An Act to increase compensation for District of Columbia policemen, firemen, teachers; to increase annuities payable to retired teachers in the District of Columbia; to establish in equitable tax on real property in the District of Columbia; to provide for additional revenue for the District of Columbia; and for other purposes.

Summary

Title I: Police and Firemen's Compensation - Revises the salary schedule contained in the District of Columbia Police and Firemen's Salary Act of 1958. Provides for an annual study of police and firemen's salaries by a city personnel salary and benefits study committee whose sole function it shall be to conduct such annual study. Requires the Mayor of the District of Columbia to make recommendations to the Council of the District of Columbia with respect to changes in compensation of members of the Metropolitan Police Force and the Fire Department. Provides that the Commissioner of the District of Columbia shall establish a labor-management relations board for the District of Columbia to: (1) determine in disputed cases appropriate bargaining units and related issues; (2) resolve appeals concerning the method of determining majority status and over the conduct of elections, and to certify elections bargaining representatives; (3) decide whether unfair labor practices have been engaged in and in such cases to issue an appropriate remedial order binding on all parties; (4) resolve negotiation impasses through mediation, factfinding, or final and binding arbitration; and (5) remand disputes if it believes further negotiations are desirable or if the matter comes under another jurisdiction. Redefines the term "average pay" for purposes of computation of retirement benefits to be the average of the basic salary in effect over any 12 months of service, with each rate weighted by the time it was in effect. Provides, under the Policemen and Firemen's Retirement and Disability Act, that a policeman or fireman shall be retired for disability only upon recommendation of the Board of Police and Fire Surgeons, except that in any case in which he seeks his own retirement for disability, he shall provide the necessary evidence to form the basis for the approval of such retirement. Authorizes the Commissioner of the District of Columbia to establish a Police and Firemen's Retirement and Relief Board to aid him in carrying out his responsibilities under the Policemen and Firemen's Retirement and Disability Act with respect to retirement and disability determinations and related functions. Specifies the composition of the Board. Title II: Teacher's Compensation - District of Columbia Teachers' Salary Act Amendments - Increases, under the District of Columbia Teachers' Salary Act of 1955, the salaries for teachers, school officers, and other specified employees of the Board of Education. States that the amendments made by this Act shall become effective on the first day of the first pay period beginning on or after January, 1, 1975. Title III: Teacher's Retirement Annuities - Provides that the monthly rate of annuity payable to retired teachers or to surviving children shall not be less than the primary insurance amount, including any cost-of-living increase authorized to be paid under the Social Security Act. Provides that annuitants or survivors who become entitled to an annuity under any other program of a similar nature shall not be eligible for an annuity under this Act. Increases the annuity payable to a former teacher based on a separation prior to October 20, 1969 by $240. Title IV: Public Higher Education - District of Columbia Public Higher Education Reorganization Act. States the intent of Congress to be to authorize a public land-grant university through reorganization of existing public higher education institutions in the District of Columbia. Establishes a Board of Trustees to be an independent D.C. government agency. Specifies its membership, including students. Directs such trustees to consolidate within three years the three existing public higher education institutions in the District of Columbia into a single University of the District of Columbia, offering a comprehensive education program. Directs such trustees to: (1) establish specified shcools and guide curriculum development in the University; (2) submit a budget for such University; (3) fix its tuition and fees; (4) appoint its President and Provosts; and (5) establish its personnel system. Establishes such University as a land-grant university and authorizes appropriations to it in lieu of a grant of land. Authorizes appropriations of necessary sums for the purposes of this Act. Allows the appointment by the trustees of such advisory committees as it deems necessary. Establishes the District of Columbia Higher Education Fund in the Treasury. Title V: Real Property Tax - District of Columbia Real Property Tax Revision Act - Declares the intent of Congress to revise the real property tax in the District of Columbia, enumerating the objectives of such revision, including equitable sharing of the financial burden of the District of Columbia and full public information regarding assessments and appeal procedures. Defines the terms used in this Act. Levies, for each fiscal year, a tax on real property in the District of Columbia. Directs the District of Columbia Council to set the rate of such taxation. Directs the Commissioner of the District of Columbia to submit annually a proposed real property tax rate for the tax year. Requires that he submit additional specified information at such time, including: (1) the total aggregate assessed value of taxable real property by major classes of property, and (2) all information on tax exempt property. Directs the Council to compare tax burdens in the District with the tax burdens of property in the vicinity of the District in establishing the District's tax rate. Requires the Commissioner to publish annually such relative tax burden information. Provides that the assessed value of all real property shall be listed on the assessment roll for taxation purposes annually as provided in this title. Sets forth the regulations governing: (1) the frequency of assessments; (2) administrative orders; (3) the duties of the Commissioner; (4) assessment in the name of the owner and assessment by address, lot, and squares; (5) the compilation of the assessment roll; and (6) the availability, for public inspection, of such roll. Requires that annually, no later than March 1, each taxpayer shall be notified of the assessment of his real property for the next fiscal year. Specifies the content of such notice. Establishes a Board of Equalization and Review for the District to hear complaints on assessment and revise the assessment roll annually and present it to the Commissioner. Prescribes the procedure for complaints and appeals by persons aggrieved by any assessmennt, equalization, or valuation made. Details the duties of the Superior Court in class action cases. Imposes penalties for failure to preform duties required by this, and other, Acts. Directs the Council to provide tax incentives for: (1) the rehabilitation of existing structures and new construction in areas designated by the Council; and (2) the rehabilitation and maintenance of historic property. Directs the Commissioner, for certain officially designated historic property, to assess land and improvements which, if less than full market value, shall be the basis of tax liability to the District. Provides that an eligible taxpayer may defer each year any real property tax owed in excess of 110 percent of his immediately preceding year's tax liability. Sets forth the eligibility requirements for such deferral. Provides that, after 2 years have elapsed since property has been bid off in the name of the District of Columbia for the nonpayment of taxes, the Commissioner of the District may enforce the lien of the District of Columbia for taxes or other assessments on such real property by ordering that a deed in fee simple be issued, and, up to the time of the issuance of the deed, such property may be redeemed by the payment of all taxes or assessments due the District of Columbia upon such property, together with such expenses, costs, and penalties as may have been incurred. Authorizes the Council to establish a program whereby titles to houses acquired by tax sale may be transferred to persons meeting criteria which shall be established by the Council. Revises the tax exemption laws governing property belonging to the United States, the District of Columbia, or to foreign governments. Requires the Commissioner to publish, by class and by individual property, a listing of all real property exempt from the real property tax in the District. Provides, under the District of Columbia Income and Franchise Act of 1947, that for purposes of providing relief to certain Disrtict of Columbia residents who own or rent their principal place of abode and who reside in same, a credit shall be allowed equal to the amount by which the real property taxes, or rent paid constituting property taxes, exceeds a percentage of household gross income. Defines the term "household gross income" and other terms used in this title. Sets forth the procedures for claiming such tax credit and the circumstances under which it shall not be permitted. Repeals specified provisions of enumerated Acts, including the District of Columbia Public Works Act. Details the effect of repeals or amendments by this Act on other provisions, including existing rights and liabilities, of District of Columbia law.

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3 official files

• Public Law (PDF)

  Public Law · EN · 4 September 1974

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• Public Law

  summary · EN · 3 September 1974

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• Introduced in House

  summary · EN · 10 July 1974

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