jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-11-13 00:00:00

Reports Reduction Act of 2014 - Eliminates or modifies reporting requirements for programs of the: (1) Department of Agriculture (USDA), (2) Department of Defense (DOD), (3) Department of Education, (4) Department of Homeland Security (DHS), (5) U.S. Coast Guard, (6) Department of State, (7) Executive Office of the President, (8) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and (9) National Science Foundation (NSF).

Amends the Children's Health Act of 2000 to eliminate the report on blood lead screening tests received by children.

Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to eliminate the annual reporting requirement on disbursements from the Oil Pollution Fund and the biennial report on the oil pollution research and development program.

Eliminates the annual report of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on the number of federally-assisted housing units under lease and their per unit cost to HUD.

Amends the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act to eliminate the reporting requirement on labor obligations.

Eliminates the annual report on investigations of travel costs of federal employees on official business.

Eliminates the requirement that the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States be compiled and published in printed form.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-11-13 00:00:00

Inspectors General Streamlining Act - Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to authorize each federal agency inspector general, in conducting an audit, investigation, inspection, evaluation, or other review authorized by such Act, to compare any records with other records or non-federal records. Provides that such comparison of records shall not be considered a matching program for purposes of the Privacy Act of 1974 or any other provision of law.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-12-12 00:00:00

Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act of 2014 or the SCRUB Act of 2014 - Establishes the Retrospective Regulatory Review Commission to review the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to identify, using specified criteria, rules and sets of rules that collectively implement a regulatory program that should be repealed to lower the cost of regulation to the economy, giving priority to major rules that: (1) have been in effect more than 15 years, (2) impose paperwork burdens that could be reduced substantially without significantly diminishing regulatory effectiveness, (3) impose disproportionately high costs on small business entities, and (4) could be strengthened in their effectiveness while reducing regulatory costs. Requires the Commission to establish a public website to make regulatory information accessible to the public at no cost.

Requires a federal agency that makes a new rule to: (1) repeal rules identified by the Commission to offset the cost to the economy of such new rule (cut-go procedures), and (2) include in the final issuance of such rule a plan for reviewing the rule not later than 10 years after it is promulgated. Requires the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to review and certify the accuracy of agency determinations of the cost of new rules.

Makes agency compliance with the requirements of this Act subject to judicial review.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-01-07 00:00:00

Federal Sunset Act of 2015

 Establishes the Federal Agency Sunset Commission to: (1) submit to Congress a schedule for review by the Commission, at least once every 12 years, of the abolishment or reorganization of each federal executive agency, including advisory committees; (2) review and evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency using specified criteria; (3) recommend whether each agency should be abolished or reorganized; and (4) report to Congress on all legislation introduced that would establish a new agency or a new program to be carried out by an existing agency. Requires the abolishment of any agency within one year of the Commission's review, unless the agency is reauthorized by Congress. Authorizes the deadline for abolishing an agency to be extended for an additional two years by legislation enacted by a super majority of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Terminates the Commission on December 31, 2034.

Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of federal programs within each agency, including the budget authority for each such program, to assist Congress and the Commission in carrying out the requirements of this Act.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-01-13 00:00:00

Taxpayer Transparency Act of 2015

 Requires each communication funded by a federal agency that is an advertisement, or that provides information about any federal program, benefit, or service, to clearly state: (1) in the case of a printed communication, including mass mailings, signs, and billboards, that the communication is printed or published at taxpayer expense; and (2) in the case of a communication transmitted through radio, television, or the Internet, that the communication is produced or disseminated at taxpayer expense. Requires such notification to state that a communication is provided by the U.S. government, rather than at taxpayer expense, if the communication is funded entirely by user fees or by other sources that do not include federal funds.

Requires any such printed communication: (1) to be of sufficient size to be clearly readable; and (2) to the extent feasible, to be contained in a printed box set apart from the other contents of the communication and to be printed with a reasonable degree of color contrast between the background and the printed statement. Sets forth similar requirements for audio, video, and email communications.

Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to develop and issue guidance on implementing the requirements of this Act.

Prohibits judicial review of the compliance or noncompliance with any provision of this Act.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Economics and public finance
Date: 2015-01-20 00:00:00

Review Every Dollar Act of 2015 

This bill prohibits Congress from considering legislation authorizing or reauthorizing a federal program for more than seven years. Congressional committees are required to consider specified criteria to determine whether direct spending programs should be modified, terminated, or reauthorized.

The bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to create deficit reduction accounts for savings from legislation intended for deficit reduction. The Chairmen of the House and Senate Budget Committees are required to adjust spending allocations to reflect balances in the accounts. This creates procedural obstacles for considering legislation that spends savings intended for deficit reduction.

The bill requires transfers of funds from the general fund of the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund to be counted as new budget authority and outlays.

The bill prohibits certain rules requiring at least $100 million in new budget authority from taking effect unless: (1) the President notifies Congress that the rule is necessary for an emergency, the enforcement of criminal laws, national security, or the implementation of an international trade agreement; or (2) budget authority to carry out the rule is provided by law.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-01-20 00:00:00

Federal Workforce Reduction Through Attrition Act

 Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to ensure that the total number of federal employees in each calendar quarter after the enactment of this Act does not exceed the applicable maximum for such quarter, as determined under this Act. Sets forth a formula for determining the applicable maximum based upon 90% of the total number of federal employees as of September 30, 2013. Requires that compliance with such workforce limitation be made through attrition, or through both attrition and a freeze on appointments if the total number of federal employees exceeds the applicable maximum for a quarter.

Requires OMB to: (1) ensure that there is a reduction in the amount expended for the procurement of service contracts for each fiscal year after this Act's enactment equal to the reduction in the amount expended for the federal workforce in the previous fiscal year as a result of the requirements of this Act; and (2) continuously monitor all agencies to determine whether the workforce limitation required by this Act has been met.

Allows the President to waive such workforce or service contract limitation if necessary due to: (1) a state of war or for reasons of national security; or (2) an extraordinary emergency threatening life, health, safety, or property.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Date: 2015-01-21 00:00:00

Repeals the National Technical Information Act of 1988, effective one year after the enactment of this Act (thus abolishes the National Technical Information Service [NTIS]).

Directs: (1) the Secretary of Commerce, the Archivist of the United States, the Comptroller General, and the Commissioner of Social Security to consult with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to determine if any NTIS function is critical to the U.S. economy; (2) the Comptroller General to determine which of any such critical functions are not being carried out by any other agency or instrumentality of the federal government; and (3) the Secretary of Commerce, prior to the effective date of this Act, to submit to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Finance a written certification that all NTIS operations have been terminated.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-01-21 00:00:00

Transparency in Rule Making When Using Scientific Testing Act of 2015

Requires the general notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal Register to include any scientific research of which the agency is aware and which is relevant to the rulemaking. Defines "scientific study" for purposes of the rulemaking process.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-01-22 00:00:00

Duplication Elimination Act of 2015

This bill requires the President to send Congress a proposed joint resolution and a special message within 90 days of publication of the annual Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on duplicative government programs.

The joint resolution is limited to one that: (1) makes legislative changes needed to carry out the recommendations contained in the GAO report and included by the President, and (2) requires savings from the legislative changes to be transferred to the Treasury for deficit reduction.

The bill requires the special message to specify:

 the GAO recommendations that are excluded from the proposed joint resolution, why the recommendations were excluded, and the GAO recommendations included in the joint resolution. The bill sets forth expedited procedures for congressional consideration of the joint resolution.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-01-22 00:00:00

Security Clearance Reform Act of 2015

 Directs the President to submit a strategic plan to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the intelligence committees of Congress (appropriate congressional committees) to improve security clearance and background investigation activities. Sets forth the required contents of such plan, including the development of a continuous evaluation or monitoring system of information used for security clearances, improvement of information sharing procedures between agencies, and the reduction or elimination of databases and information sources that cannot be accessed and processed electronically.

Prohibits the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) from awarding a contract to any entity for investigative support services or background investigation fieldwork services if such entity has another contract in effect with the federal government to provide such services.

Requires the OPM Director to report to the appropriate congressional committees listing any state or local entity covered by the definition of "criminal justice agency" that has failed to cooperate with three or more criminal history record information requests of the Director. Reduces criminal justice grant funding to state and local entities that fail to substantially comply with such requests.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-01-26 00:00:00

Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies Act

 Establishes the Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies. Requires such Commission to evaluate federal agencies and their programs each year for a six-year period to determine whether: (1) two or more agencies or programs are performing the same essential function and such function can be consolidated or streamlined; (2) any agency or program has wasted federal funds by egregious spending, mismanagement of resources and personnel, or use of funds for personal benefit or the benefit of a special interest group; and (3) any agency or program has completed its intended purpose, has become irrelevant, or has failed to meet its objectives. Requires the realignment or elimination of such agencies or programs.

Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the effectiveness of the Commission. Sets forth procedures for consideration and implementation by Congress of Commission recommendations.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-01-28 00:00:00

To Help Reduce Inefficient Federal Tendencies Act of 2015 or the THRIFT Act of 2015

Allows federal agencies, including judicial branch agencies, to: (1) retain up to 25% of annual savings from the implementation of plans developed by such agencies to create efficiencies and cost savings in agency operations; and (2) use such savings for specified purposes, including salary increases and employee awards for cost savings disclosures. Requires an agency to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a plan and an associated request to amend its approved operating budget specifying how such savings will be achieved and the amount and source of such savings.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-01-28 00:00:00

Government Waste Reduction Act of 2015

Establishes the Independent Government Waste Reduction Board, the membership of which shall include individuals with national recognition for expertise in agencies, waste reduction, finance and economics, and actuarial sciences.

Sets forth the duties of the Board, including: (1) analyzing organizational practices and management challenges of agencies; (2) assessing federal programs for economy, efficiency, and effectiveness and identifying best practices of agencies, and (3) submitting to Congress and the President a report on specific implementation of the recommendations from Government Accountability Office reports issued in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 on reducing duplication in government programs.

Sets forth procedures for congressional consideration of the Board's recommendations.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-02-03 00:00:00

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

Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Requires the general notice of proposed rule making by a federal agency to include the Internet address of a plain-language summary, not exceeding 100 words, of the proposed rule, which shall be posted on the regulations.gov website.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-02-12 00:00:00

Audit the Pentagon Act of 2015 

This bill reduces discretionary spending by 0.5% for federal agencies that have either not submitted a financial statement for a fiscal year or have submitted a financial statement that has not received an unqualified or a qualified audit opinion by an independent external auditor.

The bill excludes specified Department of Defense (DOD) accounts for personnel and the Defense Health Program from the reductions.

The President may waive the reductions for any account by certifying that the cuts would harm national security or members of the Armed Forces who are in combat.

The bill establishes reporting requirements for the Office of Management and Budget and DOD.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-02-25 00:00:00

Realign and Eliminate Duplicative Unnecessary Costly Excess in Government Act of 2015 or the REDUCE Government Act

Establishes the Federal Realignment and Closure Commission, which shall: (1) establish a systematic method for assessing the effectiveness and accountability of agency programs, excluding Department of Defense programs; (2) divide the programs into three approximately equal budgetary groupings; (3) assess the effectiveness and accountability of all programs within a grouping in each of 2017, 2019, and 2021; and (4) by June 30 of each such year, submit a plan with recommendations of the agencies and programs that should be realigned or eliminated within the grouping assessed.

Requires the Commission to recommend: (1) the realignment of agencies or programs that are performing the same essential function that can be consolidated or streamlined into a single agency or program; and (2) the elimination of agencies or programs that have completed their intended purpose, have become irrelevant, or have failed to meet their objectives. Authorizes the Commission to recommend the realignment or elimination of any agency or program that has wasted federal funds by: (1) spending funds on items outside its authorized mission, (2) mismanaging resources and personnel, or (3) using such funds for personal benefit or the benefit of a special interest group.

Requires the President: (1) by August 15 of each such year, to transmit a report containing the President's approval or disapproval of the Commission's plan and recommendations; (2) to transmit a copy of an approved plan and recommendations to Congress; and (3) to eliminate or realign  agencies and programs pursuant to such recommendations unless Congress enacts a resolution disapproving them.

Requires funds saved by implementation of such plan to be used for deficit reduction.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Date: 2015-02-26 00:00:00

Research and Development Efficiency Act

 Requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to establish a working group under the authority of the National Science and Technology Council, to include the Office of Management and Budget, to be responsible for reviewing federal regulations affecting research and research universities and making recommendations on how to: (1) harmonize, streamline, and eliminate duplicative federal regulations and reporting requirements; (2) minimize the regulatory burden on U.S. institutions of higher education performing federally funded research while maintaining accountability for federal tax dollars; and (3) identify and update specific regulations to refocus on performance-based goals rather than on process while still meeting the desired outcome.

Instructs the working group to take into account input and recommendations from non-federal stakeholders, including researchers, institutions of higher education, industry, and others with a stake in ensuring effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability in the performance of scientific research.

Requires OSTP to report to Congress annually on the steps taken to carry out the working group's recommendations.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Congress
Date: 2015-03-03 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

Office of Compliance Administrative and Technical Corrections Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA) to revise its procedures for mediation and hearings.

The Executive Director of the Office of Compliance is required to:

 develop a master list of individuals experienced in adjudicating, arbitrating, or mediating the kinds of personnel and other matters for which mediation may be held, including, but not limited to, members of a state or District of Columbia bar and retired judges of U.S. courts; and appoint individuals (mediators) from this list. Currently, mediators are appointed after the Executive Director considers recommendations by certain organizations. Between 30 to 90 days after the end of the mediation period, a CAA-covered legislative branch employee must elect either to file a complaint with the Office or to file a civil action in the proper U.S. district court.

The Executive Director must also notify all persons participating in a mediation, hearing, or deliberation of the confidentiality requirements and of the sanctions applicable to any person who violates them.

(Sec. 3) Any individual serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Office as of February 28, 2015, may be appointed to serve for one additional two-year term.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2015-03-17 00:00:00

Regulatory Improvement Act of 2015

Establishes in the legislative branch the Regulatory Improvement Commission.

Requires the Commission to evaluate and makee recommendations and propose legislation for modification, consolidation, or repeal of regulations that have been finalized not later than 10 years before the establishment of the Commission (covered regulations) for the purpose of reducing compliance costs, encouraging growth and innovation, improving competitiveness, and protecting public safety.

 Requires the Commission to give priority to covered regulations that: (1) impose disproportionately high costs on a small entity, (2) create substantial recurring paperwork burdens or transaction costs, or (3) could be made more effective while reducing regulatory costs.

Sets forth reporting requirements for the Commission and procedures for congressional consideration of Commission reports and recommendations and proposed legislation.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Economics and public finance
Date: 2015-03-24 00:00:00

Zero-based Budgeting Ensures Responsible Oversight (ZERO) Act of 2015 

This bill requires the President to submit annual department and agency budgets that include:

 a description of each activity for which funds were appropriated during the current year or are requested for the budget year; the legal basis for each activity; three alternative funding levels and the priorities that could be accomplished with each, including at least two levels that are below the current funding level; and measures of cost efficiency and effectiveness for each activity. The Office of Management and Budget must publish guidelines to carry out this bill by assuming the baseline budget of each department or agency to be zero and requiring each proposed expenditure to be justified as if it were new.