zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Small Business Protection Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to repeal the requirement that federal departments and agencies purchase prison-made products.

Federal Prison Industries shall be ineligible to produce any product under a contract awarded for the sale of government property to a small business concern under the Small Business Act.

No executive agency head may enter into any contract with Federal Prison Industries under which an inmate worker would have access to classified data, personal or financial information about any individual private citizen without the individual's consent, or geographic data regarding the location of:

 surface and subsurface infrastructure providing communications or water or electrical power distribution; pipelines for the distribution of natural gas, bulk petroleum products, or other commodities; or other utilities. The Attorney General shall report to Congress on the extent of re-entry employment preparation provided to inmates by participation in Federal Prison Industries.

Date: 2016-03-02
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Commerce
Hire For a Second Chance Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the work opportunity tax credit, to: (1) make such credit permanent; (2) increase to $14,000, for ex-felons, the amount of wages that may be taken into account for purposes of computing the credit; and (3) increase from one to three years the period after the conviction or release of an ex-felon during which an employer may hire an ex-felon and claim a work opportunity tax credit for such hiring.

Date: 2016-03-22
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Taxation
Federal Prisons Accountability Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to require the Director of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Currently, the Director is appointed by the Attorney General.

It also limits the BOP Director to a single term of 10 years.

 The incumbent Director may continue to serve for three months after the date of enactment. The President may appoint that individual to be the Director in accordance with the requirements of this Act.

Date: 2016-04-21
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Probation Officer Protection Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to authorize a probation officer to arrest a person (i.e., a person other than the probationer) without a warrant if there is probable cause to believe the person forcibly assaulted or obstructed a probation officer engaged in the performance of official duties.

Date: 2016-04-27
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Stop Infant Mortality And Recidivism Reduction Act of 2016 or the SIMARRA Act

This bill directs the Bureau of Prisons to establish a pilot program to allow incarcerated women who give birth and children born during such incarceration to reside together in a separate prison housing unit. 

It sets forth inmate eligibility criteria and program participation requirements.

Date: 2016-04-29
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Shift Back to Society Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Justice to establish a pilot program that awards matching grants to historically black colleges and universities to provide educational programs for eligible offenders to facilitate re-entry into the community.

An eligible offender is a convicted criminal offender who has been released from incarceration for less than one year or who is scheduled to be released from incarceration within one year.

The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on the results of the pilot program.

Date: 2016-07-06
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Education
End For-Profit Prisons Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to phase out existing contracts with private prison companies and private community confinement facilities.

It amends the federal criminal code to require federal employees to perform the core correctional services—housing, safeguarding, protecting, and disciplining of offenders—at correctional facilities used by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) or the U.S. Marshals Service.

The bill also prohibits the BOP from entering into or maintaining contracts with private companies to manage community confinement facilities (e.g., halfway houses).

DOJ must evaluate the effectiveness of and develop guidelines for recidivism reduction programs at community confinement facilities.

The Marshals Service must annually inspect each correctional facility it uses for confinement.

The BOP must provide to prisoners, as part of prerelease procedures, information and counseling about: criminal record expungement; educational, employment, and treatment programs; and applications for public assistance programs. The BOP must also provide prisoners with post-release information about fines, assessments, surcharges, restitution, and other penalties.

Date: 2016-09-21
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

(Sec. 1) This bill amends the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 to extend the waiver of limitations on credits or refunds related to the exclusion from gross income of certain civil damages, restitution, or other monetary awards received by wrongfully incarcerated individuals.

Date: 2016-12-05
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Taxation
Video Visitation in Prisons Act of 2016

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to promulgate regulations for video visitation services that allow inmates to make video calls to individuals outside a correctional facility, and amend its regulations on inmate calling services as necessary, to ensure that all charges and practices are just and reasonable.

The regulations must include:

 caps on rates charged by service providers, a prohibition against charging flat rates, a prohibition against a provider requiring a correctional facility to restrict in-person visitation as a condition to providing a calling or video visitation service, a prohibition against the provider offering bundled services that include non-communications services, and video quality standards. The federal criminal code is amended to require the Bureau of Prisons to ensure that:

 video visitation does not supplant in-person visitation; privacy is maximized in the video areas and equipment; no persons other than corrections officers have authority over the terms of a prisoner's imprisonment, including visitation schedules or the ability to move within a correctional facility; and service providers provide a list of each video visitation and each fee charged to visitors and prisoners, offer free visits based on good behavior if authorized by the correctional facility, and submit quarterly compliance reports.

Date: 2016-12-06
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)

Eric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the federal criminal code to require the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to issue oleoresin capsicum spray (i.e., pepper spray) to officers and employees who respond to emergency situations at high-security, medium-security, and administrative facilities.

 Officers and employees may use pepper spray to reduce violent acts by prisoners and visitors.

An officer of employee must complete a training course prior to receiving pepper spray and annually thereafter on its use. 

(Sec. 3) The Government Accountability Office must: (1) evaluate the effect of issuing pepper spray on reducing crime and violence in high-security, medium-security, and administrative facilities; (2) evaluate the advisability of issuing pepper spray at low- or minimum-security facilities; and (3) recommend safety improvements for BOP officers and employees.

Date: 2015-01-22
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Correctional Officer Self-Protection Act of 2015

 Amends the federal criminal code to require the Bureau of Prisons to ensure that each chief executive officer of a federal penal or correctional institution: (1) provides a secure storage area located outside of the secure perimeter of the institution for qualified law enforcement officers employed by the Bureau to store firearms, or allows such officers to store firearms in a vehicle lockbox approved by the Bureau; and (2) allows such officers to carry concealed firearms on the premises outside of the secure perimeter of the institution.

Date: 2015-02-04
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Directs the Attorney General to: (1) evaluate best practices used for the reentry of federal prisoners released from custody, (2) select an appropriate number of federal judicial districts to conduct federal reentry demonstration projects using such best practices, and (3) report on the impact of reentry of prisoners on communities in which a disproportionate number of individuals reside upon release from incarceration.

Amends the federal criminal code to require a presentence report to include: (1) information about the defendant's history of substance abuse and addiction; (2) information about the defendant's service in the Armed Forces and veteran status; and (3) a detailed plan that the probation officer determines will reduce the likelihood that the defendant will abuse drugs or alcohol, will reduce the defendant's likelihood of recidivism by addressing the defendant's specific recidivism risk factors, and will assist the defendant in preparing for reentry into the community.

Requires the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to: (1) establish a five-year recidivism reduction and recovery enhancement pilot program, premised on high-intensity supervision and the use of sanctions for noncompliance with program rules; and (2) conduct an evaluation of the pilot program and report to Congress on the results of the evaluation. Sets forth requirements for participation in the pilot program.

Date: 2015-02-11
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Smarter Sentencing Act of 2015

Amends the federal criminal code to direct the court to impose a sentence for specified controlled substance offenses without regard to any statutory minimum sentence if the court finds that the criminal history category for the defendant is not higher than category two. (Currently, the court may disregard the statutory minimum if the defendant does not have more than one criminal history point.)

Authorizes a court that imposed a sentence for a crack cocaine possession or trafficking offense committed before August 3, 2010, on motion of the defendant, the Bureau of Prisons, the attorney for the government, or the court, to impose a reduced sentence as if provisions of the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 were in effect at the time such offense was committed, provided such sentence was not previously imposed or reduced under such Act or such a motion wasn't previously denied.

Amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (CSIEA) to reduce mandatory minimum sentences for manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, possessing, importing, or exporting specified controlled substances and for such violations by a courier (defined as a person whose role was limited to transporting or storing drugs or money).

Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend its guidelines and policy statements applicable to persons convicted of such an offense under the CSA and CSIEA to ensure consistency with this Act and to consider specified factors, including: (1) its mandate to formulate guidelines to minimize the likelihood that the federal prison population will exceed federal prison capacity, and (2) the need to reduce and prevent racial disparities in sentencing.

Requires the Attorney General to: (1) report on how the reduced expenditures on federal corrections and cost savings resulting from this Act will be used to help reduce overcrowding in the Bureau of Prisons, increase investment in law enforcement and crime prevention, and reduce recidivism; (2) report a list of all criminal statutory offenses and the potential criminal penalty, the number of prosecutions brought by the Department of Justice each year for the previous 15 years, and the mens rea requirement for each offense; and (3) establish a publicly accessible index of each criminal statutory offense.

Date: 2015-02-12
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Supporting Positive Outcomes After Release Act

Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require a state plan for medical assistance to prohibit the state from terminating (but allowing it to suspend) enrollment under a state plan for an individual who is eligible because an inmate of a public institution.

Date: 2015-05-21
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Health
Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act of 2015 

Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance), VIII (Special Benefits for Certain World War II Veterans), and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to prohibit from receiving benefits under those titles any individual who is the subject of: (1) an outstanding arrest warrant for a felony, or (2) an outstanding arrest warrant for violating a condition of prohibition or parole imposed under federal or state law.

Directs the Social Security Administration (SSA) to furnish any federal, state, or local law enforcement officer, upon written request, with the current address, Social Security number, and photograph of any recipient of title VIII benefits if the officer furnishes the SSA with the individual's name and other identifying information as reasonably required to establish the individual's unique identity, and notifies the SSA that: (1) the individual is fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction, or the individual is violating a condition of probation or parole; and (2) the location or apprehension of such individual is within the officer's official duties.

Date: 2015-07-14
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Social welfare
Federal Prisons Accountability Act of 2015 

This bill amends the federal criminal code to require the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Currently, the Director is appointed by the Attorney General. 

 The bill permits continued service by the incumbent Director for three months after the date of enactment. The President may appoint that individual to be the Director of the Bureau of Prisons in accordance with the requirements of this Act.

Date: 2015-07-16
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Federal Prisons Accountability Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to require the Director of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Currently, the Director is appointed by the Attorney General.

It also limits the BOP Director to a single term of 10 years.

 The incumbent Director may continue to serve for three months after the date of enactment. The President may appoint that individual to be the Director in accordance with the requirements of this Act.

Date: 2016-01-21
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Criminal Consequences of Early Release Act of 2016

This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics to submit a biannual report to Congress on recidivism rates among federal prisoners released early.

The report must include the: (1) number of federal prisoners released early nationally and by state; (2) number and types of offenses for which early released prisoners were imprisoned; (3) number of post-release offenses, arrests, and convictions nationally and by state; and (4) types of offenses leading to post-release arrests and convictions nationally and by state.

Date: 2016-02-09
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Equity in Pretrial Medicaid Coverage Act of 2016

This bill amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to allow an otherwise eligible individual who is in custody pending charges to receive Medicaid benefits.

Date: 2016-04-27
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Health
Restoring Education And Learning Act of 2016 or the REAL Act of 2016

This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to eliminate the provision that prohibits Pell Grant eligibility for individuals incarcerated in a federal or state penal institution and for sex offenders subject to civil commitment following incarceration.

This amendment takes effect in academic year 2016-2017.

Date: 2016-06-29
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Education
Ending Tax Breaks for Private Prisons Act 

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the definition of "taxable REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) subsidiary" any corporation which directly or indirectly: (1) operates or manages a prison facility or provides services at or in connection with a prison facility; or (2) provides to any other person (under a franchise, license, or otherwise) rights to any brand name under which any prison facility is operated, subject to specified exceptions.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Taxation
Private Prison Information Act of 2016

 This bill specifies that a record related to a non-federal prison, correctional, or detention facility must be considered a federal agency record for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

A non-federal prison, correctional, or detention facility must disclose information under FOIA unless the information is exempt from disclosure or the disclosure is prohibited by law.

The term "non-federal prison, correctional, or detention facility" means: (1) a private prison, correctional, or detention facility; or (2) a state or local prison, jail, or other correctional or detention facility.

Date: 2016-09-28
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Solitary Confinement Reform Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish standards for the use of solitary confinement at federal prisons.

It limits the use of solitary confinement to situations that meet certain criteria, including that the confinement is limited to the briefest term and the least restrictive conditions practicable. It also prohibits, with limited exceptions, solitary confinement of inmates who are younger than 18 years of age, disabled, pregnant, or recently pregnant.

The bill requires the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to establish a transitional process for inmates in solitary confinement, requires inmates in solitary confinement to receive comprehensive mental health evaluations, and requires BOP employees to complete training on mental illness and the psychological effects of solitary confinement.

 It establishes, within the BOP, an Office of the Civil Rights Ombudsman. The office must be headed by a Civil Rights Ombudsman appointed by the Attorney General.

The BOP must annually assess and report on the use of solitary confinement.

 The Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance must establish and administer a solitary confinement resource center.

Date: 2016-09-28
Topic: Law and Crime (Prisons)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to extend for two months, from September 30 to November 30, 2007, the authorities of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC).

Date: 2007-09-14
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Foreign Business Bribery Prohibition Act of 2008 - Amends the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 to make a foreign concern liable for up to treble damages to any issuer, domestic concern, or U.S. person as a result of violating certain anti-bribery prohibitions. (In effect, authorizes a private right of action against such concerns.)

Date: 2008-06-04
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Commerce
Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) report annually to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations regarding each foreign country in which acts of unfair business and investment practices have resulted in poor business and investment climates; and (2) establish a system to inform the U.S. business and investing communities of such conditions.

Date: 2008-09-27
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: International affairs
Sudan Divestment Authorization Act of 2007 - Declares the sense of Congress that states and other governmental entities should be permitted to provide for the divestment of certain state assets within their jurisdictions as an expression of opposition to the genocidal actions and policies of the Government of Sudan. Authorizes any state to adopt measures to prohibit any investment of state assets in the Government of Sudan, or in any company with a qualifying business relationship with Sudan, during any period in which the Government of Sudan, or the officials of such government are subject to sanctions authorized under the Sudan Peace Act, the Comprehensive Peace in Sudan Act of 2004, the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005, the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act of 2006, or any other federal law or executive order. Defines state assets as any public pension, retirement, annuity, or endowment fund, or similar instrument managed by a state. Applies this Act to measures adopted by a state before, on, or after the enactment of this Act.

Date: 2007-03-08
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Declares that nothing in section 4 of the Act of March 2, 1929, (relating to prohibited acts of killing, wounding, or capturing wild birds and animals and fish in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado) or any other applicable law prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from using the services of qualified individuals, as volunteers or pursuant to a contract with the Secretary, to assist in carrying out the Elk and Vegetation Management Plan for the Park by using lethal means to reduce the population of elk within the Park. Instructs the Secretary to consult with the Colorado Division of Wildlife regarding potential participation by it in carrying out such Plan. Prohibits anything in this Act from applying to a taking of wildlife (within the meaning of "take" under the Endangered Species Act of 1973) within Rocky Mountain National Park for any purpose other than the implementation of the Elk and Vegetation Management Plan.

Date: 2007-03-19
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Stop Business with Terrorists Act of 2007 - Subjects the parent company of a foreign entity that violates certain executive orders prohibiting certain business transactions with Iran (or other such prohibitions imposed on Iran under the authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act) to penalties to the same extent as if the parent company had engaged in such violations. Provides that such prohibitions and penalties shall not apply if the parent company divests or terminates its business with such entity.

Date: 2007-04-26
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Foreign Investment Security Act of 2007 - Amends the Defense Production Act of 1950 relating to authorized investigations of the effects on national security of a proposed acquisition, merger, or takeover (transaction) by or with foreign persons which could result in foreign control of persons engaged in U.S. commerce to: (1) extend the time to commence such investigation; (2) require the findings and recommendations of any investigation to be sent immediately to the President and specified congressional committees for review; (3) require certain factors to be considered as part of such investigation, including the effect on domestic production and long-term projections of U.S. requirements for sources of energy and other critical resources; (4) direct the Secretary of the Treasury to report quarterly to such committees a detailed summary and analysis of each transaction being, or likely to be, reviewed; and (5) subject the President's decision not to suspend or prohibit a transaction to a congressional approval process.

Date: 2007-05-15
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Overseas Private Investment Corporation Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to reauthorize the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) through September 30, 2011. Revises international worker rights provisions. Requires OPIC to institute a climate change mitigation action plan. Requires, with a specified exception, prior to OPIC approval of a Category A extractive industry project (as defined by this Act) or an extractive industry project in which OPIC assistance would be valued at $10 million or more; (1) prior congressional notification; and (2) investor and host country agreement to implement Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative principles or substantially similar principles, and host country adherence to certain accounting procedures as they relate to such projects. Provides for increased project transparency. Authorizes OPIC programs in Iraq. Requires OPIC to report to Congress on: (1) the feasibility of expanding OPIC assistance to low-income home buyers; and (2) OPIC resources dedicated to assist U.S. small businesses, cooperatives, and small U.S. investors.

Date: 2007-11-14
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: International affairs
State Foreign Investment Improvement Act - Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 to: (1) make the alien investor (EB-5) regional center program permanent; and (2) establish a $2,500 regional center designation fee. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to: (1) establish a $2,000 EB-5 premium processing fee; (2) permit concurrent filing for EB-5 petitions and status adjustment applications; and (3) establish in the Treasury the Immigrant Entrepreneur Regional Account Center.

Date: 2008-03-12
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Immigration
Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) report annually to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations regarding each foreign country in which acts of unfair business and investment practices have resulted in poor business and investment climates; and (2) establish a system to inform the U.S. business and investing communities of such conditions.

Date: 2009-02-25
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: International affairs
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2014 the tax rule exempting dividends, interest, rents, and royalties received or accrued from certain controlled foreign corporations by a related entity from treatment as foreign holding company income (thus permitting tax deferral of such income).

Date: 2009-04-23
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Taxation
Employment Benefit Act - Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 to: (1) make the alien investor visa (EB-5) regional center program permanent; (2) establish a $2,500 regional center designation fee; and (3) increase visa set-asides for such program. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act regarding EB-5 provisions to: (1) establish a $2,500 premium processing fee; (2) establish in the Treasury the Immigrant Entrepreneur Regional Account Center; (3) permit concurrent filing for EB-5 petitions and status adjustment applications; (4) expand the definition of "targeted employment area" for purposes of visa set-asides; and (5) expand EB-5 eligibility to include investors who have completed investment agreements with a qualified venture capital operating company or with an "angel investor" (U.S. citizen- or permanent resident-owned entity or an entity that has made specified commercial enterprise investments).

Date: 2009-12-10
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Immigration
Kick OPIC Act of 2010 - Prohibits the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) from issuing insurance, guaranties, or reinsurance, making loan, acquiring securities, or entering into risk sharing arrangements under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, effective 60 days after enactment of this Act. Abolishes OPIC 180 days after enactment. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to perform the functions of OPIC with respect to any outstanding contracts and agreements until their expiration and to take necessary steps to wind up the affairs of OPIC. Sets forth provisions regarding the termination of OPIC authorities, the transfer of funds, and the effect on prior determinations and pending proceedings.

Date: 2010-03-25
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Reduce and End our Deficits Using Commonsense Eliminations in the Treas-HUD and OPIC Programs Act - Prohibits the total amount obligated in the Treasury for each of FY2011-FY2015 by: (1) the Bureau of the Public Debt from exceeding $186.244 million; and (2) the Financial Management Service from exceeding $235.132 million. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, for pay periods ending in FY2011 and subsequent fiscal years, in coordination with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to issue electronic pay stubs to Department of the Treasury employees who receive their pay by electronic funds transfer. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the requirement for advance payment of the earned income tax credit. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1939 to set the payment standard for a market area efficiency dwelling unit as the standard for rent subsidies under Section 8 of the housing voucher program for one-person households. Prohibits the use of the payment standard for a one-bedroom dwelling unit or any larger dwelling unit. OPIC Repeal Act - Abolishes the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), and makes conforming amendments to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

Date: 2010-07-20
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend the temporary suspension of duty on ion exchange resin powder.

Date: 2009-10-29
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend the temporary suspension of duty on powdered ion exchange resin comprising a copolymer of styrene crosslinked with divinylbenzene, suphonic acid, sodium form.

Date: 2009-10-29
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend the temporary suspension of duty on a certain ion exchange resin.

Date: 2009-10-29
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to renew the temporary suspension of duty on macroporous ion-exchange resin comprising a copolymer of styrene crosslinked with divinylbenzene, thiol functionalized.

Date: 2009-10-29
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to extend the temporary suspension of duty on a certain ion exchange resin comprising a certain copolymer.

Date: 2009-10-29
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Job Creation and Innovation Investment Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax deduction for dividends received from a controlled foreign corporation, to: (1) eliminate limitations on the amount of such deduction, and (2) allow a 100% deduction for companies that reinvest such dividends in a qualified domestic reinvestment plan. Defines "qualified domestic reinvestment plan" as an approved plan for the reinvestment within three years after payment of such dividends in the United States for research and development expenses, expansion of facilities, proof of content centers, early stage venture capital investment, or manufacturing startup costs.

Date: 2011-03-11
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Taxation
Judgment Evading Foreign States Accountability Act of 2011 - States the policy of the United States regarding: (1) advocacy within the governing bodies of international organizations and other foreign policy settings for the full compensation and fair treatment of persons in whose favor judgments have been awarded by U.S. courts; (2) protection of economic interests of persons and nations that benefit from a reliable flow of foreign capital by restricting the access to U.S. capital markets of judgment evading foreign states (foreign states that fail to fully satisfy a final judgment exceeding a certain amount for more than two years) and their state-owned corporations, warning of the dangers of dealing financially with such states and state-owned corporations, and calling upon international financial institutions to vote against providing funding or foreign capital to judgment evading foreign states; and (3) further solidification of the authority of the U.S. courts by preventing such states from willfully flouting the judgments of those courts. Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to: (1) deny a judgment evading foreign state access to U.S. capital markets; and (2) require all periodic filings made by such a state with the SEC to bear prominently a warning describing its failure to satisfy outstanding judgments. Imposes similar restrictions on state-owned corporations of such states. Requires: (1) a proposal to extend bilateral or multilateral assistance to a judgment evading state to bear notice that such state is a judgment evading state; and (2) the Secretary of the Treasury to notify Congress promptly of the proposal.

Date: 2011-05-06
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: International affairs
Offshoring Prevention Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include in foreign base company income, for purposes of determining the foreign trade income of controlled foreign corporations, imported property income. Defines "imported property income" as, with certain exceptions, income attributable to property manufactured outside of the United States and imported for sale into the United States. Provides for a separate application of limitations on the foreign tax credit for imported property income.

Date: 2011-06-22
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax rule exempting dividends, interest, rents, and royalties received or accrued from certain controlled foreign corporations by a related entity from treatment as foreign holding company income (thus permitting tax deferral of such income).

Date: 2011-08-01
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Taxation
Trade Law Enforcement Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in cases where a complaint is received from an interested person that a foreign country is engaging in an act, policy, or practice that acts as a nontariff barrier to U.S. commerce, and the Secretary is unable to resolve the complaint within 180 days, to issue an opinion as to whether: (1) the rights of the United States under any trade agreement are being denied because of such act, policy, or practice; or (2) the act, policy, or practice violates, or is inconsistent with, the provisions of, or otherwise denies benefits to the United States under, any trade agreement, or is unjustifiable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce. Requires the Secretary, in cases of an affirmative determination, to refer such matter to the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) for investigation.

Date: 2011-10-05
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Philanthropic Facilitation Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) expand the definition of, and requirements relating to, "program-related investments" made by private foundations to for-profit entities to further certain charitable purposes; (2) allow a judicial determination (i.e., declaratory judgment) as to whether investments in any entity qualify as program-related investments; (3) require expanded reporting by for-profit entities that receive program-related investments of their gross income, expenses, disbursements, and other information; and (4) allow public inspection of any petition seeking a determination that an investment by a private foundation is a program-related investment and of any information reported by organizations receiving program-related investments.

Date: 2011-11-14
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Taxation
American Entrepreneurship and Investment Act of 2012 - Amends the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1993 to: (1) make the alien investor visa (EB-5) regional center program permanent, (2) establish a $2,500 regional center designation fee, and (3) increase visa set-asides for such program. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act regarding EB-5 provisions to: (1) establish a $2,500 premium processing fee, (2) establish in the Treasury the Immigrant Entrepreneur Regional Account Center, (3) permit concurrent filing for EB-5 petitions and status adjustment applications, (4) expand the definition of "targeted employment area" for purposes of visa set-asides, and (5) expand EB-5 eligibility to include investors who have completed investment agreements with a qualified venture capital operating company or with an "angel investor" (U.S. citizen- or permanent resident-owned entity or an entity that has made specified commercial enterprise investments).

Date: 2012-05-31
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Immigration
Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2012 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) U.S. ability to attract inbound investment (particularly net new investment) is directly linked to U.S. long-term economic prosperity, competitiveness, and security; (2) Congress and federal departments and agencies should be mindful of the potential impact upon U.S. ability to attract foreign direct investment when evaluating proposed legislation or regulatory policy; (3) it is a top national priority to enhance U.S. competitiveness, prosperity, and security by removing unnecessary barriers to inward global investment and the U.S. jobs it creates and promoting policies to ensure the United States remains the premier destination for global companies to invest, hire, innovate, and manufacture their products; and (4) U.S. policies regarding foreign direct investment should reflect national security interests. Amends the Foreign Direct Investment and International Financial Data Improvements Act of 1990 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to conduct an interagency review of U.S. laws and policies on foreign direct investment in the United States and develop recommendations to make the United States more competitive in attracting and retaining strong investment flows from abroad.

Date: 2012-06-07
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Global Investments in America's Cities Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to set aside at least 3,000 employment creation immigrant visas each fiscal year for qualified immigrants seeking to invest in a new commercial enterprise which will create employment in an economically distressed urban area and with respect to which such alien: (1) has invested at least $250,000; (2) has completed an investment agreement with a qualified venture capital operating company for an investment of at least $250,000; or (3) has completed an investment agreement with one or more angel investors for an investment of at least $250,000. Requires petitions for such immigrant visas to be decided within 60 days. Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress on the EB-5 visa program.

Date: 2012-09-21
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Immigration
Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from assisting any foreign government with respect to the collection of any excise tax, related penalty, or related foreign judgment on securities transactions occurring on a U.S. exchange or over the counter within the United States, regardless of the nationality of the issuer of such security, the residence of any party to the transaction, or any existing tax treaty provision to the contrary (including Article 28 of the United States Tax Treaty With France). Directs the Secretary, pursuant to Article 29 of such Treaty, to exempt transactions occuring in the United States which are: (1) on a U.S. stock exchange, (2) between U.S. individuals, or (3) with U.S. financial services firms or branches of foreign firms operating in the United States.

Date: 2012-11-29
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
American Shipping Reinvestment Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal shipping investment withdrawal tax rules; and (2) allow U.S. corporate shareholders an election to deduct dividends attributable to foreign base company shipping income received from a controlled foreign corporation.

Date: 2011-03-17
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Taxation
Rebuilding America Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the tax rate on current and accumulated foreign earnings of U.S. corporations reinvested in the United States from 35% to 5% and make such lower rate permanent.

Date: 2011-11-09
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Taxation
Bring Jobs Home Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) grant business taxpayers a tax credit for up to 20% of insourcing expenses incurred for eliminating a business located outside the United States and  relocating it within the United States, and (2) deny a tax deduction for outsourcing expenses incurred in relocating a U.S. business outside the United States. Requires an increase in the taxpayer's employment of full-time employees in the United States in order to claim the tax credit for insourcing expenses.

Date: 2012-05-08
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Taxation
Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2012 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) U.S. ability to attract inbound investment is directly linked to U.S. long-term economic prosperity, competitiveness, and security; (2) Congress and federal departments and agencies should consider potential impact upon U.S. ability to attract foreign direct investment when evaluating proposed legislation or regulatory policy; and (3) it is a top national priority to enhance U.S. competitiveness, prosperity, and security by removing unnecessary barriers to inward global investment and the U.S. jobs it creates and promoting policies to ensure the United States remains the premier destination for global companies to invest, hire, innovate, and manufacture their products. Amends the Foreign Direct Investment and International Financial Data Improvements Act of 1990 to direct the Secretary of Commerce to conduct an interagency review of U.S. laws and policies on foreign direct investment in the United States and develop recommendations to make the United States more competitive in attracting and retaining strong investment flows from abroad.

Date: 2012-06-07
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Offshoring Prevention Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include in foreign base company income, for purposes of determining the foreign trade income of controlled foreign corporations, imported property income. Defines "imported property income" as, with certain exceptions, income attributable to property manufactured outside of the United States and imported for sale into the United States. Provides for a separate application of limitations on the foreign tax credit for imported property income.

Date: 2013-03-12
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Taxation
International Tax Competitiveness Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) treat foreign corporations that are managed, directly or indirectly, within the United States as domestic corporations for U.S. tax purposes; (2) subject certain royalty income and income from intangibles received from a controlled foreign corporation to U.S. taxation; and (3) revise the tax treatment of property other than stock received in connection with a corporate reorganization (i.e., boot) to provide that such property shall be treated as a taxable dividend.

Date: 2013-04-15
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Taxation
Stop Outsourcing and Create American Jobs Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to develop and publish a list of countries that are tax havens for corporations.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the penalties on corporations for: (1) underpayment of tax involving an undisclosed foreign financial asset located in a tax haven country; (2) reportable transaction understatements involving transactions in a tax haven country; and (3) fraud, tax evasion, or false statements involving transactions in a tax haven country.

Grants a preference in the award of federal contracts to contractors who have not engaged in outsourcing. Defines "outsourcing" as the laying off of a U.S. worker from a job and the hiring or contracting for the same job to be performed in a foreign country.

Requires revenues generated by this Act to be set aside for the reduction of the public debt.

Date: 2013-07-18
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Taxation
Permanent Active Financing Exception Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the subpart F foreign personal holding company income exemption for income that is derived in the active conduct of a banking, financing, or similar business, as a securities dealer, or in the conduct of an insurance business.

Date: 2014-04-08
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Taxation
Permanent CFC Look-Through Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax rule exempting dividends, interest, rents, and royalties received or accrued from certain controlled foreign corporations by a related entity from treatment as foreign holding company income (thus permitting tax deferral of such income).

Date: 2014-04-10
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax on nonresident alien individuals, to: (1) make permanent the tax exemption for interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends received from a regulated investment company, and (2) expand the categories of interest-related dividends for which a tax exemption is allowed.

Date: 2014-05-01
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Taxation
Personal Holding Company Tax Parity and Reinvestment Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude dividends received by a U.S. shareholder from a controlled foreign corporation from the definition of "personal holding company income" for purposes of personal holding company taxation.

Date: 2014-05-07
Topic: Foreign Trade (Private Investments)
Subject: Taxation