United States · United States Congress · 23 May 1973
Requests the President to require Federal agencies to use economy cars and to limit the use of limousines, in order to reduce gas consumption and the pollution problems caused by larger automobiles.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 1973
Environmental Centers Act - Allows the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to provide financial assistance to enable any State, if such State does not participate in a regional environmental center assisted under this title, to establish and operate one State environmental center. Establishes prerequisites for the designation of such State environmental centers. Allows the Administrator to provide financial assistance to enable two or more States, if none of such States has a State environmental center, to establish and operate a regional environmental center. Establishes prerequisites for the designation of such regional centers. Establishes eligibility requirements for environmental centers. Declares that the functions of each State and regional environmental center shall include: (1) the planning and implementing of research, investigations, and experiments relating to the study and resolution of environmental pollution, natural resource management, and other local, State, and regional environmental problems and opportunities; and (2) the training of environmental professionals through such research, investigations, and experiments, which training may include, but is not limited to, biological, ecological, geographic,geological, engineering, economic, legal, energy resource, natural resource and land use planning, social, recreational, and other aspects of environmental problems. Authorizes $7,000,000 for fiscal year 1974; $9,800,000 for fiscal year 1975; and $10,000,000 for fiscal year 1976 to be disbursed in equal shares to the environmental centers, except that each regional center shall receive a number of shares equal to the number of states participating in such regional center. Authorizes $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1974, 1975, and 1976 to be allocated to the environmental centers on a proportional basis determined by population, land area, severity of the environmental problems in the areas served by the centers, and the ability and willingness of such centers to address themselves to such problems. Establishes the Environmental Centers Research Coordination Board for the purpose of assisting the Administrator with the development and operation of the program. Requires the Governor of each State having a State environmental center, and the Governor of States participating in each regional environmental center, to appoint an advisory board to advise such centers of the efforts of Federal, State, and local governments and private industry relating to the protection and enhancement of the environment. Requires the Administrator to report on or before January 1, of each year to the President and to Congress regarding the receipts and expenditures and works of all State and regional environmental centers.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1973
Provides for compensation to the Cherokee Nation for the loss of specified lands. States that no more than 10 percent of the amount of the claim shall be received by any agent or attorney on account of services rendered with respect to each claim. Sets forth a penalty of up to a $1000 fine for a violation of this limitation.
United States · United States Congress · 21 May 1973
Choctaw-Chickasaw-Cherokee Boundary Dispute Act - Grants the consent of the United States to the Choctaw Nation, the Chickasaw Nation, and the Cherokee Nation to bring suit against each other, and against any other persons, or entities, to quiet the beneficial title in and to the bed of the Arkansas River below the Canadian fork and to the eastern boundary of Oklahoma. Provides that any action commended under this Act shall be heard and determined by a three-judge Federal court.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 1973
Declares that on Memorial Day, May 28, 1973, special remembrance be given by a grateful people to the 1,288 members of the Armed Forces of the United States currently listed as missing in action in Indochina. Declares that all American motorists are encouraged to turn on their automobile lights throughout Memorial Day, May 28, 1973, as a symbol of this remembrance. Provides that every effort be made to secure the cooperation of all parties in the Indochina conflict to insure the fullest and most expeditious resolution of the status of members of the U.S. Armed Forces missing in Indochina.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 1973
Family Planning Services and Population Research Amendments - Requires the Assistant Secretary for Family Planning and Population Science to report (through the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare) to Congress not later than six months after enactment of this Act on: (1) the number of individuals in need of family planning services - organized and otherwise - and a timetable for serving them; (2) the types of information and educational materials to be developed; (3) research goals to be established and a timetable for their achievement; and (4) the manpower required to meet these objectives. Requires the Assistant Secretary to submit progress reports annually on specific achievements made in reaching goals established by the six-month report. Authorizes grants to assist in the establishment and operation of voluntary family planning programs and projects. Authorizes appropriations for a three-year period-fiscal years 1974 ($159.5 million), 1975 ($207.5 million) and 1976 ($255.5 million). Extends appropriations authorizations for a three-year period-fiscal years 1974 ($5 million), 1975 ($7.5 million), and 1976 ($10 million) for training grants and contracts for the training of such personnel to carry out family planning services programs eligible for support under this Act as are needed to meet program objectives specified in the plan. Specifies that grants and contracts awarded under this Act must be made with the concurrence of the Assistant Secretary for Family Planning and Population Science and be carried on through the National Center for Family Planning Services and in consultation with the National Advisory Council. Authorizes the Secretary, throught the Assistant Secretary for Family Planning and Population Science, to make grants to public or nonprofit private entities and enter into contracts with public or private entities and individuals for: (1) the development of educational and informational materials on voluntary family planning; (2) the development of educational and informational materials on the causes and consequences of demographic characteristics and trends; and (3) the distribution of such materials to all persons desiring such information and materials. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the development and distribution of such materials. Provides that grants and contracts made under this Act shall be made in accordance with regulations which the Secretary shall prescribe. States that the acceptance by any individual of family planning services or family planning or population information provided through financial assistance under this Act shall be voluntary and shall not be a prerequisite to eligibility for or receipt of any other service or assistance from, or to participation in, any other program of the entity or individual that provided such services or information. Directs that none of the funds appropriated under this Act shall be used in programs where abortion is a method of family planning. Establishes within the Office of the Secretary an Office of Family Planning and Population Science to be directed by an Assistant Secretary for Family Planning and Population Science who shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets forth the functions of the Assistant Secretary. Establishes within the Office a National Center for Family Planning Services and a National Center for Population Science, which shall, respectively, be assigned and carry out the functions assigned to such Centers by this Act and such other duties and responsibilities as the Assistant Secretary may specify in regulations. Requires the Secretary to establish a National Family Planning and Population Science Advisory Council with which he and the Assistant Secretary shall consult on a continuing and regular basis in administering this title. Specifies the membership of the Council.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 1973
Menominee Restoration Act - Provides for the repeal of the Act of June 17, 1954 which terminated Federal supervision of the Menominee Tribe. Provides that within fifteen days after the date of enactment of this Act the Secretary shall announce the date of a general council meeting of the tribe to elect the Menominee Restoration Committee. States that the Menominee Restoration Committee shall represent the Menominee people in the implementation of this Act and shall have no powers other than those given to it in accordance with this Act. Authorizes the Menominee Restoration Committee, under contract with the Secretary, to proceed to make current the membership role of the Menominee Tribe in accordance with the terms of this Act. Requires the Menominee Restoration Committee to conduct elections by secret ballot for the purposes of determining the tribe's constitution and bylaws and the individuals who shall serve as members of the tribe's governing body. States that subject to the approval of the shareholders as required by the laws of the State of Wisconsin, the board of Directors of Menominee Enterprises Incorporated shall transfer to the Secretary all assets held by such corporation. Provides that such assets shall be held in trust by the Secretary, on behalf of the United States for the tribe. Authorizes the Secretary to make such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 1973
Establishes the Chickasaw National Recreation Area and outlines the boundaries for such area. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire lands within the boundaries of the recreation area by donation, purchase or exchange. Permits the Secretary to specify the type of activity to occur on such lands. Authorizes necessary appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 1973
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to allow participants in the plan B feed grain set-aside program to transfer into the plan A set aside program.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1973
Congressional Budgetary Procedures Act - Establishes a standing Committee of the Senate to be known as the Committee on the Budget and a Standing Committee of the House of Representatives to be known as the Committee on the Budget. Outlines the composition and duties of each committee. Authorizes these committees to consider those bills introduced in each respective House, providing new advance obligational authority. Provides that neither committee of the House or Senate shall consider such new budgetary measures after the first of May except in emergency or the waiver of such time limitation by 2/3 vote. Creates a Congressional Office of the Budget and outlines the duties of such Office. Provides that the function of the office is to provide information to the Budget Committees of the two Houses and to other Committees of the two Houses with respect to budget and appropriation bills. Abolishes the joint committee on reduction of Federal Expenditures. Requires the office to recommend to each budget committee of the two houses the amount by which budget outlays of the U.S. should exceed revenues expected to be received or the amount by which such revenues should exceed such budget outlays in order to provide for appropriate growth and stability of the economy of the U.S. Requires each budget committee to give consideration to such recommendations and make a report to the office concerning such budget considerations. Requires that by March 1 of each year the Committees submit a concurrent resolution to their respective Houses containing specified budget information. Outlines those procedures for review and debate of such concurrent resolution. Provides that there shall be a conference of two Houses to resolve any difference between the concurrent resolutions passed by each House. Makes conforming amendments in the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921. Provides that all bills and resolutions providing budget authority with respect to any fiscal year shall provide a limit on budget outlays in such fiscal year under such budget authority. Provides that the provisions of this Act are enacted by Congress as an exercise of the rulemaking powers of the House and Senate.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 1973
Provides that in any proceeding before the Tax Court for the redetermination of a deficiency, the prevailing party may be awarded a judgment of costs to the same extent as is provided for civil actions brought against the United States. States that a judgment of costs entered by the Tax Court shall be treated, for purposes of this Act in the same manner: (1) as an overpayment of tax, in the case of a judgment of costs in favor of the petitioner, and (2) as an underpayment of tax, in the case of a judgment of costs against the petitioner. Provides that interest or penalty shall be allowed or assessed with respect to any judgment of costs. (Adds 26 U.S.C. 7465)
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 1973
Rural Job and Business Development Tax Act - Allows a double investment credit under the Internal Revenue Code for property placed in service in rural areas which will assist in providing new employment opportunities. (Adds 26 U.S.C. 46(c)(5))
United States · United States Congress · 3 April 1973
Expresses the gratitude of the Congress to the President for attaining an honorable termination of the involvement of the United States in hostilities in Vietnam.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1973
Authorizes free or reduced rate transportation under the Federal Aviation Act for widows, widowers, and minor children of employees who have died while employed by an air carrier or foreign air carrier after twenty or more years of such employment.
United States · United States Congress · 2 April 1973
Vocational Rehabilitation Amendments - Authorizes to be appropriated for carrying out the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, $697,482,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1973, and $700,096,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974. Provides for the making of grants to public or nonprofit private agencies for paying part of the cost of planning, preparing for, and initiating programs to provide vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with spinal cord injuries or to low-achieving deaf individuals. Provides for grants to any State agency designated pursuant to a plan approved under this Act, or to any local agency participating in the administration of such a plan, for paying part of the cost of pilot or demonstration projects for the provision of vocational rehabilitation services to handicapped individuals who, as determined in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Labor, are migratory agricultural workers, and to members of their families (whether or not handicapped) who are with them, including maintenance and transportation of any such individual and members of his family where necessary to the rehabilitation of that individual. States that whenever the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare determines that any amount of an allotment to a State for any fiscal year will not be utilized by such State in carrying out the purposes of this Act, he may make such amount available for carrying out the purposes of this Act to one or more other States to the extent he determines such other State will be able to use such additional amount during such year for carrying out such purposes. Provides for the inclusion of American Samoa and Trust Teritory of the Pacific Islands in State Programs. States that the State agency plan submitted for approval must provide satisfactory assurance to the Secretary that the State agency designated (or each State agency if two are so designated) and any sole local agency administering the plan in a political subdivision of the State will take into account, in connection with matters of general policy arising in the administration of the plan, the views of, among others, individuals who are recipients of vocational rehabilitation services, individuals who represent citizen groups, individuals who represent professional groups, and individuals who are providers of vocational rehabilitation services. Increases the training allowances under the Act from $25 or $30. Allows State agencies for the blind to act as State evaluation and work adjustment agencies under this Act. Provides that an individual who, as a part of his rehabilitation under a State plan approved under this Act, participates in a program of work experience in a Federal agency, shall not, by reason thereof, be considered to be a Federal employee or to be subject to the provisions of law relating to Federal employment, including those relating to hours of work, rates of compensation, leave, unemployment compensation, and Federal employee benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1973
Provides that whenever the Small Business Administration determines that action is necessary or desirable to assist small business concerns whose participation in the free enterprise system is hampered because of social or economic considerations not generally applicable to other business enterprises to obtain the equity capital needed for viable and prudently managed business operations, it may guarantee equity investments in such concerns made by investment companies or other qualified investors. States that such guarantee shall be made pursuant to an agreement by the Administration to purchase equity securities evidencing the interest of an investor in such a concern in accordance with terms and conditions prescribed by the Administration subject to specified limitations and restrictions. States that a guarantee agreement entered into under this Act by the Administration shall obligate the Administration to purchase securities covered by the agreement and held by an investor. Provides that the Administration shall fix a uniform fee which it deems reasonable and necessary for any guarantee issued under this Act to be payable at such time and under such conditions as may be determined by the Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 1973
Requests the President of the United States to take such action as is necessary to begin a national program of public information to inform the commuter of the benefits of car pools and economy cars and that the President report to the Congress on possible legislative incentives to promote such a program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 1973
Requires the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and the House committees on Ways and Means and Appropriations to meet jointly, at the beginning of each regular session of Congress, and after study and consultation, giving due consideration to the budget transmitted by the President with respect to the next fiscal year, report as soon as practicable to the Senate a bill or joint resolution specifying the total amount of new obligational authority to be made available for the United States Government in general appropriations measures for such year. Provides that if the amount specified in such a bill or joint resolution with respect to a fiscal year agreed to by the Senate and House of Representatives is not the same, conferees on the part of the Senate shall be appointed not later than two days after the House of Congress passing the bill or joint resolution last passes such bill or joint resolution, unless within those 2 days both Houses of Congresses agree upon the same total amount of new obligational authority with respect to such fiscal year without the convening of a committee of conference. Stipulates that it shall not be in order in the Senate to consider any measure providing new obligational authority with respect to any fiscal year until there has been enacted into law with respect to such fiscal year a bill or joint resolution. Provides that, after such a bill or joint resolution has been enacted into law with respect to such fiscal year, the amount so established shall be effective for purposes of this rule unless there subsequently has been enacted into law a bill or joint resolution with respect to such fiscal year establishing a different amount. Requires all general appropriations measures, including any such measure which has passed both Houses of Congress without any differences, with respect to a fiscal year to be committed to same committee of conference of the two Houses. Provides that the total amount of new obligational authority to be made available for that fiscal year under all conference reports with respect to such measures shall not exceed the total amount of new obligational authority established and in effect for the United States Government at the time such conference reports are reported to the Senate. Stipulates that it shall not be in order to consider any conference report on any such measure in the Senate if such report has not been considered by the committee of conference in accordance with this paragraph. Excludes from the provisions of this paragraph any general appropriations measure making deficiency, emergency, or supplemental appropriations. Provides that it shall not be in order in the Senate to consider any conference report on a general appropriations measure making deficiency, emergency, or supplemental appropriations with respect to a fiscal year if the total amount of new obligational authority provided under such measure, when added to such authority for such year already enacted into law or contained in conference reports filed but not enacted into law, exceeds the total amount of new obligational authority established and in effect for the United States Government at the time such deficiency, emergency, or supplemental appropriations measure is to be considered.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 1973
Provides that a person shall be subjected to the penalty of death for any offense prohibited by the laws of the United States only if a hearing is held in accordance with this Act. States that when a defendant is found guilty of or pleads guilty to an offense for which one of the sentences provided is death, the judge who presided at the trial or before whom the guilty plea was entered shall conduct a separate sentencing hearing to determine the existence or nonexistence of the factors set forth in this Act for the purpose of determining the sentence to be imposed. Provides that the hearing shll not be held if the government stipulates that none of the aggravating factors set forth in the Act exists or that one or more of the mitigating factors set forth in the Act exists. Provides that in the sentencing hearing the court shall disclose to the defendant or his counsel all material contained in any presentence report, if one has been prepared, except such material as the court determines is required to be withheld for the protection of human life or for the protection of the national security. Sets forth rules of evidence to be used in such hearing. States that the jury or, if there is no jury, the court shall return a special verdict setting forth its findings as to the existence or nonexistence of each of the factors set forth in this Act. Provides that the jury or, of there is no jury, the court finds by a preponderance of the information that one or more of the aggravating factors set forth in the Act exists and that none of the mitigating factors set forth in this Act exists, the court shall sentence the defendant to death. States that if the jury or, if there is no jury, the court finds that none of the aggravating factors exists, or finds that one or more of the mitigating factors exists, the court shall not sentence the defendant to death but shall impose any other sentence provided for the offense for which the defendant was convicted. States that the court shall not impose the sentence of death on the defendant if the jury or, if there is no jury, the court finds by a special verdict as provided in the Act that at the time of the offense there existed one of the specified mitigating factors. Lists the mitigating factors which the courts are to recognize. Sets forth specified crimes and circumstances which shall be considered aggravating factors for the purposes of this Act. Makes conforming technical amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 1973
National Energy Research and Development Policy Act - Title I: Coordination and Augmentation of Federal Support for Research and Development of Fuels and Energy - Declares it to be the policy of the Congress to establish and maintain a national program of research and development in fuels and energy adequate to meet specified objectives. Establishes an Energy Research Management Project which shall have a Chairman appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets forth the duties of the Project, initiating: (1) to review the full range of Federal activities in and financial support for fuels and energy research and development, giving consideration to research and development being conducted by industry and other non-Federal entities, to determine the capability of ongoing research efforts to carry out the policies established by this Act and other relevant Federal policies, particulary the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; and (2) to formulate a comprehensive energy research and development strategy for the Federal Government which will expeditiously advance the policies established by this Act. Provides that in evaluating proposed opportunities for particular research and development undertakings pursuant to this title, the Management Project shall assign priority to types of projects listed in this title. Requires the President not later than five years from the date of this Act, if the authorities and duties of the Management Project are not reassigned to a permanent agency in the interim, to report to the Congress on his evaluation of the progress of fuels and energy research and development and his recommendation for further management of the Federal research and development programs. Provides that the Chairman shall keep the Congress fully and currently informed of all of the Management Project's activities and shall submit to the Congress an annual report. States that neither the Chairman nor any other member of the Management Project or his employees may refuse to testify before the Congress or to submit information to the legislative or appropriations committees of either House of the Congress. Authorizes to be appropriated $10,000,000 annually for the administrative expenses of the Management Project. Authorizes to be appropriated not to exceed $800,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1974, and, subject to annual congressional authorizations, $800,000,000 for each of the four following fiscal years to carry out the provisions of this title with respect to energy research and development. Title II: Establishment of a Coal Gasification Corporation - Establishes the Coal Gasification Development Corporation. States that it shall be the function of the Corporation to select, on the basis of the best engineering information available, the two or more most technically, environmentally, and economically feasible methods for manufacturing substitute natural gas from coal. Authorizes the Corporation to design construct, operate, and maintain a demonstration-type facility for each such method selected in order to determine the technical, environmental, and economical feasibility thereof and to design, construct, operate, and maintain, for each such method demonstrated, which is technically and economically feasible, a fullscale, commercial-size facility to manufacture substitute natural gas from coal by such method. Provides that the Corporation shall transmit to the President of the United States and the Congress, annually, commencing one year from the date of the enactment of this Act, and at such other times as it deems desirable, a comprehensive and detailed report of its operations, activities, and accomplishments under this title. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Corporation, for fiscal year 1974, the sum of $6,000,000, and for each of the next nine succeeding fiscal years such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this title. Title III: Establishment of a Shale Oil Development Corporation - States that it is the policy of the Federal Government to bring into being the technology for commercial development of shale oil as quickly as possible by establishing a Government-industry program jointly managed and funded to demonstrate commercial methods of producing environmentally acceptable fuels from shale oil. Establishes the Shale Oil Development Corporation which shall have a Board of nine Directors consisting of individuals who are citizens of the United States, of whom one shall be elected annually by the Board to serve as Chairman. States that it shall be the function of the Corporation to select on the basis of the best engineering information available, the two or more technically, environmentally, and economically feasible methods for producing a syncrude from shale oil. Authorizes the Corporation to design, construct, operate, and maintain a demonstration-type facility for each such method selected in order to determine the technical, environmental, and economical feasibility thereof and to design, construct, operate, and maintain, for each such method demonstrated, which is technically and economically feasible, a full-scale, commercial-size facility to produce a syncrude from shale oil by such method. Requires the Corporation to transmit an annual report to the President and the Congress and at such time to submit such legislative recommendations as it deems desirable. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Corporation, for fiscal year 1974, the sum of $5,000,000 and for each of the next seven succeeding fiscal years such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this title. Title IV: Establishment of an Advanced Power Cycle Development Corporation - Establishes the Advanced Power Cycle Development Corporation which shall have a Board of nine Directors consisting of individuals who are citizens of the United States, of whom one shall be elected annually by the Board to serve as Chairman. States that it shall be the function of the Corporation to select, on the basis of the best engineering information available, the two or more most technically, environmentally, and economically feasible methods for producing electricity at high efficiencies using advanced power cycles with minimum adverse environmental impacts using coal. Authorizes the Corporation to design, construct, operate, and maintain a demonstration-type facility for each such method selected in order to determine the technical and economical feasibility thereof and to design, construct, operate, and maintain, for each such method demonstrated, which is technically and economically feasible a full-scale commercial-size facility to produce electricity from coal by such mehtod. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Corporation for fiscal year 1974, the sum of $6,500,000, and for each of the next nine succeeding fiscal years, such sums as may be necessary. Title V: Establishment of a Geothermal Energy Development Corporation - Establishes the Geothermal Energy Development Corporation which shall have a Board of nine Directors consisting of individuals who are citizens of the United States, of whom one shall be elected annually by the Board to serve as Chairman. States that it shall be the function of the Corporation, on the basis of the best geologic information and after field exploration, to select suitable sites for the construction of two or more demonstration installations to develop technologies for the generation of steam and electric power from geothermal resources. Authorizes the Corporation to operate a full scale commercial-size facility to produce electricity from geothermal energy. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Corporation, for fiscal year 1974, the sum of $8,000,000, and for each of the next fourteen succeeding fiscal years such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this title. Title VI: States that it is the policy of the Federal Government to bring into being the technology for commercial development of coal liquefaction processes as quickly as possible by establishing a Government-industry program jointly managed and funded to demonstrate commercial methods of producing synthetic liquid petroleum products from coal. Establishes the Coal Liquefaction Corporation which shall have a Board of nine Directors consisting of individuals who are citizens of the United States, of whom one shall be elected annually by the Board to serve as Chairman. States that it shall be the function of the Corporation to select, on the basis of the best engineering information available, the two or more technically, environmentally, and economically feasible methods for producing synthetic liquid petroleum products from coal. Authorizes the Corporation to design, construct, operate, and maintain a demonstration-type facility for each such method selected in order to determine the technical, environmental, and economical feasiblity thereof and to design, construct, operate, and maintain, for each such method demonstrated, which is technically and economically feasible, a full-scale, commercial-size facility to produce synthetic fuel from coal by such method. Authorizes to be appropriated to the Corporation, fiscal year 1974, the sum of $7,500,000, and for each of the next eleven succeeding fiscal years, such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this title.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1973
Provides that the Secretary of Agriculture may permit producers of wheat, cotton and feed grain to have acreage devoted to soybeans, guar, and feed grain to the extent determined by the Secretary, that such production shall not impair the effective operation of the grain acreage allotment program.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1973
Provides that Federal employees shall be entitled to accumulate annual leave in excess of thirty days, or receive payment therefor, for periods such employees have been in a missing status while serving in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam era. (Amends 5 U.S.C. 6304)
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1973
Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to administer the provisions of this Act. Provides that no person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States shall directly or indirectly develop any portion of the deep seabed except as authorized by license issued pursuant to this Act or by a reciprocating State. Authorizes the Secretary to issue fifteen year licenses recognizing rights to develop the deep seabed block designated in such license. Provides that a license shall be issued by the Secretary to the first qualified person who makes written application and tenders a fee of $5,000 for the block specified in the application. Provides that no license shall be issued under this Act for any portion of the deep seabed: (1) which has been relinquished by the applicant under license issued by any State within the prior three years; (2) which is subject either to a prior application for a license or an outstanding license under this Act or from a reciprocating State; (3) which if licensed would result in the applicant holding under licenses issued by any State or States more than 30 percent of that area of the deep seabed which is within any circle with a diameter of one thousand two hundred and fifty kilometers where the licensed area consists of surface blocks and one hundred twenty-five kilometers where the licensed area consists of subsurface blocks; or (4) which if licensed would result in the United States licensing more than 30 percent of such area. Requires the licensee to make minimum annual expenditures for the development of each licensed block until commercial recovery from such block is first achieved. Provides that the licenses shall relinquish 75 percent of such block within ten years of the date any block is licensed. Provides for the establishment of a fund for assistance to developing reciprocating States. Provides that licenses issued under this Act may be made subject to any international regime for development of the deep seabed hereafter agreed to by the United States. Requires the United States, on payment of a premium by the licensee, to guarantee to reimburse the licensee for certain losses caused through license infringement by another party. Provides that minerals recovered pursuant to this Act shall be deemed to have been recovered within the United States for purposes of the import and tax laws and regulations of the United States. Provides that any willful violation of the license protections of this Act shall be a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months imprisonment, a fine of $2,000, or both. Provides that the United States district court shall have jurisdiction to enforce the license rights under this Act, and the United States court of appeals shall have jurisidiction to review the rulings of the Secretary under this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 1973
Occupational Safety and Health Act Amendments - Requires that when a proposed rule, which would establish a new occupational safety and health standard, or which would affect an existing standard, is published in the Federal Register, it shall be accompanied by a statement summarizing its economic impact on affected employers, including an estimate of the total cost which would be incurred by employers in each affected industry in complying with such rule. Provides that after a violation of an occupational safety and health standard has been abated an employer need not continue to post the citation for such violation at or near the site of the violation. Establishes a procedure whereby an employer receiving a citation can obtain a variance from the standard violated by persuading the Secretary that work procedures in operation at the time of the citation are equally effective in protecting his employees. Changes from mandatory to permissive the assessment of fines for serious violations. States that determining whether a fine should be assessed, due consideration would be given to the gravity of the violation, the good faith of the employer and the history of previous violations. Requires the Secretary of Labor to provide advice and technical assistance through consultation at the work sites of employers who have 100 or fewer employees, and who request such assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1973
Provides income tax incentives by permitting expenditures for the modification of specified buildings which remove architectural and transportational barriers to the handicapped and elderly to be considered expenses under the Internal Revenue Code. (Adds 26 U.S.C. 189)
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1973
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to grant rights-of-way through public lands for pipeline purposes for the transportation of oil or natural gas to the extent of the lands occupied by the pipeline and its appurtenances including but not limited to the line of pipe valves, pump stations, supporting structures, monitoring and communications devices, surge and storage tanks, terminals, and any other facility reasonably necessary for operation and maintenance of pipeline transportation. Permits the Secretary to authorize, in addition, those rights-of-way necessary for the pre-construction of such pipelines and to prescribe regulations regarding the use of such rights-of-way.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1973
Indian Self-Determination and Educational Reform Act - Title I: Indian Self-Determination Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into a contract or contracts with any tribal organization of any Indian tribe to plan, conduct, and administer programs, or portions thereof, of educational assistance, agricultural assistance, and social welfare. Authorizes the Secretaries of the Interior and of Health, Education, and Welfare to make a grant or grants to any tribal organization of any such Indian tribe for planning, training, evaluation, and other activities specifically designed to make it possible for such tribal organization to enter into contracts under this Act. Provides that the Secretaries may, upon the request of any tribal organization, detail any civil service employee serving under a career or career conditional appointment for a period of up to 180 days to such organization in the planning, conduct, or administration of programs under this Act. Authorizes the Secretaries to perform any and all acts and to make such rules and regulations as may be necessary and proper for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act. Title II: Indian Educational Reform Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, for the purpose of providing education to Indians enrolled in the public schools of any State, to enter in contracts with any such State or political subdivision thereof, or with any Indian tribe. Provides that the Secretary shall not enter into any contract unless the prospective contractor has submitted to and has had approved by the Secretary an education plan which implies with requirements set forth in this title, including: (1) that all taxable property within each school district affected by any such proposed contract is taxed at a rate equal to the average property tax rate in the five most comparable school districts in such State which are not eligible for assistance under this Act; (2) that all funds which any such affected school district receives under the provisions of the Act of September 30, 1950 shall be considered local tax income for the purposes of this Act; and (3) that per capita payments of State and local education funds to any such affected school district are not less than the average of such payments made to such five comparable school districts in such State which are not eligible for assistance under this Act. Authorizes such appropriations as may be necessary for such programs. Authorizes the Secretary to establish and carry out a program of making grants to and contracts with institutions of higher education and other public or private nonprofit organizations or agencies with relevant experience and expertise in order to provide fellowships for the development of professionals in Indian education. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into a contract or contracts with any State education agency or school district for the purpose of assisting such agency or district in the acquisition of sites for, or the construction, acquisition, or renovation of facilities (including all necessary equipment) in school districts on or adjacent to or in close proximity to any Indian reservation or other lands held in trust by the United States for Indians, if such facilities are necessary for the education of Indians residing on any such reservation or lands. States that in order to provide meaningful and career-related work opportunities for Indian youth who are not enrolled in educational programs during the summer months, the Secretary is authorized to establish and carry out an Indian youth intern program for Indian students sixteen years of age or older who are regularly enrolled in secondary shcool, vocational school, or higher education programs during usual school terms. Authorizes the Secretary to undertake research and development in the field of Indian education. Provides that no project shall be funded until the Secretary is satisfied that the projects do not duplicate previous research projects.
United States · United States Congress · 26 February 1973
Transportation Crisis Prevention Act - Title I: Amendments to the Labor-Management Relations Act, 1947 Relating to Emergency Disputes in the Transportation Industry - Provides that the national emergency procedures of the Labor-Management Relations Act shall apply to a strike in the railroad, airline, maritime, longshore, or trucking industries if such strike or lockout imperils the health or safety of a substantial sector of the Nation. States that when a petition to enjoin such strike or lockout is sought it shall be heard by a three judge district court. Empowers the President to use, in additon to the basic emergency dispute provision of the Labor-Management Relations Act, new options for dealing with national emergency disputes in the transportation industries. States that the President may proceed under these options in such sequence as he may deem appropriate until it is certified by the Secretary of Labor that the dispute is settled. Provides that these optional procedures may be used if the transportation national emergency dispute was still unresolved after the 80-day cooling-off period provided in the Labor-Management Relations Act. Authorizes the President to extend the cooling off period, with continued bargaining between the parties, for a period of 15 days. Empowers the President to appoint a special board to determine whether and under what conditions a partial strike or lockout could take place without imperiling the national health or safety, or the health or safety of a substantial portion of the territory or population of the Nation and whether under such condtions, the partial strike would be of sufficient economic impact to encourage resolution of the dispute. Provides that if the special board determines that a partial strike or lockout is feasible, it shall issue an order specifying the extent and conditions of partial operation and if a partial strike or lockout is not feasible, the board shall submit a report to the President. Precludes the parties from interfering, by resort to strike or lockout, with a partial operation ordered by the special board. Provides that the board's order may be effective for up to 180 days. Authorizes the President to appoint a special board and to direct them to review the feasibility of partial operations. Permits any party or any member of the board to present to the board a plan defining the strike or lockout action that would be consistent with the public interest. Authorizes the board, after appropriate hearings in which the Government would be a party, to protect the public interest, and to adopt or modify the plan. Provides that, before approving the plan, the board would have to find that the partial strike or lockout is sufficiently extensive to encourage resolution of the dispute. Requires the parties to submit their final proposals for full resolution of the controversy following the 80-day cooling-off period. Provides that the parties shall be given 3 days in which to submit two final offers and that if any party fails to submit a final offer or offers, the last offer made during bargaining shall be deemed its final offer. Directs that following this submission, to the Secretary of Labor, the parties shall be required to meet and bargain for five days, with or without mediation by the Secretary. Provides that, as a second step, the parties shall be given an opportunity to select a panel to act as "Final Offer Selector" and that if the parties are unable to select the panel, a panel composed of three neutral members shall be appointed by the President. Asserts that the panel shall hold hearings and determine which of the final offers constituted the final and binding resolution of the issues. Provides that, in reaching its determination, the panel may not choose any settlement other than those represented by the final offers. Specifies the criteria to be used by the panel in reaching its decision. Provides that the panel's choice becomes the contract between the parties. Title II: Amendments to the Railway Labor Act - Abolishes the National Mediation Board and states that its functions shall be assumed and carried out by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service and the National Labor Relations Board. Provides for the discontinuance of the referral of disputes under the Railway Labor Act to the Adjustment Board and provides for their submission to arbitration in accordance with procedures set forth in this Act. States that the parties to a dispute shall have five days to reach a mutual agreement on the selection of an arbitrator and if they can not agree one shall be selected from a list submitted by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service through a process of alternate rejection. Provides that the method of arbitration set forth in this Act shall prevail with respect to disputes under the Railway Labor Act until such time as the collective bargaining agreements between the parties contain no-strike, no-lockout clauses and provisions for grievance machinery terminating in final, binding arbitration. States that the Adjustment Board shall be dissolved after it has processed to completion all of the disputes before it or upon two years from the effective date of this amendment to the Act, whichever first occurs. Provides that if all the disputes before the Board have not been processed to completion by the time of the Board's dissolution date, all such disputes shall be removed to the arbitration process set forth in this Act. Provides that all cases which are being mediated by the National Mediation Board on the effective date of this Act shall be transferred to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service no later than thirty days after the effective date of this Act. States that carriers and representatives shall give sixty days written notice of an intended modification of termination in agreements or arrangements affecting rates of pay, rules, or working conditions. Provides that the party desiring such change or termination shall simultaneously notify the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service which shall commence appropriate mediation efforts. States that the parties shall continue in full force and effect all the terms and conditions of the existing agreement or arrangements for a period of sixty days after such notice is given or until the expiration date of the agreement, whichever occurs later, without resorting to strike or lockout or other economic coercion. Title III: Special Free Collective Bargaining Study Commission - Establishes the Special Free Collective Bargaining Study Commission to study labor relations in those industries which the Secretary of Labor has determined to be particularly vulnerable to national emergency disputes. Empowers the commission to study all the factors affecting labor relations in these industries and to make recommendations on the weaknesses of collective bargaining in the industries studied, including recommendations for legislation, if appropriate. Authorizes the Commission to study the operation of the revised emergency procedures. Title IV: Miscellaneous Provisions - Defines the jurisdictions in which such representatives of employees or carriers may be sued. Repeals the provisions of the Railroad Unemployment Insurance Act that makes strikers eligible for benefits if the strike is not in violation of the Railway Labor Act or of the rules of the labor organization of which he is a member. Disqualifies railroad workers who strike from unemployment insurance benefits in accordance with criteria in State unemployment insurance laws applicable to other industries. Authorizes to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1973
Provides, under the Federal Trade Commission Act, that exclusive territorial arrangements in any trademarked licensing contract an agreement for the manufacture, distribution and sale of a trademarked food product shall not be deemed unlawful, provided: (1) that such product is in free and open competition with products of the same general class manufactured, distributed, and sold by others; (2) the licensee is in free and open competition with vendors of other products of the same general class; and (3) the licensor retains control over the nature and quality of such product in accordance with the provisions of the Trademark Act. (Amends 15 U.S.C. 41)
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1973
Provides for the disposition of funds appropriated to pay a judgment in favor of the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma and the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska in Indian Claims Commissions docket number 135.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1973
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to strike and furnish to the Jim Thorpe Memorial, Oklahoma Athletic Hall of Fame Commission, not more than one hundred thousand medals with suitable emblems, devices, and inscriptions to be determined by the Secretary after consultation with the commission. Provides that the medals, which may be disposed of by the commission at a premium, shall be delivered at such times as may be required by the commission in quantities of not less than two thousand. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to cause such medals to be struck and furnished at not less than the estimated cost of manufacture, including labor, materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses, and security satisfactory to the Director of the Mint shall be furnished to indemnify the United States for the full payment of such costs. Provides that no medals shall be made under the authority of this Act after December 31, 1974.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1973
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that no provision of the U. S. Constitution shall abridge the inherent freedom of persons to pray. Includes within the freedom of prayer, the right of persons lawfully assembled in any public school or other public building to participate voluntarily in nondenominational prayer.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1973
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that no public school student shall be assigned, transferred, or otherwise compelled to attend any school on account of his race, color, creed, or national origin.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1973
Provides that whoever: (1) uses a firearm to commit any felony for which he may be prosecuted in a court of the United States; or (2) carries a firearm during the commission of any felony for which he may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, shall, in addition to the punishment provided for the commission of such delony, be sentenced for the additional offense defined in this Act to a term of imprisonment for not less than one year nor more than ten years. States that in the case of his second or subsequent conviction under this Act, such person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment for not less than two nor more than twenty-five years. Provides that the execution or imprisonment of any term of imprisonment imposed under this Act may not be suspended, and probation may not be granted. Provides that any term or imprisonment imposed under this Act may not be imposed to run concurrently with any term or imprisonment imposed for the commission of such felony.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1973
Establishes an eight-member Ad Hoc Senate Committee on Military Oversight for the purpose of keeping abreast of changing military requirements resulting from developments of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Conference on Mutual and Balanced Force Reduction, and the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks II in order to ascertain the proper level of our future military security posture. Authorizes to be paid from the contingent fund of the Senate upon vouchers approved by the chairman of the committee a sum not to exceed $250,000.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1973
Declares that specified land of the United States in the State of Oklahoma is held by the United States in trust for the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma.
United States · United States Congress · 23 January 1973
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Lyndon B. Johnson, a former President of the United States, and a former Representative and former Senator from the State of Texas. Provides that in recognition of his illustrious statesmanship, his leadership in national and world affairs, his distinguished public service to his State and his Nation, and as a mark of respect to one who has held such eminent public station in life, the Presiding Officer of the Senate appoint a committee to consist of all of the members of the Senate to attend the funeral of the former President. Declares that the Senate tenders its deep sympathy to the members of the family of the former President in their sad bereavement, and that the Secretary communicate these resolutions to the House of Representatives and transmit a copy thereof to the family of the former President.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 1973
Requires each Member of Congress and each employee of the Congress to file, not later than May 15 of each year or not more than three months after the last day he occupies such office or position (if he leaves such position before May 15), with the Comptroller General, a report containing a full and complete statement of: (1) the amount and source of each item of income, each item of reimbursement for any expenditure, and each gift or aggregate of gifts from one source (other than gifts received from his spouse or any member of his immediate family) received by him or by him and his spouse jointly during the preceding calendar year which exceeds $100 in amount or value; (2) the value of each asset held by him, or by him and his spouse jointly, which has a value in excess of $5,000, and the amount of each liability owed by him, or by him and his spouse jointly, which is in excess of $5,000 as of the close of the preceding calendar year; and (3) any business transaction by him, or by him and his spouse jointly, or by any person acting in his behalf, during the preceding calendar year if the aggregate amount involved in such transaction exceeds $5,000 during such year. Provides that the reports required by this section shall be in such form and detail as the Comptroller General may prescribe. Establishes a penalty of $2,000, or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both for whoever willfully fails to file a report or knowingly files a false report under this Act. (Adds 18 U.S.C. 225)
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 1973
Provides that the price-regulation provisions of the Natural Gas Act relating to rates and charges shall not apply to persons engaged in the production or gathering and sale but not in the transmission of natural gas. Provides that the Federal Power Commission shall have no power to deny that portion of the rates and charges made, demanded or received by any natural gas company to or for a person exempt under the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 1973
Provides that Federal courts shall not have jurisdiction to hear or decide cases or controversies involving the public schools. Provides that the jurisdiction of the Federal courts terminated by this Act shall vest in the State courts.