take into account in this determination, including: the effectiveness of import relief as a means to promote adjustment and the impact of relief measures on domestic consumers, other industries and workers, and upon United States foreign economic interests. Authorizes the President to provide import relief to the extent and for such time as he deems necessary to prevent or remedy serious injury to a domestic industry. States that such relief shall be in the form of increased duties or restrictions on articles causing or threatening serious injury to domestic industry. Provides that the President may issue regulations governing the entry of an article covered by an orderly marketing agreement, and that the President may impose controls on import of articles from countries which are not parties to such agreements. Provides limitations of 5 years on the duration of import relief measures and requires the phasing out of such measures during the time of their application. Requires the Tariff Commission to keep under review developments with respect to the industry concerned as long as any import relief remains in effect, and report such developments to the President upon his request. Provides that whenever any action has been taken to increase or impose any duty or other import restriction, the President shall afford interested foreign countries an opportunity to consult with the United States with respect to concessions, if any, to be granted as compensation for the import restriction imposed. Provides for filing of petitions with the Secretary of Labor by groups of workers or their duly authorized representative for a certification of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance. Requires the Secretary to publish promptly in the Federal Register that he has received the petition and initiated an investigation. Provides that the Secretary shall provide for a public hearing if the petitioner, or any other person found by the Secretary to have a substantial interest in the proceedings, submits a request not later than ten days after the publication of notice. Provides criteria for certification by the Secretary of Labor of eligibilty of groups of workers applying for adjustment assistance. Requires the Secretary to make such determination of eligibility within 60 days after filing of a petitition by a group of workers. Requires the Secretary to publish promptly in the Federal Register a summary of his determination on such petititions. Provides for termination of such certifications of eligibility to apply for adjustment assistance if the Secretary determines that total or partial separations are no longer attributable to the conditions for which the certification was granted. States the qualifications that an individual worker must have in order to obtain supplemental payments for weeks in which he is entitled to State unemployment insurance payments. Establishes that an adversely affected worker who receives State unemployment insurance for a week of unemployment and meets the qualifying requirements shall receive a supplemental payment equal to the amount (if any) of which the State unemployment insurance he receives for such week is less than the payment he would have received if under the State law his weekly benefit amount was one-half of his average weekly wage, or the maximum weekly benefit amount, whichever is less. Defines the terms used in establishing the weekly benefit amount on the basis of which the supplemental payment would be made. Provides that the Secretary shall make every reasonable effort to secure counseling, testing, and placement services, and supportive and other services provided for under any Federal law for adversely affected workers covered by a certification. Requires the Secretary to procure such services through agreements with cooperating State agencies whenever appropriate. Authorizes the Secretary to provide or assure provision of appropriate training to trade-impacted workers under manpower and related service programs established by law, on a priority basis. Authorizes supplemental assistance to defray transportation and subsistence costs when training is provided in facilities which are not within commuting distance. Provides that the Secretary shall not authorize training which begins more than one year after the certification or of the worker's last total or partial separation whichever is later. Provides that any worker refusing without good cause to accept or continue, or failing to make satisfactory progress in suitable training to which he was referred by the Secretary shall be disqualified from receiving payments under this chapter until he enters or resumes the training. Provides that workers covered by adjustment assistance certification may apply for a job search allowance, reimbursing the worker up to 80 percent of the cost of such job search, but not to exceed $500. Provides terms and conditions for relocation allowances for a head of a family adversely affected by imports and covered by certification. Provides for agreements between the Secretary of Labor and State agencies to carry out the provisions for testing, counseling, training and placement services for workers adversely affected by imports. Authorizes the Secretary to arrange by regulations for performance of such services where there is no agreement with a State agency. Provides for fair hearing for any worker whose application for payments is denied. Provides for review by the courts of final determination of entitlement to payments in the same manner and to the same extent as is provided by the judicial review provision for the social security program. Requires that all money paid to State under this Act shall be used solely for the purposes for which it is paid. Relieves certifying and disbursing officers, in the absence of gross negligence or intent to defraud the United States, from liability with respect to any properly certified payment. Provides that if a person has been found to have received any payment to which he was not entitled, as a result of false statements, such person shall be liable to repay such amount to the State agency or to the Secretary. Imposes penalties by fines of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, for any person who knowingly makes false statements of, or fails to disclose material facts for the purpose of obtaining or increasing for himself or for any other individual any payment authorized to be paid under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of sums necessary to carry out his functions in connection with furnishing payments to workers under this Act. Sets forth definitions of terms necessary to interpretation and administration of this section. Requires the Secretary of Labor, in coordination with the Special Representative for Trade Negotiations to prescribe regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this section. Title III: Relief from Unfair Trade Practices - Expands the authority of the President under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to respond to unreasonable or injustifiable foreign trade practices or discriminatory acts which burden or restrict United States commerce. Requires the President to take all appropriate and feasible steps to obtain the elimination of such import restrictions on United States exports. Provides that the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate must within six months or, in more complicated investigations, within nine months after a question of dumping is raised by or presented to him, make the determination required under present law as to whether there is reason to believe or suspect that the purchase price of imported merchandise is less, or the exporter's sales price is less or likely to be less, than the foreign market value or constructed value of the merchandise. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to withhold appraisement of such merchandise entered on or after the date of publication of notice thereof in the Federal Register. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury or the Tariff Commission to hold a hearing prior to determination of dumping, and to publish in the Federal Register the basis for their findings and conclusions on all material issues presented on the record. Defines purchase price and the exporter's sales price of imported merchandise for purposes of this section. Provides for the application of countervailing duties on imports, equal to the net amount bestowed on such goods by a bounty or grant by any country. Requires a determination of material injury by the Tariff Commission for the application of countervailing duties to duty-free imports, for so long as such a determination is required by international obligations. Provides that the Secretary of the Treasury must determine within one year if a bounty or grant is being paid or bestowed. Provides discretionary authority for the Secretary to bar the application of countervailing duties in any particular case if he determines that such action would be detrimental to United States economic interests, or that existing quantitative limitations are an adequate substitute for the imposition of countervailing duties. Limits the discretion of the President over issuance of exclusion orders against articles concerned in unfair methods of competition to instances of patent infringement. Requires the Tariff Commission to investigate and regulate other alleged unfair methods of competition. Authorizes the Tariff Commission to issue temporary exclusion orders pending the completion of its full investigation if a prima facie showing of a violation has been established, and if immediate and substantial harm to the patentee would result if a temporary order were not issued. Provides that public hearings shall be held in connection with investigations under this section and that a transcript shall be made. Authorizes any person adversely affected by an action of the Commission to secure judicial review in the United States Court of Customs and Patent Appeals. Title IV: Internal Trade Policy Management Grants explicit and more flexible authority than under existing legislation for the President to impose or liberalize restrictions on imports to deal with serious balance-of-payments problems. Permits the United States to exercise fully its GATT rights and obligations. Provides the President authority at least as extensive as his authority under trade agreements, and authority to maintain trade agreement rates in the absence of a trade agreement. Provides permanent authority for the President to negotiate and implement trade agreements of limited scope. Provides permanent authority for the President to compensate foreign countries for increases in United States import restrictions. Provides authority for the President to reduce import restrictions temporarily for the purpose of restraining inflation. Requires the reservation of certain articles for reductions in duties or other import restrictions during the course of trade negotiations for purposes of national security. Requires the application of trade agreement concessions on a most-favored-nation basis unless a deviation is specifically authorized. Provides authority for the President to terminate at any time actions to implement trade agreements. Provides that all trade agreements are subject to termination or withdrawal at the end of a specific time period. Provides for public hearings in connection with Presidential withdrawal of concessions or termination of prior trade agreements. Authorizes annual appropriations necessary for the payment by the United States of its share of the expenses of the contracting parties to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. Title V: Trade Relations with Countries not Enjoying Most-Favored-Nation Tariff Treatment - Stipulates that except as otherwise provided, the President shall continue to deny most-favored-nation tariff treatment to products imported from any country or area which are subject to Column 2 rates of duty. Authorizes the President to deny such most-favored-nation treatment from any country when he deems it necessary for national security purposes. Authorizes the President to enter into bilateral commercial agreements to extend most-favored-nation treatment to imports from countries previously denied such treatment, provided that such agreements are in the national interest. Limits such agreements to an initial period of not more than three years. Subjects such agreements to suspension or termination at any time for national security reasons. Provides for consultations for the purpose of reviewing the operation of the agreement and relevant aspects of relations between the United States and the other party. Authorizes implementation of such agreements only if a majority of neither House of Congress adopts a resolution disapproving of such agreement within 90 days after the President delivers a copy of the agreement to the Congress. Lists examples of provisions which may be included in bilateral commercial agreements including arrangements to safeguard against domestic market disruption, to protect United States industrial rights and processes, trademarks, and copyrights, to settle commercial disputes, and arrangements to promote trade, for example, by establishing trade and tourist promotion offices, the sending of trade missions, and facilitating activities of commercial representatives. Authorizes the President to extend most-favored-nation treatment to imports from any country which has entered into a bilateral commercial agreement which has entered into force. Authorizes the President to issue an order extending most-favored-nation treatment to a country which has become a party to an appropriate multilateral trade agreement to which the United States is also a party, such as the GATT, subject to the Congressional veto procedure. Limits the application of most-favored-nation treatment to the duration of the bilateral agreement or to the period both countries are a party to a multilateral agreement. Authorizes the President at any time to suspend or withdraw the application of most-favored-nation treatment extended under this Section, thereby restoring the applicable Column 2 rate of duty on all products imported from the country. Provides criteria for determining whether market disruption injury to a domestic industry has occurred due to imports from countries which are granted most-favored-nation treatment. Requires the Tariff Commission to determine whether imports of such countries are causing material injury to a domestic industry producing like or directly competitive articles. Authorizes the President to provide import relief in the form of higher duties or other restrictions on an article found to cause injury to domestic industry. Title VI: Generalized System of Preferences - Sets forth the finding of the Congress that the welfare and security of the United States are enhanced by efforts to further the economic development of the developing countries, and that such development may be assisted by providing increased access to markets in the developed countries, including the United States, for exports from developing countries. States that the purpose of this title is to promote the general welfare, foreign policy and security of the United States by enabling the United States to participate with other developed countries in granting generalized tariff preferences to exports of manufactured and semimanufactured products and of selected other products from developing countries. Authorizes the President to provide duty-free treatment for any eligible article imported from "developing" countries, which are considered an exception to the most-favored-nation principle of the Act. Outlines the procedures and criteria for determining eligibility of products for duty-free preferential treatment, including public hearings and a determination by the Tariff Commission of the anticipated impact of the imported goods on domestic industry. Requires that prior to granting duty-free treatment on any article, the President must publish and furnish to the Tariff Commission a list of articles which may be designated eligible articles for this purpose. Requires that eligible articles be imported directly from a beneficiary developing country in order to qualify for duty-free entry, and that the sum of the cost or value of materials produced in a beneficiary developing country plus the direct costs of processing operations performed in a beneficiary developing country shall equal or exceed the percentage of the appraised value of the article at the time of its entry into the United States which the Secretary of the Treasury prescribes by regulation. Grants the Secretary broad authority to determine without public hearings what constitutes direct costs and to prescribe rules governing direct importation. Prohibits the President from designating as eligible any article subject to import relief measures or to national security action. Authorizes the President to terminate preferential treatment in response to a finding by the Tariff Commission of injury to domestic industry from an article from a poor country. Outlines criteria for determining which developing countries may be beneficiaries of duty-free preferential treatment on eligible articles. Authorizes the President to designate any country a beneficiary developing country. Directs the President in making such designation to take into account: the level of economic development of the country, whether a country has indicated a desire to be designated a beneficiary of preferential treatment, whether other major developed countries are extending generalized tariff preferences to the country, and whether the country has nationalized, expropriated or seized ownership or control of property owned by a United States citizen without provision for the payment of prompt, adequate and effective compensation. Stipulates that no country which is not receiving most-favored-nation treatment can be designated a beneficiary of preferential treatment. Prohibits according preferential treatment to a "developing" country which accords preferential treatment to the products of a developed country other than the United States, unless such treatment is to be eliminated before January 1, 1976. Grants the President broad authority to modify, withdraw, suspend, or limit at any time the application of preferential treatment on any product or with respect to any country. Requires the President to withdraw or suspend preferential treatment from any country which ceases to receive most-favored-nation treatment, and from any country which has not or will not eliminate preferences granted to other developed countries before January 1, 1976. Provides that duty-free preferential treatment shall not apply to a particular article from a particular beneficiary developing country if that country has supplied 50 percent of the total value or over $25 million of United States imports of the article on an annual basis over a representative period. Sets limits on the effective period of general preferences which must be terminated 10 years after enactment of this Act or after December 31, 1974, whichever is earlier. Title VII: General Provisions - Authorizes the President to delegate the power, authority, and discretion conferred upon him by this Act to heads of agencies he deems appropriate. Authorizes such heads of agencies to authorize the head of any other agency to perform such functions, to prescribe rules and regulations necessary to perform such functions, and to procure the temporary services of experts on consultants. Provides for an annual report to the Congress by the President on the trade agreements program and on import relief and adjustment assistance to workers. Provides for a factual report to the Congress by the Tariff Commission on the operation of the trade agreement program at least once a year. Provides that the Tariff Commission may conduct preliminary investigations, determine the scope and manner of its proceedings, and consolidate its proceedings. Provides that, in performing functions under this Act, the Tariff Commission may exercise any authority granted to it under any other Act. Provides that the Tariff Commission shall keep informed at all times concerning the operation and effect of provisions relating to duties or other import restrictions of the United States contained in trade agreements. Insures that invalidity of any one provision of this Act will not affect the validity of the remainder of the Act. Defines terms used in the Act. Sets forth amendments to existing trade laws to bring about conformity with this Act. Directs the President to embody in the tariff schedules of the United States the substance of the relevant provisions of this Act, and of other Acts affecting import treatment, and actions thereunder, including modification, continuance or imposition of any rate of duty or other import restriction. Extends to the President upon recommendation of the Tariff Commission, authority to modify or amend the tariff schedules of the United States, including the establishment of new classifications, the abolition of existing classifications, or the transfer of particular articles from one classification to another. Excludes from such simplifications of the tariff schedules any modification of any rate of duty or other import restriction by more than one percent ad valorem (or ad valorem equivalent) unless annual imports of the article involved did not exceed $10,000 in each of the immediately preceding ten years. Requires the Tariff Commission, before making recommendations to the President, to publish in the Federal Register a notice of any proposed modification of the tariff schedules and to provide an opportunity for interested parties to to present their views to the Commission. Requires the Tariff Commission to keep the effect of modifications under observation for a period of five years, and to report to the President any substantial increase in the imports of such articles. Requires the President to terminate promptly the modification of the duty or other import restriction of any article which the President determines has been a imported in substantially increasing amounts in injury to domestic parties producing a like or directly competitive article. Authorizes the President to terminate at any time, in whole or in part, any action taken under his power to simplify and modify the tariff schedules of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1973
Rehabilitation Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to provide a statutory basis for the Rehabilitation Service Administration; to establish within the Department of Health, Education and Welfare an Office for the Handicapped, and to authorize specified programs. Establishes within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare a Rehabilitation Services Administration which shall be administered by a Commissioner. Provides that the Commissioner shall carry out and administer all programs and direct the performance of all services for which authority is provided to the Secretary of H.E.W. under titles I through III of this Act. Creates within such administration a Division of Research, Training and Evaluation which shall be responsible for carrying out programs and projects under title III of this Act. Authorizes the inclusion of appropriations under this Act in appropriations for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which they are available for obligation. Provides that where funds are provided for a single project by more than one Federal agency to an agency or organization assisted under this Act, the Federal agency principally involved may be designated to act for all in administering such funds. Sets forth definitions of terms used in this Act. Title I: Vocational Rehabilitation Services - States it to be the purpose of this title to authorize grants to assist States to meet the current and future needs of handicapped individuals, so that such individuals may prepare for and engage in gainful employment to the extent of their capabilities. Authorizes to be appropriated $660,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, $700,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, and $710,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 for the purpose of making grants to States to assist them in meeting the costs of vocational rehabilitation services. Authorizes to be appropriated $35,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, $40,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, and $45,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, for the purpose of making grants to States and public and nonprofit agencies to assist them in meeting the costs of projects to initiate or expand services to handicapped individuals. Sets forth the requirements of State plans to be submitted and approved for participation in programs under this title. Authorizes judicial review in United States district courts of decisions by the Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration affecting State plans. Provides that the Commissioner shall insure that the individualized written rehabilitation program required in a State plan in the case of each handicapped individual shall be developed jointly by the vocational rehabilitation counselor or coordinator and the handicapped individual. Defines vocational rehabilitation services provided under this Act as any goods or services necessary to render a handicapped individual employable, including, but not limited to, the following: (1) evaluation of rehabilitation potential; (2) counseling, guidance, referral, and placement services for handicapped invididuals; (3) vocational and other training services for handicapped individuals; (4) physical and mental restoration services; (5) maintenance, not exceeding the estimated cost of subsistence, during rehabilitation; (6) interpreter services for the deaf, and reader services for the blind; (7) recruitment and training services for handicapped individuals; (8) rehabilitation teaching services and orientation and mobility services for the blind; (9) occupational licenses, tools, equipment, and initial stocks and supplies; (10) transportation in connection with the rendering of any vocational rehabilitation services; and (11) telecommunications, sensory, and other technological aids and devices. Provides a formula for the allotment and payment of funds to States for providing rehabilitation services under this title. Directs the Commissioner to pay to a State or, at the option of the State, to a public or nonprofit organization or agency a portion of the cost of planning, preparing for, and initiating special programs under the State plan to expand vocational rehabilitation services. Title II: Special Federal Responsibilities - Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants and contracts for fiscal years 1974-76 to assist in meeting the costs of construction of public or nonprofit rehabilitation facilities, initial staffing, and planning assistance. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to States and public or nonprofit organizations and agencies to pay up to 90 percent of the cost of projects for providing vocational training services to handicapped individuals, especially those with the most severe handicaps, in public or nonprofit rehabilitation facilities. Authorizes to be appropriated for such grants and contracts $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, $12,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, and $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1976. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to States and public or non-profit agencies and organizations for paying part of the cost of special projects and demonstrations: (1) for establishing facilities and providing services which hold promise of expanding or otherwise improving rehabilitation services to handicapped individuals, especially those with the most severe handicaps; and (2) for applying new types or patterns of service or devices. Provides that the Commissioner may make contracts or jointly finance cooperative arrangements with employers and organizations for the establishment of projects designed to prepare handicapped individuals for gainful and suitable employment in the competitive labor market under which such handicapped individuals are provided training and employment in a realistic work setting and such other services as may be necessary for such individuals to continue to engage in such employment. Authorizes the Commissioner to provide technical assistance to rehabilitation facilities, and for the purpose of removal of architectural and transportation barriers, to any public or nonprofit agency, institution, organization or facility. Provides for a special study by the Secretary of the needs of severely handicapped persons who would otherwise be ineligible for services under this Act. Authorizes appropriations to establish national centers for spinal cord injuries. Establishes in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare a National Advisory Council on Rehabilitation of Handicapped Individuals consisting of twenty members appointed by the Commissioner. Provides that the council shall: (1) provide policy advice and consultation on the planning, conduct, and review of programs authorized under this Act; (2) review the administration and operation of vocational rehabilitation programs under this Act, make recommendations with respect thereto, and make annual reports to the Secretary and the Commissioner for transmittal to the Congress; (3) advise the Secretary and the Commissioner with respect to the conduct of independent evaluations of programs carried out under this Act; and (4) provide such other advisory services as the Secretary and Commissioner may request. Sets forth requirements for applications for assistance for construction projects under this title. Title III: Research and Training - Provides that the commissioner may make grants to, and contracts with, State public and nonprofit organizations to pay part of the cost of research projects which bear directly on the provision of services under this Act. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to pay all or part of the cost of specialized activities including the establishment and support of Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers and Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers. Authorizes the Secretary to pay part of the cost of projects for training, traineeships, and related activities designed to assist in increasing the numbers of personnel trained in providing vocational and comprehensive rehabilitation services. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purpose of this title. Title IV: Administration and Program and Project Evaluation - Sets forth the functions of the Commissioner in carrying out his duties under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct studies, investigations and evaluations of programs authorized by this Act. Provides that the Secretary shall measure and evaluate the impact of all programs authorized by this Act in order to determine their effectiveness in achieving stated goals. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report on such determination and review to the appropriate committees of the Congress. Authorizes appropriations to conduct such program and project evaluations. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to the President and to the Congress on the activities carried out under this Act. Provides for a study of the role of sheltered workshops in the rehabilitation and employment of handicapped individuals. Title V: Office for the Handicapped - Establishes an Office for the Handicapped within the Office of the Secretary in the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Provides that the Office shall be headed by a Director, who shall serve as a Special Assistant to the Secretary. Sets forth the functions of the Office. Authorizes to be appropriated for the purposes of this title such sums as necessary. Title VI: Miscellaneous - Provides for the repeal of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act. Establishes an Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board to investigate problems of handicapped persons in the areas of architecture and transportation, and to make legislative recommendations to the President and the Congress. Requires any contract in excess of $2500 entered into by any Federal department or agency for the procurement of personal property and nonpersonal services (including construction) for the United States to contain a provision requiring that, in employing persons to carry out such contract, the party contracting with the United States shall take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment qualified handicapped individuals. States that no otherwise qualified handicapped individual in the United States shall, solely by reason of his handicap, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1973
Provides that totally and permanently disabled World War II servicemen and their dependents are eligible for specified medical and dental benefits. (Amends 10 U.S.C. 1086(c)(1))
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1973
National Child Abuse Prevention Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, to make grants to specified State agencies for developing and carrying out child abuse and neglect treatment and prevention programs. Sets forth the definitions of the terms used in this Act, including "child abuse", which has such meaning as given under State laws; except that in any case it shall include the physical or mental injury, severe abuse, or maltreatment of a child under the age of eighteen by a person who is responsible for the child's household, occurring under circumstances which indicate that the child's health or welfare is harmed or threatened. Authorizes appropriations of $20,000,000 for each fiscal year, l974 through l976. Specifies the requirements a State child abuse prevention plan must meet to qualify for assistance under this Act, including: (1) that such plan is in effect throughout the State; (2) that a designated State agency shall make reports to the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare; and (3) that the State has adequate child abuse laws or is initiating a legislative program of such laws. Sets forth the procedures a State must meet for the reporting of child abuse or neglect cases by doctors, schoolteachers, social and welfare workers. Provides that specified actions shall be taken when such report is submitted to the police, social service administration or judical authority, including the forwarding of the report to the appropriate State agency and to the Social and Rehabilitative Service in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1973
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, that an educational organization shall be treated as an organization organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes if: (1) such organization is organized and operated solely to perform, on a centralized basis, one or more of the following services which, if performed on its own behalf by a tax exempt organization would constitute activities in exercising or performing the purpose or function constituting the basis for its exemption: computer service, purchasing, warehousing, billing and collection, food, industrial engineering, library, investment, research, laboratory, printing, communications, record center, instructional services, solicitation of financial support, academic personnel, and student services; and (2) such organization is not operated for profit, and amounts payable by such educational institutions for services performed for them are determined on the basis of the amount of services so performed and are intended in each case not to exceed the allocable cost of such services and are not in fact in any case significantly in excess thereof. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 501)
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1973
Provides for the inclusion of .22 caliber rimfire ammunition in the catagories of ammunition for which persons holding a Federal license to do business as a firearms or ammunition importer, manufacturer, or dealer need not keep records on purchasers. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 4182(c))
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1973
Omnibus Fire Research and Training Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to develop and carry out a comprehensive fire research and training program designed to provide more effective measures of protection against the hazards of death, injury, and damage to property resulting from fire by the widest possible use of new approaches and improvements in fire prevention and control. Establishes, within the Department of Commerce as a part of the National Bureau of Standards, a Fire Research and Safety Center which shall provide additional scientific and technical knowledge applicable to the prevention and reduction of fires; conducting medical research aimed at improving the performance of men in fighting fires and at the healing of victims of fires; and in the operating of a comprehensive fire data and information system. Provides that the Director of the Center shall perform studies into the operational and managerial aspects of fire departments and services using quantitive techniques, including operations research, management economics, and cost effectiveness studies. Establishes, within the Department of Commerce, as part of the National Bureau of Standards, a United States Fire Academy which shall advance the professional development of fire service personnel; and conduct such development, testing, and demonstration projects as are deemed necessary to introduce new technological standards, operating methods, command techniques, and managerial systems into use in the fire services of the nation. Authorizes the Academy to conduct courses and programs of training and education in the basic techniques of fire prevention, fire inspection, firefighting and the administration and management of fire departments and fire services. Provides for the education and training of local fire units and departments, state and local governments, and private institutions through the establishment of fire training courses and programs in fire engineering at junior colleges and universities. Provides for the inclusion of fire prevention and detection technology and practices in the education and professional practice of architects, builders, city planners engaged in the design and planning affected by fire safety problems. Provides that the Superintendent shall admit to the Academy individuals who are members of the firefighting forces with due regard to an adequate geographic representation. Authorizes the provision stipends to students attending Academy courses and programs in amounts not to exceed 75 percent of the cost of attendance. Authorizes the Superintendent to make payments to institutions of higher education for loans to individuals enrolled on a full-time basis in recognized undergraduate or graduate programs in fire research or engineering not to exceed $2,500 per academic year for any individual. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to appoint a 12 member Board of Visitors to the United States Fire Academy to review annually the program of the Academy consisting of two members of the Senate, two members of the House of Representatives, and eight individuals designated by the Secretary from persons representative of the fire service community. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,000,000 for the fiscal year 1974 to establish the Academy. (Amends 15 U.S.C. 278g)
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 1973
Makes it the sense of the House of Representatives that should United States gold be offered for public sale, the sale of such gold must be restricted to the domestic market and American citizens for a period of 30 days before being offered on the world market.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 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 · 8 March 1973
Provides that qualified export assets of a corporation shall include, for taxation purposes, accounts receivable which arise by reason of transactions of such corporation, or of another corporation which is a member of a controlled group which includes such corporation. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 993(b)(3))
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1973
Wilderness Study Act - Provides for a study of various lands enumerated in this Act to determine their suitability for designation as wilderness in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to report the findings of such study to the President within five years after the date of the enactment of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Designates lands in the Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee, as the North Cohutta Wilderness Preserve.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1973
Designates specified lands in the following national forests for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System including: (1) Bankhead National Forest, Alabama; (2) Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas; (3) Ozark National Forest, Arkansas; (4) Appalachicola National Forest, Florida; (5) Chattahooche and Cherokee National Forests, Georgia and Tennessee; (6) White Mountain National Forest, Maine; (7) Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri; (8) White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire; (9) Natahala and Cherokee National Forests, North Carolina and Tennessee; (10) Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia; (11) George Washington National Forest, Virginia and West Virginia; (12) Jefferson National Forest, Virginia; (13) Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky; (14) Sumter National Forest, South Carolina, (15) Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont; (16) Chequamegon National Forest, Wisconsin; (17) Clark National Forest, Missouri, Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan; and (18) Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri. Authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1973
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 · 6 March 1973
National Mobile Home and Recreational Vehicle Safety Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish by order appropriate nonoperational Federal mobile home and recreational vehicle safety standards. Provides that, in prescribing standards under this Act, the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall: (1) consider relevant available mobile home safety data; (2) consult with such State or interstate agencies (including legislative committees) as he deems appropriate; (3) consider whether any such proposed standard is reasonable, practicable, and appropriate for the particular type of mobile home or recreational vehicle for which it is prescribed; (4) consider whether any such standard will result in a substantial increase in the retail price of mobile homes or recreational vehicles; and (5) consider the extent to which any such standard will contribute to carrying out the purpose of this title. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue initial Federal recreational vehicle and mobile home safety standards upon the expiration of a two hundred and seventy day period which begins on the date of enactment of this Act. Provides that the Secretary shall issue new and revised Federal recreational vehicle and mobile home safety standards under this title upon the expiration of the five hundred and forty-day period which begins on the date of enactment of this Act. Establishes both a National Mobile Home Safety Advisory Council, and a National Recreational Vehicle Safety Advisory Council, a majority of each of which shall be representatives of the general public, including representatives of State and local governments, and the remainder shall include mobile home or recreational vehicle manufacturers, dealers, representatives of insurers, and nationally recognized standards-producing organizations. Provides that the Secretary shall consult with the appropriate Advisory Council before establishing or revoking any mobile home or recreational vehicle safety standard pursuant to this title. Directs the Secretary to conduct research, testing, development and training necessary to carry out the purposes of this title. Provides that no person shall: (1) manufacture for sale, sell, offer for sale, or introduce or deliver for introduction into interstate commerce, or import into the United States, any mobile home or recreational vehicle manufactured on or after the date any applicable Federal mobile home or recreational vehicle safety standard takes effect under this title unless it is in conformity with such standard; (2) fail or refuse access to or copying of records, or fail to make reports or provide information, or fail or refuse to permit entry or inspection, as required under this Act; (3) fail to issue a certificate required by this Act, or issure a certificate to the effect that a mobile home or recreational vehicle conforms to all applicable Federal mobile home or recreational vehicle safety standards, unless such person in the exercise of due care has reason to know that such certificate is false or misleading in a material respect; or (4) fail to furnish notification of any defect as required by this Act. Provides for civil penalties for violations of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to conduct such inspection and investigation as may be necessary to enforce Federal mobile home and recreational vehicles safety standards established under this Act. Provides that every manufacturer, distributor, and dealer of mobile homes and recreational vehicles shall maintain such records, make such reports, and provide such performance and technical data to the Secretary as may be required to carry out the purposes of this Act. Establishes a National Mobile Home and Recreational Vehicle Safety Institute in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Provides that such Institute shall be headed by a Director appointed by the Secretary. Authorizes such Institute to : (1) develop, establish, and forward to the Secretary of Transportation recommended mobile home and recreational vehicle nonoperational safety standards; (2) conduct research, testing, development, and training as authorized by this title; (3) prepare the annual report to the Congress required by this title; and (4) perform all other functions of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under this Act. Requires the Secretary to submit to the President an annual report on the activities of the Department of Transportation under this Title. States that nothing in this Act shall prevent any State agency or court from asserting or continuing jurisdiction under State law over any aspect of mobile home or recreational vehicle safety with respect to which no standards have been established pursuant to this title. Provides that any State may assume responsibility for enforcement of any Federal standards which have been established under this Act upon approval by the Secretary under specified conditions. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to States which have been delegated enforcement responsibility to assist them in identifying their needs and responsibilities in the area of safety standards enforcement or in developing enforcement plans. Provides that the Federal share of each such grant shall not exceed 90percent of the total cost. Authorizes Federal participation under the Home Owner's Loan Act of 1933 in any loan made for the purchase of a recreational vehicle or mobile home which meets or exceeds the safety standards established under this Act. Provides for Federal participation in loans made to veterans purchasing mobile homes and recreational vehicles which meet such standards.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1973
Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to enter into agreements under the Fisherman's Protective Act of 1967 with owners of United States commercial fishing vessels for purposes of reimbursing such owners for all actual costs resulting from any damage to, or destruction of, their vessels or equipment as a result of actions of vessels operated by a foreign government or the citizens of a foreign government. Authorizes the Secretary to provide reasonable reimbursement for losses suffered by such vessel owners because of lost or reduced fishing hauls directly resulting from the damage. Authorizes the appropriation of $5,000,000 for reimbursement of claims under this Act. Provides that the provisions of this Act shall apply with respect to damages or destruction of United States vessels occurring on or before January 1, 1971.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1973
Provides that whenever the law of any State permits the transportation or importation of wine into that State, such State may not impose with respect to any wine produced in another State, or from materials origniating in another State, any tax, regulation, prohibition, or requirement which is not equally applicable with respect to wine of like kind: (1) produced in, or from materials originating in, the State imposing such tax, regulation, prohibition, or requirement, or (2) produced outside, or produced from products produced outside the State. Provides that a State which permits the sale of wine within the State shall permit the transportation or importation of wine of like kind produced in other States, or from materials originating in other States, into said State for sale therein upon terms and conditions equally applicable to all wine of like kind sold in the State. Provides that whenever the law of any State permits the transportation or importation of wine into that State, such State may not impose with respect to such wine any prohibition or requirement which unreasonably impairs the free flow of commerce in such wine among the several States. Provides that whenever any person engaged in the transportation or importation into any State or the distribution within any State of any wine, or any product intended for use in the production of any wine has reason to believe that such State has violated any of the provisions of this Act, such person may file in a district court of the United States of competent jurisdiction, a civil action to enjoin the enforcement thereof. Gives such court jurisdiction to hear and determine such action, and to enter therein such preliminary and permanent orders, decrees, and judgments as it shall determine to be required to prevent any such violation.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1973
Includes land located in any State or foreign country within the definition of subdivision for the purposes of the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act and defines the term interstate advertising for the purposes of the Act. Provides that a purchaser of a subdivision lot may revoke the contract for such purchase within 72 hours (formerly 48 hours) excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, where he received a property report less than 48 hours before he signed the contract. States that it shall be unlawful for any developer or agent to engage in interstate advertising. Provides that nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prohibit any communication, not otherwise illegal, between a developer or agent and any person who has initiated negotiations regarding the purchase of a lot or any lots in a subdivision. States that it shall be unlawful to sell or lease any lot in any subdivision unless the developer or agent gives bond to assure the completion (in substantial conformity with the estimated schedule) of the improvements to be installed by the developer as required. Provides that the expenses of every investigation of the affairs of any developer, broker, agent, or other person or organization, including any appraisal of its real property or of any real property on which it holds a mortgage, made pursuant to the authority conferred by any provision of the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act, shall be borne and paid by the developer or other person or organization so investigated.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1973
Exempts from the income tax the compensation of members of the Armed Forces during the period of time in which they are hospitalized as a result of disease or injury incurred while serving in a combat zone, whether or not combatant activities are continuing. Exempts from the income tax the compensation of members of the Armed Forces paid during the last year in which they were in missing in action status. Permits the spouse of a serviceman or civilian missing in action as a result of service in a combat zone to file a joint return for any taxable year in which he is in a missing status. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 112(a)(2),(b)(2); 692(1); 6013(f); 7508)
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1973
Requires each Member of Congress and each employee of the Congress to file, not later than May 15 of each year or not more than three months after the last day he occupies such office or position (if he leaves such position before May 15), with the Comptroller General, a report containing a full and complete statement of: (1) the amount and source of each item of income, each item of reimbursement for any expenditure, and each gift or aggregate of gifts from one source (other than gifts received from his spouse or any member of his immediate family) recieved by him or by him and his spouse jointly during the preceding calander year which exceeds $100 in amount or value; (2) the value of each asset held by him, or by him and his spouse jointly, which has a value in excess of $5,000, and the amount of each liability owed by him, or by him and his spouse jointly, which is in excess of $5,000 as of the close of the preceding calander year; and (3) any business transaction by him, or by him and his spouse jointly, or by any person acting in his behalf, during the preceding calander year if the aggregate amount involved in such transaction exceeds $5,000 during such year. Provides that the reports required by this Act shall be in such form and detail as the Comptroller General may prescribe. Establishes a penalty of $2,000, or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both for whoever willfully fails to file a report or knowingly files a false report under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1973
Provides for the designation as the San Joaguin Wilderness that part of the Sierra National Forest, and the Inyo National Forest in the State of California, depicted presently as Minarets Summit Wilderness.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1973
Provides that an insured individual under title II of the Social Security Act (Old-Age, Survivors' and Disability Insurance) may retire and receive full old-age insurance benefits, at any time after attaining age 60, if he has been forced to retire at that age by a Federal law, regulation, or order.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1973
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that nothing contained in the U.S. Constitution shall abridge the right of persons lawfully assembled, in any public building, school, or educational institution which is supported in whole or in part through the expenditure of public funds, to participate voluntarily in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States. Gives Congress the power by appropriate legislation to regulate the display and handling of the flag of the United States and to protect it from desecration.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 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 · 8 February 1973
Allows a tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code to an employer with respect to a Vietnam veteran employed by a taxpayer for not less than 6 months during the 2-year period beginning on the date 1 year before the first day of the taxpayer's taxable year, if, as certified by the Secretary of Labor, the position which the individual is hired either (1) reflects the individual's prior civilian experience, his applicable military experience, or his educational level, or (2) provides training which leads to self improvement or job advancement.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1973
Allows as a credit against the tax imposed by the Internal Revenue Code a percentage of a taxpayer's employment expenses in employing a Vietnam veteran. Gives preference in percentages allowed as a credit to the hiring of a person who is physically handicapped, or who was a prisoner of war or missing in action. Specifies qualifying expenses and the percentages allowed depending on the length of a veteran's employment. Requires the payment of the higher of either the minimum wage or the prevailing wage. Defines terms and sets forth regulations for purposes of this Act. (Amends 16 U.S.C. 42)
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1973
Designates lands in the Mendocino National Forest, California, as the "Snow Mountain Wilderness" for inclusion in the national wilderness preservation system.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1973
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, for an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide that may be contained in still wines. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 5041 (a))
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1973
Act for Freedom of Emigration in East-West Trade - States that after October 15, 1972, products from any nonmarket economy country shall not be eligible to receive most-favored-nation treatment, such country shall not participate in any program of the Government of the United States which extends credits or credit guarantees or investment guarantees, directly or indirectly, and the President of the United States shall not conclude any commercial agreement with any such country during the period beginning with the date on which the President determines that such country: (1) denies its citizens the right or opportunity to emigrate; (2) imposes more than a nominal tax on emigration or on the visas or other documents required for emigration, for any purpose or cause whatsoever; or (3) imposes more than a nominal tax, levy, fine, fee, or other charge on any citizen as a consequence of the desire of such citizen to emigrate to the country of his choice. Provides that, before any of the aforementioned commercial agreements are entered into with any foreign country, the President shall submit to the Congress a report indicating that such country is not in violation of any of the requirements of the preceding paragraph.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1973
Provides that no person may present a major sporting event to the public by means of any type of electronic medium unless a permit has been issued by the Federal Communications Commissioner. Sets forth standards that an applicant for such a permit must satisfy. Provides that any person who presents a major sports event in violation of this Act shall forfeit to the United States a sum of money not in excess of the gross receipts with respect to such event by such person.
![Official portrait of Rep. Pettis, Jerry L. [R-CA-37]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000272_200.jpg)