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S. 957

Dispute Resolution Act

(Reported to House from the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce with amendment, H. Rept. 95-1654 (Part I))

Dispute Resolution Act - Establishes within the Department of Justice a Dispute Resolution Program, administered by the Attorney General, and a Dispute Resolution Resource Center which shall assist States and other entities in the development and maintenance of merchanisms for the resolution of consumer controversies and small claims.

Lists the purposes of the Center including the exchange of information concerning existing, and the creation of new, dispute resolution mechanisms and the certification of national priority projects.

Authorizes the Center and the Attorney General to make grants and enter into contracts to implement the purpose of this Act.

Enumerates the duties of the Attorney General including, but not limited to, prescribing the procedures to be followed by the Department of Justice in reviewing and approving applications for Federal funds.

Directs the Attorney General to establish a Dispute Resolution Advisory Board to advise the Attorney General with respect to the administration of the Center and the awarding of grants.

Makes nonprofit organizations, State agencies, and local government units eligible to receive assistance under this Act. Sets forth criteria such entities must meet in order to receive such assistance. Limits the use of such funds to specific purposes such as the recruitment and training of personnel. Prohibits funds from being used for the compensation of specified attorneys.

Authorizes the Attorney General to pay qualifying applicants the Federal share of the estimated cost of the approved project which is graduated from 100 percent the first fiscal year to 60 percent the fourth fiscal year.

Requires that records be kept by each recipient of assistance under this Act. Allows the Attorney General to have access for purposes of audit to any relevant books, documents, papers, and records of such recipient.

Directs the Attorney General to report annually to the President and the Congress on the administration of such program.

Authorizes appropriations to the Attorney General through fiscal year 1983 for the purpose of establishing the Center and the Board, and for financing the grant program.

Measure failed of passage in House under suspension of rules, roll call #901 (224-166).

Sen. Ford, Wendell H. [D-KY](D-KY)Sponsor
6 cosponsors
4committees
Sep 28, 197818
(Reported to House from the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce with amendment, H. Rept. 95-1654 (Part I))

Dispute Resolution Act - Establishes within the Department of Justice a Dispute Resolution Program, administered by the Attorney General, and a Dispute Resolution Resource Center which shall assist States and other entities in the development and maintenance of merchanisms for the resolution of consumer controversies and small claims.

Lists the purposes of the Center including the exchange of information concerning existing, and the creation of new, dispute resolution mechanisms and the certification of national priority projects.

Authorizes the Center and the Attorney General to make grants and enter into contracts to implement the purpose of this Act.

Enumerates the duties of the Attorney General including, but not limited to, prescribing the procedures to be followed by the Department of Justice in reviewing and approving applications for Federal funds.

Directs the Attorney General to establish a Dispute Resolution Advisory Board to advise the Attorney General with respect to the administration of the Center and the awarding of grants.

Makes nonprofit organizations, State agencies, and local government units eligible to receive assistance under this Act. Sets forth criteria such entities must meet in order to receive such assistance. Limits the use of such funds to specific purposes such as the recruitment and training of personnel. Prohibits funds from being used for the compensation of specified attorneys.

Authorizes the Attorney General to pay qualifying applicants the Federal share of the estimated cost of the approved project which is graduated from 100 percent the first fiscal year to 60 percent the fourth fiscal year.

Requires that records be kept by each recipient of assistance under this Act. Allows the Attorney General to have access for purposes of audit to any relevant books, documents, papers, and records of such recipient.

Directs the Attorney General to report annually to the President and the Congress on the administration of such program.

Authorizes appropriations to the Attorney General through fiscal year 1983 for the purpose of establishing the Center and the Board, and for financing the grant program.

Mar 9, 197700

Consumer Controversies Resolution Act - States that existing mechanisms for the resolution of controversies involving consumer goods and services are largely unavailable, inaccessible, ineffective, expensive, or unfair. Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to assure all consumers convenient access to consumer controversy resolution mechanisms which are expeditious, effective, and fair.

Directs the Federal Trade Commission, in implementing the provisions of this Act: (1) to enter into or renew cooperative agreements with the States under which the Commission will provide financial assistance for the development, establishment, improvement, or maintenance of State systems for the resolution of controversies involving consumers, and (2) to take such other actions as are appropriate to fulfill the purposes of this Act.

Directs the Commission to establish an Office of Consumer Redress.

States that the Commission may enter into cooperative agreements with States for the provision of financial assistance to consumer controversy resolution systems upon submission by a State of a satisfactory State plan for the resolution of consumer controversies. Sets forth the requirements which a State plan must meet to be considered satisfactory. Directs the Commission to review such plans periodically.

Specifies the purposes for which assistance funds provided to the States may be used, including: (1) compensation to personnel who assist consumers involved in consumer controversies; (2) the recruitment, training, and education of such personnel; (3) public education and publicity regarding the availability and proper use of consumer controversy resolution mechanisms; and (4) research and development of improved controversy resolution mechanisms.

States that the Federal share of the estimated cost of a cooperative agreement shall not exceed 70 percent of the total cost of such agreement.

Authorizes the Commission to award grants for research or demonstration projects consistent with the purposes of this Act.

Requires each recipient of assistance under this Act to keep such records as the Federal Trade Commission shall prescribe. Directs the Commission to submit an annual report to the President and Congress.

Authorizes to be appropriated not more than $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1978, and $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1979.

Dispute Resolution Act — Informed