All Retail trade Legislation - Federal Government
S.3315 - A bill to prohibit the distribution or sale of video games that do not have age-based content rating labels, to prohibit the sale or rental of video games with adult content ratings to minors, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 07/23/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Bill Text A bill to prohibit the distribution or sale of video games that do not have age-based content rating labels, to prohibit the sale or rental of video games with adult content ratings to minors, and for other purposes. 7/23/2008--Introduced. Video Game Rating Enforcement Act of 2008 - Prohibits shipping or distributing in interstate commerce, selling, or renting a video game the outside packaging of which does not contain an age-based content rating determined by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB). Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to require all retail establishments that sell video games to display information about the ESRB content rating system. Prohibits any person from selling or renting video games containing the ESRB content rating of : (1) "adults only" to any person under the age of 18; or (2) "mature" to any person under the age of 17. Treats violations of such requirements and prohibitions as an unfair [...] show full description Comment on Bill H.R.6346 - To protect consumers from price-gouging of gasoline and other fuels, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 06/24/2008 - Mr. Stupak moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. Bill Text To protect consumers from price-gouging of gasoline and other fuels, and for other purposes. 6/23/2008--Introduced. Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act - Makes it unlawful, during a period proclaimed by the President as an energy emergency, to sell gasoline or any other petroleum distillate at a price that: (1) is unconscionably excessive; or (2) indicates the seller is taking unfair advantage of the circumstances of an emergency to increase prices unreasonably. Authorizes the President to issue an energy emergency proclamation of up to 30 days, with renewals allowed, and to cite the geographic area, gasoline or other petroleum distillate, and time period covered. Authorizes a proclamation to include a period of up to one week preceding a reasonably foreseeable emergency. Exempts from this Act a sale of gasoline or other petroleum distillate transaction on a futures market. Empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general [...] show full description S.3125 - A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 06/12/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5595-5597) Bill Text A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend certain expiring provisions, and for other purposes. 6/12/2008--Introduced. Energy Independence and Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend various provisions relating to energy production and conservation and to individual and business-related activities.Extends through 2009 the tax credit for producing electricity from wind facilities and through 2011 for closed and open-loop biomass, geothermal, small irrigation, hydropower, landfill gas, and trash combustion facilities. Includes marine and hydrokinetic renewable energy as a renewable resource for purposes of such tax credit. Extends through 2014: (1) the energy tax credits for solar energy, fuel cell, and microturbine property; and (2) the residential energy efficient property tax credit. Allows a new investment tax credit for combined heat and power system property.Provides funding for new clean renewable energy [...] show full description S.3086 - A bill to amend the antitrust laws to ensure competitive market-based fees and terms for merchants' access to electronic payment systems.
Latest Action: 06/05/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5208-5210) Bill Text A bill to amend the antitrust laws to ensure competitive market-based fees and terms for merchants' access to electronic payment systems. 6/5/2008--Introduced. Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2008 - Authorizes providers of a single covered electronic payment system (e.g., Visa or Mastercharge credit cards) and any merchants to jointly negotiate and agree upon the fees and terms for access to such a system. Defines covered electronic payment system as any system that has been used for at least 20% of the combined dollar value of credit and debit card payments processed in the most recent year. Grants limited antitrust immunity to such providers and merchants, as well as to those providers who jointly determine among themselves the proportionate division of paid access fees.Sets forth procedures to determine fees and terms for access to a covered electronic payment system. Creates a panel of three full-time Electronic Payment System Judges, appointed [...] show full description H.R.5990 - To require ratings label on video games and to prohibit the sales and rentals of adult-rated video games to minors.
Latest Action: 05/08/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. Bill Text To require ratings label on video games and to prohibit the sales and rentals of adult-rated video games to minors. 5/7/2008--Introduced.
Video Games Ratings Enforcement Act - Prohibits shipping or distributing in interstate commerce, selling, or renting a video game the outside packaging of which does not display a label containing an age-based content rating determined by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB). Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to require all retail establishments that sell video games to display information about the ESRB content rating system. Prohibits any person from selling or renting video games containing the ESRB content rating of : (1) "adults only" to any person under the age of 18; or (2) "mature" to any person under the age of 17. Treats violations of such requirements and prohibitions as an unfair or deceptive act or practice subject to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 per violation. H.R.5821 - To amend title 10, United States Code, to close loopholes in the prohibition on the sale or rental of sexually explicit material on military installations.
Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness. Bill Text To amend title 10, United States Code, to close loopholes in the prohibition on the sale or rental of sexually explicit material on military installations. 4/16/2008--Introduced.
Military Honor and Decency Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to review, at least annually, material that is not deemed to be sexually explicit to determine if the material should be deemed sexually explicit and thus prohibited under provisions prohibiting the sale or rental of sexually explicit material: (1) on property under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense (DOD); or (2) by a member of the Armed Forces or a civilian DOD officer or employee acting in an official capacity. Revises the definition of "sexually explicit material" to (among other things) prohibit print periodicals that regularly feature or give prominence to nudity or sexual or excretory activities. H.R.5762 - To prohibit the use of nonambulatory livestock for human food and to require the Secretary of Agriculture to publish the names of retailers and school districts that have purchased meat, poultry, or egg products subject to voluntary recall.
Latest Action: 11/19/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry. Bill Text To prohibit the use of nonambulatory livestock for human food and to require the Secretary of Agriculture to publish the names of retailers and school districts that have purchased meat, poultry, or egg products subject to voluntary recall. 4/10/2008--Introduced.
Food Safety Recall Information Act - Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to require that a person that voluntarily recalls a meat product shall, not later than five days after the voluntary recall begins, submit to the Secretary of Agriculture a list of all retail stores or public school districts that are known to have purchased a meat product subject to the voluntary recall. Makes similar amendments to the the Poultry Products Inspection Act and the Egg Products Inspection Act. Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act to prohibit the use of nonambulatory livestock for human food. H.R.5546 - To amend the antitrust laws to ensure competitive market-based rates and terms for merchants' access to electronic payment systems.
Latest Action: 10/03/2008 - Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 110-913. Bill Text To amend the antitrust laws to ensure competitive market-based rates and terms for merchants' access to electronic payment systems. 3/6/2008--Introduced. Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2008 - Authorizes providers of a single covered electronic payment system (e.g. Visa or Mastercharge credit cards) and any merchants to jointly negotiate and agree upon rates and terms for access to such a system. Defines covered electronic payment system as any system that has been used for at least 20% of the combined dollar value of U.S. credit, signature-based debit, and PIN-based debit card payments processed in the applicable base year. Grants limited antitrust immunity to such providers and merchants, as well as to those providers who jointly determine among themselves the proportionate division of paid access fees. Sets forth procedures to determine rates and terms for access to a covered electronic payment system. Prohibits any other rates and terms from being [...] show full description H.R.5513 - To reduce youth usage of tobacco products, to enhance State efforts to eliminate retail sales of tobacco products to minors, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 02/28/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Bill Text To reduce youth usage of tobacco products, to enhance State efforts to eliminate retail sales of tobacco products to minors, and for other purposes. 2/28/2008--Introduced. Stop Adolescent Smoking Without Excessive Bureaucracy Act of 2008 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to set forth conditions for the receipt by states of federal substance abuse prevention and treatment grants. Requires such states to: (1) prohibit a minor from purchasing or receiving a tobacco product or possessing a tobacco product in a public place; and (2) require law enforcement agencies to notify a minor's parent, custodian, or guardian whose name and address is reasonably ascertainable of any such violation. Requires such states to require any person engaged in the business of distributing tobacco products at retail to implement a program to: (1) notify its employees that state law prohibits the sale or distribution of tobacco products to minors and the purchase, receipt, or possession [...] show full description S.2663 - A bill to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide greater protection for children's products, to improve the screening of noncompliant consumer products, to improve the effectiveness of consumer product recall programs, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 03/07/2008 - S.AMDT.4143 Amendment SA 4143, previously agreed to, was modified by Unanimous Consent. Bill Text A bill to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide greater protection for children's products, to improve the screening of noncompliant consumer products, to improve the effectiveness of consumer product recall programs, and for other purposes. 2/25/2008--Introduced. CPSC Reform Act - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to authorize appropriations to carry out the Act and for other purposes. Creates or modifies provisions relating to personnel and Commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), public disclosure of information, and rulemaking procedures. Requires third party certification of, and provides for tracking and record keeping regarding, children's products. Modifies provisions relating reporting of substantial product hazards and corrective action plans. Requires manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and importers to identify each other. Modifies provisions relating to prohibited acts, penalties,[...] show full description H.RES.987 - Encouraging Americans to join others across the country in using their rebate checks to invest in renewable energy and energy-efficient products and services in order to save money, stimulate the economy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Latest Action: 02/14/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Bill Text Encouraging Americans to join others across the country in using their rebate checks to invest in renewable energy and energy-efficient products and services in order to save money, stimulate the economy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 2/14/2008--Introduced.
Encourages: (1) Americans to use their rebate checks to invest in renewable energy and energy-efficient products and services in order to save money, stimulate the economy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and (2) retailers and service providers to offer promotions for such investments. H.R.5312 - To amend chapter 1 of title 9 of the United States Code with respect to arbitration of certain controversies.
Latest Action: 07/15/2008 - Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. Bill Text To 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. H.R.5234 - To amend title 18, United States Code, and the Social Security Act to limit the misuse of Social Security numbers, to establish criminal penalties for such misuse, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 02/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. Bill Text To amend title 18, United States Code, and the Social Security Act to limit the misuse of Social Security numbers, to establish criminal penalties for such misuse, and for other purposes. 2/6/2008--Introduced. Social Security Number Misuse Prevention Act - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit the display, sale, or purchase of Social Security numbers without the affirmatively expressed consent of the individual, except in specified circumstances. Directs the Attorney General to study and report to Congress on all the uses of Social Security numbers permitted, required, authorized, or excepted under any federal law, including the impact of such uses on privacy and data security.Establishes a public records exception to the prohibition. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on Social Security numbers in public records. Grants the Attorney General rulemaking authority to enforce this Act's prohibition and to implement and clarify the permitted [...] show full description H.R.5159 - To establish the Office of the Capitol Visitor Center within the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, headed by the Chief Executive Officer for Visitor Services, to provide for the effective management and administration of the Capitol Visitor Center, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 10/20/2008 - Signed by President. Bill Text To establish the Office of the Capitol Visitor Center within the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, headed by the Chief Executive Officer for Visitor Services, to provide for the effective management and administration of the Capitol Visitor Center, and for other purposes. 3/5/2008--Passed House amended. (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on March 3, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Capitol Visitor Center Act of 2008 - Title I: Administration and Management of Capitol Visitor Center - Subtitle A: Description of Facility - (Sec. 102) Grants authority to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration (supervising Committees) to exercise policy review and oversight over the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). (Sec. 103) Declares that certain "unassigned" expansion space for the Senate [...] show full description S.2542 - A bill to amend the Truth in Lending Act to provide for enhanced disclosure under an open end credit plan.
Latest Action: 01/22/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S105-107) Bill Text A bill to amend the Truth in Lending Act to provide for enhanced disclosure under an open end credit plan. 1/22/2008--Introduced. Credit Card Minimum Payment Notification Act of 2008 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act regarding disclosures required with each billing cycle under an open end consumer credit plan to require a credit card issuer to include in specified type a written statement in the following form: "Minimum Payment Warning: Making only the minimum payment will increase the interest you pay and the time it takes to repay your balance."Prescribes additional three-line statements disclosing the length of time it will take to pay off balances and the final cost to the consumer of interest rates charged.Requires disclosure of a toll-free telephone number to obtain an estimate in person rather than a recording of the time to repay the balance making only minimum payments and the total amount of those payments.Directs the Federal Trade [...] show full description S.2529 - A bill to improve disclosures for charitable giving, protect charities, inform consumers, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 12/19/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Bill Text A bill to improve disclosures for charitable giving, protect charities, inform consumers, and for other purposes. 12/19/2007--Introduced.
Protecting the Spirit of Giving Act - Prohibits a manufacturer or retailer from using the name of a charitable organization to solicit donations or to sell or market a product under certain arrangements unless the manufacturer or retailer, for each solicitation, sale, or promotion, notifies the organization, obtains advance written approval, and limits the use of the organization's name to the scope approved. Requires a manufacturer or retailer that sells or markets a product with the intention of remitting a portion of the proceeds to a charitable organization to disclose to the purchaser the portion of the purchase price that will be remitted, the maximum amount that will be remitted, the applicable time period, and the organization's contact information. S.2470 - A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to prevent the abuse of dehydroepiandrosterone, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 12/13/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Bill Text A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to prevent the abuse of dehydroepiandrosterone, and for other purposes. 12/13/2007--Introduced.
Dehydroepiandrosterone Abuse Reduction Act of 2007 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to impose civil penalties for knowingly selling, causing another to sell, or conspiring to sell a product containing dehydroepiandrosterone to an individual under the age of 18 years, including any such sale using the Internet. H.R.4238 - To amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require a refund value for certain beverage containers, and to provide resources for State pollution prevention and recycling programs, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E2452-2453) Bill Text To amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require a refund value for certain beverage containers, and to provide resources for State pollution prevention and recycling programs, and for other purposes. 11/15/2007--Introduced. Bottle Recycling Climate Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit retailers and distributors from selling beverages (water, mineral water, soda water, flavored water, sports drinks, juice, iced tea, wine coolers, beer, or carbonated nonalcoholic beverages) in containers that do not display a statement of a refund value of five cents.Requires: (1) distributors to collect the refund value for each beverage sold to retailers; and (2) retailers to collect the refund value for each beverage sold to consumers. Requires: (1) retailers to pay the refund on returned unbroken containers of brands sold for up to a specified number of containers per day based on the square footage of the retailer's space (excluding any container [...] show full description H.R.4040 - To establish consumer product safety standards and other safety requirements for children's products and to reauthorize and modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Latest Action: 08/31/2008 - Cleared for White House. Bill Text To establish consumer product safety standards and other safety requirements for children's products and to reauthorize and modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 8/14/2008--Public Law. (There are 4 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since the Conference Report was filed in the House on July 29, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 - Title I: Children's Product Safety - (Sec. 101) Treats as a banned hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) any children's product (a consumer product designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger) containing more than specified amounts of lead. Allows alternate limits if the specified limits are not technologically feasible. Requires periodic review and, when technologically feasible, more stringent limits. Makes the limits inapplicable to any component that [...] show full description S.2261 - A bill to restore the rule that agreements between manufacturers and retailers, distributors, or wholesalers to set the minimum price below which the manufacturer's product or service cannot be sold violates the Sherman Act.
Latest Action: 10/30/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13582-13583) Bill Text A bill to restore the rule that agreements between manufacturers and retailers, distributors, or wholesalers to set the minimum price below which the manufacturer's product or service cannot be sold violates the Sherman Act. 10/30/2007--Introduced.
Discount Pricing Consumer Protection Act - Amends the Sherman Act to declare that any contract, combination, conspiracy, or agreement setting a minimum price below which a product or service cannot be sold by a retailer, wholesaler, or distributor violates the Act. H.R.3862 - To improve public awareness in the United States among older individuals and their families and caregivers about the impending Digital Television Transition through the establishment of a Federal interagency taskforce between the Federal Communications Commission, the Administration on Aging, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the outside advice of appropriate members of the aging network and industry groups.
Latest Action: 11/08/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet. Bill Text To improve public awareness in the United States among older individuals and their families and caregivers about the impending Digital Television Transition through the establishment of a Federal interagency taskforce between the Federal Communications Commission, the Administration on Aging, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the outside advice of appropriate members of the aging network and industry groups. 10/16/2007--Introduced. Preparing America's Seniors for the Digital Transition Act of 2007 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), commencing not later than January 1, 2008, or 60 days after enactment, to enter into a partnership with the Administration on Aging and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to create a comprehensive nationwide public education campaign that provides information and assistance to older individuals to ensure that such individuals [...] show full description S.2125 - A bill to improve public awareness in the United States among older individuals and their families and caregivers about the impending Digital Television Transition through the establishment of a Federal interagency taskforce between the Federal Communications Commission, the Administration on Aging, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the outside advice of appropriate members of the aging network and industry groups.
Latest Action: 10/02/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12435) Bill Text A bill to improve public awareness in the United States among older individuals and their families and caregivers about the impending Digital Television Transition through the establishment of a Federal interagency taskforce between the Federal Communications Commission, the Administration on Aging, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, and the outside advice of appropriate members of the aging network and industry groups. 10/2/2007--Introduced. Preparing America's Seniors for the Digital Television Transition of [sic] Act of 2007 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), commencing not later than January 1, 2008, or 60 days after enactment, to enter into a partnership with the Administration on Aging and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to create a comprehensive nationwide public education campaign that provides information and assistance to older individuals [...] show full description S.2045 - A bill to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide greater protection for children's products, to improve the screening of noncompliant consumer products, to improve the effectiveness of consumer product recall programs, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 02/25/2008 - By Senator Inouye from Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation filed written report. Report No. 110-265. Bill Text A bill to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide greater protection for children's products, to improve the screening of noncompliant consumer products, to improve the effectiveness of consumer product recall programs, and for other purposes. 12/5/2007--Reported to Senate amended. (There is 1 other summary) CPSC Reform Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to authorize appropriations: (1) to carry out the Act; (2) for the office of Inspector General; (3) to make capital improvements to the research, development, and testing facility of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (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.[...] show full description H.R.3512 - To ensure that college textbooks and supplemental materials are available and affordable.
Latest Action: 10/23/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness. Bill Text To ensure that college textbooks and supplemental materials are available and affordable. 9/10/2007--Introduced. College Textbook Affordability and Transparency Act of 2007 - Requires publishers informing teachers at institutions of higher education about available textbooks or supplements to include written information concerning: (1) the price the publisher would charge the bookstore associated with such institution for such items; (2) the full history of revisions for such items; and (3) whether such items are available in other formats, including paperback and unbound, and the price the publisher would charge the bookstore for items |
































