jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2015-09-16 00:00:00

Consumer Review Freedom Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill makes a provision of a form contract void from the inception if it: (1) prohibits or restricts an individual who is a party to such a contract from engaging in written, oral, or pictorial reviews, or other similar performance assessments or analyses of, including by electronic means, the goods, services, or conduct of a person that is also a party to the contract; (2) imposes penalties or fees against individuals who engage in such communications; or (3) transfers or requires the individual to transfer intellectual property rights in review or feedback content (with the exception of a nonexclusive license to use the content) in any otherwise lawful communications about such person or the goods or services provided by such person.

A "form contract" is a contract with standardized terms: (1) used by a person in the course of selling or leasing the person's goods or services, and (2) imposed on an individual without a meaningful opportunity to negotiate the standardized terms. The definition excludes an employer-employee or independent contractor contract.

The standards under which provisions of a form contract are considered void under this Act shall not be construed to affect:

 legal duties of confidentiality; civil actions for defamation, libel, or slander; or a party's right to establish terms and conditions for the creation of photographs or video of such party's property when those photographs or video are created by an employee or independent contractor of a commercial entity and are solely intended to be used for commercial purposes by that entity. Such standards also shall not be construed to affect any party's right to remove or refuse to display publicly on an Internet website or webpage owned, operated, or controlled by such party content that: (1) contains the personal information or likeness of another person or is libelous, harassing, abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, inappropriate with respect to race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, or other intrinsic characteristic; (2) is unrelated to the goods or services offered by or available at such party's website; or (3) is clearly false or misleading.

A provision shall not be considered void under this Act to the extent that it prohibits disclosure or submission of, or reserves the right of a person or business that hosts online consumer reviews or comments to remove, certain: (1) trade secrets or commercial or financial information; (2) personnel and medical files; (3) law enforcement records; (4) content that is unlawful or that a party has a right to remove or refuse to display; or (5) computer viruses or other potentially damaging computer code, processes, applications, or files.

A person is prohibited from offering form contracts containing a provision that is considered void under this Act.

Enforcement authority is provided to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and states.

The FTC must provide businesses with nonbinding best practices for compliance.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2015-12-17 00:00:00

Tallying of the Actual Liabilities Act of 2015 or the TOTAL Act of 2015

This bill prohibits a retailer under the jurisdiction of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from selling a product or service through an Internet website without presenting the total transaction amount it expects to collect from the potential purchaser (including all fees, taxes, and shipping and handling charges) before the person commits to the purchase.

The bill sets forth authority for: (1) the FTC to enforce a violation of this Act as an unfair or deceptive act or practice, and (2) states to bring civil actions on behalf of residents threatened or adversely affected by such a violation.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Labor and employment
Date: 2016-02-04 00:00:00

Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act of 2016 or the SAVERS Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the tax on prohibited transactions: (1) the provision of investment advice by a fiduciary to a pension plan, plan participant, or beneficiary which is a best interest recommendation; and (2) any transaction, including a contract for service, between an investment provider and the advice recipient if no more than reasonable compensation is paid for such investment advice and certain disclosures are made with respect to the cost of such advice.

For purposes of this bill, "investment advice" is a recommendation that relates to: (1) the advisability of acquiring, holding, disposing, or exchanging any moneys or other property of a pension plan (or Individual Retirement Account) by the plan, plan participants, or plan beneficiaries, including any recommendation regarding whether to take a distribution of benefits from the plan or any recommendation relating to a rollover or distribution from such plan; (2) the management of moneys or other property of the plan, including recommendations relating to the management of plan assets to be rolled over or otherwise distributed from the plan; or (3) the advisability of retaining or ceasing to retain a person who would receive a fee or other compensation for providing investment advice. Investment advice must be rendered pursuant to either: (1) a written acknowledgment that the person is a fiduciary with respect to the provision of the recommendation; or (2) a mutual agreement, arrangement, or understanding that may include limitations on scope, timing, and responsibility to provide ongoing monitoring or advice services.

The bill defines "best interest recommendation" as a recommendation: (1) for which no more than reasonable compensation is paid; (2) that is provided by a person acting with the care, skill, prudence, and diligence under the prevailing circumstances that a prudent person would exercise based on information obtained from an advice recipient; and (3) where the person giving such advice places the interests of the plan or advice recipient above the person's interests. A best interest recommendation may include a recommendation that is based on a limited range of investment options or may result in variable compensation to the person providing the recommendation.

The bill prohibits the Department of Labor from amending any rules or administrative positions regarding investment advice promulgated under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the prohibited transaction provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, or other Labor regulations, and no such rules or administrative positions promulgated prior to the enactment date of this Act, but not effective on January 1, 2015, may become effective unless a bill or joint resolution specifically approving such rules or positions is enacted not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2016-02-25 00:00:00

Truth in Hotel Advertising Act of 2016

This bill prohibits certain entities that are subject to the enforcement authority of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from advertising a rate for a hotel room that does not include all required fees other than taxes and fees imposed by a government.

Violations are to be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

The bill sets forth authority for the FTC and states to enforce against such violations.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2016-04-06 00:00:00

Support Startup Businesses Act of 2016

This bill amends the Small Business Act to authorize a small business concern receiving a Phase II award (grants of up to $1 million, for up to 2 years, to facilitate expansion of Phase I startup results) under the Small Business Innovation Research program, for FY2017-FY2019, to use up to 5% of the Phase II award for commercialization-related services, including market validation, intellectual property protection, business model development, market research, and other reasonable services that support market entry.

These services may be performed directly by the small business concern or obtained from a public or private nonprofit organization, a state agency, or another state-funded entity that facilitates or accelerates the commercialization of technologies or assists in the creation and growth of private enterprises that are commercializing technology.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2016-04-11 00:00:00

Contact Lens Consumer Health Protection Act of 2016

This bill amends the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act to require contact lens sellers to provide a toll-free telephone number and email address that prescribers can use to ask questions about a seller's prescription verification request.

Under current law, a prescription is considered verified if the prescriber fails to communicate with the seller within eight business hours after receiving the seller-provided verification information. The bill requires the prescription to be considered unverified until the seller obtains affirmative confirmation of the accuracy of the prescription from the prescriber in cases where a prescriber communicates a question or concern about the accuracy or verification of the prescription to a seller through the toll-free telephone service or email address before the end of that eight-hour period.

The bill removes the Federal Trade Commission's authority to adjust the eight-hour period.

If a prescriber communicates a question or concern about the accuracy of a prescription before the deadline: (1) the seller shall not fill the prescription, and (2) the prescriber shall provide the seller with an accurate prescription.

Sellers must offer prescribers different communication methods that the prescribers may select as their preferred method for verification requests.

The bill allows a seller to alter a prescription only if: (1) a private label contact lens is included on the prescription and the same contact lens is manufactured by the same company and sold under multiple labels to individual providers; and (2) the seller fills the prescription with a contact lens of exactly the same material, design, and power as manufactured by that company under another label.

Sellers must maintain a database of the issuance and expiration dates of each prescription they receive. The bill prohibits advertisements representing that a contact lens prescription may be filled after the prescription expires.

Sellers violating certain prescriber verification requirements are subject to increased penalties of up to $40,000 per violation. Such requirements apply to all contact lens sales in the United States, notwithstanding where the seller is located.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must examine the potentially adverse effects of seller violations on consumers.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2016-05-16 00:00:00

Botnet Prevention Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to expand prohibited conduct and increase criminal penalties with respect to cybercrime involving damage to computer networks.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2016-06-06 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Small Business Cyber Security Improvements Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make grants to small business development centers (SBDCs) in furtherance of a Small Business Development Center Cyber Strategy to be developed by the SBA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) submits a report that reviews the cybersecurity resources of federal agencies aimed at assisting small businesses.

SBDCs shall provide access to external cyber security specialists to counsel small businesses. (Sec. 3) DHS and other federal agencies coordinating with DHS may assist SBDCs, through the dissemination of cyber security risk information and other homeland security information, to help small businesses in developing such cyber security infrastructure, threat awareness, and employee training programs.

(Sec. 4) The GAO's cyber resources report must include: (1) an accounting, description, and assessment of the utilization of federal agency programs that provide cybersecurity assistance to small businesses; and (2) an assessment of whether the resources are duplicative of other programs or accessible to small businesses.

The SBA and DHS must include in their SBDC cyber strategy:

 plans for incorporating SBDCs into cyber programs to assist small businesses; counsel and assistance to improve small businesses' cyber security infrastructure, threat awareness, and training programs for employees, including agreements with Information Sharing and Analysis Centers to gain awareness of actionable threat information that may be beneficial to small businesses; and an analysis of how SBDCs can leverage federal agency programs and develop partnerships to improve cyber support services to small businesses. The SBA's and DHS's strategy must be developed in consultation with entities representing SBDC concerns and submitted to Congress.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2016-07-13 00:00:00

Consumer Financial Protection Board Act of 2016

This bill amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 by requiring the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to be managed by a board of directors instead of a director and deputy director.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2016-09-07 00:00:00

Small Business Bill of Rights 

This bill modifies tax provisions, regulatory requirements, and legal procedures that affect small businesses.

Bringing Business Back Act of 2016 

The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax exclusion for certain income attributable to real property in areas that meet criteria regarding unemployment, poverty, or other signs of distress.

The bill temporarily reduces the capital gains tax on certain small business stock, increases the deduction for start-up expenditures, and exempts small businesses from tax increases.

Federal agencies must review existing and proposed regulations that affect small businesses using specified criteria. Certain new small business regulations must expire after seven years, unless they are renewed.

Death Tax Repeal Act of 2016 

The bill repeals the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes and makes permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and the lifetime gift tax exemption. It also extends or makes permanent several tax credits and deductions related to energy efficiency.

With respect to the legal process, the bill establishes requirements and limitations for lawsuits arising from health care liability claims regarding health care goods or services or any medical product affecting interstate commerce.

The bill amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to permit verifications under the E-Verify program to be provided by telephone.

The bill amends the Small Business Act to modify policies regarding goals for participation of small businesses in procurement contracts and the bundling of contracts.

It also establishes criminal penalties for making false statements regarding status as a small business concern or compliance with the Small Business Act to obtain, retain, or complete a federal contract.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2016-09-13 00:00:00

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Accountability Act of 2016

This bill amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to change the source of funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) from Federal Reserve System transfers to annual appropriations. Under current law, the transfers from the Federal Reserve System permit the CFPB to be funded outside of the annual appropriations process.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2016-09-27 00:00:00

Stop Online Booking Scams Act of 2016

This bill prohibits third party online hotel reservation sellers from charging a consumer's credit card or financial accounts in an Internet transaction for a hotel unless they disclose: (1) a description of the offered good or service, the cost, and other material terms before the conclusion of the transaction; (2) that the third party seller is not affiliated with the person who owns or provides the hotel services or accommodations and is not an exhibition organizer, a meeting planner, or the official housing bureau for an event at the hotel; and (3) the brand identity of the third party both online and over the phone.

The bill provides authority to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and states to enforce against violations.

The bill also expresses the sense of Congress that the FTC should revise its website to make it easier for consumers and businesses to report complaints of deceptive practices with respect to online booking of hotel reservations.
Topic: International Affairs — Diplomats
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2007-01-04 00:00:00

Peace Stamp for the Peace Corps Act - Directs the U.S. Postal Service to issue a semipostal (a postage stamp sold at a premium in order to help provide funding for certain causes) to benefit the Peace Corps.
Topic: International Affairs — Diplomats
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2007-01-12 00:00:00

Identification Integrity Act of 2007 - Prohibits federal agencies from accepting for any official purpose an identification document for an individual issued by a foreign government. Creates an exception for foreign passports authorized by federal law to be accepted for a specific official purpose.
Topic: International Affairs — Diplomats
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2007-02-12 00:00:00

This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Amends the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to reauthorize the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy through October 1, 2009.
Topic: International Affairs — Diplomats
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2007-02-14 00:00:00

Protecting American Commerce and Travel Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to conduct a pilot program to determine if a state driver's license may be enhanced to satisfy requirements of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA) for land and sea travel only. Amends IRTPA to direct the Secretary to establish a process to permit a U.S. citizen who does not possess a passport to reenter the United States at a U.S. land border. Provides that a U.S. citizen under 17 years shall not be required to present a passport when returning or traveling to the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean at specified ports of entry. Authorizes the Secretary to consider expanding the special rule for certain minors aged 17 or 18 traveling between the United States and Canada as part of an authorized, supervised school trip. Directs the Secretary to issue to U.S. citizen applicants a passport card. Requires the card to be designed to provide a platform on which expedited traveler programs (such as NEXUS, NEXUS AIR, SENTRI, FAST, and Registered Traveler) can be added. Directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary to develop a public communications plan.Directs the Secretary to: (1) merge the FAST and NEXUS programs; and (2) conduct a cost-benefit analysis regarding the use of identification cards.
Topic: International Affairs — Diplomats
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2007-04-16 00:00:00

Joshua Haglund Justice and Peace Act of 2007 - Urges the Secretary of State to express to Armenian officials the serious concern and strong desire of Congress to achieve justice in the unresolved murder of Joshua Haglund, a Minnesota resident who was teaching English in Armenia. Calls on Armenia to continue pursuing, in cooperation with U.S. officials, the investigation into his death, and to use all appropriate means to achieve justice in the case. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Education to fund the Joshua Haglund Memorial Peace Scholarship Fund at the University of Minnesota, which will finance study abroad scholarships and diversity training to further Joshua Haglund's vision of compassion, peace, and community service.
Topic: International Affairs — Diplomats
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2007-05-24 00:00:00

Public Diplomacy Resource Centers Act of 2008 - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to direct the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy to provide for the establishment of new, and maintenance of existing, libraries and resource centers at or in connection with U.S. diplomatic or consular missions. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) ensure that such libraries and resource centers are open to the general public to the greatest extent practicable, subject to security considerations; and (2) schedule public showings of American films that showcase American culture, society, values, and history. Directs the Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy to report to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations respecting the functions and effectiveness of such libraries and resource centers. Authorizes appropriations.
Topic: International Affairs — Diplomats
Subject: Immigration
Date: 2007-06-15 00:00:00

Passport and Travel Cost Reimbursement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of State to refund to a U.S. citizen, upon refund application: (1) passport processing fees for a passport applied for in 2007 if processing took 12 or more weeks for a regular application or three or more weeks for an expedited application; and (2) international air travel costs (economy or comparable, minus any airline refund) for U.S.-departing flights missed as a result of such processing delays. Authorizes the Secretary to provide additional assistance for an extraordinary hardship. Prohibits the Secretary and the Secretary of Homeland Security from implementing a specified plan for a single implementation date for sea and land borders until they have certified to Congress that Department of State passport agencies are able to process passport applications with minimal disruption.
Topic: International Affairs — Diplomats
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2007-06-22 00:00:00

Library of Congress Public Diplomacy Collection Act of 2007 - Directs the Librarian of Congress to create a collection of materials of various media, print, audio, and visual for public use in Department of State libraries and resource centers to provide insight into U.S. culture, principles and values, law and civics, and democracy. Includes in such collection a separate collection of U.S. films (Johnny Grant Film Series) to be made available for public viewing in host countries. Authorizes appropriations.
Topic: International Affairs — Diplomats
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2007-06-25 00:00:00

Department of State Crisis Response Act of 2007 - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to extend Department of State authority to employ civil service or Foreign Service annuitants through October 1, 2010. Eliminates the requirement that such authority be used to facilitate assignment to Afghanistan or Iraq or to fill positions vacated because of assignments to such countries.
Topic: International Affairs — Diplomats
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2007-07-10 00:00:00

Department of State Crisis Response Act of 2007 - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to extend Department of State authority to employ civil service or Foreign Service annuitants through October 1, 2010. Eliminates the requirement that such authority be used to facilitate assignment to Afghanistan or Iraq or to fill positions vacated because of assignments to such countries.