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United States · Official source
226 records where Rep. Steiger, Sam [R-AZ-3] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 1973
States that the provisions of the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970 shall not be exercised to stabilize the price of fertilizer.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 1973
Menominee Restoration Act - Provides for the repeal of the Act of June 17, 1954 which terminated Federal supervision of the Menominee Tribe. States that as soon as practicable the Secretary of the Interior shall establish a membership role of the tribe which shall include all members listed on the final 1954 role who are still living on the date of enactment of this Act and all descendants of persons listed on the 1954 role if such descendants have at least one-quarter Menominee blood. Provides that all persons on the membership role shall be eligible to receive all Federal services furnished American Indians because of their status as Indians. States that subject to the approval of the Secretary the tribe shall organize a governing body for the tribe's common welfare and shall adopt an appropriate constitution and bylaws. States that subject to the approval of the shareholders as required by the laws of the State of Wisconsin, the board of Directors of Menominee Enterprises Incorporated shall transfer to the Secretary all assets held by such corporation. Provides that such assets shall be held in trust by the Secretary, on behalf of the United States for the tribe. Provides that this Act shall reinstitute all, and shall not abrogate any, water, hunting, fishing, and trapping rights or privileges, and any other rights and privileges of the tribe enjoyed under Federal treaty or otherwise. Authorizes the Secretary to make such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 1973
Provides for the disposition of funds appropriated to pay a judgment in favor of the Northern Tonto Apache Indians of Arizona in Indian Claims Commission docket number 22-J.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 1973
Grants self-governing powers to the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, located in Nevada, California and Arizona. Authorizes the tribe to contract and to dispose of real property.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 1973
Provides that evidence shall not be excluded from any Federal criminal proceeding on the ground that such evidence was obtained in violation of the fourth amendment of the Constitution if there is an adequate legal remedy for any person aggrieved by reason of such violation. Provides that the United States shall be liable for any damages caused by a violation of the fourth amendment to the Constitution, if such violation was by any officer or employee of the United States while in the course of the official duty of such officer or employee to investigate any alleged offense against the United States, or to apprehend or hold in custody any alleged offender against the United States, or if such violation was by any person acting under or at the request of such officer or employee in the course of such duty. Provides for persons aggrieved under this Act to recover actual damages as determined by a jury or a court. Provides in addition for the awarding of punitive damages.
United States · United States Congress · 12 September 1973
Provides that the two Houses of Congress shall adjourn on Thursday, November 1, 1973, and when they adjourn on that day, they stand adjourned sine die.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 1973
Repeals the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970.
United States · United States Congress · 10 September 1973
States that the siphon system from the Arizona Canal, required to be provided in connection with the relocation of irrigation facilities under the Flood Control Act of 1965, shall be furnished at full Federal expense.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 1973
Hobbs Act Amendment - Provides that whoever obstructs, affects, or interferes with commerce by willfully damaging to the extent of $2,000 or more any real, personal or mixed property of an employer owner, or other person at or near a factory, construction site, or any other place where work or business of the employer is carried on shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 1951)
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1973
United States Court of Labor Relations Act - Establishes a 5-man United States Court of Labor-Management Relations empowered to assume jurisdiction in dead-locked labor disputes which the President determines imperil the national interest. Requires such judges to be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Permits either the Attorney General or any party to the labor dispute to invoke the jurisdiction of the court, but only after procedures under the Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947 have been exhausted. Provides that the court may enjoin an actual or threatened strike for 80 days and issue whatever orders may be necessary during that time to require the parties to make every effort to settle their differences through negotiations. Provides that if the stalemate has not been broken during such 80 day period, and it is apparent that futher bargaining will be futile, the court will continue the injunction and schedule immediate hearings for a final and binding judgement covering wages, hours, and other points of conflict. Provides that any final judgement, order, or decree of the court shall be the subject of a full written opinion in each case, containing a statement of the facts which the court finds and the legal principles and standards which the court uses as a basis for such judgment, order, or decree. Provides that a judgment, order, or decree of the court shall remain in effect until the expiration by its own terms occurs or when vacated by the court. Provides that whenever a matter before any agency or board established by the United States is the subject of a proceeding in the court, that agency or board, if also ordered by the court, shall suspend all proceedings in such matter and may be resumed by the agency or board only if (and to the extent that) an order of the court so provides.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 1973
States that it is the purpose of this Act to provide for the immediate and future protection and administration of public lands in the California desert within the framework of a program of multiple use, sustained yield, and maintenance of environmental quality. Establishes the California Desert Advisory Commission which shall consist of Federal and State representatives, representatives of the academic community, representatives of residents of the desert and representatives of groups which make use of the desert and its resources for recreational, study, or business purposes. States that it shall be the function of the commission to advise the Secretary of the Interior with respect to the program for the desert under this Act. Establishes the National Conservation Area of the California Desert to carry out the purposes of the Act. Gives the Secretary of the Interior responsibility for the preparation of a long-range program for the management, development, and use of the California Desert. Provides that such program shall include a plan, to be completed and reported to Congress within seven years from the date of enactment of this Act. Requires consultation with the Advisory Commission and with State organizations concerning such plan. Provides for an interim program to manage and protect the desert resources now in danger of destruction, and to provide for the public use of the desert. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire such lands or interests therein as he deems necessary to provide access to the facilities of the desert, to facilitate efficient and beneficial management of the desert. Empowers the Secretary to issue such regulations as he deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Provides that all mining carried out within the conservation area shall be subject to such reasonable regulations as the Secretary may prescribe to carry out the purposes of this Act. States that such regulations shall provide for such measures as may be reasonable to protect the scenic, scientific, and environmental values of the California Desert against undue impairment.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 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 · 26 July 1973
States that the limitations placed upon any Indian Tribe by Federal law in its exercise of self-government shall not be construed to: (1) effect any rights in tribal lands secured to any Indian tribe by any law or treaty; (2) abridge the powers of self-government of any Indian tribe except to the extent specified in the prohibitions set out in such Act; (3) affect any tribal law or custom of any Indian tribe regulating the selection of the officers, bodies, or tribunals by or through which the powers of self-government of the tribe are executed; (4) invalidate any tribal law or custom of any Indian tribe which is consistent within the prohibitions set out in such Act; or (5) deprive any Indian court of the power to impose in any case within its jurisdiction any penalty or punishment sanctioned by tribal law or custom which does not constitute cruel and unusual punishment within the purview of such Act or exceed the limits of punishment as therein specified. Provides that no model code of justice recommended to the Congress by the Secretary of the Interior shall be applicable with respect to any Indian tribe unless the body increasing the legislative powers of the tribe has first adopted such code.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 1973
Provides that the retired pay of any member or former member of the Armed Forces who was on active duty or in an active status on or before May 31, 1958, shall be computed at current active duty pay rates and increased to reflect later changes in applicable pay rates.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 1973
Expresses the sense of the Congress that the United States Government, while engaged in a lessening of tensions with the People's Republic of China, do nothing to compromise the freedom of our friend and ally, the Republic of China and its people.
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 1973
Increases the monthly rates of Veteran's disability and death pensions and dependency and indemnity compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1973
Title I: Limits the width of a right-of-way through the public lands for pipelines to fifty feet plus the ground occupied by the pipeline, unless the Secretary of the Interior finds that in limited areas a wider right-of-way is reasonably necessary for operation and maintenance after construction, or to protect the environment or public safety. Requires the Secretary to notify the House and Senate Committees on Interior and Insular Affairs promptly upon receipt of an application for a right-of-way for a pipeline twenty-four inches or more in diameter. States that no right-of-way for such pipeline shall be granted until sixty days after a notice of intention to grant the right-of-way has been submitted to such committees, unless each committee by resolution waives the waiting period. Title II: Trans-Alaskan Pipeline Authorization Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to grant, in accordance with the provisions of this Act and without further action under the National Environmental Policy Act, such rights-of-way and permits as he deems necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a trans-Alaskan oil pipeline. Authorizes the Secretary to investigate the feasibility of one or more oil or gas pipelines from the North Slope of Alaska to connect with a pipeline through Canada that will deliver oil or gas to United States markets. Authorizes the President to enter into negotiations with the Government of Canada to determine the terms and conditions under which pipelines or other transportation systems could be constructed across Canadian territory for the transport of oil and gas from Alaska's North Slope to markets in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 June 1973
Service, Employment, and Redevelopment (SER) Assistance Act - Declares the finding of the Congress that the unmet needs of the unemployed and underemployed Spanish-speaking population of the United States makes it essential to the welfare of all Americans that action be taken by the United States Government to provide funds for bilingual manpower training, job placement, counseling, remedial education, and other related services. Authorizes appropriations to carry out such services under this Act. Directs the Secretary of Labor to make financial assistance available under this Act for the establishment and operation in any State of service, employment, and redevelopment centers which shall include education classes specifically designed to assist the disadvantaged Spanish-speaking clients who are unemployed or underemployed. Limits the Federal financial assistance to any such program to 90 percent of the cost of such program.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 1973
Extends Letters Patent No. 2,322,210.
United States · United States Congress · 12 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 · 6 June 1973
Pacific Southwest Water Yield Improvement Act - Declares that the purpose of this Act is to enable the Federal Government to cooperate with States and their subdivisions to improve the quantity and quality of water and other renewable resources. Outlines rules of construction and gives definitions for terms used in this Act. Allows either the Secretary of Agriculture or Interior to administer the Act by carrying out investigations and surveys and developing water yield plans. Allows either Secretary to participate in any funded plan on behalf of his own Department or any other agency of the United States. Directs either Secretary to publish in the Federal Register any intended policies be intends to pursue, which will not constitute rulemaking under the United States Code. Outlines requirements for any proposed plan which includes the requirement that occupants of not less than 50 percent of the lands within a watershed area will participate in the plan. Outlines conditions whereby the Secretary may allocate appropriated funds. Limits the amount allocated for grants or loans within any State in any fiscal year to 25 percent of the total amount allocated in all States under this Act. Prohibits funds from being allocated on the basis of acreage distribution formulas. Allows either Secretary to prepare, award or supervise contracts for the funded plans. Allows either Secretary to make one or more grants to any participating person under any given funded plan but limits such grant or loan to the cost and expenses incurred by the person. Outlines conditions whereby one or more loans to any participating person may be made under any funded plan. Makes due final repayment of any loan not later than 25 years after the date, as determined by the Secretary, on which the principal benefits first became available. Authorizes appropriations, without fiscal year limitation, not exceeding $150,000,000. Limits funded plans under this Act to lands in the States of Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1973
Provides that future appointments to the offices of Director and Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 1973
Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, any special land use permit regarding Federal land shall be renewed, extended, or continued as issued, unless the head of the agency which issued such permit finds that the person to whom the permit was issued has violated the conditions of the permit.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1973
Declares that the interests of the United States in the lands in the State of Arizona set aside by Executive Orders of December 22, 1898, and May 14, 1900, shall be held by the United States in trust for the Hualapai Indian Tribe, of the Hualapai Reservation, Arizona.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1973
States that a household shall not participate in the food stamp program while any of its members is on strike. Provides that such ineligibility shall not apply to any household that was eligible for and participating in the food stamp program immediately prior to the start of such strike, dispute, or other similar action in which any member of such household engages. (Amends 7 U.S.C. 2014, 2012)
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 · 10 May 1973
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to purchase property located within the San Carlos Mineral Strip, taking title to such property in the name of the United States in trust for the San Carlos Apache Indian Tribe.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1973
Provides for the disposition of funds appropriated to pay a judgment in favor of the Navajo Tribe of Indians in the Court of Claims case numbered 49692.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1973
Provides, under title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, that persons who are blind and have at least six quarters of coverage shall be eligible for disability insurance benefits. Outlines those regulations which apply to the amount of benefits to be received. Defines blindness as used in this Act. Continues payment of such benefits as long as the blindness lasts, notwithstanding the amount of the individuals' earnings.
United States · United States Congress · 12 April 1973
Vocational Rehabilitation Amendments - Authorizes to be appropriated $697,482,000 for fiscal year 1973, $700,096,000 for fiscal year 1974, and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 1975, to carry out the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make grants: (1) to public or nonprofit private, agencies for paying part of the cost of planning, preparing, and initiating programs to provide vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with spinal cord injuries or to low-achieving deaf individuals; and (2) to any State agency designated pursuant to a plan approved under the Act, or to any local agency participating in the administration of such a plan, for paying part of the cost of pilot or demonstration projects for the provision of vocational rehabilitation services to handicapped individuals who are migratory agricultural workers, and to members of their families. (Amends 29 U.S.C. 34) Provides that whenever the Secretary determines that any amount of an allotment to a State for any fiscal year will not be utilized by such State in carrying out vocational rehabilitation services the Secretary may allot to one or more other States to an amount the extent he determines such other State will be able to use such additional amount during such year for carrying out such purposes. Authorizes grants for such services to the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam. (Amends 29 U.S.C. 32) Includes American Samoa, and the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands within the definition of "State" under the Act. (Amends 29 U.S.C. 41) Requires a State plan for vocational rehabilitation services to provide satisfactory assurance to the Secretary that the agencies administering such plan will take into account, in connection with matters of general policy arising in the administration of the plan, the views of individuals who are recipients of such services, the views of individuals who represent citizen groups, individuals who represent professional groups, and individuals who are providers of vocational rehabilitation services. (Amends 29 U.S.C. 35(a)) Increases to $30 the minimum training allowance to people participating in such service programs under the Act. (Amends 29 U.S.C. 41(b)) Increases to $3,000,000 the annual amount which may be expended for the evaluation of the vocational rehabilitation program under the Act. (Amends 29 U.S.C. 37(a)) Repeals the provision for grants for innovation of vocational rehabilitation program under the Act. Provides for advance funding of programs under the Act. Provides that an individual who, as a part of his rehabilitation under a State plan, participates in a program of work experience in a Federal agency, shall not be considered to be a Federal employee or to be subject to the provisions of law relating to Federal employment.
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 · 9 April 1973
States that a household shall not participate in the food stamp program while any of its members is on strike. Provides that such ineligibility shall not apply to any household that was eligible for and participating in the food stamp program immediately prior to the start of such strike, dispute, or other similar action in which any member of such household engages. (Amends 7 U.S.C. 2014, 2012)
United States · United States Congress · 3 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 · 29 March 1973
Provides, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, that the Secretary of Labor may visit the workplace of any small employer which has twenty-five or fewer employees for the purpose of affording consultation and advice for such employer on matters, specified in a request by the employer, affecting conditions, structures, machines, apparatus, devices, equipment, or materials in the workplace. Authorizes to be appropriated the sum of $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1973, $1,500,000 for fiscal year 1974 and $1,500,000 for 1975, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act. (Amends 15 U.S.C. 636)
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1973
Requires that any building codes or other local ordinances which cover federally-assisted housing shall not restrict the utilization of improved technology and materials. Provides for civil suits by those persons aggrieved by such a code or ordinance in conflict with this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1973
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that nothing in the U.S. Constitution shall bar any State or territory or the District of Columbia, with regard to any area over which it has jurisdiction, from allowing, regulating, or prohibiting the practice of abortion.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1973
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to grant rights-of-way through public lands for pipeline purposes for the transportation of oil or natural gas to the extent of the lands occupied by the pipeline and its appurtenances including but not limited to the lines of pipe valves, pump stations, supporting structures, monitoring and communications devices, surge and storage tanks, terminals, and any other facility reasonably necessary for operation and maintenance of pipeline transportation. Permits the Secretary to authorize in addition those rights-of-way necessary for the pre-construction of such pipelines and to prescribe regulations regarding the use of such right-of-way.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1973
Food Supplement Amendment - Defines the term "food supplement" for purposes of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act to mean food for special dietary uses, and defines the meaning of "special dietary uses" as particular uses of food for man which meets specified requirements. Provides that in administering such Act the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare: (1) shall not limit the potency, number, combination, amount, or variety of any synthetic or natural vitamin, mineral, substance, or ingredient of any food supplement unless such article is intrinsically injurious to health in the recommended dosage; and (2) shall not require a warning label on any food supplement unless such article is intrinsically injurious to health in the recommended dosage.
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 · 15 March 1973
Authorizes the President to issue annually a proclamation designating the month of May in each year as "National Arthritis Month".
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1973
Authorizes the partition of the surface rights in the joint use area of the 1882 Executive Order Hopi Reservation and the surface and subsurface rights in the 1934 Navajo Reservation between the Hopi and Navajo Tribes. Provides for allotments of such rights to Paiute Indians living on said land. Authorizes necessary appropriations not to exceed $16,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1973
Requires the U.S. Postal Service to establish and assure, to all postal patrons, service standards which include but are not limited to: (1) next-day delivery of mail deposited for delivery within a city; (2) delivery within not more than 3 consecutive days of mail deposited for delivery within the U.S.; (3) carrier service on a six-day-a-week basis; (4) post office window service on a six-day-a-week basis; (5) second-attempt delivery of parcel post; and (6) multiple delivery and collection service. Provides for the payment out of the general fund of the Treasury of public service costs for providing a maximum degree of effective postal service nationwide, in communities where post offices may not be deemed self-sustaining, and in complying with the standards set forth under this Act. Requires the Postal Service annually, in requesting authorizations, to present to the appropriate legislative and appropriations committees of the Congress a comprehensive statement of its compliance with the public service cost policy established under this Act. (Amends 39 U.S.C. 101(b), 2401(b),(c),(d),(e))
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1973
Authorizes the President to proclaim the last complete calendar week in April of each year as "National Secretaries' Week" and to proclaim Wednesday of each week as "National Secretaries' Day".
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
Title I: General Management Authority - National Resource Land Management Act - Presents the declaration of the Congress that the national resource lands are a vital national asset containing a wide variety of natural resource values and that the national interest will best be served by retaining the national resource lands in Federal ownership except where the Secretary determines that disposal of particular tracts of national resource lands is consistent with the purposes, terms, and conditions of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to manage the national resource lands under principles of multiple use and sustained yield in a manner which will, using all practicable means and measures, protect the environmental quality of the national resource lands to assure their continued value for present and future generations. Provides that the use, occupancy, or development of any portion of the national resource lands contrary to any regulation of the Secretary or contrary to any order issued pursuant to any such regulations is unlawful and prohibited. Provides that the Secretary shall prepare and maintain on a continuing basis an inventory of all national resource lands and their resources, giving priority to areas of critical environmental concern. Directs the Secretary in conjunction with public participation, to develop, maintain and, when appropriate, revise land use plans for the national resource lands consistent with the terms and conditions of this Act. Requires that in the development and maintenance of land use plans the Secretary shall: (1) use a systematic interdisciplinary approach to achieve integrated consideration of physical, biological, economic, and social sciences; (2) give priority to the designation of areas of critical environmental concern; (3) rely, to the extent it is available, on the inventory of the national resource lands and their resources; (4) consider all present and potential uses of the lands; (5) consider the relative scarcity of the values involved and the availability of alternative means including the need for recycling and sites for realization of those values; (6) weigh long-term public benefits against more immediate local or individual benefits; and (7) consider the requirements of applicable pollution control laws. Title II: Sale Authority - Authorizes the Secretary to sell tracts of national resource lands for fair market value if they are isolated and not suitable for management by the Bureau of Land Management or any other Federal agency, if they were purchased for a specific purpose and are no longer suitable for that or any other Federal purpose or if transfer would serve an overriding public benefit. Authorizes the Secretary in specified instances to sell reserved mineral interests in lands to the surface owners. Title III: Management Implementing Authority - Provides the authority to acquire, by purchase or exchange, lands necessary for authorized programs or for blocking up existing land holdings. Provides authority to issue a document of disclaimer of interest in land to which the United States no longer claims as interest. Establishes a working capital fund for the Bureau of Land Management and affords a specified method of accounting for various programs and service operations of the Bureau of Land Management. Makes violations of laws or regulations pertaining to national resource land a crime and by vested enforcement authority in certain designated Departmental employees. Authorizes the Secretary to cooperate with State and local law enforcement agencies and to reimburse the agencies for services on national resource lands. Title IV: Authority to Grant Rights-of-Way - Authorizes the Secretary to grant rights-of-way for such purposes as pipelines, powerlines and roads. Specifies conditions for granting such rights-of-way including provisions for protection of the environment. Title V: Preservation of Valid Existing Rights and Repeal of obsolete and Superseded Law - Provides for the repeal of specified laws. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed as a limitation upon any State criminal statute.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1973
Mineral Leasing Act - Title I: General Provisions applicable to all titles - Provides that the Secretary of the Interior shall, under such regulations as he may prescribe, issue to any person a prospecting license. States that each prospecting license shall contain such reasonable conditions as the Secretary may require, including conditions for the protection of the environment, and shall be subject to all applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations. Provides that a licensee may not cause any significant surface disturbance and he may not remove any mineral for sale but may remove a reasonable amount of exposed mineral deposit for analysis and study. Declares that any person who conducts mineral prospecting for commercial purposes on leasable lands without a prospecting license issued under this Act shall be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 for each day of violation. Authorizes the Secretary or the head of any other Federal agency who has leasable land under his jurisdiction to remove such leasable land from the application of this Act for purposes of providing for a higher use or for protecting or enhancing the environmental quality. Authorizes the Secretary, under such regulations as he may prescribe, to issue to any person a lease for the exploration, development, and extraction of leasable lands of: (1) oil and gas; or (2) coal, oil shale, borates, carbonates, halides, nitrates, phosphates, silicates, and sulfides of calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium, elemental sulfer or other bedded minerals; or (3) hard rock minerals. Declares that the United States reserves ownership of, and the right to, extract helium from all gas produced from leasable lands for oil and gas purposes. Provides that all lease rentals shall be conditioned upon payment of an annual rental in advance of not less than $5 per acre or fraction thereof. Requires the lessee to file with the Secretary for approval an operation and reclamation plan describing the manner in which his activity will be conducted and showing that such activity will be conducted in a manner consistent with environmental regulations issued by the Secretary. Sets forth penalties for failure to comply with any regulations issued under this Act. Provides that any lease issued under this Act may be assigned, subject to the final approval of the Secretary, to any person qualified to hold a lease under this Act. States than an assignment of part of the acreage subject to a lease or of separate zones shall segregate the assigned and retained portions into separate leases and such segregated leases shall continue for the term of the original lease. Authorizes the Secretary to purchase water wells discovered by the lessee during his operations. Provides that rights-of-way through the leasable lands may be granted by the Secretary for pipeline purposes for the transportation of oil or natural gas to any person. States that such pipelines shall be constructed, operated, and maintained as common carriers and shall convey, transport, or purchase, without discrimination, oil or natural gas produced from Government lands in the vicinity, in such amounts as the Secretary may determine to be reasonable. Title II: Oil and Gas - Provides that not more than two hundred and forty-six thousand and eighty acres may be held or controlled under oil and gas leases and options by a person in any one State. States that the maximum area which may be included in any one oil and gas lease issued under this Act is two thousand five hundred and sixty acres. Provides that an oil and gas lease issued under this Act shall be for a term of five years and so long thereafter as it is a producing or producible lease. Provides that the Secretary, by regulation, shall prescribe annual rentals on leases and in addition to the prescribed rent, the leases shall require payment of a royalty of not less than 12-1/2 percent in an amount or value of production, as determined by the Secretary. Authorizes the Secretary, with the consent of the Federal agency with jurisdiction over the surface of the leasable lands, to allow the subsurface storage of oil or gas to avoid waste or to promote the conservation of natural resources. Title III: Coal (including leonardite and peat); Oil Share, Boarates, Carbonates, Halides, Nitrates, Phosphates, Silicates, and Sulfates of Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, and Potassium, Elemental Sulfur, and Other Bedded Minerals - States that the maximum acreage that may be held or controlled directly or indirectly by a person in any one State under lease, and option, is forty-six thousand and eighty acres for coal, fifteen thousand three hundred and sixty acres for sodium, twenty-five thousand six hundred acres for potassium, five thousand one hundred and twenty acres for sulfur, ten thousand two hundred and forty acres for oil shale, and twenty thousand four hundred and eighty acres for all other leasable minerals subject to this Title. Provides that not more than twenty thousand four hundred and eighty acres may be held or controlled, directly or indirectly, under phosphate lease, and option, in the entire United States. Provides that a lease for a leasable mineral subject to this Title shall be for a term of twenty years and for so long thereafter as that leasable mineral is produced annually in paying quantities from one or more leases in approved logical mining units and upon such other terms and conditions, including rents and royalities, as the Secretary may prescribe. Title IV: Construction Minerals - Authorizes the head of any Federal agency with surface jurisdiction of leasable lands, under such regulations as he may prescribe, to issue leases for the exploration, development, and production for the sale, at fair market value, of construction minerals in the leasable lands under his jurisdiction if such leasing or sale is not expressly prohibited by other laws of the United States, and is not detrimental to the public interest. Provides that all leases and, except as provided in this Title, all contracts for sales shall be granted to the highest responsible qualified bidder, under general regulations issued by the Secretary. Declares that the head of any Federal agency, in his discretion, may permit any Federal agency or any State, or agency or subdivision of a State, or any other nonprofit association or corporation to develop and produce, without charge, construction minerals for other than industrial or commercial use or purposes of resale from leasable lands the surface of which is under his jurisdiction. Title V: Hard Rock Minerals - Provides that not more than twenty thousand four hundred and eighty acres may be held or controlled under hard rock mineral leases by a person in any one state. States that the maximum area which may be included in any one hard rock mineral lease is six hundred and forty acres. Provides that a hard rock mineral exploration lease shall be issued for a period of ten years and shall cover all hard rock minerals in the land subject to the conditions as the Secretary may prescribe. States that at any time before the end of the ten-year period a production lease may be issued to the exploration lessee, if he shows, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that he has discovered on the leased lands minerals of such quantity and quality as to justify commercial development and production. Declares that in no lease issued under this title shall the royalty required be less than 3 percent of the gross value, as determined by the Secretary, of all commercial production under the lease at the point of shipment to market.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1973
Deletes from the National Labor Relations Act the exception to the right-to-work provisions which authorizes agreements requiring membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment. (Amends 29 U.S.C. 157, 158)
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1973
National Healthcare Act - Title I: Findings and Declaration of Purpose - Declares the purpose of this Act to be to improve the organization, delivery, and financing of health care for all Americans by increasing health personnel, promoting ambulatory care, strengthening health planning, establishing national standards of health care benefits, including coverage for medical catastrophes, encouraging provisions of such benefits through comprehensive health care insurance, and by assisting persons of low income or in poor health to secure that insurance. Title II: Provisions to Increase the Supply and Improve the Distribution of Health Care Personnel - Allows a medical student to borrow the lesser of the sum of the full cost of tuition, fees, and reasonable amounts for room, board, books, supplies, and other related costs, or $5,000. Authorizes $100 million a year for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for this purpose. Grants loans to student nurses covering the lesser of the sum of the full cost of tuition, fees, and reasonable amounts for room, board, books, supplies and other related costs, or $3,500. Authorizes $75 million a year for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977 for this purpose. Provides that scholarship grants may, in accordance with regulations of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, be awarded, according to the needs of the individual, up to the full cost of his tuition, fees, books, equipment and living expenses. Authorizes for this purpose $50 million a year for fiscal years 1975, 1976, and 1977. Allows loans for students in the allied health professions covering the full cost of tuition fees, and reasonable amounts for room, board, books, supplies, and other related costs. Provides that up to half of the loan may be forgiven at the rate of 20 percent a year for service in a public or nonprofit private institution or agency and that up to 100 percent of the loan may be forgiven at the rate of 33 1/3 percent a year for appropriate service in an area designated as having a substantial shortage of allied health professionals. Authorizes $40 million for fiscal year 1975, $60 million for fiscal year 1976, and $75 million for fiscal year 1977 for this purpose. Includes junior colleges, colleges and universities which offer training in health care center administration or curriculums providing the allied health-professionals needed to operate comprehensive ambulatory health care centers within the training grant provisions of the Public Health Service Act. Establishes a new program of special project grants to help education institutions meet the cost of developing curriculums and training programs to develop the skills needed to administer and staff comprehensive ambulatory health care centers. Authorizes $40 million for fiscal year 1975, and $50 million a year for fiscal years 1976 and 1977 for this purpose. Establishes a program of Federal grants to medical personnel in return for service in urban and rural areas of critical need to alleviate the distribution of health care personnel. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to contract with individual health professionals, nurses, or allied health professionals who agree to provide health care services for a period of at least two years in an area designated by the Secretary as having a critical need for those services. Provides that the amount of the grant is that amount which, when added to the recipient's income from providing health care services for each contract year, provides a total income equal to 110 percent of the national annual median income for persons of comparable education and training, or 110 percent of his earnings from providing health care services in the previous year, whichever is greater. Provides that in determining the precise amount of the grant the Secretary may consider such factors as he deems relevant, including: (1) the national median annual income for the applicant's profession; (2) the cost of living in the area of need; (3) the background, training, and education of the applicant; (4) the amount of income the applicant can reasonably expect to receive from service in the area; (5) the number of persons of applicant's profession needed in the area; and (6) where appropriate, cost of equipment, supplies, and facilities. Title III: Provisions to Encourage Comprehensive Ambulatory Health Care Centers - Provides grants to comprehensive ambulatory health care centers. Sets up a special category of grants to comprehensive ambulatory health care centers. Revises the declaration of purpose of title VI of the Public Health Service Act to recognize specifically the concept of a comprehensive ambulatory health care center. Provides that for fiscal years commencing after June 30, 1973 there is authorized an additional $200 million in grant authority to be used for the construction of comprehensive ambulatory health care facilities. Provides this sum through a new allotment category which is separate from existing allotment categories for construction and modernization of hospitals and other medical facilities. Provides that a portion of the funds available for grants hereunder be used to assist nearly-constructed facilities to pay initial start-up and operation expenses during the first three years of operation of such centers. Directs that funds available for the construction and modernization of comprehensive ambulatory health care centers will be allotted to the several States on the same basis as allotments now made for construction of hospitals and other medical facilities. Provides that transfers from allotments for the construction and modernization of comprehensive ambulatory health care facilities to allotments for the construction of other types of facilities are not authorized. Permits carryovers of unused allotments from one fiscal year to the other. Requires that priorities for awarding grants to comprehensive ambulatory health care centers be given to proposed facilities in densely populated areas now lacking such facilities. Provides that, in its evaluation of the health needs of its citizens, the State health planning agency would be required to determine as part of its planning process the number of comprehensive ambulatory health care centers needed in the State and a plan for distribution of such centers. Requires the adoption of a program providing for construction of those comprehensive ambulatory health care centers identified as needed in its State plan, or for modernizing such existing facilities. Adds comprehensive ambulatory health care centers to the list of types of health facilities from which recovery of Federal funds may be made by the Federal Government from facilities which no longer qualify. Adds comprehensive ambulatory health care centers to the list of types of facilities which qualify for Public Health Service Act loans, guarantees and interest subsidies for construction or modernization of health facilities. Defines comprehensive ambulatory health care centers to encompass only facilities which provide a wide range of preventive, diagnostic and treatment services for ambulatory patients. Title IV: Provisions to Strengthen Health Care Planning - Provides that the President shall make a health report to the Congress no later than July 1 of each year on the status of the nation's health needs and health care system with a program for meeting those needs. Creates a three-man Council of Health Policy Advisers in the Executive Office of the President, its members appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Authorizes the Council to hire officers, employees and such experts and consultants as may be needed. Requires the Council to make an annual health report to the President not later than April 1 of each year to be transmitted to the Congress as a supplement to the next Health Report of the President to the Congress. Provides that in its first report to the President the Council shall specifically review and advise the President on health programs. Requires the Council to develop and recommend goals for a national health policy to promote efficiency, eliminate waste and duplication in the utilization of health facilities and resources, and to recommend specific programs to streamline and consolidate health manpower programs. Directs the Council to consult with the National Advisory Health Council, and other advisory councils or committees as well as such representatives of the private sector as it deems advisable and to utilize the services, facilities and information of other public and private organizations to the fullest extent to avoid unnecessary overlapping or duplication of effort. Provides that the Chairman shall be compensated at the rate of Level II and the other members at the rate of Level IV of the Executive Schedule Pay Rates. Authorizes such sums as are needed to enable the Council to function, not to exceed $1 million in any fiscal year. Requires every agency of the Federal Government to include, to the fullest extent possible, in each report on proposals for legislation or other major Federal action significantly affecting health or the health care system, the impact of the proposal on the nation's health care system, adverse effects, alternatives, the relative priority established by the Council of Health Policy Advisers, and any irreversible or irretrievable commitments of resources involved. Provides that in order to qualify for the comprehensive health planning grants that a State plan for comprehensive State health planning must, in addition to existing requirements, provide for the project certification procedures established by this Act. Increases the funds authorized for project grants for areawide health planning to $100 million for fiscal year 1975. Directs that to be eligible for the grants the agency must be prepared to function as the "appropriate comprehensive health planning agency" for the area or region. Requires the agency to be prepared to play a strengthened role in coordinating areawide health affairs, including the determination of health needs, capital expenditures programs, cooperative use of facilities, optimum use of available manpower and improved management techniques. Requires the agency to provide for consultation with the areawide health planning council and other groups, for the representation of health care facilities and physicians for enlisting public support, and for educating the public concerning the proper use of facilities and services available. Provides that, in the case of applications for Federal grants, loans, or other financial aid involving more than $100,000 which require certification by the appropriate comprehensive health planning agency, the application may be approved by the Secretary only after he is satisfied that the review provisions of this title have been met. Requires that the agency have reasonable opportunity to review and comment on the application and has certified to its essential need and high priority. Provides that if the "appropriate comprehensive health planning agency" is a metropolitan or other local planning agency, that agency, after reviewing the application, must have communicated its comments to both the applicant and the State agency. Directs the State planning agency to make its own determination that the application fits in with the State's overall needs and priorities as expressed in the State plan. Requires that if two or more States are involved, each State agency must make a separate certification as to the need and priority of the project in its State. Provides that in the case of a project affecting an entire State, the appropriate comprehensive health planning agency is the agency designated in the State plan. Provides that in the case of a project affecting a region, metropolitan area, or other local area, the appropriate comprehensive health planning agency is the areawide comprehensive health planning agency or such other public or nonprofit private agency determined in accordance with regulations to be performing the required health planning functions. Title V provisions to make comprehensive health care insurance available to all requires that benefits paying for not less than the health care required under the minimum standards must be included in private or State established health care plans as a condition of eligibility for the Federal tax or other public financial assistance accorded under this bill. Permits additional benefits and allows a qualified private health care plan to provide for a covered individual's payment of medical expenses exceeding established deductible and co-payment standards. Permits qualifying health care plans to include various other optional provisions. Assures that the minimum standards of health care required to be provided to needy and uninsurable individuals will be no less than those required for others. Assigns one of three "priority designations" to each of the benefits covered and requires benefits in the several priority categories to be phased-in in accordance with a schedule prescribed in the law. Authorizes the President, under restricted conditions stated in the law, to defer the scheduled time for phase-in benefits under this title. Specifies the initial minimum standard healthcare benefits for individuals covered under qualified private plans and those for individuals covered under qualified public plans. Revises the Internal Revenue Code to restrict the Federal income tax deduction otherwise allowable to an employer for any amount paid or incurred by the employer for medical care of any employee or his dependents. Restricts this deduction to 50 percent of the described expense for the medical care of the employee if the amount is incurred in 1975, 75 percent if the amount is incurred in 1976, and 100 percent thereafter. Provides that if the employer establishes and maintains a qualified employee healthcare plan the restriction will not apply, and 100 percent of the described expense is deductible. Applies such provision to taxable years after December 31, 1974, except that, in the case of any employer plan providing medical care for employees which was established pursuant to a collectively-bargained agreement, the restrictions on the deduction will not apply until the expiration of the agreement, or December 31, 1977, whichever occurs first. Requires that each qualified employee healthcare plan provide at least the minimum standard healthcare benefits described in this Act and be in writing, adopted by the employer, and communicated to his employees. Requires that a coordination of benefits provision be included in a qualified plan to avoid costly duplication of coverage and the plan must permit eligible employees to seek coverage instead from any approved health maintenance organization in cases where specified conditions are satisfied. Allows 100 percent of medical care insurance premiums as an income tax deduction, if such expenses are paid by an individual who is covered by a qualified individual healthcare plan, a qualified employee healthcare plan, or a qualified state healthcare plan. Requires that each qualified individual healthcare plan provide at least the minimum standard healthcare benefits described in this Act. Requires that a qualified individual insurance contract contain provisions which obligate the insurer to renew the policy, and allows covered dependents to continue their coverage under the policy after the death of the insured as if he were still alive. Adds a new title XX to the Social Security Act to provide for the establishment of publicly subsidized health care insurance plans on a State by State basis. Provides that each State will have a health insurance pool, which all private entities in that State (both profit and non-profit) which currently indemnify the cost of health care would be required to underwrite. Directs that one or more private insurance carriers will be designated by the State to administer the State plan on a retention accounting basis. Provides that these State plans will guarantee that minimum standard healthcare benefits are made available to individuals and families who previously were unable to purchase health care insurance, either because of their low income or their extremely poor health. Provides that, in order to encourage a State to establish a plan, Federal appropriations otherwise payable to the State pursuant to titles V and XIX of the Social Security Act are conditioned on the State having in operation a Qualified State Healthcare Plan. Provides that individuals or families who are eligible to receive public cash assistance under a program financed in whole or in part by Federal funds will be enrolled in the State plan automatically, and without cost. Permits those individuals who are financially capable of procuring health insurance, but who are uninsurable because of poor health, to enroll in the State plan at their own expense; however, these individuals may not be charged more than the established rate for other individuals enrolled in that State plan. Provides that enrollment of other individuals and families who had low incomes the previous year (less than $4,000 for single individuals, less than $6,000 for a family of two, and less than $8,000 for a family of three or more) is voluntary. Allows such individuals and families to elect to be enrolled once each year and requires them to make contributions toward the cost of insuring their own health care, depending on the size of their family and the amount of their income. Provides that the premiums to be charged for each policy year under a State plan will be actuarially determined in each State, and for each family size risk category. Directs that if the established premiums are found to be unjustified within a particular State, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare may direct a reduction in the Federal appropriation for that State's premium cost. States that each State has the primary obligation to provide the uncontributed premium cost for its plan; but if the State implements and utilizes controls which are designed to promote the delivery of lower-cost, higher-quality institutional health care services, if it exempts qualified state healthcare plan transactions from State taxation, and if it eliminates discriminatory State tax treatment of health care insurers, then the State will receive Federal appropriations reimbursing it for a percentage of its total uncontributed premium cost. Provides that the base figure may be between 70 and 90 percent, depending on the State's per capita income, but further adjustments to this percentage may be made if institutional rates charged in any particular State for health care services are unjustifiably high in comparison with other States. Gives States the authority to review in advance the rates to be charged by health care institutions for their services, and to refuse to approve these rates for payment under the State plan. Provides that a professional service, otherwise covered by these State plans, shall be reimbursed only if it falls within professionally established utilization guidelines or is found to be necessary health care by a qualified peer review committee. Asserts that no charge for a necessary service shall be reimbursed to the extent that it exceeds the prevailing charge in a locality for similar services. Provides that if the premiums collected and other monies received under the State plan are not sufficient to pay the claims incurred and the other costs of operating the State plan, the private underwriters of the plan shall bear the losses to the extent of 3 percent of the premiums collected for that year. Directs the State to bear the excess losses equal to the base Federal percentage for that State's premium costs. Provides that enrollment is not available to those individuals or families covered under a qualified employee healthcare plan. Provides that applicants for enrollment in the State plan must provide and certify all information required to make an eligibility determination. States that any Federal or State agency may be required to furnish information deemed by the administering carrier to be necessary to verify eligibility. Revises title V of the Social Security Act (Maternal and Child Health and Crippled Children's Services) to avoid unnecessary and costly duplication of federally subsidized health care programs. Excludes payment for items and services now covered under title V of the Social Security Act if they also would be covered under a qualified state healthcare plan. Provides that title V will continue to pay for items and services which are not covered by qualified state healthcare plans. Revises title XVIII of the Social Security Act to remove existing limitations on Medicare Part B enrollment which prevent otherwise eligible State plan enrollees from qualifying for qualified State healthcare plan to pay the premium for supplementary medical insurance benefits under Part B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act for individuals and families who are eligible to enroll in the Part B program and who are also eligible to receive public cash assistance under a federally financed program. Revises title XVIII to allow a State to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare pursuant to which all of these indigent State plan enrollees will be enrolled under the program established by Part B of title XVIII. Revises title XIX of the Social Security Act (Grants to States for Medical Assistance Programs) to avoid unnecessary and costly duplication of federally subsidized health care programs. Provides that on July 1, 1975, or upon a State's establishment of a qualified State healthcare plan, whichever occurs first, payment for items and services now covered under title XIX would be excluded if they would be covered under a qualified state healthcare plan. Directs that title XIX will continue to pay for items and services which are not covered by qualified State healthcare plans. Establishes standards for the quality and cost to enrollees for health care service provided by physicians or other medical practitioners and for health care services rendered to State plan enrollees in health care institutions. Provides that these standards shall apply to determine "reasonable cost" under the existing federally subsidized health care programs established by title V, XVIII, and XIX of the Social Security Act. Requires that the premiums and other monies received pursuant to the operation of a qualified State healthcare plan will, to the extent feasible, be invested by the administering carrier in interest-bearing obligations and other income-yielding securities. Exempts this interest or other income from Federal income taxation. Requires insurance carriers to pool their efforts and resources to insure that all individuals and families will receive higher-quality, lower-cost health care benefits. Provides that these carriers will not be subject to Federal or State antitrust legislation solely as a result of their efforts to comply with the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1973
Health Care Insurance Act - Provides, under the Social Security Act, for medical, dental, and hospital care through a system of voluntary health insurance financed in whole for low-income groups through issuance of certificates, and in part for all other persons through allowance of tax credits. Adds to the Social Security Act a new title entitled Federal Financing of Voluntary Health Insurance. Provides that, for the purpose of providing assistance on behalf of the individuals and their dependents whose income and resources are insufficient to meet the costs of necessary medical, dental, and hospital services, there is established a program of hospital, dental, and medical benefits for any eligible beneficiary and his dependents through the issuance of health insurance certificates, in full payment of allowable premium on a qualified health care insurance policy of his choice. Asserts that health insurance certificiates of entitlement will be redeemable by the carrier by payment from the Federal Health Insurance Redemption Fund. Includes as eligible beneficiaries under this title any husband and wife both under age 65 and living together and any unmarried person under age 65 who is not a dependent beneficiary. Defines a dependent beneficiary as any child of an eligible beneficiary receiving more than 50 percent of his support from the eligible beneficiary, which child is under 21, or if a student, under age 23. Provides that every individual who is an eligible beneficiary whose income results in no individual income tax liability during his base year, whose dependent beneficiaries have no such liability for their taxable years which end during his base year, and who is not eligible to receive military medical care, shall be eligible to receive a health insurance certificate of entitlement. Asserts that such certificates shall be applicable in full payment of allowable premiums for a qualified health care insurance policy or plan. Requires that such policy or plan shall provide protection for the eligible beneficiary and his dependent beneficiaries for a 12-month period beginning during his benefit year against the expenses of health care, including catastrophic expenses of illness. Allows tax credits for health care insurance. Asserts that every individual who is an eligible beneficiary who has not elected, where eligible, to receive benefits under the provisions for fully-paid health care insurance for the low-income group and who is not eligible to receive military medical care, shall be allowed at his election a credit against his income tax liability for his taxable year which ends during his base year; or a health insurance certificate of entitlement acceptable by a qualified carrier in payment toward a premium, under a qualified health care insurance policy. Specifies the amount of the tax credit or the value to be assigned to the health insurance certificate on the basis of allowable premiums. Provides that a health insurance certificate of entitlement means a certificate issued by the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare upon application to him by an eligible beneficiary to apply toward payment of premium on a qualified health care insurance policy or plan. Specifies that a qualified health care insurance policy or plan shall be a contractual agreement specifying benefits under a program offered by a qualified carrier which has been registered by a State Agency and which provides basic institutional and medical coverage and catastrophic expense coverage. Declares that each such qualified health care insurance policy or plan shall be noncancellable and guaranteed renewable so long as the carrier continues to offer to the public one or more qualified health care insurance policies or plans, shall provide protection against the expense of health care without regard to any pre-existing conditions, and shall provide for payment under this title of usual and customary charges for services covered under the policy or plan. Stipulates what costs shall be included under basic coverage and under catastrophic expense coverage. Establishes deductibles for each of the two types of coverage. Creates a Health Insurance Advisory Board which shall consist of eleven persons including the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. Directs that the remaining members, not otherwise in the employ of the Government, shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointment in the competitive service. Asserts that the Secretary of HEW shall serve as Chairman. Provides that the members shall be selected from persons who are specifically qualified to serve on such Board by virtue of their education, training, or experience. Provides that the Health Insurance Advisory Board shall perform such functions as: (1) prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Act; (2) establish minimum Federal standards for the use of State insurance departments in determining whether an insurance company and plan are qualified under this Act; (3) in consultation with carriers, providers of services, and consumers, plan and develop programs whose purposes are to provide for maintaining the quality of medical care; and (4) review the effectiveness of the tax credit program and file an annual report. Grants the States the power to decide which carriers are qualified. Forbids any Federal officer or employee to exercise any supervision or control over the practice of medicine or dentistry or the manner in which medical or dental services are provided, or over the selection, tenure, or compensation of any officer or employee or any institution, agency, or person providing health services; or to exercise any supervision or control over the administration or operation of any such institution, agency, or person. Creates in the Treasury a trust fund to be known as the Federal Health Insurance Redemption Fund to consist in part of an amount equal to the aggregate amount of premiums paid under this title through the redemption of health insurance certificates.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1973
Provides that no license granted for the operation of a broadcasting station under the Communications Act of 1934 shall be for a longer term than five years. Provides for renewal of such license where the Federal Communications Commission finds that the public interest, convenience, and necessity would be served. Provides that an applicant for renewal who is legally, financially and technically qualified shall be awarded the license if such applicant shows that its broadcast service during the preceding license period has reflected a good-faith effort to serve the needs and interests of its area as represented in its immediately preceding and pending license renewal application and if it has not demonstrated a callous disregard for law or the Commission's regulations.