§107d–3 Vending Machine Income

Summary

Vending machine money from federal buildings must go to the blind person who runs the vending operation there. If no blind person runs it, the money goes to the State licensing agency where the federal property is. The Commissioner can set a limit on how much one blind operator may keep, but never less than what that person got on January 1, 1974. If machines together make a vending facility and a blind person runs or services it, no limit applies. Any money above a cap goes to the State agency. Starting January 1, 1975, all money (100%) from machines that directly compete with a blind vending facility on the same premises goes to the blind operator or State agency as above. For machines that do not directly compete, 50% goes to them, except at places where at least 50% of work hours are outside normal hours, where 30% goes. Heads of federal agencies must collect the money and follow these rules. State agencies must use the funds first for retirement or pension plans, health insurance payments, and paid sick leave and vacation for blind licensees (subject to a vote by those blind licensees); leftover money goes to other allowed purposes and lowers charges on blind licensees. Exemptions include exchange/ship stores, the Veterans Canteen Service, and individual locations that bring in $3,000 or less a year. The Secretary and Commissioner must write rules to carry out and enforce these provisions and to give blind licensees priority to run cafeterias when they can do so well and cheaply.