In this task, you are given text for US Congressional and California state bills, your task is to generate a summary for this bill.

[EX Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Health Care OverUse Reform Today Act 
(HealthCOURT Act) of 2009''.

SEC. 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF PERFORMANCE-BASED QUALITY MEASURES.

    Not later than January 1, 2010, the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services shall submit to Congress a proposal for a formalized process 
for the development of performance-based quality measures that could be 
applied to physicians' services under the Medicare program under title 
XVIII of the Social Security Act. Such proposal shall be in concert and 
agreement with the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement and 
shall only utilize measures agreed upon by each physician specialty 
organization.

SEC. 3. AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE BASED ON COMPLIANCE WITH BEST PRACTICE 
              GUIDELINES.

    (a) Selection and Issuance of Best Practices Guidelines.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
        (in this section referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall 
        provide for the selection and issuance of best practice 
        guidelines (each in this subsection referred to as a 
        ``guideline'') in accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3).
            (2) Development process.--Not later than 90 days after the 
        date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall enter 
        into a contract with a qualified physician consensus-building 
        organization (such as the Physician Consortium for Performance 
        Improvement), in concert and agreement with physician specialty 
        organizations, to develop guidelines for treatment of medical 
        conditions for application under subsection (b). Under the 
        contract, the organization shall take into consideration any 
        endorsed performance-based quality measures described in 
        section 2. Under the contract and not later than 18 months 
        after the date of the enactment of this Act, the organization 
        shall submit best practice guidelines for issuance as 
        guidelines under paragraph (3).
            (3) Issuance.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the 
                date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
                issue, by regulation, after notice and opportunity for 
                public comment, guidelines that have been recommended 
                under paragraph (2) for application under subsection 
                (b).
                    (B) Limitation.--The Secretary may not issue 
                guidelines unless they have been approved or endorsed 
                by qualified physician consensus-building organization 
                involved and physician specialty organizations.
                    (C) Dissemination.--The Secretary shall broadly 
                disseminate the guidelines so issued.
    (b) Limitation on Damages.--
            (1) Limitation on noneconomic damages.--In any health care 
        lawsuit, no noneconomic damages may awarded with respect to 
        treatment that is within a guideline issued under subsection 
        (a).
            (2) Limitation on punitive damages.--In any health care 
        lawsuit, no punitive damages may be awarded against a health 
        care practitioner based on a claim that such treatment caused 
        the claimant harm if--
                    (A) such treatment was subject to the quality 
                review by a qualified physician consensus-building 
                organization;
                    (B) such treatment was approved in a guideline that 
                underwent full review by such organization, public 
                comment, approval by the Secretary, and dissemination 
                as described in subparagraph (a); and
                    (C) such medical treatment is generally recognized 
                among qualified experts (including medical providers 
                and relevant physician specialty organizations) as 
                safe, effective, and appropriate.
    (c) Use.--
            (1) Introduction as evidence.--Guidelines under subsection 
        (a) may not be introduced as evidence of negligence or 
        deviation in the standard of care in any civil action unless 
        they have previously been introduced by the defendant.
            (2) No presumption of negligence.--There would be no 
        presumption of negligence if a participating physician does not 
        adhere to such guidelines.
    (d) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed as 
preventing a State from--
            (1) replacing their current medical malpractice rules with 
        rules that rely, as a defense, upon a health care provider's 
        compliance with a guideline issued under subsection (a); or
            (2) applying additional guidelines or safe-harbors that are 
        in addition to, but not in lieu of, the guidelines issued under 
        subsection (a).

SEC. 4. STATE GRANTS TO CREATE ADMINISTRATIVE HEALTH CARE TRIBUNALS.

    Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
280g et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 399T. STATE GRANTS TO CREATE ADMINISTRATIVE HEALTH CARE 
              TRIBUNALS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may award grants to States for the 
development, implementation, and evaluation of administrative health 
care tribunals that comply with this section, for the resolution of 
disputes concerning injuries allegedly caused by health care providers.
    ``(b) Conditions for Demonstration Grants.--To be eligible to 
receive a grant under this section, a State shall submit to the 
Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as may be required by the Secretary. A grant shall be 
awarded under this section on such terms and conditions as the 
Secretary determines appropriate.
    ``(c) Representation by Counsel.--A State that receives a grant 
under this section may not preclude any party to a dispute before an 
administrative health care tribunal operated under such grant from 
obtaining legal representation during any review by the expert panel 
under subsection (d), the administrative health care tribunal under 
subsection (e), or a State court under subsection (f).
    ``(d) Expert Panel Review and Early Offer Guidelines.--
            ``(1) In general.--Prior to the submission of any dispute 
        concerning injuries allegedly caused by health care providers 
        to an administrative health care tribunal under this section, 
        such allegations shall first be reviewed by an expert panel.
            ``(2) Composition.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The members of each expert panel 
                under this subsection shall be appointed by the head of 
                the State agency responsible for health. Each expert 
                panel shall be composed of no fewer than 3 members and 
                not more than 7 members. At least one-half of such 
                members shall be medical experts (either physicians or 
                health care professionals).
                    ``(B) Licensure and expertise.--Each physician or 
                health care professional appointed to an expert panel 
                under subparagraph (A) shall--
                            ``(i) be appropriately credentialed or 
                        licensed in 1 or more States to deliver health 
                        care services; and
                            ``(ii) typically treat the condition, make 
                        the diagnosis, or provide the type of treatment 
                        that is under review.
                    ``(C) Independence.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Subject to clause (ii), 
                        each individual appointed to an expert panel 
                        under this paragraph shall--
                                    ``(I) not have a material familial, 
                                financial, or professional relationship 
                                with a party involved in the dispute 
                                reviewed by the panel; and
                                    ``(II) not otherwise have a 
                                conflict of interest with such a party.
                            ``(ii) Exception.--Nothing in clause (i) 
                        shall be construed to prohibit an individual 
                        who has staff privileges at an institution 
                        where the treatment involved in the dispute was 
                        provided from serving as a member of an expert 
                        panel merely on the basis of such affiliation, 
                        if the affiliation is disclosed to the parties 
                        and neither party objects.
                    ``(D) Practicing health care professional in same 
                field.--
                            ``(i) In general.--In a dispute before an 
                        expert panel that involves treatment, or the 
                        provision of items or services--
                                    ``(I) by a physician, the medical 
                                experts on the expert panel shall be 
                                practicing physicians (allopathic or 
                                osteopathic) of the same or similar 
                                specialty as a physician who typically 
                                treats the condition, makes the 
                                diagnosis, or provides the type of 
                                treatment under review; or
                                    ``(II) by a health care 
                                professional other than a physician, at 
                                least two medical experts on the expert 
                                panel shall be practicing physicians 
                                (allopathic or osteopathic) of the same 
                                or similar specialty as the health care 
                                professional who typically treats the 
                                condition, makes the diagnosis, or 
                                provides the type of treatment under 
                                review, and, if determined appropriate 
                                by the State agency, an additional 
                                medical expert shall be a practicing 
                                health care professional (other than 
                                such a physician) of such a same or 
                                similar specialty.
                            ``(ii) Practicing defined.--In this 
                        paragraph, the term `practicing' means, with 
                        respect to an individual who is a physician or 
                        other health care professional, that the 
                        individual provides health care services to 
                        individual patients on average at least 2 days 
                        a week.
                    ``(E) Pediatric expertise.--In the case of dispute 
                relating to a child, at least 1 medical expert on the 
                expert panel shall have expertise described in 
                subparagraph (D)(i) in pediatrics.
            ``(3) Determination.--After a review under paragraph (1), 
        an expert panel shall make a determination as to the liability 
        of the parties involved and compensation.
            ``(4) Acceptance.--If the parties to a dispute before an 
        expert panel under this subsection accept the determination of 
        the expert panel concerning liability and compensation, such 
        compensation shall be paid to the claimant and the claimant 
        shall agree to forgo any further action against the health care 
        providers involved.
            ``(5) Failure to accept.--If any party decides not to 
        accept the expert panel's determination, the matter shall be 
        referred to an administrative health care tribunal created 
        pursuant to this section.
    ``(e) Administrative Health Care Tribunals.--
            ``(1) In general.--Upon the failure of any party to accept 
        the determination of an expert panel under subsection (d), the 
        parties shall have the right to request a hearing concerning 
        the liability or compensation involved by an administrative 
        health care tribunal established by the State involved.
            ``(2) Requirements.--In establishing an administrative 
        health care tribunal under this section, a State shall--
                    ``(A) ensure that such tribunals are presided over 
                by special judges with health care expertise;
                    ``(B) provide authority to such judges to make 
                binding rulings, rendered in written decisions, on 
                standards of care, causation, compensation, and related 
                issues with reliance on independent expert witnesses 
                commissioned by the tribunal;
                    ``(C) establish gross negligence as the legal 
                standard for the tribunal;
                    ``(D) allow the admission into evidence of the 
                recommendation made by the expert panel under 
                subsection (d); and
                    ``(E) provide for an appeals process to allow for 
                review of decisions by State courts.
    ``(f) Review by State Court After Exhaustion of Administrative 
Remedies.--
            ``(1) Right to file.--If any party to a dispute before a 
        health care tribunal under subsection (e) is not satisfied with 
        the determinations of the tribunal, the party shall have the 
        right to file their claim in a State court of competent 
        jurisdiction.
            ``(2) Forfeit of awards.--Any party filing an action in a 
        State court in accordance with paragraph (1) shall forfeit any 
        compensation award made under subsection (e).
            ``(3) Admissibility.--The determinations of the expert 
        panel and the administrative health care tribunal pursuant to 
        subsections (d) and (e) with respect to a State court 
        proceeding under paragraph (1) shall be admissible into 
        evidence in any such State court proceeding.
    ``(g) Definition.--In this section, the term `health care provider' 
has the meaning given such term for purposes of part A of title VII.
    ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated for any fiscal year such sums as may be necessary for 
purposes of making grants to States under this section.''.

SEC. 5. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING HEALTH INSURER LIABILITY.

    It is the sense of Congress that a health insurance issuer should 
be liable for damages for harm caused when it makes a decision as to 
what care is medically necessary and appropriate.
[EX A]: Health Care OverUse Reform Today Act (HealthCOURT Act) of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to propose to Congress a formalized process for the development of performance-based quality measures that could be applied to physicians' services under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act. Requires the proposal: (1) to be in concert and agreement with the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement; and (2) utilize only measures agreed upon by each physician specialty organization.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) provide for the selection and issuance of best practice guidelines for treatment of medical conditions; and (2) contract with a qualified physician consensus-building organization (such as the Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement), in concert and agreement with physician specialty organizations, to develop such guidelines.

Prohibits the award of any noneconomic damages in any health care lawsuit with respect to treatment that is within an issued guideline.

Prohibits the award of punitive damages against a health care practitioner in such a lawsuit based on a claim that medical treatment caused the claimant harm if the treatment: (1) was subject to quality review by a qualified physician consensus-building organization; (2) was approved in a guideline that underwent full review by such organization, public comment, the Secretary's approval, and dissemination; and (3) is generally recognized among qualified experts as safe, effective, and appropriate.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary to award grants to states for the development, implementation, and evaluation of administrative health care tribunals for the resolution of disputes concerning injuries allegedly caused by health care providers.

Expresses the sense of Congress that a health insurance issuer should be liable for damages for a harm caused when it makes a decision as to what care is medically necessary and appropriate.

[EX Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; AMENDMENT OF 1986 CODE.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Long-Term 
Investment Incentive Act of 1997''.
    (b) Amendment of 1986 Code.--Except as otherwise expressly 
provided, whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in 
terms of an amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, 
the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other 
provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

SEC. 2. REDUCTION OF TAX ON LONG-TERM CAPITAL GAINS ON ASSETS HELD MORE 
              THAN 2 YEARS.

    (a) In General.--Part I of subchapter P of chapter 1 (relating to 
treatment of capital gains) is amended by redesignating section 1202 as 
section 1203 and by inserting after section 1201 the following new 
section:

``SEC. 1202. CAPITAL GAINS DEDUCTION FOR ASSETS HELD BY NONCORPORATE 
              TAXPAYERS MORE THAN 2 YEARS.

    ``(a) General Rule.--If a taxpayer other than a corporation has a 
net capital gain for any taxable year, there shall be allowed as a 
deduction an amount equal to the sum of the applicable percentages of 
the classes of net capital gain described in the table under subsection 
(b).
    ``(b) Applicable Percentage.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
applicable percentage shall be the percentage determined in accordance 
with the following table:

          
                                                         The applicable
          ``In the case of:
                                                         percentage is:
                  2-year gain........................        7.145     
                  3-year gain........................        14.29     
                  4-year gain........................        21.45     
                  5-year gain........................        28.57     
                  6-year gain........................        35.71     
                  7-year gain........................        42.86     
                  8-year gain........................        50.00.    
    ``(c) Gain to Which Deduction Applies.--For purposes of this 
section--
            ``(1) 2-year gain.--The term `2-year gain' means the lesser 
        of--
                    ``(A) the net capital gain for the taxable year, or
                    ``(B) the amount of long-term capital gain which 
                would be computed for the taxable year if only gain 
                from the sale or exchange of property held by the 
                taxpayer for more than 2 years but not more than 3 
                years were taken into account.
            ``(2) 3-year gain, etc.--The terms `3-, 4-,
        5-, 6-, or 7-year gain' mean the amounts determined under 
        paragraph (1)--
                    ``(A) by reducing the amount of the net capital 
                gain under subparagraph (A) thereof by an amount equal 
                to the long-term capital gain from the sale or exchange 
                of property with a holding period less than the minimum 
                holding period for any such category, and
                    ``(B) by substituting 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 years for 2 
                years and 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 years for 3 years, 
                respectively, in subparagraph (B) thereof.
            ``(3) 8-year gain.--The term `8-year gain' means the lesser 
        of--
                    ``(A) the net capital gain for the taxable year, 
                reduced by in the same manner as under paragraph 
                (2)(A), or
                    ``(B) the amount of the long-term capital gain 
                which would be computed for the taxable year if only 
                gain from the sale or exchange of property held by the 
                taxpayer for more than 8 years were taken into account.
    ``(d) Estates and Trusts.--In the case of an estate or trust, the 
deduction under subsection (a) shall be computed by excluding the 
portion (if any) of the gains for the taxable year from sales or 
exchanges of capital assets which, under sections 652 and 662 (relating 
to inclusions of amounts in gross income of beneficiaries of trusts), 
is includible by the income beneficiaries as gain derived from the sale 
or exchange of capital assets.
    ``(e) Coordination With Treatment of Capital Gain Under Limitation 
on Investment Interest.--For purposes of this section, the net capital 
gain for any taxable year shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the 
amount which the taxpayer takes into account as investment income under 
section 163(d)(4)(B)(iii).
    ``(f) Treatment of Collectibles.--
            ``(1) In general.--Solely for purposes of this section, any 
        gain or loss from the sale or exchange of a collectible shall 
be treated as a short-term capital gain or loss (as the case may be), 
without regard to the period such asset was held. The preceding 
sentence shall apply only to the extent the gain or loss is taken into 
account in computing taxable income.
            ``(2) Treatment of certain sales of interest in 
        partnership, etc.--For purposes of paragraph (1), any gain from 
        the sale or exchange of an interest in a partnership, S 
        corporation, or trust which is attributable to unrealized 
        appreciation in the value of collectibles held by such entity 
        shall be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a 
        collectible. Rules similar to the rules of section 751(f) shall 
        apply for purposes of the preceding sentence.
            ``(3) Collectible.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
        term `collectible' means any capital asset which is a 
        collectible (as defined in section 408(m) without regard to 
        paragraph (3) thereof).
    ``(g) Transitional Rule.--
            ``(1) In general.--Gain may be taken into account under 
        subsection (c) only if such gain is properly taken into account 
        on or after May 7, 1997.
            ``(2) Special rules for pass-thru entities.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In applying paragraph (1) with 
                respect to any pass-thru entity, the determination of 
                when gains and losses are properly taken into account 
                shall be made at the entity level.
                    ``(B) Pass-thru entity defined.--For purposes of 
                subparagraph (A), the term `pass-thru entity' means--
                            ``(i) a regulated investment company,
                            ``(ii) a real estate investment trust,
                            ``(iii) an S corporation,
                            ``(iv) a partnership,
                            ``(v) an estate or trust, and
                            ``(vi) a common trust fund.''
    (b) Deduction Allowable in Computing Adjusted Gross Income.--
Subsection (a) of section 62 is amended by inserting after paragraph 
(16) the following new paragraph:
            ``(17) Long-term capital gains.--The deduction allowed by 
        section 1202.''
    (c) Maximum Capital Gains Rate.--Section 1(h) is amended by adding 
at the end the following new sentence: ``For purposes of this 
subsection, taxable income shall be computed without regard to the 
deduction allowed under section 1202.''
    (d) Treatment of Certain Pass-Thru Entities.--
            (1) Capital gain dividends of regulated investment 
        companies.--
                    (A) Subparagraph (B) of section 852(b)(3) is 
                amended to read as follows:
                    ``(B) Treatment of capital gain dividends by 
                shareholders.--A capital gain dividend shall be treated 
                by the shareholders as gain from the sale or exchange 
                of a capital asset held for more than 1 year but not 
                more than 2 years; except that the portion of any such 
                dividend designated by the company as allocable 2-, 3-, 
                4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, or 8-year gain of the company shall be 
                treated as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital 
                asset held for the amount of years in such class for 
                purposes of section 1202. Rules similar to the rules of 
                subparagraph (C) shall apply to any designation under 
                the preceding sentence.''
                    (B) Clause (i) of section 852(b)(3)(D) is amended 
                by adding at the end the following new sentence: 
                ``Rules similar to the rules of subparagraph (B) shall 
                apply in determining character of the amount to be so 
                included by any such shareholder.''
            (2) Capital gain dividends of real estate investment 
        trusts.--Subparagraph (B) of section 857(b)(3) is amended to 
        read as follows:
                    ``(B) Treatment of capital gain dividends by 
                shareholders.--A capital gain dividend shall be treated 
                by the shareholders or holders of beneficial interests 
                as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset 
                held for more than 1 year but not more than 2 years; 
                except that the portion of any such dividend designated 
                by the company as allocable to 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, 7-, 
                or 8-year gain of the company shall be treated as gain 
                from the sale or exchange of a capital asset held for 
                the amount of years in such class for purposes of 
                section 1202. Rules similar to the rules of 
                subparagraph (C) shall apply to any designation under 
                the preceding sentence.''
            (3) Common trust funds.--Subsection (c) of section 584 is 
        amended--
                    (A) by inserting ``and not more than 2 years'' 
                after ``1 year'' each place it appears in paragraph 
                (2),
                    (B) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph 
                (2), and
                    (C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4) 
                and inserting after paragraph (2) the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(3) as part of its gains from sales or exchanges of 
        capital assets held for periods described in the classes of 
        gains under section 1202(c), its proportionate share of the 
        gains of the common trust fund from sales or exchanges of 
        capital assets held for such periods, and''.
    (e) Technical and Conforming Changes.--
            (1) Subparagraph (B) of section 170(e)(1) is amended by 
        inserting ``(or, in the case of a taxpayer other than a 
        corporation, the percentage of such gain equal to 100 percent 
        minus the percentage applicable to such gain under section 
        1202(a))'' after ``the amount of gain''.
            (2) Subparagraph (B) of section 172(d)(2) is amended to 
        read as follows:
                    ``(B) the deduction under section 1202 and the 
                exclusion under section 1203 shall not be allowed.''
            (3)(A) Section 221 (relating to cross reference) is amended 
        to read as follows:

``SEC. 221. CROSS REFERENCES.

    ``(1) For deduction for net capital gains in the case of a taxpayer 
other than a corporation, see section 1202.
    ``(2) For deductions in respect of a decedent, see section 691.''
            (B) The table of sections for part VII of subchapter B of 
        chapter 1 is amended by striking ``reference'' in the item 
        relating to section 221 and inserting ``references''.
            (4) The last sentence of section 453A(c)(3) is amended by 
        striking all that follows ``long-term capital gain,'' and 
        inserting ``the maximum rate on net capital gain under section 
        1(h) or 1201 or the deduction under section 1202 (whichever is 
        appropriate) shall be taken into account.''
            (5) Paragraph (4) of section 642(c) is amended to read as 
        follows:
            ``(4) Adjustments.--To the extent that the amount otherwise 
        allowable as a deduction under this subsection consists of gain 
        from the sale or exchange of capital assets held for more than 
        1 year, proper adjustment shall be made for any deduction 
        allowable to the estate or trust under section 1202 or any 
        exclusion allowable to the estate or trust under section 
        1203(a). In the case of a trust, the deduction allowed by this 
        subsection shall be subject to section 681 (relating to 
        unrelated business income).''
            (6) The last sentence of paragraph (3) of section 643(a) is 
        amended to read as follows: ``The deduction under section 1202 
        and the exclusion under section 1203 shall not be taken into 
        account.''
            (7) Subparagraph (C) of section 643(a)(6) is amended by 
        inserting ``(i)'' before ``there shall'' and by inserting 
        before the period ``, and (ii) the deduction under section 1202 
        (relating to capital gains deduction) shall not be taken into 
        account''.
            (8) Paragraph (4) of section 691(c) is amended by striking 
        ``sections 1(h), 1201, and 1211'' and inserting ``sections 
        1(h), 1201, 1202, and 1211''.
            (9) The second sentence of section 871(a)(2) is amended by 
        inserting ``or 1203'' after ``1202''.
            (10) Subsection (d) of section 1044 is amended by striking 
        ``1202'' and inserting ``1203''.
            (11) Paragraph (1) of section 1402(i) is amended by 
        inserting ``, and the deduction provided by section 1202 shall 
        not apply'' before the period at the end thereof.
    (f) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for part I of 
subchapter P of chapter 1 is amended by inserting after the item 
relating to section 1201 the following new item:

                              ``Sec. 1202. Capital gains deduction for 
                                        assets held by noncorporate 
                                        taxpayers more than 2 years.''
    (g) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
        subsection, the amendments made by this section shall apply to 
        taxable years ending on and after May 7, 1997.
            (2) Contributions.--The amendment made by subsection (e)(1) 
        shall apply to contributions on or after May 7, 1997.
[EX A]: Long-Term Investment Incentive Act of 1997 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a sliding scale capital gains deduction on assets held between two years and eight years by noncorporate taxpayers.

[EX Q]: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Increasing Transparency and 
Accountability in Oil Prices Act of 2008''.

SEC. 2. SENSE OF SENATE ON ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY FUNDING FOR COMMISSION.

    (a) Findings.--The House of Representatives finds that--
            (1) excessive speculation may be adding significantly to 
        the price of oil and other energy commodities;
            (2) the public and Congress are concerned that private, 
        unregulated transactions and overseas exchange transactions are 
        not being adequately reviewed by any regulatory body;
            (3) an important Federal overseer of commodity speculation, 
        the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, has staffing levels 
        that have dropped to the lowest levels in the 33-year history 
        of the Commission; and
            (4) the acting Chairman of the Commission has said publicly 
        that an additional 100 employees are needed in light of the 
        inflow of trading volume.
    (b) Sense of the House.--It is the sense of the House of 
Representatives that the President should immediately send to Congress 
a request for emergency appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for the 
Commodity Futures Trading Commission in an amount that is sufficient--
            (1) to help restore public confidence in energy commodities 
        markets and Federal oversight of those markets;
            (2) to potentially impose limits on excessive speculation 
        that is increasing the price of oil, gasoline, diesel, and 
        other energy commodities;
            (3) to significantly improve the information technology 
        capabilities of the Commission to help the Commission 
        effectively regulate the energy futures markets; and
            (4) to fund at least 100 new full-time positions at the 
        Commission to oversee energy commodity market speculation and 
        to enforce the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.).

SEC. 3. ADDITIONAL COMMISSION EMPLOYEES FOR IMPROVED ENFORCEMENT.

    Section 2(a)(7) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 2(a)(7)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) Additional employees.--As soon as practicable 
                after the date of enactment of this subparagraph, the 
                Commission shall appoint at least 100 full-time 
                employees (in addition to the employees employed by the 
                Commission as of the date of enactment of this 
                subparagraph)--
                            ``(i) to increase the public transparency 
                        of operations in energy futures markets;
                            ``(ii) to improve the enforcement of this 
                        Act in those markets; and
                            ``(iii) to carry out such other duties as 
                        are prescribed by the Commission.''.

SEC. 4. INSPECTOR GENERAL.

    Section 2(a) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 2(a)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(13) Inspector general.--
                    ``(A) Office.--There shall be in the Commission, as 
                an independent office, an Office of the Inspector 
                General.
                    ``(B) Appointment.--The Office shall be headed by 
                an Inspector General, appointed in accordance with the 
                Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
                    ``(C) Compensation.--The Inspector General shall be 
                compensated at the rate provided for level IV of the 
                Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, 
                United States Code.
                    ``(D) Administration.--The Inspector General shall 
                exert independent control of the budget allocations, 
                expenditures, and staffing levels, personnel decisions 
                and processes, procurement, and other administrative 
                and management functions of the Office.''.

SEC. 5. STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL REGULATION OF ENERGY COMMODITY MARKETS.

    (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study of the international regime for regulating the trading 
of energy commodity futures and derivatives.
    (b) Analysis.--The study shall include an analysis of, at a 
minimum--
            (1) key common features and differences among countries in 
        the regulation of energy commodity trading, including with 
        respect to market oversight and enforcement;
            (2) agreements and practices for sharing market and trading 
        data;
            (3) the use of position limits or thresholds to detect and 
        prevent price manipulation, excessive speculation, or other 
        unfair trading practices;
            (4) practices regarding the identification of commercial 
        and noncommercial trading and the extent of market speculation; 
        and
            (5) agreements and practices for facilitating international 
        cooperation on market oversight, compliance, and enforcement.
    (c) Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the appropriate 
committees of Congress a report that--
            (1) describes the results of the study; and
            (2) provides recommendations to improve openness, 
        transparency, and other necessary elements of a properly 
        functioning market in a manner that protects consumers in the 
        United States from the effects of excessive speculation and 
        energy price volatility.

SEC. 6. SPECULATIVE LIMITS AND TRANSPARENCY FOR OFF-SHORE COMMODITY 
              TRADING.

    Section 4 of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Foreign Boards of Trade.--
            ``(1) In general.--In the case of any board of trade, 
        exchange, or market located outside of the United States, its 
        territories or possessions (i) for which the Commission has 
        granted or is considering granting an application for relief 
        from the requirement of subsection (a) to become a designated 
        contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or 
        other registered entity, and (ii) upon which there is traded 
        any contract, agreement, or transaction in an energy commodity 
        the settlement price of which is established with reference to 
        the price of a contract, agreement, or transaction in an energy 
        commodity traded on a designated contract market, derivatives 
        transaction execution facility or other registered entity for 
        which the primary physical delivery point is located within the 
        United States, prior to continuing to or initially granting the 
        relief, the Commission shall determine that the foreign board 
        of trade--
                    ``(A) applies comparable principles or requirements 
                regarding the daily publication of trading information 
                and position limits or accountability levels for 
                speculators as apply to a designated contract market, 
                derivatives transaction execution facility, or other 
                registered entity trading energy commodities physically 
                delivered in the United States; and
                    ``(B) provides such information to the Commission 
                regarding the extent of speculative and nonspeculative 
                trading in the energy commodity that is comparable to 
                the information the Commission determines necessary to 
                publish a Commitment of Traders report for a designated 
                contract market, derivatives transaction execution 
                facility, or other registered entity trading energy 
                commodities physically delivered in the United States.
            ``(2) Existing foreign boards of trade.--During the period 
        beginning 1 year after the date of enactment of this subsection 
        and ending 18 months after the date of enactment of this 
        subsection, the Commission shall determine whether to continue 
        to grant relief in accordance with paragraph (1) to any foreign 
        board of trade for which the Commission granted relief prior to 
        the date of enactment of this subsection.''.

SEC. 7. COMMISSION AUTHORITY OVER TRADERS.

    Section 4 of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6) (as amended by 
section 6) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f) Commission Authority Over Traders.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        this section or any determination made by the Commission to 
        grant relief from the requirements of subsection (a) to become 
        a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution 
        facility, or other registered entity, in the case of a person 
        located within the United States, or otherwise subject to the 
        jurisdiction of the Commission, trading on a foreign board of 
        trade, exchange, or market located outside the United States 
        (including the territories and or possessions of the United 
        States), the Commission shall have authority under this Act--
                    ``(A) to apply and enforce section 9, including 
                provisions relating to manipulation or attempted 
                manipulation, the making of false statements, and 
                willful violations of this Act;
                    ``(B) to require or direct the person to limit, 
                reduce, or liquidate any position to prevent or reduce 
                the threat of price manipulation, excessive 
                speculation, price distortion, or disruption of 
                delivery or the cash settlement process; and
                    ``(C) to apply such recordkeeping requirements as 
                the Commission determines are necessary.
            ``(2) Consultation.--Prior to the issuance of any order 
        under paragraph (1) to reduce a position on a foreign board of 
        trade, exchange, or market located outside the United States 
        (including the territories and possessions of the United 
        States), the Commission shall consult with the foreign board of 
        trade, exchange, or market and the appropriate regulatory 
        authority.
            ``(3) Administration.--Nothing in this subsection limits 
        any of the otherwise applicable authorities of the 
        Commission.''.

SEC. 8. INDEX TRADERS AND SWAP DEALERS.

    Section 4 of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6) (as amended by 
section 7) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Index Traders and Swap Dealers.--Not later than 60 days after 
the date of enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall--
            ``(1) routinely require detailed reporting from index 
        traders and swap dealers in markets under the jurisdiction of 
        the Commission;
            ``(2) reclassify the types of traders for regulatory and 
        reporting purposes to distinguish between index traders and 
        swaps dealers; and
            ``(3) review the trading practices for index traders in 
        markets under the jurisdiction of the Commission--
                    ``(A) to ensure that index trading is not adversely 
                impacting the price discovery process; and
                    ``(B) to determine whether different practices or 
                regulations should be implemented.''.

SEC. 9. DISAGGREGATION OF INDEX FUNDS AND OTHER DATA IN ENERGY MARKETS.

    Section 4 of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. 6) (as amended by 
section 8) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(h) Disaggregation of Index Funds and Data in Energy Markets.--
The Commission shall disaggregate and make public monthly--
            ``(1) the number of positions and total value of index 
        funds and other passive, long-only positions in energy markets; 
        and
            ``(2) data on speculative positions relative to bona fide 
        physical hedgers in those markets.''.
[EX A]:
Increasing Transparency and Accountability in Oil Prices Act of 2008 - Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should immediately send to Congress a request for emergency appropriations for FY2008 for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in an amount sufficient to: (1) help restore public confidence in energy commodities markets and federal oversight of those markets; (2) potentially impose limits on excessive speculation that is increasing the price of oil, gasoline, diesel, and other energy commodities; (3) significantly improve the information technology capabilities of the CFTC to help it effectively regulate the energy futures markets; and (4) fund at least 100 new full-time positions at the CFTC to oversee energy commodity market speculation and to enforce the Commodity Exchange Act.

Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to: (1) provide for additional employees for improved enforcement; and (2) establish an independent Office of the Inspector General in the CFTC.

Direct the Comptroller General of the United States to study and report to Congress on the international regime for regulating the trading of energy commodity futures and derivatives.

Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to address the kind of case in which the CFTC grants or considers granting relief to a foreign board of trade from the requirement that it become a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity with respect to an energy commodity for which the primary physical delivery point is located within the United States. Requires the CFTC, before granting or considering such relief, to determine that the foreign board of trade: (1) applies comparable principles or requirements regarding the daily publication of trading information and position limits or accountability levels for speculators as apply to a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity trading energy commodities physically delivered in the United States; and (2) provides such information to the Commission regarding the extent of speculative and nonspeculative trading in the energy commodity that is comparable to the information the Commission determines necessary to publish a Commitment of Traders report for such a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity.

Authorizes the CFTC, in the case of a registered entity located within the United States, subject to CFTC jurisdiction, which trades on a foreign board of trade, exchange, or market located outside the United States, to: (1) apply and enforce provisions concerned with violations, including provisions related to manipulation or attempted manipulation, the making of false statements, and willful violations of this Act; (2) require or direct the person to limit, reduce, or liquidate any position to prevent or reduce the threat of price manipulation, excessive speculation, price distortion, or disruption of delivery or the cash settlement process; and (3) apply necessary recordkeeping requirements.

Directs the CFTC to: (1) routinely require detailed reporting from index traders and swap dealers in markets under CFTC jurisdiction; (2) reclassify the types of traders for regulatory and reporting purposes to distinguish between index traders and swaps dealers; and (3) review the trading practices for index traders in markets under CFTC jurisdiction to ensure that index trading is not adversely impacting the price discovery process, and to determine whether different practices or regulations should be implemented.

Requires the CFTC to disaggregate and make public monthly: (1) the number of positions and total value of index funds and other passive, long-only positions in energy markets; and (2) data on speculative positions relative to bona fide physical hedgers in those markets.