United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1973
Establishes the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration; an American Revolutionary Bicentennial Advisory Council; a Federal Agency Bicentennial Organization; and the American Revolution Bicentennial Board. Sets forth the duties and functions of these bodies. Provides that the Council, Board, Federal Organization, and the Administration shall cease on and after December 31, 1976. Authorizes appropriations for such bodies. Establishes the Joint Committee on the American Revolution Bicentennial. Provides that the Committee shall make a continuing study of the activities of the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration. Requires periodic reports by the Committee.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1973
Title I: General Management Authority - National Resource Land Management Act - Presents the declaration of the Congress that the national resource lands are a vital national asset containing a wide variety of natural resource values and that the national interest will best be served by retaining the national resource lands in Federal ownership except where the Secretary determines that disposal of particular tracts of national resource lands is consistent with the purposes, terms, and conditions of this Act. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to manage the national resource lands under principles of multiple use and sustained yield in a manner which will, using all practicable means and measures, protect the environmental quality of the national resource lands to assure their continued value for present and future generations. Provides that the use, occupancy, or development of any portion of the national resource lands contrary to any regulation of the Secretary or contrary to any order issued pursuant to any such regulations is unlawful and prohibited. Provides that the Secretary shall prepare and maintain on a continuing basis an inventory of all national resource lands and their resources, giving priority to areas of critical environmental concern. Directs the Secretary in conjunction with public participation, to develop, maintain and, when appropriate, revise land use plans for the national resource lands consistent with the terms and conditions of this Act. Requires that in the development and maintenance of land use plans the Secretary shall: (1) use a systematic interdisciplinary approach to achieve integrated consideration of physical, biological, economic, and social sciences; (2) give priority to the designation of areas of critical environmental concern; (3) rely, to the extent it is available, on the inventory of the national resource lands and their resources; (4) consider all present and potential uses of the lands; (5) consider the relative scarcity of the values involved and the availability of alternative means including the need for recycling and sites for realization of those values; (6) weigh long-term public benefits against more immediate local or individual benefits; and (7) consider the requirements of applicable pollution control laws. Title II: Sale Authority - Authorizes the Secretary to sell tracts of national resource lands for fair market value if they are isolated and not suitable for management by the Bureau of Land Management or any other Federal agency, if they were purchased for a specific purpose and are no longer suitable for that or any other Federal purpose or if transfer would serve an overriding public benefit. Authorizes the Secretary in specified instances to sell reserved mineral interests in lands to the surface owners. Title III: Management Implementing Authority - Provides the authority to acquire, by purchase or exchange, lands necessary for authorized programs or for blocking up existing land holdings. Provides authority to issue a document of disclaimer of interest in land to which the United States no longer claims as interest. Establishes a working capital fund for the Bureau of Land Management and affords a specified method of accounting for various programs and service operations of the Bureau of Land Management. Makes violations of laws or regulations pertaining to national resource land a crime and by vested enforcement authority in certain designated Departmental employees. Authorizes the Secretary to cooperate with State and local law enforcement agencies and to reimburse the agencies for services on national resource lands. Title IV: Authority to Grant Rights-of-Way - Authorizes the Secretary to grant rights-of-way for such purposes as pipelines, powerlines and roads. Specifies conditions for granting such rights-of-way including provisions for protection of the environment. Title V: Preservation of Valid Existing Rights and Repeal of obsolete and Superseded Law - Provides for the repeal of specified laws. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed as a limitation upon any State criminal statute.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1973
Land Use Policy and Planning Assistance Act - Title I: Findings, Policy and Purpose - makes the following Findings: (1) There is a national interest and need for a more efficient system of land use; (2) There is a lack of understanding of the land use policies established by individual States, regions, and localities; (3) Adequate data and information is not readily available to land use decision makers; (4) Land resources have too often been wasted because of failure to conduct competent planning; (5) Because of lack of coordinated planning between governmental levels there develop conflicts and delays in executing land use policies; (6) primary responsibility in the area of land use should rest with the states and local government with guidance from the national government; and (7) the decision making process in land use planning affects and should include those persons at all income levels and backgrounds. Declares a national policies to promote, encourage, develop, assist, and implement land use programs for the general welfare and well being of the United States. Title II: Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make grants to those states whose land use plans according to his judgment meet the criteria established by this Act. Requires the Secretary to consult with the heads of specified Federal agencies during the five year period after the enactment of this Act to consider their views and recommendations. Requires the Federal, State, and local projects and activities which effect land use to be consistent with the land use policies established by this Act. Authorizes hearings to be held and recommendations made where Federal action is to affect a non-Federal area not receiving grants under this Act. Reduces those funds to which a state is entitled under the Airport and Airways Development Act, from Federal-aid highways funds, and under the Land and Water conservation Fund Act of 1965, if such State is found ineligible for grants under this Act. Title III: Administration Of Land Use Policy - establishes the National Advisory Board on Land Use Policy and designates its members and responsibilities. Requires that the States make available to those interstate entities involved in land use planning a portion of the funds allocated to the State provided such entity is in conformity with the purposes and goals of this Act. Title IV: General - Authorizes the President to designate an agency or agencies to set guidelines for agencies working under this Act. Requires a bicennial report to be made to the President and Congress from the Board with the assistance of the Secretary of the Interior. Permits the Secretary to utilize personnel of other agencies and to provide technical assistance to states receiving funds under this Act. Sets forth the Judicial procedure to be used in carrying out the provisions of the Act. Requires those States receiving funds to make reports and keep specified financial records. Authorizes appropriations for five fiscal years following the enactment of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 1973
Provides for the establishment of the Agricultural Hall of Fame National Cultural Park in Wagandotte County, Kansas. Establishes the Agricultural Hall of Fame Commission to prepare a recreational plan for the Park, establish standards for the construction of facilities, and generally assist in the administration of the Park. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as necessary to carry out the provisions 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 · 8 May 1973
Schoolbus Safety Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish standards which require schoolbuses be equipped with seat backs of sufficient height and design to prevent, to the extent possible, any injury to each seated passenger and the driver. Makes standards applicable to buses manufactured after June 30, 1972. Authorizes the Attorney General to commence a civil action in the United States district courts to obtain a temporary or permanent injunction restraining any person from violating the Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to nay State or political subdivision thereof or to any school system to pay all or part of the cost of complying with the Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the Act. (Amends 15 U.S.C. 1392, 1395)
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 1973
Environmental Quality Corps Act - Establishes the Environmental Quality Corps as an independent agency within the executive branch. Provides that it shall be the duty of the Corps to provide the manpower needed in projects designed to better the environmental quality for all Americans. Provides that applicants shall be eligible for enlistment in the Corps if they are unmarried American citizens, aged eithteen through twenty-six. Provides that the Corps shall be composed of volunteers to be provided with room and board and a modest living allowance by the Administrator of the Corps. Provides that the Administrator shall arrange for transportation, lodging, subsistence, equipment, training, and other services which may be needed by the Corps volunteers in fulfilling their duties. Authorizes the Administrator to enter into arrangements with Federal, State, and local governmental agencies and Corps volunteers under the supervision of the Corps, on projects authorized by this Act. Provides that each such agency which desires to receive the services of volunteers shall submit annually to the Administrator a detailed plan which shall include: (1) an outline of the proposed projects and lands for which such services are desired; (2) a description of the funds, equipment, and facilities which are available for each such project; and (3) the number of volunteers requested for, studies of the environmental impact of, estimates of the total cost of, and estimates of the economic effect of each such project. Establishes in the Corps a Board of Advisers to: (1) establish policies for the recruitment of applicants; (2) establish project priorities and review Federal, State, and local plans submitted under this Act; (3) assist the Administrator in the coordination of the various departments and agencies represented by its members with each other, in order to avoid duplication of effort; and (4) advise and assist the Administrator with respect to the provision of such technical and logistical support as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated for fiscal year 1973 and 1974 such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 1973
Drug Pushers Elimination Act - Title I : Increased Penalties - Increases, under the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act, the penalties for the manufacture or distribution of a controlled narcotic drug to : (1) not less than 5 years, nor more than 25 years, imprisonment, and a fine of up to $50,000; (2) not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment, and a fine of up to $100,000 if a person had a previous felony conviction relating to controlled substances; (3) not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000 if the crime was committed while such person was on release from a charge of violating this Act. Excepts addicted persons from the minimum term of imprisonment in all three categories of this Act. Provides that a conspiracy to commit any offense of this Act shall be punished as prescribed for the commission of the offense. Title II: Conditions of Release - Adds, for the judicial officer's consideration in setting conditions of release, the element of whether the person poses a danger to the safety of other persons, himself, the community, and the property of others. Sets forth procedures to govern the pretrial and posttrial release of persons charged with offenses involving specified narcotic drugs. Title III: Miscellaneous - Adds to the list of property which is subject to forfeiture all moneys used, or intended for use, in manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, or acquiring any controlled substances.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1973
Prohibits any Government agency from distributing or selling to any person any list of names and addresses of: (1) employees or former employees; (2) persons licensed by or required to file information with the agency; or (3) members or former members of the Armed Forces. Permits an agency to make available such list if the person seeking the list certifies that it will not be used for commercial, solicitation, or unlawful purposes, or if the list is made available as a necessary part of the agency's statutory functions. Prescribes a penalty of imprisonment for not more than one year, or a fine of $10,000, or both, for violations of the provisions of this Act. (Amends 5 U.S.C.552(c))
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1973
Makes it the sense of Congress that it shall be the policy of the United States to require repayment of the longstanding debts which are delinquent in nature. Makes it the sense of Congress that the Department of the Treasury submit to the Congress within ninety days of passage of this resolution a list and report on the extent of such indebtedness on the part of foreign nations. Declares that it is the sense of Congress that the Department of the Treasury, through the appropriate departments and agencies, should, immediately after the filing of this report, begin consultations with foreign governments involved for the purpose of making arrangements for the prompt repayment of those longstanding debts which are delinquent.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 1973
United States Environment Program Participation Act - Declares that it is the policy of the United States to participate in coordinated international efforts to solve environmental problems of global and international concern, and in order to assist the implementation of this policy, to contribute funds to the United Nations Environment Fund for the support of international measures to protect and improve the environment. Authorizes to be appropriated $40,000,000 for contributions to the United Nations Environment Fund, which amount is authorized to remain available until expended, and which may be used upon such terms and conditions as the President may specify, except that not more than $10,000,000 may be appropriated for use in fiscal year 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 10 April 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 · 3 April 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 · 2 April 1973
National Diabetes Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to expand the authority of the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases in order to advance the national attack on diabetes. Authorizes the Director to the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases, with the advice of the National Advisory Council of the Institute, to develop a plan for a national diabetes program. Sets forth general guidelines for such program and provides that the program shall be coordinated with the other programs conducted or administered by the research institutes of the National Institure of Health. Provides that the plan required to be developed by this Act shall be developed within two hundred seventy days after the effective date of this Act. Requires the Director of the Institute at the end of each calender year, to prepare and submit to the President for transmittal to the Congress a report on the activities, progress and accomplishments under the progrom during the preceding year and a plan for the program for the succeding five-year period. to establish programs as necessary in cooperation with other Federal health agencies, state, local and regional public health agencies, and nonprofit private health agencies, in the prevention, control diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, appropriately emphasizing the prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment of such diseases in children. Authorizes to be appropriated $25,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974, $35,000,000 for fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, and $45,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, for the purpose of establishing such programs. States that the Director of the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases may provide for the development of not less that fifteen centers for basic and clinical research into, training in, and demonstration of advanced diagnostic, prevention and treatment methods for diabetes prevention. States that support of such a center may be for a period of not to exceed five years and may be extended by the Director of the National Institute of Arthritis, Metabolism, and Digestive Diseases for additional periods of not more than five years each, after review of the operations of the centers by a scientific review group established by the Director. Establishes an Interagency Technical Committee on Diabetes which shall be responsible for coordinating those aspects of all Federal Health Programs and activities relating to diabetes.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1973
Requires the Secretary of Labor, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, to recognize the difference in hazards to employees between the heavy construction industry and the light residential construction industry in promulgating health and safety standards. (Amends 29 U.S.C. 655)
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1973
Allows a deduction from gross income under the Internal Revenue Code, for social agency, legal, and related expenses incurred in connection with the adoption of a child by the taxpayer. (Amends 26 U.S.C. 219)
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1973
Omnibus Fire Research and Training Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to develop and carry out a comprehensive fire research and training program designed to provide more effective measures of protection against the hazards of death, injury, and damage to property resulting from fire by the widest possible use of new approaches and improvements in fire prevention and control. Establishes, within the Department of Commerce as a part of the National Bureau of Standards, a Fire Research and Safety Center which shall provide additional scientific and technical knowledge applicable to the prevention and reduction of fires; conducting medical research aimed at improving the performance of men in fighting fires and at the healing of victims of fires; and in the operating of a comprehensive fire data and information system. Provides that the Director of the Center shall perform studies into the operational and managerial aspects of fire departments and services using quantitive techniques, including operations research, management economics, and cost effectiveness studies. Establishes, within the Department of Commerce, as part of the National Bureau of Standards, a United States Fire Academy which shall advance the professional development of fire service personnel; and conduct such development, testing, and demonstration projects as are deemed necessary to introduce new technological standards, operating methods, command techniques, and managerial systems into use in the fire services of the nation. Authorizes the Academy to conduct courses and programs of training and education in the basic techniques of fire prevention, fire inspection, firefighting and the administration and management of fire departments and fire services. Provides for the education and training of local fire units and departments, state and local governments, and private institutions through the establishment of fire training courses and programs in fire engineering at junior colleges and universities. Provides for the inclusion of fire prevention and detection technology and practices in the education and professional practice of architects, builders, city planners engaged in the design and planning affected by fire safety problems. Provides that the Superintendent shall admit to the Academy individuals who are members of the firefighting forces with due regard to an adequate geographic representation. Authorizes the provision stipends to students attending Academy courses and programs in amounts not to exceed 75 percent of the cost of attendance. Authorizes the Superintendent to make payments to institutions of higher education for loans to individuals enrolled on a full-time basis in recognized undergraduate or graduate programs in fire research or engineering not to exceed $2,500 per academic year for any individual. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to appoint a 12 member Board of Visitors to the United States Fire Academy to review annually the program of the Academy consisting of two members of the Senate, two members of the House of Representatives, and eight individuals designated by the Secretary from persons representative of the fire service community. Authorizes the appropriation of $1,000,000 for the fiscal year 1974 to establish the Academy. (Amends 15 U.S.C. 278g)
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1973
Declares that the House of Representatives endorses the following objectives, envisioned in the President's ocean policy statement of May 23, 1970, and now being pursued by the United States delegation to the Seabed Committee preparing for the Law of the Sea Conference: (1) protection of the freedom of the seas, beyond a twelve-mile territorial sea, for navigation, commerce, transportation, communication, and scientific research, and the free transit through and over international straits; (2) recognition of the following international community interests: (a) protection from ocean pollution, (b) assurance of the integrity of investments, (c) substantial sharing of revenues derived from exploitation of the seabed, particularly for economic assistance to developing countries, (d) compulsory settlement of disputes, and (e) protection of other reasonable uses of the oceans beyond the territorial sea, including any economic intermediate zone; (3) an effective International Seabed Authority to regulate orderly and just development of the mineral resources of the deep seabed as the common heritage of mankind, protecting the interests both of developing and of developed countries; and (4) conservation and protection of living resources, with fisheries regulated for maximum sustainable yield, with coastal state mangement of coastal species and host state management of anadromous species, and international management of such migratory species as tuna. Declares that the House of Representatives commends the United States delegation to the Seabed Committee preparing for the Law of the Sea Conference for its excellent work, and encourages the delegation to continue to work diligently for early agreement on an ocean treaty embodying the goals stated, this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1973
Public Safety Officer's Benefits Act - Provides that when a public safety officer has been killed in the line of duty and the direct and proximate cause of such death was a criminal act or an apparent criminal act, the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration shall pay a benefit of $50,000 to specified persons under this Act. Provides that benefits shall not be paid under this Act: (1) if the death was caused by the intentional misconduct of the public safety officer or by such officer's intention to bring about his death; (2) if voluntary intoxication of the public safety officer was the proximate cause of such officer's death; or (3) to any person who would otherwise be entitled to a benefit under this part if such person's actions were a substantial contributing factor to the death of the public safety officer. Authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1973
Makes it a federal offense to: (1) travel in interstate commerce or use an instrumentality of interstate commerce in furtherance of a conspiracy or the actual crime of killing or assaulting any law enforcement officer, fireman, or judicial officer because of his official position; (2) assault or kill such person by means of any dangerous or deadly weapon which has been transported or is customarily distributed in interstate commerce; or (3) transport in interstate commerce any dangerous or deadly weapon with knowledge that it will be used to assault or kill such person because of his official position. (Adds 18 U.S.C. 1116)
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 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 · 13 March 1973
Declares that the House of Representatives endorses the following objectives, envisioned in the President's Ocean Policy statement of May 23, 1970, and which are now being pursued by the United States delegation to the Seabed Committee preparing for the Law of the Sea Conference: (1) protection of the freedoms of the high seas, beyond a twelve-mile territorial sea, for navigation, communication, and scientific research, including unimpeded transit through international straits; (2) recognition of the following international community rights: (a) protection from ocean pollution, (b) assurance of the integrity of investments, (c) substantial sharing of revenues derived from exploitation of the seabeds particularly for the benefit of developing countries, (d) compulsory settlement of disputes, and (e) protection of other reasonable uses of the oceans beyond the territorial sea including any economic intermediate zone (if agreed upon); (3) an effective International Seabed Authority to regulate orderly and just development of the mineral resources of the deep seabed as the common heritage of mankind, protecting the interests of both developing and developed countries; and (4) conservation and protection of living resources with fisheries regulated for maximum sustainable yield, with coastal zone management of coastal and anadromous species and international management of such migratory species as tuna. Declares that the House commends the United States delegation to the Seabed Committee preparing for the Law of the Sea Conference for its excellent work, and encourages the delegation to continue to work diligently for early agreement on an ocean treaty embodying the goals stated in this resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1973
Health Care Insurance Act - Provides, under the Social Security Act, for medical, dental, and hospital care through a system of voluntary health insurance financed in whole for low-income groups through issuance of certificates, and in part for all other persons through allowance of tax credits. Adds to the Social Security Act a new title entitled Federal Financing of Voluntary Health Insurance. Provides that, for the purpose of providing assistance on behalf of the individuals and their dependents whose income and resources are insufficient to meet the costs of necessary medical, dental, and hospital services, there is established a program of hospital, dental, and medical benefits for any eligible beneficiary and his dependents through the issuance of health insurance certificates, in full payment of allowable premium on a qualified health care insurance policy of his choice. Asserts that health insurance certificiates of entitlement will be redeemable by the carrier by payment from the Federal Health Insurance Redemption Fund. Includes as eligible beneficiaries under this title any husband and wife both under age 65 and living together and any unmarried person under age 65 who is not a dependent beneficiary. Defines a dependent beneficiary as any child of an eligible beneficiary receiving more than 50 percent of his support from the eligible beneficiary, which child is under 21, or if a student, under age 23. Provides that every individual who is an eligible beneficiary whose income results in no individual income tax liability during his base year, whose dependent beneficiaries have no such liability for their taxable years which end during his base year, and who is not eligible to receive military medical care, shall be eligible to receive a health insurance certificate of entitlement. Asserts that such certificates shall be applicable in full payment of allowable premiums for a qualified health care insurance policy or plan. Requires that such policy or plan shall provide protection for the eligible beneficiary and his dependent beneficiaries for a 12-month period beginning during his benefit year against the expenses of health care, including catastrophic expenses of illness. Allows tax credits for health care insurance. Asserts that every individual who is an eligible beneficiary who has not elected, where eligible, to receive benefits under the provisions for fully-paid health care insurance for the low-income group and who is not eligible to receive military medical care, shall be allowed at his election a credit against his income tax liability for his taxable year which ends during his base year; or a health insurance certificate of entitlement acceptable by a qualified carrier in payment toward a premium, under a qualified health care insurance policy. Specifies the amount of the tax credit or the value to be assigned to the health insurance certificate on the basis of allowable premiums. Provides that a health insurance certificate of entitlement means a certificate issued by the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare upon application to him by an eligible beneficiary to apply toward payment of premium on a qualified health care insurance policy or plan. Specifies that a qualified health care insurance policy or plan shall be a contractual agreement specifying benefits under a program offered by a qualified carrier which has been registered by a State Agency and which provides basic institutional and medical coverage and catastrophic expense coverage. Declares that each such qualified health care insurance policy or plan shall be noncancellable and guaranteed renewable so long as the carrier continues to offer to the public one or more qualified health care insurance policies or plans, shall provide protection against the expense of health care without regard to any pre-existing conditions, and shall provide for payment under this title of usual and customary charges for services covered under the policy or plan. Stipulates what costs shall be included under basic coverage and under catastrophic expense coverage. Establishes deductibles for each of the two types of coverage. Creates a Health Insurance Advisory Board which shall consist of eleven persons including the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. Directs that the remaining members, not otherwise in the employ of the Government, shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, without regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointment in the competitive service. Asserts that the Secretary of HEW shall serve as Chairman. Provides that the members shall be selected from persons who are specifically qualified to serve on such Board by virtue of their education, training, or experience. Provides that the Health Insurance Advisory Board shall perform such functions as: (1) prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this Act; (2) establish minimum Federal standards for the use of State insurance departments in determining whether an insurance company and plan are qualified under this Act; (3) in consultation with carriers, providers of services, and consumers, plan and develop programs whose purposes are to provide for maintaining the quality of medical care; and (4) review the effectiveness of the tax credit program and file an annual report. Grants the States the power to decide which carriers are qualified. Forbids any Federal officer or employee to exercise any supervision or control over the practice of medicine or dentistry or the manner in which medical or dental services are provided, or over the selection, tenure, or compensation of any officer or employee or any institution, agency, or person providing health services; or to exercise any supervision or control over the administration or operation of any such institution, agency, or person. Creates in the Treasury a trust fund to be known as the Federal Health Insurance Redemption Fund to consist in part of an amount equal to the aggregate amount of premiums paid under this title through the redemption of health insurance certificates.
United States · United States Congress · 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 · 27 February 1973
Increases to 5 years the length of broadcast licenses granted under the Communications Act. Provides that the Federal Communications Commission, in acting upon any application for renewal of a license, may not consider the application of any other person for the facilities for which renewal is sought. Provides that, if the Commission finds that the public interest, convenience, and necessity would be served thereby, it shall grant the renewal application. Provides that if the Commission does not make such a finding it shall deny the renewal application and consider other applications.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1973
Provides that under the Rules of the House of Representatives each staff member appointed pursuant to a request by miniority party members shall be accorded equal treatment with respect to the fixing of his pay, the assignment of work facilities and the accessibility of committee records, provided that the minority shall be entitled to one-third of all funds authorized for the committee. Prohibits, under such Rules, voting by proxy by the members of committees.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 1973
Exempts any nonmanufacturing business, or any business having twenty-five or less employees, in States having laws regulating safety in such businesses, from the Federal standards created under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1973
Act for Freedom of Emigration in East-West Trade - States that after October 15, 1972, products from any nonmarket economy country shall not be eligible to receive most-favored-nation treatment, such country shall not participate in any program of the Government of the United States which extends credits or credit guarantees or investment guarantees, directly or indirectly, and the President of the United States shall not conclude any commercial agreement with any such country during the period beginning with the date on which the President determines that such country: (1) denies its citizens the right or opportunity to emigrate; (2) imposes more than a nominal tax on emigration or on the visas or other documents required for emigration, for any purpose or cause whatsoever; or (3) imposes more than a nominal tax, levy, fine, fee, or other charge on any citizen as a consequence of the desire of such citizen to emigrate to the country of his choice. Provides that, before any of the aforementioned commercial agreements are entered into with any foreign country, the President shall submit to the Congress a report indicating that such country is not in violation of any of the requirements of the preceding paragraph.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1973
Creates a select committee to be composed of eleven Members of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker, one of whom he shall designate as chairman, to conduct a full and complete investigation and study of all aspects of crime affecting the United States, including, but not limited to: (1) its elements, causes, and extent; (2) the preparation, collection, and dissemination of statistics and data; (3) the sharing of information, statistics, and data among law enforcement agencies, Federal, State, and local, including the exchange of information, statistics, and data with foreign nations; (4) the adequacy of law enforcement and the administration of justice, including constitutional issues and problems pertaining thereto; (5) the effect of crime and disturbances in the metropolitan urban areas; (6) the effect, directly or indirectly, of crime on the commerce of the Nation; (7) the treatment and rehabilitation of persons convicted of crimes; (8) measures relating to the reduction, control, or prevention of crime; (9) measures relating to the improvement of (a) investigation and detection of crime, (b) law enforcement techniques, including, but not limited to, increased cooperation among the law enforcement agencies, and (c) the effective administration of justice; and (10) measures and programs for increased respect for the law and constituted authority. Requires the select committee to report to the House as soon as practicable during the present Congress the results of its investigations, hearings, and studies, together with such recommendations as it deems advisable.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1973
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out the rural environmental assistance program pursuant to the Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act. (Amends 16 U.S.C. 590h(b))
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Provides, under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, that where violations are corrected within the prescribed abatement period no penalty shall be assessed. (Amends 29 U.S.C. 659, 660, 666)
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))
United States · United States Congress · 3 January 1973
Establishes a Committee on Environment in the House of Representatives, consisting of 25 members. Provides that such Committee shall deal with all measures relating to the quality of the physical environment of the United States and its possessions, including: (1) water quality; (2) air quality; (3) weather modification; (4) waste disposal and management; (5) pesticides and herbicides; and (6) acoustic problems.