{"database": "openregs", "table": "legislation", "rows": [["93-s-707", 93, "s", 707, "Consumer Protection Organization Act", "Commerce", "1973-02-01", "1974-09-24", "Placed on calendar in Senate under \"Subjects on the Table\".", "Senate", "Sen. Ribicoff, Abraham A. [D-CT]", "CT", "D", "R000191", 33, "(LATEST SUMMARY)  Consumer Protection Agency 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 an independent Consumer Protection Agency.   Establishes an independent nonregulatory agency  of the United States to be known as the Consumer Protection Agency.  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 interest of consumers before Federal agencies and Federal courts in accordance  with this Act; (2) to receive and transmit complaints from consumers; (3) to conduct, support, and assist  research and other information-gathering activities related to the interests of consumers; (4) to disseminate  to the public information of concern to consumers; (5) to publish, in language readily understandable  by consumers, a consumer register which shall set forth the time, place and subject matters of actions by  Congress, Federal agencies, and Federal courts, and other information useful to consumers; (6) to encourage  private enterprise in the promotion and protection of the interests of consumers; (7) to encourage the application  and use of new technology, including patents and inventions, for the promotion and protection of the  interests of consumers; (8) to encourage the adoption and expansion of effective consumer education programs;  (9) to inform the appropriate committees and Members of Congress of the activities of the Agency and testify,  when asked or on his own initiative, before the committees of Congress on matters affecting the interests  of consumers; (10) to encourage meaningful participation by consumers in the activities of the  Agency; (11) to encourage the development of informal dispute settlement procedures involving consumers; and (12) to perform such other related activities as he deemed  necessary for the effective fulfillment of his duties and functions.   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.   Requires that whenever the Administrator receives  a signed complaint which discloses an apparent violation of law relating to consumers or a commercial, trade,  or other practice which is detrimental to an interest of consumers, he shall transmit such complaint to the  appropriate Federal, State, or local agency.  Requires the Administrator to maintain a file of such complaints  for public inspection.   States that the Administrator shall conduct, support,  and assist research, studies, investigations, conferences, and surveys concerning the interests  of consumers.  Limits the exemption of financial institutions from interagency disclosure requirements.  Authorizes  the Administrator to disclose to the public information he determines appropriate in  carrying out the purposes of this Act.   Requires the Administrator to submit an annual  report to the President and Congress.  Specifies the areas to be covered in such report.   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.   Requires each Federal agency to review its rules  of procedure of general applicability, and, after consultation with the Administrator, issue any additional  rules which may be necessary to provide for the Administrator's orderly intervention or participation  in accordance with this Act in its proceedings and activities which may substantially affect the interests of consumers.   Provides that all officers, employees, assets,  liabilities, contracts, property, and records as are determined by the Director of the Office of Management  and Budget to be employed, held, or used primarily in connection with the functions of the Consumer Product  Information Coordinating Center in the General Services Administration are to be transferred to the Agency  and all functions of the Administrator of General Services administered through the Consumer Product Information  Coordinating Center are to be transferred to the Agency.   Requires that, after reviewing its statutory authority  and rules of procedure, relevant agency and judicial decisions, and other relevant provisions of law, each  Federal agency shall issue appropriate interpretations, guidelines, standards, or criteria, and rules of procedure,  to the extent that such rules are appropriate and are not already in effect, relating to the rights  of individuals who may be affected by agency action to: (1) petition the agency for action; (2) receive notice  of agency proceedings; (3) file official complaints (if appropriate) with the agency; (4) obtain information  from the agency; and (5) participate in agency proceedings for the purpose of representing their interests.   Provides that, in the administration and implementation  of this Act, due consideration shall be given to the unique problems of small businesses so as not to discriminate or cause  unnecessary hardship.   Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out the  provisions of this Act not to exceed $15,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1975, not to exceed $20,000,000  for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1976, and not to exceed $25,000,000 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1977.   Directs the Comptroller General of the United  States to audit, review, and evaluate the implementation of the provisions of this Act by the Consumer Protection Agency.", "2025-09-03T12:51:22Z", "https://www.congress.gov/bill/93rd-congress/senate-bill/707"]], "columns": ["bill_id", "congress", "bill_type", "bill_number", "title", "policy_area", "introduced_date", "latest_action_date", "latest_action_text", "origin_chamber", "sponsor_name", "sponsor_state", "sponsor_party", "sponsor_bioguide_id", "cosponsor_count", "summary_text", "update_date", "url"], "primary_keys": ["bill_id"], "primary_key_values": ["93-s-707"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.2837628126144409, "source": "Federal Register API & Regulations.gov API", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/developers/api/v1", "license": "Public Domain (U.S. Government data)", "license_url": "https://www.regulations.gov/faq"}