zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Taxpayer Transparency Act of 2015

 Requires each communication funded by a federal agency that is an advertisement, or that provides information about any federal program, benefit, or service, to clearly state: (1) in the case of a printed communication, including mass mailings, signs, and billboards, that the communication is printed or published at taxpayer expense; and (2) in the case of a communication transmitted through radio, television, or the Internet, that the communication is produced or disseminated at taxpayer expense. Requires such notification to state that a communication is provided by the U.S. government, rather than at taxpayer expense, if the communication is funded entirely by user fees or by other sources that do not include federal funds.

Requires any such printed communication: (1) to be of sufficient size to be clearly readable; and (2) to the extent feasible, to be contained in a printed box set apart from the other contents of the communication and to be printed with a reasonable degree of color contrast between the background and the printed statement. Sets forth similar requirements for audio, video, and email communications.

Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to develop and issue guidance on implementing the requirements of this Act.

Prohibits judicial review of the compliance or noncompliance with any provision of this Act.

Date: 2015-01-13
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Review Every Dollar Act of 2015 

This bill prohibits Congress from considering legislation authorizing or reauthorizing a federal program for more than seven years. Congressional committees are required to consider specified criteria to determine whether direct spending programs should be modified, terminated, or reauthorized.

The bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to create deficit reduction accounts for savings from legislation intended for deficit reduction. The Chairmen of the House and Senate Budget Committees are required to adjust spending allocations to reflect balances in the accounts. This creates procedural obstacles for considering legislation that spends savings intended for deficit reduction.

The bill requires transfers of funds from the general fund of the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund to be counted as new budget authority and outlays.

The bill prohibits certain rules requiring at least $100 million in new budget authority from taking effect unless: (1) the President notifies Congress that the rule is necessary for an emergency, the enforcement of criminal laws, national security, or the implementation of an international trade agreement; or (2) budget authority to carry out the rule is provided by law.

Date: 2015-01-20
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Federal Workforce Reduction Through Attrition Act

 Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to ensure that the total number of federal employees in each calendar quarter after the enactment of this Act does not exceed the applicable maximum for such quarter, as determined under this Act. Sets forth a formula for determining the applicable maximum based upon 90% of the total number of federal employees as of September 30, 2013. Requires that compliance with such workforce limitation be made through attrition, or through both attrition and a freeze on appointments if the total number of federal employees exceeds the applicable maximum for a quarter.

Requires OMB to: (1) ensure that there is a reduction in the amount expended for the procurement of service contracts for each fiscal year after this Act's enactment equal to the reduction in the amount expended for the federal workforce in the previous fiscal year as a result of the requirements of this Act; and (2) continuously monitor all agencies to determine whether the workforce limitation required by this Act has been met.

Allows the President to waive such workforce or service contract limitation if necessary due to: (1) a state of war or for reasons of national security; or (2) an extraordinary emergency threatening life, health, safety, or property.

Date: 2015-01-20
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Repeals the National Technical Information Act of 1988, effective one year after the enactment of this Act (thus abolishes the National Technical Information Service [NTIS]).

Directs: (1) the Secretary of Commerce, the Archivist of the United States, the Comptroller General, and the Commissioner of Social Security to consult with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to determine if any NTIS function is critical to the U.S. economy; (2) the Comptroller General to determine which of any such critical functions are not being carried out by any other agency or instrumentality of the federal government; and (3) the Secretary of Commerce, prior to the effective date of this Act, to submit to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Finance a written certification that all NTIS operations have been terminated.

Date: 2015-01-21
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Transparency in Rule Making When Using Scientific Testing Act of 2015

Requires the general notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal Register to include any scientific research of which the agency is aware and which is relevant to the rulemaking. Defines "scientific study" for purposes of the rulemaking process.

Date: 2015-01-21
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Duplication Elimination Act of 2015

This bill requires the President to send Congress a proposed joint resolution and a special message within 90 days of publication of the annual Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on duplicative government programs.

The joint resolution is limited to one that: (1) makes legislative changes needed to carry out the recommendations contained in the GAO report and included by the President, and (2) requires savings from the legislative changes to be transferred to the Treasury for deficit reduction.

The bill requires the special message to specify:

 the GAO recommendations that are excluded from the proposed joint resolution, why the recommendations were excluded, and the GAO recommendations included in the joint resolution. The bill sets forth expedited procedures for congressional consideration of the joint resolution.

Date: 2015-01-22
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Security Clearance Reform Act of 2015

 Directs the President to submit a strategic plan to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the intelligence committees of Congress (appropriate congressional committees) to improve security clearance and background investigation activities. Sets forth the required contents of such plan, including the development of a continuous evaluation or monitoring system of information used for security clearances, improvement of information sharing procedures between agencies, and the reduction or elimination of databases and information sources that cannot be accessed and processed electronically.

Prohibits the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) from awarding a contract to any entity for investigative support services or background investigation fieldwork services if such entity has another contract in effect with the federal government to provide such services.

Requires the OPM Director to report to the appropriate congressional committees listing any state or local entity covered by the definition of "criminal justice agency" that has failed to cooperate with three or more criminal history record information requests of the Director. Reduces criminal justice grant funding to state and local entities that fail to substantially comply with such requests.

Date: 2015-01-22
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies Act

 Establishes the Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies. Requires such Commission to evaluate federal agencies and their programs each year for a six-year period to determine whether: (1) two or more agencies or programs are performing the same essential function and such function can be consolidated or streamlined; (2) any agency or program has wasted federal funds by egregious spending, mismanagement of resources and personnel, or use of funds for personal benefit or the benefit of a special interest group; and (3) any agency or program has completed its intended purpose, has become irrelevant, or has failed to meet its objectives. Requires the realignment or elimination of such agencies or programs.

Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the effectiveness of the Commission. Sets forth procedures for consideration and implementation by Congress of Commission recommendations.

Date: 2015-01-26
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
To Help Reduce Inefficient Federal Tendencies Act of 2015 or the THRIFT Act of 2015

Allows federal agencies, including judicial branch agencies, to: (1) retain up to 25% of annual savings from the implementation of plans developed by such agencies to create efficiencies and cost savings in agency operations; and (2) use such savings for specified purposes, including salary increases and employee awards for cost savings disclosures. Requires an agency to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a plan and an associated request to amend its approved operating budget specifying how such savings will be achieved and the amount and source of such savings.

Date: 2015-01-28
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Government Waste Reduction Act of 2015

Establishes the Independent Government Waste Reduction Board, the membership of which shall include individuals with national recognition for expertise in agencies, waste reduction, finance and economics, and actuarial sciences.

Sets forth the duties of the Board, including: (1) analyzing organizational practices and management challenges of agencies; (2) assessing federal programs for economy, efficiency, and effectiveness and identifying best practices of agencies, and (3) submitting to Congress and the President a report on specific implementation of the recommendations from Government Accountability Office reports issued in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 on reducing duplication in government programs.

Sets forth procedures for congressional consideration of the Board's recommendations.

Date: 2015-01-28
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Requires the general notice of proposed rule making by a federal agency to include the Internet address of a plain-language summary, not exceeding 100 words, of the proposed rule, which shall be posted on the regulations.gov website.

Date: 2015-02-03
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Audit the Pentagon Act of 2015 

This bill reduces discretionary spending by 0.5% for federal agencies that have either not submitted a financial statement for a fiscal year or have submitted a financial statement that has not received an unqualified or a qualified audit opinion by an independent external auditor.

The bill excludes specified Department of Defense (DOD) accounts for personnel and the Defense Health Program from the reductions.

The President may waive the reductions for any account by certifying that the cuts would harm national security or members of the Armed Forces who are in combat.

The bill establishes reporting requirements for the Office of Management and Budget and DOD.

Date: 2015-02-12
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Realign and Eliminate Duplicative Unnecessary Costly Excess in Government Act of 2015 or the REDUCE Government Act

Establishes the Federal Realignment and Closure Commission, which shall: (1) establish a systematic method for assessing the effectiveness and accountability of agency programs, excluding Department of Defense programs; (2) divide the programs into three approximately equal budgetary groupings; (3) assess the effectiveness and accountability of all programs within a grouping in each of 2017, 2019, and 2021; and (4) by June 30 of each such year, submit a plan with recommendations of the agencies and programs that should be realigned or eliminated within the grouping assessed.

Requires the Commission to recommend: (1) the realignment of agencies or programs that are performing the same essential function that can be consolidated or streamlined into a single agency or program; and (2) the elimination of agencies or programs that have completed their intended purpose, have become irrelevant, or have failed to meet their objectives. Authorizes the Commission to recommend the realignment or elimination of any agency or program that has wasted federal funds by: (1) spending funds on items outside its authorized mission, (2) mismanaging resources and personnel, or (3) using such funds for personal benefit or the benefit of a special interest group.

Requires the President: (1) by August 15 of each such year, to transmit a report containing the President's approval or disapproval of the Commission's plan and recommendations; (2) to transmit a copy of an approved plan and recommendations to Congress; and (3) to eliminate or realign  agencies and programs pursuant to such recommendations unless Congress enacts a resolution disapproving them.

Requires funds saved by implementation of such plan to be used for deficit reduction.

Date: 2015-02-25
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Research and Development Efficiency Act

 Requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to establish a working group under the authority of the National Science and Technology Council, to include the Office of Management and Budget, to be responsible for reviewing federal regulations affecting research and research universities and making recommendations on how to: (1) harmonize, streamline, and eliminate duplicative federal regulations and reporting requirements; (2) minimize the regulatory burden on U.S. institutions of higher education performing federally funded research while maintaining accountability for federal tax dollars; and (3) identify and update specific regulations to refocus on performance-based goals rather than on process while still meeting the desired outcome.

Instructs the working group to take into account input and recommendations from non-federal stakeholders, including researchers, institutions of higher education, industry, and others with a stake in ensuring effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability in the performance of scientific research.

Requires OSTP to report to Congress annually on the steps taken to carry out the working group's recommendations.

Date: 2015-02-26
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.)

Office of Compliance Administrative and Technical Corrections Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA) to revise its procedures for mediation and hearings.

The Executive Director of the Office of Compliance is required to:

 develop a master list of individuals experienced in adjudicating, arbitrating, or mediating the kinds of personnel and other matters for which mediation may be held, including, but not limited to, members of a state or District of Columbia bar and retired judges of U.S. courts; and appoint individuals (mediators) from this list. Currently, mediators are appointed after the Executive Director considers recommendations by certain organizations. Between 30 to 90 days after the end of the mediation period, a CAA-covered legislative branch employee must elect either to file a complaint with the Office or to file a civil action in the proper U.S. district court.

The Executive Director must also notify all persons participating in a mediation, hearing, or deliberation of the confidentiality requirements and of the sanctions applicable to any person who violates them.

(Sec. 3) Any individual serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Office as of February 28, 2015, may be appointed to serve for one additional two-year term.

Date: 2015-03-03
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Congress
Regulatory Improvement Act of 2015

Establishes in the legislative branch the Regulatory Improvement Commission.

Requires the Commission to evaluate and makee recommendations and propose legislation for modification, consolidation, or repeal of regulations that have been finalized not later than 10 years before the establishment of the Commission (covered regulations) for the purpose of reducing compliance costs, encouraging growth and innovation, improving competitiveness, and protecting public safety.

 Requires the Commission to give priority to covered regulations that: (1) impose disproportionately high costs on a small entity, (2) create substantial recurring paperwork burdens or transaction costs, or (3) could be made more effective while reducing regulatory costs.

Sets forth reporting requirements for the Commission and procedures for congressional consideration of Commission reports and recommendations and proposed legislation.

Date: 2015-03-17
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Zero-based Budgeting Ensures Responsible Oversight (ZERO) Act of 2015 

This bill requires the President to submit annual department and agency budgets that include:

 a description of each activity for which funds were appropriated during the current year or are requested for the budget year; the legal basis for each activity; three alternative funding levels and the priorities that could be accomplished with each, including at least two levels that are below the current funding level; and measures of cost efficiency and effectiveness for each activity. The Office of Management and Budget must publish guidelines to carry out this bill by assuming the baseline budget of each department or agency to be zero and requiring each proposed expenditure to be justified as if it were new.

Date: 2015-03-24
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Economics and public finance
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 17, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

DHS IT Duplication Reduction Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Directs the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report on:

 the number of information technology systems at DHS; the number of such systems exhibiting duplication or fragmentation (i.e., where there are two or more systems or programs that deliver similar functionality to similar user populations); a strategy for reducing such duplicative systems, including an assessment of potential cost savings; and a methodology for determining which system should be eliminated when there is duplication or fragmentation.

Date: 2015-03-25
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 17, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Department of Homeland Security Headquarters Consolidation Accountability Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in coordination with the General Services Administration (GSA), to submit a report on the DHS headquarters consolidation project within the National Capital Region, including:

 a proposed occupancy plan that includes specific information about which DHS-wide operations, component operations, and support offices will be located at the site, the aggregate number of full time equivalent employees projected to occupy the site, and schedule estimates for migrating operations to the site; a comprehensive assessment of the real property needed by DHS in the Region to carry out its mission to secure the homeland and defend against terrorism; an analysis of the difference between the current and needed capital assets and facilities of DHS; a current plan for construction of the headquarters consolidation at the St. Elizabeth's campus that includes the estimated costs and schedule for the current plan and any estimated costs savings associated with reducing the scope of the project and increasing the use of existing capacity developed under the project; a current plan for the leased portfolio of DHS in the Region that includes the total rentable square feet, number of personnel, and proposed utilization rates, the replacement and consolidation plan, including an end-state vision that identifies which DHS-wide operations, component operations, and support offices do not migrate to the St. Elizabeths campus and continue to operate at a property in the leased portfolio, the number of full time equivalent employees who are expected to operate at each property, component, or office, and timing and anticipated leased terms for leased space, and the costs and benefits of leasing and construction alternatives; and a detailed list of alternatives considered by DHS during the plan's development, including their costs and benefits. Directs DHS, in coordination with GSA, to complete the update of the cost and schedule estimates for the portions of the project that are not yet complete based on the information contained in the report. Directs the Comptroller General to review the update, evaluate the quality and reliability of such estimates, and report on the results.

Date: 2015-03-25
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the version reported by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is repeated here.)

All Economic Regulations are Transparent Act of 2015 or the ALERT Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Requires the head of each federal agency to submit a monthly report to the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each rule such agency expects to propose or finalize during the following year. Sets forth the required content of such reports, including: (1) a summary of the nature of the rule, (2) the objectives of and legal basis for issuance of the rule, (3) the stage of the rulemaking as of the date of submission, and (4) whether the rule is subject to periodic review as a rule with a significant economic impact.

Requires each agency head to submit a monthly report for any rule expected to be finalized during the following year for which the agency has issued a general notice of proposed rulemaking. Requires such reports to include an approximate schedule for completing action on the rule and an estimate of its cost and economic effects.

Requires the Administrator to make such monthly reports publicly available on the Internet.

Requires the Administrator to publish, not later than October 1 of each year, in the Federal Register: (1) information that the Administrator receives from each agency under this Act; (2) the number of rules and a list of each such rule that was proposed by each agency and each rule that was finalized by each agency; (3) the number of agency actions that repealed a rule, reduced the scope or cost of a rule, or accelerated the expiration date of a rule; (4) the total cost of all rules proposed or finalized; and (5) the number of rules for which an estimate of the cost of the rule was not available.

Requires the Administrator to make publicly available on the Internet, not later than October 1 of each year: (1) the analysis of the costs or benefits of each proposed or final rule issued by an agency for the preceding year, (2) the docket number and regulation identifier number for each such rule, (3) the number of rules reviewed by OMB for the preceding year, (4) the number of rules for which a review by the head of an agency was completed, (5) the number of rules submitted to the Comptroller General, and (6) the number of rules for which a resolution of disapproval was introduced in Congress.

Prohibits a rule from taking effect until the information required by this Act is posted on the Internet for not less than six months, unless the agency proposing the rule seeks an exemption under the Freedom of Information Act or the President determines by executive order that such rule is necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, for the enforcement of criminal laws, for national security, or to implement an international trade agreement. Makes such requirement effective eight months after enactment of this Act.

Date: 2015-04-13
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Sunset Inefficient and Unaccountable Government Act

This bill requires the abolishment of the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, the Interior, the Treasury, Veterans Affairs, and Transportation on specified dates of between 2 years and 11 years after enactment of this Act or every 10 years thereafter, and of any other agency about which Congress has not passed a concurrent resolution disapproving abolishment during the previous 10 years, unless a disapproval of such abolishment is enacted prior to the date of the agency's scheduled abolishment.

The head of each agency which is scheduled to be abolished must: (1) take necessary actions to dispose of the assets, obligations, and liabilities of the agency during the one-year period that begins on the date of abolishment; and (2) report to Congress on the roles and responsibilities of the agency, detailing the agency's justification for existence, including areas where the duties of the agency may overlap with the duties of other agencies.

Date: 2015-04-22
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Regulatory Review and Sunset Act of 2015

 Requires federal agencies to review their covered rules and modify, consolidate, or terminate such rules on a periodic basis. Defines "covered rule" to include a significant rule that is likely to result in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or any other rule designated by an agency or the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget for sunset review.

Allows a person adversely affected by a rule that is not a significant rule to submit a public petition for sunset review of such rule. Provides for sunset review of a rule upon the request of a congressional committee or a majority of the members of such committee.

Requires the OIRA to: (1) conduct an inventory of existing rules and deadlines for their sunset review; (2) prioritize rules for sunset review based on specified criteria, including the cost of the rule and the burden of reviewing it; (3) group related rules for simultaneous sunset review; (4) provide guidance to agencies for conducting sunset reviews; and (5) provide feedback to agencies on sunset reviews and results.

Sets forth review deadlines for existing and new significant rules.

Requires each agency to designate a Regulatory Review Officer with responsibility for implementation of this Act.

Provides for judicial review of a denial or substantial inexcusable delay in granting or denying a public petition for sunset review of a rule.

Terminates this Act 10 years after its enactment.

Date: 2015-04-23
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act of 2015

Establishes as additional functions of the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requirements to:

 adopt and oversee government-wide standards, policies, and guidelines for program and project management for executive agencies; chair the Program Management Policy Council (established by this Act); issue regulations and establish standards and policies for executive agencies in accordance with nationally accredited standards for program and project management planning and delivery issues; engage with the private sector; conduct portfolio reviews to address programs identified as high risk by the Government Accountability Office; conduct portfolio reviews of agency programs at least annually; and establish a five-year strategic plan for program and project management. Requires the head of each federal agency that is required to have a Chief Financial Officer to designate a Program Management Improvement Officer to implement agency program management policies and develop a written strategy for enhancing the role of program managers within the agency.

Establishes the Program Management Policy Council within OMB to act as the principal interagency forum for improving agency practices related to program and project management.

Requires the Office of Personnel Management to issue regulations that: (1) identify key skills and competencies needed for an agency program and project manager, (2) establish a new job series for program and project management within an agency, and (3) establish a new career path for program and project managers.

Date: 2015-04-30
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act

Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit intentionally engaging in animal crushing in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. (Current law prohibits knowingly creating or distributing an animal crush video.) Adds exceptions for conduct that is for predator or pest control, medical or scientific research, or necessary to protect the life or property of a person from a serious threat caused by an animal.

Date: 2015-05-13
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
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.)

Electronic Message Preservation Act of 2015 

 (Sec. 2) This bill requires the Archivist of the United States to promulgate regulations governing federal agency preservation of electronic messages that are federal records and to periodically review and amend, as necessary, such regulations. Such regulations, at a minimum, shall: (1) require the electronic capture, management, and preservation of such electronic records in accordance with the Federal Records Act; (2) require such records to be retrievable through electronic searches; and (3) include timelines for federal agency compliance with the regulations that ensure compliance not later than December 31, 2016.

The Archivist shall promulgate regulations not later than two years after the enactment of this Act that: (1) establish mandatory minimum functional requirements for electronic records management systems and a process to ensure that such systems meet the functional requirements; and (2) include requirements for the capture, management, and preservation of other electronic records. The bill defines "electronic records management system" as software designed to manage electronic records, including by categorizing and locating records, ensuring that records are retained as long as necessary, identifying records that are due for disposition, and ensuring the storage, retrieval, and disposition of records.

Federal agency heads must report to the Archivist on agency compliance with the regulations promulgated by this Act and make such reports publicly available on the agency's website.

(Sec. 3) The bill requires the Archivist to: (1) establish standards for the management of electronic presidential records during a President's term of office, including records management controls necessary for the capture, management, and preservation of electronic messages and for ensuring that electronic messages are readily accessible for retrieval through electronic searches; (2) certify annually whether electronic records management controls established by a President meet the requirements of the Presidential Records Act; and (3) report annually to specified congressional committees on the status of such certification.

The Archivist must report to Congress one year after the conclusion of a President's term of office on: (1) the volume and format of electronic presidential records deposited into the presidential archival depository, and (2) whether electronic records management controls of a President met the requirements of this Act and the Presidential Records Act.

Date: 2015-05-14
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Regulatory Predictability for Business Growth Act of 2015

This bill adds the definitions of "longstanding interpretive rule" and "revise" to the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). A longstanding interpretive rule is distinguished from an "interpretive rule" if it has been in effect for at least one year. If a rule is a longstanding interpretive rule, it remains subject to the general notice of proposed rulemaking and comment and publication provisions of the APA.

Date: 2015-06-03
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Sunset Act of 2015

Revises provisions relating to congressional review of agency rulemaking to require federal agencies to submit to Congress and the Government Accountability Office a report every three months containing a copy of any rule made during that three month period and information relating to such rule. Prohibits the implementation of a proposed rule prior to the submission of such report. Requires Congress to enact a joint resolution of approval of any agency rule and sets forth approval procedures.

Revises the definition of "rule" for purposes of this Act to exclude: (1) any rule of particular applicability, including a rule that approves or prescribes for the future rates, wages, prices, services, or allowances therefore, corporate or financial structures, reorganizations, mergers, or acquisitions thereof, or accounting practices or disclosures bearing on any of the foregoing; (2) any rule relating to agency management or personnel; or (3) any rule of agency organization, procedure, or practice that does not substantially affect the rights or obligations of non-agency parties.

Permits judicial review of whether an agency has completed the necessary requirements for a rule to take effect.

Requires agencies to designate not less than 10% of their eligible rules for review during each of the next ten years. Terminates any such rule for which Congress has not enacted a joint resolution of approval within 10 years after enactment of this Act.

Terminates an agency rule for which Congress has enacted a joint resolution of approval 10 years after the enactment of such resolution. Authorizes the President to exempt a rule from termination if such rule is: (1) necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, for the enforcement of criminal law, or for national security; or (2 ) issued to implement an international trade agreement.

Date: 2015-06-15
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Sunshine on Government Act of 2015

Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to create a separate website with a distinct URL, apart from the OMB website, about the reports issued by each Office of Inspector General. Requires such website to include: (1) a general description of the role of the Office of Inspector General, (2) a description of the types of reports issued by the Office of Inspector General, (3) a list of each federal agency that has an Office of Inspector General, and (4) a link to a website containing Inspector General reports.

Date: 2015-06-17
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Stay in Place, Cut the Waste Act of 2015 

This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to: (1) review the extent to which federal agencies have reduced travel expenses by using video conferencing, and (2) develop a plan to reduce federal agency travel expenses by 50% below FY2015 levels or the greatest reduction OMB considers feasible by FY2019. Beginning in FY2019, OMB must implement the plan by rescinding from agency budgets the amounts proposed for reduction by the plan.

Date: 2015-06-17
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Government Transformation Act

Establishes the Commission on Government Transformation. Directs the Commission to: (1) review work done by governmental and non-governmental entities and conduct research on the organizational practices, operations, and reform efforts of federal agencies; (2) analyze organizational practices and management challenges of federal agencies; (3) assess federal programs for economy, efficiency, and effectiveness and identify best practices; (4) upon request, provide information on Commission activities to the Government Accountability Office, the Congressional Budget Office, the Office of Management and Budget, other federal agency heads, and the Office of Inspector General of each federal agency; and (5) serve as a repository for best practices for federal agencies. Requires the Commission to make interim and annual reports on its activities to the President and Congress and make such reports available to the public.

Provides for expedited congressional consideration of legislation to implement recommendations of the Commission.

Date: 2015-06-18
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

(Sec. 1) This bill makes technical amendments to titles 2, 5, 39, 42, and 44 of the U.S. Code to update statutory references to reflect the new locations of provisions in title 2 (The Congress), which was reorganized by an editorial reclassification.

Date: 2015-06-18
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Law
This bill makes technical amendments to statutory references to title 50 (War and National Defense) of the U.S. Code, especially with respect to:

 national security, miscellaneous intelligence community authorities, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Agency.

Date: 2015-06-18
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
This bill makes technical amendments to the U.S. Code with respect to title 52 (Voting and Elections), especially:

 uniformed and overseas citizens absentee voting,

 voting accessibility for the elderly and handicapped,

 election administration, and

 federal election campaign finance.

Date: 2015-06-18
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Stop the EPA Act of 2015

Amends the Congressional Review Act to require congressional approval of major rules issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (Currently, a rule goes into effect unless Congress disapproves it.) Nullifies the EPA's existing major rules unless the EPA resubmits them for congressional review.

Lowers the annual economic impact threshold from $100 million to $50 million for a rule that is deemed to be a major rule. Expands the criteria for an EPA regulation to be deemed a major rule to include that the rule will have a significant impact on a substantial number of agricultural entities or it will implement a carbon tax.

Expands the EPA's reports to Congress and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to include: (1) a classification of each rule as a major or nonmajor rule with an explanation of the economic effects of the rule, (2) related regulatory actions taken by the EPA or another agency, and (3) any jobs added or lost.

Allows Congress to consider approval of a major rule only once in a Congress. Gives Congress 70 session days or legislative days to approve a rule.

Requires the GAO to estimate the economic cost imposed by all of EPA's rules.

Date: 2015-07-14
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Environmental protection
Domestic Reduction In Vehicle Expenditure Act or the DRIVE Act

Requires the Office of Management and Budget to determine: (1) the total number of civilian vehicles purchased and leased by each executive agency in FY2010, (2) the total dollar amount obligated by each executive agency to purchase and to lease civilian vehicles in FY2010, and (3) the amount that would be 20% less than such total dollar amount. Prohibits each executive agency from obligating more than the reduced dollar amount for FY2010 to purchase and lease civilian vehicles in each of FY2016-FY2020. Exempts the purchase or procurement of any vehicle determined by the President to be essential for reasons of national security.

Requires the General Services Administration to ensure that agencies may share excess or unused vehicles for temporary or long-term use through the Federal Fleet Management System.

Date: 2015-07-16
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Cost of Services and Translations Act or the COST Act

Requires federal agency Chief Financial Officers to include multilingual services accounting information in their mandatory annual reports to the agency head and to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Defines multilingual services to include: (1) services provided by interpreters hired by an agency; (2) services resulting in additional expenses which an agency provides to assist its employees or contractors to learn a non-English language; (3) agency preparation, translation, printing, or recordation of materials in a language other than English; and (4) services provided or performed for the federal government by agency employees or contractors that require speaking a non-English language that result in wage differentials or benefits provided by the agency.

Requires the annual financial management status report of the OMB to certain congressional committees to contain a Multilingual Services Expenses Report that includes: (1) a summary and analysis of the multilingual services accounting information prepared by each agency Chief Financial Officer, and (2) a description of any changes to the existing financial management structure of the federal government needed to establish an integrated individual agency accounting of all multilingual services conducted by each agency.

Requires the OMB to issue guidance that an agency Chief Financial Officer must follow in compiling multilingual services accounting information.

Date: 2015-07-23
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
One In, One Out Act

 Prohibits a federal agency from issuing a rule that imposes a cost or responsibility on a nongovernmental person or a state or local government unless: (1) such agency has repealed or revised one or more related rules in a way that reduces costs to the regulated entities, and (2) the cost of the new rule is less than or equal to the cost of the rules being repealed or revised.

Requires any rule that is repealed or revised to be published in the Federal Register.

Makes this Act inapplicable to any rule that: (1) relates to procurement by the agency, or (2) is being revised to be less burdensome by decreasing requirements imposed or compliance costs.

Date: 2015-07-28
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Small Business Regulatory Sunset Act of 2015

Requires each federal agency to establish a plan for the periodic review (every nine years) of: (1) its rules that have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, and (2) any small entity compliance guide required to be published by an agency. Sets forth criteria for review of a rule, including the continued need for the rule, the complexity of the rule, and the economic impact of the rule on small entities. Requires: (1) each agency to publish in the Federal Register and on the agency website a list of the rules and small entity compliance guides to be reviewed under the plan, and (2) the agency Inspector General to determine whether the agency has conducted the required review.

Provides that each covered rule (i.e., any rule for which an agency is required to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis and which is a major rule) promulgated by an agency shall cease to have effect seven years after the final version of such rule is published unless renewed by the agency using the notice and comment rulemaking process.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 13, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Require Evaluation before Implementing Executive Wishlists Act of 2016 or the REVIEW Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits a final agency rule from being published or taking effect until the agency submits the rule to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) and the OIRA makes a determination as to whether the rule is a high-impact rule. The agency shall publish such determination with the final rule.

An agency shall postpone the effective date of a high-impact rule until the final disposition of all actions seeking judicial review of the rule.

If no person seeks judicial review of a high-impact rule during any period explicitly provided for such review under the authorizing statute or during the 60-day period after the rule is published if no such period is explicitly provided, the rule may take effect as early as the date the applicable period ends.

The bill defines a "high-impact rule" as any rule that the OIRA determines may impose an annual cost on the economy of at least $1 billion.

Date: 2015-08-04
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Transparency Requirements for Agency Conferences and Events Act or the TRACE Act

This bill requires the head of a federal agency who is hosting a conference or sending an agency employee to a conference to submit to the relevant congressional committee, not later than 30 days before the conference, a report that includes: (1) an itemized statement of the cost of attending the conference, including the total cost; (2) the total cost to the agency hosting the conference; (3) the names of keynote speakers; (4) a list of conference attendees; (5) the location of the conference; (6) a summary of the purposes and goals of the conference; and (7) a conference itinerary. Defines "conference" as a meeting, retreat, seminar, symposium, training, or other event that involves travel for 50 or more attendees.

Date: 2015-09-17
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics
This bill directs the Departments of Agriculture, the Interior, and Energy to each establish a pilot program to: (1) reduce the inventory of light vehicles owned by the department by 10% for each of the 5 fiscal years beginning after the expiration of the 1-year period starting on the date of enactment of this Act, and (2) increase the department's use of commercial ride-sharing companies.

Date: 2015-09-22
Topic: Government Operations (Bureaucracy)
Subject: Government operations and politics