jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Immigration
Date: 2011-10-20 00:00:00

Visa Improvements to Stimulate International Tourism to the United States of America Act or the VISIT USA Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide qualifying nationals of China (PRC) with a five-year multiple entry/exit visitor visa. Requires such persons to be screened through the automated electronic travel authorization system. Transfers authority to establish and collect the premium fee for employment-based petitions and applications from the Attorney General (DOJ) to the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS). Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) offer for a fee premium visitor visa processing; (2) develop, subject to security concerns, a pilot program for processing visitor visas using secure remote videoconferencing technology to conduct visa interviews; and (3) decrease nonimmigrant visa application and issuance fees in selected countries when there is a low demand from such countries for visitor visas. Establishes a W (nonimmigrant)-visa for: (1) a Canadian citizen who is older than 50 years of age and owns a U.S. residence or has rented a U.S. accommodation for the duration of his or her stay; and (2) such alien's accompanying spouse and children. Makes such visa renewable every three years with a maximum stay of 240 consecutive days in each authorized period. Revises the visa waiver program to: (1) authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate any country as a program country; (2) adjust visa refusal rate criteria, including addition of a 3% maximum overstay rate; and (3) revise probationary and termination provisions. Establishes an X (nonimmigrant)-visa for: (1) an alien who invests (and maintains) at least $500,000 in U.S. residential real estate, of which at least $250,000 must be for a U.S. primary residence where such person will reside for more than 180 days per year; and (2) such alien's accompanying spouse and children. Makes such visa renewable every three years. Amends the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to include in the Global Entry Trusted Traveler Network individuals who meet security requirements and are employed and sponsored by an international organization which maintains a strong working relationship with the United States.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2011-12-16 00:00:00

Children's Sleepwear Labeling Act of 2011 - Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to require flame resistant children's sleepwear to include a label that indicates: (1) that it is flame resistant, and (2) the chemical name of the flame retardant used.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2012-03-29 00:00:00

Amends the Truth in Lending Act with respect to the requirement that a creditor, in connection with the consummation of a consumer credit transaction secured by a first lien on the consumer's principal dwelling (other than under an open end credit plan or a reverse mortgage) establish an escrow or impound account for the payment of taxes, hazard insurance, and specified other insurance premiums, if any. Directs the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to exempt from this escrow or impound account requirement any loan secured by a first lien on a consumer's principal dwelling if the loan is held by a smaller insured depository institution having assets of $10 billion or less.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2012-06-27 00:00:00

Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act - Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to publish the American National Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms and the American National Standard for Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors as mandatory consumer product safety standards. Authorizes the CPSC to initiate a rulemaking to amend either standard to include any provision reasonably necessary to ensure the safe and effective operation of carbon monoxide alarms. Requires the CPSC to establish a grant program to provide assistance to states and local governments that require approved carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in dwelling units to carry out specified carbon monoxide poisoning prevention activities.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2012-06-27 00:00:00

End Debt Collector Abuse Act of 2012 - Amends the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to require a debt collector, in the absence of such information in an initial communication or payment of the debt, to include in a written notice to the consumer specified information regarding: (1) the last payment to the creditor on the debt; (2) the name and address of the last person to extend credit with respect to the debt; (3) an itemization of the principal, fees, and interest composing the debt; (4) a description of consumer rights to cause debt collector communication to cease and collection efforts to stop; and (5) the name and contact information of the person responsible for handling complaints on the debt collector's behalf. Prohibits communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of any debt in a hospital emergency department, labor and delivery department, or any department where critical care medical services are provided, such as the intensive care unit. Permits a health care provider, however, to: (1) provide a consumer with information about a debt upon the consumer's direct request, and (2) discuss a debt at the time the consumer is discharged. Makes it an unfair medical debt collection practices to: (1) withhold emergency medical services or threaten to withhold them, (2) delay such services, or (3) give the impression that such services will be withheld until a debt is paid. Applies to the collection of a medical debt the prohibition of certain practices, including harassment or abuse, false or misleading representations, and enumerated unfair practices, as well as certain requirements for legal actions by debt collectors. Requires any person attempting to collect a medical debt to inform the consumer how to apply for: (1) charity care coverage, (2) financial assistance, (3) discounts based on income eligibility, or (4) public or private insurance coverage that may assist in the payment of all or part of the debt. Revises procedures governing disputed debts to require a debt collector, upon notification that a debt is disputed by the consumer, to undertake a thorough investigation of the substance of the dispute and timely provide specific responsive information and verification of the disputed debt. Requires the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to provide inflation adjustments to damages awarded in cases of noncompliance with fair debt collection practices under the Act. Allows a court, in a civil action alleging violations of fair debt collection practices, to award appropriate relief, including injunctive relief. Deems as an unfair practice a request by a debt collector to a court or law enforcement agency for the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of a debtor or any other similar request that a debt collector knows or should know would lead to the issuance of an arrest warrant, in relation to collection of a debt.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2012-07-26 00:00:00

Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act of 2012 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit a creditor from extending credit to a consumer under an open end consumer credit plan (credit card) for which the fee and interest rate exceeds 36%. Sets forth criminal penalties for violations of this Act. Empowers state Attorneys General to enforce this Act. Revises requirements for a periodic statement for each billing cycle with respect to where the total finance charge exceeds 50 cents for a monthly or longer billing cycle, or the pro rata part of 50 cents for a billing cycle shorter than monthly. Requires inclusion of the fee and interest rate, displayed as "FAIR," instead of the total finance charge expressed as an annual percentage rate (APR).
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Education
Date: 2012-08-01 00:00:00

Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act - Makes any institution of higher education (IHE) postsecondary program designed to prepare students for a recognized occupation or profession requiring licensing or other entry pre-conditions ineligible to participate in a federal financial assistance program, unless it meets specified student consumer protection requirements. Requires each program to: (1) fully prepare students to satisfy those entry pre-conditions in the state in which the program is operated and in any state the program claims a successful program graduate will be prepared to work in the particular occupation or profession involved; (2) provide timely placement of students in required pre-licensure positions, such as internships or apprenticeships; and (3) meet specialized state accreditation requirements, or notify students if the program has not yet been fully accredited. Requires an IHE to notify out-of-state applicants as to whether or not its program satisfies the requirements of the applicant's state.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2012-09-19 00:00:00

Telemarketing Fraud Modernization Act of 2012 - Amends the federal criminal code to modify telemarketing fraud prohibitions by including: (1) measures to induce investment for financial profit, participation in a business opportunity, or commitment to a loan; and (2) marketing by use of emails, text messages, or electronic instant messages. Imposes enhanced criminal penalties for health care fraud offenses in connection with the conduct of telemarketing.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2012-11-26 00:00:00

Gift Card Consumer Protection Act of 2012 - Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to repeal the exclusion from, and so include within, the definitions of "general-use prepaid card," "gift certificate," and "store gift card" a loyalty, award, or promotional gift card (thus extending to the latter the same consumer protections). Repeals exceptions to the prohibitions against: (1) imposition of a dormancy fee, an inactivity fee, or a service fee in connection with a gift certificate, store gift card, or general-use prepaid card; and (2) the sale of gift cards with expiration dates. (Thereby renders such fees and expiration dates unlawful without exception.) Makes it unlawful for a person that has filed for federal bankruptcy protection to either sell, resell, issue, or reissue a gift certificate or store gift card. Amends federal bankruptcy law to declare that the filing of a petition in bankruptcy shall not operate as a stay against the presentation or redemption of a gift certificate or store gift card at full value. Requires the trustee in bankruptcy, if the debtor's business is authorized to be operated, unless the court orders otherwise, to: (1) honor at full value a gift certificate or store gift card issued by the debtor, and (2) treat the gift certificate or gift card the same as cash.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2012-12-30 00:00:00

Cliff Alleviation at Last Minute Act or the CALM Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide for a phased increase in income and capital gain tax rates beginning in 2013 through 2015, and (2) establish a permanent maximum estate tax rate of 45% and a unified estate and gift tax credit of $3.5 million. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to authorize the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to determine which defense and nondefense accounts will be reduced in FY2013-FY2021 to meet deficit reduction requirements and to report to Congress on its recommendations. Sets forth a congressional disapproval procedure for overriding OMB's recommendations. Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement reforms under Medicare that result in reduced expenditures equal to $40 billion in each of FY2014-FY2023. Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should address comprehensive tax reform in the 113th Congress.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2013-01-15 00:00:00

Protect and Save Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to disclose tax return information to federal and state law enforcement agencies to assist in the investigation of the misuse of the identity of another person for purposes of filing a false or fraudulent tax return, (2) direct the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to establish within the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) the position of Local Law Enforcement Liaison to coordinate the investigation of tax fraud with state and local law enforcement agencies, and (3) make permanent the authority of the Secretary to disclose tax return information to federal and state prison officials to prevent the filing of false or fraudulent tax returns by prison inmates.

Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) implement an identity theft tax fraud prevention program; and (2) review whether current tax laws and regulations related to the confidentiality and disclosure of tax return information prevent the effective enforcement of federal, state, and local identity theft statutes.

Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to conduct a study and report on: (1) the role of prepaid debit cards and commercial tax preparation software in facilitating fraudulent tax returns through identity theft, and (2) the role e-filing and electronic tax returns play in either facilitating or preventing fraudulent tax returns through identity theft.

Prohibits the Secretary of Commerce from disclosing information contained on the Death Master File relating to a deceased individual to persons who are not certified to access such information.

Requires the head of the Federal Bureau of Prisons to submit a detailed plan to Congress on how information obtained from the IRS will be used to reduce prison tax fraud.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Environmental protection
Date: 2013-01-18 00:00:00

Hunting, Fishing, and Recreational Shooting Protection Act - Amends the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to exclude from the definition of "chemical substance" for purposes of such Act: (1) any component of  any pistol, revolver, firearm, shell, or cartridge the sale of which is subject to federal excise tax, including shot, bullets and other projectiles, propellants, and primers; and (2) any sport fishing equipment the sale of which is subject to federal excise tax and sport fishing equipment components.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2013-02-01 00:00:00

Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Accountability Act - Amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to subject the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to regular appropriations.

Repeals the requirement of an annual transfer to the CFPB of funds from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Subjects the CFPB to the regular authorization, budget, and appropriations process of the Department of the Treasury.

Repeals establishment of the CFPB Fund.

Replaces the authorization of appropriations for FY2010-FY2014 with an authorization for FY2013 only.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2013-02-13 00:00:00

Inter-Affiliate Swap Clarification Act - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, to exempt from certain regulatory requirements any swaps and security-based swaps entered into by parties neither of which is a swap dealer or a major swap participant: (1) that is also an insured depository institution, (2) that reports information or prepares financial statements on a consolidated basis, or (3) for which a company affiliated with both parties reports information or prepares financial statements on a consolidated basis.

Requires that such exempted agreements, contracts, or transactions be reported to an appropriate data repository, or, if there is no such repository that would accept them, to: (1) the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in the case of exempted swaps, or (2) the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the case of exempted security-based swaps.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2013-02-15 00:00:00

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

Eliminate Privacy Notice Confusion Act - Amends the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to exempt from its annual privacy policy notice requirement any financial institution which: (1) provides nonpublic personal information only in accordance with specified requirements, and (2) has not changed its policies and practices with regard to disclosing nonpublic personal information from those disclosed in the most recent disclosure sent to consumers.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2013-02-28 00:00:00

Social Security Identity Defense Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary of the Treasury to make certain disclosures to the holder of a social security account number and to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) if the Secretary determines that there is a substantial likelihood that there has been a fraudulent use of such account number in the employment context. Authorizes the FBI Director to disclose information received from the Secretary to federal, state, and local law enforcement officials, but restricts the use of such information to carrying out criminal investigations or prosecutions.

Requires employers who have been notified of suspected misuse of an employee's social security account number to cease including such account number on statements provided to such employee.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2013-03-06 00:00:00

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

Swaps Regulatory Improvement Act - Amends the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act with respect to the prohibition against certain federal assistance to swaps entities, namely the use of any advances from specified Federal Reserve credit facilities or discount windows, or Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance or guarantees, for the purpose of: (1) making any loan to, or purchasing any stock, equity interest, or debt obligation of, any swaps entity; (2) purchasing the assets of any swaps entity; (3) guaranteeing any loan or debt issuance of any swaps entity; or (4) entering into any assistance arrangement (including tax breaks), loss sharing, or profit sharing with any swaps entity.

Extends to any major swap participant or major security-based swap participant that is an uninsured U.S. branch or agency of a foreign bank the exemption from the prohibition against federal assistance to swaps entities which is currently limited to any major swap participant or major security-based swap participant that is an FDIC-insured bank or savings association.

Designates both uninsured U.S. branches or agencies of a foreign bank and insured depository institutions as "covered depository institutions."

Requires any covered depository institution exempted from the prohibition to limit its swap and security-based swap activities to hedging and similar risk mitigating activities (as under current law), non-structured finance swap activities, or certain structured finance swap activities. (Defines "structured finance swap" as a swap or security-based swap based on an asset-backed security [or group or index primarily composed of asset-backed securities].)

Qualifies a structured finance swap activity for the exemption if: (1) it is undertaken for hedging or risk management purposes, or (2) each asset-backed security underlying the structured finance swap is of a credit quality and of a type or category with respect to which the prudential regulators have jointly adopted rules authorizing such a swap or security-based swap activity by covered depository institutions.

Repeals the exemption from the prohibition for any insured depository institution that limits its swap and security-based swap activities to acting as a swaps entity for: (1) swaps or security-based swaps involving rates or reference assets that are permissible for investment by a national bank; or (2) credit default swaps, including those referencing the credit risk of asset-backed securities unless they are cleared by a derivatives clearing organization or a clearing agency registered, or exempt from registration, under the Commodity Exchange Act or the Securities Exchange Act.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Health
Date: 2013-03-06 00:00:00

Health Insurance Rate Review Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to declare that federal requirements that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) review unreasonable premium increases in health care coverage shall not be construed to prohibit a state from imposing additional rate requirements on health insurance issuers that are more protective of consumers. Expands such review to include all rate increases, not only premium increases.

Directs the Secretary or the relevant state insurance commissioner (or state regulator) to take corrective actions to ensure that any excessive, unjustified, or unfairly discriminatory rates are corrected before, or as soon as possible after, implementation, including through mechanisms such as denying rates, modifying rates, or requiring rebates to consumers. Authorizes civil monetary penalties and ineligibility as a qualified health plan for failing to comply with any corrective action taken by the Secretary.

Requires the Secretary to determine whether the state insurance commissioner or regulator or the Secretary will undertake such corrective actions based on whether the state can adequately undertake such actions. Applies this Act to health plans grandfathered under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Safety
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Date: 2013-03-21 00:00:00

Robo Calls Off Phones Act or Robo COP Act - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to revise the do-not-call registry provisions of the Telemarketing Sales Rule to prohibit politically-oriented recorded message telephone calls to telephone numbers listed on that registry.

Defines a "politically-oriented recorded message telephone call" as an outbound telephone call that plays a recorded message: (1) the purpose of which is to promote, advertise, campaign, or solicit donations, for or against any political candidate or regarding any political issue; or (2) that uses any political candidate's name.