Top Legislation - View All
Also tagged in: Administrative fees, Business, Business insurance, Casualty insurance, Congress, Congressional investigations, Congressional reporting requirements, Contracts, Data banks, Federal preemption, Finance, Financial statements, Government information, Government paperwork, Insurance, Insurance agents, Insurance companies, Insurance premiums, Interstate compacts, Interstate relations, Law, Licenses, Property insurance, Reinsurance, State and local government, State laws, State taxation, Tax returns, Taxation, Technology
Latest Action: 03/20/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Bill TextA bill to streamline the regulation of nonadmitted insurance and reinsurance, and for other purposes. 3/20/2007--Introduced. Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2007 - Prohibits any state other than the home state of an insured from requiring a premium tax payment for nonadmitted insurance. Authorizes states to enter into procedures to allocate among themselves the premium taxes paid to an insured's home state. Allows an insured's home state to require surplus lines brokers and certain insureds to file annually tax allocation reports detailing the portion of the nonadmitted insurance premiums attributable to properties, risks, or exposures located in each state. Declares that Congress intends that each state adopt a nationwide or uniform procedure that provides for the reporting, payment, collection, and allocation of premium taxes for nonadmitted insurance. Subjects nonadmitted insurance solely to the regulatory requirements of the insured's [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative fees, Administrative procedure, Budgets, Business, Competition, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Damages, Department of Transportation, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Government information, Government publicity, Governmental investigations, Independent regulatory commissions, Law, Railroad engineering, Railroad freight operations, Railroad rates, Surface Transportation Board, Transportation
Latest Action: 10/23/2007 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety and Security. Hearings held. Bill TextA bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to ensure competition in the rail industry, enable rail customers to obtain reliable rail service, and provide those customers with a reasonable process for challenging rate and service disputes. 3/21/2007--Introduced. Railroad Competition and Service Improvement Act of 2007 - Sets forth Surface Transportation Board directives calling for effective competition among rail carriers and reliable rail transportation service for rail customers.Requires a rail carrier, upon shipper request, to establish rates for transportation and provide requested service between any two points on the carrier's system. Prohibits the Board from issuing a certificate authorizing construction and operation of railroad lines, short line purchases by Class II and Class III rail carriers, or consolidation, merger, and acquisition of control of rail carriers, or exempt from such certificate requirements any person, transaction, or service with [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative fees, Business, Business insurance, Casualty insurance, Congress, Congressional investigations, Congressional reporting requirements, Contracts, Data banks, Federal preemption, Finance, Financial statements, Government information, Government paperwork, Insurance, Insurance agents, Insurance companies, Insurance premiums, Interstate compacts, Interstate relations, Law, Licenses, Property insurance, Reinsurance, State and local government, State laws, State taxation, Tax returns, Taxation, Technology
Latest Action: 06/26/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Bill TextTo streamline the regulation of nonadmitted insurance and reinsurance, and for other purposes. 6/25/2007--Passed House without amendment. (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2007 - Title I: Nonadmitted Insurance - (Sec. 101) Prohibits any state other than the home state of an insured from requiring a premium tax payment for nonadmitted insurance. Authorizes states to enter into procedures to allocate among themselves the premium taxes paid to an insured's home state. Declares that Congress intends that each state adopt a nationwide or uniform procedure that provides for the reporting, payment, collection, and allocation of premium taxes for nonadmitted insurance. Allows an insured's home state to require surplus lines brokers and certain insureds to file [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative remedies, Agriculture, Business, Civil liberties, Compensation (Law), Congress, Congressional investigations, Congressional reporting requirements, Contracts, Department of the Interior, Energy, Environmental protection, Executive departments, Farm lands, Federal-Indian relations, Federal-state relations, Finance, Government information, Government paperwork, Government publicity, Groundwater, Hazardous substances, Hazardous waste sites, Hazardous wastes, Indian lands, Indians, Infrastructure, Interstate commissions, Landowners, Law, Legal fees, Liability for environmental damages, Licenses, Methane, Minorities, Natural resources, Oil and gas leases, Oil well drilling, Planning, Pollution control, Prospecting, Public contracts, Public lands, Reclamation of land, Right of property, Right-of-way, Soil pollution, Solid wastes, State and local government, State laws, Surety and fidelity, Transportation, Water pollution, Water pollution control, Water quality, Water resources, Water rights, Water supply, Water use, Wells
Latest Action: 03/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. Bill TextTo assure that development of certain Federal oil and gas resources will occur in ways that protect water resources and respect the rights of the surface owners, and for other purposes. 2/16/2007--Introduced. Western Waters and Farm Lands Protection Act - Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to require operators producing oil or gas (including coalbed methane) to: (1) replace water supplies affected by drilling; and (2) submit water management plans along with their lease applications. Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from authorizing exploration and drilling operations on lands where title to oil and gas resources is owned by the United States but the surface estate is owned by a non-federal entity unless: (1) an agreement has been reached with the surface owner (with the possibility of arbitration); or (2) the operator has made a good faith attempt to secure such an agreement and meets other specified requirements. Permits the Secretary to authorize such operations,[...] show full description
Also tagged in: Bank accounts, Business, Collection of accounts, Congress, Congressional reporting requirements, Debtor and creditor, Earned income tax credit, Electronic benefits transfers, Electronic data interchange, Finance, Garnishment, Government information, Government publicity, Income tax, Law, Loans, Tax refunds, Tax returns, Taxation, Technology, Telecommunication, Welfare
Latest Action: 04/17/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4612-4613) Bill TextA bill to provide additional protections for recipients of the earned income tax credit. 4/17/2007--Introduced. Taxpayer Abuse Prevention Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that advance payments of the earned income tax credit are not transferable or assignable or subject to the claims of any creditors, except outstanding claims of the federal government.Prohibits: (1) the collection of a debt from a debtor's federal tax refund by means of a refund anticipation loan; and (2) mandatory arbitration as a condition of providing a refund anticipation loan.Terminates the Department of the Treasury Debt Indicator Program. Excludes tax returns that have been filed subject to a refund anticipation loan from any determination of whether goals for electronic filing of tax returns have been met.Allows earned income tax credit benefits to be paid through electronic transfer accounts. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) develop [...] show full description
Latest Action: 04/17/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4614-4615) Bill TextA bill to amend chapter 1 of title 9, United States Code, to establish fair procedures for arbitration clauses in contracts. 4/17/2007--Introduced. Fair Arbitration Act of 2007 - Requires a contract containing an arbitration clause, in order to be binding on the parties, to: (1) have a heading "ARBITRATION CLAUSE" printed in bold, capital letters; (2) state explicitly whether participation in arbitration is mandatory or optional; (3) identify a source that a consumer or employee can contact for additional information regarding the arbitration program; and (4) provide notice that all parties retain the right to resolve a dispute in a small claims court for a claim of $50,000 or less. Entitles each party under arbitration to: (1) a competent, neutral arbitrator and independent, neutral administration of the dispute; (2) representation by an attorney or other representative at such party's expense; (3) a fair arbitration hearing; (4) a face-to-face hearing; (5) [...] show full description
Latest Action: 03/09/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services. Bill TextTo treat arbitration clauses which are unilaterally imposed on consumers as an unfair and deceptive trade practice and prohibit their use in consumer transactions, and for other purposes. 3/9/2007--Introduced. Consumer Fairness Act of 2007 - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to treat as an unfair and deceptive trade act or practice under federal or state law any written provision in a consumer transaction or contract which requires binding arbitration to resolve a controversy arising out of or related to the transaction or contract, or the failure to perform any part. Declares such a provision unenforceable. Permits a written agreement to determine an existing controversy by binding arbitration if the parties agree after the controversy has arisen.
Also tagged in: Building construction, Business, Consumer education, Consumer protection, Consumers, Contracts, Finance, Home ownership, Housing, Housing finance, Law, Real estate business, Restrictive trade practices
Latest Action: 03/15/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. Bill TextTo prohibit offering homebuilding purchase contracts that contain in a single document both a mandatory arbitration agreement and other contract provisions, to prohibit requiring purchasers to consent to a mandatory arbitration agreement as a condition precedent to entering into a homebuilding purchase contract, and to provide for the Federal Trade Commission to enforce violations of such prohibitions as unfair and deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act. 3/14/2007--Introduced. American Homebuyers Protection Act - Prohibits a person engaged in the construction of new homes from: (1) requiring a home purchaser to enter into a mandatory arbitration agreement as a condition precedent to entering into a purchase contract; and (2) offering a home purchaser a contract which includes a mandatory arbitration agreement unless such agreement is a separate agreement. Treats a violation as as an unfair and deceptive act under the Federal Trade Commission Act.
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Budgets, Business, Civil rights, Collection of accounts, Community development, Consumer complaints, Consumer credit, Consumer education, Consumer protection, Consumers, Contractors, Debtor and creditor, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Discrimination in consumer credit, Employee training, Employment tests, Executive departments, Federal reserve system, Federal Trade Commission, Federally-assisted loans, Federally-guaranteed loans, Fees, Finance, Financial services, Fines (Penalties), Fraud, Government information, Government lending, Government publicity, Grants-in-aid, Housing, Independent regulatory commissions, Infrastructure, Job training, Labeling, Labor, Law, Licenses, Mortgage banks, Mortgage guaranty insurance, Mortgage interest rates, Mortgages, Real estate appraisal, Restrictive trade practices, Subcontractors, Urban affairs, Welfare
Latest Action: 09/18/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H10456) Bill TextTo protect home buyers from predatory lending practices. 4/26/2007--Introduced. Predatory Mortgage Lending Practices Reduction Act - Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to prohibit any person, in connection with a subprime federally related mortgage loan, from providing mortgage lending services or mortgage brokerage services unless such person is certified by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as having been adequately trained with regard to subprime lending. Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require lenders to establish a best practices plan, meeting certain criteria, to ensure compliance with such Act for high cost mortgages. Proscribes unfair or deceptive acts or practices in providing: (1) mortgage lending services for either a subprime federally related mortgage loan; (2) mortgage brokerage services for such a loan; and (3) appraisal of a property offered as security for repayment of the loan.Sets forth civil penalties [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative fees, Administrative procedure, Administrative remedies, Antitrust law, Business, Competition, Consumer complaints, Consumers, Department of Transportation, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Governmental investigations, Infrastructure, Injunctions, Law, Railroad engineering, Railroad freight operations, Railroad mergers, Railroad rates, Railroads, Surface Transportation Board, Technology, Telecommunication, Transportation, Web sites
Latest Action: 05/04/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. Bill TextTo amend title 49, United States Code, to ensure competition in the rail industry, enable rail customers to obtain reliable rail service, and provide those customers with a reasonable process for challenging rate and service disputes. 5/3/2007--Introduced. Railroad Competition and Service Improvement Act of 2007 - Sets forth Surface Transportation Board directives calling for effective competition among rail carriers and reliable rail transportation service for rail customers.Requires a rail carrier, upon shipper request, to establish rates for transportation and provide requested service between any two points on the carrier's system. Prohibits the Board from issuing a certificate authorizing construction and operation of railroad lines, short line purchases by Class II and Class III rail carriers, or consolidation, merger, and acquisition of control of rail carriers, or exempt from such certificate requirements any person, transaction, or service with respect [...] show full description
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Latest Legislation - View All
Latest Action: 09/26/2008 - Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-894. Bill TextTo amend chapter 1 of title 9 of United States Code with respect to arbitration. 5/22/2008--Introduced. Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act of 2008 - Provides that a pre-dispute arbitration agreement between a long-term care facility and a resident (or anyone acting on the resident's behalf) shall not be valid or specifically enforceable.
Latest Action: 10/01/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy without amendment. With written report No. 110-518. Minority views filed. Bill TextA bill to amend chapter 1 of title 9 of United States Code with respect to arbitration. 4/9/2008--Introduced. Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act - Provides that a pre-dispute arbitration agreement between a long-term care facility and a resident (or anyone acting on the resident's behalf) shall not be valid or specifically enforceable.
Also tagged in: Budgets, Business, Clothing, Colombia, Congress, Congress and foreign policy, Corporation taxes, Customs administration, Dispute settlement, Foreign policy, Free trade, Government liability, Government procurement, Import relief, Income tax, International affairs, Latin America, Law, Public contracts, Tariff, Tax administration, Taxation, Textile fabrics, Textile industry, Trade, Trade agreements, User charges
Latest Action: 04/08/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance pursuant to section 2103(c) of Public Law 107-210. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2745-2754) Bill TextA bill to implement the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. 4/8/2008--Introduced. United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act - Approves the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (the Agreement) entered into with the government of Colombia. Provides for the Agreement's entry into force upon certain conditions being met on or after January 1, 2009.Authorizes the President to proclaim actions, and other appropriate officers of the U.S. government to issue regulations, necessary to ensure appropriate implementation of any provision of this Act that takes effect on the date the Agreement enters into force.Provides for: (1) administration of dispute settlement proceedings; (2) arbitration of certain claims against the United States; and (3) specified tariff modifications. Prescribes requirements for: (1) enforcement of textile and apparel rules of origin; (2) actions for relief from imports benefiting from the [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Agriculture, Agriculture in foreign trade, Budgets, Business, Claims, Clothing, Colombia, Congress, Congress and foreign policy, Congressional oversight, Congressional reporting requirements, Corporation taxes, Customs administration, Dispute settlement, Foreign policy, Free trade, Government liability, Government procurement, Import relief, Income tax, International affairs, Latin America, Law, President and foreign policy, Presidents, Public contracts, Tariff, Tax administration, Taxation, Textile fabrics, Textile industry, Trade, Trade agreements, User charges
Latest Action: 04/10/2008 - Rule H. Res. 1092 passed House. (consideration: CR H2177-2190) Bill TextTo implement the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. 4/8/2008--Introduced. United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act - Approves the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (the Agreement) entered into with the government of Colombia. Provides for the Agreement's entry into force upon certain conditions being met on or after January 1, 2009.Authorizes the President to proclaim actions, and other appropriate officers of the U.S. government to issue regulations, necessary to ensure appropriate implementation of any provision of this Act that takes effect on the date the Agreement enters into force.Provides for: (1) administration of dispute settlement proceedings; (2) arbitration of certain claims against the United States; and (3) specified tariff modifications. Prescribes requirements for: (1) enforcement of textile and apparel rules of origin; (2) actions for relief from imports benefiting from the Agreement;[...] show full description
Also tagged in: Actions and defenses, Budgets, Business, Consumer education, Consumer protection, Consumers, Contracts, Counseling, Debtor and creditor, Federally-assisted loans, Federally-guaranteed loans, Finance, Foreclosure, Government information, Government lending, Government paperwork, Housing, Housing finance, Law, Mortgage interest rates, Mortgages, Social services
Latest Action: 04/16/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity. Bill TextTo amend the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to require mortgagees for mortgages in default to engage in reasonable loss mitigation activities. 4/2/2008--Introduced. Foreclosure Prevention and Sound Mortgage Servicing Act of 2008 - Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to impose on a mortgagee a duty to engage in loss mitigation of covered federally related mortgage loans. Prohibits initiation of foreclosure on such loans if the mortgagee or servicer has at any time failed to comply with the requirements of this Act. Requires a mortgagee or servicer to pursue specified priority loss mitigation activities, with notice to the borrower or mortgagor, before considering secondary loss mitigation activities. Sets forth criteria governing the affordability of scheduled payments due from the borrower pursuant to loss mitigation activities. Requires the mortgagee or servicer to notify the mortgagor in writing within certain [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Alaska, Arizona, Budgets, Business, California, Colorado River development, Construction industries, Contracts, Energy, Federal-Indian relations, Finance, Fishing, Florida, Hydroelectric power, Indian lands, Indians, Indigenous peoples, Investment of public funds, Land transfers, Leases, Michigan, Minorities, Oregon, Revenue sharing, Sports, Stocks, Water resources, Wisconsin
Latest Action: 09/25/2008 - Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Dorgan with amendments. With written report No. 110-504. Bill TextTo amend certain laws relating to Native Americans, and for other purposes. 6/18/2008--Passed House amended. (There is 1 other summary) Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to make annual disbursements to the Colorado River Indian Tribes to fund the Office of the Colorado River Indian Tribes Reservation Energy Development. Requires that such disbursements be not less than $200,000, and not more than $350,000 annually. Provides for the inclusion of binding arbitration clauses in construction contracts for the Gila River Indian Community.Authorizes the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Michigan to transfer, lease, encumber, or convey any part of its interest in real property that is not held in trust by the United States for its benefit. Absolves the United States from liability for any loss resulting from a transfer of real property by the Tribe. Makes this provision retroactive to January 1, 2005.Authorizes the Morongo [...] show full description
Latest Action: 07/15/2008 - Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. Bill TextTo amend chapter 1 of title 9 of the United States Code with respect to arbitration of certain controversies. 2/7/2008--Introduced. Automobile Arbitration Fairness Act of 2008 - Amends federal arbitration law to require that a controversy arising out of a motor vehicle consumer sales or lease contract, including a refusal to perform all or any part of such contract, may not be settled by arbitration unless, after the controversy arises, all parties to it agree in writing to settle it by arbitration.
Also tagged in: Administrative procedure, Business, Consumer credit, Consumer protection, Consumers, Credit unions, Criminal justice, Damages, Department of Justice, Executive departments, Executive reorganization, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal law enforcement officers, Federal reserve system, Fees, Finance, Foreclosure, Fraud, Government corporations, Government employees, Housing, Insurance premiums, Law, Liability (Law), Loan defaults, Mortgage guaranty insurance, Mortgage interest rates, Mortgages, National Credit Union Administration, Property insurance, Property tax, Prosecution, Public prosecutors, Real estate appraisal, Restrictive trade practices, Settlement costs, Taxation
Latest Action: 12/12/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S15235-15236) Bill TextA bill to amend the Truth in Lending Act to provide protection to consumers with respect to certain high-cost loans, and for other purposes. 12/12/2007--Introduced. Home Ownership Preservation and Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to redefine high-cost mortgages and attendant lending practices. Sets forth a new formula for points and fees for open-end loans, and provides for bona fide discount points. Prohibits: (1) prepayment penalties; (2) balloon payments; (3) yield spread premiums; (4) acceleration or debt; (5) evasions, structuring of transactions, and reciprocal arrangements; and (6) modification and deferral fees. Prohibits creditors from financing, in connection with a high-cost mortgage, any prepayment fee or penalty, or any points or fees. Prohibits an originator from making or arranging a high-cost mortgage loan that involves a refinancing of a prior existing home mortgage loan unless the new loan will provide a net tangible [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative fees, Business, Clothing, Corporation taxes, Customs administration, Dispute settlement, Foreign policy, Free trade, Government procurement, Import relief, Imports, Income tax, International affairs, Latin America, Natural resources, Peru, Public contracts, Tariff, Tax administration, Taxation, Textile industry, Timber sales, Trade, Trade agreements
Latest Action: 12/14/2007 - By Senator Baucus from Committee on Finance filed written report. Report No. 110-249. Additional views filed. Bill TextA bill to implement the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement. 11/6/2007--Reported to Senate without amendment. (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act - Title I: Approval of, and General Provisions Relating to, the Agreement - (Sec. 101) Approves the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (the Agreement) entered into on April 12, 2006 (and amended on June 24 and June 25, 2007) with the government of Peru and the statement of administrative action proposed to implement the Agreement, both submitted to Congress on September 27, 2007. Provides for the Agreement's entry into force upon certain conditions being met on or after January 1, 2008. (Sec. 103) Authorizes the President to proclaim actions, and other appropriate officers of the [...] show full description
Also tagged in: Administrative fees, Business, Clothing, Corporation taxes, Customs administration, Dispute settlement, Foreign policy, Free trade, Government procurement, Import relief, Imports, Income tax, International affairs, Latin America, Natural resources, Peru, Public contracts, Tariff, Tax administration, Taxation, Textile industry, Timber sales, Trade, Trade agreements
Latest Action: 12/14/2007 - Signed by President. Bill TextTo implement the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement. 12/14/2007--Public Law. (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.) United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act - Title I: Approval of, and General Provisions Relating to, the Agreement - (Sec. 101) Approves the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (the Agreement) entered into on April 12, 2006 (and amended on June 24 and June 25, 2007) with the government of Peru and the statement of administrative action proposed to implement the Agreement, both submitted to Congress on September 27, 2007. Provides for the Agreement's entry into force upon certain conditions being met on or after January 1, 2008. (Sec. 103) Authorizes the President to proclaim actions, and other appropriate officers of the U.S. government to issue [...] show full description
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