zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Human-Powered Travel in Wilderness Areas Act

This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (with respect to National Forest System land) and the Department of the Interior (with respect to public land) to authorize relevant local officials to determine all permissible forms of recreational use by nonmotorized transportation methods over any permitted routes within their jurisdictions.

The bill defines "local officials" as officers or employees who are the heads of units or jurisdictions of the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the Forest Service, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

If a local official fails to make such a determination about a permitted route more than two years after this bill's enactment, then any form of recreational use by nonmotorized transportation methods shall be allowable on that route.

Date: 2016-07-13
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Invasive Fish and Wildlife Prevention Act of 2016

This bill sets forth a regulatory process for preventing the introduction and establishment in the United States of certain injurious wildlife that is likely to cause harm to: (1) humans; (2) interests in agriculture, horticulture, or forestry; or (3) wildlife or wildlife resources.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) may: (1) designate certain wildlife as injurious, and (2) make immediate and temporary emergency designations if the injurious wildlife poses an imminent threat. Interested persons may petition the USFWS to designate wildlife as injurious.

The bill: (1) gives the Department of the Interior the primary authority to prevent the importation and sale of wildlife pathogens and harmful parasites, and (2) establishes requirements that address those pathogens and parasites.

The bill prohibits: (1) importing into the United States, or transporting between states, injurious wildlife or wildlife not in trade; and (2) possessing or releasing into the wild such wildlife.

USFWS may issue permits that authorize the importation or transport of injurious wildlife for scientific, zoological, medical research, or educational purposes.

USFWS must establish user fees for live wildlife imports.

The bill establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations.

Interior must establish a grant program for supporting states and Indian tribes in: (1) inspecting and monitoring interstate transport of wildlife, and (2) assessing risks associated with the intentional importation of wildlife.

 The bill establishes the Injurious Wildlife Prevention Fund to carry out this bill. Revenues generated by user fees and penalties must be deposited into the fund.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Environment (Species & Forest)
Subject: Environmental protection
Business Checking Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends federal law to authorize interest-bearing or dividend-bearing transaction accounts for all businesses, permitting up to 24 transfers per month to another account of the owner in the same institution. Amends the Federal Reserve Act, the Home Owners' Loan Act, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to repeal the prohibition against the payment of interest on demand deposits. Amends the Federal Reserve Act to require the Board to survey biennially and report biennially to Congress on bank fees and certain services. Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989, and the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994, to repeal certain reporting requirements. Cites practices which shall not be treated as payment or receipt of interest if they relate to an escrow account maintained at a depository institution in connection with a real estate transaction.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Community Choice in Real Estate Act - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 and the Revised Statutes of the United States to prohibit the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Secretary of the Treasury, respectively, from determining that real estate brokerage activity or real estate management activity is financial in nature, is incidental to any financial activity, or is complementary to a financial activity. (In effect, prohibits financial holding companies and national banks from engaging, directly or indirectly, in real estate brokerage or real estate management activities.) Exempts from such prohibition: (1) activities of a bank holding company (or any affiliate) that directly relate to managing any real property owned by national banks or their affiliates; and (2) the right, power, or ability of any financial holding company to engage in any activity, or acquire or retain the shares of any company engaged in an activity authorized for financial holding companies on December 6, 2001 ("grandfather clause").

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Municipal Deposit Insurance Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to set $2 million as the maximum amount of insurance for in-state municipal depositor accounts held by an insured depository institution.

Date: 2007-01-10
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Health and Higher Education Facilities Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a small tax-exempt bond issuer, the proceeds of the obligations of which are to be used to make or finance eligible loans for health care or educational purposes, to elect to apply specified current limitations on the amount of obligations by treating each borrower as the issuer of a separate issue.

Date: 2007-01-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Taxation
Consumer Overdraft Protection Fair Practices Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to set forth restrictions on: (1) overdraft protection programs or services for consumers; and (2) representations or statements with respect to such a program or service in any advertisement or promotion. Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act and the Expedited Funds Availability Act to set forth restrictions on overdraft protection programs or services for consumers.

Date: 2007-02-08
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
CTR Modernization Act - Amends federal law governing mandatory reports on currency transactions to exempt depository institutions from the requirement that all domestic financial institutions file a report on every domestic coin and currency transaction. Requires such a depository institution to file a currency transaction report, however, if the transaction involves at least $30,000. Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury after a certain date from requiring a depository institution to file a currency transaction report regarding a transaction of less than $30,000. Directs the Secretary to: (1) review at least every five years the threshold for reporting currency transactions; and (2) adjust the threshold amount for inflation. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations that exempt any depository institution from reporting a currency transaction with a qualified customer. Defines qualified customer as any person that: (1) is incorporated or organized under federal or state law, or registered and eligible to do business within the United States or a state; (2) has maintained a deposit account with the depository institution for at least 12 months; and (3) has engaged, using such account, in multiple currency transactions subject to reporting requirements. Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations that: (1) provide guidance on identifying currency transactions involving illegal or suspicious activities; and (2) create a list of information that may be disclosed to customers before the reporting of suspicious activity.

Date: 2007-03-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Savings for Working Families Act of 2007 - Allows certain low-income individuals between age 18 and 61 to establish tax-exempt individual development accounts (IDAs) to pay for certain qualified expenses, including education expenses, first-time homebuyer costs, and business capitalization or expansion costs. Sets forth rules for the establishment, maintenance, and termination of IDAs. Permits tax-free withdrawals from IDAs for qualified expenses, but requires IDA beneficiaries to complete one or more financial education courses prior to making an IDA withdrawal.Allows certain financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, and Indian tribes to sponsor and administer IDAs. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow such entities a business-related tax credit for the cost of administering IDAs and for making matching contributions to IDAs in parallel accounts. Provides that IDA amounts shall be disregarded for purposes of determining eligibility for assistance under certain means-tested federal programs.

Date: 2007-03-14
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Taxation
Credit Union Regulatory Improvements Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to reduce the minimum net worth ratio requirements of credit unions. Revises the minimum risk-based net ratio for such capitalizations. Transfers from the federal banking agencies to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) the authority to adjust the net worth levels of credit unions. Instructs the National Credit Union Administration Board (Board) to design the risk-based net worth requirement to take account of material risks to insured credit unions that are taken account of by comparable standards applicable to FDIC-insured institutions. Establishes a temporary waiver of the net worth restoration plan requirement for an undercapitalized credit union which attains its status due to a major natural or man-made disaster. Revamps requirements for limits and restrictions on member business loans. Authorizes credit unions to lease to any business enterprise separate and clearly distinct space in credit union office buildings in underserved areas. Authorizes the Board, in specified circumstances, to encompass within credit union membership any person or organization within an underserved local community, neighborhood, or rural district. Permits a credit union to invest in securities for its own account. Increases the investment and lending limit in credit union service organizations. Exempts certain voluntary mergers involving multiple common-bond credit unions from the numerical limit for eligibility within the field of membership category of a credit union. Directs the Board to prescribe criteria for continued membership of certain member groups in the case of certain credit union conversions to a community charter. Includes just cause as grounds for expulsion from membership. Authorizes term limits for board members of federal credit unions. Revises voting requirements for credit union conversions to mutual savings banks. Amends the Clayton Act to exempt from its pre-merger notification and waiting period requirements any mergers of one insured credit union activities with another which require agency approval under the Federal Credit Union Act.

Date: 2007-03-15
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Regulatory Relief and Fairness Act - Amends the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to require rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to permit an insured depository institution, a bank holding company, or a savings and loan holding company to elect voluntarily not to provide otherwise mandatory certifications regarding its quarterly or annual reports or its management assessment of internal controls.

Date: 2007-03-15
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to extend and expand arrangements with certain medical providers and the New York City Fire Department for monitoring and other services for those exposed to airborne toxins from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 in New York City (9/11 attacks). Expands the categories of individuals to be covered by such arrangements and provides for a nationwide network of health care providers for treating victims residing outside the New York City area.Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct or support research on the diagnosis and treatment of physical and mental health conditions related to the 9/11 attacks. Authorizes the Secretary to establish similar research programs for victims of the attack at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.Directs the Secretary to convene a 9/11 Health Emergency Coordinating Council to discuss, examine, and formulate recommendations with respect to the adequacy and coordination of: (1) care and compensation for victims of the 9/11attacks; and (2) federal tracking of the monitoring of, and treatment for, individuals affected by such attacks.Amends the Air Transportation Safety and System Stabilization Act to provide, under certain circumstances, for an extension for filing claims under the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001.Directs the Secretary to extend and expand arrangements with New York City that provide for the World Trade Center Health Registry.Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for the mental health needs of individuals affected by the 9/11 attacks.

Date: 2007-03-22
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Health
Small Business Securities Protection Act - Amends the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to instruct the Securities and Exchange Commission to prescribe rules that incorporate risk-based concepts in evaluating internal control over financial reporting for issuers. Requires such rules also to incorporate: (1) specific guidelines for measuring the terms "material," "reasonable," "significant," and "sufficient" in the context of internal control over financial reporting; (2) a requirement that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board consider the efficiency of audit practices in its inspections; (3) alternative requirements for smaller issuers that reflect the relative size and complexity of smaller issuers, and the relative financial and manpower burdens placed on them in testing and documenting internal controls; and (4) revised standards for independence by auditors to permit the rendering of internal control advice for resolution of internal control issues and related liability safe harbors for auditors providing such advice to smaller issuers.

Date: 2007-03-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Community Banks Serving Their Communities First Act, or the Communities First Act - Revises regulatory requirements for community banks, including amendments to: (1) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to permit certain insured depository institutions to submit a short form report of condition; (2) the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to exempt certain small-sized depository institutions from annual management assessment of internal controls requirements; (3) the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970 to exempt certain small-size community banks from its prohibition against advances for customers' net equity claims; (4) the Federal Reserve Act to increase the asset size of banks exempt from the limitation on extensions of credit to executive officers, directors, and principal shareholders; and (5) the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to increase the shareholder registration threshold. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to direct the Federal Reserve Board to prescribe regulations authorizing a consumer to waive the right of rescission as to certain transactions when the creditor is an insured depository institution. Seasoned Customer CTR Exemption Act of 2007 - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations to exempt a depository institution from filing a currency transaction report (CTR) in the case of certain qualified customers. Amends additional Acts, including: (1) the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to exempt specified community banks from furnishing a mandatory privacy notice; (2) the Fair Credit Reporting Act to require a consumer's written consent before a consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report upon request from another creditor; and (3) the Federal Reserve Act to limit loans to executive officers. Amends the Internal Revenue Code with respect to specified tax provisions for long-term certificates of deposit, loans secured by agricultural real property, qualified small issue bonds, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-insured limited liability companies, and young savers accounts. Repeals the individual alternative minimum tax for individuals and community banks. Reduces the tax rates for community banks. Revises certain Subchapter S requirements for tax treatment of small businesses. Amends the Small Business Act with respect to: (1) reduced fees for specified loans; and (2) a low documentation loan program.

Date: 2007-04-17
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Preservation of Federalism in Banking Act - Amends the Revised Statutes of the United States and the Home Owners' Loan Act to declare applicable to either a national bank or federal savings association any consumer protection in state consumer law of general application (including unfair or deceptive acts or practices, consumer fraud law and repossession, foreclosure, and collection). Declares that when a national bank or federal savings association avails itself of state law for its benefit, all related consumer protections in such state law shall apply. Declares applicable to a national bank or federal savings association: (1) state banking or thrift laws enacted pursuant to federal law; and (2) state laws providing greater protection in high cost mortgage loans (predatory mortgage loans). Permits the Comptroller of the Currency to preempt state law only when a comparable federal statute or regulation pursuant to a federal statute, other than this Act, expressly governs the activity. States that any federal law relating to visitorial powers or which otherwise limits or restricts the supervisory, examination, or regulatory authority to which a national bank or federal savings association is subject shall not be construed as restricting the authority of any chief state law enforcement officer to bring an action on behalf of state residents to enforce federal or state law, or to seek relief and recover damages for violations by a national bank or federal savings association. Prescribes procedural guidelines requiring the Comptroller and the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision to record and monitor consumer complaints regarding either a national bank or a federal savings association, respectively.

Date: 2007-04-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Freedom to Bank Act - Terminates any provision of federal law (other than the Internal Revenue Code) that subjects a consumer to a penalty for withdrawing or transferring funds from any transaction account or any savings or time deposit. Declares that no creditor, depository institution, or credit union shall be required to provide periodic statements of account to a customer unless the customer has notified it of an election to receive such statements. Requires such entities to establish a procedure for notifying customers of their right to elect to receive statements of account and the method for implementing such election.

Date: 2007-05-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
FDIC Enforcement Enhancement Act - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) to prohibit use of the terms "Federal Deposit," "Federal Deposit Insurance," "Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation," any combination of such terms, or the abbreviation "FDIC," as part of the business name or firm name of any person or business entity, including any advertisement, solicitation, or other document.Prohibits use of such terms, or any other sign or symbol as part of a document, to represent, suggest, or imply that any deposit liability, obligation, certificate, or share is insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) if in fact the instrument is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC.Prohibits knowing misrepresentations of: (1) the federally insured status of any deposit liability, obligation, certificate, or share; or (2) the extent or the manner in which such instruments are insured by the FDIC. Grants the FDIC jurisdiction over any person that violates this Act, and certain enforcement authority as if the person were a state nonmember insured bank. Empowers the FDIC to issue orders requiring: (1) immediate cessation; and (2) affirmative action to prevent any further violation, or to remedy an existing one.Subjects violations of this Act to civil money penalties.

Date: 2007-05-24
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
National Financial Literacy Act of 2007 - Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to require federal financial supervisory agencies jointly to prescribe regulations establishing: (1) minimum standards to be met by a community-based financial literacy program in order to be eligible for consideration as a qualified community-based financial literacy program; (2) procedures for financial institutions to apply to a federal financial supervisory agency for approval of such a program; and (3) a requirement that financial institutions submit a regular report on how the institution supported and promoted financial literacy in its entire community, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Authorizes a federal financial supervisory agency to take an institution's direct support of a qualified community-based financial literacy program into account when it assesses the institution's record of meeting the community's credit needs.

Date: 2007-06-22
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Treasury Annuity Study Act of 2007 - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to study and report to Congress on the feasibility of authorizing or requiring the Department of the Treasury to create annuity products and sell them to U.S. citizens.

Date: 2007-06-28
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Labor and employment
Innocent Check Depositor Protection Act - Amends the Expedited Funds Availability Act to prohibit a receiving depository institution from imposing check dishonorment fees upon a depositor if the check is drawn on an account at an originating institution which subsequently dishonors it for lack of sufficient funds. States that this Act shall not be construed as affecting any intervening depository institution or the costs of services it provides.

Date: 2007-07-10
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Affordable Financial Services Enhancement Act - Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to revise the credit union categories of field of membership that may be included in an underserved investment area. Repeals the limitation of credit union categories in such areas to the multiple common-bond credit union membership category. Extends to single common-bond credit unions and community credit unions the National Credit Union Board's authority to allow the membership of a credit union in such an area to include any person or organization within the local community, neighborhood, or rural district.

Date: 2007-07-19
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Commission on the Tax Treatment of Hedge Funds and Private Equity Act of 2007 - Establishes the Commission on the Tax Treatment of Hedge Funds and Private Equity to review and make recommendations to Congress on the tax treatment of the U.S. hedge fund and private equity industry.

Date: 2007-08-03
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to transfer to each federal banking agency, with respect to depository institutions it supervises, the authority to prescribe regulations governing unfair or deceptive practices by banks and savings and loan institutions currently vested in the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (with respect to banks) and the Federal Home Loan Bank Board (with respect to savings and loan institutions). Requires the federal banking agencies to prescribe such regulations: (1) jointly to the extent practicable; and (2) in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Authorizes the FTC, with respect to entities within its jurisdiction, to commence a rulemaking proceeding and prescribe regulations whenever such banking agencies commence a rulemaking proceeding. Requires the FTC, whenever it commences such a rulemaking proceeding, to consult and coordinate with the federal banking agencies and the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Board so that the regulations prescribed by each such agency are consistent with and comparable to the regulations prescribed by the agencies to the extent practicable. Instructs the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the status of regulations of the federal banking agencies and the NCUA regarding unfair and deceptive acts or practices by depository institutions.

Date: 2007-09-14
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
America Saving for Personal Investment, Retirement, and Education Act of 2007 or the ASPIRE Act of 2007 - Establishes a KIDS Account Fund in the Treasury. Establishes within the Fund a Kids Investment and Development Savings Account (KIDS Account). Makes eligible to contribute to such account, and to receive a matching federal contribution, any U.S. citizen born after December 31, 2007, and under 18 years of age, whose modified adjusted gross income is below the applicable national median adjusted gross income amount. Creates the KIDS Account Fund Board to establish a default investment program under which, in a manner similar to a lifecycle investment program, sums in each KIDS Account are allocated to investment funds in the KIDS Account Fund based on the amount of time before the account holder attains the age of 18. States that, for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code, each KIDS Account shall be treated in the same manner as a Roth IRA. Applies Roth IRA requirements separately to KIDS accounts. Provides for: (1) distributions for higher education expenses; and (2) privately managed KIDS accounts. Subjects the Board to the same composition requirements, duties, and responsibilities as the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury, in coordination with the Financial Literacy and Education Commission, to develop programs to promote the financial literacy of account holders of KIDS Accounts.

Date: 2007-10-03
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Taxation
Preserving and Expanding Minority Depository Institutions Act - Amends the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA) to include the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve Board) and the Comptroller of the Currency among the persons with whom the Secretary of the Treasury must consult regarding methods for best preserving: (1) the present number of minority depository institutions; and (2) their minority character in cases involving mergers or acquisition of a minority depository institution.Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, the Comptroller of the Currency, the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS), and the Chairperson of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation each to submit an annual report to Congress describing actions taken with respect to the preservation and expansion of minority depository institutions. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to repeal its (redundant) requirement that the OTS Director report annually to Congress on actions taken with respect to the preservation and expansion of minority depository institutions.

Date: 2007-11-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Money Service Business Act of 2008 -Amends federal law governing anti-money laundering programs to provide that an insured depository institution has no obligation to review the compliance with federal anti-money laundering requirements of a money transmitting business for whom it maintains an account if such institution has on file specified mandatory self-certifications submitted by the money transmitting business.Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act without regard to whether such violations were willful.Shields such institution from liability for the non-compliance of a money transmitting business and its agents with federal anti-money laundering requirements.Prescribes requirements for self-certification by a money transmitting business that it is in compliance with federal anti-money laundering requirements (including its agents).Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe implementing regulations.

Date: 2007-11-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Financial Consumer Hotline Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act of 1978 to require federal financial institution regulatory agencies, coordinating through the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, to establish: (1) a single, toll-free telephone number for consumer complaints and inquiries concerning institutions under their jurisdiction; and (2) a system for routing such calls to the federal financial institution regulatory agency that primarily supervises the financial institution, or that is otherwise the appropriate agency to address the subject of the complaint or inquiry.Cites circumstances under which state agencies may receive appropriate call transfers from such federal systems.

Date: 2007-12-06
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer to the Secretary of Agriculture $40 million of otherwise unappropriated funds to implement the emergency food assistance program established under the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983.

Date: 2007-12-18
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Kids IRA Act of 2008 (K-IRA) - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish young savers account for individual taxpayers under age 26. Treats such accounts as Roth individual retirement accounts (Roth IRAs) for income tax purposes. Allows a tax deduction for contributions to young savers accounts, up to $5,000 a taxable year.

Date: 2008-02-26
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Taxation
Credit Union Regulatory Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to: (1) permit a credit union to invest in securities for its own account, subject to certain percentage limitations; and (2) increase the investment and lending limit in credit union service organizations from 1% to 3% of a credit union's total paid and unimpaired capital and surplus. Excludes credit union loans to nonprofit religious organizations from limitations placed upon member business loans. Authorizes the National Credit Union Administration Board (Board) to establish longer loan maturity dates.Directs the Board to prescribe criteria for continued membership of certain member groups in the case of certain credit union conversions to a community charter. Revises requirements for credit union membership in certain underserved areas. Empowers a federal credit union to provide short-term loans as an alternative to payday loans. Authorizes a credit union board of directors to expel a member based on just cause, including disruption of credit union operations (as well as nonparticipation, as under current law). Excludes from the meaning of member business loan subject to certain limitations (thus permitting without such limitations) any extension of credit to a member, meeting specified criteria, whose proceeds are to be used for commercial, corporate, business, farm or agricultural purposes in an underserved area. Amends the Clayton Act to exempt from its premerger notification and waiting period requirements any mergers of one insured credit union activities with another which require agency approval under the Federal Credit Union Act.

Date: 2008-03-03
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act of 2008 - Amends the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to reestablish the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers as a nonprofit corporation whose purpose is to provide a mechanism through which licensing, continuing education, and other insurance producer qualification requirements and conditions can be adopted and applied on a multi-state basis, while preserving the right of states to: (1) license, supervise, and discipline insurance producers; and (2) prescribe and enforce laws and regulations regarding insurance-related consumer protection and unfair trade practices. Sets forth membership requirements, including a mandatory criminal background check applicable to state-licensed insurance producers. Sets limits upon permissible uses of such criminal background information, and imposes a criminal penalty for improper use. Requires the Association, in establishing membership criteria, to consider the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Producer Licensing Model Act and the highest levels of insurance producer qualifications established under state licensing laws. Authorizes the Association to deny membership to a state-licensed insurance producer on the basis of the criminal history information obtained. Establishes classes and categories of membership. Declares that membership authorizes an insurance producer to sell, solicit, negotiate, effect, procure, deliver, renew, continue, or bind insurance in any state for any line or lines of insurance specified in such producer's home state license, and exercise all such incidental powers, including claims adjustments and settlement, risk management, employee benefits advice, retirement planning, and any other insurance-related consulting activities. Authorizes the Association to deny membership to any state-licensed insurance producer for failure to meet membership criteria established by the Association. Preserves state consumer protection and market conduct regulation powers. Grants the Association membership probation, suspension and revocation powers.Requires the Association to establish an office of consumer complaints, including a toll-free telephone number.Creates a Board of Directors to govern and supervise the Association and its members.Preempts specified state actions.Permits judicial review over litigation involving the Association.

Date: 2008-03-13
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Roth TSP Act of 2008 - Requires the Executive Director of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to provide for the inclusion in the Thrift Savings Plan of a qualified Roth contribution program (a program under which an employee may elect to make designated Roth contributions in lieu of elective deferrals under the retirement plan).

Date: 2008-04-15
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Bank and Thrift Regulatory Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Revised Statutes of the United States to authorize the Comptroller of the Currency, in lieu of requirements relating to the ownership of capital stock in the national bank, to permit an individual to serve as a director of a national bank that has elected, or notified the Comptroller of its intention, to operate as a S corporation under the Internal Revenue Code. Authorizes the Comptroller to prescribe regulations that permit a national bank to be organized other than as a body corporate (that is, as an alternative business organization). Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act governing federal savings associations to: (1) increase their investment in small business investment companies from 1% to 5%; (2) permit investments in auto loans; (3) repeal the qualified thrift lender requirement for out-of-state branches; (3) eliminate the lending limit on small business loans and increase it on other business loans; and (4) increase the amount of capital available for commercial real estate loans. Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to authorize the Director of Office of Thrift Supervision to prescribe regulations that permit a federal savings association to be organized as an alternative business organization. Amends the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to set forth exceptions to the annual privacy notice required of financial institutions.Business Checking Fairness Act of 2008 - Amends federal banking law to authorize interest-bearing transaction accounts for all businesses.Amends the Federal Reserve Act, the Home Owners' Loan Act, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to repeal the prohibition against payment of interest on demand deposits. Amends the Federal Reserve Act to direct the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to obtain biennially, and report to Congress regarding, a sample of specified retail banking services and products provided by insured depository institutions and credit unions, including fees.

Date: 2008-04-17
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Municipal Bond Market Support Act of 2008 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the small issuer exemption from interest expense allocation rules for financial institutions to: (1) increase from $10 to $30 million the annual limit on small issuers of tax-exempt municipal bonds; (2) allow an inflation adjustment to such increased limit amount after 2009; (3) repeal aggregation rules relating to the determination of small issuer eligibility; (4) allow small issuers an election to treat borrowers separately for purposes of issuance limitations; and (5) allow financial institutions to hold up to 2% of their assets in tax-exempt securities without affecting their interest expense tax deduction.

Date: 2008-06-20
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Taxation
FDIC Flexibility Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to repeal: (1) requirements for least-cost resolution of troubled insured depository institutions; (2) requirements for consideration of direct financial assistance to a depository institution before appointment of a conservator or receiver; (3) certain Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) procedures for extension of time and mailed notification regarding determination of claims; and (4) specified FDIC authority relating to determination of claims. Amends the Federal Reserve Act to repeal limitations on advances to member banks by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 to repeal provisions regarding early resolution of troubled insured depository institutions by federal banking agencies.

Date: 2008-07-22
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act Amendments of 2008 - Amends the National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act to declare that a nonprofit corporation (established to succeed the abolished Office of Self-Help Development and Technical Assistance) shall be deemed to be a community development financial institution, unless the National Consumer Cooperative Bank or any of its affiliates participates in certain depository institution incentives under the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994.

Date: 2008-07-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Equal Treatment of Covered Bonds Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to include a covered bond as a qualified financial contract with an insured depository institution, if it was entered into before appointment of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver for the institution, where a person has the right to cause the contract's termination, liquidation, or acceleration upon such an appointment. Defines such a bond as a nondeposit recourse debt obligation of an insured depository institution, with a term to maturity of at least one year, which is secured by specifically identified assets which are performing in accordance with the terms of the contracts which created the assets. Declares federal banking agency regulations inapplicable to any covered bond unless they are prescribed jointly by the Secretary of the Treasury, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Comptroller of the Currency, the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision, and the Board of Directors of the FDIC.

Date: 2008-07-30
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Expedited Funds Availability Dollar Limits Adjustment Act of 2008 - Amends the Expedited Funds Availability Act to increase: (1) from $100 to $175 the amount of a federal, state, or local government check that is available for next business day withdrawal; and (2) from $400 to $700 the maximum cash amount of non-government checks available for 5 p.m. withdrawal.Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to make cost-of-living adjustments to such amounts every five years.

Date: 2008-09-11
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Home Heating Loan Guarantee Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to guarantee qualified home heating loans made by depository institutions during the 2008-2009 home heating season if necessary to minimize disruptions in the supply and distribution of home heating resources because of the inability of customers of the suppliers to pay for home heating supplies or repairs made to broken home heating equipment or leaking or frozen lines. Sets forth terms and conditions governing the loan guarantee, including overall loan limits.

Date: 2008-09-17
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Prohibits the use of any funds made available under any Act authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase troubled assets to provide income for any senior officer of any company, entity, or partnership that receives credit or other direct assistance under such Act. Authorizes the Secretary to terminate the employment of any such senior officer who receives credit or direct assistance under any such Act. Defines "senior officer" as any chairman of the board, chief executive officer, chief financial officer, managing partner, or any individual deemed by the Secretary as having primary management or financial authority over the company, entity, or partnership before the receipt of credit or direct assistance under any such Act.

Date: 2008-09-26
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Public-Private Partnerships Community Stabilization Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in carrying out any Act that provides authority to purchase troubled assets from financial institutions, to provide systematically for purchases from the Secretary, by public-private partnerships established at the community, local, and regional levels, of vacant residential properties the Secretary owns, holds, or controls by reason of purchases of troubled assets. Requires any federal property manager to provide for purchases by such partnerships of properties owned, held, or controlled by the manager, for the purpose of retaining the value of such properties, stabilizing communities, and minimizing the fiscal impacts of such Act on taxpayers.

Date: 2008-09-27
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Fair Value Accounting Standards Reform Act of 2008 - Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon enactment of an Act or Joint Resolution in 2008 providing for the economic recovery of financial institutions, to revise by rule, regulation, or order the application of fair value accounting, including Statement Number 157 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, to any financial institution.

Date: 2008-09-27
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Net Worth Certificate Program Act of 2008 - Directs the Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to create a net worth certificate program that will settle the financial markets without significant expense to taxpayers. States that such program will be authorized to purchase net worth certificates by issuing FDIC senior notes to the banks in the form of subordinated debentures, or in any other form the Chairman determines meets program goals and requirements. Requires the Chairman to certify that a bank eligible for the program is both: (1) in danger of failing; and (2) could be viable if given more time. Requires the Chairman to issue new, strict supervision rules for banks that wish to enter the program, including oversight of top executive compensation and removal of poor management.

Date: 2008-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Main Street Protection Act of 2008 - Requires the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to insure deposits under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act without regard to the amount on deposit in any account or the amount of the deposits of any customer. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish a program for insuring the principal amounts on deposit in any money market account using the U.S. Treasury stabilization fund without limitation on the amount insured in any such account. Authorizes the Secretary to make appropriate assessments against the institution holding such accounts to cover the cost of providing such insurance.

Date: 2008-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to increase the standard maximum amount of deposit insurance from $100,000 to: (1) $500,000, at the option of the insured depository institution; and (2) $250,000 or $500,000 for eligible retirement accounts, at the institution's option. Requires an annual inflation adjustment. Directs the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Board to report to Congress and publish in the Federal Register any such inflation adjustments to the standard maximum deposit insurance amount and to the standard maximum share insurance amount.

Date: 2008-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to: (1) increase from $100,000 to $300,000 the maximum amount of deposit insurance for accounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); and (2) require the FDIC to adjust premiums for deposit insurance based on solvency of the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) to ensure that the Fund is funded by premiums from insured depository institutions, and not by taxpayer revenues. Repeals the cap on the maximum amount of deposit insurance for deposits in an insured depository institution made in connection with specified kinds of retirement accounts, including individual retirement accounts (IRAs).

Date: 2008-09-29
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Bringing Accounting, Increased Liquidity, Oversight and Upholding Taxpayer Security Act of 2008 or the No BAILOUTS Act of 2008 - Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to report to Congress on the effect of its clarification on fair value accounting issued September 30, 2008. States that the order of the SEC issued September 17, 2008, continues in effect until: (1) canceled or withdrawn by the SEC; or (2) repealed by an Act of Congress. Directs the SEC to: (1) reinstate rule 10a-1 (uptick rule on short sales of securities); (2) rescind rule 201 of regulation SHO; and (3) reinstate the price test restrictions that applied to short sales of securities before its action in the proceeding entitled "Regulation SHO and Rule 10a-1," adopted June 28, 2007. Requires the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to establish a net worth certificate program to provide capital to assist insured depository institutions to resolve solvency problems. Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the Federal Credit Union Act to increase from $100,000 to $250,000 the standard maximum deposit and share insurance amount.

Date: 2008-10-02
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)