zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Supporting America's Manufacturers Act - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to require a recommendation from the International Trade Commission (ITC) before the President can impose increased duties or other import restrictions on an imported Chinese product that causes or threatens market disruption to a like U.S. product. Revises the authority of the President and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to consider an equally divided ITC vote regarding a determination on the question of whether an imported Chinese product causes or threatens market disruption in the United States. Repeals the authority of the President and the USTR to consider the determination of either group of equally divided Commissioners to be the ITC's determination. Requires such a deadlocked vote to be considered an affirmative ITC determination. Provides that if the Commissioners voting are equally divided with respect to its determination, then the determination agreed upon by either group of Commissioners may be considered by the President and the Trade Representative as the determination of the Commission. Requires the USTR to make available promptly to the public reports recommending the President to take action, if any, to remedy market disruption. Revises requirements involving ITC determinations of critical circumstances and requests for provisional relief with respect to a Chinese product that causes or threatens market disruption to a like U.S. Product Requires the President to provide import relief from Chinese products that cause or threaten market disruption to a like U.S. product within a specified time if an agreement is not reached with the People's Republic of China (PRC) or if the President determines that an agreement reached with the PRC is not remedying the market disruption. Authorizes the President to provide import relief (including provisional relief in critical circumstances) that differs from that recommended by the ITC, or to deny such import relief only: (1) in extraordinary cases; and (2) if the President determines that providing such relief would cause serious harm to U.S. economic interests or to U.S. national security. Requires the President's decision on import relief to be reported to specified congressional committees. Requires import relief recommended by the ITC to take effect upon enactment of a congressional joint resolution in the event that the President: (1) takes action that differs from that recommended by the ITC; or (2) declines to provide import relief (including that recommended by the ITC) because it would cause serious harm to U.S. economic interests or to U.S. national security.

Date: 2009-01-13
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) to make permanent the increase in the standard maximum deposit insurance amount from $100,000 to $250,000. Extends from five years to eight years after implementation of a Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) restoration plan the deadline by which the DIF reserve ratio must meet or exceed the required minimum of 1.15% of estimated insured deposits. Increases the borrowing authority of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) from a maximum $30 billion to $100 billion. Extends to depository institution holding companies liability for special assessments to recover loss to the DIF arising from certain actions taken or assistance provided to avoid serious adverse effects on economic conditions or financial stability. Amends the National Housing Act to revise certain requirements for the HOPE for Homeowners Program. Repeals the requirement that the current borrower have, or is likely to have, a mortgage debt-to-income ratio greater than 31% (or any higher amount the Federal Home Loan Bank Board determines appropriate). Increases from 90% to 93% of a property's appraised value the cap on the principal obligation amount of a refinanced eligible insured mortgage. Repeals the prohibitions on: (1) second liens; and (2) payment of insurance benefits to a mortgagee in any case in which a mortgagor fails to make the first payment on a refinanced eligible mortgage. Reduces the annual premium for a refinanced eligible insured mortgage, and allows its further reduction or termination during the mortgage term. Repeals the entitlement of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the mortgagor of an eligible insured mortgage, upon any sale or disposition of the subject property, to 50% of any appreciation in the property's appraised value since the date that the mortgage was insured. Authorizes the Federal Home Loan Bank Board to establish a payment to the servicer of the existing senior mortgage for every loan insured under the HOPE for Homeowners Program. Prescribes requirements (safe harbor) that will render a mortgage servicer not liable for entering into a loan modification or workout plan with respect to any mortgage on which: (1) default has occurred or is reasonably foreseeable; (2) the property securing it is occupied by the mortgagor; and (3) the servicer reasonably and in good faith believes that the anticipated recovery on the mortgage's principal outstanding obligation under a particular mortgage modification, workout plan, or other loss mitigation action will exceed, on a net present value basis, the anticipated recovery on the principal outstanding obligation to be realized through foreclosure. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to take prompt action to provide EESA Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) assistance to smaller community financial institutions, including privately held institutions.

Date: 2009-01-27
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend the tax credit for first-time homebuyers through 2009; (2) expand such credit to include all purchasers of a principal residence; (3) waive the repayment requirement for a residence purchased after 2008 unless such residence is sold or vacated within 36 months of purchase; and (4) require a minimum 5% downpayment on home purchases to qualify for such credit.

Date: 2009-02-03
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Taxation
Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act - Abolishes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and each federal reserve bank.Repeals the Federal Reserve Act.

Date: 2009-02-03
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Re-Build America Bond Act of 2009 - Establishes the Re-Build America Trust Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue Re-Build America Bonds. Makes appropriations to the Trust Fund of amounts equivalent to all revenues derived from proceeds from the sale and issuance of such bonds, in order to make expenditures for rail, transit, water, highway, bridge, or road infrastructure projects.

Date: 2009-02-04
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009 - Repeals the authority of the Comptroller General to carry out an onsite examination of an open insured bank or bank holding company only if the appropriate federal regulatory agency has consented in writing. (Retains the authority of the Comptroller General to audit a federal agency.) Directs the Comptroller General to complete, before the end of 2010, an audit of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and of the federal reserve banks, followed by a detailed report to Congress.

Date: 2009-02-26
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Savings for Working Families Act of 2009 - Allows certain low-income individuals between age 18 and 61 to establish tax-exempt individual development accounts (IDAs) to pay for certain qualified expenses, including education expenses, first-time homebuyer costs, and business capitalization or expansion costs. Sets forth rules for the establishment, maintenance, and termination of IDAs. Permits tax-free withdrawals from IDAs for qualified expenses, but requires IDA beneficiaries to complete one or more financial education courses prior to making an IDA withdrawal.Allows certain financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, and Indian tribes to sponsor and administer IDAs. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow such entities a business-related tax credit for the cost of administering IDAs and for making matching contributions to IDAs in parallel accounts. Provides that IDA amounts shall be disregarded for purposes of determining eligibility for assistance under certain means-tested federal programs.

Date: 2009-02-26
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Taxation
Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions allowing nonrecognition of gain from like-kind exchanges to suspend the 180-day period for completing such exchanges in cases involving exchange facilitators who have filed a bankruptcy petition.

Date: 2009-03-04
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Taxation
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Full Disclosure Act - Amends the Federal National Mortgage Association Charter Act to declare that stock, obligations, securities, participations, or other instruments issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) shall not be exempt securities within the meaning of the laws administered by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) (thus subjecting such securities to SEC regulation). Amends the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation Act to declare that any securities issued or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) shall not be exempt securities within the meaning of SEC-administered laws (thus subjecting such securities also to SEC regulation). States that transactions involving the initial disposition by an approved seller of pooled certificates acquired by the seller from Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac upon the initial issuance of the pooled certificates shall be deemed to be transactions by a person other than as an issuer, underwriter, or dealer within the meaning of the laws administered by the SEC. Defines pooled certificates as single class mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac that have been issued by Fannie or Freddie directly to the approved seller in exchange for the mortgage loans underlying such mortgage-backed securities. Amends the Securities Act of 1933 to exempt specified applicants filing a securities registration statement subject to a fee from being required to pay aggregate fees in excess of 5% of the target offsetting collection amount for the fiscal year. States that fees paid in connection with registration statements relating to business combinations shall not be included in calculating the total fees paid by any applicant.

Date: 2009-03-05
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Thrift Savings Fund Improvement Act - Establishes the Precious Metals Investment Fund as an investment option for individuals participating in the Thrift Savings Plan. Requires that contributions to such Fund be invested in physical gold, silver, or platinum bullion. Directs the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to: (1) study the operation of existing precious metal funds to determine the best practices of such funds; (2) establish the Precious Metals Investment Fund incorporating the best practices of existing funds; and (3) make such Fund available to individuals participating in the Thrift Savings Plan.

Date: 2009-03-10
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Financial Consumer Hotline Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act of 1978 to require federal financial institution regulatory agencies, coordinating through the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, to establish: (1) a single, toll-free telephone number for consumer complaints and inquiries concerning institutions under their jurisdiction; and (2) a system for routing such calls to the federal financial institution regulatory agency that primarily supervises the financial institution, or that is otherwise the appropriate agency to address the subject of the complaint or inquiry.Cites circumstances under which state agencies may receive appropriate call transfers from such federal systems.

Date: 2009-03-12
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Consumer Overdraft Protection Fair Practices Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to set forth restrictions upon overdraft protection fees or services placed upon a consumer account in order to cover any debit due to insufficient funds in such account. Prohibits certain misrepresentations made by an institution that it will extend credit to cover all overdrafts. Prohibits specified advertising claims regarding overdraft protection programs or services, including any representation or statement encouraging use of the account as a service to: (1) meet short-term credit needs; or (2) obtain advances on a consumer's next payment of salary, wages, benefits, or other income. Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to restrict additional acts or practices the Board deems unfair or deceptive in connection with the offering, operation, and advertising of overdraft protection programs and services. Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to set forth restrictions governing overdraft protection services and fees concerning payment of an electronic fund transfer initiated by the consumer at an automated teller machine (ATM) despite of a lack of sufficient funds in the consumer's account. Amends the Expedited Funds Availability Act to prohibit a depository institution from: (1) imposing overdraft protection fees for paying any check drawn on the account in spite of a lack of sufficient funds unless the account holder has affirmatively requested such service; or (2) engaging in a pattern or practice of delaying the posting of any deposit in an account, or manipulating the process of posting any check or other debit against an account, if such pattern or practice results in an overdraft that triggers payment of an overdraft protection fee.

Date: 2009-03-12
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Consumer Checking Fairness Act - Amends the Expedited Funds Availability Act to require depository institutions to: (1) post checks presented for payment against checking accounts used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes after the close of any business day in the numerical order of the checks, beginning with the lowest number; (2) notify accountholders of, and require their written consent for, an alternate posting order; and (3) credit all deposits to such accounts after the close of any business day before debiting any check drawn on the account and presented for payment. Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to prescribe implementing regulations.

Date: 2009-03-12
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Extends through July 31, 2009, under the same terms and conditions, the authorization for any program, authority, or provision, including any pilot program, that is currently authorized through March 20, 2009, under the Small Business Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.

Date: 2009-03-17
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Commerce
Mutual Savings Association Preservation Act - Amends the Home Owners' Loan Act to: (1) prohibit any company or subsidiary, or any director, officer, employee, or person with voting power or holding proxies representing more than 25% of the voting shares of such company or subsidiary, from holding, soliciting, or exercising any proxies in respect of a mutual savings association in an attempt to control the association; and (2) allow an aggrieved association to bring a civil action to prevent such takeover attempts.

Date: 2009-03-17
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
AIG Key Executives Bonus Accountability and Capture (TAKE BACK) Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a 100% income tax on bonuses (over $1) paid to employees by entities who received financial assistance under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

Date: 2009-03-18
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Taxation
Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act of 2009 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit a creditor from extending credit to a consumer under an open end consumer credit plan (credit card) for which the fee and interest rate exceeds 36%. Sets forth criminal penalties for violation of this Act. Empowers state Attorneys General to enforce this Act. Revises requirements for a periodic statement for each billing cycle with respect to where the total finance charge exceeds 50 cents for a monthly or longer billing cycle, or the pro rata part of 50 cents for a billing cycle shorter than monthly. Requires inclusion of the fee and interest rate, displayed as "FAIR," instead of the total finance charge expressed as an annual percentage rate (APR).

Date: 2009-03-19
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Interest Rate Equity Act or the IRE Act - Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to prohibit any financial institution that receives assistance under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) from charging its customers more than 18% interest on credit card accounts.

Date: 2009-03-19
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act Amendments of 2009 - Amends the National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act to declare that a nonprofit corporation (established to succeed the abolished Office of Self-Help Development and Technical Assistance) shall be deemed to be a community development financial institution, unless the National Consumer Cooperative Bank or any of its affiliates participates in certain depository institution incentives under the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994.

Date: 2009-03-23
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Fair Housing Tax Credit Extension Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make the first-time homebuyer tax credit applicable to purchases of a principal residence after December 31, 2007; and (2) make such credit permanent.

Date: 2009-03-26
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Taxation
Compete Act of 2009 - Amends the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to revise requirements for the internal control assessment component of a securities issuer's annual report. Requires the attestation and report by a registered public accounting firm on an issuer's management assessment of its internal control structure and procedures to focus upon the process and system used by management to identify and manage risks, identify and implement key controls, and come to a conclusion on the effectiveness of the internal controls over financial reporting. Prohibits an auditor's attestation and report from including a separate (pass/fail) opinion on the effectiveness of such internal controls. Requires such attestation and report to be performed at three-year intervals. Prescribes standards for such attestations and reports, including a risk-based evaluation. Permits attestations and reports to rely on examinations and inspections by federal and state regulatory agencies. Instructs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to develop a standard of materiality for such assessments and reports based upon whether the internal control has a material effect on the company's financial statements and is significant to the issuer's overall financial status. Exempts a smaller public company from the requirements for management assessment of internal controls, unless it voluntarily elects to comply with them.

Date: 2009-03-30
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2009 - Authorizes appropriations for FY2009 to the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation for specified mortgage foreclosure mitigation (namely housing counseling) activities.

Date: 2009-04-01
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Housing and community development
First-Time Homebuyer Credit Extension Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend the first-time homebuyer tax credit and the waiver of recapture requirements for such credit through 2010; and (2) expand the election to treat a purchase of a principal residence as made in a prior taxable year for purposes of such credit.

Date: 2009-04-21
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) to direct the Secretary of the Treasury, upon notification that a financial institution is prepared to repay specified EESA assistance immediately, either to: (1) accept such repayment; or (2) notify the institution that its financial position does not currently permit such repayment, and detail steps it can take to satisfy the Secretary and the appropriate federal banking agency that it is able to make such repayment.

Date: 2009-04-27
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Reasonable Prudence in Regulation Act - Extends from December 1, 2009, to December 1, 2010, the deadline for compliance with specified regulations prohibiting the funding of unlawful Internet gambling (Regulation GG).

Date: 2009-05-06
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Small Business Opportunity Act of 2009 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish and implement a program under which the Administrator shall pay, with respect to each SBA-guaranteed small business loan entered into after the enactment of this Act, 100% of the interest due for the first year, 75% for the second year, and 50% for the third. Terminates the authority of the Administrator to make such payments at the end of the the third year following enactment of this Act.

Date: 2009-05-06
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Commerce
Protection of Consumer Credit and Consumer Choice Act of 2009 - Prohibits the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve, the Office of Thrift Supervision, and the National Credit Union Administration from taking any action to implement any rule relating to credit cards published in the Federal Register on January 29, 2009, or any substantially similar rule, on the basis of a determination by such agencies that practices relating to credit card practices constitute an unfair act or practice in or affecting commerce. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to direct the Board to issue regulations with respect to credit card accounts under an open end consumer credit plan to require a card issuer to provide clear and conspicuous disclosures pertaining to: (1) the time provided to make timely payments; (2) allocation of payments when different annual percentage rates (APRs) apply to different balances of such accounts; (3) increases in APRs; (4) two-cycle average daily balance method of balance calculation; and (5) fees that may be assessed at the opening of such accounts. Requires a credit card issuer to provide advance written notice of a change in such terms before it takes effect, with certain exceptions.

Date: 2009-05-07
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Credit Union Share Insurance Stabilization Act - Amends the Federal Credit Union Act (FCUA) to grant the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) increased borrowing authority until December 31, 2010. Requires the NCUA Board to: (1) establish a National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF) Restoration Plan whenever it projects that the equity ratio of the NCUSIF will fall below a designated minimum equity ratio; and (2) establish the Temporary Corporate Credit Union Stabilization Fund (TCCUSF) to make payments connected to the actual or threatened conservatorship or liquidation of a corporate credit union. Authorizes the TCCUSF to borrow from the Secretary of the Treasury, subject to specified conditions.

Date: 2009-05-12
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Federal Reserve Credit Facility Review Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Comptroller General to conduct reviews, including onsite examinations, of any credit facility established by the Federal Reserve Board or any federal reserve bank, and of its establishment as the lender of last resort, including when it provides temporary assistance to private institutions as the lender of last restort. Specifies the credit facilities to which this Act applies. Terminates such authorization five years after the enactment of this Act. Grants the Comptroller General access to all records and property of any such credit facility, as well as to its officers, employees, contractors, and other agents and representatives.

Date: 2009-05-14
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Judgment Evading Foreign States Accountability Act of 2009 - States the policy of the United States regarding: (1) advocacy within the governing bodies of international organizations and other foreign policy settings for the full compensation and fair treatment of persons in whose favor judgments have been awarded by U.S. courts; (2) protection of economic interests of persons and nations that benefit from a reliable flow of foreign capital by restricting the access to U.S. capital markets of judgment evading foreign states (foreign states that fail to fully satisfy a final judgment exceeding a certain amount for more than two years) and their state-owned corporations, warning of the dangers of dealing financially with such states and state-owned corporations, and congressional scrutiny of requests for aid made by such states; and (3) protection of the authority of the U.S. courts by preventing such states from willfully flouting the judgments of those courts. Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to: (1) deny a judgment evading foreign state access to U.S. capital markets unless the proceeds of borrowing or securities issuance are to be used in the first instance to satisfy in full all final judgments that form the basis for such designation as such a state; and (2) require all periodic filings made by such a state with the SEC to prominently bear a warning describing its failure to satisfy outstanding judgments. Imposes similar restrictions on state-owned corporations of such states. Requires: (1) a proposal to extend bilateral or multilateral assistance to a judgment evading state to bear notice that such state is a judgment evading state; and (2) the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to Congress identifying each such state.

Date: 2009-05-19
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: International affairs
Neighborhood Preservation Act - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to authorize any depository institution (or affiliate) to lease, including lease with an option to purchase, to any individual for up to five years an interest in residential property which: (1) was or is security for an extension of credit by such depository institution (or affiliate); and (2) came under the institution's or affiliate's ownership or control through foreclosure (or a deed in lieu of foreclosure) on the extension of credit. Directs the federal banking agencies to jointly prescribe specified safety and soundness regulations, including minimum capital requirements for such institutions or affiliates. Permits extension of such a lease beyond five years if any federal or state law, including the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956, so permits. States this Act applies only to leases entered into during the two-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act. States the intent of the Congress that: (1) no permanent change in policy on leasing foreclosed property is being established with respect to depository institutions and depository institution holding companies; and (2) bank leasing of foreclosed property authorized under this Act should not apply to leases entered into after such two-year period.

Date: 2009-05-20
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Municipal Market Liquidity Enhancement Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Reserve Act to authorize the Federal Reserve Board, in unusual and exigent circumstances, by an affirmative vote of at least five members, to authorize any federal reserve bank to make advances to a special purpose vehicle or a designated corporate entity on the vehicle's or corporate entity's promissory notes that are secured to the bank's satisfaction by securities specified in this Act or by other forms of security. Restricts the use of such advances solely to financing the purchase by such a special purpose vehicle or designated corporate entity of variable rate demand obligations issued: (1) before enactment of this Act by a municipal securities issuer with the ability to issue a bond treated as a tax-exempt "state or local bond" under the Internal Revenue Code; (2) to refund variable rate demand obligations issued before enactment of this Act; or (3) to refinance auction rate securities. Allows the use of such advances also, in the alternative, to purchase short-term notes used for cash-management and other short-term borrowing needs issued by a municipal securities issuer. Requires any such purchase to be made under an agreement between the special purpose vehicle or designated corporate entity and the obligation or note issuer whereby the vehicle or corporate entity agrees to purchase obligations or notes that are made publicly available for purchase but are not otherwise purchased. Requires such advances also to bear interest at rates fixed from time to time by the federal reserve bank, subject to the review and determination of the Board. Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) to state that the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to take any action under such Act includes the authority to provide enhancement in connection with municipal securities whose purchase is financed under any facility designed to enhance the liquidity in the municipal market that is provided by the Board or any federal reserve bank. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to declare that any advances made by a federal reserve bank under this Act shall not be treated as a federal guarantee subject to federal tax (thus making them tax exempt).

Date: 2009-05-21
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Payday Lending Reform Act of 2009 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require a creditor to make specified disclosures when making a payday loan to a consumer. Prohibits a creditor from making a payday loan to any consumer unless: (1) specified notices are posted conspicuously in the creditor's public lending area, or, if the loan is made using the Internet, fax or other means, posted conspicuously on the creditor's public internet site relating to any such payday loan; and (2) the creditor offers the consumer an extended repayment plan that meets specified requirements. Sets forth prohibited lender practices, including: (1) requiring a consumer to pay interest and fees that, combined, total more than 20 cents for every dollar loaned in connection with a payday loan; (2) threatening or seeking to have the consumer prosecuted criminally to collect the loan; and (3) taking or attempting to take an interest in any of the consumer's personal property to secure the loan. Authorizes a consumer to cancel future payment obligations on a payday loan, without cost or finance charges, by: (1) informing the creditor in writing within two days after executing the loan agreement that the consumer wants to rescind the loan; and (2) returning to the creditor the cash amount of the loan principal.

Date: 2009-05-21
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Depositor Protection Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to limit the authority of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to engage in activities relating to systemic risk without a congressional declaration of a financial emergency. Requires an Act of Congress to declare that severe financial conditions exist, threatening the stability of a significant number of insured depository institutions or of insured depository institutions possessing significant financial resources, before the FDIC may exercise its existing authority to engage in certain transactions with an insured depository institution in order to lessen the risk to the FDIC posed by the institution under such threat of instability. Declares that FDIC authority to borrow from the Treasury amounts "required for insurance purposes" shall not be construed as authorizing the FDIC to borrow any amount for purposes of funding any action taken under this Act.

Date: 2009-06-02
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Promoting Transparency in Financial Reporting Act of 2009 - Requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB), and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to present testimony annually for five years, beginning in 2009, to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives regarding their efforts to reduce the complexity in financial reporting and to provide more accurate and clear financial information to investors. Requires such testimony to address the following issues: (1) reassessing complex and outdated accounting standards; (2) improving the understandability, consistency, and overall usability of accounting and auditing literature; (3) developing principles-based accounting standards; (4) encouraging the use and acceptance of interactive data; and (5) promoting disclosures in "plain English."

Date: 2009-06-02
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Administrative Support and Oversight for Community Financial Institutions Act of 2009 - Establishes an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Community Financial Institutions to advise the Secretary of the Treasury on the impact of Department of the Treasury policies and regulations on community financial institutions with a view to strengthening such institutions. Directs the Secretary to establish an Office of Ombudsman for Community Financial Institutions, whose head shall be the Assistant Secretary for Community Financial Institutions.

Date: 2009-06-03
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Financial Transparency Restoration Act - Requires each financial institution to publish, within 30 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, a statement of its financial condition in a newspaper of general paid circulation published in a city or county within each of its market areas. Requires such financial statements to include a written verification of the accuracy of the statement, under oath or by affirmation, by the president of the financial institution or another officer designated by its board of directors.

Date: 2009-06-04
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Investing in Tomorrow's Technology Act - Amends the Small Business Act to extend through FY2011 the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program. Provides that, with respect to participation in an SBIR or STTR program: (1) a business that has more than 500 employees shall not qualify as a small business; and (2) in determining whether a small business is independently owned and operated, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) shall not consider the business as affiliated with a venture capital operating company if such company does not own 50% or more of the business and the company's employees do not constitute a majority of the business's board of directors. Provides limited conditions under which a small business shall still be considered eligible for SBIR/STTR participation when a venture capital operating company controlled by a business with more than 500 employees has an ownership interest in a small business owned in majority part by venture capital operating companies.

Date: 2009-06-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Commerce
SBIR and STTR Enhancement Act - Amends the Small Business Act to direct each federal agency that is required to establish a small business innovation research (SBIR) program to: (1) issue research topic solicitations at least twice a year; and (2) make a final decision on topic proposals within 90 days, unless the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) determines that a decision may be extended to 180 days. Requires the Administrator to submit to the congressional small business committees a list of small businesses that, for the preceding five-year period, received 15 or more first phase SBIR awards but no second phase awards. Requires each federal agency conducting an SBIR program to engage with such awardees and develop performance measures for awardee progression in the SBIR program. Provides funding for SBIR administrative, oversight, and contract processing costs. Requires a Comptroller General audit on how federal agencies calculate SBIR and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) extramural research budgets. Directs each federal agency conducting an SBIR or STTR program to establish and maintain program evaluation and technology utilization databases. Establishes an Interagency SBIR/STTR Policy Committee. Authorizes each federal agency with an SBIR program to "fast track" phase two awards. Increases SBIR and STTR award levels. Provides express authority for agencies to award sequential phase two awards for SBIR-funded projects. Allows a federal agency to provide a second phase award to a small business only if the business has been provided an award for the first phase or has completed first phase requirements despite not having been provided a first phase award.

Date: 2009-06-09
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Commerce
Promoting Mortgage Responsibility Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit prepayment fees or penalties under any consumer credit transaction secured by the consumer's owner-occupied principal dwelling. Makes any prepayment penalty in violation of this prohibition unenforceable.

Date: 2009-06-10
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Reinvest in America's Retirement Act of 2009 - Amends the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 to advance the effective date of the repeal of income limitations on conversions to Roth individual retirement accounts (Roth IRAs) to December 31, 2008.

Date: 2009-06-10
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Taxation
Money Service Business Act of 2009 - Revises certain requirements for anti-money laundering programs with respect to federally insured depository institutions. Declares that, if such institutions have on file specified mandatory self-certifications submitted by a money transmitting business for which the institutions maintain an account, the institutions have no obligation to review the compliance of the money transmitting business with federal anti-money laundering requirements. Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of this Act without regard to whether such violations were willful. Shields an institution from liability for the noncompliance of a money transmitting business with federal anti-money laundering requirements. Prescribes requirements for a self-certification by a money transmitting business that it is in compliance with federal anti-money laundering requirements.

Date: 2009-06-16
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Bank Accountability and Risk Assessment Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require the risk-based assessment system (used to determine the premiums owed by insured depository institutions) to consider, in addition to existing factors, the risks posed to the Deposit Insurance Fund by: (1) the affiliates of a depository institution; and (2) the off-balance sheet assets and liabilities of depository institutions and their affiliates. Directs the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to impose a systemic risk assessment, at least annually, and in addition to the regular annual assessment and emergency special assessments, on all systemically important depository institutions. Repeals the declaration that no insured depository institution shall be barred from the lowest-risk category solely because of size. (Thus allows an insured depository institution to be barred from the lowest-risk category solely because of size.) Bases the regular annual assessment on an assessment rate established by the FDIC and an insured depository institution's average total assets minus its average tangible equity during the assessment period.

Date: 2009-06-16
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 - Provides for repeal of the current Department of Defense (DOD) policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces, to be effective 60 days after the Secretary of Defense has received DOD's comprehensive review on the implementation of such repeal, and the President, Secretary, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) certify to the congressional defense committees that they have considered the report and proposed plan of action, that DOD has prepared the necessary policies and regulations to exercise the discretion provided by such repeal, and that implementation of such policies and regulations is consistent with the standards of military readiness and effectiveness, unit cohesion, and military recruiting and retention. Provides that, until such time as the above conditions are met, the current policy shall remain in effect.

Date: 2009-06-19
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Commerce
Plain Language in Health Insurance Act of 2009 - Requires any health insurance issuer, health plan, and federal health care program to use plain language in any publicly distributed document. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance on implementing such requirements.

Date: 2009-06-25
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Health
Amends the Federal Reserve Act to authorize the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to authorize any federal reserve bank to examine the methodologies used by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs) in analyzing and rating asset backed securities and structured finance products. Defines asset backed security as: (1) one that is primarily serviced by the cash flows of a discrete pool of receivables or other financial assets (including mortgages), either fixed or revolving, that by their terms convert into cash within a finite time period, plus any rights or other assets designed to assure the servicing or timely distributions of proceeds to the security holders; and (2) any other security as the Board may prescribe. Defines structured finance product as any product that includes: (1) the pooling of assets (either cash-based or synthetically created); (2) the tranching of liabilities that are backed by such assets; (3) de-linking of the credit risk of such assets from the originator's credit risk (usually through use of a finite-lived, standalone financing vehicle); or (4) such other elements as the Board may prescribe.

Date: 2009-07-08
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Bridging Bank to Recovery Act of 2009 - Authorizes an appropriate federal or state banking agency to charter and license a de novo bridging bank depository institution to enable underbanked and unbanked consumers, and consumers with credit scores at or below 680, to transition or return to the financial mainstream more easily through comprehensive banking services, including access to credit products, financial and credit training, loan restructurings and other tailored financial products and services to meet the needs of such consumers. Defines underbanked consumers as individuals or families who have a deposit account with an insured depository institution or credit union, but who have limited or no ability to access nondepository services from such institutions. Defines unbanked consumers as individuals or families who have neither an account with an insured depository institution or insured credit union, nor a transaction account with a money market mutual fund or brokerage firm. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) exempt from federal income taxation the interest on deposits paid by bridging bank depository institutions; and (2) exclude from gross income the income from the discharge of indebtedness in connection with modification or repurchase of a subprime debt instrument if the beneficial owner of such instrument is a bridging bank depository institution. States that modification of a subprime debt instrument shall not result, for purposes of nonrecognition of gain or loss, in a sale or other disposition of property if a bridging bank depository institution is the beneficial owner of such instrument at the time of modification.

Date: 2009-07-10
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
SIG TARP Small Business Awareness Act of 2009 - Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) to direct the Special Inspector General (SIG) for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to examine how smaller financial institutions are being affected by: (1) expenditures under TARP (especially the adequacy of financial assistance); (2) the considerations and determinations of the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) and the regulators of such smaller financial institutions regarding capital adequacy and troubled assets; and (3) the effects that TARP financial assistance has had upon small businesses, including by type and by region. Instructs the SIG to include, in quarterly reports to Congress, information on actions by the Secretary and any financial institutions receiving TARP assistance to include and utilize minorities and women, and minority- and women-owned businesses, in any solicitation or contract. Requires such reports to include information on: (1) the levels of inclusion and utilization of women, minorities, and women- and minority-owned businesses; (2) the type of such contracts or solicitations, their dollar amounts, and the total number of them; and (5) any other activities to increase the participation of women, minorities, and women- and minority-owned businesses, including recommendations.

Date: 2009-07-10
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Reciprocity and Fairness in Foreign Investment Act - Permits a foreign person owned, in whole or in part, or controlled by a foreign government to acquire ownership in either a business, or in real property in the United States, but only to the same extent as that foreign government allows U.S. persons to acquire ownership in comparable enterprises organized under the laws of that foreign country. Subjects investment and operation of critical infrastructure in the United States by such a foreign person to the same reciprocity requirements. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue implementing regulations. Establishes civil penalties for violations of this Act.

Date: 2009-07-14
Topic: Domestic Commerce (Banking)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance