jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Finance
Date: 2008-09-26 00:00:00

Housing Options Made Effective Act or the HOME Act - Requires the mortgagee of a residential mortgage to: (1) file a specified notice of default before foreclosure; and (2) make direct contact with, or exercise due diligence to contact, the borrower to provide foreclosure avoidance options. Prescribes loan modification and workout plan duties for loan servicers. Requires that timely payments made under a loan modification or workout plan be reported to the appropriate consumer reporting agency and included in the borrower's consumer file and consumer report. Requires a covered residential mortgage agreement to grant the borrower and the mortgagee the right to negotiate a loan modification or workout plan if: (1) the mortgage is in payment default or payment default is reasonably foreseeable; or (2) the mortgagee's anticipated recovery under a loan workout plan exceeds the anticipated recovery through foreclosure on a net present value basis. Prohibits the mortgagee from refusing partial mortgage payments. Requires the mortgagee to credit such partial payments to the borrower's account . States that mortgagee acceptance of partial payments does not affect determination of mortgage default. Sets forth the rights of renters in a property foreclosure, including a tenant right to occupy the property under a lease entered into prior to foreclosure. Requires a mortgagee, where a judicial or non-judicial foreclosure has been initiated, to file a notice of sale in a public filing or recordation office before the foreclosure sale.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Finance
Date: 2008-09-27 00:00:00

Tax Refund Anticipation Loan Consumer Protection Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prescribe advertising and disclosure requirements for tax refund anticipation loans. Prohibits an advertisement for an income tax refund anticipation loan from: (1) describing such a loan as a tax refund or rebate; or (2) advertising or soliciting tax preparation services as including the possibility of obtaining an immediate or rapid income tax refund or rebate if the refund or rebate involves an income tax refund anticipation loan origination. Requires an advertisement for an income tax refund anticipation loan to disclose: (1) fees imposed by the originator in connection with the loan origination; (2) the applicable annual percentage rate (APR) and fees; and (3) the name of the creditor if other than the originator. Sets forth contract and disclosure requirements for income tax refund anticipation loan origination services. Instructs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to publish model disclosure forms to implement this Act.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Finance
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2008-10-03 00:00:00

Consumer Credit Safety Commission Act of 2008 - Establishes the Consumer Credit Safety Commission to promulgate consumer credit safety rules that: (1) ban abusive, fraudulent, unfair, deceptive, predatory, anticompetitive, or otherwise anti-consumer practices or product features for creditors; (2) place restrictions on consumer credit practices or product features to reduce the likelihood that they may be provided in a manner inconsistent with this Act; and (3) establish requirements for clear and adequate information appropriate to advance the objectives of this Act. Directs the Commission to: (1) establish and maintain a best practices guide for providers of consumer credit; (2) conduct, or award grants or contracts for, continuing studies and investigations of consumer credit industry practices; (3) help consumer credit providers to develop consumer credit safety standards or guidelines; and (4) establish and operate a consumer credit customer hotline to register complaints and receive information on how to combat anti-consumer credit. Directs the Commission to establish a program to promote federal-state cooperation to implement this Act. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for acts prohibited by this Act.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Finance
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2008-10-03 00:00:00

Mortgage Credit Repair Act of 2008 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to define "front end ratio" as a ratio that indicates what portion of an individual's income is used to make mortgage payments, calculated by dividing an individual's gross monthly income by their housing expenses, particularly the mortgage principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI). Prohibits a consumer reporting agency from making a consumer report containing cases under title 11 or under the Bankruptcy Act that antedate the report by more than three years when certain criteria are met. Includes among such criteria that a consumer's front-end debt ratio on a mortgage instrument originated or refinanced on or after January 1, 2003, was 37% or higher for at least six months before and continuing through the time that the bankruptcy is filed. Prohibits a consumer reporting agency from making a consumer report containing any adverse information excluding bankruptcy, but including closed accounts, amounts in collections, accounts charged to profit or loss, repossessions, and foreclosures, if certain circumstances have occurred.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Finance
Date: 2008-11-19 00:00:00

Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act to revise the process for exercising the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to make purchases of troubled assets in any amount in excess of the $350 billion previously obligated. Changes the Joint Resolution of Disapproval, regarding the exercise of such authority, to a Joint Resolution of Approval. Prohibits the Secretary, that is, from exercising any authority to make any such purchases unless a joint resolution approving the plan is enacted into law.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Finance
Date: 2008-11-19 00:00:00

Financial Literacy Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award formula matching grants to states or partnerships between states and experienced nonprofit providers of financial literacy or personal finance education programs. Requires grantees to use 25% of the grant funds to: (1) develop financial literacy standards and assessments for at least three grade levels; (2) create teacher training programs to embed financial literacy or personal finance education into core academic subjects; and (3) evaluate the impact such education has on students' financial literacy. Requires the remaining grant funds to be used for subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) or partnerships between LEAs and community organizations, local businesses, or other educational entities to implement such financial literacy activities, including student assessments and teacher training. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary to award competitive grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) or partnerships between IHEs and experienced nonprofit providers of financial literacy or personal finance education programs for activities that increase student knowledge in consumer, economic, and personal financial concepts.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Finance
Subject: Housing and community development
Date: 2008-12-10 00:00:00

Systematic Foreclosure Prevention and Mortgage Modification Act - Directs the Chairperson of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to establish a systematic foreclosure prevention and mortgage modification program by: (1) paying mortgage servicers $1,000 to cover expenses for each loan modified according to specified standards; and (2) sharing up to 50% of any losses incurred if a modified loan should subsequently re-default.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Finance
Date: 2008-12-10 00:00:00

Homeowners' Protection Act of 2008 - Amends the federal bankruptcy code to eliminate the pre-petition credit counseling requirement for a debtor under chapter 13 (Adjustment of Debts of an Individual with Regular Income) who is facing foreclosure, if the debtor submits to the court a certification that the debtor has received notice that the holder of a claim secured by the debtor's principal residence may commence foreclosure. Allows modification of the rights of claim holders, in the event of a foreclosure notice for a chapter 13 debtor, among other means by: (1) reducing a claim to equal the value of the debtor's interest in the residence securing such claim, and any adjustments to a related adjustable rate of interest; (2) waiving early repayment or prepayment penalties; and (3) extending the repayment period. Denies debtor liability for certain fees and charges incurred while the bankruptcy case is pending and arising from a debt secured by the debtor's principal residence, unless the claim holder observes specified requirements. Adds to conditions for court confirmation of a plan in bankruptcy that: (1) the holder of a claim secured by the debtor's principal residence retain the lien securing the claim until the later of the payment of such claim as reduced and modified or the discharge of a debtor from all debts; and (2) the plan modifies the claim in good faith. Excludes from final discharge of a debtor from all debts: (1) any payments to claim holders whose rights are modified under this Act; and (2) any unpaid portion of a claim as reduced.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Finance
Subject: Housing and community development
Date: 2008-11-20 00:00:00

Amends the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 to extend through December 31, 2009: (1) the increased ceiling amount for mortgages purchased by either the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac); and (2) the temporary loan limit increase for Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured mortgages in specified high-cost areas for which a borrower received credit approval.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Finance
Subject: Education
Date: 2007-02-28 00:00:00

Pell Grant Equity Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make the formula for calculation of an individual Pell Grant which includes, in part, the sum of the student's tuition, inapplicable for the 2007-2008 academic year. (Thus suspends for such year the "tuition sensitivity provision" which prohibits maximum Pell Grant awards to students attending low-tuition institutions of higher education even if their income is low enough to otherwise qualify for the maximum award.) Amends the Federal Family Education Loan program to lower from 23% to 22% for FY2008 the percentage of a borrower's student loan payment made subsequent to default that a guaranty agency may retain for deposit in its operating fund if the Secretary of Education has already reimbursed it for such default.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Finance
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2007-03-28 00:00:00

Consumer Rental-Purchase Agreement Act of 2007 - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to prescribe consumer protection guidelines for rental-purchase transactions, including: (1) the determination of rental-purchase cost; (2) disclosure requirements; (3) prohibitions against confessions of judgment, wage assignments, and waiver of consumer claims or defenses; (4) furnishing of statements of account; (5) point-of-rental disclosures; and (6) rental-purchase advertising disclosures. Declares that an action for civil liability may be brought against a merchant's assignee only if the violation is apparent on the face of a rental-purchase agreement to which it relates, including, but not limited to, a disclosure that can be determined to be incomplete or inaccurate from the face of the agreement. Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to promulgate implementing regulations. Grants enforcement powers to the Federal Trade Commission and to state attorneys general. Subjects to criminal penalties any willful and knowing violation of the information disclosure requirements of this Act.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Finance
Subject: Housing and community development
Date: 2007-04-12 00:00:00

Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 to establish in lieu of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), an independent Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Agency, headed by a Director, which shall have authority over: the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Finance Facility, the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). Establishes the Federal Housing Enterprise Board, without executive authority, to advise the Director. Sets forth operating, administrative, and regulatory provisions of the Agency, including: (1) assessment authority; (2) authority to limit nonmission-related assets; (3) minimum and critical capital levels; (4) mandatory affordable housing focused portfolios; (5) risk-based capital test; (6) capital classifications and undercapitalized enterprises; (7) enforcement actions and penalties; (8) golden parachutes and (9) mandatory reporting of fraudulent loans. Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act to require registration of enterprise securities. Requires prior approval by the Director for any initial enterprise product offering. Sets forth conforming loan limitations for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (enterprises). Makes it the duty of such enterprises to increase mortgage investments liquidity and improve the distribution of investment capital available for mortgage financing for underserved markets. Instructs the Director to establish an annual home purchase goal for the purchase by each enterprise of mortgage financing of owner-occupied single family dwelling units. Prescribes requirements for prompt corrective and enforcement actions. Amends the Federal Home Loan Bank Act to: (1) revise criteria for Federal Home Loan Bank Board directors, providing for at least two independent directors; and (2) establish the Federal Home Loan Bank Finance Facility. Authorizes the Facility to issue and service consolidated Federal Home Loan Bank obligations. Exempts the Federal Home Loan Banks from certain securities reporting requirements. Authorizes reduction of Federal Home Loan Bank districts by voluntary merger. Transfers to such Facility the functions of the Office of Finance of the Federal Home Loan Banks. Abolishes: (1) the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight of the Department of Housing and Urban Development; and (2) the Federal Housing Finance Board. Requires the Director to review annually the Freddie Mac Foundation and the Office of Corporate Giving of the Federal National Mortgage Corporation ("Fannie Mae Foundation") to ensure that they are not engaged in impermissible lobbying activities.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Finance
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2007-04-20 00:00:00

Credit Card Minimum Payment Warning Act of 2007 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to include among the mandatory disclosures at each billing cycle of open end consumer credit plans: (1) the words "Minimum Payment Warning: Making only the minimum payment will increase the amount of interest that you pay and the time it will take to repay your outstanding balance;" (2) the number of years and months it would take the consumer to pay the entire amount of the balance if the consumer pays only the required minimum monthly payments; (3) the total cost to the consumer, as well as a breakdown in principal and interest payments, of paying that balance in full if the consumer pays only the required minimum monthly payments, and if no further advances are made; (4) the monthly payment amount that would be required to eliminate the outstanding balance in 36 months if no further advances are made; and (5) a toll-free telephone number for information about accessing credit counseling and debt management services. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Trade Commission jointly to issue guidelines for creditors to establish and maintain a toll-free telephone number for such disclosures.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Finance
Subject: Housing and community development
Date: 2007-04-25 00:00:00

Stopping Mortgage Transactions which Operate to Promote Fraud, Risk, Abuse and Underdevelopment Act, or the STOP FRAUD Act - Amends federal criminal law to make it unlawful for any mortgage professional to: (1) defraud any natural person or financial institution regarding an offer of consumer credit secured by an interest either in real property or in personal property used as a principal dwelling; or (2) falsely obtain money or property from a natural person in connection with an extension of consumer credit secured by an interest in such property.Subjects violations of this Act to civil and criminal penalties.Directs the Attorney General to establish: (1) a system for authorized mortgage professionals to receive updates from federal law enforcement agencies on suspicious activity trends in the mortgage industry and mortgage fraud-related convictions; (2) a Debarred or Censured Mortgage Professional Database that may be accessed to determine the federal and state bar status of mortgage professionals; and (3) grants to assist law enforcement agencies establish and improve mortgage fraud task forces.Grants whistleblower protection to personnel of a widely accepted private certification board.Amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide tenants, homeowners, and other consumers with mortgage fraud counseling.Directs the Secretary to provide grants to state appraisal agencies to improve the monitoring and enforcement of housing appraisal regulations.Sets forth additional rights of borrowers in foreclosure proceedings.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Finance
Subject: Housing and community development
Date: 2007-05-03 00:00:00

Borrower's Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to deem a mortgage broker, in the case of a home mortgage loan, to have a fiduciary relationship with the consumer. Subjects each such mortgage broker to all federal and state requirements for fiduciaries. Requires each mortgage originator, in addition to the duties imposed by federal and state requirements, to act with respect to each home mortgage loan: (1) with reasonable skill, care, and diligence; and (2) in good faith and with fair dealing in any transaction, practice, or with associated course of business. Requires a mortgage originator, before entering into or otherwise facilitating a home mortgage loan, to verify the borrower's reasonable ability to pay the principal and interest, real estate taxes, and homeowners insurance fees and premiums. Prescribes a formula for determining ability to pay variable mortgage rates. Makes the lender liable for acts, omissions, and representations of a mortgage broker in connection with any rate spread mortgage loan the broker sells or delivers to the lender. Prohibits a mortgage originator from steering a consumer to home mortgage loan rates, charges, principal amount, or prepayment terms not reasonably advantageous to the consumer. Prescribes mortgage originator duties to consumers. Prohibits specified mortgage originator conduct, especially entering into a home mortgage loan when the originator has reason to believe that the appraiser of the property securing the loan failed to act in good faith and fair dealing in its appraisal. Prohibits a mortgage originator from: (1) seeking to influence an appraiser or otherwise to encourage a targeted value; or (2) selecting an appraiser on the expectation that the appraiser would provide a targeted value. Requires the mortgage originator to provide a copy of the appraisal report to a home mortgage loan applicant, whether credit is granted, denied, or the application was withdrawn.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Finance
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2007-05-15 00:00:00

Mortgage Cancellation Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income amounts attributable to the discharge of certain residential mortgage obligations.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Finance
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2007-05-15 00:00:00

Stop Unfair Practices in Credit Cards Act of 2007 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act regarding open-end consumer credit plans. Prohibits imposition of an interest charge upon debt paid on time and in full. Sets restrictions upon interest rate increases. Limits penalty rate increases to: (1) seven percentage points above the current interest rate; and (2) future credit extensions only. Prohibits interest charges on fees. Specifies restrictions upon over-the-limit fees. Requires the primary federal regulator of a card issuer to conduct annual audits of the credit card operations and procedures used by the issuer. Requires the card issuer to: (1) apply payment first to the card balance bearing the highest rate of interest, and then to each successive balance bearing the next highest rate of interest, until the payment is exhausted; and (2) apply the payment in the most effective way to minimize the imposition of any finance charge. Requires a card issuer to define and display the term "prime rate" or similar rate or index as the bank prime loan rate posted by a majority of the top 25 U.S. chartered commercial banks, as published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board). Revises requirements governing credit card information collected by the Board. Directs the Board to report annually to Congress its assessment of the profitability of credit card operations of depository institutions.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Finance
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2007-05-16 00:00:00

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax deduction for mortgage insurance premiums.
Topic: Domestic Commerce — Consumer Finance
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2007-05-25 00:00:00

Rent-To-Own Reform Act of 2007 - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to prohibit a seller in a rent-to-own transaction from receiving or assessing any interest, finance charge, or other fee for the transaction that exceeds the interest, fees, or finance charges permissible under the laws of the state in which the seller is located which establish: (1) a maximum rate or amount of interest, finance charge, or time-price differential that may be charged in connection with a credit sale or retail installment sale for the same or a similar item; (2) the types of fees and the maximum amount of fees that a seller may so charge; or (3) the types of credit insurance and the maximum amount of premiums that can be charged for credit insurance in such a connection. Permits certain additional termination charges and fees. Cites federal laws which are applicable to a rent-to-own transaction. Sets forth required disclosures, prohibitions, and enforcement, as well as civil liability for failure to properly disclose the terms of a rent-to-own transaction. Declares this Act inapplicable to certain motor vehicles sales and leases otherwise subject to the Truth in Lending Act.