Consumer Protection Organization Act

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

1 February 1973

Last action

24 September 1974 · Calendars

Status

Placed on calendar in Senate under "Subjects on the Table".

Summary

Consumer Protection Organization Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to protect and promote the interests of the people of the United States as consumers of goods and services, which are made available to them through commerce or which affect commerce, by establishing a Council of Consumer Advisers, an independent Consumer Protection Agency, and a program of grants to States, local and private nonprofit consumer protection agencies and organizations. Title I: Council of Consumer Advisers - Requires the President to transmit to the Congress not later than February 1 of each year a Consumer Report of the President which shall include an analysis, evaluation, and review of: (1) the overall impact of Federal programs and activities upon consumers; (2) the effectiveness of Federal consumer protection programs and activities: (3) the degree of cooperation and coordination among Federal agencies in carrying out consumer protection programs and activities.; (4) a program for remedying any deficiencies or weaknesses in Federal consumer protection programs and activities; and (5) national policies and resources for achieving the purposes of this Act together with recommendations for new legislation. Establishes in the Executive Office of the President a Council of Consumer Advisors which shall be composed of three members appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets forth the functions of the Council. Authorizes to be appropriated $1,500,000 annually for fiscal year 1974 - 1975 to carry the provisions of this title. Title II: Consumer Protection Agency - Establishes the Consumer Protection Agency as an independent nonregulatory agency in the executive branch of the Government. Provides that the Agency shall be headed by an Administrator appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of four years coterminous with the term of the President. Sets forth the functions of the Administrator, including: (1) to represent the interests of consumers before Federal agencies and Federal courts in accordance with this title; (2) to make grants to States and localities to encourage and assist consumer protection programs; (3) to receive and transmit complaints from consumers; (4) to disseminate to the public information of importance to consumers; and (5) to encourage private enterprise in the promotion and protection of the interests of consumers. Grants the Administrator authority to intervene and participate in the proceedings of Federal agencies if he determines that such proceedings may substantially affect an important interest of consumers. Provides that such proceedings must be subject to specified provisions of the Administrative procedure Act. Grants the Administrator the right to participate in Federal agency activity which is not covered by the specified provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act. Provides that whenever the Administrator determines that it would be in the interest of consumers to do so, he may request or petition a Federal agency to initiate a proceeding or activity or to take such other action as may be within the authority of such agency. Allows the Administrator to use an agency's discovery process where he is intervening or participating in an agency proceeding or activity. Authorizes the Administrator to intervene as a party or to participate in any State or local agency or court proceeding, except a criminal proceeding, where the Administrator determines that the result of such proceeding may substantially affect an important interest of consumers and when such participation has been requested in writing by an appropriate State official or agency or by the Governor of the State. Authorizes the Administrator to secure judicial review of any Federal agency action reviewable under law. Provides that each Federal agency considering any action which may substantially affect an important interest of consumers shall, upon request by the Administrator, notify him of any such proceeding or activity at such time as public notice is given. States that the Administrator shall conduct, support, and assist research, studies, investigations, conferences, and surveys concerning the interests of consumers. Authorizes the Administrator, subject to the provisions of this title, to disclose to the public information he determines appropriate in carrying out the purposes of this Act. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out the provisions of this title $l5,000,000 for fiscal year 1974, $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1975, and $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1976. Title III: Consumer Protection Grants - Authorizes to be appropriated $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1974 and $40,000,000 for fiscal year 1975 to carry out the provisions of this title. Provides that the Administrator shall make planning and program grants to States and local public agencies to assist in the preparation and operation of consumer protection programs. States that the Federal share of any such program shall not exceed 75 percent of the costs of such program. Provides that no State shall receive more than 15 percent of such funds. Provides that no grants shall be made under this title unless an application therefor has been submitted to, and approved by, the Administrator, meeting specified criteria. Title IV: General Provisions - Sets forth definitions of terms used in this Act. Provides for public participation in agency activity. Exempts the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the National Security Agency, the national security or intelligence functions of the Department of Defense including the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and the Office of Emergency Preparedness from the provisions of this Act.

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

Timeline

1 February 1973
Introduced
Referred to Senate Committee on Commerce.
Source: IntroReferral
1 February 1973
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
Source: IntroReferral
11 April 1974
Reported
Reported to Senate from the Committee on Commerce with amendment, (report to be filed by 4/25/1974).
Source: Committee
11 April 1974
Reported
Reported to Senate from the Committee on Commerce with amendment, (report to be filed by 4/25/1974).
Source: Committee
25 April 1974
Reported
Reported to Senate from the Committee on Commerce with amendment, S. Rept. 93-792.
Source: Committee
25 April 1974
Reported
Reported to Senate from the Committee on Commerce with amendment, S. Rept. 93-792.
Source: Committee
28 May 1974
Reported
Reported to Senate from the Committee on Government Operations with amendment, S. Rept. 93-883.
Source: Committee
28 May 1974
Reported
Reported to Senate from the Committee on Government Operations with amendment, S. Rept. 93-883.
Source: Committee
29 May 1974
Reported
Reported to Senate from the Committee on Government Operations, S. Rept. 93-883 (part II).
Source: Committee
29 May 1974
Reported
Reported to Senate from the Committee on Government Operations, S. Rept. 93-883 (part II).
Source: Committee
16 July 1974
Vote
Motion to table the measure rejected in Senate, roll call #306 (25-66).
Source: Floor
25 July 1974
Floor
Cloture motion filed in Senate.
Source: Floor
30 July 1974
Floor
Cloture motion filed in Senate (Second Motion).
Source: Floor
1 August 1974
Vote
Cloture motion rejected of passage in Senate, roll call #345 (56-39).
Source: Floor
15 August 1974
Floor
Cloture motion filed in Senate (Third Motion).
Source: Floor
20 August 1974
Vote
Cloture motion rejected in Senate, roll call #371 (59-35).
Source: Floor
17 September 1974
Floor
Cloture motion filed in Senate (Fourth Motion).
Source: Floor
19 September 1974
Vote
Cloture motion rejected in Senate, roll call #415 (64-34).
Source: Floor
24 September 1974
Calendars
Placed on calendar in Senate under "Subjects on the Table".
Source: Calendars

Votes

· Official source

Yes 0 · No 0 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 0

· Official source

Yes 0 · No 0 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 0

· Official source

Yes 0 · No 0 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 0

· Official source

Yes 0 · No 0 · Abstain — · Absent/not voting 0

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

2 official files

Reported to Senate with amendment(s)
summary · EN · 28 May 1974
Open at official source
Introduced in Senate
summary · EN · 1 February 1973
Open at official source

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Sources

PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.

Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/93rd-congress/senate-bill/707
Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/93/s/707
us · 93-s-707 · source updated 3 September 2025

Consumer Protection Organization Act

Summary

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