Consumer Protection Act

passedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

17 January 1975

Last action

6 November 1975 · Floor

Status

Measure passed House, amended, in lieu of H.R. 7575.

Summary

Consumer Protection Act - States that it is the purpose of this Act to promote protection of consumers with respect to specified areas, including: (1) the safety, quality, purity, potency, healthfulness, durability, performance, repairability, effectiveness, dependability, availability, and cost of any real or personal property or tangible or intangible goods, services, or credit; and (2) the preservation of consumer choice and a competitive market. Establishes as an independent agency in the executive branch the Agency for Consumer Advocacy. Directs the Administrator of the Agency to prepare and submit an annual report simultaneously to the Congress and the President, not later than April 1 of each year. Specifies the content of such report, including the Agency's activities and court actions affecting the interests of consumers. Directs the Agency to advise the Congress and the President on matters affecting the interests of consumers and to protect and promote the interests of the people of the United States as consumers of goods and services. Enumerates the functions of the Administrator, including the following: (1) to represent the interests of consumers before Federal agencies and courts; (2) to conduct and support research, studies, and testing; (3) to submit recommendations annually to the Congress and the President on measures to improve the operation of the Federal Government in the protection and promotion of the interests of consumers; and (4) to publish material developed in carrying out this Act to inform consumers of matters of interest to them. States that whenever the Administrator determines that the result of any Federal agency proceeding may substantially affect an interest of consumers, he may as of right intervene as a party or otherwise participate for the purpose of representing an interest of consumers. Provides that whenever the Administrator receives any complaint which discloses: (1) an apparent violation of law relating to an interest of consumers; or (2) a commercial, trade, or other practice which is detrimental to an interest of consumers; he shall transmit such complaint to any Federal, State, or local agency which has the authority to enforce any relevant law or to take appropriate action. Directs the Administrator to maintain a public document room containing, for public inspection and copying, an up-to-date listing of all consumer complaints of any significance which the Agency has received, as arranged in meaningful and useful categories, together with annotations of actions taken in response thereto. Authorizes the Administrator to conduct studies, and to obtain data and information from persons engaged in a trade, business, or industry which substantially affects interstate commerce and whose activities he determines may substantially affect an interest of consumers. Stipulates that the Administrator shall not have the power to require the production or disclosure of any data or other information under this Act from any small business. Provides that, upon written request by the Administrator, each Federal agency is directed to furnish access to all documents which the Administrator deems necessary for the performance of his functions. Sets forth limitations on the disclosure of any information obtained pursuant to any authority conferred by this Act. Expresses the sense of the Congress that small business enterprises should have their varied needs considered by all levels of government in the implementation of the procedures provided for throughout this Act. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the provisions of this Act not to exceed $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1976, not to exceed $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1977, and not to exceed $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1978. Provides for the transfer of employees and property of the Consumer Product Information Coordinating Center in the General Services Administration to the Agency. Requires Federal agencies to issue standards governing public participation in agency proceedings.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

17 January 1975
Introduced
Referred to Senate Committee on Government Operations.
Source: IntroReferral
17 January 1975
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
Source: IntroReferral
9 April 1975
Reported
Reported to Senate from the Committee on Government Operations with amendment, S. Rept. 94-66.
Source: Committee
9 April 1975
Reported
Reported to Senate from the Committee on Government Operations with amendment, S. Rept. 94-66.
Source: Committee
6 May 1975
Floor
Measure called up by unanimous consent in Senate.
Source: Floor
7 May 1975
Floor
Measure considered in Senate.
Source: Floor
8 May 1975
Floor
Measure considered in Senate.
Source: Floor
12 May 1975
Floor
Measure considered in Senate.
Source: Floor
13 May 1975
Vote
Cloture motion passed Senate, roll call #171 (71-27).
Source: Floor
14 May 1975
Floor
Measure considered in Senate.
Source: Floor
15 May 1975
Floor
Measure considered in Senate.
Source: Floor
15 May 1975
Vote
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Measure passed Senate, amended, roll call #184 (61-28).
Source: Floor
3 June 1975
Introduced
Referred to House Committee on Government Operations.
Source: IntroReferral
6 November 1975
Passed
Measure passed House, amended, in lieu of H.R. 7575.
Source: Floor
6 November 1975
Passed
Passed/agreed to in House: Measure passed House, amended, in lieu of H.R. 7575.
Source: Floor
6 November 1975
Floor
Measure called up by special rule in House.
Source: Floor