All Restrictive trade practices Legislation - Federal Government
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 Comment on Bill S.3171 - A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude certain tax-exempt financing of energy transportation infrastructure from the private business use tests, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 06/19/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Bill Text A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude certain tax-exempt financing of energy transportation infrastructure from the private business use tests, and for other purposes. 6/19/2008--Introduced. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) modify tax-exempt bond financing rules to exclude from the private business use and private loan financing tests certain property used to transmit electricity or carbon dioxide or to transport crude oil and other petroleum products; and (2) reduce the state volume cap for tax-exempt bonds by the amount of bonds issued for such property.Describes the following as acts that unreasonably burden and discriminate against interstate commerce, and prohibits states, political subdivisions, and any other taxing authority from: (1) assessing natural gas pipeline property at a value that has a higher ratio to its true market value than the ratio used to assess other commercial and industrial property in the same assessment jurisdiction;[...] show full description H.R.6284 - To amend the Commodity Exchange Act to prevent price manipulation and excessive speculation and to increase transparency with respect to energy trading on foreign exchanges conducted within the United States.
Latest Action: 06/17/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. Bill Text To amend the Commodity Exchange Act to prevent price manipulation and excessive speculation and to increase transparency with respect to energy trading on foreign exchanges conducted within the United States. 6/17/2008--Introduced. Close the London Loophole Act of 2008 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to authorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), in the case of a registered entity located within the United States, and subject to CFTC jurisdiction, which trades on a foreign board of trade, exchange, or market located outside the United States, to: (1) enforce criminal prosecution of violations, including manipulation or attempted manipulation, the making of false statements, and willful violations of this Act; (2) require a person to limit, reduce, or liquidate any position to prevent or reduce the threat of price manipulation, excessive speculation, price distortion, or disruption of delivery or the cash settlement process; and (3) apply necessary recordkeeping [...] show full description S.3131 - A bill to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to ensure the application of speculation limits to speculators in energy markets, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 06/12/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5629-5630) Bill Text A bill to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to ensure the application of speculation limits to speculators in energy markets, and for other purposes. 6/12/2008--Introduced. Oil Speculation Control Act of 2008 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to define "institutional investor" as a long-term investor in financial markets (including pension funds, endowments, and foundations) that invests in energy commodities as an asset class in a portfolio of financial investments and does not take or make physical delivery of energy commodities on a frequent basis.Establishes in the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) an Office of the Inspector General.Directs the CFTC to carry out a review of the trading practices of index traders, swap dealers, and institutional investors in markets under the CFTC's jurisdiction to: (1) ensure that index trading is not adversely impacting the price discovery process; (2) determine whether different practices or regulations [...] show full description S.3130 - A bill to provide energy price relief by authorizing greater resources and authority for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 06/12/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5628) Bill Text A bill to provide energy price relief by authorizing greater resources and authority for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and for other purposes. 6/12/2008--Introduced. Increasing Transparency and Accountability in Oil Prices Act of 2008 - Expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should immediately send to Congress a request for emergency appropriations for FY2008 for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) in an amount sufficient to: (1) help restore public confidence in energy commodities markets and federal oversight of those markets; (2) potentially impose limits on excessive speculation that is increasing the price of oil, gasoline, diesel, and other energy commodities; (3) significantly improve the information technology capabilities of the CFTC to help it effectively regulate the energy futures markets; and (4) fund at least 100 new full-time positions at the CFTC to oversee energy commodity market speculation and to enforce the Commodity [...] show full description S.3129 - A bill to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to prevent price manipulation and excessive speculation and to increase transparency with respect to energy trading on foreign exchanges conducted within the United States.
Latest Action: 06/12/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5627-5628) Bill Text A bill to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to prevent price manipulation and excessive speculation and to increase transparency with respect to energy trading on foreign exchanges conducted within the United States. 6/12/2008--Introduced. Close the London Loophole Act of 2008 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to authorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), in the case of a registered entity located within the United States, and subject to CFTC jurisdiction, which trades on a foreign board of trade, exchange, or market located outside the United States, to: (1) enforce criminal prosecution of violations, including manipulation or attempted manipulation, the making of false statements, and willful violations of this Act; (2) require a person to limit, reduce, or liquidate any position to prevent or reduce the threat of price manipulation, excessive speculation, price distortion, or disruption of delivery or the cash settlement process; and (3) apply necessary [...] show full description S.3081 - A bill to establish a Petroleum Industry Antitrust Task Force within the Department of Justice.
Latest Action: 06/04/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5042-5043) Bill Text A bill to establish a Petroleum Industry Antitrust Task Force within the Department of Justice. 6/4/2008--Introduced.
Directs the Attorney General to establish a Petroleum Industry Antitrust Task Force in the Department of Justice (DOJ) to examine all issues relating to the application of federal antitrust laws to the petroleum markets, including the existence and effects of: (1) price gouging in the sales of gasoline; (2) international oil cartels; (3) collusive behavior in restricting petroleum production; (4) anticompetitive price discrimination; and (5) anticompetitive manipulation in futures markets or other trading exchanges relating to petroleum. S.3044 - A bill to provide energy price relief and hold oil companies and other entities accountable for their actions with regard to high energy prices, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 06/11/2008 - Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S5472-5517) Bill Text A bill to provide energy price relief and hold oil companies and other entities accountable for their actions with regard to high energy prices, and for other purposes. 5/20/2008--Introduced. Consumer-First Energy Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) deny major integrated oil companies (i.e., companies producing at least 500,000 barrels of crude oil daily) a tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production of oil, gas, or primary products thereof; (2) conform tax treatment of foreign oil and gas extraction income and foreign oil related income for purposes of the foreign tax credit; (3) impose a windfall profits tax on major integrated oil companies; and (4) establish an Energy Independence and Security Trust Fund funded by revenues raised by the tax provisions of this Act to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign and unsustainable energy sources and reduce the risks of global warming. Petroleum Consumer Price Gouging Protection Act - Declares [...] show full description H.R.6074 - To amend the Sherman Act to make oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 05/21/2008 - Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 744. Bill Text To amend the Sherman Act to make oil-producing and exporting cartels illegal and for other purposes. 5/20/2008--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.) Gas Price Relief for Consumers Act of 2008 - Title I: Amendment to Sherman Act - No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2008 or NOPEC - (Sec. 102) Amends the Sherman Act to make it illegal for any foreign state or instrumentality thereof to act collectively or in combination with any other foreign state or any other person, when such action has a direct, substantial, and reasonably foreseeable effect on the market, supply, price, or distribution of petroleum in the United States, to: (1) limit the production or distribution of oil, natural gas, or any other petroleum product (petroleum); (2) set or maintain the price of petroleum;[...] show full description S.2998 - A bill to require accurate and reasonable disclosure of the terms and conditions of prepaid telephone calling cards and services, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 09/10/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held. Bill Text A bill to require accurate and reasonable disclosure of the terms and conditions of prepaid telephone calling cards and services, and for other purposes. 5/8/2008--Introduced. Prepaid Calling Card Consumer Protection Act of 2008 - Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to require every prepaid telephone calling service provider and prepaid telephone calling card distributor to disclose certain information, including: (1) the number of calling units or minutes of domestic interstate calls provided or the dollar value and the domestic interstate rate per minute; (2) the calling unit or per minute rates for all served international preferred destinations; (3) the applicable per minute rates for all served international destinations; (4) all terms and conditions, including regarding fees, policies on refunds, recharges, decrements, and expiration, and time imitations; and (5) a toll-free customer service number and hours. Makes it unlawful to: (1) deduct anything but [...] show full description S.2991 - A bill to provide energy price relief and hold oil companies and other entities accountable for their actions with regard to high energy prices, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 05/12/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3988-3989) Bill Text A bill to provide energy price relief and hold oil companies and other entities accountable for their actions with regard to high energy prices, and for other purposes. 5/7/2008--Introduced. Consumer-First Energy Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) deny major integrated oil companies (i.e., companies producing at least 500,000 barrels of crude oil daily) a tax deduction for income attributable to domestic production of oil, gas, or primary products thereof; (2) conform tax treatment of foreign oil and gas extraction income and foreign oil related income for purposes of the foreign tax credit; (3) impose a windfall profits tax on major integrated oil companies; and (4) establish an Energy Independence and Security Trust Fund funded by revenues raised by the tax provisions of this Act to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign and unsustainable energy sources and reduce the risks of global warming. Petroleum Consumer Price Gouging Protection Act - Declares [...] show full description S.2976 - A bill to require the United States Trade Representative to pursue a complaint of anticompetitive practices against certain oil exporting countries.
Latest Action: 05/06/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Bill Text A bill to require the United States Trade Representative to pursue a complaint of anticompetitive practices against certain oil exporting countries. 5/6/2008--Introduced. OPEC Accountability Act - Requires the President to initiate consultations with Indonesia, Kuwait, Nigeria, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Saudi Arabia to seek their elimination of any action that: (1) limits the production or distribution of oil, natural gas, or any other petroleum product; (2) sets or maintains the price of any such product; or (3) otherwise is an action in restraint of trade with respect to such products when such action constitutes an act, policy, or practice that is unjustifiable and burdens and restricts U.S. commerce. Requires the U.S. Trade Representative to: (1) initiate World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute proceedings if the consultation is not successful with respect to any such country; and (2) take appropriate action regarding the country under [...] show full description S.2971 - A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a suspension of the highway fuel tax, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 05/02/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Bill Text A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a suspension of the highway fuel tax, and for other purposes. 5/2/2008--Introduced. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to suspend excise taxes on gasoline and diesel fuels between May 26, 2008, and September 1, 2008. Provides for reimbursement from the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund for any reduction in Trust Fund receipts resulting from such suspension.Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) consumers immediately receive the benefit of the reduction in taxes resulting from the suspension of gasoline excise taxes; and (2) transportation motor fuels producers and other dealers take necessary actions to reduce fuel prices to reflect such reduction in taxes. Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to monitor oil, diesel, and gasoline markets to: (1) ensure that consumers receive the benefit resulting from the suspension of taxes; and (2) prevent [...] show full description S.2964 - A bill to require the United States Trade Representative to pursue a complaint of anticompetitive practices against certain oil exporting countries.
Latest Action: 05/01/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Bill Text A bill to require the United States Trade Representative to pursue a complaint of anticompetitive practices against certain oil exporting countries. 5/1/2008--Introduced. OPEC Accountability Act - Requires the President to initiate consultations with Indonesia, Kuwait, Nigeria, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Saudi Arabia to seek their elimination of any action that: (1) limits the production or distribution of oil, natural gas, or any other petroleum product; (2) sets or maintains the price of any such product; or (3) otherwise is an action in restraint of trade with respect to such products when such action constitutes an act, policy, or practice that is unjustifiable and burdens and restricts U.S. commerce. Requires the U.S. Trade Representative to: (1) initiate World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute proceedings if the consultation is not successful with respect to any such country; and (2) take appropriate action regarding the country under [...] show full description S.2894 - An original bill to establish requirements for private lenders to protect student borrowers receiving private educational loans, and for other purposes.
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 Text An original bill to establish requirements for private lenders to protect student borrowers receiving private educational loans, and for other purposes. 4/21/2008--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.)Private Student Loan Transparency and Improvement Act of 2007 - Title I: Preventing Unfair and Deceptive Private Educational Lending Practices and Eliminating Conflicts of Interest - (Sec. 101) 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 [...] show full description S.2888 - A bill to protect the property and security of homeowners who are subject to foreclosure proceedings, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 04/17/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3160) Bill Text A bill to protect the property and security of homeowners who are subject to foreclosure proceedings, and for other purposes. 4/17/2008--Introduced. Foreclosure Rescue Fraud Act of 2008 - Prohibits a foreclosure consultant from: (1) receiving compensation from a homeowner for services performed regarding residential real property until such consultant has fully performed each service contracted for; (2) holding power of attorney from any homeowner, except to inspect documents; (3) receiving consideration from a third party in connection with services rendered to a homeowner by such third party with respect to the foreclosure, unless such consideration is fully disclosed in writing before such services are rendered; (4) accepting any wage assignment, lien, or other security to secure compensation for services rendered regarding foreclosure of the residential real property; or (5) acquiring any interest in the residence of a homeowner with whom the consultant has contracted.[...] show full description S.2860 - A bill to diminish predatory lending by enhancing appraisal quality and standards, to improve appraisal oversight, to ensure mortgage appraiser independence, to provide for enhanced remedies and enforcement, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 04/15/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Bill Text A bill to diminish predatory lending by enhancing appraisal quality and standards, to improve appraisal oversight, to ensure mortgage appraiser independence, to provide for enhanced remedies and enforcement, and for other purposes. 4/15/2008--Introduced. Fair Value and Independent Appraisal Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit a creditor from extending a mortgage to any consumer without first obtaining a written appraisal of the property to be mortgaged, prepared in accordance with specified requirements. Requires a creditor to provide a copy of each such appraisal to the consumer without charge, at least three days prior to the transaction closing date. Declares unfair or deceptive specified property appraisal practices in the provision of: (1) mortgage lending services for a consumer credit transaction secured by the consumer's principal dwelling; or (2) any mortgage brokerage services for such a transaction. Establishes civil monetary penalties [...] show full description S.2831 - A bill to reauthorize the Federal Trade Commission, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 04/08/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2754) Bill Text A bill to reauthorize the Federal Trade Commission, and for other purposes. 4/8/2008--Introduced. Federal Trade Commission Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to authorize appropriations to carry out the powers and duties of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and to improve technology regarding the FTC's competition and consumer protection missions. Authorizes the FTC to directly handle civil actions under the Act or to request the Attorney General do so. Allows the FTC to give appointment preference to administrative judges with antitrust or trade regulation litigation and related economic analysis experience. Permits the FTC to commence a civil action to recover civil penalties in a district court for any violation of the Act. Permits the FTC to enforce the Act against nonprofit organizations. Authorizes the FTC to operate under general federal law rulemaking and judicial review provisions instead of under [...] show full description S.2794 - A bill to protect older Americans from misleading and fraudulent marketing practices, with the goal of increasing retirement security.
Latest Action: 04/01/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2297) Bill Text A bill to protect older Americans from misleading and fraudulent marketing practices, with the goal of increasing retirement security. 4/1/2008--Introduced.
Senior Investor Protection Act of 2008 - Directs the Attorney General to establish a program of grants to states to: (1) investigate and prosecute misleading and fraudulent marketing practices; or (2) develop educational materials and training aimed at reducing misleading and fraudulent marketing of financial products toward seniors. H.R.5611 - To reform the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 10/02/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Bill Text To reform the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers, and for other purposes. 3/13/2008--Introduced. National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act of 2008 - Amends the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act to reestablish the National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers as a nonprofit corporation whose purpose is to provide a mechanism through which licensing, continuing education, and other insurance producer qualification requirements and conditions can be adopted and applied on a multi-state basis, while preserving the right of states to: (1) license, supervise, and discipline insurance producers; and (2) prescribe and enforce laws and regulations regarding insurance-related consumer protection and unfair trade practices. Sets forth membership requirements, including a mandatory criminal background check applicable to state-licensed insurance producers. Sets limits upon permissible uses of such criminal background information, and imposes [...] show full description S.2685 - A bill to prohibit cigarette manufacturers from making claims or representations based on data derived from the cigarette testing method established by the Federal Trade Commission.
Latest Action: 09/26/2008 - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Inouye without amendment. With written report No. 110-512. Bill Text A bill to prohibit cigarette manufacturers from making claims or representations based on data derived from the cigarette testing method established by the Federal Trade Commission. 9/26/2008--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.) Truth in Cigarette Labeling Act of 2008 - Prohibits a cigarette manufacturer from making any claims or other representations based on data derived from a cigarette testing method established by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) before enactment of this Act. Treats any violation as an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act and requires enforcement by the FTC. H.R.5437 - To promote alternative and renewable fuels, domestic energy production, conservation, and efficiency, to increase American energy independence, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 04/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research. Bill Text To promote alternative and renewable fuels, domestic energy production, conservation, and efficiency, to increase American energy independence, and for other purposes. 2/14/2008--Introduced. American-Made Energy Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify and set forth provisions concerning tax credits for alternative and renewable energy, nuclear power facility construction, and an advanced coal project and deductions for energy efficient commercial buildings, qualified refinery property, and oil and gas well depletion. Establishes the American-Made Energy Trust Fund.Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to repeal a provision that prohibits federal agencies from procuring alternative or synthetic fuel for any mobility-related use unless its life cycle greenhouse gas emissions are less than those for fuel from conventional petroleum sources.Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study the effects of state guaranteed profit [...] show full description H.R.5353 - To establish broadband policy and direct the Federal Communications Commission to conduct a proceeding and public broadband summits to assess competition, consumer protection, and consumer choice issues relating to broadband Internet access services, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 05/06/2008 - Subcommittee Hearings Held. Bill Text To establish broadband policy and direct the Federal Communications Commission to conduct a proceeding and public broadband summits to assess competition, consumer protection, and consumer choice issues relating to broadband Internet access services, and for other purposes. 2/12/2008--Introduced. Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2008 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to declare that it is U.S. policy to: (1) maintain the freedom to use broadband telecommunications networks, including the Internet, without unreasonable interference from or discrimination by network operators; (2) enable the United States to preserve its global leadership in online commerce and technological innovation; (3) promote the open and interconnected nature of broadband networks that enable consumers to reach, and service providers to offer, content, applications, and services of their choosing; and (4) guard against unreasonable discriminatory favoritism for, or degradation of, content by [...] show full description S.2452 - A bill to amend the Truth in Lending Act to provide protection to consumers with respect to certain high-cost loans, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 12/12/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S15235-15236) Bill Text A 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 S.2423 - A bill to facilitate price transparency in markets for the sale of emission allowances, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 12/06/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14851-14852) Bill Text A bill to facilitate price transparency in markets for the sale of emission allowances, and for other purposes. 12/6/2007--Introduced. Emission Allowance Market Transparency Act of 2007 - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate regulations to facilitate price transparency in markets for the sale of emission allowances (any allowance, credit, or other permit issued for use in offsetting the emissions of any pollutant by an individual or entity), including regulations to provide for the timely dissemination of information regarding the availability and prices of emission allowances with respect to the Administrator, state regulatory authorities, buyers and sellers of emission allowances, and the public. Directs the Administrator to use information and services provided by publishers and providers of trade processing services to the maximum extent practicable.Prohibits: (1) knowingly providing to the Administrator false information [...] show full description |
