United States · United States Congress · 21 June 1973
States that nothing in the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972 shall prevent local governments from using amounts freed by revenue sharing for tax reduction. (Amends P.L. 92-512)
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1973
Provides that educational assistance afforded to eligible veterans under the Veterans' Educational Assistance Chapter shall remain available until used (presently available until 8 years after discharge). (Amends 38 U.S.C. 1662)
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 1973
Specifies the circumstances under which the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs may pay for care and treatment rendered to veterans by private hospitals in emergencies. (Adds 38 U.S.C. 625(a))
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1973
Makes it clear that local governments may use amounts freed by revenue sharing for tax reduction, under the State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 1973
Prohibits bribery of State and local law enforcement officers and other elected and appointed officials. Imposes five years imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine for: (1) influencing or attempting to influence official conduct through bribery; (2) accepting a bribe; or (3) failing to report any bribery or attempt to bribe. (Adds 18 U.S.C. 225)
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 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 · 2 May 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 · 2 May 1973
Authorizes the President to proclaim June 17, 1973, as a day of commemoration of the opening of the upper Mississippi River by Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet in 1673.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1973
Makes inapplicable to the aged, blind and disabled the existing provision of the Social Security Act limiting to 10 percent the portion of the total amounts paid to a State as grants for social services which may be paid with respect to individuals who are not actually recipients of or applicants for aid or assistance.
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
Health Programs Extension Act - Title I: Amendments to Public Health Service Act - Extends appropriations through fiscal year 1974 for the following programs under the Public Health Service Act: (1) health services research and development, (2) national health surveys and studies, (3) public health training, (4) migrant health (5) comprehensive health planning and services (6) assistance to medical libraries (7) Hill-Burton programs for construction of medical library facilities (8) training in the allied health professions, (9) regional medical programs, and (10) population research and family planning. Title II: Amendments to the Community Mental Health Centers Act - Extends appropriations through fiscal year 1974 for the following programs under the Community Mental Health Centers Act: (1) construction assistance for mental health centers, (2) staffing assistance for mental health centers, (3) alcoholism programs (4) drug abuse programs, (5)consultation services, and (6) mental health of children. Title III: Amendments to the Developmental Disabilities Services and Facilities Construction Act - Extends appropriations through fiscal year 1974 for construction, services, and planning under the Developmental Disabilities Services and Facilities Construction Act. Title IV: Funding Assurances - Extends appropriations through fiscal year 1974 for programs under the Medical Facilities Construction and Modernization Amendment of 1970.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 1973
Directs the Joint Study Committee on Budget Control to report to the Congress, by bill or resolution, no later than June 1, 1973, its final recommendations with respect to any matters covered under its jurisdiction. Provides that such report shall include, but shall not be limited to : (1) procedures for improving congressional control of budgetary outlay and receipt totals, including procedures for establishing and maintaining an overall view of each year's budgetary outlays which is fully coordinated with an overall view of the anticipated revenues for that year; (2) procedures for the operation of a limitation on expenditures and net lending commencing with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1973; and (3) procedures for limiting the authority of the President to impound or otherwise withhold funds authorized and appropriated by the Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1973
Federal Act to Control Expenditures and Upgrade Priorities - Title I: Legislative Budget - Establishes a joint committee of the Congress which shall be known as the Joint Committee on the Budget. Provides that the joint committee shall be composed of nine members of the House of Representatives and nine members of the Senate. Sets forth the administrative powers of the joint committee. States that upon the submission of the budget by the President for each fiscal year, beginning with fiscal year 1976, the joint committee shall promptly review the budget for the purpose of formulating and submitting to the Senate and the House of Representatives, a legislative budget for that fiscal year. Provides that such budget shall be submitted by the joint committee to the Senate and the House of Representatives by May 31 of each year. Provides that this budget must be submitted prior to the consideration of any bill or joint resolution a appropriating or authorizing appropriations for any fiscal year. Title II: Five-Year Budget Projections - Provides that the budget submitted by the President shall set forth estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations necessary in his judgement for the support of the Government for the ensuing fiscal year and the four years following the ensuing fiscal year. Requires the President to transmit to Congress during the first fifteen days of each regular session an alternative budget taking into account contingency plans in the event of major disasters or economic or strategic dislocations. Provides that the committee report accompanying each bill or resolution of a public character reported by any committee of the Senate or the House of Representatives (except the Committee on Appropriations of each House) shall contain: (1) an estimate, made by such committee, of the costs which would be incurred in carrying out such bill or joint resolution in the fiscal year in which it is to become effective and in each of the four fiscal years following such fiscal year, together with the basis for each such estimate: (2) a comparison of the estimate of costs made by any Federal agency; and (3) a list of existing and proposed Federal programs which provide or would provide financial assistance for the objectives of program or programs authorized by the bill or joint resolution. Title III: Three-Year Limitation on Authorizations For Appropriations: Congressional Review of Major Expenditure Programs - Requires each committee, of Congress which has jurisdiction to report legislation authorizing appropriations for a major expenditure program to conduct a major review of such program during the last fiscal year for which appropriations are authorized for such program and to submit a report thereon to the appropriate House of Congress. Includes in such report a cost-benefit analysis of the program and the committee's evaluation of the overall success or failure of the program. Title IV: Pilot Testing of New Major Expenditure Programs - Requires each bill or resolution which establishes a new major expenditure program to provide for a pilot test of such program which shall be conducted for at least two complete fiscal or calendar years. Provides that the results of such tests shall be submitted to the appropriate committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Provides that each such committee shall study the reports and submit a report thereon to the Senate or the House of Representatives, as the case may be. Title V: Requirement of Annual Appropriations - States that all provisions of law permanently appropriating moneys out of the Treasury (including trust funds) shall have no force or effect and moneys may be paid out of the Treasury to defray expenditures incurred in any fiscal year only pursuant to appropriation Acts enacted for that fiscal year. Title VI: Exercise of Rulemaking Power - Enacts specified sections of this Act as an exercise of the rulemaking powers of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively.
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 · 28 March 1973
Provides that the minority party, upon request, be provided with up to one-third of a committee's investigative staff funds pursuant to the rules of the House of Representatives.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1973
Extends until November 1, 1978, the existing exemption of the steamboat Delta Queen from vessel laws requiring fire-retardant material to be used in the construction of large vessels. (Amends 46 U.S.C. 369(b))
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 1973
Declares that, because of the outstanding and exemplary display of citizenship by De Pere, Wisconsin, the Congress of the United States of America: (1) extends its congratulations and commendations to the people of that city, and in addition (2) designates that city as "America's Votingest Small City".
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 1973
Exempts from the provisions of Federal law prohibiting the importation, manufacture, distribution, and storage of explosive materials: (1) commercially manufactured black powder; and (2) percussion caps, safety and pyrotechnic fuses, quick and slow matches, and friction primers. (Amends 18 U.S.C. 845)
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1973
Designates the lower Wisconsin River (from the dam at Prarie du Sac, Wisconsin, to its confluence with the Mississippi River at Prarie du Chien, Wisconsin) for potential addition to the wild and scenic rivers system under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. (Adds 16 U.S.C. 1276(a)(27))
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 · 6 March 1973
Small Business Tax Simplification and Reform Act - Title I: Tax Simplification Relating to Small Business - Creates a Committee on Tax Simplification for Small Business for the purpose of devoting continued attention to the simplification of the Internal Revenue Code to small business, and the regulations, instructions, procedures, and other publications relating to small business taxation. Provides that the membership of the Committee would include representatives of the Secretary of the Treasury (for policy matters); Internal Revenue Service (for technical matters); Office of Management and Budget (for coordinating the paperwork aspects of IRS forms, in view of the Federal Reports Act) and the Small Business Administration to express the interests of the small business community. Creates in the Treasury Department an Office of Small Business Analyst, which would be responsible for looking at tax problems primarily from the view of small business and the free enterprise system. Calls upon the Treasury Department for a comprehensive study of depreciation policies with particular attention to: the impact of legislation; the rapid advances in technology to which small business must adapt; and the practices of other industrialized nations. Calls upon the Treasury to study the entire range of pension, retirement, health, medical, and insurance benefits in the larger context of what both corporations (including large corporate enterprise) and other forms of business are providing for their employees and executives. Authorizes a special study of the differential effect of tax law changes on businesses of different sizes. Title II: Adjustment of Corporate Normal Tax - Effects a progressive reform in the entire corporate tax structure by providing for reductions in normal corporate tax rates based on the corporations earning. Provides that as corporate earnings rise above $1 million per year the normal tax would incline upward to a maximum of 24 percent for corporations earning over $1 billion annually. Title III: Special Provisions to Encourage Establishment of New Small Business Enterprises - Permits eligible new small business corporatians on income tax deduction equal to the corporations net operating income so long as that amount does not exceed $2083. Allows an income tax deduction to a partnership for its oragnizational expenses ratably over a period of 60 months. Provides for a bad debt tax deduction for guarantors of obligations of, and lenders, to, small business corporations. Title IV: Provisions to Assist Small Business Growth - Increases the additional first-year depreciation limitation for small business property from $10,000 to $20,000. Extends the period for use of the loss carryover provisions for small businesses by allowing existing corporations to carry these losses over a ten year period. Raises the earning credit in accordance with the costs of doing business to $150,000. Allows the expenses of certain types of small business stock flotations, such as those under Regulation A and section 1244 of the Code, which are not otherwise deductible, to be amortized over a period of 60 months. Allows research and development expenses of small business to be amortized beginning at the time they are made. Permits a limited number of surtax exemptions (up to 5) in the event members of a family are placed in proprietary positions where they have ownership of at least 50 percent of the stock (or other interest) and full time management of a separately incorporated unit of a family business. Title V: Provisions Relating to Partnerships - Allows the closing of the partnership year for a decedent at any of the following times: (1) normal close of the partnership year if there has been no prior sale, exchange, or liquidation of the partnership interest; (2) the date of any of the above described transactions; or (3) the day after the partner's death. Permits a partner to deduct currently his share of partnership losses in excess of the adjusted basis of his partnership interests, in the event that the partner is unconditionally obligated for his share of such partnership losses. Title VI: Provisions Relating to Subchapter S Corporations - Allows enlargment of the Subchapter S "tax-option" small business corporations in the following 3 ways: (1) initial shareholders could number 15, rather than the present 10; (2) shareholders in excess of this ceiling who take their stock by reason of heirship would not disqualify election; and (3) after 5 years, the number of permissible shareholders would increase to 25. Provides that the classes of shareholders would be expanded to include: (1) trusts where stock passes pursuant to a will, and where the trust is used merely to convey the stock to a long term eligible holder within 60 days; (2) trusts where the entire income is taxable to the grantor; and (3) small business investment companies, subject to such income. Provides for nondisqualification of a Subchapter S corporation by reason of exceeding the limit of 20 percent passive income in a single year. Provides that the election privilege could still be lost pursuant to this proposal if the limit is exceeded in any 2 of 4 consecutive years. Provides that if the corporation is able to establish that the termination was, in fact, inadvertent and gain full compliance within 90 days of notification, its Subchapter S status would be preserved for future years. Title VII: Business Development Corporations - Permits State and local development companies to extend long-term financing to non-bankable new enterprises and such companies would be permitted a bad-debt reserve deduction up to 10 percent of outstanding loans. Provides that certain types of business development corporations would be nontaxable upon the condition that the proceeds from such unusual transactions are re-invested the area of service and no part of these proceeds insures to the benefit of any individual or private institution. Title VIII: Preservation of Small Business Independence - Allows recovery of losses in 1 or 2 quarters to the extent the newly estimated tax for the year is less than the amount already paid in. Disallows interest deductions beyond $500,000 on any loan for small business acquistion purposes. Permits valuation comparisons with any similar closely held corporation whether or not it is listed on an exchange. Changes the standard of "undue hardship" (required to qualify for 10-year estate tax installments) to "hardship." Directs the Treasury to conduct a comprehensive examination of the pressures of income taxes, capital gains tax, reorganization rules, and estate and gift taxes which are causing so many small business to sell or merge out of existence rather than continue in independent form.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1973
Provides, under the Rural Electrification Act, that the Administrator of the Rural Electrification Administration is directed (presently "empowered") to fully obligate funds made available for each fiscal year for rural electrification programs provided for in such Act. (Amends 7 U.S.C. 901, 902, 904, 922)
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 1973
Makes permanent the dairy indemnity program, the armed services and veterans hospitals dairy programs, and the suspension of the butterfat support program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1973
Provides that whoever, while engaged in the commission of any offense which is a crime of violence punishable under the federal laws, is armed with any firearm, in addition to the punishment provided for such crime shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment for not less than five years. Provides that in the case of any sentence imposed under this act the court shall not suspend such sentence of give a probationary sentence nor shall the term of imprisonment imposed under this section run concurrently with any other term of imprisonment imposed for the commission of such crime of violence. (Adds 18 U.S.C. 2401, 2402)
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 1973
Increases payments in specified amounts to veterans under non-service-connected disability pension plans. Increases pension payments to widows of veterans who at the time of death were receiving compensation or retirement pay for a service-connected disability. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 521(b),(c); 541(b),(c))
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1973
Includes amounts spent for the use of communications media for purposes of opposing a candidate for Federal elective office within the campaign expenditure limitations of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. Provides that no person or broadcasting station licensee may make any charge for use of any newspaper, station use, or outdoor advertising facility for the purpose of opposing a candidate for Federal elective office, unless another legally qualified candidate certifies in writing to such person or licensee that he authorizes such use and that the payment of such charge will not violate any expenditure limitation applicable to such other candidate. (Amends Pub. Law 92-225)
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 1973
Federal Paperwork Burden Relief Act - Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the reporting requirements of Federal regulatory programs to determine the extent to which these requirements may be revised to lessen the burden upon small and independent business establishments. Requires the Comptroller General to report the results of such study to the Congress one year from the date of enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1973
Endangered Species Conservation Act - States that the purposes of this Act are to provide a program for the conservation, protection, restoration, or propagation of species and subspecies of fish and wildlife that are threatened with extinction, or are likely within the foreseeable future to become threatened with extinction. Sets forth the procedure by which the Secretaries of Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture shall determine if a species or subspecies of fish or wildlife shall be regarded as an endangered species. Lists the following factors to be considered in determining if a species or subspecies is threatened with extinction or will likely become threatened with extinction: (1) the present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (2) overutilization for commercial, sporting, scientific, or educational purposes; (3) disease or predation; (4) the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or (5) other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence. Provides that the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register, not less than annually, a list by scientific and common name or names of species and subspecies determined to be endangered. Provides that the Secretary may, from time to time, by regulation revise such list. Provides that the Secretary shall utilize the land acquisition and other authorities of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act, as amended, the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended, and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, as appropriate, to carry out a program in the United States of conserving, protecting, restoring, or propagating those species and subspecies of fish and wildlife that he lists as endangered species pursuant to this Act. Provides that, in carrying out the program authorized by this Act, the Secretary shall cooperate to the maximum extent practicable with the several States. States that such cooperation shall include consultation before the acquisition of any land for the purpose of conserving, protecting, restoring, or propagating any endangered species. Authorizes the Secretary to delegate to a State the authority to regulate the taking by any person of endangered species or subspecies when he determines that such State maintains an adequate and active endangered species program consistent with the policies and purposes of this Act. Provides that any person who: (1) imports into or exports from the United States, receives or causes to be so imported, received, or exported; or (2) takes or causes to be taken within the United States, the territorial sea of the United States, Federal lands, or upon the high seas; or (3) ships, carries, or receives by any means in interstate commerce any species or subspecies which is listed as an endangered species shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of this Act. Allows exceptions from the prohibitions contained in this Act to permit the taking of an endangered species for scientific purposes and for the propagation of such fish and wildlife in captivity for preservation purposes. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to promulgate such regulations as may be appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Act. States that the Secretary, through the Secretary of State, shall seek the convening of an international ministerial meeting on fish and wildlife prior to July 1, 1974, to assure the worldwide conservation of endangered species and to avoid unnecessary harm to affected United States industries. Provides that whenever the Secretary determines that a species of fish or wildlife is an endangered species, the Secretary of Agriculture may use all authorities available to him with respect to research, investigations, conservation, protection, control and management of such endangered species. Authorizes the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution to report to Congress on species and subspecies of endangered plants, trees, and other flora, and recommended methods of protection.
United States · United States Congress · 22 January 1973
Declares the purposes of the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act to include: (1)preservation and improvement of soil fertility; (2) conservation of land; (3) diminution of exploitation and wasteful and unscientific use of national soil resources; (4) the protection of rivers and harbors against the results of soil erosion in aid of maintaining the navigability of waters and water courses and in aid of flood control;and (5) abatement and prevention of air and water pollution resulting from the normal activities necessary to the operation of a ranch or farm. Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out the purposes of this Act by making payments or grants of other aid to agricultural producers, including tenants and sharecroppers, in an aggregate amount equal to the sums appropriated therefor during the year with respect to which such payments or grants are made. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Small Business Tax Simplification and Reform Act - Title I: Tax Simplification Relating to Small Business - Creates a Committee on Tax Simplification for Small Business for the purpose of devoting continued attention to the simplification of the Internal Revenue Code to small business, and the regulations, instructions, procedures, and other publications relating to small business taxation. Provides that the membership of the Committee would include representatives of the Secretary of the Treasury (for policy matters); Internal Revenue Service (for technical matters); Office of Management and Budget (for coordinating the paperwork aspects of IRS forms, in view of the Federal Reports Act) and the Small Business Administration to express the interests of the small business community. Creates in the Treasury Department an Office of Small Business Analyst, which would be responsible for looking at tax problems primarily from the view of small business and the free enterprise system. Calls upon the Treasury Department to make a comprehensive study of depreciation policies with particular attention to: the impact of legislation; the rapid advances in technology to which small business must adopt; and the practices of other industrialized nations. Calls upon the Treasury to study the entire range of pension, retirement, health, medical, and insurance benefits in the larger context of what both corporations (including large corporate enterprise) and other forms of business are providing for their employees and executives. Authorizes a special study of the differential effect of tax law changes on businesses of different sizes. Title II: Adjustment of Corporate Normal Tax - Effects a progressive reform in the entire corporate tax structure by providing for reductions in normal corporate tax rates based on the corporations earning. Provides that as corporate earnings rise above $1 million per year the normal tax would incline upward to a maximum of 24 percent for corporations earning over $1 billion annually. Title III: Special Provisions to Encourage Establishment of New Small Business Enterprises - Permits eligible new small business corporations an income tax deduction equal to the corporations net operating income, so long as that amount does not exceed $83,333. Allows an income tax deduction to a partnership for its organizational expenses ratably over a period of 60 months. Provides for a bad debt tax deduction for guarantors of obligations of, and lenders to, small business corporations. Title IV: Provisions to Assist Small Business Growth - Increases the additional first-year depreciation limitation for small business property from $10,000 to $20,000. Fixes the length of guideline lives as those contained in the Revenue Procedure, and eliminates the reserve ratio test for firms designated as "Small business" by the Small Business Administration. Reinstates the 7 percent investment credit for specified small business property. Provides that corporate manufacturing would be allowed $50,000 worth of qualified investment. Extends the period for use of the loss carryover provisions for small businesses by allowing existing corporations to carry these losses over a ten year period. Raises the earning credit in accordance with the costs of doing business to $150,000. Allows the expenses of certain types of Small business stock flotations to be amortized over a period of 60 months. Allows research and development expenses of small businesses to be amortized beginning at the time they are made. Permits a limited number of surtax exemptions (up to 5) in the event members of a family are placed in proprietary positions where they have ownership of at least 50 percent of the stock (or other interest) and full time management of a separately incorporated unit of a family business. Title V: Provisions Relating to Partnerships - Allows the closing of the partnership year for a decedent at any of the following times: (1) normal close of the partnership year if there has been no prior sale, exchange, or liquidation of the partnership interest; (2) the date of any of the above described transactions; or (3) the day after the partner's death. Permits a partner to deduct currently his share of partnership losses in excess of the adjusted basis of his partnership interests, in the event that the partner is unconditionally obligated for his share of such partnership losses. Title VI: Provisions Relating to Subchapter S Corporations - Increases the Subchapter S S "tax-option" to small business corporations in the following 3 ways: (1) initial shareholders could number 15, rather than the present 10; (2) shareholders in excess of this ceiling who take their stock by reason of heirship would not disqualify election; and (3) after 5 years, the number of permissible shareholders would increase to 25. Provides that the classes of shareholders would be expanded to include: (1) trusts where stock passes pursuant to a will, and where the trust is used merely to convey the stock to a long term eligible holder within 60 days; (2) trusts where the entire income is taxable to the grantor; and (3) certain small business investment companies. Provides for nondisqualification of a Subchapter S corporation by reason of exceeding the limit of 20 percent passive income in a single year. Provides that the election privilege shall be lost pursuant to this proposal if the limit is exceeded in any 2 of 4 consecutive years. Provides that if the corporation is able to establish that the termination was, in fact, inadvertent and can gain full compliance within 90 days of notification, its Subchapter S status would be preserved for future years. Title VII: Business Development Corporations - Permits State and local development companies to extend long-term financing to non-bankable new enterprises and such companies would be permitted a bad-debt reserve deduction up to 10 percent of outstanding loans. Provides that certain types of business development corporations would be nontaxable upon the condition that the proceeds from such unusual transactions are re-invested within the area of service and no part of these proceeds inures to the benefit of any individual or private institution. Title VIII: Preservation of Small Business Independence - Allows recovery of losses in 1 or 2 quarters to the extent the newly estimated tax for the year is less than the amount already paid in. Disallows interest deductions beyond $500,000 on any loan for small business acquisition purposes. Permits valuation comparisons with any similar closely held corporation whether or not it is listed on an exchange. Changes the standard of "undue hardship" (required to qualify for 10-year estate tax installments) to "hardship". Directs the Treasury Department to conduct a comprehensive examination of the pressures of income taxes, capital gains tax, reorganization rules, and estate and gift taxes which are causing so many small businesses to sell or merge out of existence rather than continue in independent form.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Provides that if, during any three-month period of any one or more consecutive sessions of the Congress, a Member of the Senate or House of Representatives fails to be recorded in person on 70 percent of the recorded votes of the House of which he or she is a Member, such individual shall not receive the proscribed compensation for the three-month period following the three-month period in which he or she has failed to be recorded in person on 70 percent of the recorded votes. States that this Act shall not be applicable if there are less than 20 recorded votes during a three-month period or to an individual who has been hospitalized because of illness or accident.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Provides that, with regard to damages recovered because of violations of the antitrust laws, the amount recovered in excess of the actual damages sustained shall not be treated as income for the purpose of any law of the United States imposing a tax on income. (Amends 15 U.S.C. 15)
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Makes it unlawful, under the Clayton Act, for any person engaged in commerce, in the course of such commerce, to sell, or contract to sell, goods at unreasonably low prices for the purpose of destroying competition or eliminating a competitor. Provides for governmental and private civil actions, in addition to criminal proceedings, for violations of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 1973
Provides no part of any appropriation and no local currency owned by the United States shall be available for payment of any expenses, nor shall transportation be provided by the United States, in connection with travel outside the fifty States (including the District of Columbia) of the United States of: (1) any Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or member of either House of Congress after he has been defeated as a candidate for nomination, or election, to a seat in the House of Representatives or Senate of the United States in any primary or regular election until such time as he shall thereafter again become a Member of Congress, or (2) any Delegate, Resident Commissioner, or Member of either House of Congress after the adjournment sine die of the last session of a Congress if he is not a candidate for reelection in the next Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 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 · 15 January 1973
Requires that all or any part of the stationery, blank books, tables, forms, and other necessary papers furnished for official use of the Senate and House of Representatives shall contain, upon the request of the individual or committee on whose behalf such papers are requisitioned, not less than 50 percent recycled material. (Adds 44 U.S.C. 734(b))
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 1973
Requires the use of recycled paper in the printing of the Congressional Record. Requires a maximum of 50 percent non-recycled material to be used in such printing.
United States · United States Congress · 15 January 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 · 3 January 1973
Provides, under the Internal Revenue Code, that in the case of any corporation engaged in the business of farming, the deductions attributable to such business which, but for this Act, would be allowable for the taxable year shall be allowed only to the extent of the amount of gross income derived from the business of farming for the taxable year. Provides that the above deduction shall not apply in the case of any corporation with respect to which the sum of the deductions attributable to the business of farming which, but for this Act, would be allowable for the taxable year exceeds 90 percent of the sum of all deductions which, but for this Act, would be allowable for such taxable year.
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Provides that the recommendations of the President transmitted to the Congress under the Federal Salary Act of 1967 (relating to salaries of members of Congress and certain members of the executive and judicial branches of the Federal government) shall become effective at the beginning of the first pay period which begins after the first period of thirty calendar days of continuous session following the transmittal of such recommendations, unless there has been enacted into law a statute which establishes rates of pay other than those proposed by all or part of such recommendations, or unless between the date of transmittal and the end of the thirty day period either House adopts a resolution disapproving all or part of such recommendations. Provides that if the Committee, to which a resolution has been referred disapproving the recommendations of the President. Provides that the House has not reported the resolution after ten calendar days, it is in order to discharge the committee from further consideration of the resolution. Directs that such motion to discharge may be made only by an individual favoring the resolution and debate thereon is limited to not more than one hour divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the resolution. Directs that the motion to discharge may not be renewed, nor may another motion to discharge the committee be made with respect to any other resolution concerning the same recommendations. Specifies that when the committee has reported, or has been discharged from the further consideration of such resolution, it is in order to proceed to the consideration of the resolution. Stipulates that such motion is not debatable and may not be amended. Limits debate on the resolution to not more than two hours to be divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the resolution. Provides that motions to postpone, motions to proceed to the consideration of other business and appeals from the decisions of the chair shall be decided without debate. Authorizes any part of the recommendations of the President, in accordance with express provisions of such recommendations, to be made operative on a date later than a date on which such recommendations otherwise are to take effect. (Amends 2 U.S.C. 359)
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Provides for the designation of the 11th day of November of each year as Veterans Day (previously the fourth Monday in October). (Amends 5 U.S.C. 6103(a))