United States · United States Congress · 7 June 1973
Expresses the sense of Congress that until such time as the Congress has acted to dispose of pending legislation dealing with the current railroad crisis in the Northeastern United States, no court of the United States shall authorize any sale or abandonment of any railroad nor should the Interstate Commerce Commission approve or authorize any sale or abandonment.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1973
Provides that States may not have less strict standards with respect to marketing, labeling, packaging, and ingredient requirements than those made under the Federal Meat Inspection Act. (Amends 21 U.S.C. 678)
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 1973
Expresses the sense of Congress that until such time as the Congress has acted to dispose of pending legislation dealing with the current railroad crisis in the Northeastern United States, no court of the United States shall authorize any sale or abandonment of any railroad nor should the Interstate Commerce Commission approve or authorize any sale or abandonment.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1973
Provides for a revision of the formula employed to compute the allotment of funds for vocational rehabilitation services among the States under the Vocational Rehabilitation Act. (Amends 29 U.S.C. 32)
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 1973
Expresses the sense of Congress that until such time as the Congress has acted to dispose of pending legislation dealing with the current railroad crisis in the Northeastern United States, no court of the United States shall authorize any sale or abandonment of any railroad nor should the Interstate Commerce Commission approve or authorize any sale or abandonment.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 1973
Allows, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, a credit against the individual income tax for expenses paid by the taxpayer for the higher education of any individual, including the taxpayer. Excludes scholarships and fellowship grants, and educational assistance benefits paid by the Veterans' Administration, from such expenses paid for education purposes under this Act. Limits the eligibility for tax credit. Provides that the credit allowed to the taxpayer during the taxable year shall not exceed an amount equal to the sum of: (1) 100 percent of so much of the education expenses as does not exceed $200; exceeds $200 but does not exceed $500; and (3) 25 percent of so much of such expenses as exceeds $500 but does not exceed $1500. Reduces the credit allowable under this Act by amount equal to 1 percent of the amount by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income under the code exceeds $25,000.
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 · 29 May 1973
Provides, under the Federal Aviation Act, for reduced rate transportation on a space available basis for youth (between 12 and 22), elderly people (aged 65 and older), and military personnel who are members of the United States armed services traveling at their own expense, in uniform and while on official leave, furlough, or pass. (Amends 49 U.S.C. 1373(b))
United States · United States Congress · 29 May 1973
Provides that, under the Medicare provisions of the Social Security Act, where an individual is an inpatient of a skilled nursing facility, his absence from such facility for a short period with the approval of his physician shall not (in and of itself) be considered as indicating a lack of need for the services being furnished him or as terminating his right to have payments made under the medicare program for such services.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1973
Clean Elections Act - Title I: Federal Elections Commission - Creates a six-member independent Federal Elections Commission: 2 members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 2 members appointed by the President pro tempore of the Senate, and 2 members appointed by the President. Specifies that the Commission shall have full legal powers. Authorizes the Commission to use the personnel and facilities of the General Accounting Office. Requires the Commission to submit its budget directly to Congress along with any recommendations it may have for legislation. Transfers specified functions of the Secretary of the Senate, the GAO and the Clerk of the House to the Commission. Requires each candidate for Federal office to have a central campaign committee through which all reports must pass. Requires the central committee to file its report with the Commission. Specifies that reports contain all contributions in excess of $100 and that cash contributions of $2,500 or more be reported within 24 hours. Requires a financial report to be filed 10 days before an election. Title II: Federal Matching Payment Entitlement Fund - Establishes on the books of the Treasury of the United States the Federal Matching Payment Entitlement Fund to remain available for expenditure without fiscal year limitation. Entitles candidates for Federal office or an official national party committee or an official congressional campaign committee to payments from the fund, during any calendar year, in an amount equal to the cmount of each contribution received by such candidate or committee not in excess of $50. Requires that the candidate or committee submit matching payment entitlement vouchers including the full name of the contributor together with the date, the exact amount of the contribution, and the complete address of the contributor. States that the Secretary of the Treasury shall make a payment from the fund to the candidate or the treasurer of the committee in the amount certified by the Commission. Sets forth the limitations on certification by the Commission. Title III: Limitations on Political Contributions - Declares a limitation on contributions, made by an individual and expenditures of not more than $2,500 in the case of a candidacy for President or Vice President or not more than $1,000 in a congressional campaign. Title IV: Tax Incentives for Contributions to Candidates for Public Office - Allows a maximum credit for a taxable year for contributions to candidates for public office of $50 ($100 for a joint return). Title V: Voter's Time - Provides for a schedule of televised political broadcasts by candidates for Federal office. Requires the television networks to make prime time available to the candidates at roles not exceeding the prevailing unit charge of the station for the same amount of program time in the same time period. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to pay fully all certified bills for Voter's Time not more than 10 days following receipt from the Registry of Election Finance.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1973
Provides that no person engaged in commerce in the business of refining petroleum into gasoline and furnishing gasoline to retail distributors of gasoline for sale to the public shall fail to furnish gasoline to independent retail distributors of gasoline, whether or not franchised by such person, at wholesale prices in reasonable quantities as long as he continues to furnish gasoline to retail distributors of gasoline which are wholly owned by him or operated under a franchise granted by him.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 1973
Constitutional Amendment - Prohibits the Congress from making any appropriation for any fiscal year if the resulting total of appropriations for such fiscal year would exceed the total estimated revenues of the United States for such fiscal year. Provides that, in time of war or national emergency, as declared by the Congress, the application of this Amendment may be suspended by a concurrent resolution which has passed the Senate and the House of Representatives by an affirmative vote of three-fourths of the authorized membership of each such House. Makes such suspension effective for the two-year term of the Congress which passes such resolution. Prohibits an increase in the national debt. Provides that such debt, as it exists on the date on which this article is ratified, shall be repaid during the one-hundred-year period beginning with the first fiscal year which begins after the date on which this article is ratified at the rate of one-tenth of such debt during each ten-year interval of such one-hundred-year period.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 1973
Includes security guards at installations of the military departments within the provisions of law relating to civil service retirement of Government employees engaged in specified hazardous occupations. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 8336(c))
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1973
Makes it a Federal crime to carry out any research activity on a human fetus or to intentionally take any action to kill or hasten the death of a human fetus in any Federally supported facility or activity. Provides criminal penalties for violation of this Act. (Adds 18 U.S.C. 246)
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1973
Disaster Preparedness and Assistance Act - Title I: Findings, Declarations, and Definitions - Sets forth Congressional findings, declaration of purpose and the definitions of the terms used in this Act. Title II: Disaster Assistance Administration - Provides that all requests for disaster assistance from the Federal Government under this Act shall be made by the Governor of the affected State. Authorizes the President to coordinate, in such manner as he may determine, the activities of all Federal agencies providing disaster assistance. Authorizes any Federal agency charged with the administration of a Federal assistance program, if so requested by the applicant State or local authorities, to modify or waive, for the duration of a major disaster, such administrative procedural conditions for assistance as would otherwise prevent the giving of assistance under such programs if the inability to meet such conditions is a result of the disaster. Provides that the Federal Government shall not be liable for any claim based upon the exercise or performance of or the failure to exercise or perform a discretionary function or duty on the part of a Federal agency or an employee of the Federal Government in carrying out the provision of this Act. Provides that any individual willfully violating any order or regulation under this Act shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year or both for each violation. States that any individual who violates any order or regulation under this Act shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each violation. Provides that whoever wrongfully misapplies the proceeds of a loan or other cash benefit obtained under any section of this Act shall be civilly liable to the Federal Government in an amount equal to one and one-half times the original principal amount of the loan or cash benefit. Title III: Emergency Assistance - Sets forth the presidential authority in providing emergency disaster assistance. States that emergency work or services for purposes of this Act shall not extend beyond thirty days following the President's initial determination that emergency services are required, except that this limitation may be waived by the President where he deems extraordinary circumstances warrant such waiver. Title IV: Disaster Loans - Authorizes the President to make or guarantee disaster loans to individuals, business concerns, and other legal entities in a major disaster area to replace, restore, or repair private property damaged or lost in the disaster, to the extent it is not covered by insurance. Authorizes the President to make or guarantee loans to small business concerns for working capital and operating expenses, to the extent that a major disaster has created a need for such loans. Authorizes the President to make or guarantee disaster loans to any industrial, commercial, agricultural, governmental, or other enterprise that has constituted a major source of employment in an area suffering a major disaster and is no longer in substantial operation as a result of such disaster. Authorizes the President to make disaster loans to any local government that demonstrates a need, as a result of a major disaster, of financial assistance in order to perform its governmental functions. States that the amount of any such disaster loan shall be based on need, and shall not exceed 10 percent of the annual operating budget of that local government. Sets forth the terms and conditions for such loans. Creates within the Treasury a separate fund which shall be available to the President without fiscal year limitation as a revolving fund for the purpose of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated to the fund from time to time such amounts as may be necessary for the fund. Title V: Disaster Grants for Needy Families - Authorizes the President to make a grant to any State in a major disaster area for the purpose of assisting the State in indemnifying the uninsured property losses of needy families, and thereafter, to aid such families in meeting such other extraordinary disaster-related expenses as the State may recognize. States that the amount of such grant shall be determined by the President on the basis of evidence supplied by the Governor of the affected State as to the number of low-income families affected by the disaster; but the grant to the State shall not exceed an amount equal to $3,000 per low-income family. Provides that the actual disbursement of the funds made available to the State under this Act shall be made by the Governor or his designated representative according to eligibility requirements to be determined by the Governor or his designated representative. States that no family shall receive payments under this Act in excess of $4,000. Title VI: Grants to States - Authorizes the President to make grants to States for the benefit of persons or parties adversely affected by a major disaster, for the following purposes: (1) provision of essential human needs and services, including but not limited to food, communications, water, clothing, utility services, and public transportation; (2) replacement, restoration, repair, or construction of specified facilities; and (3) debris and timber removal from public or private lands and waters, when in the public interest. States that the amount of funds to be granted under this Act shall be based upon 75 percent of the estimated cost of relief for losses sustained as a result of the major disaster in the categories of assistance specified in this Act. Sets forth the administrative operation for such grants. Title VII: Disaster Preparedness Assistance - Authorizes the President to establish a program of disaster preparedness that utilizes services of all appropriate agencies. States that upon application by the States, the President is authorized to make grants, not to exceed $250,000, for the development of plans, programs, and capabilities for disaster preparedness. Provides that such grants shall be available for a period of one year from the date of enactment. Title VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions - States that as a condition of any disaster loan or grant made under the provisions of this Act, the recipient shall agree that any repair or construction to be financed therewith shall be in accordance with applicable standards of safety, decency, and sanitation and in conformity with applicable codes, specifications, and standards, and shall furnish such evidence of compliance with this Act as may be required by regulation. Provides where an existing timber sale contract between the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior and a timber purchaser does not provide relief from major physical change not due to negligence of the purchaser prior to approval of construction of any section of specified road or of any other specified development facility and, as a result of a major disaster, a major physical change results in additional construction work in connection with such road or facility by such purchaser with an estimated cost, as determined by the appropriate Secretary, (1) of more than $1,000 for sales under one million board feet, (2) of more than $1 per thousand board feet for sales of one to three million board feet, or (3) of more than $3,000 for sales over three million board feet, such increased construction cost shall be borne by the United States. Authorizes funds to be appropriated for the purpose of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1973
Authorizes the President to issue a proclamation designating the week in November which includes Thanksgiving Day in each year as "National Family Week".
United States · United States Congress · 7 May 1973
Requests the President to seek the joint recommendation by Justices of the Supreme Court (other than the Chief Justice) as the Court shall select of a suitable special prosecutor for the Government of the United States in any and all criminal investigations, indictments, and acts, arising from any illegal activities in the Presidential election of 1972 or any campaign, canvass, or other activities related to it.
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 · 19 April 1973
Allows a credit, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, against the individual income tax for tuition paid for the elementary or secondary education of dependents. Limits such tax credit to 50 percent of education expenses or $400, whichever is less. Provides for a reduction of this tax credit in an amount equal to $1 for every $20 by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds $25,000. Defines tuition expenses allowable and educational institutions eligible under this Act. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 42)
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1973
Allows, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, a credit against the individual income tax for expenses paid by the taxpayer for the higher education of any individual, including the taxpayer. Excludes scholarships and fellowship grants, and educational assistance benefits paid by the Veterans' Administration, from such expenses paid for education purposes under this Act. Limits the eligibility for tax credit. Provides that the credit allowed to the taxpayer during the taxable year shall not exceed an amount equal to the sum of: (1) 100 percent of so much of the education expenses as does not exceed $200; (2) 75 percent of so much of such expenses as exceeds $200 but does not exceed $500; and (3) 25 percent of so much of such expenses as exceeds $500 but does not exceed $1,500. Reduces the credit allowable under this Act by an amount equal to 1 percent of the amount by which the taxpayer's adjusted gross income under the code exceeds $19,000.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1973
Prohibits the transportation of contraband cigarettes in interstate commerce. Defines contraband cigarettes as a quantity in excess of twenty thousand cigarettes, bearing no evidence of the payment of applicable state cigarette taxes, in the possession of unauthorized carriers. Provides for the swizure and fordeiture of cigarettes transported and vehicles used for such transportation in violation of State laws. Provides for a penalty of a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than two years, or both, for anyone biolating this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 1973
Allows an income tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code for expenses (including tuition, fees, books, and supplies) paid by a taxpayer to any private nonprofit elementary or secondary school for the education of any dependent for whom the taxpayer is allowed an income tax exemption. Limits such credit for a taxpayer to the lesser of 100 percent of expenses or $200. Reduces expenses of higher education of any individual paid during the taxable year by an amout equal to 1 percent of the amount by which the adjusted gross income of the taxpayer exceed $19,000. Provides that any payment which is taken into account in determing the tax credit shall not result in a tax refund.
United States · United States Congress · 17 April 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 · 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 · 5 April 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 · 4 April 1973
Extends eligibility for coverage under Servicemen's Group Life Insurance to: (1) a person who volunteers for assignment to the Ready Reserve of a uniformed service and is assigned to a unit or position in which he may be required to perform active duty; (2) a person assigned to the Retired Reserve of a uniformed service who has not received the first increment of retirement annuities or has not yet reached 61 years of age and has completed at least 20 years of satisfactory service creditable for retirement purposes; and (3) a member, cadet, or midshipman of the Reserve Officers Training Corps while attending field training or practice cruises. Provides that an insurance policy for a member of the Ready Reserve shall cease 120 days after separation or release from such assignment unless on the date of separation the member is totally disabled, or has completed 20 years of service creditable for retirement purposes. Continues the insurance policy of a member of the Retired Reserve until such time as the member receives the first increment of retirement annuity, or the member's sixty-first birthday, whichever occurs earlier. Makes provisions for the conversion of Servicemen's Group Life Insurance following termination to a policy with a participating life insurance company. Provides for the payment of premiums by a deduction from the pay of a member of the Reserve or Ready Reserve. Authorizes the Secretary of the Army or the Secretary of the Air Force, as the case may be, to allow a member of the National Guard who is not on active duty to make allotments from his pay for the payment of premiums under a group life insurance program sponsored by the military department of the State in which such member holds his National Guard membership or by the National Guard Association of such State. (Amends 38 U.S.C. 765-771; Adds 37 U.S.C. 707)
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1973
Foreign Service War Prisoners Retirement Benefits Act - Provides that employees of the Foreign Service who were prisoners of war or missing in action for any period during the Vietnam conflict may receive double credit for such period for retirement purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1973
Civil Service War Prisoners Retirement Benefits Act - Provides that civil service employees who were prisoners of war or missing in action for any period during the Vietnam conflict may receive double credit for such period for retirement purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1973
War Prisoners Retirement Benefits Act - Allows United States military and civilian government employees, who have been held prisoner or who have been missing in action in Southeast Asia, to elect to receive double credit for retirement purposes for the period of confinement or missing status. Requires such individual to claim such credit, if he so desires, within two years after his return to the jurisdiction of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1973
Military and CIA War Prisoners Retirement Benefits Act - Provides that members of the Armed Forces and Central Intelligence Agency employees who were prisoners of war or missing in action for any period during the Vietnam conflict may receive double credit for such period for retirement purposes.
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 · 22 March 1973
Allows a tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code against the Federal income tax for State and local real property taxes or an equivalent portion of rent paid on their residences by individuals who have attained the age of 65. Provides that where an indivudal has attained the age of 65, there shall be allowed as a credit the amount of real property taxes paid which were imposed by a State or political subdivision on property owned and used by him as a principal residence or rent constituting such taxes as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. Allows payment by the U.S. Treasury to taxpayers to the extent of the difference between the credit and amount of such real property taxes where the tax imposed is less than real property taxes. Provides that the total credit payment for any taxable year shall not exceed $300 (or $150 in case of a single return). Reduces the amount of the credit allowed by the amount that the taxpayer's income exceeds $6,500 (or $3250 in the case of a married person filing a separate return). Directs that the credit be applied collectively in cases of joint ownership. Provides that where the joint return of the husband or wife is filed, the age requirement is met if either person is 65 or older. Apportions the credit allowed to cover only that part of a residence actually used by the taxpayer or that part of a farm not in excess of forty acres. Provides that an individual who is a tenant-stockholder in a cooperative housing corporation shall be treated as owning the house or apartment which he occupies and such person shall be treated as having paid real property taxes equal to the deduction allowable in direct proportion to taxes actually paid on a particular residence where during the taxable year there has been a change in residence. Provides that the term 'rent constituting property taxes" means an amount equal to 25 percent of the rent paid during a taxable year by the taxpayer for the right to occupy his dwelling (exclusive of charges for utilities, services, and furnishings). Reduces the amount of real property taxes paid by an individual by the amount of any refund given on such taxes. Provides that there shall be no assessment of interest charges where there has been an underpayment of taxes by an individual if the amount due is paid within sixty days after the taxpayer receives a refund of real property taxes which caused the underpayment. Specifies that deductions for State and local real property taxes shall not be affected by the credit allowed.
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 · 21 March 1973
Allows a tax deduction under the Internal Revenue Code of not more than $750 for ordinary and necessary expenses paid during the taxable year for the repair or improvement of property used by the taxpayer as his principal residence. Permits any person who is the owner of rental housing and who rehabilitates or restores such housing to deduct the cost of such restoration, with respect to the amortization of the adjusted basis of such housing as so restored, based on a period of 60 months. Entitles any person who acquires rehabilitated or restored rental housing from a taxpayer who elected the amortization deduction and who did not discontinue the amortization deduction, to a deduction with respect to the adjusted basis of such facility based on the remaining amount of the 60 month period taken by the person who rehabilitated the house. Provides procedures for the election and termination of the amortization deduction and defines the terms used in this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 1973
Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to construct and provide shoreside facilities for the education and convenience of visitors to the United States Ship Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, and to transfer responsibility for their operation and maintenance to the National Park Service. Authorizes to be appropriated $2,500,000 for the planning, construction, equipping, and furnishing of such facilities, such sum to be in addition to the regular budgetary appropriations for the Department of the Navy.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1973
Provides victims of crime with compensation from the Attorney General and the State or political subdivision in which the crime occurred. Prescribes the State share of compensation to be one-half of all medical and hospital expenses which directly result from an act which is a criminal offense. States that the Federal share shall equal one-half of all such medical and hospital expenses. Excludes from these expenses those amounts for which the victim is compensated by insurance. Provides that no victim whose earned income at the time of the crime equalled or exceeded $15,000 per year shall receive any compensation, except in the case of total disability of the victim.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1973
Bill of Rights for the Mentally Retarded - States that the purpose of this Act is to establish standards which assure the humane care, treatment, habilitation, and protection of the mentally retarded in residential facilities, and to improve the system for the provision of services to the mentally retarded through the encouragement of and support for the planning and development of strategies to implement such standards, minimize inappropriate admissions to residential facilities and stimulate the development of regional and community programs integrating such residential facilities which conform to such standards. Provides for a new title to the Public Health Service Act: Title XI: Support of Residential Facilities for the Mentally Retarded - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to States to aid them with the cost of bringing existing residential facilities into compliance with the standards established under this Act, and to improve existing residential facilities for the mentally retarded. Authorizes to be appropriated $30,000,000 ($15,000,000 for each program) for fiscal year 1973, and for each of the next two succeeding fiscal years, for such grants. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to enable the Secretary to make grants to States for the purpose of assisting States in meeting the expenses for bringing publicly operated facilities and publicly assisted facilities into conformity with the standards established by this Act. Stipulates that any State desiring to receive such a grant shall submit a plan to the Secretary setting forth a schedule for compliance with such standards. Provides that the total of the grants with respect to any such project bringing facilities into conformity with the standards imposed by this Act may not exceed 75 percent of the necessary cost thereof as determined by the Secretary. Requires, within five years after the date of enactment of this Act, that no residential facility for the mentally retarded shall be eligible to receive payments either directly or indirectly under any Federal law, unless such facility meets the standards promulgated under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to any public or private non-profit agency, organization or institution to meet the costs of development, improvement, extension, or expansion of community resources and community living situations for the mentally retarded other than live-in-residential facilities for the mentally retarded. Establishes a National Advisory Council on Standards for Residential Facilities for the Mentally Retarded to: (1) advise the Secretary with respect to any regulations promulgated or proposed in the implementation of the standards established under this Act; (2) study and evaluate such standards authorized by this Act; and (3) recommend to the Secretary any changes, revisions, modifications, or improvements in the standards established under this Act. Provides that the ultimate aim of the residential facility shall be to foster those behaviors that maximize the human qualities of the resident, increase the complexity of his behavior, and enhance his ability to cope with his environment. Requires such facilities to be located within, and conveniently accessible to, the population served, so as to have access to necessary generic community services. Provides that the facility and the surrounding community should be encouraged to share their services and resources on a reciprocal basis. Provides that residents of the facility should be integrated to the greatest possible extent with the general population. Provides that the facility shall have a written outline of the philosophy, objectives, and goals it is striving to achieve. Requires such outline to be available for distribution to staff, consumer representatives, and the interested public. Provides that the governing body of the facility shall exercise general direction and shall establish policies concerning the operation of the individuals served. Provides that the administration of the facility shall provide for effective staff and resident participation and communication. Requires the facility to designate a percentage of its operating budget for self-renewal purposes. Provides that the facility shall have a description of services for residents that is available to the public. Provides that the facility shall provide for meaningful and extensive consumer-representative and public participation. Provides that a public education and information program should be established that utilizes all communication media, and all service, religious and civil groups, to develop attitudes of understanding and acceptance of mentally retarded persons in all aspects of community living. Provides that admission and release procedures shall: (1) encourage voluntary admission; (2) give equal priority to persons of comparable need; (3) facilitate emergency, partial, and short-term residential care; and (4) utilize the maximum feasible amount of voluntariness in each individual case. Authorizes the residential facility to admit only residents who have had a comprehensive evaluation. Provides that all admissions to the residential facility shall be considered temporary. Provides that there shall be a regular, at least annual, joint review of the status of each resident by all relevant personnel. Provides that at the time of permanent release or transfer there shall be recorded a summary of findings, progress, and plans for protective supervision and other followup services in the resident's new environment. Provides that the performance of each employee of the facility shall be evaluated at least annually. Provides that staffing shall be sufficient so that the facility is not dependent upon the use of residents or volunteers for productive services. Provides that food services shall recognize and provide for the physiological, emotional, and cultural needs of each resident, through provision of a planned, nutritionally adequate diet. Provides that each resident shall have an adequate allowance of neat, clean, fashionable, and seasonable clothing. Provides that residents shall be trained to exercise maximum independence in health, hygiene, and grooming practices. Provides that living unit components or groupings shall be small enough to insure the development of meaningful interpersonal relationships among residents and between residents and staff. Requires dental services to be provided all residents in order to maximize their general health by maintaining an optimal level of daily oral health, through preventive measures and correcting existing oral diseases. Provides that educational services, defined as deliberate attempts to facilitate the intellectual, sensorimotor, and affective development of the individual, shall be available to all residents, regardless of chronological age, degree of retardation, or accompanying disabilities or handicaps. Provides that food and nutrition services shall be provided in order to: (1) insure optimal nutritional status of each resident, thereby enhancing his physical, emotional, and social well-being; and (2) provide a nutritionally adequate diet, in a form consistent with developmental level, to meet the dietary needs of each resident. Makes library services, which include the location, acquisition, organization, utilization, retrieval, and delivery of materials in a variety of media, available to the facility, in order to support and strengthen its total habilitation program by providing complete and integrated multimedia information services to both staff and residents. Provides that medical services shall be provided in order to: (1) achieve and maintain an optimal level of general health for each resident; (2) maximize normal function and prevent disability; and (3) facilitate the optimal development of each resident. Provides that residents shall be provided with nursing services, in accordance with their needs, in order to: (1) develop and maintain an environment that will meet their total health needs; (2) foster optimal health; (3) encourage maximum self-care and independence; and (4) provide skilled nursing care. Provides that, where appropriate to the facility, there shall be a pharmacy and therapeutics committee, that includes one or more pharmacists, to develop policy on drug usage in the facility, and to develop and maintain a current formulary. Provides that physical and occupational therapy services shall be provided in order to: (1) prevent abnormal development and further disability; (2) facilitate the optimal development of each resident; and (3) enable the resident to be a contributing and participating member of the community in which he resides. Requires psychological services be provided in order to facilitate, through the application of psychological principles, techniques, and skills, the optimal development of each resident. Provides that recreation services should provide each resident with a program of activities that: (1) promotes physical and mental health; (2) promotes optimal sensorimotor, cognitive, affective, and social development; (3) encourages movement from dependent to independent and interdependent functioning; and (4) provides for the enjoyable use of leisure time. Make religious services available to residents, in accorance with their basic right to freedom of religion. Provides that all social services shall be available to all residents and their families in order to foster and facilitate: (1) maximum personal and social development of the resident; (2) positive family functioning; and (3) effective and satisfying social and community relationships. Provides that speech pathology and audiology services shall be available, in order to: (1) maximize the communications skills of all residents; and (2) provide for the evaluation, counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation of those residents with speech, hearing and/or language handicaps. Requires each facility to provide all its residents with rehabilitation services, which include the establishment, maintenance, and implementation of those programs that will ensure the optimal development or restoration of each resident physically, psychologically, socially and vocationally. Provides that volunteer services shall be provided in order to enhance opportunities for the fullest realization of the potential of each resident by: (1) increasing the amount, and improving the quality, of services and programs; and (2) facilitating positive relationships between the facility and the community which it serves. Provides that a record shall be maintained for each resident that is adequate for: (1) planning and continuous evaluating of the resident's habitation program; (2) providing a means of communication among all persons contributing to the resident's habilitation program; (3) furnishing documentary evidence of the resident's progress and of his response to his habilitation program; (4) serving as a basis for review, study, and evaluation of the overall programs provided by the facility for its residents; (5) protecting the legal rights of the residents, facility, and staff; and (6) providing data for use in research and education. Provides that the administration of the facility shall make provision for the design and conduct, or the supervision, of research that will objectively evaluate the effectiveness of program components and contribute to informed decisionmaking in the facility. Provides that the requirements of the Secretary shall be met, with specific reference to the following: (1) provision of adequate and alternate exits and doors; (2) provision of exit ramps, with nonskid surface and slope not exceeding one foot in twelve; and (3) provision for handrails on stairways. Provides that there shall be records that document strict compliance with the sanitation, health, and environmental safety codes of the State or local authorities having primary jurisdiction over the facility. Provides that adequate, modern administrative support shall be provided to efficiently meet the needs of, and contribute to, program services for residents, and to facilitate attainment of the goals and objectives of the facility. Provides that funds shall be budgeted and spent in accordance with the principles and procedures of program budgeting. Provides that there shall be written purchasing policies regarding authority and approvals for supplies, services, and equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1973
Veterans' Administration Accountability Act - Modifies those powers exercised by the Administrator of Veterans' Affairs with respect to readjustment of the schedule of ratings for the disabilities of veterans. Requires that notice of closing must be given to Congress in writing before the closing of a hospital or domiciliary facility over which the Administrator has direct and exclusive jurisdiction. Prohibits the sale or transfer of Government property under the jurisdiction of the Veterans' Administration unless notice of such transfer or sale is first given to congress.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1973
Wilderness Study Act - Provides for a study of various lands enumerated in this Act to determine their suitability for designation as wilderness in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to report the findings of such study to the President within five years after the date of the enactment of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Designates lands in the Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee, as the North Cohutta Wilderness Preserve.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1973
Designates specified lands in the following national forests for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System including: (1) Bankhead National Forest, Alabama; (2) Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas; (3) Ozark National Forest, Arkansas; (4) Appalachicola National Forest, Florida; (5) Chattahooche and Cherokee National Forests, Georgia and Tennessee; (6) White Mountain National Forest, Maine; (7) Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri; (8) White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire; (9) Natahala and Cherokee National Forests, North Carolina and Tennessee; (10) Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia; (11) George Washington National Forest, Virginia and West Virginia; (12) Jefferson National Forest, Virginia; (13) Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky; (14) Sumter National Forest, South Carolina, (15) Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont; (16) Chequamegon National Forest, Wisconsin; (17) Clark National Forest, Missouri, Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan; and (18) Mark Twain National Forest, Missouri. Authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1973
Flood Control Act - Authorizes specified works of improvement for the benefit of navigation and the control of destructive floodwaters to be prosecuted by the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers. Provides that as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this Act and at least once each year thereafter, the Secretary, acting through the Chief of Engineers, shall review and submit to the Congress a list of those authorized projects which have been authorized for at least eight years and which he determines should no longer be authorized. Requires the Secretary to obtain the views of interested parties and of the Governor of each wherein such projects would be located. States that a project on such list shall no longer be authorized at the end of a period of 180 days of continuous session of Congress after the date such list is delivered to it. Authorizes the Secretary, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to cooperate with any State in the preparation of comprehensive plans for the development, utilization, and conservation of the water and related resources of drainage basins located within the boundaries of such States and to submit to Congress reports and recommedations with respect to appropriate Federal participation in carrying out such plans. Authorizes appropriations of not to exceed $2,000,000 annually to carry out this section. Authorizes specified projects and studies for flood protection in designated areas. Designates the Trotlers Shoals Dam and Lake, Savannah River, Georgia and South Carolina, as the Richard B. Russell Dam amd lake. Authorizes the Secretary to establish the Big South Fork National River and Recreational Area in the States of Kentucky and Tennessee for the purpose of conserving and interpreting an area containing unique cultural, historical, geologic, fish, and wildlife, archaeolgic, scenic and recreational values. Shoreline Erosion Control Demonstration Act - Directs the Secretary of the Army to establish and conduct a five year national shoreline erosion control development and demonstration program. Provides that the program shall consist of planning, construction, operating, evaluating, and demonstrating prototype shoreline erosion control devices, both engineered and vegetative. States that such projects shall be undertaken at not less than two sites on the shoreline of the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts, at no less than one site on the Great Lakes, and at locations of serious erosion along the shore of the Delaware Bay. Establishes a Shoreline Erosion Advisory Panel which shall consist of fifteen members appointed by the Secretary. Sets forth the functions of the Panel. Requires the Secretary to submit an annual program progress report, including therein contributions of the Panel to the chairman of the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Public Works. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal year 1974 and for the succeding four fiscal years $6,000,000 to carry out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to plan and construct projects for the control of streambank erosion in the United States and its possessions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 1973
Provides that all American war dead in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, who laid down their lives for their country and the preservation of the ideals of freedom throughout the world, are to be honored by their country by the flying of the flag at half staff for thirty days after the last American prisoner has been returned from Southeast Asia
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.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1973
Requires the use of United States materials and products in the construction, alteration, or repair of water, air, or noise pollution control facilities for which Federal assistance is provided, unless the cost would be unreasonable or the use would be inconsistent with the public interest.
![Official portrait of Rep. Walsh, William F. [R-NY-33]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000107_200.jpg)