| Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Administrative remedies, Agriculture, Animals, Consumer protection, Department of Agriculture, Education, Electronic government information, Elementary and secondary education, Executive departments, Families, Food, Food safety, Government information, Government paperwork, Government publicity Latest Action: 05/01/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Bill TextA bill to improve food safety through mandatory meat, meat product, poultry, and poultry product recall authority, to require the Secretary of Agriculture to improve communication about recalls with schools participating in the school lunch and breakfast programs, and for other purposes. 5/1/2008--Introduced. Safe School Lunch Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to order an immediate halt to the distribution of meat, meat food products, poultry, or poultry products upon finding that they may cause a serious, adverse health consequence or be adulterated. Gives persons subject to such an order the opportunity for an informal hearing, within 10 days after the order's issuance, on the actions required by the order and on whether it should be amended to require a recall of the targeted items. Requires the Secretary to order the recall of such items upon affirming that the order [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Black colleges, Business, College administration, College costs, Communications, Community development banking, Conflict of interests, Congress, Congressional investigations, Congressional reporting requirements, Consumer credit, Consumer education, Debtor and creditor, Education, Emblems, Finance Latest Action: 04/21/2008 - Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Dodd. With written report No. 110-327.
Bill TextAn original bill to establish requirements for private lenders to protect student borrowers receiving private educational loans, and for other purposes. 4/21/2008--Introduced. Private Student Loan Transparency and Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit a private educational lender from: (1) offering or providing any gift to specified educational institutions or their personnel in exchange for any advantage or consideration provided to such lender related to its educational loan activities; or (2) engaging in revenue sharing with such institutions. Prohibits such lender from marketing loans in any way that implies the institution endorses the lender's private educational loans (co-branding). Prohibits an employee in the financial aid office of an educational institution who has responsibilities regarding financial aid, and also serves on an advisory group established by a lender, from receiving anything of value from such lender.[...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Afghanistan, Armed forces, Consumer credit, Counseling, Defense policy, Finance, Foreclosure, Housing, Iraq, Iraq compilation, Middle East and North Africa, Military operations, Mortgages, Social services, South Asia, Veterans Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Bill Text
To require the Secretary of Defense to establish a mortgage foreclosure counseling program for members of the Armed Forces returning from service abroad.
| | Latest Action: 03/12/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Bill TextA bill to protect consumers, and especially young consumers, from skyrocketing credit card debt, unfair credit card practices, and deceptive credit offers. 3/12/2008--Introduced. Credit Card Reform Act of 2008 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to permit a consumer reporting agency to furnish a consumer report in connection with any credit or insurance transaction that is not initiated by the consumer only if the report indicates that the consumer is age 21 or older. Allows 18-year olds to elect to have their name and address included in any agency list. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit a credit card issuer from changing the terms of a credit card under an open end consumer credit plan: (1) before the scheduled contract expiration or renewal date; and (2) until the issuer has published all contract changes in any mandatory disclosures. Establishes a cardholder right to repay all existing balances on a terminated or expired credit card account [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Afghanistan, Apartment houses, Armed forces, Bonds, Budgets, Condominium (Housing), Congress, Congressional investigations, Congressional reporting requirements, Consumer credit, Cooperative housing, Counseling, Damages, Defense policy, Department of the Treasury Latest Action: 03/11/2008 - Star Print ordered on the bill.
Bill TextA bill to aid families and neighborhoods facing home foreclosure and address the subprime mortgage crisis. 3/7/2008--Introduced. Security Against Foreclosures and Education Act, or the SAFE Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow proceeds of qualified mortgage bonds to be used to refinance certain residential subprime loans. Requires the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation to continue to award expeditiously certain funds already provided for mortgage foreclosure counseling. Amends the Code to allow purchasers of certain single-family principal residences a one-time tax credit. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to: (1) revise creditor mortgage loan disclosure requirements; and (2) increase civil damages for noncompliance with such Act. Amends the Code to: (1) allow a five-year carryback of net operating losses for certain taxable years; and (2) suspend through taxable year 2009 the 90% of alternative minimum taxable income limit for certain [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Access to health care, Administrative procedure, Affordable housing, Afghanistan, Aged, Agricultural subsidies, Agriculture, Aid to dependent children, AIDS (Disease), Alternative energy sources, Animals, Appropriations, Armed forces, Armed forces abroad, Armed forces reserves, Auditing Latest Action: 03/14/2008 - S.AMDT.4380 Amendment SA 4380 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 41 - 57. Record Vote Number: 79.
Bill TextAn original concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2009 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2008 and 2010 through 2013. 3/14/2008--Passed Senate amended. (There are 2 other summaries) Sets forth the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2009, including the appropriate budgetary levels for FY2008 and FY2010-FY2013. Title I: Recommended Levels and Amounts - (Sec. 101) Lists recommended budgetary levels and amounts, for FY2008-FY2013, with respect to: (1) federal revenues; (2) new budget authority; (3) budget outlays; (4) deficits; (5) public debt; and (6) debt held by the public. (Sec. 102) Lists the appropriate levels of new budget authority, outlays, and administrative expenses for Social Security, U.S. Postal Service discretionary administrative expenses, and specified major functional categories for FY2008-FY2013.[...] show full description | | Also tagged in: College costs, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Consumer education, Education, Federal aid to education, Government information, Government paperwork, Government publicity, Higher education, Labor, Scholarships, Student aid, Student employment, Student loan funds Latest Action: 02/06/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Bill TextA bill to amend title I of the Higher Education Act of 1965 regarding institution financial aid offer form requirements. 2/6/2008--Introduced. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to: (1) prepare a report for specified congressional committees on the adequacy of the financial aid offer forms issued by federally-assisted institutions of higher education (IHEs); and (2) develop model financial aid offer formats based on the report's findings. Requires such formats to include, in a consumer-friendly manner, specified information regarding: (1) the student's total and net cost of attending the IHE; (2) available scholarships, loans, and work assistance; and (3) where to obtain additional information on the financial aid offered. Directs each IHE to use one of the model formats as part of its financial aid offer form, and provide such form to current or prospective students and their parents in time for them to consider the [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Budgets, Consumer education, Economic policy, Education, Educational accountability, Educational counseling, Educational tests, Elementary and secondary education, Federal aid to education, Finance, Financial services, Government information, Government publicity, Higher education, Nonprofit organizations, Personal budgets Latest Action: 02/27/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Bill TextA bill to provide grants to promote financial literacy. 2/27/2008--Introduced. Financial Literacy Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to award formula matching grants to states or partnerships between states and experienced nonprofit providers of financial literacy or personal finance education programs. Requires grantees to use 25% of the grant funds to: (1) develop financial literacy standards and assessments for at least three grade levels; (2) create teacher training programs to embed financial literacy or personal finance education into core academic subjects; and (3) evaluate the impact such education has on students' financial literacy. Requires the remaining grant funds to be used for subgrants to local educational agencies (LEAs) or partnerships between LEAs and community organizations, local businesses, or other educational entities to implement such financial literacy [...] show full description | | Latest Action: 03/05/2008 - Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1654)
Bill TextA resolution designating the first week of April 2008 as "National Asbestos Awareness Week". 3/5/2008--Passed Senate without amendment. (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Designates the first week of April 2008 as National Asbestos Awareness Week. Urges the Surgeon General to warn and educate people that asbestos exposure may be hazardous to their health. | | Also tagged in: Affordable housing, Appropriations, Bankruptcy, Bonds, Budgets, Community development, Community development banking, Consumer credit, Consumer education, Consumer protection, Counseling, Damages, Debtor and creditor, Federal aid to housing, Fees, Finance Latest Action: 02/14/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 577.
Bill TextA bill to provide needed housing reform. 2/13/2008--Introduced. Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) authorize use of the proceeds of a qualified mortgage bond issue to refinance a mortgage on a residence originally financed through a qualified subprime loan; (2) raise the ceiling and volume cap imposed upon certain state housing bonds; and (3) exclude from the meaning of tax preference item private activity bonds, for purposes of the alternative minimum tax, qualified mortgage bonds or veterans' mortgage bonds issued after enactment of this Act and before January 1, 2011. Makes FY2008 appropriations for: (1) emergency needs of states and local governmental units to redevelop certain abandoned and foreclosed homes; and (2) the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation for foreclosure mitigation activities, including grants for housing counseling. Helping Families Save Their Homes in Bankruptcy Act of 2008 - Authorizes a bankruptcy [...] show full description | | Latest Action: 04/30/2008 - Mr. DeFazio moved to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, as amended.
Bill TextResolution promoting the safe operation of 15-passenger vans. 4/30/2008--Passed House amended. (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on April 29, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Recognizes the need for awareness of the increased risks of driving 15-passenger vans. Encourages operators of such vans to provide adequate training for drivers and safety information to passengers, including the need to wear seat belts. | | Also tagged in: Agriculture, Agriculture in foreign trade, Business, Consumer education, Customs administration, Damages, Defective products, Food, Food safety, Imports, Law, Manufacturing industries, Meat, Poultry, Products liability, Trade Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
Bill TextTo require manufacturers to demonstrate sufficient means to cover, for certain products distributed in commerce, costs of potential recalls, and for other purposes. 1/17/2008--Introduced. Food and Product Responsibility Act of 2008 - Applies this Act to replacement equipment, food, drugs, devices, cosmetics, biological products, consumer products, meat or meat food product, poultry or poultry products, and eggs or egg products (covered products).Prohibits a manufacturer from distributing a covered product unless the manufacturer holds a certification from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection that the manufacturer possesses sufficient means (through insurance or otherwise) to cover the entire cost of a recall of the product, including administrative costs, compensatory damages, and costs of any product liability or other lawsuit relating to that product.Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act (regarding meat and meat food products), the Poultry Products Inspection [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Business, Business education, Business records, Congress, Congressional investigations, Congressional reporting requirements, Consumer complaints, Education, Fees, Franchises (Retail trade), Government information, Government paperwork, Job training, Law, Licenses, Veterans Latest Action: 01/23/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
Bill TextTo direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a pilot project on the use of educational assistance under programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs to defray training costs associated with the purchase of certain franchise enterprises. 12/19/2007--Introduced. Veterans Self-Employment Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a five-year pilot project to test the feasibility and advisability of the use of educational assistance under certain programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay for training costs associated with the purchase of a franchise enterprise. Prohibits the use of such assistance unless: (1) training is required and provided in connection with the purchase and operation of a franchise; and (2) such training, and the training entity, are approved by the Secretary. Provides training and entity approval requirements. | | Also tagged in: Budgets, Business, Business education, Colleges, Congressional reporting requirements, Consumer credit, Consumer education, Curricula, Data banks, Economic policy, Economic theory, Education, Education of the disadvantaged, Educational accountability, Educational innovations, Elementary and secondary education Latest Action: 02/05/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
Bill TextTo promote youth financial education. 12/6/2007--Introduced. Amends title VI (Flexibility and Accountability) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to create a new Part D: Promoting Youth Financial Literacy. Allows the Secretary of Education to provide grants to states to: (1) assist local educational agencies and public schools provide financial education programs to students in kindergarten through grade 12; and (2) implement financial education professional development programs for teachers and administrators. Requires a specified amount of the grant funds to be awarded competitively each fiscal year, with the remainder provided to each state on the basis of its share of students in kindergarten through grade 12. Directs the Secretary to make a grant to or contract with an institution of higher education or nonprofit organization that has substantial financial education experience to establish and operate a national clearinghouse of [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Administrative remedies, Banks and banking, Consumer complaints, Department of the Treasury, Executive departments, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal reserve system, Finance, Government information, Government publicity, Law, National Credit Union Administration, Telecommunication, Telephone Latest Action: 04/30/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Bill TextTo amend the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act to require the Council to establish a single telephone number that consumers with complaints or inquiries could call and be routed to the appropriate Federal banking agency or State bank supervisor, and for other purposes. 12/6/2007--Introduced. Financial Consumer Hotline Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act of 1978 to require federal financial institution regulatory agencies, coordinating through the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, to establish: (1) a single, toll-free telephone number for consumer complaints and inquiries concerning institutions under their jurisdiction; and (2) a system for routing such calls to the federal financial institution regulatory agency that primarily supervises the financial institution, or that is otherwise the appropriate agency to address the subject of the complaint or inquiry. Cites circumstances under [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Americans in foreign countries, Computer crimes, Copyright, Criminal justice, Damages, Department of Commerce, Department of Justice, Executive departments, Executive Office of the President, Executive reorganization, Export controls, Federal aid to law enforcement, Federal employees, Fines (Penalties), Foreign aid, Foreign policy Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3202-3203)
Bill TextTo enhance remedies for violations of intellectual property laws, and for other purposes. 12/5/2007--Introduced. Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2007 - Amends federal copyright law to: (1) provide a safe harbor for copyright registrations that contain inaccurate information; (2) provide that copyright registration requirements apply to civil (not criminal) infringement actions; (3) require courts to issue protective orders to prevent disclosure of seized records relating to copyright infringement; (4) revise standards for civil damages in copyright infringement and counterfeiting cases; and (5) prohibit importing and exporting of infringing copies of copyrighted works. Amends the federal criminal code with respect to intellectual property to: (1) enhance criminal penalties for infringement of a copyright, for trafficking in counterfeit labels or packaging, and for causing serious bodily harm or death while trafficking in counterfeit [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Ambulatory care, Birth control, Business, Clinics, Drug industry, Drugs, Education, Health policy, Higher education, Medicaid, Medical care, Medicine, Prescription pricing, Rebates, Students, Welfare Latest Action: 11/13/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Bill TextA bill to restore and protect access to discount drug prices for university-based and safety-net clinics. 11/13/2007--Introduced. Prevention Through Affordable Access Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for the best price component of the formula for determination of the Medicaid rebate for a covered single source outpatient drug or a covered innovator multiple source outpatient drug. (Under current law, best prices shall not take into account prices that are merely nominal in amount.) Revises the list of entities to which sales by a manufacturer of covered outpatient drugs at nominal prices shall be considered to be sales at a nominal price, or merely nominal in amount (and thus excluded from computation of the best price for such drugs). Adds to such list any entity that is: (1) operated by a health center of an institution of higher education, primarily for its students (university-based clinic); or (2) a public [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Consumer protection, Employee health benefits, Finance, Flexible benefit plans, Health policy, Income tax, Labor, Long-term care insurance, Medical care, Tax exemption, Taxation Latest Action: 11/13/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14289-14290)
Bill TextA bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow long-term care insurance to be offered under cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements and to provide additional consumer protections for long-term care insurance. 11/13/2007--Introduced. Long-Term Care Affordability and Security Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) include long-term care insurance as a benefit under tax-exempt employee benefit cafeteria plans and flexible spending arrangements; and (2) make certain consumer protections applicable to long-term care insurance. | | Also tagged in: Accreditation (Education), Alaska, Armed forces, Asian American ethnic groups, Black colleges, Broadband, Budgets, Business, Closed caption television, College costs, College teachers, Colleges, Communications, Community and school, Community colleges, Compensatory education Latest Action: 02/25/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Bill TextTo amend and extend the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes. 2/7/2008--Passed House amended. (There are 2 other summaries) College Opportunity and Affordability Act of 2008 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise and reauthorize HEA programs. Title I: Title I Amendments - (Sec. 101) Revises the general definition of an institution of higher education (IHE) to include schools that: (1) admit students whose secondary education was conducted in a home school setting; (2) award degrees (not necessarily bachelor's degrees) that are acceptable for admission to a graduate or professional degree program; and (3) enroll students who will be dually or concurrently enrolled in a secondary school. Revises the definition of an IHE for purposes of title IV student assistance programs. Requires graduate medical schools located outside the country, that qualified as IHEs owing to their having a state-approved [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Budgets, College administration, College costs, Consumer education, Economic policy, Education, Federal aid to education, Government information, Government paperwork, Higher education, Indexing (Economic policy), Scholarships Latest Action: 01/22/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.
Bill TextTo limit excessive fluctuations in tuition to help students and families plan for college costs. 11/9/2007--Introduced. Truth-in-Tuition Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions of higher education (IHEs) that are participating in the Act's student assistance programs to provide each prospective cohort of students applying to enter their undergraduate or graduate programs with a binding, multi-year tuition and fee schedule for the normal duration of such studies. Requires the Secretary of Education to waive the application of such requirement to IHEs that are unable to comply because of events causing them severe economic distress. Directs the Secretary to award: (1) competitive grants to IHEs that, for an academic year, have a net tuition (tuition and fees, minus grant amounts) increase that does not exceed the percentage change in the higher education price index; and (2) bonus amounts to IHEs that guarantee that their net [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Business, China, Compensation for victims of crime, Computer crimes, Copyright, Counterfeiting, Criminal investigation, Criminal justice, Department of Justice, East Asia, Europe, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Export controls, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Latest Action: 11/07/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14064)
Bill TextA bill to amend titles 17 and 18, United States Code, and the Trademark Act of 1946 to strengthen and harmonize the protection of intellectual property, and for other purposes. 11/7/2007--Introduced. Intellectual Property Enforcement Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action for copyright infringement in lieu of criminal proceedings. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) create an operational unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to assist in the investigation and coordination of intellectual property crimes; (2) implement a program to train FBI agents in the investigation and prosecution of such crimes; (3) assign federal prosecutors to Department of Justice (DOJ) offices in Hong Kong and Budapest to coordinate international enforcement of intellectual property laws; and (4) create a task force to implement a plan to investigate and prosecute international organized crime syndicates involved in theft of intellectual property.Authorizes [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Armed forces, Consumer education, Criminal justice, Defense contracts, Defense economics, Defense policy, Fines (Penalties), Identification devices, Infrared technology, Iraq compilation, Labeling, Military and naval supplies, Military technology, Public contracts, Surplus government property, Technology Latest Action: 12/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.
Bill TextTo amend title 10, United States Code, to prohibit the disposal by the Department of Defense of surplus military items designated as Identification Friend or Foe items, to amend title 18, United States Code, to make it a misdemeanor to possess or traffic in Identification Friend or Foe items, and for other purposes. 11/6/2007--Introduced. Prohibits the sale or donation of Department of Defense designated as Identification Friend or Foe equipment or accessories, with specified exceptions. Subjects to civil or criminal penalties, or both, persons who manufacture, sell, or possess such items without authorization. | | Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Business, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Consumer education, Deceptive advertising, Department of Health and Human Services, Drug adulteration, Drug industry, Drugs, Executive departments, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Labeling, Law, Medical care, Medicine Latest Action: 11/06/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Bill TextTo amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for the amendment or repeal of monographs, to expand the Food and Drug Administration's authority to regulate drug advertising, and for other purposes. 11/6/2007--Introduced. Non-Prescription Drug Modernization Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize: (1) the amendment or repeal of an over-the-counter drug monograph without notice and public procedure if there is a finding by the Secretary of Health and Human Services that a category of drugs or a specific drug is associated with a significant risk or that such drugs lack evidence of effectiveness; and (2) the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate over-the-counter drug advertisements. Directs the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to identify over-the-counter drug monographs that may require amendment or repeal and to report the findings to Congress. | | Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Business, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Consumer education, Deceptive advertising, Department of Health and Human Services, Drug adulteration, Drug industry, Drugs, Executive departments, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Labeling, Law, Medical care, Medicine Latest Action: 11/06/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Bill TextA bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for the amendment or repeal of monographs, to expand the Food and Drug Administration's authority to regulate drug advertising, and for other purposes. 11/6/2007--Introduced. Non-Prescription Drug Modernization Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to authorize: (1) the amendment or repeal of an over-the-counter drug monograph without notice and public procedure if there is a finding by the Secretary of Health and Human Services that a category of drugs or a specific drug is associated with a significant risk or that such drugs lack evidence of effectiveness; and (2) the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate over-the-counter drug advertisements. Directs the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to identify over-the-counter drug monographs that may require amendment or repeal and to report the findings to Congress. | | Also tagged in: Alcohol as fuel, Alternative energy sources, Automobiles, Biomass energy, Budgets, Business, Capitol (Washington, D.C.), Congress, Consumer education, Electric vehicles, Emblems, Energy, Energy research, Franchises (Retail trade), Government vehicles, Grants-in-aid Latest Action: 11/05/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Bill TextA bill to encourage and facilitate the use of renewable fuel in the United States. 11/5/2007--Introduced. Renewable Fuels Strategy Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that U.S. agricultural, forest, and working land should: (1) provide from renewable resources at least 25% of the total energy consumed in the United States; and (2) continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber.Amends federal transportation law to require the manufacture each model year of increasing percentages of flexible fuel automobiles.Sets forth a minimum renewable fuels infrastructure assurance program under which the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shall issue regulations to ensure the installation of renewable fuel pumps, including a system of production credits.Instructs the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop standards for biofuel dispenser systems.Amends the Petroleum [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Acreage allotments, Administrative procedure, Administrative remedies, Aged, Agricultural conservation, Agricultural cooperatives, Agricultural credit, Agricultural estimating and reporting, Agricultural labor, Agricultural pollution, Agricultural prices, Agricultural research, Agricultural subsidies, Agriculture, Agriculture in foreign trade, Alaska Latest Action: 11/02/2007 - Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Harkin. With written report No. 110-220. Additional views filed.
Bill TextAn original bill to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes. 11/2/2007--Introduced. Food and Energy Security Act of 2007 - Revises agricultural and related programs and provisions respecting: (1) producer income; (2) conservation; (3) trade; (4) nutrition; (5) credit; (6) rural development and investment; (7) research and related matters; (8) forestry; (9) energy; (10) livestock marketing; and (11) agricultural security. | | Also tagged in: Ambulatory care, Birth control, Business, Clinics, Drug industry, Drugs, Education, Health policy, Higher education, Medicaid, Medical care, Medicine, Prescription pricing, Rebates, Students, Welfare Latest Action: 11/01/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Bill TextTo amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to restore and protect access to Medicaid discount drug prices for university-based and safety-net clinics. 11/1/2007--Introduced. Prevention Through Affordable Access Act - Amends title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to revise requirements for the best price component of the formula for determination of the Medicaid rebate for a covered single source outpatient drug or a covered innovator multiple source outpatient drug. (Under current law, best prices shall not take into account prices that are merely nominal in amount.) Revises the list of entities to which sales by a manufacturer of covered outpatient drugs at nominal prices shall be considered to be sales at a nominal price, or merely nominal in amount (and thus excluded from computation of the best price for such drugs). Adds to such list any entity that is: (1) operated by a health center of an institution of higher education, primarily for its students [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Americans in foreign countries, Business, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Executive departments, Federal employees, Foreign policy, Government employees, Imports, Independent regulatory commissions, Manufacturing industries, Product safety, Trade Latest Action: 11/01/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13687)
Bill TextA bill to increase the number of full-time personnel of the Consumer Product Safety Commission assigned to duty stations at United States ports of entry or to inspect overseas production facilities, and for other purposes. 11/1/2007--Introduced. Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), subject to the availability of appropriations, to increase to not less than 50 the number of full-time personnel assigned to duty stations at United States ports of entry or to inspect overseas production facilities. | | Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Administrative procedure, Advertising, All terrain vehicles, Authorization, Budgets, Business, Business records, Child safety, Children, Clothing, Communications, Congress, Congressional investigations, Congressional reporting requirements, Consumer education Latest Action: 04/30/2008 - Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Bill TextTo establish consumer product safety standards and other safety requirements for children's products and to reauthorize and modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 3/6/2008--Passed Senate amended. (There are 2 other summaries) CPSC Reform Act - (Sec. 3) Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to authorize appropriations: (1) to carry out the Act and any other provision of law the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is authorized or directed to carry out; (2) for the office of Inspector General; (3) to make capital improvements to the research, development, and testing facility of the CPSC; and (4) for research into safety issues related to the use of nanotechnology in consumer products. (Sec. 4) Requires the CPSC, subject to the availability of appropriations, to increase by at least 500 the number of its full-time employees and by at least 50 the number of its port-of-entry and overseas production facility inspectors. Requires [...] show full description | | Latest Action: 11/01/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Bill TextA bill to provide for improved disclosures by all mortgage lenders at the loan approval and settlement stages of all mortgage loans. 11/1/2007--Introduced. Mortgage Disclosure Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Truth In Lending Act to require additional mortgage loan disclosures by a creditor to a consumer, including: (1) ) the percentage of the loan, as compared to the appraised value of the property; (2) the term of the loan; (3) the monthly income of the borrower, as relied upon in making the loan; (4) the annual percentage rate of interest for loans that are fixed, and for loans that are variable; (5) prepayment fees; and (6) balloon payments. Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to conform with this Act. | | Also tagged in: Budgets, Business, Children, Consumer education, Criminal justice, Drug abuse, Drug abuse prevention, Drug industry, Drug traffic, Drugs, Drugs and youth, Fines (Penalties), Government information, Government paperwork, Grants-in-aid, Health education Latest Action: 03/12/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary Senate Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs. Hearings held.
Bill TextA bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to prevent the abuse of dextromethorphan, and for other purposes. 10/31/2007--Introduced. Dextromethorphan Abuse Reduction Act of 2007 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to: (1) set forth definitions relating to dextromethorphan in unfinished or finished dosage form; (2) classify unfinished dextromethorphan as a Schedule V controlled substance; and (3) impose civil penalties for sales of products containing dextromethorphan to individuals under the age of 18.Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) manufacturers of products containing dextromethorphan should provide warnings about the dangers of dextromethorphan misuse; and (2) retailers should impose safeguards to protect against the theft of products containing dextromethorphan. Directs the Director of National Drug Control Policy to make grants to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America for education programs [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Birth defects, Business, Carcinogens, Child development, Child health, Child safety, Children, Hazardous substances, Medical care, Medicine, Plastics, Product safety, Reproduction, Toys Latest Action: 10/31/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13628)
Bill TextA bill to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution in commerce of certain children's products and child care articles that contain phthalates, and for other purposes. 10/31/2007--Introduced. Children's Chemical Risk Reduction Act of 2007 - Requires any children's product or child care article that contains a phthalate to be treated as a banned hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. Applies certain prohibitions of that Act to such product article. Provides that, if a manufacturer modifies a children's product or child care article that contains a phthalate to comply with such ban, it shall: (1) use an alternative to phthalates that is the least toxic; and (2) not use any of specified prohibited alternatives to phthalates. | | Also tagged in: Birth defects, Business, Carcinogens, Child development, Child health, Child safety, Children, Hazardous substances, Medical care, Medicine, Plastics, Product safety, Reproduction, Toys Latest Action: 10/31/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Bill TextTo prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution in commerce of certain children's products and child care articles that contain phthalates. 10/31/2007--Introduced. Children's Chemical Risk Reduction Act - Requires any children's product or child care article that contains a phthalate to be treated as a banned hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. Applies certain prohibitions of that Act to such product article. Provides that, if a manufacturer modifies a children's product or child care article that contains a phthalate to comply with such ban, it shall: (1) use an alternative to phthalates that is the least toxic; and (2) not use any of specified prohibited alternatives to phthalates. | | Latest Action: 01/11/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.
Bill TextTo amend the Truth in Lending Act to enhance disclosure of the terms of home mortgage loans, and for other purposes. 10/31/2007--Introduced. Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require a creditor to disclose to a consumer with respect to an extension of credit secured by the consumer's dwelling that the consumer is not required to complete the credit agreement merely because the consumer has received required disclosures or signed a loan application. Requires such disclosure to be furnished to the borrower not later than seven business days before the consummation of the transaction, as well as at the time of consummation. Requires additional disclosures in such a circumstance regarding any variable rates or payment schedules. Increases the actual damages for which a creditor is liable for noncompliance with such Act in the case of an individual action relating to a credit transaction not under an open end credit [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Data banks, Defective products, Department of Commerce, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Government information, Government publicity, Imports, Product safety, Standards, Technology, Trade Latest Action: 10/29/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Bill TextA bill to establish an Office of International and Domestic Product Safety and a Product Safety Coordinating Council to improve the management, coordination, promotion, and oversight of product safety responsibilities, develop a centralized public database for product recalls, advisories, and alerts, and for other purposes. 10/29/2007--Introduced. International and Domestic Product Safety Act - Establishes in the Department of Commerce an Office of International and Domestic Product Safety to oversee and coordinate international and domestic consumer product safety responsibilities in a way that protects the health and safety of U.S. consumers and ensures that consumers and businesses have access to consumer product safety information. Establishes a Product Safety Coordinating Council to assist the Office's director. | | Also tagged in: Agriculture, Animals, Budgets, Congress, Congressional investigations, Congressional reorganization, Federal advisory bodies, Food, Food safety, Legislation, Meat inspection, Poultry Latest Action: 10/25/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S13457-13459)
Bill TextA bill to establish a commission to ensure food safety in the United States, and for other purposes. 10/25/2007--Introduced. Food Safety Authority Modernization Act - Establishes the Congressional Bipartisan Food Safety Commission to: (1) review the U.S. food safety system and relevant statutes, studies, and reports; (2) prepare a report that summarizes information about the current system, makes specified recommendations (including on ways to modernize the system, improve coordination of food safety activities, emphasize preventative strategies, and provide to federal agencies funding mechanisms to carry out food safety responsibilities); and (3) draft statutory language that would implement the recommendations. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide the Commission specified funding and support services. Terminates budget authority to implement food and food safety provisions of the Poultry Products Inspection [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Agricultural conservation, Agricultural innovations, Agricultural pollution, Agricultural research, Agricultural subsidies, Agriculture, Agriculture in foreign trade, Alternative energy sources, Aquaculture, Biomass energy, Budget deficits, Budgets, Business, Chesapeake Bay, Child nutrition, Children Latest Action: 10/24/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Bill TextA bill to extend and improve agricultural programs, and for other purposes. 10/24/2007--Introduced. Farm, Ranch, Equity, Stewardship, and Health Act of 2007 - Amends the federal crop insurance program. Establishes: (1) a risk management account contract program; (2) a conservation planning pilot program; (3) a nutrient reduction and sediment control pilot program for the Chesapeake Bay watershed; (4) a national clean plant network; (5) an Office of Pest Management Policy; and (6) a program of hunger-free community collaborative and infrastructure grants. Extends and revises specified programs for: (1) commodity assistance; (2) conservation; (3) specialty crops; (4) food programs and nutrition, (5) agricultural trade; (6) rural development; (7) forestry; and (8) energy, including biobased products. Food Employment Empowerment and Development Program Act of 2007 or FEED Act of 2007 - Establishes the food employment empowerment and development program to [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Administrative fees, Administrative procedure, Aged, Bank employees, Budgets, Business, Class actions (Civil procedure), Communications, Consumer credit, Consumer education, Counseling, Criminal justice, Criminal justice information, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Executive departments, Executive reorganization Latest Action: 12/03/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Bill TextTo amend the Truth in Lending Act to reform consumer mortgage practices and provide accountability for such practices, to establish licensing and registration requirements for residential mortgage originators, to provide certain minimum standards for consumer mortgage loans, and for other purposes. 11/15/2007--Passed House amended. (There are 2 other summaries) Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2007 - Title I: Residential Mortgage Loan Origination - Subtitle A: Licensing System for Residential Mortgage Loan Originators - Encourages the states, through the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators, to establish a Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLSR) for the residential mortgage industry. (Sec. 103) Includes among licensing and registration requirements that a loan origination business obtain: (1) a unique identifier; and (2) instruction on [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Consumer credit, Consumer education, Counseling, Debtor and creditor, Finance, Government information, Government paperwork, Home ownership, Housing, Mortgages, Social services Latest Action: 10/18/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Bill TextTo amend the Truth in Lending Act to establish requirements for providing negatively amortizing mortgage loans to first-time borrowers, and for other purposes. 10/18/2007--Introduced. Negative Amortization Mortgage Loan Transparency Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require a lender to make specified prior disclosures to a first-time borrower in connection with a consumer credit transaction secured by residential real property with a dwelling, other than a reverse mortgage, where the payment plan may result in negative amortization over the term of the loan. Requires the consumer debtor to provide the creditor with documentation that the consumer received home ownership counseling from organizations or counselors certified by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. | | Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Business, Communications, Consumer education, Department of Health and Human Services, Diet, Executive departments, Food, Food labeling, Law, Nutrition, Restaurants, Signs and signboards, Vending machines Latest Action: 10/22/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Bill TextTo amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend the food labeling requirements of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 to enable customers to make informed choices about the nutritional content of standard menu items in large chain restaurants. 10/18/2007--Introduced. Menu Education and Labeling Act or the MEAL Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act to require restaurants that are a part of a chain with 20 or more locations doing business under the same trade name to disclose: (1) in a statement adjacent to each menu item, the number of calories, grams of saturated fat plus trans fat, and milligrams of sodium in a standard food serving; (2) other information designed to enable the public to understand the significance of the nutrition information provided in the context of a total daily diet; (3) that such information shall be provided in writing upon request; and (4) in a statement adjacent to the name of the food on a menu board, the [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Animals, Budgets, Business, Drug industry, Food, Food industry, Food safety, Medical care, Medical instruments and apparatus, Medicine, Product safety, User charges, Veterinary medicine Latest Action: 10/18/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13087)
Bill TextA bill to establish a user fee for follow-up reinspections under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. 10/18/2007--Introduced. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect a user fee from each manufacturer of a food, drug, device, biological product, or animal drug for which a followup reinspection is required to ensure correction of a violation of a Good Manufacturing Practices requirement under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act found by the Secretary during the initial inspection of the manufacturer. | | Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Business, Child safety, Children, Consumer education, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Consumer protection, Data banks, Defective products, Electronic government information, Executive departments, Government information, Government publicity, Independent regulatory commissions, Labeling, Law Latest Action: 10/22/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Bill TextTo amend the Consumer Product Safety Act to require the development of a multi-stage product testing process to ensure compliance of children's products with consumer product safety standards, and for other purposes. 10/18/2007--Introduced. Kids' Toys Safety Act - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to require the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to prescribe a comprehensive testing program for articles intended for children under five. Requires the CPSC, after receiving notice of a voluntary recall by a manufacturer or retailer, to post notice on the CPSC's website and notify the health department of each state. Requires the manufacturer of a product for children under five to label the product or its packaging to enable the purchaser to determine production information. Requires the CPSC to establish a database as a clearinghouse for information regarding factories, warehouses, or other facilities where consumer products which have been [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Administrative remedies, Agriculture, American Revolution, Animals, Archaeology, Archives, Arizona, Arkansas, Asian American ethnic groups, Auditing, Authorization, Budgets, Business, Cable television, California Latest Action: 10/18/2007 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 425.
Bill TextA bill to authorize certain programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy, and to amend the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, and for other purposes. 10/17/2007--Introduced. Natural Resource Projects and Programs Authorization Act of 2007 - Authorizes specified programs and activities in the Department of the Interior, the Forest Service, and the Department of Energy concerning, among other things, national monuments, conservation areas, resource protection, historic sites, national trails, national heritage areas, and the clean coal power initiative. Makes amendments to various public laws, including the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act, the National Trails System Act, the Steel Industry American Heritage Area Act of 1996, the Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Armed forces, Consumer education, Criminal justice, Defense contracts, Defense economics, Defense policy, Fines (Penalties), Identification devices, Infrared technology, Iraq compilation, Labeling, Military and naval supplies, Military technology, Public contracts, Surplus government property, Technology Latest Action: 12/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.
Bill TextTo amend title 10, United States Code, to prohibit the disposal by the Department of Defense of surplus military items designated as Identification Friend or Foe items, to amend title 18, United States Code, to make it a misdemeanor to possess or traffics in Identification Friend or Foe items, and for other purposes. 10/16/2007--Introduced. Prohibits the sale or donation of Department of Defense designated as Identification Friend or Foe equipment or accessories, with specified exceptions. Subjects to civil or criminal penalties, or both, persons who manufacture, sell, or possess such items without authorization. | | Also tagged in: Bank accounts, Budgets, Conflict of interests, Congress, Congressional investigations, Congressional reporting requirements, Consumer credit, Consumer education, Debtor and creditor, Disaster insurance, Emergency management, Federally-guaranteed loans, Fees, Finance, Floods, Foreclosure Latest Action: 11/07/2007 - Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Bill TextTo require escrows for certain mortgage loans, to improve mortgage servicing, to promote sustainable homeownership opportunities, to enhance appraisal quality and standards, to better appraisal oversight, to mitigate appraiser pressure, and for other purposes. 10/16/2007--Introduced. Escrow, Appraisal, and Mortgage Servicing Improvements Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require a creditor, in a consumer credit transaction secured by the consumer's principal dwelling, to establish an escrow or impound account to pay taxes and hazard insurance, and, if applicable, flood insurance, mortgage insurance, ground rents, and any other required periodic payments or premiums. Requires written disclosures by the creditor to the consumer regarding: (1) such escrow or impound account; and (2) consumers who opt out of escrow services. Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to proscribe specified practices by the servicer of a federally related mortgage,[...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Antitrust law, Business, Contracts, Employee health benefits, Finance, Health insurance, Health maintenance organizations, Health policy, Labor, Law, Managed care, Medical care, Medicine, Pharmacies, Prescription pricing, Restrictive trade practices Latest Action: 10/15/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Bill TextA bill to ensure and foster continued patient safety and quality of care by making the antitrust laws apply to negotiations between groups of independent pharmacies and health plans and health insurance issuers (including health plans under parts C and D of the Medicare Program) in the same manner as such laws apply to protected activities under the National Labor Relations Act. 10/15/2007--Introduced. Community Pharmacy Fairness Act of 2007 - Entitles independent pharmacies negotiating contract terms with a health plan for the provision of health care items or services to the same treatment under the antitrust laws as the treatment to which bargaining units recognized under the National Labor Relations Act are entitled. Treats such a pharmacy as an employee engaged in concerted activities in connection with such negotiations. Exempts actions taken in good faith reliance on this Act from being subject to criminal sanctions or civil penalties beyond actual damages incurred.[...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Air pollution, Biomass energy, Business, Consumer education, Diesel motor, Energy, Energy prices, Environmental protection, Environmental Protection Agency, Executive departments, Federal preemption, Labeling, Law, Local laws, Motor vehicle pollution control Latest Action: 10/09/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
Bill TextTo amend the Clean Air Act to promote and assure the quality of biodiesel fuel, and for other purposes. 10/9/2007--Introduced. Biodiesel Promotion and Quality Assurance Act of 2007 - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate regulations to ensure that diesel fuel sold in the United States contains the volume of biodiesel specified for 2008 through 2012. Requires the Administrator to determine the volume for 2013 and thereafter based on a review of the program. Requires at least 80% of the minimum applicable volume for each of 2008 through 2012 to be biodiesel.Requires the biodiesel fuel standards to contain compliance provisions applicable to refineries, blenders, distributors, and importers. Prohibits such standards from restricting geographic areas in which biodiesel may be used or imposing any per-gallon obligation for the use of biodiesel.Authorizes the Administrator to reduce the quantity [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Accreditation (Education), Adoption, Alaska, Alcoholism, Americans in foreign countries, Animals, Armed forces, Arts, Athletes, Authorization, Budgets, Building construction, Business, Business education, Children, Civil liberties Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
Bill TextTo amend and extend the Higher Education Act of 1965. 10/4/2007--Introduced. College Access and Opportunity Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise and reauthorize appropriations for HEA programs. Establishes a single definition of institutions of higher education (IHEs) for purposes of their participation in all HEA programs, including title IV student aid programs. Allows IHEs to enroll students who are also enrolled in secondary school. Revises higher education consumer information and public accountability requirements. Imposes educational loan disclosure requirements on lenders and IHEs. Replaces the Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants for States and Partnerships program under title II with a new Teacher Quality Partnership grant program for partnerships of high-need local educational agencies (LEAs), high-need schools, IHEs, and public or private educational organizations. Repeals part B (Preparing Tomorrow's [...] show full description | | Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12780-12781)
Bill TextA bill to amend the Truth in Lending Act to enhance disclosure of the terms of home mortgage loans, and for other purposes. 10/4/2007--Introduced. Mortgage Disclosure Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require a creditor to disclose to a consumer with respect to an extension of credit secured by the consumer's dwelling that the consumer is not required to complete the credit agreement merely because the consumer has received required disclosures or signed a loan application. Requires such disclosure to be furnished to the borrower not later than seven business days before the consummation of the transaction, as well as at the time of consummation. Requires additional disclosures in such a circumstance regarding any variable rates or payment schedules. Increases the actual damages for which a creditor is liable for noncompliance with such Act in the case of an individual action relating to a credit transaction not under an open [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Business, Consumer education, Contracts, Defined benefit pension plans, Employee benefit plans, Fees, Finance, Government information, Government paperwork, Investments, Labor, Pensions, Tax penalties, Taxation Latest Action: 10/05/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR 10/9/2007 E2077-2078)
Bill TextTo amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide transparency with respect to fees and expenses charged to participant-directed defined contribution plans. 10/4/2007--Introduced. Defined Contribution Plan Fee Transparency Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose penalties on: (1) employers and multi-employer defined contribution plans for the failure of their plan administrators to provide to plan participants or beneficiaries written notices of plan fees and expenses and investment alternatives; and (2) providers of services to defined contribution plans for failure to provide certain information to plan administrators, including an estimate of total fees and expenses expected to be paid under a service contract and an itemization of the services to be provided under such contract. | | Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Bankruptcy, Bankruptcy courts, Consumer credit, Counseling, Damages, Debtor and creditor, Finance, Foreclosure, Housing, Law, Mortgage interest rates, Mortgages, Parties to actions, Social services, Trusts and trustees Latest Action: 04/03/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Bill TextA bill to address the treatment of primary mortgages in bankruptcy, and for other purposes. 10/3/2007--Introduced. Helping Families Save Their Homes in Bankruptcy Act of 2007 - Amends federal bankruptcy law to permit a bankruptcy plan to: (1) modify a loan secured by the principal residence (mortgage) of a chapter 13 debtor (individual with regular income); and (2) provide for payment of such loan at a fixed annual percentage rate of interest, over a 30-year period. Exempts a chapter 13 debtor from the requirement for credit counseling if the court receives certification that debtor's principal residence has been scheduled for a foreclosure sale. Conditions any fees, costs, or charges that may be added to the mortgage debt during pendency of the bankruptcy case upon notice to the court within a specified deadline. Requires the court to waive such additional fees, costs, or charges if the court has not been notified on time. Permits a bankruptcy [...] show full description | | Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Child safety, Children, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Consumer protection, Defective products, Electronics, Executive departments, Hazardous substances, Independent regulatory commissions, Law, Lead, Product safety, Standards, Technology, Toys Latest Action: 10/03/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Bill TextTo declare certain children's products containing lead to be banned hazardous substances. 10/3/2007--Introduced. Bans as a hazardous substance within the meaning of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act any children's product containing more than the specified amounts of lead. Defines the term "children's product" to mean any consumer product marketed for use by children under age six, or whose substantial use by children under age six is foreseeable. Sets forth standards for the amount of lead that may be in such products over time. Authorizes the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to revise the standards to any lower amount of lead that CPSC determines is feasible to achieve. Requires CPSC to review and revise the standards to require the lowest amount of lead that is feasible to achieve five years after this Act's enactment.Requires children's products that are electronic devices to be equipped with a child-resistant cover or casing that limits [...] show full description |
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