zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Streamlining and Investing in Broadband Infrastructure Act

This bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to issue best practices relating to broadband infrastructure and installation for state broadband coordination offices, with an emphasis on rural areas.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) must require states to install broadband conduits, which support broadband or wireless facilities for broadband service, in certain highway construction projects. DOT must ensure that: (1) standards are established that apply to all areas, including rural and remote areas with low population density; and (2) any requesting broadband provider has access to such installed conduits on a competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory basis, for a charge not to exceed a cost-based rate.

Federal easement and right-of-way procedures under the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 are revised to allow an executive agency, a state, a person, a firm, or an organization to apply for the grant of a real property interest (including a lease, license, easement, or right-of-way) to, in, over, or on a building or other property owned by the federal government for the right to install, construct, modify, and maintain a communications facility installation. An executive agency that owns the building or other property on behalf of the federal government must grant to the applicant, if technically feasible, a real property interest to perform such installation, construction, modification, and maintenance.

Requirements are set forth concerning the fees and terms of years for the grant of such real property interests. The bill provides for the collection of: (1) a standard fee established by the General Services Administration (GSA), or (2) agency-specific fees established by executive agencies.

The GSA must also consult with designated agencies regarding the master application forms and standard contracts that executive agencies are required to accept for the placement of such facilities. If the GSA determines that master forms or contracts are not adequate for a specific building or property, it must coordinate with the agencies to address the inadequacies and provide an adequate alternative application form or contract to the applicant.

Date: 2015-10-07
Topic: Technology (Computers)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Small Business Broadband Deployment Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill exempts any small business broadband Internet access service provider with not more than 250,000 subscribers from the enhancements to the transparency rule of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under which any person providing broadband Internet access service must disclose publicly accurate information regarding the network management practices, performance, and commercial terms of its broadband Internet access services sufficient for:

 consumers to make informed choices regarding their use; and content, application, service, and device providers to develop, market, and maintain Internet offerings. The FCC shall:

 report to Congress, within 180 days of enactment of this bill, its recommendations (including supporting data) on whether the exception should be made permanent, and whether the definition of "small business," for purposes of the exception, should be modified; and within 180 days after such report, commence a rulemaking proceeding to implement the recommendations. This small business exception shall terminate after the later of: (1) three years after enactment of this bill; or (2) the date on which the FCC adopts rules in its rulemaking proceeding for implementing its recommendations.

Date: 2015-11-16
Topic: Technology (Computers)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Cybersecurity Disclosure Act of 2015

This bill directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to issue final rules requiring each reporting company to:

 disclose in its mandatory annual report or annual proxy statement whether any member of its governing body has expertise or experience in cybersecurity, including details necessary to describe fully the nature of that expertise or experience; and if no member has such expertise or experience, describe what other company cybersecurity steps were taken into account by any persons, such as a nominating committee, responsible for identifying and evaluating nominees for the governing body. The SEC shall also, in coordination with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, define what constitutes expertise or experience in cybersecurity, such as professional qualifications to administer information security program functions or experience detecting, preventing, mitigating, or addressing cybersecurity threats.

Date: 2015-12-17
Topic: Technology (Computers)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Restoring Internet Freedom Act

 This bill nullifies the rule adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on February 26, 2015, relating to the reclassification of broadband Internet access service as a telecommunications service.

The FCC is prohibited from reissuing such rule in substantially the same form, or from issuing a new rule that is substantially the same, unless the rule is specifically authorized by a law enacted after enactment of this Act.

Date: 2016-02-25
Topic: Technology (Computers)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things Act or the DIGIT Act

(Sec. 2) This bill expresses the sense of Congress that policies governing the Internet of Things (IoT) should maximize the potential and development of the growing number of connected and interconnected devices to benefit businesses, governments, and consumers.

(Sec. 4) The bill requires the Department of Commerce to convene a working group of federal stakeholders to provide recommendations and a report to Congress regarding the IoT. The bill establishes a steering committee to be composed of stakeholders outside the federal government to advise the working group.

The working group must: (1) identify federal laws and regulations, grant practices, budgetary or jurisdictional challenges, and other sector-specific policies that inhibit IoT development; (2) consider policies or programs that encourage and improve coordination among federal agencies with IoT jurisdiction; (3) implement recommendations from the steering committee; (4) examine how federal agencies can benefit from, use, and prepare for the IoT; and (5) consult with nongovernmental stakeholders.

The steering committee must advise the working group about laws, budgets, spectrum needs, individual privacy, security, small business challenges, and any international proceedings or negotiations affecting the IoT.

Within 18 months after enactment of this bill, the working group must report its findings and recommendations, its reasons for inaction on steering committee recommendations, and an accounting of any progress by federal agencies to implement recommendations.

(Sec. 5) The Federal Communications Commission must: (1) seek public comment on the IoT's spectrum needs, regulatory barriers, and growth with licensed and unlicensed spectrum; and (2) submit a summary of those comments to Congress.

Date: 2016-03-01
Topic: Technology (Computers)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
State and Local Cyber Protection Act of 2016

This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) national cybersecurity and communications integration center (NCCIC) to assist state and local governments with cybersecurity by:

 upon request, identifying system vulnerabilities and information security protections to address unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction of information collected or maintained by, or information systems used or operated by, state or local governments or other organizations or contractors on their behalf; providing via a web portal updated resources and guidelines related to information security; coordinating through national associations to implement information security tools and policies to ensure the resiliency of state and local information systems; providing training on cybersecurity, privacy, and civil liberties; providing requested technical assistance to deploy technology that continuously diagnoses and mitigates cyber threats and to conduct threat and vulnerability assessments; coordinating vulnerability disclosures under standards developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology; and ensuring that state and local governments are aware of DHS resources and other federal tools to ensure the security and resiliency of federal civilian information systems. The NCCIC's privacy and civil liberties training must include: (1) reasonable limits on the receipt, retention, use, and disclosure of information associated with specific persons that is not necessary for cybersecurity purposes; (2) data integrity standards requiring the prompt removal and destruction of obsolete or erroneous names and personal information that is unrelated to the risk or incident information; (3) safeguards and confidentiality protections for cyber threat indicators and defensive measures, including information that is proprietary or business-sensitive that may be used to identify specific persons from unauthorized access or acquisition; and (4) methods to ensure that information obtained from efforts to address cybersecurity risks and incidents is used only for such purposes or as specifically authorized by law.

Date: 2016-03-10
Topic: Technology (Computers)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill provides that executive agency actions that are necessary to restrict or prohibit access to a website which an agency determines presents a security weakness or risk to the information technology or information system under the agency's control shall not be subject to federal employee labor-management relations requirements.

The agency, after taking such an action, shall, upon the request of employees of the agency, consider and seek guidance on the personal communication needs of such employees.

Date: 2016-05-23
Topic: Technology (Computers)
Subject: Government operations and politics
International Communications Privacy Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code by allowing a governmental entity to require providers of electronic communication services or remote computing services to disclose the contents of communications in electronic storage (e.g., the cloud), regardless of where those communications are located. Thus, a governmental entity may obtain a warrant for electronic communications stored outside of the United States if certain conditions for obtaining the warrant are met.

The bill allows a governmental entity to obtain those communications only if a court finds that the governmental entity has taken all reasonable steps to establish the nationality and location of the subscriber or customer whose communications are sought and that there are reasonable grounds to believe that such subscriber or customer is a U.S. person, a person physically located within the United States, or a national of a foreign country that has a law enforcement cooperation agreement with the United States.

The Department of Justice must: (1) establish a process for foreign governments to file mutual legal assistance treaty requests for obtaining access to electronic communications, and (2) publish annually information concerning those requests.

Date: 2016-05-25
Topic: Technology (Computers)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Driving Innovation and Growth in Internet Technology and Launching Universal Access to the Global Economy (DIGITAL AGE) Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of State to establish a Special Representative for the Global Connect Initiative to direct, and represent the United States internationally on, U.S. foreign policy efforts to promote global universal Internet access.

The Special Representative shall: (1) oversee the State Department's Global Connect initiative to promote Internet access policies to enable first-time access to mobile and broadband Internet for at least 1.5 billion people in urban and rural areas by 2020, (2) promote investment by international finance institutions and U.S. corporations in Internet infrastructure expansion and connectivity projects, (3) encourage partner countries to adopt policies to lower prices and improve the quality of Internet service, and (4) collaborate with other federal agencies.

 The U.S. Agency for International Development may support expanded Internet connectivity worldwide by: (1) providing guidance to partner governments on establishing regulatory policies; and (2) funding and implementing programs to expand Internet infrastructure, digital literacy, and Internet connectivity and usage.

The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) should expedite institutional efforts and partner with other investors, local institutions, and private sector actors to increase Internet access services. Investments must focus on expanding: (1) the number of people with new access to Internet services; (2) construction of fiber, mobile, and other emerging access technologies; (3) rural area Internet access hubs; (4) the capacity of developing countries to monitor and regulate the Internet sector and encourage private investment; and (5) investment priorities in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions with acute shortages of critical infrastructure.

The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended to: (1) allow OPIC to make loans for projects sponsored by, or significantly involving, U.S. investors or foreign associations with U.S. owners; (2) require systems infrastructure costs to be treated as transaction costs; and (3) extend until 2021 OPIC's authority to issue investment insurance, investment guarantees, and direct loans.

The President must report annually on a multiyear strategy encouraging developing countries to expand Internet access as a means to catalyze innovation and economic growth, promote democracy, create educational opportunities, improve health outcomes, and strengthen global research networks.

The President may establish an Interagency Working Group to coordinate U.S. government activities in carrying out the strategy.

Date: 2016-07-13
Topic: Technology (Computers)
Subject: International affairs
Modernizing Outdated and Vulnerable Equipment and Information Technology Act of 2016 or MOVE IT Act

This bill prohibits a covered agency (specified agencies for which there are Chief Financial Officers) from storing or processing government information on a federal information system with any cloud service provider unless the provider has an authorization to operate a cloud computing service from the agency or the Joint Authorization Board.

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) may waive the applicability of such prohibition to any national security system in the interest of national security and shall submit a statement justifying such waiver.

The ODNI shall: (1) coordinate with the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program Office (FRAMPO) to establish mandatory guidelines for the submission of an application for such an authorization that shall streamline and accelerate the accreditation process; (2) host a public-private industry cloud commercial working group representing cloud service providers, which shall provide recommendations directly to FRAMPO's Program Management Office and Joint Authorization Board regarding their operations, processes improvements, and best practices; (3) establish key performance metrics for FRAMPO; (4) report on the effectiveness and efficiency of FRAMPO; and (5) assess cloud computing opportunities and issue policies and guidelines for the adoption of government-wide programs providing for a standardized approach to security assessment and operational authorization for cloud computing products and services.

There is established in each such agency an information technology system modernization and working capital fund for necessary expenses:

 for the replacement of a legacy information technology system; for the transition to cloud computing and innovative platforms and technologies; to assist and support efforts to provide information technology capabilities that address evolving threats to information security; and for developmental, modernization, and enhancement activities of information technology. Each agency shall prioritize amounts within such fund to be used initially for cost savings activities approved by the Federal Chief Information Officer.

The Government Accountability Office shall report on the implementation and operation of each such fund, current practices compared with industry best practices for the effective oversight and governance of a cloud computing working capital fund, the basis for the fund's use and operation, the fund's efficacy to accelerate technology transitions, and recommendations for improvement.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Technology (Computers)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to repeal the seven-year restriction on eligibility for widow's and widower's insurance benefits based on disability.

Date: 2007-02-16
Topic: Civil Rights (Handicap Discrimination)
Subject: Social welfare
Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to carry out a program to develop a travel credential or system that incorporates biometric technology and other technologies to limit air travel disruptions, and verify the identities, of individuals who have metal implants.

Date: 2009-05-07
Topic: Civil Rights (Handicap Discrimination)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act - Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal provisions concerning energy efficiency standards for general service incandescent lamps, rough service lamps, other designated lamps, and incandescent reflector lamps unless the Comptroller General has transmitted to Congress within six months after this Act's enactment a report that finds that: (1) consumers will obtain a net savings, in terms of dollars spent on monthly electric bills and expenses for new light fixtures to accommodate the use of the light bulbs required by such provisions, compared to dollars spent before their enactment; (2) the phase-out of incandescent light bulbs required by such provisions will reduce overall carbon dioxide emissions by 20% in the United States by 2025; and (3) such phase-out will not pose any health risks, including risks associated with mercury containment in certain light bulbs, to consumers or the general public, including health risks with respect to hospitals, schools, day care centers, mental health facilities, and nursing homes.Requires the report to include monthly and yearly projections of expenses for electric bills and new light fixtures for January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2017.

Date: 2011-03-01
Topic: Civil Rights (Handicap Discrimination)
Subject: Energy
Requires the same right of access to public transportation, accommodations, and private entity transportation services to be afforded to licensed or certified trainers of service animals (or appropriately credentialed handlers such animals) as is afforded under specified provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to individuals with disabilities who use such service animals. Declares it discriminatory under the ADA to afford such a trainer, when accompanied by a service animal, with any service, facility, privilege, advantage, or accommodation that is unequal to that afforded to other individuals. Defines "service animal" as a guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained or being trained to assist a disabled individual and distinguished by wearing a collar, leash, harness, or cape identifying the animal as a service animal in training, regardless of whether such animal has been licensed or certified by a state or local government.

Date: 2011-05-12
Topic: Civil Rights (Handicap Discrimination)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Repeal Existing Policies that Encourage and Allow Legal HIV Discrimination Act, the REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act, or the REPEAL Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that federal and state laws, policies, and regulations regarding people living with HIV/AIDS should: (1) not place unique or additional burdens on such individuals solely as a result of their HIV status; and (2) demonstrate a public health-oriented, evidence-based, medically accurate, and contemporary understanding of HIV transmission, health implications, treatment, and the impact of punitive HIV-specific laws and policies on affected people, families, and communities. Directs: (1) the Attorney General (AG), Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Secretary of Defense (DOD) to initiate a national review of federal (including military) and state laws, policies, regulations, and judicial precedents and decisions regarding criminal and related civil commitment cases involving people living with HIV/AIDS; and (2) the AG to transmit to Congress and make publicly available the results of such review with related recommendations. Requires the AG and HHS Secretary to: (1) develop and publicly release guidance and best practice recommendations for states, and (2) establish an integrated monitoring and evaluation system to measure state progress. Directs the AG and HHS and DOD Secretaries to transmit to the President and Congress any proposals necessary to implement adjustments to federal laws, policies, or regulations. Authorizes grants to eligible state and local entities, nongovernmental organizations, and public health departments to incorporate best practice recommendations within state laws, policies, regulations, and judicial decisions. Requires that such entities, departments, or organizations agree to abide with the sense of Congress statements set forth above as a condition of receiving such assistance.

Date: 2011-09-23
Topic: Civil Rights (Handicap Discrimination)
Subject: Civil rights and liberties, minority issues
Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Labor to discontinue issuing to any new profit or non-profit or governmental entity special wage certificates (which permit individuals with disabilities, including individuals employed in agriculture, to be paid at lower than minimum wages). Prescribes requirements for a three-year phase-out of all certificates. Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to repeal authority and requirements for the issuance of such certificates three years after enactment of this Act. Requires revocation of any certificates remaining at that time.

Date: 2011-10-04
Topic: Civil Rights (Handicap Discrimination)
Subject: Labor and employment
ADA Notification Act of 2013 - Amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to deny jurisdiction to a state or federal court in a civil action a plaintiff commences for remedies for disability discrimination in public accommodations and certain services provided by private entities unless: (1) the plaintiff notified the defendant in writing of the alleged violations prior to filing the complaint, (2) the notice identified the specific facts that constitute the alleged violation, (3) a remedial period of 90 days elapses after the notice, (4) the notice informed the defendant that the civil action could not be commenced for 90 days, and (5) the complaint states that the defendant has not corrected the alleged violation.

Date: 2013-02-15
Topic: Civil Rights (Handicap Discrimination)
Subject: Law
Prohibits a federal agency from paying a performance award to an employee in a Senior Executive Service position during a sequestration period or any period during which a sequestration order is issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act.

Date: 2013-05-16
Topic: Civil Rights (Handicap Discrimination)
Subject: Government operations and politics
ACCESS (ADA Compliance for Customer Entry to Stores and Services) Act of 2015

Amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit an aggrieved person from commencing a civil action for discrimination based on the failure to remove a structural barrier to entry into an existing public accommodation unless the owner or operator of such accommodation: (1) is provided a written notice specific enough to identify such barrier; and (2) has, within specified time periods, either failed to provide the aggrieved person with a written description outlining improvements that will be made to remove such barrier or provided such description and failed to remove such barrier.

Date: 2015-01-09
Topic: Civil Rights (Handicap Discrimination)
Subject: Law
Living Donor Protection Act of 2016

This bill prohibits discrimination based on an individual's status as a living organ donor in the offering, issuance, cancellation, coverage, price, or any other condition of a life insurance policy, disability insurance policy, or long-term care insurance policy.

The bill amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to specifically include living organ donation as a serious health condition that entitles a covered employee to leave under that Act.

The Department of Health and Human Services must update public service announcements, websites, and other media regarding live organ donation to educate the public on the benefits of live organ donation and access to insurance for living organ donors.

Date: 2016-02-25
Topic: Civil Rights (Handicap Discrimination)
Subject: Health
End of Suffering Act of 2015

This bill prohibits any federal or state law, regulation, or agency action from restricting the right of a mentally competent adult who is suffering from an advanced illness with intolerable pain or a terminal illness to receive pain relief treatment from a physician.

A physician who treats such an individual is not subject to criminal or civil prosecution or professional disciplinary action if the physician obtains the written informed consent of the patient through a form that must be developed by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Date: 2015-10-22
Topic: Civil Rights (Handicap Discrimination)
Subject: Health
Repeal Existing Policies that Encourage and Allow Legal HIV Discrimination Act of 2015 or the REPEAL HIV Discrimination Act of 2015

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that federal and state laws, policies, and regulations regarding people living with HIV/AIDS should: (1) not place unique or additional burdens on such individuals solely as a result of their HIV status; and (2) demonstrate a public health-oriented, evidence-based, medically accurate, and contemporary understanding of HIV transmission, health implications, treatment, and the impact of punitive HIV-specific laws, policies, regulations, and judicial precedents and decisions on public health and on affected people, families, and communities.

The bill directs: (1) the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Department of Defense (DOD) to initiate a national review of federal (including military) and state laws, policies, regulations, and judicial precedents and decisions regarding criminal and related civil commitment cases involving people living with HIV/AIDS; and (2) DOJ to transmit to Congress and make publicly available the results of such review with related recommendations.

DOJ and HHS must: (1) develop and publicly release guidance and best practice recommendations for states, and (2) establish an integrated monitoring and evaluation system to measure state progress.

DOJ, HHS, and DOD must transmit to the President and Congress any proposals necessary to implement adjustments to federal laws, policies, or regulations.

The bill prohibits this Act from being construed to discourage the prosecution of individuals who intentionally transmit or attempt to transmit HIV to another individual.

Date: 2015-12-01
Topic: Civil Rights (Handicap Discrimination)
Subject: Civil rights and liberties, minority issues
Disability Integration Act of 2015

This bill prohibits states or local governments that provide institutional placements for individuals with disabilities who need long-term assistance with daily living activities or health-related tasks, and prohibits insurance providers that fund such long-term services, from denying community-based services that would enable such individuals, as an alternative to institutionalization, to live in the community and lead an independent life.

States, local governments, or insurance providers may not discriminate against such individuals in the provision of community-based services by: (1) imposing prohibited eligibility criteria, cost caps, waiting lists, or payment structures; (2) failing to provide a specific community-based service; or (3) requiring an individual to receive a service in a congregate or disability-specific setting.

Community-based services must be offered to individuals with such disabilities prior to institutionalization. Institutionalized individuals must be notified regularly of community-based alternatives.

States, local governments, and public insurance providers must assess: (1) transportation barriers that prevent individuals from receiving services in integrated settings, and (2) the availability of integrated employment opportunities.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must issue regulations requiring states, local governments, or insurance providers to offer community-based long-term services as an alternative to institutional placement. State and local governments, in conjunction with housing agencies, must ensure sufficient availability of affordable, accessible, and integrated housing that is not a disability-specific residential setting or a setting where services are tied to tenancy.

Such regulations must also require states and local governments to begin implementing a transition plan to achieve the requirements of this Act within 12 years after its enactment. For 10 years after issuance of the regulations, HHS must determine annually whether each state is complying with the transition plan. If a state is complying, HHS must increase by five percentage points the federal medical assistance percentage for a state requesting an increase for expenditures on home and community-based services furnished under the state Medicaid plan under title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, or a waiver of such plan, that are identified as: (1) improvements to ensure accessibility or self-directed receipt of such services, (2) funding shifts from institutional settings to integrated community-based services, or (3) environmental modifications for housing targeted toward the lowest income individuals.

The bill provides for DOJ enforcement and allows civil actions by individuals subjected to, or about to be subjected to, a violation of this Act.

Date: 2015-12-18
Topic: Civil Rights (Handicap Discrimination)
Subject: Civil rights and liberties, minority issues
Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower Act of 2016 or the RISE Act of 2016

This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to set forth requirements about data collection related to students with disabilities. Specifically, the bill requires institutions of higher learning to outline which documents disabled students need to submit in order to ensure they are eligible for student disability support services.

Institutions must submit key data related to their undergraduate students with disabilities for inclusion in federal postsecondary institution data collection efforts.

Date: 2016-12-08
Topic: Civil Rights (Handicap Discrimination)
Subject: Education
Textile Negotiator Promotion Act - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to redesignate the Special Textile Negotiator of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) as the Chief Textiles Negotiator who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Makes it a function of the Chief Textiles Negotiator to conduct trade negotiations and enforce trade agreements regarding U.S. textile and apparel products and services.

Date: 2007-01-17
Topic: Foreign Trade (Exports)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Border Tax Equity Act of 2007 - Requires the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to submit to Congress a report certifying whether or not U.S. objectives to revise World Trade Organization (WTO) rules on border tax treatment of goods and services from countries with indirect tax systems have been met in WTO negotiations. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) impose a tax on imports of goods and services from any country with an indirect tax system and deposits taxes so collected into a special account; and (2) upon request of a U.S. exporter, grant a rebate to such exporter from such account of indirect taxes paid. Imposes such requirements if the USTR fails to certify to Congress that U.S. objectives have been met.

Date: 2007-06-06
Topic: Foreign Trade (Exports)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Subjects civil aircraft, aircraft engines, or propellers (including any component or technology related to such items) to export controls only under the Export Administration Act of 1979, as continued in effect pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Provides that such items shall not be subject to military export controls under the Arms Export Control Act.

Date: 2007-09-24
Topic: Foreign Trade (Exports)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Securing Exports Through Coordination and Technology Act - Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 to revise filing requirements under the Automated Export System (AES). Requires carriers obliged to file Shipper's Export Declarations to file them through AES (either directly or through intermediaries) before items are exported from any U.S. port, unless the Secretary of Commerce grants an exception. (Under current law such a filing may be made after departure of the carrier from the port or place of exportation or transportation.) Defines "intermediary" as a freight forwarder, a non-vessel operating common carrier, or an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet and its service providers. Sets forth requirements regarding: (1) the confidentiality and the sharing of Shipper's Export Declarations with the public and government agencies; and (2) conferences and seminars to educate exporters about U.S. export laws and the AES. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) grant licenses to persons to file information in the AES; and (2) deny, suspend, or revoke a license. Provides for administrative and judicial appeal of license denials, suspensions, or revocations. Requires the Secretary to issue regulations to ensure that the AES will not accept filings with respect to exports that would violate U.S. export control laws or trade sanctions regulations.

Date: 2008-04-17
Topic: Foreign Trade (Exports)
Subject: International affairs
Export Promotion Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 to establish in the Executive Office of the President the Office of Trade Promotion. (Currently, there exists a Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC), which the Office shall replace.) Requires the Office to perform duties currently assigned to the TPCC, as well as advise the President and others within the Executive Office on matters relating to trade promotion policies and programs of the U.S. Government. Requires the President to appoint an Office Director. Authorizes the President to appoint up to two Associate Directors. Directs the President to establish the Advisory Board on Trade Promotion to advise the Office Director.

Date: 2008-04-23
Topic: Foreign Trade (Exports)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
American Shipping Reinvestment Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal shipping investment withdrawal tax rules; and (2) allow U.S. corporate shareholders a tax deduction for dividends attributable to foreign base company shipping income received from a controlled foreign corporation.

Date: 2008-06-25
Topic: Foreign Trade (Exports)
Subject: Taxation
Oil for Americans Act - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to repeal authority for the export of Alaskan crude oil. Makes effective the ban on the export of Alaskan crude oil of the Export Administration Act of 1979.

Date: 2008-07-16
Topic: Foreign Trade (Exports)
Subject: Energy
Office of Domestic Product Promotion Act - Establishes within the Department of Commerce an Office of Domestic Product Promotion to: (1) work with U.S. businesses to promote domestic products; (2) provide information and advice to them on benefits and incentives available for producing domestic products, including the award of federal procurement contracts and federal and state tax benefits; (3) establish a comprehensive publicly available database of businesses that use, sell, or would prefer to use or sell, domestic products; (4) develop tools and ideas on how to promote domestic products; and (5) coordinate with state governments to further the Office's performance of its duties.

Date: 2008-07-22
Topic: Foreign Trade (Exports)
Subject: Commerce
Export Control Improvements Act - Securing Exports Through Coordination and Technology Act - Amends the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003 to revise filing requirements under the Automated Export System (AES). Requires carriers obliged to file Shipper's Export Declarations to file them through AES (either directly or through intermediaries) before items are exported from any U.S. port, unless the Secretary of Commerce grants an exception. (Under current law such a filing may be made after departure of the carrier from the port or place of exportation or transportation.) Defines "intermediary" as a freight forwarder, a non-vessel operating common carrier, or an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet and its service providers. Sets forth requirements regarding conferences and seminars to educate exporters about U.S. export laws and the AES. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) register persons to file information in the AES; and (2) revoke, suspend, or deny a registration. Provides for administrative and judicial appeal of registration revocations, suspensions, or denials. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to issue regulations to ensure that the AES will identify filings with respect to exports that would violate U.S. export control laws or trade sanctions regulations. Export Enforcement Act of 2008 - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 to modify enforcement mechanisms under the Act. Subjects to forfeiture any tangible items lawfully seized by U.S. designated officers or employees. Specifies the use of funds made available for undercover investigation operations by the Office of Export Enforcement. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, without fiscal year limitations, to expend funds transferred to, paid to, received by, or made available to the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce as a reimbursement. Recognizes United Arab Emirates' efforts with respect to the diversion of dual-use items to prohibited destinations. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) create a designation of a country as a "country of diversion concern" with respect to the illegal transshipment of dual-use items; and (2) impose additional restrictions on exports of such items to a country of diversion concern. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct, and report to the appropriate congressional committees on, an audit of the Validated End-User program operated by the Department of Commerce. Requires the President to report to Congress on transfers of U.S. military sensitive technology to countries and entities of concern.

Date: 2008-08-01
Topic: Foreign Trade (Exports)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Export Enforcement Act of 2007 - Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979 (the Act) to place the Office of Foreign Availability under the direction of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security (under current law, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration). Increases penalties for violations of the Act. Sets forth a five-year statute of limitations for commencing a proceeding in which a civil penalty or other administrative sanction is sought under the Act. Modifies enforcement mechanisms under the Act. Subjects tangible items lawfully seized by U.S. designated officers or employees to forfeiture. Specifies the use of funds made available for undercover investigation operations by the Office of Export Enforcement. Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce, without fiscal year limitations, to expend funds transferred to, paid to, received by, or made available to the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce as a reimbursement. Exempts functions exercised under the Export Administration Regulations as maintained and amended under the authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act from administrative procedure and judicial review. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to subject every person involved in the export of merchandise contrary to law to a monetary penalty.

Date: 2007-08-03
Topic: Foreign Trade (Exports)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Trade Enforcement Act of 2009 - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to revise certain trade provisions to require the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to: (1) review U.S. trade expansion priorities; and (2) report to Congress on priority foreign country practices which if eliminated will have the most potential to increase U.S. exports. Requires the USTR to seek consultation and satisfactory resolution of any identified priority foreign country trade practice (including an agreement for elimination or provision of compensatory trade benefits) with the country of concern. Establishes the Office of the Congressional Trade Enforcer. Requires the USTR to: (1) identify priority foreign countries that maintain technical barriers to trade, or sanitary or phytosanitary measures, that deny market access to U.S. products; and (2) initiate an investigation of such trade barriers to determine what trade action, if any, must be taken to remedy such barriers. Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to apply countervailing duty provisions to nonmarket economy countries. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the United States should restore the balance between rights and obligations struck during the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations; (2) the United States should have the ability to enforce rigorously its trade laws (including antidumping, countervailing duty, and safeguard laws) in World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations and dispute settlement proceedings; and (2) dispute settlement panels are obligated to follow WTO negotiated agreements and not Appellate Body jurisprudence. Revises requirements for presidential action on a finding by the International Trade Commission (ITC) regarding an imported Chinese product that threatens or causes market disruption to a like U.S. product. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish: (1) a government-wide, uniform data system to identify all goods imported into the United States; and (2) a voluntary government-private Import Safety Program to ensure that all goods in the international supply chain do not pose risks to public health or safety, and to facilitate the movement of such goods through the chain. Requires the Secretary to establish: (1) a list of importers of record and foreign manufacturers, processing facilities, exporters, and suppliers whose imported products have been determined to be inadmissible into the United States or have been the subject of U.S. recalls because of violations of health or safety standards; and (2) sanctions for entities on the list. Establishes the position of Director of Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement to develop an annual strategic plan for the enforcement of intellectual property rights. Sets forth: (1) enforcement activities to combat the counterfeiting and piracy of products; and (2) civil fines for the import of pirated or counterfeit products.

Date: 2009-01-14
Topic: Foreign Trade (Exports)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Initiating Foreign Assistance Reform Act of 2009 - Directs the President to develop and implement: (1) a National Strategy for Global Development to further the U.S. foreign policy objective of reducing poverty and contributing to economic growth in developing countries, including responding to humanitarian crises; and (2) a system to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of U.S. foreign assistance. Expresses the sense of Congress that American taxpayers and foreign assistance recipients should have, to the maximum extent practicable, full access to U.S. foreign assistance information.

Date: 2009-04-28
Topic: Foreign Trade (Exports)
Subject: International affairs
Small Manufacturers Export Initiative Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to increase by at least 80 the number of full-time Department of Commerce employees, including those overseas, whose primary responsibilities involve promoting the entry and participation of U.S. businesses, especially small- and medium-sized U.S. manufacturers, in the global marketplace. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary: (1) for such activities; and (2) to expand the ExporTech program, requiring preference for activities that assist small- and medium-sized U.S. manufacturers, create or sustain the greatest number of jobs in the United States, and obtain the maximum return on investment. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should enhance federal collaboration with states on export promotion issues by: (1) training state international trade agency staff to assist the United States and Foreign Commercial Service in providing export services to businesses in their communities; and (2) entering into agreements with such state agencies to deliver export promotion services in their local communities to extend the outreach of Service programs.

Date: 2010-07-20
Topic: Foreign Trade (Exports)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
American Jobs Through Exports Act of 2010 - Amends the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 to revise the duties of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC). Requires the TPCC to review the proposed annual budget of each federal agency, before it is submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the President, when (as required by current law) assessing the appropriate levels and allocation of resources among such agencies in support of export promotion and export financing. Requires the governmentwide strategic plan for federal trade promotion efforts, in conducting the review of current federal programs designed to promote the sale of U.S. exports and developing a plan to bring such activities into line with specified priorities, to take into account recommendations from a representative number of U.S. exporters, particularly small business and medium-sized businesses, and representatives of U.S. workers. Directs the President to issue an executive order and necessary regulations to provide the TPCC chairperson with the authority to ensure that the TPCC carries out each of its duties and develops and implements the strategic plan. Requires the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) conduct at least once every five years a global assessment of overseas markets to determine those with the greatest potential for increasing U.S. exports, and (2) redeploy U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service personnel and other resources on the basis of that assessment. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to require each chief of mission to a foreign country to develop an approved plan for effective diplomacy to remove or reduce obstacles to exports of U.S. goods and services.

Date: 2010-09-28
Topic: Foreign Trade (Exports)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance