zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Support Startup Businesses Act of 2016

This bill amends the Small Business Act to authorize a small business concern receiving a Phase II award (grants of up to $1 million, for up to 2 years, to facilitate expansion of Phase I startup results) under the Small Business Innovation Research program, for FY2017-FY2019, to use up to 5% of the Phase II award for commercialization-related services, including market validation, intellectual property protection, business model development, market research, and other reasonable services that support market entry.

These services may be performed directly by the small business concern or obtained from a public or private nonprofit organization, a state agency, or another state-funded entity that facilitates or accelerates the commercialization of technologies or assists in the creation and growth of private enterprises that are commercializing technology.

Date: 2016-04-06
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Contact Lens Consumer Health Protection Act of 2016

This bill amends the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act to require contact lens sellers to provide a toll-free telephone number and email address that prescribers can use to ask questions about a seller's prescription verification request.

Under current law, a prescription is considered verified if the prescriber fails to communicate with the seller within eight business hours after receiving the seller-provided verification information. The bill requires the prescription to be considered unverified until the seller obtains affirmative confirmation of the accuracy of the prescription from the prescriber in cases where a prescriber communicates a question or concern about the accuracy or verification of the prescription to a seller through the toll-free telephone service or email address before the end of that eight-hour period.

The bill removes the Federal Trade Commission's authority to adjust the eight-hour period.

If a prescriber communicates a question or concern about the accuracy of a prescription before the deadline: (1) the seller shall not fill the prescription, and (2) the prescriber shall provide the seller with an accurate prescription.

Sellers must offer prescribers different communication methods that the prescribers may select as their preferred method for verification requests.

The bill allows a seller to alter a prescription only if: (1) a private label contact lens is included on the prescription and the same contact lens is manufactured by the same company and sold under multiple labels to individual providers; and (2) the seller fills the prescription with a contact lens of exactly the same material, design, and power as manufactured by that company under another label.

Sellers must maintain a database of the issuance and expiration dates of each prescription they receive. The bill prohibits advertisements representing that a contact lens prescription may be filled after the prescription expires.

Sellers violating certain prescriber verification requirements are subject to increased penalties of up to $40,000 per violation. Such requirements apply to all contact lens sales in the United States, notwithstanding where the seller is located.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must examine the potentially adverse effects of seller violations on consumers.

Date: 2016-04-11
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Botnet Prevention Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to expand prohibited conduct and increase criminal penalties with respect to cybercrime involving damage to computer networks.

Date: 2016-05-16
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Small Business Cyber Security Improvements Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make grants to small business development centers (SBDCs) in furtherance of a Small Business Development Center Cyber Strategy to be developed by the SBA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) submits a report that reviews the cybersecurity resources of federal agencies aimed at assisting small businesses.

SBDCs shall provide access to external cyber security specialists to counsel small businesses. (Sec. 3) DHS and other federal agencies coordinating with DHS may assist SBDCs, through the dissemination of cyber security risk information and other homeland security information, to help small businesses in developing such cyber security infrastructure, threat awareness, and employee training programs.

(Sec. 4) The GAO's cyber resources report must include: (1) an accounting, description, and assessment of the utilization of federal agency programs that provide cybersecurity assistance to small businesses; and (2) an assessment of whether the resources are duplicative of other programs or accessible to small businesses.

The SBA and DHS must include in their SBDC cyber strategy:

 plans for incorporating SBDCs into cyber programs to assist small businesses; counsel and assistance to improve small businesses' cyber security infrastructure, threat awareness, and training programs for employees, including agreements with Information Sharing and Analysis Centers to gain awareness of actionable threat information that may be beneficial to small businesses; and an analysis of how SBDCs can leverage federal agency programs and develop partnerships to improve cyber support services to small businesses. The SBA's and DHS's strategy must be developed in consultation with entities representing SBDC concerns and submitted to Congress.

Date: 2016-06-06
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Consumer Financial Protection Board Act of 2016

This bill amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 by requiring the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to be managed by a board of directors instead of a director and deputy director.

Date: 2016-07-13
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Small Business Bill of Rights 

This bill modifies tax provisions, regulatory requirements, and legal procedures that affect small businesses.

Bringing Business Back Act of 2016 

The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax exclusion for certain income attributable to real property in areas that meet criteria regarding unemployment, poverty, or other signs of distress.

The bill temporarily reduces the capital gains tax on certain small business stock, increases the deduction for start-up expenditures, and exempts small businesses from tax increases.

Federal agencies must review existing and proposed regulations that affect small businesses using specified criteria. Certain new small business regulations must expire after seven years, unless they are renewed.

Death Tax Repeal Act of 2016 

The bill repeals the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes and makes permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and the lifetime gift tax exemption. It also extends or makes permanent several tax credits and deductions related to energy efficiency.

With respect to the legal process, the bill establishes requirements and limitations for lawsuits arising from health care liability claims regarding health care goods or services or any medical product affecting interstate commerce.

The bill amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to permit verifications under the E-Verify program to be provided by telephone.

The bill amends the Small Business Act to modify policies regarding goals for participation of small businesses in procurement contracts and the bundling of contracts.

It also establishes criminal penalties for making false statements regarding status as a small business concern or compliance with the Small Business Act to obtain, retain, or complete a federal contract.

Date: 2016-09-07
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Taxation
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Accountability Act of 2016

This bill amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to change the source of funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) from Federal Reserve System transfers to annual appropriations. Under current law, the transfers from the Federal Reserve System permit the CFPB to be funded outside of the annual appropriations process.

Date: 2016-09-13
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Stop Online Booking Scams Act of 2016

This bill prohibits third party online hotel reservation sellers from charging a consumer's credit card or financial accounts in an Internet transaction for a hotel unless they disclose: (1) a description of the offered good or service, the cost, and other material terms before the conclusion of the transaction; (2) that the third party seller is not affiliated with the person who owns or provides the hotel services or accommodations and is not an exhibition organizer, a meeting planner, or the official housing bureau for an event at the hotel; and (3) the brand identity of the third party both online and over the phone.

The bill provides authority to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and states to enforce against violations.

The bill also expresses the sense of Congress that the FTC should revise its website to make it easier for consumers and businesses to report complaints of deceptive practices with respect to online booking of hotel reservations.

Date: 2016-09-27
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Consumer Safety)
Subject: Commerce
Peace Stamp for the Peace Corps Act - Directs the U.S. Postal Service to issue a semipostal (a postage stamp sold at a premium in order to help provide funding for certain causes) to benefit the Peace Corps.

Date: 2007-01-04
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Identification Integrity Act of 2007 - Prohibits federal agencies from accepting for any official purpose an identification document for an individual issued by a foreign government. Creates an exception for foreign passports authorized by federal law to be accepted for a specific official purpose.

Date: 2007-01-12
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Amends the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to reauthorize the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy through October 1, 2009.

Date: 2007-02-12
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Protecting American Commerce and Travel Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to conduct a pilot program to determine if a state driver's license may be enhanced to satisfy requirements of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA) for land and sea travel only. Amends IRTPA to direct the Secretary to establish a process to permit a U.S. citizen who does not possess a passport to reenter the United States at a U.S. land border. Provides that a U.S. citizen under 17 years shall not be required to present a passport when returning or traveling to the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean at specified ports of entry. Authorizes the Secretary to consider expanding the special rule for certain minors aged 17 or 18 traveling between the United States and Canada as part of an authorized, supervised school trip. Directs the Secretary to issue to U.S. citizen applicants a passport card. Requires the card to be designed to provide a platform on which expedited traveler programs (such as NEXUS, NEXUS AIR, SENTRI, FAST, and Registered Traveler) can be added. Directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary to develop a public communications plan.Directs the Secretary to: (1) merge the FAST and NEXUS programs; and (2) conduct a cost-benefit analysis regarding the use of identification cards.

Date: 2007-02-14
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Emergency management
Joshua Haglund Justice and Peace Act of 2007 - Urges the Secretary of State to express to Armenian officials the serious concern and strong desire of Congress to achieve justice in the unresolved murder of Joshua Haglund, a Minnesota resident who was teaching English in Armenia. Calls on Armenia to continue pursuing, in cooperation with U.S. officials, the investigation into his death, and to use all appropriate means to achieve justice in the case. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Education to fund the Joshua Haglund Memorial Peace Scholarship Fund at the University of Minnesota, which will finance study abroad scholarships and diversity training to further Joshua Haglund's vision of compassion, peace, and community service.

Date: 2007-04-16
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Public Diplomacy Resource Centers Act of 2008 - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to direct the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy to provide for the establishment of new, and maintenance of existing, libraries and resource centers at or in connection with U.S. diplomatic or consular missions. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) ensure that such libraries and resource centers are open to the general public to the greatest extent practicable, subject to security considerations; and (2) schedule public showings of American films that showcase American culture, society, values, and history. Directs the Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy to report to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations respecting the functions and effectiveness of such libraries and resource centers. Authorizes appropriations.

Date: 2007-05-24
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Passport and Travel Cost Reimbursement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of State to refund to a U.S. citizen, upon refund application: (1) passport processing fees for a passport applied for in 2007 if processing took 12 or more weeks for a regular application or three or more weeks for an expedited application; and (2) international air travel costs (economy or comparable, minus any airline refund) for U.S.-departing flights missed as a result of such processing delays. Authorizes the Secretary to provide additional assistance for an extraordinary hardship. Prohibits the Secretary and the Secretary of Homeland Security from implementing a specified plan for a single implementation date for sea and land borders until they have certified to Congress that Department of State passport agencies are able to process passport applications with minimal disruption.

Date: 2007-06-15
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Immigration
Library of Congress Public Diplomacy Collection Act of 2007 - Directs the Librarian of Congress to create a collection of materials of various media, print, audio, and visual for public use in Department of State libraries and resource centers to provide insight into U.S. culture, principles and values, law and civics, and democracy. Includes in such collection a separate collection of U.S. films (Johnny Grant Film Series) to be made available for public viewing in host countries. Authorizes appropriations.

Date: 2007-06-22
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Department of State Crisis Response Act of 2007 - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to extend Department of State authority to employ civil service or Foreign Service annuitants through October 1, 2010. Eliminates the requirement that such authority be used to facilitate assignment to Afghanistan or Iraq or to fill positions vacated because of assignments to such countries.

Date: 2007-06-25
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Department of State Crisis Response Act of 2007 - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to extend Department of State authority to employ civil service or Foreign Service annuitants through October 1, 2010. Eliminates the requirement that such authority be used to facilitate assignment to Afghanistan or Iraq or to fill positions vacated because of assignments to such countries.

Date: 2007-07-10
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Foreign Service Overseas Pay Equity Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to provide that Foreign Service officers designated class 1 or below stationed outside the continental United States and not in a non-foreign area receive locality-based comparability payments that would be paid to a member if his or her official duty station were in Washington, DC. Phases in such adjustment pay. Makes conforming amendments to the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund and to the Foreign Service Pension System. (Sec. 3) Amends the death gratuity computation payable to surviving dependents of Foreign Service officers who die from injuries sustained in the performance of duty abroad to provide for payments at level II of the Executive Schedule at the time of death, except that for employees compensated under local compensation plans the amount shall be equal to the greater of one year's salary at the time of death or one year's salary at the highest step of the highest grade on the local compensation plan from which the employee was being paid at the time of death.

Date: 2007-07-27
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Foreign Service Global Compensation Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to revise the Foreign Service compensation system, including: (1) transition to a performance-based system; and (2) uniform compensation for worldwide service. Sets forth the rate of basic salary payable to a Foreign Service employee at the time of death for death gratuity compensation purposes.

Date: 2007-07-27
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Establishes in the Treasury a fund for the Peace Corps to provide separation payments for host country resident personal services contractors of the Peace Corps. Makes fund amounts beginning in FY2007 available without fiscal year limitation for such payments.

Date: 2007-09-14
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to permit rest and recuperation travel for Foreign Service members and family members to U.S. territories, including American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Specifies that required leave based upon continuous service abroad may be taken in the United States or its territories, including American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (Current law refers to the United States, its territories and possessions, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.)

Date: 2007-09-25
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Global Service Fellowship Program Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of State to establish and administer a Global Service Fellowship Program to fund fellowships to promote international volunteering opportunities as a means of building bridges across cultures, addressing critical human needs, and promoting mutual understanding. Sets forth Program provisions. Authorizes appropriations.

Date: 2007-09-27
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Peace Corps Volunteers Tax Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer election to suspend the five-year ownership and use requirements for the tax exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence during any period in which such taxpayer (or spouse) is serving outside the United States as a Peace Corps employee or volunteer.Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Director of the Peace Corps, to publish guidance on allowable tax deductions related to Peace Corps service.

Date: 2007-10-04
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Taxation
Directs the President to impose specified travel and other related restrictions on heads of state of countries that are state sponsors of terrorism who are attending U.N. events in New York City. Authorizes the President to waive such restrictions if in the national interest.

Date: 2007-10-18
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the Peace Corps Act to: (1) authorize appropriations through FY2012; and (2) increase the readjustment allowance for returning Peace Corps volunteers.

Date: 2008-03-05
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the U.S. government must set the highest standards to protect U.S. passport privacy and security; and (2) the Department of State must safeguard U.S. passport security. Directs the Secretary of State: (1) when establishing the requirements for physical and security components of U.S. passports and passport cards, to include only such electronic components as are currently manufactured in the United States, or can be manufactured in the United States; and (2) to ensure that all assembly of U.S. passports occurs only within U.S. borders and personalization of permanent U.S. passports occurs only under the direct supervision of U.S. government employees.

Date: 2008-04-09
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Immigration
Limiting the Intrusive Miles of International Terrorist Sponsors Act of 2008 or LIMITS Act of 2008 - Directs the President to restrict to the designated area the travel of officials and representatives of countries that are designated as state sponsors of terrorism who are visiting the U.N. headquarters complex in connection with official business. Authorizes presidential waiver of such restriction upon submission of a report to Congress explaining why it is in the national interest to do so. Excludes from such restriction: (1) direct travel to and from John F. Kennedy International Airport or LaGuardia Airport to the designated area in connection with meetings at the U.N. headquarters complex; (2) land travel to and from any lodgings or other hotel accommodations in which an official or representative is staying if such lodging or other hotel accommodation is within the designated area; and (3) travel to and from New York University medical center or Bellevue Hospital Center for emergency medical care. Defines: (1) "designated area"; (2) "state sponsor of terrorism"; and (3) "United Nations headquarters complex."

Date: 2008-04-24
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
International Documentary Exchange Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Secretary of State to make grants to U.S. nongovernmental organizations that use independently produced documentary films to promote better understanding of the United States abroad and better understanding of global perspectives and other countries in the United States.

Date: 2008-07-10
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Ambassadors Qualification Act of 2008 - Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to specify certain qualifications to be eligible to serve as an ambassador or an ambassador at large.

Date: 2008-07-31
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
United States Broadcasting Reorganization Act of 2008 - Amends the U.S. International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to establish the United States International Broadcasting Agency, which shall be headed by the Board of Governors of the United States International Broadcasting Agency, to carry out various international broadcasting activities of the United States (thereby eliminating the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the International Broadcasting Bureau). Sets forth: (1) Agency authorities and functions; and (2) transition provisions. Directs the Board to establish an Office of the Ombudsman to be a liaison between both the audience and employees and employees and management of the broadcasting entities under Board control.

Date: 2008-09-25
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Improvement Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of State to adjudicate U.S. passport applications in an individualized, evidence-based manner. Requires the passport application adjudicatory process to be based on an assessment of individual circumstances and evidence. Prohibits an applicant's race, ethnicity, or ancestry from being taken into account in the passport application adjudicatory process. Requires: (1) an applicant to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the applicant is a U.S. citizen or national; (2) the preponderance of the evidence standard to be applied in a uniform and consistent manner to all passport applications; and (3) any determination that an applicant has not met the burden of proving U.S. citizenship or nationality by a preponderance of the evidence to be made in writing, state the reasons for the determination, and be provided to the applicant in a timely manner. States that a birth certificate signed by a person authorized under state law to sign such a document, or a previously-issued U.S. passport, shall constitute prima facie evidence of U.S. citizenship or nationality and, absent individualized evidence that a birth did not take place in the United States, shall satisfy the preponderance of the evidence standard.

Date: 2008-09-26
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Immigration
Passport and Visa Security Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to revise provisions relating to the unauthorized issuance of U.S. passports to prohibit any person, during any three-year period, from: (1) producing, issuing, or transferring 10 or more passports without lawful authority; (2) forging, counterfeiting, altering, or falsely making such passports; (3) transacting sales of or distributing such counterfeit passports; or (4) making 10 or more false applications for passports. Imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to 20 years for violations. Revises criminal prohibitions against: (1) making false statements in an application for a passport; (2) forgery and unlawful production of a passport; (3) misuse of a passport; and (4) immigration and visa fraud, including trafficking in counterfeit immigration documents. Makes the punishment for attempts or conspiracies to commit passport or visa fraud the same as for the completed crime. Prohibits in connection with federal immigration laws: (1) any scheme to defraud persons seeking benefits under such laws; and (2) false representation of attorney (or accredited representative) status. Grants extraterritorial jurisdiction for the prosecution of certain passport and visa fraud offenses. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to revise its sentencing guidelines and policies relating to passport and visa fraud offenses. Directs the Attorney General to develop prosecution guidelines for compliance with U.S. treaty obligations relating to asylum seekers entering the United States with fraudulent documents. Expands the investigative authority of State Department special agents relating to passport and document fraud.

Date: 2007-01-11
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Passport Backlog Reduction Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to authorize the Secretary of State to employ Foreign Service annuitants to assist in the processing of: (1) passport applications, including passport fraud investigations; and (2) visa applications at consular posts with a substantial application backlog. Authorizes the Secretary to waive salary and full-time employment pension restrictions through: (1) September 30, 2008, for consular-related employment; and (2) through September 30, 2009, for passport-related employment.

Date: 2007-03-22
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Global Service Fellowship Program Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Directs the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish the Office of Volunteers for Prosperity which shall implement the Global Service Fellowship Program and promote other international volunteering opportunities. (Sec. 4) Directs the Administrator to establish and administer a Global Service Fellowship Program to fund fellowships to promote international volunteering opportunities as a means of building bridges across cultures, addressing critical human needs, and promoting mutual understanding. Sets forth Program provisions. (Sec. 5) Directs the Administrator to: (1) implement a Program evaluation process; and (2) report to the appropriate congressional committees. (6) Directs the Administrator to prescribe implementing regulations. (Sec. 7) Authorizes FY2009-FY2011 appropriations.

Date: 2008-02-07
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Foreign Service Overseas Pay Equity Act of 2008 - Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to: (1) extend comparability pay adjustments to Foreign Service members assigned abroad; and (2) amend the death gratuity computation payable to surviving dependents of Foreign Service employees who die from injuries sustained in the performance of duty abroad.

Date: 2008-08-01
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Greening the Healthcare Workforce Act of 2008 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide grants to nonprofit hospitals or health care institutions to promote environmentally sustainable practices in building and maintenance operations, including: (1) the training of employees in environmentally sound waste management and chemical management practices; (2) the reduction in use of mercury-containing medical supplies; and (3) the conduct of minor improvements to grounds and facilities to improve energy efficiency and indoor air quality and to reduce water waste.

Date: 2008-09-25
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Environmental protection
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the limitation on the amount of distilled spirits tax covered (paid over) into the treasuries of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Taxation
Virgin Islands Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for a reduction of taxes on distributions from certain retirement savings plans designated as being under investment by the Virgin Islands Investment Program for at least 30 years. Defines "Virgin Islands Investment Program" for purposes of this Act as a fund with managed amounts of $50 billion or less. Imposes a 1% annual tax on managed funds to benefit Virgin Island infrastructure development.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Taxation
Identification Integrity Act of 2009 - Prohibits federal agencies from accepting for any official purpose an identification document for an individual issued by a foreign government. Creates an exception for foreign passports authorized by federal law to be accepted for a specific official purpose.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Peace Stamp for the Peace Corps Act - Directs the U.S. Postal Service to issue a semipostal (a postage stamp sold at a premium in order to help provide funding for certain causes) to benefit the Peace Corps.

Date: 2009-01-08
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Government operations and politics
United States Broadcasting Reorganization Act of 2009 - Amends the U.S. International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to establish the United States International Broadcasting Agency, which shall be headed by the Board of Governors of the United States International Broadcasting Agency, to carry out various international broadcasting activities of the United States (thereby eliminating the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the International Broadcasting Bureau). Sets forth: (1) Agency authorities and functions; and (2) transition provisions. Directs the Board to establish an Office of the Ombudsman to be a liaison between both the audience and employees and employees and management of the broadcasting entities under Board control.

Date: 2009-01-09
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Public Diplomacy Resource Centers Act of 2009 - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to direct the Secretary of State to ensure that diplomatic and consular mission libraries and resource centers: (1) are open to the general public to the greatest extent practicable, subject to security considerations; and (2) schedule public showings of American films that showcase American culture, society, values, and history. Directs the Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy to report to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations respecting the functions and effectiveness of such libraries and resource centers.

Date: 2009-02-04
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Increases the authorized number of annual appointments to the military service academies from: (1) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands from one to three; and (2) American Samoa from two to three.

Date: 2009-02-10
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Peace Corps Expansion Act of 2009 - Amends the Peace Corps Act to: (1) authorize appropriations for the Peace Corps; and (2) increase readjustment allowances for Peace Corps volunteers and volunteer leaders.

Date: 2009-02-13
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace Authorization Act of 2009 - Urges the President to establish an International Fund for Israeli-Palestinian Peace to support cooperation, peaceful coexistence, joint economic development, and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians, and Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Authorizes specified Economic Support Fund assistance through FY2014 for the International Fund.

Date: 2009-03-19
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
International Megan's Law of 2009 - Requires registered sex offenders to notify appropriate jurisdictions of their intent to travel not later than 21 days before their departure or arrival in the United States. Imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to 10 years for failure to report such travel. Requires diplomatic or consular missions in each foreign country to establish and maintain a countrywide sex offender registry for sex offenders from the United States who temporarily or permanently reside in such country. Directs the Commissioner of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to issue directives for the assessment of sex offenders whose travel is reported to determine whether such offenders are high risk sex offenders. Directs the President to establish the International Sex Offender Travel Center to monitor the travel of high risk sex offenders. Authorizes the Secretary of State to rescind the passports of individuals awaiting trial for a sex offense against a minor or a permanent resident who has been convicted of such an offense. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make convicted sex offenders inadmissible to the United States. Amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to include in the annual report of the Secretary of State on the status of severe forms of human trafficking efforts of foreign countries to identify and provide notice of international travel by sex offenders. Encourages the President to use authorities under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to assist foreign countries in identifying and providing notice of sex offenders traveling to the United States and other countries. Sets forth reporting requirements relating to the travel of international sex offenders and the implementation of this Act.

Date: 2009-03-19
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Directs the Secretary of State to establish passport issuance agencies within 50 miles of all major international border crossings. Defines "major international border crossing" as an international border crossing that has an annual privately-owned passenger vehicle crossing volume of at least 5 million vehicles.

Date: 2009-03-26
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
National Security Letters Reform Act of 2009 - Prohibits a national security letter (letter) (a request for information sought by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in connection with a criminal investigation) from being issued unless the issuing official certifies specific facts providing reason to believe that the information or records sought pertain to a foreign power or agent thereof. Prohibits a letter from being issued in connection with an investigation of a U.S. person solely upon the basis of activities protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution. Prohibits: (1) a letter from containing unreasonable requirements or requiring privileged matter; or (2) disclosing to a person that the FBI has sought or obtained access to information under a letter for 30 days after receipt of the FBI's request for such information. Authorizes judicial review for the modification or revocation of a letter. Provides limited uses of information acquired through a letter. Allows persons against whom evidence obtained from a letter is to be used to file a motion to suppress. Provides a civil cause of action for the misuse of letters. Requires the authority to issue letters to revert, five years after the enactment of this Act, to that provided by law on October 25, 2001. Requires the Attorney General to: (1) undertake minimization and destruction procedures with respect to information acquired through letters; and (2) report semiannually on the number and use of letters. Requires the disposal of wrongly acquired information. Revises requirements relating to claims of emergency in connection with certain letters.

Date: 2009-03-30
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
International Documentary Exchange Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Secretary of State to make grants to U.S. nongovernmental organizations that use independently produced documentary films to promote a better understanding of the United States among individuals abroad and, in the United States, a better understanding of global perspectives and of other countries.

Date: 2009-04-02
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Microfinance Capacity-Building Act of 2009 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide grants to eligible private non-profit microfinance institution networks that provide direct financial services (including credit, savings, insurance, remittances and cash transfers) to the poor and very poor in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan African countries.

Date: 2009-04-21
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on September 23, 2009. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Amends the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to reauthorize the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy through October 1, 2010.

Date: 2009-04-27
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Improvement Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of State to adjudicate U.S. passport applications in an individualized, evidence-based manner. Requires the passport application adjudicatory process to be based on an assessment of individual circumstances and evidence. Prohibits an applicant's race, ethnicity, or ancestry from being taken into account in the passport application adjudicatory process. Requires: (1) an applicant to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the applicant is a U.S. citizen or national; (2) the preponderance of the evidence standard to be applied in a uniform and consistent manner to all passport applications; and (3) any determination that an applicant has not met the burden of proving U.S. citizenship or nationality by a preponderance of the evidence to be made in writing, state the reasons for the determination, and be provided to the applicant in a timely manner. States that a birth certificate signed by a person authorized under state law to sign such a document, or a previously-issued U.S. passport, shall constitute prima facie evidence of U.S. citizenship or nationality and, absent individualized evidence that a birth did not take place in the United States, shall satisfy the preponderance of the evidence standard.

Date: 2009-06-10
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Immigration
Requires the Secretary of Commerce, beginning with the 2010 decennial census of population, to take measures in tabulating total population by state for purposes of apportionment of Representatives in Congress to ensure that all Americans residing abroad on the census date are accurately counted and properly attributed to their respective states. Requires such measures to include methods: (1) by which administrative records of a nongovernmental organization may be used to enumerate organization members residing overseas as of the census date if such records satisfy the Secretary's criteria; and (2) under which an international "Be Counted" form may be completed at a U.S. embassy by Americans residing overseas.

Date: 2009-06-24
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Government operations and politics
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Amends the United States International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to extend the authority of the Broadcasting Board of Governors to make grants to operate Radio Free Asia through September 30, 2010.

Date: 2009-09-17
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Passport Acquisition Savings and Security Act of 2010 or the PASS Act of 2010 - Provides for the payment of passport fees directly to the Department of State rather than to the U.S. Treasury. Expresses the sense of Congress that new revenues directed to the Department should be used to reduce passport costs for consumers.

Date: 2010-07-29
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Passport Card Travel Enhancement Act of 2009 - Defines "passport card" as the document: (1) known as a passport card that is issued to a U.S. national on the same basis as a regular passport; and (2) that the Secretary of State began issuing in 2008. Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State to permit a passport card issued to a U.S. citizen to serve as proof of identify and citizenship if such citizen is departing from or entering the United States through an airport of entry for travel that terminates or originates in: (1) Bermuda; (2) Canada; (3) a Caribbean country; or (4) Mexico. Prohibits the Secretaries from increasing the passport card fee as a result of such requirement.

Date: 2009-01-26
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Immigration
Authorizes the Secretary of State, under the authority, direction, and control of the President and in accordance with the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, to increase the number of educational and cultural exchange activities involving persons from scientific, medicine, research, and academic sectors by: (1) establishing new Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs; and (2) expanding the coverage of existing Programs. Directs the Secretary to appoint United States Science Envoys to represent the U.S. commitment to collaborate with other countries to promote the advancement of science and technology throughout the world based on issues of common interest and expertise.

Date: 2009-04-21
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Foreign Adopted Children Equality Act or the FACE Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to set forth automatic citizenship criteria for a child adopted outside the United States by a U.S. citizen parent. Deems such an adopted child to be a U.S. citizen at birth. Deems to be a U.S. citizen at birth, after the approval of an application filed within the United States or with a U.S. Embassy, a person who: (1) is older than 18 years of age; (2) was born outside the United States and was adopted by a U.S. citizen parent before such person reached 18 years of age; and (3) was adopted under 16 years of age and has lived with the adoptive parents for at least two years, was abused, or is an orphan who was under 16 years of age at the time an immediate relative status petition was filed on his or her behalf. Includes within the definition of nonimmigrant an individual brought to the United States as a child to be adopted by a U.S. citizen. Expresses the sense of Congress that the government of each foreign country from which children are adopted by U.S. citizens should provide the adoptive family with birth history documentation.

Date: 2009-06-25
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Immigration
Peace Stamp for the Peace Corps Act - Directs the U.S. Postal Service to issue a semipostal (a postage stamp sold at a premium in order to help provide funding for certain causes) to benefit the Peace Corps.

Date: 2011-01-20
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), by November 11, 2011, to establish the APEC Business Travel Program to issue Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards (ABTCs) to eligible U.S. citizen business leaders and senior U.S. government officials actively engaged in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) business.Requires the Secretary to: (1) integrate application procedures for and issuance of ABTCs with other international registered traveler programs of DHS, such as Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI; and (2) work in conjunction with private sector entities to ensure that applicants satisfy ABTC requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) utilize such entities to enroll and issue ABTCs, and (2) impose and modify an ABTC issuance fee.

Date: 2011-05-26
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Immigration
Passport Acquisition Savings and Security Act of 2011 or the PASS Act of 2011 - Provides for the payment of passport fees directly to the Department of State rather than to the U.S. Treasury. Expresses the sense of Congress that new revenues directed to the Department should be used to reduce passport costs for consumers.

Date: 2011-06-14
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: International affairs
Passport Fee Relief Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a refundable tax credit for the cost of obtaining travel documents necessary to comply with the terrorist travel and effective screening plan developed under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative).

Date: 2011-06-14
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Taxation
American Traveller Dignity Act of 2011 - Prohibits any law of the United States from being construed to confer immunity for a federal employee or agency, or any individual or entity that receives federal funds, who subjects an individual to any physical contact, x-rays, or millimeter waves, or aids in the creation of or views a representation of any part of an individual's body covered by clothing, as a condition for such individual to be in an airport or to fly in an aircraft. Makes this provision applicable even if the individual or the individual's parent, guardian, or any other individual gives consent.

Date: 2011-07-07
Topic: International Affairs (Diplomats)
Subject: Government operations and politics