zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Gender Advancement in Pay Act or the GAP Act

This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to expand exceptions to the prohibition against sex discrimination to include payments pursuant to a differential based on expertise, shift, or a business-related factor other than sex, including but not limited to education, training, or experience.

The statute of limitations under the Portal-to-Portal Act of 1947 for a charge of prohibited sex discrimination, or an action by or on behalf of an employee for such discrimination, shall be tolled until the earlier of: (1) the date on which the Equal Employment Commission or the Department of Justice brings an action or notifies the employee concerned with respect to the charge under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or (2) 270 days after the charge is filed.

Nonretaliation prohibitions are extended to cover inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing the wages of an employee or of another employee, or declining to discuss or disclose the employee's wages, with specified exceptions. An employer shall be considered to have committed an unlawful act if the employer requires an employee to sign a contract or waiver that would prohibit the employee from disclosing information about the employee's wages.

Civil penalties are established for violation of prohibitions against sex discrimination.

The Department of Labor, together with the Department of Education, shall conduct a multistate study, through a grant to a nonprofit research institution, that includes strategies to increase the participation of women in high-wage, high-demand occupations and industries in which women are underrepresented.

The Government Accountability Office shall also conduct a multistate study to develop such strategies.

Date: 2016-04-11
Topic: Civil Rights (Gender Discrimination)
Subject: Labor and employment
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on December 7, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill reauthorizes the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007 (Emmett Till Act) and expands the responsibilities of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to include the investigation and prosecution of criminal civil rights statutes violations that occurred before 1980 and resulted in a death. (Currently, Emmett Till Act investigations are limited to violations that occurred before 1970.)

The bill expresses the sense of Congress that all authorities with jurisdiction should: (1) meet regularly with civil rights organizations, institutions of higher education, and DOJ-designated entities to coordinate information sharing and discuss the status of DOJ's Emmett Till Act work; (2) support the full accounting of all victims whose deaths or disappearances were the result of racially motivated crimes; (3) hold accountable under federal and state law individuals who were perpetrators of, or accomplices in, unsolved civil rights murders and disappearances; (4) keep families regularly informed about the status of the investigations; and (5) expeditiously comply with Freedom of Information Act requests and develop a singular, publicly accessible repository of these disclosed documents.

In investigating a complaint, DOJ may coordinate activities with entities that DOJ determines to be appropriate.

DOJ may reopen and review cases closed without an in-person investigation conducted by DOJ or the FBI.

DOJ must hold meetings with the Civil Rights Division, the FBI, the Community Relations Service, civil rights organizations, institutions of higher education, DOJ-designated entities, and state and local law enforcement to discuss the status of its Emmett Till Act work.

In an annual report to Congress, DOJ must indicate:

 the number of cases referred by a civil rights organization, an institution of higher education, or a state or local law enforcement agency; the number of such cases that resulted in federal charges; the date any such charges were filed; whether DOJ has declined to prosecute or participate in an investigation of a referred case; the outreach, collaboration, and support for investigations and prosecutions of violations of criminal civil rights statutes, including murders and disappearances; and any activity on reopened cases. The Community Relations Service must provide technical assistance by bringing together law enforcement agencies and communities to address tensions raised by civil rights era crimes.

Date: 2016-04-26
Topic: Civil Rights (Gender Discrimination)
Subject: Civil rights and liberties, minority issues
Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2016

This bill prohibits sexual orientation or gender identity conversion therapy from being provided in exchange for monetary compensation. It bars advertisements for such therapy that claim to: (1) change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, (2) eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender, or (3) be harmless or without risk.

These prohibitions are inapplicable to practices or treatments that do not seek to change sexual orientation or gender identity if they provide: (1) assistance to an individual undergoing a gender transition; or (2) acceptance, support, and understanding of clients or facilitation of clients' coping, social support, and identity exploration and development, including sexual orientation-neutral interventions to prevent or address unlawful conduct or unsafe sexual practices.

The Federal Trade Commission and states are provided authority to enforce against violations.

Date: 2016-04-28
Topic: Civil Rights (Gender Discrimination)
Subject: Commerce
Survivors' Access to Supportive Care Act or SASCA

This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants for state surveys concerning health care provider access for sexual assault forensic examination services.

HHS must establish a continuing and clinical education pilot program for medical examiners of survivors of sexual assault.

HHS must establish a SASCA Task Force to: (1) review data concerning those examiners; and (2) assist and standardize state-level efforts in improving medical forensic evidence collection relating to sexual assault.

Each institution of higher education that receives federal funds must publish its plan for ensuring access to sexual assault medical forensic examinations and treatments. Those institutions must also, to the extent practicable, ensure that students have access to such examinations.

The bill amends the Public Health Service Act by requiring HHS to establish: (1) a demonstration grant program for equipping new providers with the clinical training necessary to establish and maintain competency in sexual assault forensic examiner and sexual assault nurse examiner services; and (2) a center that provides technical assistance to states and health care providers for increasing the quality of, and access to, sexual assault examinations.

HHS must convene state and hospital regional learning collectives to assist health care providers and states in sharing best practices, discussing practices, and improving the quality of, and access to, sexual assault examinations.

Date: 2016-05-18
Topic: Civil Rights (Gender Discrimination)
Subject: Health
Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission Act

This bill establishes a Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission to develop and execute programs and activities to commemorate the centennial of the passage and ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment, which prohibits the federal government and states from denying U.S. citizens the right to vote on account of sex.

Date: 2016-06-16
Topic: Civil Rights (Gender Discrimination)
Subject: Civil rights and liberties, minority issues
LGBT Data Inclusion Act

This bill requires federal agencies that collect information through a survey that includes demographic data (where subjects self-report information or a proxy provides information about the subject or responds for all persons in a household) to establish data standards that require:

 a determination of which existing data sets exclude information about sexual orientation and gender identity; an identification, and a use, of appropriate methods to include questions on sexual orientation and gender identity in surveys that facilitate categorization and voluntary participation and that preserve privacy and confidentiality; and a routine assessment of needed changes in survey methods related to asking such questions. Agencies that publish reports relying on survey demographic data must include information on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Individuals shall not be: (1) required by this bill to disclose their sexual orientation or gender identity to an agency; or (2) subjected to fines or penalties for refusing to answer, or providing a false answer to, any survey question regarding gender identity or sexual orientation.

Nothing in this bill shall be construed to permit the use of such collected information in a manner that would adversely affect an individual.

Date: 2016-07-06
Topic: Civil Rights (Gender Discrimination)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Combating Sexual Harassment in Housing Act

This bill amends the Fair Housing Act to identify certain unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in or around a dwelling that is sufficiently severe or pervasive as to constitute a discriminatory housing practice based on hostile environment sexual harassment. Such conduct consists of: (1) an unwelcome sexual advance, including groping or touching; (2) an unwelcome request for sexual favors; or (3) any other unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is intended to be coercive, threatening, or intimidating.

Date: 2016-07-14
Topic: Civil Rights (Gender Discrimination)
Subject: Housing and community development
Combat Sexual Harassment in Housing Act

This bill amends the Fair Housing Act to identify certain unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in or around a dwelling that is sufficiently severe or pervasive as to constitute a discriminatory housing practice based on hostile environment sexual harassment. Such conduct consists of: (1) an unwelcome touching of a sexual nature or groping; or (2) any other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that is intended to be coercive, threatening, or intimidating.

Date: 2016-09-14
Topic: Civil Rights (Gender Discrimination)
Subject: Housing and community development
Enhancing Military and Police Operations through Women's Engagement and Recruitment Act of 2016

This bill requires the Department of State, in coordination with the Department of Defense (DOD), to seek to increase the participation of women receiving training under the International Military Education and Training program at U.S. military schools and training institutions, with the goal of doubling female participation globally by September 30, 2019.

The State Department shall seek to increase the participation of women receiving training under its Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) programs, with the goal of doubling the total women receiving such training by September 30, 2019, and make explicit in its mandate for ATA programs its priority to increase women's participation.

State shall work with partner countries receiving peacekeeping training assistance to: (1) prioritize the integration, training, and deployment of qualified female peacekeepers in peace operations; (2) prioritize the employment, development, and integration of female peacekeeping trainers; and (3) double the number of qualified women deployed to peace operations within five years.

State also shall:

 promote an increase in the recruitment, retention, and leadership roles of female personnel assigned to United Nations peacekeeping missions; establish female participation requirements for its police training programs and work with partner countries to ensure that women account for at least 10% of nominees for U.S.-funded police training programs; make explicit its priority to increase women's participation in the design and implementation of all police training programs; develop a plan for the monitoring and independent evaluation of programs, projects, and activities carried out under this bill; and designate officials to brief Congress regarding actions taken under this Act.

Date: 2016-09-21
Topic: Civil Rights (Gender Discrimination)
Subject: International affairs
This bill amends the Federal Rules of Evidence to establish a procedure to prohibit pro se criminal defendants (defendants representing themselves without a lawyer) accused of sexual assault of a minor under age 18 from cross-examining the minor.

Upon application by the prosecutor, the minor, or the minor's representative, the defendant is prohibited from conducting such a cross-examination unless the court finds that it is necessitated by exceptional circumstances to protect the defendant's constitutional rights. The cross-examination of the minor shall instead be conducted by an attorney for the defendant under the court's supervision.

Date: 2016-12-08
Topic: Civil Rights (Gender Discrimination)
Subject: Law
Intercountry Adoption Reform Act of 2007 or the ICARE Act - Establishes an Office of Intercountry Adoptions within the Department of State to be headed by the Ambassador at Large for Intercountry Adoptions. Transfers to the Office all functions with respect to intercountry adoptions currently performed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise: (1) conditions for automatic citizenship for children born outside the United States, including for adopted children; and (2) requirements concerning the history of parents' physical presence in the United States or its possessions. Defines the term "full and final adoption." Prescribes procedural requirements for the adoption of foreign-born children by U.S. citizens.Establishes a nonimmigrant W-visa for an adoptable child coming into the United States for adoption by a U.S. citizen and spouse or by an unmarried U.S. Citizen at least 25 years of age who has been approved by the Office of International Adoption of the Department of State. Sets forth the period of authorized admission for such a nonimmigrant.Exempts adopted children of 18 years of age or younger (currently, 10 years of age or younger) from immunization requirements.Redefines the term "adoptable child."Requires U.S. Citizen adoptive parents to obtain approval of an adoption petition prior to issuance of a visa or a full and final adoption decree. Subjects such petitions to the terms applicable to orphan petitions. Directs the Secretary of State to issue regulations: (1) establishing an expedited reapproval process for families whose prior approvals to adopt have expired; and (2) governing the appeal of petition denials.Prescribes procedural requirements for the issuance of a visa and a full and final adoption decree for foreign-born children, including requirements for the Ambassador to: (1) determine whether a child is an adoptable child; and (2) work with the competent authorities of the child's country of residence to establish a process for the exchange and approval of a certification that the child sought to be adopted meets the definition of an adoptable child.Requires the Secretary to issue a final decision regarding the child's eligibility as an adoptable child within 30 days. Allows an appeal.Provides for civil penalties and enforcement.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: International affairs
Federal Customer Service Enhancement Act of 2008 - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to prescribe guidance that establishes best practices to: (1) ensure that federal agencies are providing high quality customer service; and (2) monitor customer service quality at federal agencies. Requires customer service standards to take into account: (1) existing agency standards; (2) information collected from agency customers; and (3) approaches for government-wide citizen contact actions described in the Citizens Service Levels Interagency Committee Report by the General Services Administration (GSA) or any subsequent report. Requires the Director to: (1) prescribe guidance governing the implementation or updating of customer service standards and performance measures of agencies using such best practices and any specific customer service related principles applicable to individual agencies; and (2) issue an annual report on the success of agencies in meeting the standards for each of the five years after the date of enactment. Requires each agency to: (1) implement standards and performance measures required by this Act; (2) submit information OMB may require on its customer service in relation to such standards and measures; and (3) ensure that standards are continuously improved and that appropriate contact information regarding customer service inquiries is available. Requires the standards to be publicly available on the website of each agency. Directs the Comptroller General to report to specified congressional committees on: (1) whether agencies are implementing the customer service standards; (2) whether there is an increase in overall quality in customer service; and (3) recommendations to improve performance measures and standards for customer service. Authorizes the report to be used by Congress and the Director to update performance measures for customer service. Authorizes the head of a federal agency to establish a program to pay cash awards to employees for demonstrated excellence in customer service.

Date: 2007-01-11
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Commission On Reforming Entitlement Spending Act, or CORE Spending Act - Establishes the Commission On Reforming Entitlement Spending to examine the long-term fiscal challenges facing the United States and develop legislation designed to address them. Authorizes the President and the House or Senate Budget Committee to submit alternatives to the legislative proposal submitted by the Commission. Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to prepare a long-term cost estimate of legislation proposed under this Act or a related amendment, and have it published in the Congressional Record as expeditiously as possible.

Date: 2007-01-16
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Amends the federal judicial code to provide for a person appointed as U.S. attorney to serve until the earlier of: (1) the qualification of a U.S. attorney for such district appointed by the President (as under current law); or (2) the expiration of 120 days after appointment by the Attorney General. Authorizes the U.S. district court for the particular district, if such a 120-day temporary appointment expires, to appoint a U.S. attorney to serve until the vacancy is filled. States that this Act is the exclusive means for appointing a person to perform temporarily the functions of a U.S. attorney for a district in which the office of a U.S. attorney is vacant.

Date: 2007-01-19
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Law
Earmark Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007 - Prohibits a federal agency from obligating funds made available in an appropriation Act or other Act to implement an earmark that is included in a congressional report accompanying such legislation, unless the earmark is also included in the Act.

Date: 2007-01-23
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Executive Branch Reform Act of 2007 - Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require recording and filing by each executive branch official with the Office of Government Ethics on any significant contact made between that official and any private party relating to an official government action. Outlines the authorities and responsibilities of the Director of the Office of Government Ethics with regard to such reports. Provides for penalties and fines. Sets prohibitions on covered executive branch officials who are entering or leaving government service. Amends the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to: (1) prohibit a former federal agency contracting official from accepting compensation from a contractor as a lawyer or lobbyist of the contractor within a specified time frame; (2) prohibit former federal officials from accepting compensation from contractors if it is either a reward or if the acceptance of the compensation is inappropriate and affects the integrity of the procurement process; (3) require federal procurement officers to disclose job offers made on behalf of relatives; and (4) prohibit a federal employee who is a former employee of a contractor with the government from being personally and substantially involved with the award or administration of a contract to the employee's former employer for a specified period. Sets a prohibition on unauthorized expenditure of funds for publicity or propaganda purposes. Requires an advertisement or other communication paid for by an executive agency to disclose that such advertisement or communication is paid for by that agency. Directs each federal agency to submit to the Archivist of the United States and specified congressional committees a report describing the use of "pseudo" classification designations. Requires the Archivist to report on the use of such designations and promulgate regulations banning them. Defines "'pseudo' classification designations" as information control designations that are not defined by federal statute or Executive order relating to the classification of national security information but that are used to manage, direct, or route government information, or control its accessibility, regardless of its form or format.

Date: 2007-02-12
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Photo Identification Security Act - Restricts the forms of individual identification that may be accepted by the federal government or by financial institutions to the following: (1) a Social Security card accompanied by a photo identification card issued by the federal or a state government; (2) a driver's license or identification card issued by a state that is in compliance with the REAL ID Act of 2005; (3) a passport issued by the United States or a foreign government; and (4) a photo identification card issued by the Secretary of Homeland Security (acting through the Director of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services).

Date: 2007-03-05
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Law
Government Credit Card Abuse Prevention Act of 2007 - Requires the head of each executive agency, except the Department of Defense (DOD), to: (1) establish safeguards and internal controls for purchase cards, convenience checks, and travel cards; and (2) prescribe regulations implementing such safeguards and controls that provide for adverse personnel actions or other punishment against employees for card violations, negligence, misuse, abuse, or fraud. Requires each agency Inspector General to: (1) periodically conduct risk assessments of agency purchase and travel card programs and associated internal controls, analyze weaknesses and the frequency of improper activity, and develop a plan to determine the scope, frequency, and number of periodic audits of cardholders; (2) perform periodic audits of card holders and report results to the agency head; and (3) report to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OBM) and the Comptroller General on the implementation of recommendations to address audit findings. Requires DOD regulations that govern the use and control of purchase cards and convenience checks that are issued to DOD personnel to include safeguards and internal controls to ensure that: (1) the Inspector Generals of DOD, the Army, the Navy, and the Airforce periodically conduct risk assessments of the DOD purchase card program and associated internal controls, analyze weaknesses and the frequency of improper activity, and develop a plan to determine the scope, frequency, and number of periodic audits of cardholders; (2) DOD utilizes technologies to prevent or identify fraudulent purchases, including controlling merchant codes and utilizing statistical machine learning and pattern recognition technologies that review the risk of every transaction; and (3) DOD invalidates the purchase card of terminated or transferred employees. Amends the Travel and Transportation Reform Act of 1998 to require each agency head to establish safeguards and internal controls over travel charge cards. Requires the Administrator of General Services to prescribe regulations governing the implementation of such safeguards and internal controls. Requires the heads of agencies that have employees who use centrally billed accounts to establish safeguards and internal controls to ensure that agencies: (1) compare items submitted on an employee's travel voucher with items paid using such an account; (2) dispute unauthorized charges and track disputed transactions to ensure appropriate resolution; and (3) submit requests for refunds for fully or partially unused tickets to the holder of the applicable contract for a centrally billed account.

Date: 2007-03-07
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Congressional Commission on Civic Service Act - Establishes the Congressional Commission on Civic Service to make recommendations to Congress for: (1) improving the ability of individuals to serve others; (2) training leaders in public service organizations to better utilize individuals committed to national service and volunteerism as they manage human and fiscal resources; (3) identifying solutions to the barriers that make it difficult for some individuals to volunteer or perform national service; and (4) building on the foundation of current service and volunteer opportunities. Specifies topics to be addressed by the Commission, including deterrents to service, a mandatory service requirement, and the need for a public service academy.

Date: 2007-03-29
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Congress
Contractor Accountability Act - Requires the head of each federal agency to annually report to Congress on each covered contract or order awarded or issued by the agency during the year. Requires the report to contain: (1) a certification that the agency has exercised oversight over each contract or order sufficient to ensure that each contractor is fulfilling the obligations specified; and (2) a list of the names of each contractor found to not be fulfilling its obligations.Requires each report to be publicly available on the agency's website. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on agency compliance.

Date: 2007-05-07
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Government Reform Act of 2007 - Establishes a Government Reform Commission to: (1) examine the current configuration of executive agencies and investigate their duties and responsibilities; (2) review agency operational jurisdictions to determine whether areas of overlap exist and whether the mission of any agency has become obsolete; (3) review and report to the President and Congress on existing Government Accountability Office (GAO), Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and Inspector General reports, together with any other existing governmental and nongovernmental recommendations, including those offered by the President's Private Sector Survey on Cost Control, for reducing waste in executive agencies; (4) submit to the President and Congress a proposed reorganization plan which shall provide for the realignment or closure of executive agencies to reduce duplication of services and increase productivity; and (5) transmit a copy of the plan to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), who shall issue a public report detailing the predicted savings in federal expenditures that would result from implementing such plan. Sets forth separate provisions for presidential and congressional consideration of and actions on the proposed reorganization plan.

Date: 2007-05-09
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Government Contact Act - Requires each executive agency to include: (1) its address and phone number on any agency stationery; and (2) the address and phone number of the regional or local office on the stationery in the case of correspondence originating from such office. Provides for exceptions where compliance would not be in national security interests.

Date: 2007-05-15
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies Act - Establishes the Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies to: (1) evaluate executive agencies and their programs; and (2) submit to Congress a plan recommending agencies and programs that should be realigned or eliminated and proposing implementing legislation. Requires the Commission to recommend: (1) realignment where a function performed by two or more agencies or programs can be consolidated; (2) realignment or elimination of any agency or program that has wasted federal funds; and (3) elimination of any agency or program that has completed its purpose, become irrelevant, or failed to meet objectives.

Date: 2007-05-21
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to contract with an independent reviewing authority to review the efficiency and effectiveness of operations at all headquarters offices of the Department of Agriculture's Rural Development office and its Natural Resources Conservation Service, including: (1) the headquarters offices in Washington, DC; and (2) all state offices. Prohibits the Secretary from merging any county Rural Development office with a county office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, or any county office of the Natural Resources Conservation Service with a county Rural Development office before the later of: (1) the date on which the Secretary determines that each headquarters office has implemented the recommendations contained in the report required under this Act; or (2) October 1, 2008.

Date: 2007-05-22
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Prohibits the designation of any agency, bureau, or other entity of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a separate agency or bureau for purposes of post employment restrictions on communications with DHS personnel.

Date: 2007-05-22
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Congressional Commission on the Abolition of Modern-Day Slavery Act - Defines "modern-day slavery." Establishes a congressional Commission on the Abolition of Modern-day Slavery which shall: (1) study matters relating to modern-day slavery; (2) review programs of relevant governmental agencies; (3) examine efforts by foreign countries and multilateral organizations to combat modern-day slavery; and (4) convene additional experts from nongovernmental organizations as part of the Commission's review. States that the Commission shall: (1) advise Congress on how the United States could support efforts to eradicate modern-day slavery; (2) evaluate comparative strategies to prevent modern-day slavery, rescue and rehabilitate its victims, and prosecute traffickers and increase accountability within countries; (3) examine the economic impact on communities and countries that demonstrate measured success in fighting modern-day slavery; (4) evaluate the effectiveness of U.S. laws prohibiting the importation of goods produced through forced labor or child labor; (5) evaluate U.S. trade policy's effect on modern slavery, including a list of the 10 countries with the highest number of slaves within their borders; and (6) evaluate U.S. government procurement policies regarding slave-made goods or services. Terminates the Commission 90 days after submission of a report required under this Act.

Date: 2007-05-24
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: International affairs
Government Accountability Office Act of 2007 - Revises certain administrative requirements for the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Requires the Comptroller General (not the President, as currently) to appoint the Deputy Comptroller General, who shall serve at the Comptroller General's pleasure. Establishes an Office of the Inspector General in GAO. Requires the Comptroller General's annual report to Congress to assess the overall degree of federal agency cooperation with GAO audits. Requires any executive agency (or component) that prepares an audited financial statement (or related schedule) to reimburse GAO the cost of any GAO audit. Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to revise the coverage of certain GAO officers and employees under its financial disclosure requirements. Increases from 15 to 20 the number of experts and consultants whose services the Comptroller General may procure for renewable three-year terms at rates up to level IV of the Executive Schedule. Makes funds appropriated to GAO for salaries and expenses also available for recruitment-related meals and entertainment. Authorizes GAO to accept any money or property received as a gift, devise, bequest, grant, or otherwise to aid or facilitate its work. Revises the highest basic pay rate for GAO personnel from GS-15 to Executive Level III. Caps the Comptroller General's annuity at level II of the Executive Schedule instead of his or her basic pay rate. Revises requirements for: (1) the pay rates for senior-level positions at GAO; (2) voluntary separation incentive payments; and (3) basic pay for retirement.

Date: 2007-07-31
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Congress
Community Broadband Act of 2007 - Prohibits any state or local government statute, regulation, or other legal requirement from having the effect of prohibiting any public provider from providing advanced communications capability to any person or any public or private entity. Defines "public provider" as a state or a political subdivision or instrumentality thereof or any entity owned, controlled, or otherwise affiliated with a state, subdivision, or instrumentality. Prohibits a public provider from granting any regulatory preference to itself or to any provider it owns or is affiliated with. Requires, subject to exception, a public provider, before it provides advanced communications capability or services, to publish notice and provide local citizens and private-sector entities with an opportunity to be heard.

Date: 2007-08-01
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Surgeon General Independence Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to add as requirements for appointment as Surgeon General that an individual be: (1) a licensed physician; and (2) nominated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Requires the Regular Corps to submit to the Secretary and the President a list of six qualified nominees to fill any vacancy in the Surgeon General position. Prohibits an individual from serving more than three full terms as Surgeon General.Allows the President to remove a Surgeon General during a term only for cause. Requires the Secretary to provide a written explanation of such a removal to the relevant congressional committees. Directs the Surgeon General, under the supervision and direction of the Secretary, to administer the Office of the Surgeon General, the Regular Corps, and the Reserve Corps. Requires the Surgeon General to submit to the President an annual budget estimate for the Office of the Surgeon General, after reasonable opportunity for comment (but without change) by the Secretary.Gives the Surgeon General authority to hire and terminate employees of and consultants to the Office of the Surgeon General without obtaining approval or clearance. Directs the Surgeon General to: (1) issue reports, calls to action, and other communications on matters of importance to the health of the American people; and (2) submit to Congress and make publicly available an annual report on the state of the nation's health. Gives the Secretary the exclusive authority to disapprove the issuance of a report, call to action, or other communication proposed by the Surgeon General.

Date: 2007-08-03
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Health
Wounded Warriors Commission Implementation Act of 2007 - Outlines Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) roles with respect to the retirement for disability of members of the Armed Forces (members). Eliminates the 30% required disability rating before a member may be retired for disability. Qualifies each member retired for a disability to a lifetime payment based on the member's rank and years of military service. Authorizes transition payments to members retired due to combat-related injuries. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay annual bonuses to veterans enrolled in approved rehabilitation programs. Directs the Secretary to pay to members retired due to combat-related injuries: (1) quality-of-life payments to members not receiving transition payments; and (2) earnings-loss payments to members who received, but are no longer qualified for, transition payments. Presumes post-traumatic stress disorder to be service-connected, and therefore compensable under veterans' disability compensation provisions. Provides extended benefits under TRICARE (a DOD managed care program) for the primary caregivers of members who incur a serious injury or illness while on active duty. Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to entitle to 26 workweeks of leave per year an employee who is the primary caregiver of a member who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, is in medical hold or holdover status, or is otherwise on the temporary disability retired list for a serious injury or illness.

Date: 2007-09-07
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
United States Commission on an Open Society with Security Act - Establishes the United States Commission on an Open Society with Security to study how the government may provide for both security in, and public access to, federal buildings and other federal property and sites.

Date: 2007-09-10
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2008 - (Sec. 4) Requires each executive agency, within one year, to: (1) use plain language in any covered document issued or substantially revised after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) use the English language in covered documents when appropriate. Authorizes agencies to: (1) use plain language in any revision of a covered document issued on or before such date; and (2) follow the guidance of the Plain English Handbook published by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Federal Plain Language Guidelines, or their own plain language guidance as long as it is consistent with such Handbook, Guidelines, and the Comptroller General's recommendations. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to: (1) prohibit the use of a language other than English; (2) limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or Native American languages; (3) disparage any language or discourage any person from learning or using a language; (4) affect protections regarding language access; or (5) be inconsistent with the Constitution.Defines "covered document" to include: (1) any document relevant to obtaining a benefit or service or filing taxes; and (2) a letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction, in paper or electronic form, but not a regulation.Requires agencies to use plain language in any collection of information.Requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), acting through the Plain Language Action and Information Network, and the SEC to report to specified congressional committees on whether the Comptroller General's recommendations about plain language guidelines and best practices have been incorporated into the Federal Plain Language Guidelines and the Plain English Handbook and, if not, why.(Sec. 5) Requires each agency head to report to specified congressional committees on how it intends to: (1) communicate the requirements of this Act to employees; (2) train employees to write in plain language; (3) meet the one year deadline; (4) ensure ongoing compliance with this Act; (5) designate a senior official to be responsible for implementing this Act; and (6) use plain language in promulgated regulations. Requires agency heads to report on efforts to meet such objectives and on compliance with this Act.Requires the Comptroller General to evaluate existing guidance for agencies on writing in plain language and report to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and specified congressional committees on plain language guidelines and best practices.

Date: 2007-09-17
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 with respect to the prohibition against any member of the Board of Directors of the Office of Compliance (OC) having held a position as a Member, officer, or employee of the House of Representatives or the Senate, or of certain other legislative branch instrumentalities or entities, within four years of the date of appointment to the OC Board. (The Act also applies such disqualifications to the OC positions of Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, and General Counsel.) Exempts OC officers or employees from such prohibition (thus allowing a current or former OC officer or employee to be appointed to serve as a Board member, Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, or General Counsel of the Office). Permits an individual appointed, after the enactment of this Act, as Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, or General Counsel of the Office to serve two terms.

Date: 2007-09-18
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Congress
Government Funding Transparency Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act to require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to ensure that the federal awards website includes for each federal award of assistance or expenditures of $25,000 or more the names and total compensation of the five most highly compensated officers of the receiving entity if: (1) the entity in the preceding fiscal year received 80% or more of its annual gross revenues and $25 million or more in annual gross revenues from federal awards; and (2) the public does not have access to information about the compensation of the entity's senior executives through reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or the Internal Revenue Code.Requires the Director of OMB to promulgate regulations to carry out this Act that include a definition of "total compensation" that is consistent with regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) concerning executive compensation.

Date: 2007-10-23
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Truth in Accounting Act of 2007 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to include in the audited financial statement of executive branch accounts of the previous year a calculation of the net present value of the overall fiscal exposures of the U.S. government. Requires such financial statement to include a program-by-program calculation of: (1) the generational imbalance; (2) the fiscal imbalance; and (3) the total amount of the fiscal imbalance plus the public debt. Instructs the President, in preparing the federal budget, to take this financial statement into consideration, including the effect of the overall budget upon: (1) the generational imbalance calculation and the fiscal imbalance calculation; and (2) the net present value of the overall fiscal exposures of the federal government. Directs the Secretary to testify each year before Congress on the financial statement for the preceding fiscal year. Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) assess the financial condition of the U.S. government in an annual report to Congress; and (2) testify before Congress on that condition, upon request.

Date: 2007-10-24
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Amends title XVIII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to: (1) require the Commissioner of Social Security to submit the annual budget of the Social Security Administration (SSA) directly to Congress and the President; (2) specify the general contents of the budget, including the amount of funds required to combat fraud committed by applicants and beneficiaries, the number of pending cases and the average processing time, as well as employment statistics for each hearing and field office; (3) prohibit the Commissioner from closing or otherwise limiting public access to an SSA field office until 180 days after submitting to specified congressional committees a detailed report outlining and justifying the process for selecting field offices to be closed or otherwise have limited access; and (4) require the Commissioner to submit to the same committees, 90 days before revising the comprehensive work force plan which must accompany any appropriations request for SSA staffing and personnel, a document setting forth the revision.

Date: 2008-01-23
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Social welfare
Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act of 2008 - Amends the Improper Payments Information Act of 2002 to require the head of each federal agency to: (1) annually review all agency programs and identify those programs and activities that may be susceptible to significant improper payments; and (2) report on agency actions to reduce and recover improper payments. Defines "improper payment" as any payment that should not have been made, that was made in an incorrect or duplicate amount, or that was made to an ineligible recipient. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to: (1) provide guidance to agencies for reducing improper payments, addressing risks, and establishing appropriate prepayment and postpayment internal controls; and (2) prepare an annual report with an identification of the compliance status of each agency in identifying improper payments and the delinquent programs responsible for the agency's status.Requires federal agencies with outlays of $1 million or more to conduct a recovery audit of all programs and activities to assist in recouping improper payments.Requires: (1) each agency's Inspector General to report each fiscal year on agency compliance with the Improper Payments Information Act of 2002 and this Act; (2) the head of an agency determined not to be in compliance for two consecutive fiscal years to reprogram available funds to achieve compliance; and (3) an agency determined not to be in compliance for three consecutive fiscal years, with a delinquent program reported for two of those years consecutively, to transfer 5% of the appropriations for each of delinquent program to the Treasury.Suspends appropriations to agencies that have a program that reports an improper payment rate greater than 15% for three consecutive fiscal years until the agency's Inspector General certifies that sufficient changes have been implemented to warrant resumed authorization of appropriations.

Date: 2008-02-14
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Bipartisan Earmark Reform Commission Act of 2008 - Establishes the Bipartisan Earmark Reform Commission to: (1) develop a clear definition of what constitutes an earmark; and (2) report findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the President and Congress. Requires the Majority Leaders of the House of Representatives and of the Senate to introduce (by request) the legislation recommended in the report.

Date: 2008-04-10
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Congress