92D CONGRESS 18T SESSION H. R. 2600 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES APRIL 29, 1971 Read twice and referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia AN ACT To equalize the retirement benefits for officers and members of the Metropolitan Police force and the Fire Department of the District of Columbia who are retired for permanent total disability. 1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 3 That (a) each officer or member of the Metroplitan Police 4 force, the Fire Department of the District of Columbia, the 5 United States Park Police force, the Executive Protective 6 Service, or the United States Secret Service who retired 7 before October 1, 1956, and whose retirement has continued 8 through July 1, 1971 9 (1) under the provisions of the fourth paragraph 2 1 of section 12 of the Act of September 1, 1916 (39 Stat. 10 2 718), as in effect prior to October 1, 1956, and 3 (2) on the basis of a disability which was rated at 4 100 per centum at the time of his retirement, 5 shall, on and after the first pay period which begins after 6 July 1, 1971, have his retirement benefits computed 7 and paid in accordance with the provisions of subsection 8 (g) (1) of the Policemen and Firemen's Retirement and 9 Disability Act (D.C. Code, sec. 4-527 (1)). (b) Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to reduce 11 the relief or retirement compensation any person receives, 12 or is entitled to receive, from the District of Columbia on 13 the date of enactment of this Act. Passed the House of Representatives April 27, 1971. Attest: W. PAT JENNINGS, 466 - 71 - 3 Clerk. Hon. THOMAS F. EAGLETON, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, Chairman, Committee on the District of Columbia, DEAR SENATOR EAGLETON: The Commissioner of the District of Columbia has for report H.R. 2600, a bill "To equalize the retirement benefits for officers and members of the Metropolitan Police force and the Fire Department of the District of Columbia who are retired for permanent total disability", passed by the House of Representatives April 27, 1971. The bill provides that on and after the first pay period which begins after July 1, 1971 the retirement benefits of District police and firemen, and of officers and members of the United States Park Police force, the Executive Protective Service, and the United States Secret Service, who retired prior to October 1, 1956, for permanent total disability rated at 100 per centum at the time of retirement, shall be computed and paid under the present Police and Firemen's Retirement and Disability Act, which became effective October 1, 1956. It is estimated that this legislation would affect approximately 156 retirees. Under provisions of the retirement law applicable to police and firemen who retired prior to October 1, 1956, these retirees initially received in retirement compensation 50 per centum of the annual salary they had been receiving immediately prior to their retirement. The Act effective in 1956 provides that retirement compensation shall be a minimum of 66 2/3% and a maximum of 70% of the annual salary received by a retiree immediately prior to his retirement. The Commissioner notes that due to the provisions of title III of the Act approved June 20, 1953 (67 Stat. 75; D.C. Code, sec. 4-518), relating to the automatic equalization of the pensions of police and firemen, the annuities of retirees retiring prior to July 1, 1956 have already been increased 85%. In comparison, legislation enacted since 1956 has provided annuitants who retired prior to October 1, 1956 under District of Columbia teachers' retirement legislation with cumulative annuity increases totaling approximately 50%. Enactment of H.R. 2600 would provide an additional increase in the retirement benefits of this group of retired police and firemen, thus further increasing the existing disparity between them and other government retirees. This special increase, over and above the equalization feature of present law, would amount to additional increases of from 33% to 40%. The estimated actuarial cost of this legislation is approximately $335,000 for fiscal year 1972. This amount is, of course, expected to diminish annually, with the actuarial cost estimated to be $1,414,200 for the fiveyear period through fiscal year 1976. The Commissioner considers the provisions of H.R. 2600 to be inequitable in relation to the retirement systems of other District of Columbia government retirees, and accordingly he strongly opposes its enactment. Sincerely yours, GRAHAM W. Watt, Assistant to the Commissioner. For: WALTER E. WASHINGTON, Commissioner. 92D CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. 1386 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES MARCH 29, 1971 Mr. MATHIAS introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia A BILL To amend the Act to regulate the practice of the healing art, and other purposes. 1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 3 That section 25 of the Act entitled "An Act to regulate 4 the practice of the healing art to protect the public health in 5 the District of Columbia", approved February 27, 1929 6 (D.C. Code 2-121), is amended by striking out the proviso. II 92D CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 8589 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MAY 20, 1971 Mr. BROYHILL of Virginia (for himself, Mr. FUQUA, Mr. BLANTON, and Mr. GUDE) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia A BILL To amend the Healing Arts Practice Act, District of Columbia, 1928, to revise the composition of the Commission on Licensure To Practice the Healing Art, and for other purposes. 1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 3 SECTION 1. (a) Section 4 of the Healing Arts Practice 4 Act, District of Columbia, 1928 (D.C. Code, sec. 2-103), is 5 amended to read as follows: 6 "SEC. 4. (a) (1) There is established a commission to 7 be known as the Commission on Licensure To Practice the 8 Healing Art (hereafter in this Act referred to as the 'Com9 mission'). The Commission shall be composed of eleven |