bill_id,congress,bill_type,bill_number,title,policy_area,introduced_date,latest_action_date,latest_action_text,origin_chamber,sponsor_name,sponsor_state,sponsor_party,sponsor_bioguide_id,cosponsor_count,summary_text,update_date,url
104-s-2177,104,s,2177,Military Reservists Small Business Relief Act,Commerce,1996-09-30,1996-09-30,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business.,Senate,"Sen. Santorum, Rick [R-PA]",PA,R,S000059,0,"Military Reservists Small Business Relief Act - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), upon request, to defer repayment of a direct loan made to:  (1) an individual who is a reservist who received such loan before being called or ordered to, or retained on, active duty; or (2) a small business that received such loan before a reservist who is an owner, manager, or key employee of such small business was so called, ordered, or retained.  Extends the loan deferral period from the date the individual is so called, ordered, or retained until the later of 180 days after:  (1) such individual is released; or (2) the enactment of this Act, with no accrual of interest during such period. Authorizes the SBA to make disaster loans to assist a small business that has suffered or is likely to suffer economic injury as the result of its owner, manager, or key employee being ordered to active duty during a period of military conflict.  Limits to $500,000 the amount outstanding and committed on each loan.",2025-08-21T20:15:41Z,
104-hr-4299,104,hr,4299,Social Security On-Line Privacy Protection Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-09-28,1996-10-11,Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance.,House,"Rep. Franks, Bob [R-NJ-7]",NJ,R,F000349,3,"Social Security On-Line Privacy Protection Act of 1996 - Prohibits an interactive computer service providing computer access to multiple users via modem or other means of telecommunication to the Internet or any other on-line network from disclosing to a third party an individual's social security account number or related personally identifiable information without the individual's prior informed written consent.  Requires such service to permit an individual to revoke any consent at any time, upon which revocation such service shall cease disclosing such number or information to a third party. Gives the Federal Trade Commission enforcement authority under this Act.",2025-08-21T20:14:39Z,
104-hr-4313,104,hr,4313,Small Business Opportunity Preservation Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-09-28,1996-09-28,"Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.",House,"Rep. Meyers, Jan [R-KS-3]",KS,R,M000684,2,"Small Business Opportunity Preservation Act of 1996 -  Amends the Small Business Act to state as a policy under such Act that each Federal agency:  (1) foster the participation of small businesses as prime contractors; (2) structure its contracting requirements to facilitate competition by and among small businesses; (3) avoid contract bundling (the practice of consolidating two or more procurement requirements into a single contract likely to be unsuitable for award to a small business); and (4) comply with requirements intended to foster the participation of small businesses as subcontractors. (Sec. 4) Requires procurement strategies used by Federal agencies to facilitate the maximum participation of small businesses as prime contractors.  Requires specific information to be included in any proposed procurement strategy that reflects a bundling of contract requirements, including impediments caused to small businesses as prime contractors.  Authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to review proposed contract solicitations for compliance with such requirements and to act within 15 days toward the modification of procurement strategies to increase the probability of participation by small businesses as prime contractors.  Requires a determination not to modify a procurement strategy to be supported by specified findings and an assessment which addresses matters concerning contract bundling and its impacts on small businesses. (Sec. 5) Authorizes a small business intending to submit an offer for an anticipated bundled contract to propose to the SBA for approval a team of small business subcontractors (or a team of small businesses and other businesses whose participation may not represent more than 25 percent of the contract value) to perform the contract. (Sec. 6) Requires the Federal Procurement Data System to be modified to collect data regarding contract bundling. (Sec. 7) Requires, in a solicitation for the award of construction contracts of $1 million or other types of contracts for $500,000, the inclusion of provisions which specify minimum percentages of participation by various types of small businesses in subcontracting under such contracts.  Requires the successful offeror for such a contract to negotiate with the contracting officer in order to meet specified goals for subcontract participation by small businesses. (Sec. 8) Authorizes notice of subcontracting opportunities to be submitted for publication in the Commerce Business Daily by the appropriate prime contractors. (Sec. 9) Provides deadlines for the publication of proposed amendments made to the Federal Acquisition Regulation or to SBA regulations.",2025-08-21T20:16:01Z,
104-hr-4252,104,hr,4252,Small Business Emancipation Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-09-27,1996-10-15,Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.,House,"Rep. Hefley, Joel [R-CO-5]",CO,R,H000444,0,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Labor Provisions      Title II:  Tax Provisions Small Business Emancipation Act of 1996 - Title I:  Labor Provisions - States that the ""regular rate"" at which a small business employee (SBE) is employed shall not include sums paid under a performance plan as a reward for meeting or exceeding productivity, quality, efficiency, or sales goals. Authorizes an SBE to receive, in lieu of overtime compensation, compensatory time off at a rate of not less than one and one-half hours off for each hour of employment for which overtime compensation would have been paid.  Limits the annual accrual of compensatory time to 240 hours.  Provides for the payment of unused compensatory time upon termination. (Sec. 103) Authorizes a small business employer to establish compressed and flexible work schedules. (Sec. 104) States that a small business shall not be required to disclose to any regulatory agency any information obtained through a voluntary internal audit. (Sec. 105) Exempts laborers or mechanics employed by a small business from the provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act. (Sec. 106) Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act (the Act) to:  (1) direct the Secretary of Labor, in establishing occupational safety and health (OSH) standards, to consider the relationship between the costs and benefits of a standard and its effect on small businesses; (2) authorize the Secretary to waive up to 100 percent of an OSH violation penalty to be paid by a small business to the extent that the employer uses the amount to correct the violation; and (3) provide that an employee participation committee formed to attempt to reduce the number of OSH hazards shall not be considered a ""labor organization"" for purposes of specified labor representation provisions. Directs the Secretary to:  (1) establish and implement a program to provide technical assistance and consultative services for small business employers and employees concerning worksite OSH and compliance with the Act; (2) establish an award to be periodically made to small businesses which have implemented effective approaches to addressing OSH in the workplace; and (3) prepare and submit to the President and the Congress a report on the progress, findings, and conclusions of activities conducted under this section, along with recommendations for modifications. (Sec. 107) Prohibits a small business employer from granting preferential treatment to any individual or group on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Title II:  Tax Provisions - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to:  (1) exclude from the gross estate the value of a qualified small business interest of a decedent; (2) exclude a qualified cash or deferred arrangement from the definition of a ""top heavy plan""; and (3) provide that a trust shall not be disqualified from consideration as a qualified pension, profit-sharing, or stock-bonus plan by reason of a good faith administrative error.",2026-03-23T12:47:58Z,
104-hres-537,104,hres,537,"Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Departments of the Treasury, Defense, Commerce, and Labor should take steps to assist in increasing the competitiveness of the United States electronic inter-connections industry.",Commerce,1996-09-25,1996-10-15,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education, Training and Life-Long Learning.",House,"Rep. Meehan, Martin T. [D-MA-5]",MA,D,M000627,7,"Calls for:  (1) the Department of the Treasury, in order to assist in ensuring the financial soundness of the U.S. electronic interconnections industry, to develop an accelerated depreciation schedule to accurately reflect the depreciation of equipment used by the industry; (2) the Department of Defense to develop a dual-use technology program with the industry to upgrade the industry's technological capabilities; (3) the International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce to develop a joint industry-Government program to expand the export of goods and services of such industry; (4) the Department of Labor to develop a joint program with the industry to upgrade the training and skill levels of industry workers; and (5) the Secretaries of the Treasury, Defense, Commerce, and Labor to report to the Congress on any actions taken within their jurisdictions to increase industry competitiveness.",2025-07-21T19:44:15Z,
104-hr-4159,104,hr,4159,Boat Protection Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-09-24,1996-10-04,Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property.,House,"Rep. Saxton, Jim [R-NJ-3]",NJ,R,S000097,21,"Boat Protection Act of 1996 - Sets forth copyright provisions regarding the protection of vessel hull designs. Defines:  (1) ""plug"" as a device or model used to make a mold for the purpose of exact duplication, regardless of whether the device or model has an intrinsic utilitarian function that is not only to portray the appearance of the product or to convey information; (2) ""mold"" as a matrix or form in which a substance for material is used, regardless of whether the matrix or form has an intrinsic utilitarian function that is not only to portray the appearance of the product or to convey information; and (3) ""commercially exploit"" for purposes of this Act as the sale or offer for sale of a plug or mold after it is fixed in a vessel hull or otherwise distributed to the public for profit vessel hulls. Extends protection to an original plug or mold fixed in a vessel hull, if:  (1) the owner of the plug or mold is a national or domiciliary of the United States or of a foreign nation which is party to a protection treaty to which the United States is also a party on the date on which the plug or mold is first commercially exploited; (2) the plug or mold is first commercially exploited in the United States; or (3) the plug or mold comes within the scope of a presidential proclamation extending reciprocal protection to the works of foreign nationals, domiciliaries, or sovereign authorities. Vests exclusive rights in such plugs or molds in the owner who may transfer (in whole or in part) or bequeath such interest.  Recognizes the first registered transfer in case of a conflict. Sets the protection term for plugs or molds at ten years from the date of first commercial exploitation. Grants the owner of a plug or mold the exclusive rights to:  (1) reproduce the plug or mold; (2) import or distribute a vessel hull in which it is embodied; and (3) cause another to perform such acts. Provides that it is not an infringement of the owner's exclusive rights:  (1) to reproduce a plug or mold for purposes of teaching, analyzing, or evaluating concepts, techniques, design, or organization of components in it; or (2) to sell or otherwise dispose of a vessel hull lawfully made under this Act (without the authority of the owner of the plug or mold).  Limits the liability of an innocent purchaser of an infringing vessel hull. Permits the owner of a plug or mold to place on it a specified notice of protection, which is not a condition of protection but shall constitute prima facie evidence of notice of protection. Entitles the owner of a plug or mold whose protection has been infringed to institute a civil action.  Authorizes the award of attorney's fees to a prevailing party. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury and the U.S. Postal Service to issue regulations for the enforcement of the right to import a vessel hull in which the plug or mold is embodied.  Permits the impoundment and seizure of vessel hulls imported in violation of the owner's exclusive rights. Sets forth remedies for infringement, including temporary and permanent injunctive relief, actual damages, the award of an infringer's profits to the owner, impoundment orders, and the award of statutory damages instead of actual damages or profits in an amount not to exceed $250,000, under specified conditions. Authorizes appropriations.",2025-08-21T20:15:22Z,
104-s-2105,104,s,2105,"A bill to amend chapter 29 of title 35, United States Code, to provide for a limitation on patent infringements relating to a medical practitioner's performance of a medical activitiy.",Commerce,1996-09-24,1996-09-30,Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12023-12024),Senate,"Sen. Frist, William H. [R-TN]",TN,R,F000439,0,"Amends Federal patent law to provide that with respect to a medical practitioner's performance of a medical activity that constitutes an infringement, specified provisions relating to remedies, injunctions, and damages and attorney fees shall not apply against the practitioner or against a related health care entity with respect to such medical activity. Provides that this Act shall not apply to the activities of any person or his or her employee or agent (regardless of whether such person is a tax-exempt organization) who is engaged in the commercial development, manufacture, sale, importation, or distribution of a machine, manufacture, or composition of matter or the provision of pharmacy or clinical laboratory services (other than laboratory services provided in a physician's office), if such activities are: (1) directly related to such endeavors; and (2) regulated under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Public Health Service Act, or the Clinical Laboratories Improvement Act.",2025-07-21T19:32:26Z,
104-s-2098,104,s,2098,Women's Business Training Centers Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-09-20,1996-09-20,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business.,Senate,"Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM]",NM,R,D000407,0,"Women's Business Training Centers Act of 1996 - Amends the Small Business Act to:  (1) authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to provide financial assistance to private organizations to conduct five-year (currently, three-year) demonstration projects to benefit small businesses owned and controlled by women; (2) adjust the level of cash contributions required from Federal and non-Federal sources for each of the five years of the projects; (3) require each assistance applicant to submit a five-year (currently, three year) plan on proposed fund raising and training activities under a project; (4) allow each recipient to receive such assistance for five years (in lieu of three); and (5) increase the annual authorization of appropriations for such projects.",2025-08-21T20:14:30Z,
104-s-2103,104,s,2103,Boat Protection Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-09-20,1996-09-20,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Breaux, John B. [D-LA]",LA,D,B000780,5,"Boat Protection Act of 1996 - Sets forth copyright provisions regarding the protection of vessel hull designs. Defines:  (1) ""plug"" as a device or model used to make a mold for the purpose of exact duplication, regardless of whether the device or model has an intrinsic utilitarian function that is not only to portray the appearance of the product or to convey information; (2) ""mold"" as a matrix or form in which a substance for material is used, regardless of whether the matrix or form has an intrinsic utilitarian function that is not only to portray the appearance of the product or to convey information; and (3) ""commercially exploit"" for purposes of this Act as the sale or offer for sale of a plug or mold after it is fixed in a vessel hull or otherwise distributed to the public for profit vessel hulls.  Extends protection to an original plug or mold fixed in a vessel hull, if: (1) the owner of the plug or mold is a national or domiciliary of the United States or of a foreign nation which is party to a protection treaty to which the United States is also a party on the date on which the plug or mold is registered or first commercially exploited, whichever occurs first; (2) the plug or mold is first commercially exploited in the United States; or (3) the plug or mold comes within the scope of a presidential proclamation extending reciprocal protection to the works of foreign nationals, domiciliaries, or sovereign authorities. Vests exclusive rights in such plugs or molds in the owner who may transfer (in whole or in part) or bequeath such interest.  Recognizes the first registered transfer in case of a conflict. Sets the protection term for plugs or molds at ten years from date of registration or first commercial exploitation, whichever comes first. Grants the owner of a plug or mold the exclusive rights to:  (1) reproduce the plug or mold; (2) import or distribute a vessel hull in which it is embodied; and (3) cause another to perform such acts. Provides that it is not an infringement of the owner's exclusive rights:  (1) to reproduce a plug or mold for purposes of teaching, analyzing, or evaluating concepts, techniques, design, or organization of components in it; or (2) to sell or otherwise dispose of a vessel hull lawfully made under this Act (without the authority of the owner of the plug or mold).  Limits the liability of an innocent purchaser of an infringing vessel hull. Terminates protection of plugs or molds for which an application for registration of a claim of protection is not made within two years of first commercial exploitation. Sets forth administrative responsibilities of the Register of Copyrights. Permits the owner of a plug or mold to place on it a specified notice of protection, which is not a condition of protection but shall constitute prima facie evidence of notice of protection. Entitles the owner of a plug or mold whose protection has been infringed or whose registration of such plug or mold has been refused to institute a civil action.  Authorizes the award of attorney's fees to a prevailing party. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury and the U.S. Postal Service to issue regulations for the enforcement of the right to import a vessel hull in which the plug or mold is embodied.  Permits the impoundment and seizure of vessel hulls imported in violation of the owner's exclusive rights. Sets forth remedies for infringement, including temporary and permanent injunctive relief, actual damages, the award of an infringer's profits to the owner, impoundment orders, and the award of statutory damages instead of actual damages or profits in an amount not to exceed $250,000, under specified conditions. Makes copyright protection available to any plug or mold fixed in a vessel hull that was first commercially exploited between January 1, 1996, and January 1, 1997, if such claim is registered before January 1, 1998.",2025-08-21T20:15:37Z,
104-s-2095,104,s,2095,Government Corporation and Government Sponsored Enterprise Standards Act,Commerce,1996-09-19,1996-09-30,Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12008-12009),Senate,"Sen. Simon, Paul [D-IL]",IL,D,S000423,1,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Classifications of Government Corporations and GSES      Title II:  General Provisions      Title III:  Wholly Owned Government Corporations      Title IV:  Transitional Government Corporations      Title V:  Government Sponsored Enterprises      Title VI:  Government Corporation Control Act      Title VII:  Separability Government Corporation and Government Sponsored Enterprise Standards Act - Title I:  Classifications of Government Corporations and GSES - Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to maintain a list of all Government corporations and Government sponsored enterprises and publish such list as a part of the annual budget of the U.S. Government. Title II:  General Provisions - Reserves to the Congress the right to alter, amend or repeal any law establishing or governing the activities of a Government corporation or Government sponsored enterprise (GSE). (Sec. 202) Authorizes each newly established Government corporation or newly established GSE to establish, acquire or control the activities of a subsidiary or other affiliate only by or under a U.S. law expressly authorizing the action. Title III:  Wholly Owned Government Corporations - Subjects each newly established wholly owned Government corporation to the Government Corporation Control Act. (Sec. 303) Provides that each newly established wholly owned Government corporation shall terminate ten years after establishment, but may be extended for additional ten-year periods by the Congress. (Sec. 304) Provides for:  (1)  the general powers of each newly established wholly owned Government corporation; (2) officers and employees; (3) obligations issued or guaranteed; (4) retirement and disability contributions and contributions to the Employees' Compensation Fund; and (5) annual financial statements. (Sec. 309) Prohibits a newly established wholly owned Government corporation from engaging in new business activities before they are included in the annual budget program approved by the Congress. (Sec. 310) Authorizes appropriations to each newly established wholly owned Government corporation for each year in sums equal to certain revenues foregone by the corporation for national policy reasons to provide goods or services at prices or rates below a reasonable estimate of the cost of production. (Sec. 311) Exempts funds, accounts, receipts and outlays of newly established wholly owned Government corporations from general budget limitations upon expenditures and net lending (budget outlays), sequestration orders, or discretionary spending limits. (Sec. 312) Exempts, subject to exceptions, newly established wholly owned Government corporations, including their franchises, property and income, from all State, county, municipality or local taxation.  Requires that each such corporation make payments to State and local governments in lieu of property taxes. Title IV:  Transitional Government Corporations - Provides for each newly established transitional Government corporation to have succession for a period of five years. (Sec. 403) Directs each newly established transitional Government corporation, no later than four years after enactment of its establishing or extending statute to submit to the President and the Congress a specified strategic privatization plan.  Directs the U.S. Comptroller General to report to the Congress on the extent to which: (1) the privatization plan would result in any ongoing obligation or undue cost to the Government; and (2) the revenues gained by the Government under the plan would represent at least the net present value of the corporation. Title V:  Government Sponsored Enterprises - Provides for each newly established government sponsored enterprise (GSE) to have succession for a period of ten years, subject to review by the Congress and extension for additional ten-year periods. (Sec. 503) Requires the statute establishing any GSE to address specified financial safety and soundness issues, including requirements for Federal supervision. Requires the Secretary to contract with two nationally recognized statistical rating organizations to:  (1) assess a new GSE's ability to meet its obligations; and (2) review the new GSE's rating at least annually.  Requires each new GSE to maintain throughout its existence one of the two highest of such ratings. (Sec. 504) Requires that the Federal agency responsible for supervision of the newly established GSE or the Secretary, within one year after the establishment or extension of a GSE, to submit to the President and the Congress a strategic plan (revised and updated triennially) for the removal of Government sponsorship from the GSE. Permits a GSE that holds different views from those of the Federal agency or Secretary to prepare and submit its own strategic plan. Requires the Federal agency or the Secretary to report at least annually on any unauthorized transactions or undertakings. (Sec. 505) Mandates that an annual report be submitted by the Secretary to the Congress assessing the financial safety and soundness of the activities of all newly established GSEs and the impact of their operations on Federal borrowing. (Sec. 506) Requires each newly established GSE to have an annual audit of its financial statements by an independent accountant.  Subjects each GSE to an audit by the Comptroller General. (Sec. 507) Sets forth requirements regarding:  (1) shareholder rights; (2) equity securities; and (3) Federal investments. (Sec. 511) Subjects each newly established GSE to Federal, State, and local taxation to the same extent as other business organizations are taxed. (Sec. 512) Requires each newly established GSE to report annually to the Congress. Title VI:  Government Corporation Control Act - Amends the Government Corporation Control Act to:  (1) redefine the term ""Government corporation"" to mean a wholly owned Government corporation and a Government sponsored enterprise; (2) strike the current definition of the term ""mixed-ownership Government corporation"" and define the term ""Government sponsored enterprise"" to mean the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Farm Credit Banks, the Banks for Cooperatives of the Farm Credit System, and such other Government sponsored enterprises as the Secretary of the Treasury may designate; (3) revise audit provisions, including requiring the Comptroller General to conduct annual audits of wholly owned Government corporations; (4) exempt former mixed-ownership wholly owned government corporations from specified Federal budget and audit requirements under the Act; (5) exempt GSE's from specified requirements of the Secretary to keep accounts; and (6) delete references to ""mixed-ownership Government corporation"" and insert ""Government sponsored enterprise."" Title VII:  Separability - Sets forth separability provisions.",2025-08-21T20:16:11Z,
104-hr-4113,104,hr,4113,Consumer Internet Privacy Protection Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-09-18,1996-09-25,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Hazardous Materials.",House,"Rep. Vento, Bruce F. [D-MN-4]",MN,D,V000087,6,"Consumer Internet Privacy Protection Act of 1996 - Prohibits an interactive computer service from disclosing to a third party any personally identifiable information provided by a subscriber without the subscriber's informed written consent.  Permits the subscriber to revoke such consent at any time and requires the service to cease disclosing such information. Prohibits such service or its employee from knowingly disclosing to a third party any personally identifiable information provided by a subscriber that such service has knowingly falsified. Requires, at a subscriber's request, such service to:  (1) provide such individual with his or her personally identifiable information maintained by the service; (2) permit the subscriber to verify and to correct such information; and (3) provide to the subscriber the identity of the third party recipients of such information. Prohibits the service from charging a fee to the subscriber for making such information available. Grants the Federal Trade Commission the authority:  (1) to investigate whether a service has been or is engaged in any act or practice prohibited by this Act; and (2) if so, to issue a cease and desist order as if such service were in violation of specified provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act. Allows a subscriber aggrieved by a violation of this Act to obtain appropriate relief in a civil action.",2025-08-21T20:14:12Z,
104-sres-291,104,sres,291,"A resolution to designate November 18, 1996, as ""American Free Enterprise Day.""",Commerce,1996-09-13,1996-09-28,Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.,Senate,"Sen. Brown, Hank [R-CO]",CO,R,B000919,0,"Designates November 18, 1996, as American Free Enterprise Day.",2025-07-21T19:32:26Z,
104-hr-4071,104,hr,4071,Women's Business Training Centers Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-09-12,1996-09-12,Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.,House,"Rep. Johnson, Nancy L. [R-CT-6]",CT,R,J000163,10,"Women's Business Training Centers Act of 1996 - Amends the Small Business Act to:  (1) authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to provide financial assistance to private organizations to conduct five-year (currently, three-year) demonstration projects to benefit small businesses owned and controlled by women; (2) adjust the level of cash contributions required from Federal and non-Federal sources for each of the five years of the projects; (3) require each assistance applicant to submit a five-year (currently, three year) plan on proposed fund raising and training activities under a project; (4) allow each recipient to receive such assistance for five years (in lieu of three); and (5) increase the annual authorization of appropriations for such projects.",2025-08-21T20:14:43Z,
104-hr-4033,104,hr,4033,"To amend chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, popularly known as the Paperwork Reduction Act, to ensure that Federal agencies give priority to reducing paperwork burdens on small businesses having 50 or fewer employees.",Commerce,1996-09-05,1996-09-10,"Referred to the Subcommittee on National Economic Growth, Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs.",House,"Rep. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT-At Large]",VT,I,S000033,0,Amends the Paperwork Reduction Act to expand its coverage to include microenterprises (businesses employing 50 or fewer employees).,2025-02-04T16:54:13Z,
104-hr-3989,104,hr,3989,"To amend the Small Business Act, and for other purposes.",Commerce,1996-08-02,1996-08-02,Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.,House,"Rep. LaFalce, John J. [D-NY-29]",NY,D,L000556,0,"Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to increase the loan guarantee fee authorized to be charged by the Small Business Administration (SBA) on guaranteed loans. Amends the Small Business Guaranteed Credit Enhancement Act of 1993 to extend until September 30, 1997 the authority of the SBA to collect a fee for loan guarantees sold into the secondary market. Amends the Act to:  (1) increase the SBA fee charged to borrowers under the development company debenture program; (2) direct the SBA to impose a one-time participation charge on banks or other financial institutions providing funding under such program; and (3) direct the SBA to collect an annual fee from each development company participating in such program. Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to:  (1) authorize the SBA to charge an additional one percent per year to participants in the small business investment company program; and (2) direct the SBA to collect from a licensee a nonrefundable fee of three percent of the face amount of any leverage granted to such licensee. Amends the Act to:  (1) repeal the SBA's authority to purchase $25 million in preferred securities; and (2) earmark the authorization of $48 million for guarantees under the guaranteed debenture program. Repeals specified provisions of this Act on October 1, 1997.",2025-01-02T17:39:13Z,
104-hr-3990,104,hr,3990,To encourage the formation of private sector projects to promote the development of women's business enterprise.,Commerce,1996-08-02,1996-08-02,Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.,House,"Rep. LaFalce, John J. [D-NY-29]",NY,D,L000556,8,"Amends the Small Business Act to repeal a provision which terminates on October 1, 1997, the authority of the Small Business Administration to provide financial assistance to private organizations to conduct three-year demonstration projects for the benefit of small businesses owned and controlled by women.",2025-01-02T17:39:13Z,
104-hr-3994,104,hr,3994,Entrepreneur Development Program Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-08-02,1996-09-18,Committee Hearings Held.,House,"Rep. Meyers, Jan [R-KS-3]",KS,R,M000684,0,"Entrepreneur Development Program Act of 1996 - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to establish within the Small Business Administration (SBA) an Entrepreneur Development Program to provide comprehensive and structured business development assistance to foster the entrepreneurial development of emerging small businesses owned and controlled by individuals certified as eligible by the SBA.  States that a business meets eligibility requirements if its management and daily operations are controlled by one or more eligible individuals, an Indian tribe, or native Hawaiian organization.  Makes eligible for such assistance individuals whose net worth is no more than $250,000, excluding the value of such individual's investment in the emerging business.  Directs the SBA to develop and administer an outreach program to inform and recruit eligible businesses to apply for the Program.  Outlines provisions concerning individual eligibility requirements and application deadlines.  Limits the term of participation to five years from the date of certification as an eligible Program participant. Requires each business and participant to submit to the SBA a business plan for such emerging business, with specified contents, and to annually review and update such plan.  Requires each participant to annually:  (1) certify its continued eligibility; and (2) submit a financial statement.  Requires prompt SBA notification of a change in business ownership.  Provides a special rule for transfers to small business investment companies.  Provides for:  (1) eligibility status reviews; and (2) Program participation termination (including graduation from the Program after successful completion of Program goals). Directs the SBA Administrator to develop and implement a process for the systematic collection of data on Program operations, monitoring regularly the effectiveness of the assistance being provided to Program participants.  Requires an annual report from the Administrator to the Congress on such effectiveness. Provides conflict-of-interest restrictions between SBA employees and Program participants, with penalties for prohibited actions. (Sec. 3) Amends the Act to repeal provisions relating to procurement contracts, subcontracts to disadvantaged small business concerns, performance bonds, contract negotiations, publication, recruitment, construction subcontracts, and annual estimates.  Defines ""Indian tribe"" and ""native Hawaiian organization"" for purposes of the Act. Outlines procedures to be followed in the case of a protest against the representation by a business as a small business owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, including a hearing by the SBA's Office of Hearings and Appeals. Provides for the determination of the size of a business concern owned by an Indian tribe. Prohibits any SBA employee from taking, directing others to take, recommending, or approving any action with respect to any SBA program or activity on the basis of the political activity or affiliation of any party.  Provides penalties for such action. (Sec. 4) Requires each executive agency reporting to the Federal Procurement Data System contract actions with an aggregate value in excess of $50 million in FY 1995 or thereafter to prepare a forecast of expected contract opportunities or classes of opportunities for the next and succeeding fiscal years that small business concerns, including those owned and controlled by women or socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, are capable of performing. Requires the periodic revision of such forecast. (Sec. 5) Prohibits a small business concern meeting specified requirements (including that it is a regular dealer primarily engaged in the wholesale or retail trade that will supply the product of a domestic small business manufacturer or processor) from being denied the opportunity to submit and have considered its offer for any Federal procurement contract for the supply of a product.",2025-08-21T20:16:09Z,
104-s-2045,104,s,2045,National Small Business Regulatory Relief Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-08-02,1996-08-02,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business.,Senate,"Sen. Hatfield, Mark O. [R-OR]",OR,R,H000343,0,"National Small Business Regulatory Relief Act of 1996 - Amends the Small Business Act to establish a Small Business Regulatory Relief Council.  Directs the Environmental Protection Agency, Internal Revenue Service, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (participating agencies) to submit to the Council a five-year plan for the establishment and maintenance of a partnership with small business development centers (SBDCs) for a system of voluntary regulatory compliance (compliance).  Outlines plan contents and requires such participating agencies to ensure the nonduplication of efforts. Requires the Council to:  (1) within 30 days after a participating agency submits a plan, approve or modify such plan; (2) establish guidelines for the implementation of each plan; and (3) report annually to the President and the congressional small business committees on the types of assistance provided by SBDCs to small businesses participating in the system of compliance, as well as outreach efforts to inform small businesses of such opportunity. Requires each SBDC to:  (1) submit annually to the Council a work plan for SBDCs to carry out the system of compliance; (2) report semiannually to the Council and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration on assistance provided to small businesses by SBDCs under this Act; and (3) report annually to the Council and the Administrator on recommendations for improving the regulation of small businesses. Directs the Council to:  (1) evaluate annually the system of compliance; (2) determine whether SBDCs are performing in accordance with their compliance work plans; and (3) provide for an independent evaluation of such system after three years of operation. Requires the participating agencies to set aside specified percentages of their annual funding for FY 1997 through 2001 for compliance assistance under this Act.",2025-08-21T20:14:26Z,
104-hr-3944,104,hr,3944,To permit States to enforce certain State requirements for the labeling of bottled spring water.,Commerce,1996-08-01,1996-08-12,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Taylor, Charles H. [R-NC-11]",NC,R,T000067,0,Authorizes any State to enforce a State requirement respecting where water which is bottled must be collected before it may be labeled as spring water if such requirement is more restrictive than the Federal requirement.,2025-01-02T17:39:08Z,
104-hr-3930,104,hr,3930,Insurance Claims Privacy Protection Act,Commerce,1996-07-31,1996-08-12,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Hazardous Materials.",House,"Rep. Towns, Edolphus [D-NY-10]",NY,D,T000326,0,Insurance Claims Privacy Protection Act - Specifies the circumstances in which disclosure of insurance claims information is allowed to law enforcement agencies by insurers and by nongovernmental crime bureaus (CBs) and insurance data support organizations (IDSOs). Regulates the activities in which CBs and IDSOs may engage.  Provides for enforcement.,2025-08-21T20:14:53Z,
104-hconres-202,104,hconres,202,Expressing the sense of the Congress that United States companies should acquire technology that was developed by United States companies from those companies instead of from their overseas competitors.,Commerce,1996-07-25,1996-08-09,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Hazardous Materials.",House,"Rep. Franks, Gary A. [R-CT-5]",CT,R,F000348,1,Expresses the sense of the Congress that a U.S. company should acquire technology that has been developed by other U.S. companies with the assistance of taxpayer dollars from the company that developed it instead of from overseas sources if the U.S. source is offering a comparable product in terms of both performance and cost.,2025-01-02T17:32:45Z,
104-hr-3821,104,hr,3821,Youth Protection From Tobacco Addiction Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-07-16,1996-07-26,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Hansen, James V. [R-UT-1]",UT,R,H000172,8,"Youth Protection From Tobacco Addiction Act of 1996 - Places specified limitations on tobacco advertising, promotion, and packaging.",2025-08-21T20:14:58Z,
104-s-1961,104,s,1961,Omnibus Patent Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-07-16,1996-09-18,Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held.,Senate,"Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]",UT,R,H000338,0,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  United States Intellectual Property Organization           Subtitle A:  Establishment of the United States                Intellectual Property Organization           Subtitle B:  Effective Date; Technical Amendments           Subtitle C:  Miscellaneous Provisions      Title II:  Early Publication of Patent Applications      Title III:  Patent Term Restoration      Title IV:  Prior Domestic Commercial Use      Title V:  Patent Reexamination Reform      Title VI:  Miscellaneous Patent Provisions Omnibus Patent Act of 1996 - Title I:  United States Intellectual Property Organization - United States Intellectual Property Organization Act of 1996 - Subtitle A:  Establishment of the United States Intellectual Property Organization - Establishes the United States Intellectual Property Organization as a wholly owned Government corporation.  Requires the Organization to maintain an office in the District of Columbia metropolitan area.  Makes the Organization responsible for authorizing the transfer of up to $100,000 in any year to the State Department for special payments to international intergovernmental organizations for studies and programs to advance international cooperation concerning patents, trademarks, copyrights, and related matters.  Authorizes the Organization to retain and use all of its revenues and receipts.  Repeals specified Patent and Trademark Office surcharge restrictions under the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. (Sec. 113) Vests management of the Organization in a Commissioner of Intellectual Property (Commissioner) who shall be appointed by the President. Directs the Commissioner to take specified actions, including:  (1) advising the President of all activities of the office undertaken in response to U.S. obligations under treaties and executive agreements or which relate to cooperative programs with foreign governmental authorities responsible for granting patents, registering trademarks or copyrights, or other intellectual property rights; (2) representing the United States, at the President's direction, in international negotiations on intellectual property matters; (3) maintaining a program for identifying national security positions and providing for appropriate security clearances; (4) ensuring that the United States Patent, Trademark, and Copyright offices each prepare appropriation requests, adjust fees to provide sufficient revenues to cover expenses, and expend funds derived from such fees for only the functions of such offices; and (5) appointing Commissioners of Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights, respectively. Exempts the Organization from any administratively or statutorily imposed limitation on positions or personnel.  Subjects Organization employees to provisions governing Federal employees, with exceptions. (Sec. 114) Revises Federal provisions to establish as separate administrative units of the Organization the United States Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Offices.  Provides for the establishment of Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Office Management Advisory Boards to review the policies, goals, performance, budget, and user fees of their respective Offices and a Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences within the Patent Office.  Sets forth provisions regarding annual reporting requirements to the Congress by, and funding of, such Offices. Modifies Federal provisions regarding copyright arbitration royalty panels to:  (1) authorize the Commissioner to employ administrative law judges (ALJs) to conduct proceedings and make determinations for copyright royalty disputes; and (2) repeal provisions regarding membership and proceedings of such panels.  Sets forth provisions regarding the conduct of proceedings by ALJs, appeals, and judicial review. Establishes the Copyright Appeals Board within the Copyright Office. (Sec. 117) Sets forth provisions regarding:  (1) suits by and against the Organization; (2) funding of Organization activities; (3) management reports; (4) audits; and (5) transfer of functions, funds, and property. Subtitle B:  Effective Date; Technical Amendments - Makes this title effective four months after its enactment.  Sets forth technical and conforming amendments to Federal intellectual property law and the Satellite Home Viewer Act. Subtitle C:  Miscellaneous Provisions - Makes existing appropriations and funds for the performance of functions, programs, and activities terminated pursuant to this title available for termination expenses. Title II:  Early Publication of Patent Applications - Patent Application Publication Act of 1996 - Requires each patent application, except applications for design patents and provisional applications, to be published as soon as possible after 18 months from the earliest filing date for which a benefit is sought, except for an application that is no longer pending or one subject to a secrecy order.  Permits earlier publication at the applicant's request.  Prohibits disclosure of information concerning published applications except as determined by the Commissioner.  Prohibits, upon request by certain independent inventors at the time of filing, the publication of rejected applications, with exceptions, until three months after the Commissioner notifies the applicant.  Requires the applicant to certify that no application was or will be filed for the invention in a foreign country. Directs the Commissioner to establish appropriate procedures to ensure that this title does not create new opportunities for pre-issuance opposition that did not exist before its adoption. (Sec. 203) Entitles a patent application to claim the benefit of an earlier filing date in a foreign country if a claim, identifying the original foreign application by specifying its application number, country, and the day, month, and year of its filing, is filed in the Patent Office at any such time during the pendency of the application as is required by the Commissioner. Allows the Commissioner to:  (1) consider the failure of the applicant to file a timely claim for priority as a waiver of any such claim; (2) require the payment of a surcharge as a condition of accepting an untimely claim during such pendency; and (3) require a certified copy of the original foreign application, specification, and drawings upon which it is based, a translation if not in the English language, and such other information as necessary. Authorizes the Commissioner to determine the time period within which an amendment containing the specific reference to an earlier filed application shall be submitted. (Sec. 204) Sets forth provisions regarding provisional rights with respect to royalties, including rights based on substantially identical inventions, time limits on obtaining a reasonable royalty, and requirements for international applications (including directing the Commissioner to require the applicant to provide a copy of such application and a translation thereof). (Sec. 205) Revises Federal patent law to provide that a person shall not be entitled to a patent if the invention was described in a published patent application filed earlier by another person in the United States, with exceptions. (Sec. 208) Provides that, if the day that is 12 months after the filing date of a provisional application falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the period of pendency shall be extended to the next succeeding business day. Title III:  Patent Term Restoration - Modifies Federal patent law to restore to the patent holder any part of the term that is lost because of undue administrative delay caused by specified factors, such as an unusual administrative delay by the Patent Office in issuing the patent, subject to specified limitations. Defines ""unusual administrative delay"" as the failure to take specified actions, such as the failure to issue a patent within four months after the date on which the issue fee was paid and all outstanding requirements were satisfied. Title IV:  Prior Domestic Commercial Use - Prior Domestic Commercial Use Act of 1996 - Amends Federal patent law to create a defense to patent infringement with respect to any subject matter that would otherwise infringe one or more claims in the patent being asserted, if a person had, acting in good faith, commercially used the subject matter before the effective filing date of such patent. Specifies that the sale or other disposition of the subject matter of a patent by a person entitled to assert the defense shall exhaust the patent owner's rights to the extent they would have been exhausted had such disposition been made by the patent owner. Subjects the defense to specified limitations and qualifications regarding:  (1) the scope of the defense; (2) effective and serious preparation; (3) burden of proof; (4) abandonment of use; (5) who may assert the defense; (6) a one-year limitation; (7) unsuccessful assertion of the defense; and (8) invalidity of a patent. Title V:  Patent Reexamination Reform - Patent Reexamination Reform Act of 1996 - Amends Federal patent law to expand reexamination request authority to authorize the filing of such requests by any person on the basis of patent specification requirements except for the best mode requirement.  (Current law permits reexamination requests only on the basis of prior art.) Establishes procedures for reexamination proceedings based upon third-party (persons who are not the patent owner) requests.  Requires documents filed in such proceedings, other than the request, to be served on all parties.  Grants third-party requesters:  (1) one opportunity to file written comments not less than one month after the date of service of the patent owner's response to any Patent Office action on the merits of reexamination; and (2) the right to appeal final reexamination decisions on the same basis such right is available to patent owners. Estops a third-party requester who files a notice of appeal or who participates as a party to an appeal from asserting at a later time the invalidity of any claim determined to be patentable on appeal on any ground which was or could have been raised during reexamination. Prohibits:  (1) patent owners and third-party requesters, once an order for reexamination has been issued, from filing a subsequent reexamination request until a reexamination certificate is published; and (2) a party, once a final decision has been entered in a civil action that the party has not sustained the burden of proving the invalidity of a patent claim, from requesting reexamination on issues that were or could have been raised in the civil action. Requires the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences to review adverse decisions of examiners in reexamination proceedings and authorizes appeals to the Board by patent owners and third-party requesters with respect to reexamination decisions.  Permits appeals of Board decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Title VI:  Miscellaneous Patent Provisions - Revises provisions regarding abandonment of provisional applications to allow, notwithstanding the absence of a claim, a provisional application to be treated as a patent application, under specified conditions. (Sec. 602) Grants:  (1) benefits of an earlier filing date to an invention patent application filed in this country that has previously and regularly been filed for the same invention in a foreign country which affords similar privileges in the case of applications filed in a foreign WTO member country under specified conditions; and (2) applications for plant breeder's rights filed in such country or in a foreign UPOV Contracting Party the right of priority as a patent application, subject to the same conditions and requirements. (Sec. 603) Allows a patent to be issued for a tuber propagated plant.  Provides that, in the case of a plant patent, the grant to the patentee shall have the right to exclude others from offering the reproduced plant or any of its parts for sale throughout, or importing the plant so reproduced into, the United States. (Sec. 604) Amends:  (1) the Federal judicial code regarding just compensation for U.S. Government use of patents; and (2) Federal patent provisions to authorize electronic filing of patent and trademark documents.",2025-08-21T20:14:36Z,
104-hr-3798,104,hr,3798,National Small Business Regulatory Relief Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-07-11,1996-07-22,"Referred to the Subcommittee on National Economic Growth, Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs.",House,"Rep. Solomon, Gerald B. H. [R-NY-22]",NY,R,S000675,99,"National Small Business Regulatory Relief Act of 1996 - Amends the Small Business Act to establish a Small Business Regulatory Relief Council.  Directs the Environmental Protection Agency, Internal Revenue Service, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (participating agencies) to submit to the Council a five-year plan for the establishment and maintenance of a partnership with small business development centers (SBDCs) for a system of voluntary regulatory compliance (compliance).  Outlines plan contents and requires such participating agencies to ensure the nonduplication of efforts in such regard. Requires the Council:  (1) within 30 days after a participating agency submits a plan, to approve or modify such plan; (2) to establish guidelines for the implementation of each plan; and (3) to report annually to the President and the congressional small business committees on the types of assistance provided by SBDCs to small businesses participating in the system of compliance, as well as outreach efforts to inform small businesses of such opportunity. Requires each SBDC to:  (1) submit annually to the Council a work plan for SBDCs to carry out the system of compliance; (2) report semiannually to the Council on assistance provided to small businesses by SBDCs under this Act; and (3) report annually to the Council on recommendations for improving the regulation of small businesses. Directs the Council to:  (1) evaluate annually the system of compliance; (2) determine whether SBDCs are performing in accordance with their compliance work plans; and (3) provide for an independent evaluation of such system after three years of operation. Requires the participating agencies to set aside specified percentages of their annual funding for FY 1997 through 2001 for compliance assistance under this Act.  Provides for the deposit of such funds into the National Regulatory Relief Fund, and for appropriate Fund distributions.",2025-08-21T20:14:35Z,
104-hr-3770,104,hr,3770,Health-Care Professionals Coalition Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-07-10,1996-07-10,Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.,House,"Rep. Campbell, Tom [R-CA-15]",CA,R,C000100,0,"Health-Care Professionals Coalition Act of 1996 - Makes the antitrust laws inapplicable to:  (1) negotiations between a coalition of health-care professionals and a health-care service plan regarding the wages, rates of pay, hours of work, and other terms and conditions of a contract that requires members of the coalition to provide health-care services to beneficiaries of the plan; and (2) the coalition in carrying out such terms and conditions. Limits such exemption to a line of service:  (1) of health-care professionals and health-care professionals groups who are members of such a coalition; and (2) with respect to which there is in the relevant market a presumption of market power held by health-care service plans with which the coalition negotiates such terms and conditions.",2025-08-21T20:14:02Z,
104-hr-3719,104,hr,3719,Small Business Programs Improvement Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-06-26,1996-09-06,Received in the Senate.,House,"Rep. Meyers, Jan [R-KS-3]",KS,R,M000684,0,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Amendments to Small Business Act      Title II:  Amendments to Small Business Investment Act Small Business Programs Improvement Act of 1996 - Title I: Amendments to Small Business Act - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a loan risk management data base capable of providing timely and accurate information for identifying loan underwriting, collections, recovery, and liquidation problems. Outlines information to be maintained in such data base.  Provides deadlines for data base operational capability. (Sec. 103) Provides for suspension and revocation of a designation of a certified lender.  Allows such lenders to use uniform and simplified loan forms. Authorizes the Administrator to carry out the low documentation loan program for loans of $100,000 or less only through preferred or certified lenders, or lenders with significant experience making small business loans.  Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations defining the experience necessary for lenders other than preferred or certified lenders.  Authorizes lenders participating in the certified lenders program to liquidate loans guaranteed by the SBA, subject to specified approval from the Administrator.  Directs the Administrator to establish and monitor annually the subsidy rate for the low documentation loan program independently of other loans authorized by the SBA. Prohibits more than ten percent of the total small business loans guaranteed by the SBA in a fiscal year from being awarded as part of an SBA pilot program commenced on or after October 1, 1996. States that the Administrator may not prohibit a lender from securitizing the non-guaranteed portion of any SBA loan.  Directs the SBA to require all lenders securitizing such loans, or requesting SBA approval of such securitization, to retain loss exposure of up to ten percent of the amount of the loan, to be applicable uniformly to both depository institutions and other lenders.  Provides a loss exposure exception when the Administrator has determined that the lender has otherwise retained an acceptable level of loss exposure. Limits the service fees to be paid to the lender in the event of SBA payment of a claim under an SBA-guaranteed loan.  Provides for appropriate interest payments for banks or other institutions making a claim for payment on such a loan. Directs the Administrator to:  (1) submit to the Senate and House Small Business Committees (small business committees) a detailed plan for consolidating in one or more centralized centers the performance of the various loan servicing functions with respect to SBA-guaranteed loans; and (2) issue a request for proposals regarding the Preferred Lender standard review program. Requires the Administrator to conduct, through a private contractor, a comprehensive assessment of the performance of SBA small business loan programs, addressing specified matters, including default rates.  Requires a report concerning such assessment:  (1) from the contractor to the Administrator; and (2) from the Administrator to the small business committees. Requires a report from the General Accounting Office to the small business committees concerning loans guaranteed under the Preferred Lenders Program or otherwise by the SBA and liquidated by the preferred lenders or the SBA. (Sec. 104) Amends the SBA disaster loan program to provide a revised interest rate for disasters commencing after October 1, 1996. Directs the Administrator to conduct a demonstration program under which a sample of SBA private sector loans are evaluated to determine the costs and benefits of having the SBA's portfolio of disaster loans serviced under contract rather than directly by SBA employees. Requires interim and final reports from the Administrator to the small business committees with respect to results of such demonstration program. (Sec. 105) Revises the technical assistance grant and spending limitation requirements under the Microloan Demonstration Program (a program providing grants to women, low-income, and other underprivileged and minority businesses).  Directs the Administrator to implement, or submit a detailed report explaining the impediments to the implementation of, a guaranteed microloan pilot program examining any necessary statutory changes required for such program. Prohibits microloan program funding until such report is submitted. (Sec. 106) Amends the Small Business Development Center Program to: (1) provide that the Associate Administrator for Small Business Development Centers shall be responsible for the management and administration of such program and shall not be subject to the approval or concurrence of SBA officials; (2) replace references to the Deputy Associate Administrator of the Small Business Development Center program and the Deputy Associate Administrator for Management Assistance with references to the Associate Administrator; and (3) prohibit the SBA, after FY 2000, from renewing or extending any cooperative agreement with a center that has not been approved under a certification program.  Provides for a waiver of such prohibition by the Associate Administrator when the center is making a good faith effort to obtain certification. (Sec. 107) Repeals the authority of the SBA to hold seminars to make small businesses aware of opportunities under the small business development center program. (Sec. 108) Amends the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program Act of 1988 to:  (1) extend such Program through FY 2000; (2) revise the establishment and termination dates of a simplified data collection system under such Program; (3) include landscape architecture within the architectural and engineering services covered under the Program; and (4) extend reporting requirements under the Program to conform with the Program's extension. (Sec. 109) Repeals on September 29, 1996, a provision of the Small Business Guaranteed Credit Enhancement Act of 1993 which was to repeal, on September 30, 1996, provisions of such Act relating to the authority of the SBA to impose secondary marketing fees and to reduce loan guarantee percentages. (Sec. 110) Extends through FY 1998 the authorization of appropriations for specified small business loan programs under the Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. (Sec. 111) Provides the SBA level of participation for loans made on a deferred basis under the Export Working Capital Program. Title II:  Amendments to Small Business Investment Act - Amends provisions of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 relating to the development company debenture program to require that not less than 50 percent of the total cost of plant acquisition, construction, conversion, or expansion projects under such program be derived from State or local governments, banks or other financial institutions, foundations or other nonprofit institutions, or the small business concern receiving assistance through a body authorized under the program.  Provides specified requirements with respect to the funding derived from a participating small business concern.  Increases the loan guarantee fee authorized to be collected by the SBA for development company debentures.  Authorizes the SBA to:  (1) impose a one-time participation fee on all participating institutions named above other than a small business concern; and (2) collect annually from each development company a specified percentage of the outstanding balance of any guaranteed debenture authorized by the SBA after September 30, 1996. (Sec. 203) Provides required actions upon default of a debenture guaranteed by the SBA, including purchase or acceleration of the debenture and prepayment penalties. (Sec. 204) Directs the Administrator to carry out a loan liquidation pilot program with respect to no less than 15 development companies authorized to make loans and issue debentures under the Act.  Authorizes participating development companies, as part of the pilot program, to perform all liquidation and foreclosure functions with respect to loans guaranteed by the SBA, subject to certain prior notification to and approval by the SBA.   Outlines SBA authority under the pilot program.  Requires a report from the Administrator to the small business committees on the pilot program. (Sec. 205) Amends a provision of the Act relating to the registration of certificates representing ownership of a portion of one or more SBA-guaranteed small business loans to state that nothing shall prohibit the utilization of a book entry or other electronic form of registration for such certificates.  Authorizes the Administrator to use the book-entry system of the Federal Reserve System.  Provides identical book-entry authority (without reference to the use of the Federal Reserve System) for certificates sold under the small business investment company program and the development company program. (Sec. 206) Directs the SBA to act promptly upon an application from a surety to participate in the Preferred Surety Bond Guarantee Program. Authorizes the SBA to reduce the allotment of bond guarantee authority or terminate the participation of a surety in the Program. (Sec. 207) Expresses the sense of the Congress that the subsidy models prepared by the Office of Management and Budget relative to SBA loan programs overestimate and overemphasize potential and historical losses under such programs.  Mandates an independent study to more accurately reflect the budgetary implications of such programs.",2025-04-07T15:30:29Z,
104-hr-3720,104,hr,3720,Small Business Investment Company Reform Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-06-26,1996-07-10,Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.,House,"Rep. Meyers, Jan [R-KS-3]",KS,R,M000684,0,"Small Business Investment Company Reform Act of 1996 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to revise and add definitions. (Sec. 3) Includes as a small business investment company (SBIC) a limited liability company organized and operated in accordance with a State statute approved by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Requires each SBIC license applicant to apply to the SBA Administrator.  Requires the Administrator to provide a status report to such applicant within 90 days and to act on such application within a reasonable time.  Specifies matters to be considered.  Provides application approval procedures for certain applicants with private capital of not less than $3 million. Repeals a provision authorizing the organization and chartering of SBICs formed to provide financing to socially or economically disadvantaged persons. (Sec. 4) Increases the private capital requirement of SBICs to: (1) $5 million; or (2) $10 million, for applicants seeking authority to issue participating securities to be purchased or guaranteed by the SBA (with an exception in special circumstances and for good cause).  Requires the Administrator to determine the adequacy of the private capital of each licensee.  Authorizes the Administrator to exempt from the private capital requirements licensees:  (1) with private capital of not less than $2.5 million; (2) that certify that at least 50 percent of financing will be provided to smaller enterprises; and (3) that have a record of profitable operations and that have not committed any serious or continuing violations of Federal or State law, and that such action would not create an unreasonable risk of default or loss for the U.S. Government.  Prohibits any licensee with less than $2.5 million in private capital from receiving additional leverage from the SBA.  Directs the Administrator to ensure that the management of each SBIC licensee is sufficiently diversified from and unaffiliated with licensee ownership. (Sec. 5) Requires the Administrator to:  (1) prohibit a licensee having outstanding leverage (debentures or securities guaranteed by the SBA) from incurring third party debt that creates or contributes to an unreasonable risk of default or loss for the Government; and (2) permit such licensees to incur third party debt only on established terms and conditions.  Directs the Administrator:  (1) to require each licensee, as a condition of approval of an application for leverage, to certify that not less than 20 percent of its financing will be provided to smaller enterprises; and (2) before approving such applications, to determine to what extent the applicant's private capital has been impaired.  Provides, with respect to SBIC debentures or securities purchased and guaranteed by the SBA, for:  (1) a revised equity investment requirement; (2) a leverage fee; and (3) calculation of the appropriate subsidy rate. (Sec. 7) Allows qualified private sector entities to assist the Investment Division of the SBA in the examination of SBICs.  Requires each SBIC licensee to submit semiannual valuations of its loans and investments, except that licensees with no outstanding leverage shall submit such valuations annually.  Requires a licensee to notify the Administrator quarterly of material adverse changes in its loans, investments, or operations. Provides independent certification and audit requirements for SBICs. Requires valuation criteria to be established or approved by the Administrator. (Sec. 8) Directs the Administrator to submit to the congressional small business committees a detailed plan to expedite the orderly liquidation of all licensee assets in liquidation, including those held in receivership or trust by the SBA.  Requires the Comptroller General to report to such committees on the activities and expenditures of the receiver's agents employed by or under contract with the Investment Division of the SBA. (Sec. 9) Repeals a provision authorizing the issuer of preferred stock purchased by the SBA to redeem or repurchase such stock for an amount less than the stock's par value.",2025-08-21T20:14:02Z,
104-hr-3702,104,hr,3702,Equal Surety Bond Opportunity Act,Commerce,1996-06-24,1996-09-04,Referred to the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.,House,"Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]",DC,D,N000147,0,Equal Surety Bond Opportunity Act - Prohibits any surety from discriminating against any applicant based upon specified factors. Establishes:  (1) civil liability for violation of this Act; and (2) administrative enforcement procedures.,2025-08-21T20:15:13Z,
104-hr-3685,104,hr,3685,Communications Privacy and Consumer Empowerment Act,Commerce,1996-06-20,1996-06-28,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Hazardous Materials.",House,"Rep. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA-7]",MA,D,M000133,0,Communications Privacy and Consumer Empowerment Act - Directs the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission to take action through proceedings to ensure that consumer privacy rights are protected in new telecommunications services and systems.,2025-08-21T20:15:32Z,
104-s-1885,104,s,1885,Prosthetic Limb Access Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-06-19,1996-06-19,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]",OK,R,I000024,13,"Prosthetic Limb Access Act of 1996 - Shields certain nonprofit providers, practitioners (health care professionals associated with such provider), or nonprofit organizations from liability for harm to a claimant caused by a recycled prosthetic device, except in cases of intentional wrongdoing that was the proximate cause of the harm. Makes this Act applicable to any civil action brought by a claimant in a Federal or State court against a nonprofit provider or practitioner for harm allegedly caused by a recycled prosthetic device or against a nonprofit organization that made a referral to a provider or practitioner that involved such a device that allegedly caused harm. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) preemption; and (2) procedures for dismissal of civil actions.",2025-08-21T20:14:18Z,
104-hr-3607,104,hr,3607,"To amend chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, popularly known as the Paperwork Reduction Act, to ensure that Federal agencies give priority to reducing paperwork burdens on small businesses having 50 or fewer employees.",Commerce,1996-06-10,1996-06-13,"Referred to the Subcommittee on National Economic Growth, Natural Resources and Regulatory Affairs.",House,"Rep. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT-At Large]",VT,I,S000033,0,Amends the Paperwork Reduction Act to expand its coverage to include microenterprises (businesses employing 50 or fewer employees).,2025-02-04T16:54:13Z,
104-s-1840,104,s,1840,Federal Trade Commission Reauthorization Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-06-05,1996-07-31,Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 552.,Senate,"Sen. Pressler, Larry [R-SD]",SD,R,P000513,5,Federal Trade Commission Reauthorization Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1997 and 1998 for the Federal Trade Commission.,2025-08-21T20:15:03Z,
104-hr-3553,104,hr,3553,Federal Trade Commission Reauthorization Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-05-30,1996-10-01,Became Public Law No: 104-216.,House,"Rep. Oxley, Michael G. [R-OH-4]",OH,R,O000163,1,Federal Trade Commission Reauthorization Act of 1996 - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to authorize appropriations for FY 1997 and 1998 for the Federal Trade Commission.,2025-08-21T20:14:16Z,
104-hr-3531,104,hr,3531,Database Investment and Intellectual Property Antipiracy Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-05-23,1996-05-23,Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.,House,"Rep. Moorhead, Carlos J. [R-CA-27]",CA,R,M000926,5,"Database Investment and Intellectual Property Antipiracy Act of 1996 - Specifies that a database is subject to this Act if it is the result of a substantial investment of human, technical, financial, or other resources in the collection, assembly, verification, organization, or presentation of the database contents and the database is used or reused in commerce. (Sec. 4) Prohibits, without the owner's authorization:  (1) extracting, using, or reusing all or a substantial part of the contents of a database in a manner that conflicts with the owner's normal exploitation of, or that adversely affects the actual or potential market for, the database (normal exploitation); (2) engaging in the repeated or systematic extraction, use, or reuse of insubstantial parts of the contents in a manner that cumulatively conflicts with the owner's normal exploitation; or (3) procuring, directing, or committing any such prohibited act. (Sec. 5) Allows a lawful user of a database made available to the public or placed in commercial use to extract, use, or reuse insubstantial parts of its contents, subject to specified limitations. (Sec. 6) Specifies that:  (1) a database becomes subject to this Act when the necessary investment has been made to qualify its maker as such, and shall remain subject to this Act for a 25-year period; and (2) any change of commercial significance to a database shall make the resulting database subject to this Act for the applicable term. (Sec. 7) Provides civil remedies for violation of section 4. (Sec. 8) Sets penalties for willfully violating section 4 for direct or indirect commercial advantage or financial gain, or thereby causing loss or damage to an owner aggregating $10,000 or more in any one-year calendar period. (Sec. 10) Prohibits circumventing, without the authority of the owner or the law, database protection systems. (Sec. 11) Prohibits knowingly:  (1) providing, or publicly distributing or importing for public distribution, false database management information; and (2) removing or altering database management information without authority of the owner or the law. (Sec. 12) Authorizes civil actions by persons injured by violations of section 10 or 11. (Sec. 13) Sets penalties for violations of section 11 with intent to defraud. (Sec. 14) Bars any action under this Act unless commenced within three years after the owner knew or should have known of the claim.",2025-08-21T20:15:17Z,
104-hr-3515,104,hr,3515,Consumer Automobile Leasing Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-05-22,1996-05-31,Referred to the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.,House,"Rep. LaFalce, John J. [D-NY-29]",NY,D,L000556,8,"Consumer Automobile Leasing Act of 1996 - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) to include in the definition of ""consumer lease"" contracts not exceeding $50,000 (currently, not exceeding $25,000). Modifies requirements regarding consumer lease disclosures and advertising and imposes new requirements applicable to automobile lease disclosures and advertising. Prohibits any stipulation, provision, or term of any lease from waiving a lessor's liability or depriving a lessee of any right or benefit under Federal or State law. Amends the Truth in Lending Act (title I of the CCPA) to limit the total civil liability for violation of any consumer lease provision requirement to $10,000. Mandates model disclosure forms. Requires a study and report to the Congress on the feasibility of instituting a procedure for standardizing the terms and costs of automobile leases similar to unit pricing for consumer perishable goods.",2025-08-21T20:17:02Z,
104-s-1784,104,s,1784,Small Business Investment Company Improvement Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-05-20,1996-07-26,Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.,Senate,"Sen. Bond, Christopher S. [R-MO]",MO,R,B000611,0,"Small Business Investment Company Improvement Act of 1996 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (the Act) to revise and add definitions. (Sec. 3) Includes as a small business investment company (SBIC) a limited liability company organized and operated in accordance with a State statute approved by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Requires each SBIC license applicant to apply to the SBA Administrator.  Requires the Administrator to provide a status report to such applicant within 90 days and to act on such application within a reasonable time.  Specifies matters to be considered.  Provides application approval procedures for certain applicants with private capital of not less than $3 million. Repeals a provision authorizing the organization and chartering of SBICs formed to provide financing to socially or economically disadvantaged persons. (Sec. 4) Increases the private capital requirement of SBICs to: (1) $5 million; or (2) $10 million, for applicants seeking authority to issue participating securities to be purchased or guaranteed by the SBA (with an exception in special circumstances and for good cause). Requires the Administrator to determine the adequacy of the private capital of each licensee.  Authorizes the Administrator to exempt from the private capital requirements licensees:  (1) that certify that at least 50 percent of such financing will be provided to smaller enterprises; and (2) that have a record of profitable operations, that have not committed any serious or continuing violations of Federal or State law, and when such exemption would not create or contribute to unreasonable risk of default or loss to the Government.  Directs the Administrator to ensure that the management of each SBIC licensee is sufficiently diversified from and unaffiliated with licensee ownership. (Sec. 5) Requires the Administrator to:  (1) prohibit a licensee having outstanding leverage (debentures or securities guaranteed by the SBA) from incurring third party debt that creates or contributes to an unreasonable risk of default or loss to the Government; and (2) permit such licensees to incur third party debt only on established terms and conditions.  Directs the Administrator:  (1) to require each licensee, as a condition of approval of an application for leverage, to certify that not less than 20 percent of its financing will be provided to smaller enterprises; and (2) before approving such applications, to determine to what extent the applicant's private capital has been impaired.  Provides, with respect to SBIC debentures or securities purchased and guaranteed by the SBA, for:  (1) a revised equity investment requirement; (2) a leverage fee; and (3) calculation of the appropriate subsidy rate. (Sec. 7) Allows qualified private sector entities to assist the Investment Division of the SBA in the examination of SBICs.    Requires each SBIC licensee to submit semiannual valuations of its loans and investments, except that licensees with no outstanding leverage shall submit such valuations annually.  Requires a licensee to notify the Administrator quarterly of material adverse changes in its loans, investments, or operations.  Provides independent certification and audit requirements for SBICs.  Requires valuation criteria to be established or approved by the Administrator. (Sec. 8) Directs the Administrator to submit to the congressional small business committees a detailed plan to expedite the orderly liquidation of all licensee assets in liquidation, including those held in receivership or trust by the Administrator. (Sec. 9) States that nothing in the Act shall prohibit the utilization of a book entry or other electronic form of registration for trust certificates. (Sec. 11) Allows the Administrator, with respect to deferred participation loans, to authorize participating lending institutions to service loans on behalf of the Administrator.  Amends the Small Business Act to increase the authorization of appropriations for the guarantee of debentures. (Sec. 12) Amends the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program Act of 1988 to extend such Program through FY 1997.",2025-04-07T15:22:56Z,
104-hr-3468,104,hr,3468,Biomaterials Access Assurance Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-05-16,1996-05-23,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Hazardous Materials, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.",House,"Rep. Gekas, George W. [R-PA-17]",PA,R,G000121,43,"Biomaterials Access Assurance Act of 1996 - Provides that, in any civil action, a biomaterials supplier (one who supplies components or raw materials used to manufacture implants) may raise any defense provided under this Act. Exempts a biomaterials supplier from liability for harm to a claimant caused by an implant, with exceptions in the case of a supplier who:  (1) is a registered manufacturer of the implant; (2) is a seller of the implant and who held title to the implant at the time of sale (or is related by common ownership or control to such a seller); or (3) furnishes raw materials or components that fail to meet applicable contractual requirements or specifications.  States that a supplier may be considered a manufacturer of an implant, for purposes of such civil actions, only if the supplier has registered with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and included the implant on a list of devices filed pursuant to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.  Requires claimant payment of attorney's fees if the court finds the claim to be without merit and frivolous.",2025-08-21T20:15:36Z,
104-s-1767,104,s,1767,Sports Antitrust Reform Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-05-16,1996-05-16,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]",UT,R,H000338,0,"Sports Antitrust Reform Act of 1996 - Amends the Clayton Act to: (1) authorize a professional sports league to establish a rule authorizing the league membership to decide whether or not a member team may be relocated outside of its home territory and requiring anyone seeking to change the home territory of that member team to obtain the league's approval; and (2) make the antitrust laws inapplicable to any such rule. Sets forth requirements regarding:  (1) requests for relocation approval; (2) procedures for approving or disapproving requests (including criteria to be considered, such as the extent to which fan loyalty and support for the member team have been demonstrated, the extent to which the member team has received public financial support, and whether the stadium or arena authority (if public) is opposed to the relocation); (3) hearings; and (4) judicial review.",2025-08-21T20:15:51Z,
104-hr-3460,104,hr,3460,Moorhead-Schroeder Patent Reform Act,Commerce,1996-05-15,1996-09-12,"Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 423.",House,"Rep. Moorhead, Carlos J. [R-CA-27]",CA,R,M000926,21,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Patent and Trademark Office Government Corporation           Subtitle A:  United States Patent and Trademark Office           Subtitle B:  Effective Date; Technical Amendments           Subtitle C:  Miscellaneous Provisions      Title II:  Early Publication of Patent Applications      Title III:  Prior Domestic Commercial Use      Title IV:  Inventor Protection      Title V:  Patent Reexamination Reform      Title VI:  Miscellaneous Patent Provisions Moorhead-Schroeder Patent Reform Act -  Title I:  Patent and Trademark Office Government Corporation - Patent and Trademark Office Government Corporation Act of 1996 - Subtitle A:  United States Patent and Trademark Office - Reestablishes the Patent and Trademark Office as a wholly owned Government corporation under the policy guidance of the Secretary of Commerce, except as otherwise provided in this title. Requires the Office to maintain an office in the District of Columbia metropolitan area.  Makes the Office responsible, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, for authorizing the transfer of not to exceed $100,000 in any year to the State Department to make special payments to international intergovernmental organizations for studies and programs for advancing international cooperation concerning patents, trademarks, and related matters.  Authorizes the Office to retain and use all of its revenues and receipts, subject to the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. (Sec. 113) Vests management of the Office in the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks who shall be appointed by the President for a five-year term.  Directs the Commissioner to designate a Deputy Commissioner for Patents, a Deputy Commissioner for Trademarks, and an Inspector General. Exempts the Office from any administratively or statutorily imposed limitation on positions or personnel.  Provides that Office employees shall not be subject to provisions governing Federal employees, except for provisions governing:  (1) employment of relatives (restrictions); (2) withholding pay; (3) employment limitations and political activities; (4) labor-management relations (under specified conditions); (5) political recommendations; and (6) flexible and compressed work schedules. (Sec. 114) Requires the Office to have a Management Advisory Board to review and report annually to the President and specified congressional committees on the Office's policies, goals, performance, budget, and user fees and to advise the Commissioner. (Sec. 115) Repeals provisions subjecting the Commissioner's performance (including regulations governing agents and attorneys representing the Office) to the direction or approval of the Secretary of Commerce. (Sec. 116) Revises the composition of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to include the Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner for Patents, the Deputy Commissioner for Trademarks, and appointed members. (Sec. 117) Sets forth provisions regarding:  (1) revised membership of the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences; (2) suits by, and against, the Office; (3) annual report disclosure of the purposes for which receipts were spent; (4) the Commissioner's discretion to designate attorneys who are officers or employees of the Office to conduct hearings relating to suspension or exclusion from practice of certain individuals; (5) receipts, expenditures, and borrowing authority of the Office; (6) annual audit and congressional reporting requirements; and (7) the transfer to the Office of Department of Commerce functions, powers, duties, funds, and property related to the authority and functions which are vested in the Office by this title. Subtitle B:  Effective Date:  Technical Amendments - Makes this title effective four months after its enactment. (Sec. 132) Makes technical and conforming amendments. Subtitle C:  Miscellaneous Provisions - Makes existing appropriations and funds for the performance of functions, programs, and activities terminated pursuant to this title available for their duration for necessary expenses in connection with such actions. Title II:  Early Publication of Patent Applications - Patent Application Publication Act of 1996 - Requires each patent application, except applications for design patents and provisional applications, to be published as soon as possible after 18 months from the earliest filing date for which a benefit is sought, except for an application that is no longer pending or one subject to a secrecy order.  Permits earlier publication at the applicant's request. Prohibits disclosure of information concerning published applications except as determined by the Commissioner.  Prohibits, upon request by certain independent inventors at the time of filing, the publication of rejected applications, with specified exceptions, until three months after the Commissioner notifies the applicant.  Requires the applicant to certify that no application was or will be filed in a foreign country for the invention. Authorizes the Commissioner to establish appropriate procedures to ensure that this title does not create new opportunities for pre- issuance opposition that did not exist before its adoption. (Sec. 203) Entitles a patent application to claim the benefit of an earlier filing date in a foreign country if a claim, identifying the original foreign application by specifying its application number, country, and the day, month, and year of its filing, is filed in the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) at any such time during the pendency of the application as is required by the Commissioner.  Allows the Commissioner to:  (1) consider the failure of the applicant to file a timely claim for priority as a waiver of any such claim; (2) require the payment of a surcharge as a condition of accepting an untimely claim during such pendency; and (3) require a certified copy of the original foreign application, specification, and drawings upon which it is based, a translation if not in the English language, and such other information as necessary. Authorizes the Commissioner to determine the time period within which an amendment containing the specific reference to an earlier filed application shall be submitted. (Sec. 204) Specifies that a patent shall include the right to obtain a reasonable royalty from any person who, during the period beginning on the date of publication of the application or, in the case of an international application designating the United States, the date of its international publication until issue of the patent:  (1) makes, uses, or sells in the United States the invention as claimed in the published application or imports such an invention into the United States, or if the invention as claimed in the published application is a process, uses or sells in or imports into the United States products made by that process as claimed in such application; and (2) had actual notice of the published patent application and, where the right arising under this paragraph is based upon an international application designating the United States that is published in a language other than English, a translation of such application into the English language.  Makes the right to obtain a reasonable royalty:  (1) unavailable unless the invention claimed in the patent is substantially identical to that claimed in the published application; and (2) available only in an action brought within six years after the patent is issued.  Specifies the commencement date of the period for obtaining a royalty based upon the publication under the treaty of an international application designating the United States. (Sec. 205)Provides that a person shall not be entitled to a patent if the invention was described in a published patent application by another filed in the United States, or in a published international application, before the invention thereof by the applicant. Provides that:  (1) an international application filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty of 1970 shall have the same effect as a published national application only if such application designating the United States was published under such Treaty in the English language; and (2) a patent granted on such application shall have the same effect. (Sec. 206) Directs the Commissioner to recover the cost of early publication by adjusting the filing, issue, and maintenance fees, by charging a separate publication fee, or by any combination of such fees. (Sec. 208) Provides for the extension of the term of a patent the issue of which is delayed due to an unusual administrative delay by the PTO.  Limits to ten years the total duration of extensions which result from administrative or judicial review, an unusual administrative delay by PTO, or from both instances. Reduces the extension period by an amount equal to the time in which the applicant failed to engage in reasonable efforts (current law provides a reduction for lack of due diligence) to conclude processing of the application. Prohibits the extension of a patent the term of which has been disclaimed beyond the expiration date of the disclaimer. (Sec. 209) Requires the Commissioner to prescribe regulations to provide for the further limited reexamination of a patent application.  Allows the Commissioner to establish appropriate fees for such activity and to provide a 50 percent reduction in such fees for small qualified entities. Title III:  Prior Domestic Commercial Use - Prior Domestic Commercial Use Act of 1996 - Amends Federal patent law to create a defense to patent infringement with respect to any subject matter that would otherwise infringe one or more claims in the patent being asserted, if a person had, acting in good faith, commercially used the subject matter before the effective filing date of such patent. Specifies that the sale or other disposition of the subject matter of a patent by a person entitled to assert the defense shall exhaust the patent owner's rights to the extent they would have been exhausted had such disposition been made by the patent owner.  Subjects the defense to specified limitations and qualifications, including that the defense asserted is not a general license under all claims of the patent at issue, but extends only to the subject matter claimed in the patent, and that a person may not assert such a defense unless the subject matter on which the defense is based had been commercially used or reduced to practice more than one year prior to the effective date of the filing of the patent by the person asserting the defense. Specifies other limitations regarding:  (1) the burden of proof (on the person asserting the defense); (2) abandonment of use; (3) who may assert the defense (it is a personal defense); (4) unsuccessful assertion of the defense (directs the court to find the case exceptional for purposes of awarding attorney's fees); and (5) invalidity of a patent (a patent shall not be deemed invalid solely because a defense is established under this title). Title IV:  Inventor Protection - Inventor Protection Act of 1996 - Requires that every contract for invention development services be in writing and that a copy of the signed written contract be given to the customer at the time the customer enters into the contract. Directs the invention developer to:  (1) state in the contract whether the usual business practice is either to seek more than one contract in connection with an invention or to seek to perform services in one or more phases; and (2) supply to the customer a copy of the written document, including the usual business terms of contracts and the approximate amount of the usual fees for services provided. Allows a customer to terminate the contract by sending a written letter to the invention developer stating the individual's intent to cancel.  (Requires the letter to be deposited with the U.S. Postal Service on or before five business days after the execution date of the contract, whichever is later.) Calls for the invention developer or a third party representing the invention developer to deem delivery of a promissory note, check, bill of exchange, or negotiable instrument of any kind as payment on the date received. Prescribes language and information that must be included in a cover notice on every such contract. Requires the developer to deliver at quarterly intervals a written report for every contract which shall include:  (1) a description of the services performed and those yet to be performed; and (2) the name and address of each entity to whom the subject matter has been disclosed. Mandates that each contract include:  (1) the terms and conditions of payment and contract termination rights; (2) a statement that the customer may avoid entering into the contract by not making a payment to the developer; (3) a concise description of the specific acts or services the developer undertakes; (4) a statement as to whether the developer undertakes to construct, sell, or distribute one or more prototypes, models, or devices embodying the invention; (5) the name and place of business of the developer and any entity that may perform any of the services; (6) a statement of the developer's representation of estimated or projected customer earnings and the data upon which such representation is based; (7) the name and address of the custodian of all records and correspondence relating to the contract; and (8) a statement setting forth a schedule for performance of services. Renders any such contract voidable if it:  (1) does not comply with applicable provisions; (2) is entered into in reliance upon any material false, fraudulent, or misleading information, representation, notice, or advertisement; (3) is made by an unenrolled invention developer; or (4) provides for filing for and obtaining utility, design, or plant patent protection unless the developer offers to perform or performs such act through a registered patent attorney or agent.  Deems any waiver by the customer of any provision of this chapter contrary to public policy void, and unenforceable. Permits any customer who is injured by a developer's violation of this chapter or by any material false or fraudulent statement, representation, or omission of material fact by a developer to recover in a civil action against the developer, in addition to reasonable costs and attorney's fees, the greater of $5,000 or the amount of actual damages sustained by the customer. Makes an act by invention developers who knowingly provide any false or misleading statement, representation, or omission of material fact to a customer or who fail to make all the disclosures required under this chapter a misdemeanor subject to a $10,000 fine for each offense. Title V:  Patent Reexamination Reform - Patent Reexamination Reform Act of 1996 - Amends Federal patent law to expand reexamination request authority to authorize the filing of such requests by any person on the basis of patent specification requirements except for the best mode requirement.  (Current law permits reexamination requests only on the basis of prior art.) Establishes procedures for reexamination proceedings based upon third-party (persons who are not the patent owner) requests.  Requires documents filed in such proceedings, other than the request, to be served on all parties.  Grants third-party requesters one opportunity to file written comments not less than one month after the date of service of the patent owner's response to any PTO action on the merits of reexamination. Grants third-party requesters the right to appeal final reexamination decisions on the same basis that such right is available to patent owners. Estops a third-party requester who files a notice of appeal or who participates as a party to an appeal from later asserting the invalidity of any claim determined to be patentable on appeal on any ground which was or could have been raised during reexamination. Bars patent owners and third-party requesters, once an order for reexamination has been issued, from filing a subsequent reexamination request until a reexamination certificate is published. Prohibits a party, once a final decision has been entered in a civil action that the party has not sustained the burden of proving the invalidity of a patent claim, from requesting reexamination on issues that were or could have been raised in the civil action. Requires the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences to review adverse decisions of examiners in reexamination proceedings and authorizes appeals to the Board by patent owners and third-party requesters with respect to reexamination decisions.  Permits appeals of Board decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Title VI:  Miscellaneous Patent Provisions - Revises provisions regarding abandonment of provisional applications to allow, notwithstanding the absence of a claim, a provisional application to be treated as a patent application, under specified conditions. (Sec. 602) Grants, under specified conditions, benefits of an earlier filing date to an invention patent application filed in this country that has previously and regularly been filed for the same invention in a foreign country which affords similar privileges in the case of applications filed in a WTO member country. Requires the foreign intellectual property authority (currently, patent office of the foreign country) to certify the copy of the original foreign application, specification, and drawings required by the Commissioner with respect to a patent application which claims the benefit of an earlier filing date in a foreign country. Grants applications for plant breeder's rights filed in a WTO country or by a UPOV Contracting Party the right of priority as a patent application, subject to the same conditions and requirements. Defines:  (1) ""WTO member country"" as a state or separate customs territory (within the meaning of Article XII of the Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization entered into on April 15, 1994), with respect to which the United States applies such Agreement; and (2) ""UPOV Contracting Party"" as a member of the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants. (Sec. 603) Allows a patent to be issued for a tuber propagated plant.  Provides that, in the case of a plant patent, the grant shall include the right to exclude others from offering the reproduced plant or any of its parts for sale throughout, or importing the plant so reproduced into, the United States. (Sec. 604) Amends the Federal judicial code to provide that, for purposes of compensating an owner of a patent for an invention that is used or manufactured unlawfully by or for the United States, reasonable and entire compensation shall include the owner's reasonable costs, including reasonable fees for expert witnesses and attorneys, in pursuing action against the United States in the U.S.  Court of Federal Claims if the owner is an independent inventor, a nonprofit organization, or an entity that had no more than 500 employees at any time during the five-year period preceding such use or manufacture. (Sec. 605) Allows the use of an electronic medium to file papers in the PTO.",2025-04-07T15:29:35Z,
104-hr-3437,104,hr,3437,To amend the Small Business Act to exempt subcontracts for dredging activities from local buy requirements under the business development program authorized by section 8(a) of that Act.,Commerce,1996-05-10,1996-05-10,Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.,House,"Rep. Hoekstra, Peter [R-MI-2]",MI,R,H000676,0,Amends the Small Business Act to exempt subcontracts for dredging activities from the requirement that subcontracts awarded by the Small Business Administration be awarded within the county or State where the work is to be performed.,2025-01-02T17:38:31Z,
104-hr-3422,104,hr,3422,Fairness and Voluntary Arbitration Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-05-09,1996-05-29,Referred to the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.,House,"Rep. Bono, Sonny [R-CA-44]",CA,R,B000622,6,"Fairness and Voluntary Arbitration Act of 1996 - Requires each party to a sales and service contract that provides for the use of arbitration in resolving controversies to have the option to reject arbitration as the means of settling a controversy. Requires the arbitrator, whenever arbitration is elected to settle a dispute under such a contract, to provide the parties with a written explanation of the factual and legal basis for the award.",2025-08-21T20:14:26Z,
104-s-1735,104,s,1735,United States Tourism Organization Act,Commerce,1996-05-08,1996-09-24,Referred to the Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade.,Senate,"Sen. Pressler, Larry [R-SD]",SD,R,P000513,35,United States Tourism Organization Act - Establishes:  (1) the National Tourism Board to develop a national travel and tourism strategy for increasing U.S. tourism; and (2) the United States Tourism Organization as a non-Federal not-for-profit organization to implement the national travel and tourism strategy developed by the Board. Requires the Secretary of State to cooperate with the Organization and place a high priority on implementing its recommendations. Amends the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 to require the Federal trade promotion plan of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC) to reflect Board recommendations.  Makes the Chairman of the Organization a member of the TPCC. Terminates the Organization and the Board if a plan for the long-term financing of the Organization has not been implemented two years after its incorporation.,2025-04-07T15:26:48Z,
104-s-1696,104,s,1696,Professional Sports Antitrust Clarification Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-04-23,1996-04-23,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Thurmond, Strom [R-SC]",SC,R,T000254,0,"Professional Sports Antitrust Clarification Act of 1996 - Permits a professional sports league or its member franchises to establish and enforce rules and procedures for deciding whether a member franchise may change its home territory, notwithstanding the antitrust laws. Specifies requirements for antitrust protection, including that the league promote comparable economic opportunities by sharing revenue among member franchises to account for disparities in revenue or savings due to public benefits and subsidies. Requires such franchise relocation rules and procedures to provide for consideration of various factors to protect the public interest, including:  (1) fan support; (2) the extent of public financial support received; (3) the effect on existing contracts; (4) the extent of any net operating losses; and (5) any bona fide offer to purchase the franchise and keep it in its home territory. Provides for judicial review in actions challenging establishment or enforcement of such rules and procedures.",2025-08-21T20:15:54Z,
104-hconres-164,104,hconres,164,Honoring the national organization of Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda.,Commerce,1996-04-18,1996-05-06,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education, Training and Life-Long Learning.",House,"Rep. Brewster, Bill K. [D-OK-3]",OK,D,B000817,21,Honors the national organization of Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda.,2025-07-21T19:44:15Z,
104-hr-3192,104,hr,3192,Satellite Home Viewer Protection Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-03-28,1996-04-18,Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property.,House,"Rep. Moorhead, Carlos J. [R-CA-27]",CA,R,M000926,1,"Satellite Home Viewer Protection Act of 1996 - Amends Federal copyright law to require a satellite carrier that makes secondary transmissions of a primary transmission by a network station, prior to providing broadcasting signals to a subscriber, to provide such subscriber with a written statement describing and quoting the network territorial restrictions related to such retransmission. Requires a satellite carrier, within 30 days of receipt of a challenge by a network station as to whether a subscriber is an unserved household within the predicted Grade B contour of such station, to:  (1) inform the subscriber of the challenge; and (2) offer such subscriber the option of the satellite carrier conducting a measurement of the signal intensity of the subscriber's household to determine whether such household is an unserved household.  Requires the satellite carrier to:  (1) terminate service to such a household if its subscriber does not request a signal intensity measurement within 30 days of notification of the challenge from the satellite carrier; and (2) notify the network station that such service has been terminated.  Outlines procedures to be taken after a signal measurement has been taken.  Repeals a provision allowing a network station to challenge a subscriber outside the predicted Grade B contour of the network station. Authorizes satellite carriers and network broadcasters to negotiate the terms and conditions of the signal intensity measurement described under this Act.  Requires a complete description of such agreement to be filed with the Register of Copyrights within 30 days after its execution.  Provides for arbitration of such an agreement if the parties cannot agree to terms and conditions within 30 days after the enactment of this Act.",2025-08-21T20:14:53Z,
104-hr-3158,104,hr,3158,Pilot Small Business Technology Transfer Program Extension Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-03-25,1996-09-27,"Referred sequentially to the House Committee on Science for a period ending not later than Oct. 11, 1996 for consideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment as fall within the jurisdiction of the Committee on Science pursuant to clause 1(n), rule X.",House,"Rep. Meyers, Jan [R-KS-3]",KS,R,M000684,3,"Pilot Small Business Technology Transfer Program Extension Act of 1996 - Amends the Small Business Act to:  (1) extend through FY 2000 the Small Business Technology Transfer (SBTT) Program under which specified portions of each Federal agency's research and development (R&D) budget are reserved for small business cooperative R&D; and (2) increase for FY 1997 and thereafter the portion reserved for small businesses under such program. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct an assessment of the ongoing implementation of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and the pilot SBTT Program.  Outlines issues to be addressed in such assessment, requiring a focus on programs implemented during the period beginning October 1, 1995, and ending September 30, 1999.  Requires a report from the Comptroller General to the small business committees. Requires the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to convene and supervise an interagency task force on fostering commercialization of the results of projects being undertaken by small businesses through the SBIR and SBTT programs.  Outlines task force duties and membership requirements.  Requires:  (1) public participation in task force activities; and (2) a notice and initial call for such participation by the Administrator.  Directs the Administrator to report to the small business committees on the work of the task force, including recommendations for legislative or administrative action.",2025-04-07T15:28:34Z,
104-s-1628,104,s,1628,"A bill to amend title 17, United States Code, relating to the copyright interests of certain musical performances, and for other purposes.",Commerce,1996-03-20,1996-03-20,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Brown, Hank [R-CO]",CO,R,B000919,16,"Exempts from copyright infringement the communication within a commercial establishment of the transmission of a performance or display of a work by the reception of a broadcast, cable, satellite, or other transmission, if no direct charge is made to see or hear the transmission, its reception is authorized, and such transmission is not retransmitted to the public beyond such premises, and if communicated:  (1) in an area where a transmission is intended to be received by the general public that is smaller than 5,000 square feet; (2) within an establishment whose gross annual income does not exceed 20 percent of the gross annual income of a small business as defined by the Small Business Administration; (3) by means of ten or fewer loudspeakers; or (4) by means of speakers in audiovisual devices only. (Sec. 2) Requires any controversy or dispute arising out of the appropriate fee to be paid for the user's past or future performance of nondramatic musical works in the repertoire of a performing rights society (PRS) to be settled by arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association.  Outlines provisions:  (1) requiring the confidentiality of arbitration findings; (2) limiting the length of time that the finding of an appropriate fee shall apply; (3) requiring a PRS to make available to all interested persons access to copyright and licensing information for each nondramatic musical work in its repertoire; and (4) requiring a PRS to make available a printed directory of each title in its repertoire.  Provides restrictions for PRSs not in compliance with such requirements. (Sec. 3) Requires each PRS to offer to any radio broadcaster that so requests a per programming period license (license) to perform nondramatic musical works in the repertoire of the PRS.  Outlines provisions:  (1) determining the price of each such license; (2) providing for the determination of the performance of nondramatic musical works by a broadcaster under any such license; and (3) enforcing a broadcaster's right to apply for and receive such a license. (Sec. 4) Exempts from copyright infringement the transmission of religious services, or the recording of a program embodying such services in their entirety, if there is no commercial advertisement or commercial sponsor within such program. (Sec. 5) Defines ""performing rights society,"" ""general music user,"" and ""loudspeaker"" for purposes of the copyright laws.",2025-07-21T19:32:26Z,
104-s-1619,104,s,1619,Music Licensing Reform Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-03-15,1996-03-15,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]",UT,R,H000338,1,"Music Licensing Reform Act of 1996 - Exempts from copyright infringement the communication of a performance of nondramatic musical works on the premises of small commercial establishments, unless a charge is made to see or hear the transmission or the transmission received is further transmitted to the public.  Directs the Register of Copyrights to define the term ""small commercial establishment"" for purposes of this Act using specific, verifiable criteria. Directs the Register to promulgate regulations to establish a code of conduct for the licensing negotiations and practices between a proprietor and a performing rights society (PRS).  Allows either party to enforce such code of conduct through a civil action in district court. Directs the Register to ensure that a PRS provides reasonable access to its repertoire so that a person engaged in the public performance of a nondramatic musical work may determine whether the public performance of a particular work may be licensed by a particular licensor.  Provides for civil enforcement of such access.  Provides restrictions for a PRS not in compliance. Directs the Register to report to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees on the administration by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York of the consent decree of March 14, 1950, in United States v. American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers and the consent decree of December 29, 1966, in United States v. Broadcast Music, Inc. Preempts any State copyright licensing law made inconsistent by this Act.",2025-08-21T20:15:33Z,
104-s-1623,104,s,1623,Travel and Tourism Partnership Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-03-15,1996-03-15,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.,Senate,"Sen. Warner, John [R-VA]",VA,R,W000154,20,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  National Tourism Board      Title II:  National Tourism Organization Travel and Tourism Partnership Act of 1996 - Title I:  National Tourism Board - Establishes the National Tourism Board to develop a national travel and tourism strategy for increasing U.S. tourism. Title II:  National Tourism Organization - Directs the President to provide for the establishment of the National Tourism Organization as a non-Federal nonprofit organization to implement the national travel and tourism strategy developed by the Board. Requires the head of a Federal agency, upon request, to provide technical assistance to the Organization to assist it in carrying out its purposes. Requires the head of each Federal agency maintaining offices in a foreign country to incorporate in their programs and activities some that implement the recommendations of the Organization and Board. Amends the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 to require the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee's (TPCC) Federal trade promotion plan to reflect Board recommendations.  Makes the President of the Organization a member of TPCC.",2025-08-21T20:14:28Z,
104-s-1603,104,s,1603,Small Business Export Enhancement Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-03-11,1996-03-11,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business.,Senate,"Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]",MA,D,K000148,2,Small Business Export Enhancement Act of 1996 - Amends the Small Business Act to provide that the level of participation by the Small Business Administration in a loan on a deferred basis under the Export Working Capital Program shall be equal to the rate in effect prior to the enactment of the Small Business Lending Enhancement Act of 1995 (90 percent guarantee rate).,2025-08-21T20:16:37Z,
104-hr-3044,104,hr,3044,Parks and Refuges Small Business Fairness Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-03-07,1996-03-07,Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.,House,"Rep. Goss, Porter J. [R-FL-14]",FL,R,G000336,0,"Parks and Refuges Small Business Fairness Act of 1996 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the provision of disaster assistance loans under such Act to assist any small business that:  (1) has a concessions contract or incidental business license to operate within a unit of the National Park System or Wildlife Refuge System; and (2) has suffered substantial economic injury as a result of a partial Federal Government shutdown during the period beginning December 15, 1995, and ending January 5, 1996.  Prohibits such loans if the applicant can obtain credit elsewhere.  Limits each loan to $100,000. Authorizes the Small Business Administration to permit deferral of principal and interest payments on such loans for a one-year period. Prohibits the loan interest rate from exceeding four percent.",2025-08-21T20:17:02Z,
104-hr-3048,104,hr,3048,Regulatory Flexibility Amendments Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-03-07,1996-03-28,Referred to the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.,House,"Rep. Ewing, Thomas W. [R-IL-15]",IL,R,E000282,12,"Regulatory Flexibility Amendments Act of 1996 - Permits an affected small business, within one year after the effective date of a final rule, to petition for judicial review of an agency's:  (1) certification that such rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses; or (2) final regulatory flexibility analysis for such rule.  Authorizes the court to:  (1) order an agency to prepare a final regulatory analysis for a rule for which such a certification was arbitrary, capricious, or an abuse of discretion; (2) order an agency to take appropriate corrective action for a final regulatory flexibility analysis that was prepared without observance of the proper procedure; and (3) stay the rule or grant other appropriate relief if the agency fails to take such action within 90 days. Requires an agency, on or before the 30th day preceding the date of publication of a general notice of proposed rulemaking, to transmit to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration:  (1) a copy of the proposed rule; and (2) a copy of the initial regulatory flexibility analysis for the rule or a determination that such an analysis is not required.  Directs the Chief Counsel, within 15 days thereafter, to transmit to such agency a written statement of the effect of the proposed rule on small entities. Requires publication of such response in the Federal Register. Provides a special rule with respect to proposed rules of certain Federal banking agencies. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the Chief Counsel should be permitted to appear as amicus curiae in any action brought for the purpose of reviewing a rule.",2025-08-21T20:15:16Z,
104-s-1598,104,s,1598,Sports Heritage Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-03-07,1996-03-07,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Glenn, John H., Jr. [D-OH]",OH,D,G000236,0,"Sports Heritage Act of 1996 - Prohibits a professional sports team that relocates to another community from enforcing any right, interest, or privilege under the Trademark Act of 1946 with respect to its identity used on the date one year before the relocation. Exempts any team:  (1) that is located and plays home games in a community for less than ten years immediately preceding the relocation; and (2) the relocation of which is approved in writing by the chief executive officer of the local government of the area in which the team's playing facility is located.",2025-08-21T20:14:36Z,
104-hr-3003,104,hr,3003,Rent-To-Own Reform Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-03-05,1996-05-03,Referred to the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.,House,"Rep. Gonzalez, Henry B. [D-TX-20]",TX,D,G000272,14,"Rent-To-Own Reform Act of 1996 - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to designate a new title X as the Rent-To-Own Protection Act to prohibit a seller in a rent-to-own transaction from taking, receiving, or assessing any interest, finance charge, or other fee for the transaction in excess of that which may be charged under State law which establishes in connection with a credit or retail installment sale for the same or a similar item:  (1) a maximum rate or amount of interest, finance charge, or time-price differential that may be charged; (2) the types and maximum amount of fees that a seller may charge; or (3) the types of credit insurance and the maximum amount of premiums that can be charged for credit insurance. Sets forth requirements regarding:  (1) termination, recovery, and other fees; (2) the effect of termination; and (3) guarantees and warranties. Makes the following Federal laws applicable to rent-to-own transactions:  (1) the Truth in Lending Act; (2) the Equal Credit Opportunity Act; (3) the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act; and (4) the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Requires a seller to include the following information on each item in the seller's place of business that is available for purchase pursuant to a rent-to-own transaction:  (1) the cash price; (2) an itemization of services offered and the price of each service; (3) the annual percentage rate; (4) any applicable periodic payment and the number of payments; (5) the total number of payments required to acquire ownership; and (6) whether the item is new or used.  Requires a seller to provide such information to a consumer in writing at the time the parties enter into the contract. Prohibits a seller under a rent-to-own contract with a consumer from taking specified actions, such as using threats or coercion to collect amounts alleged due, or unreasonably disclosing information to third parties regarding amounts owed by the consumer. Makes compliance with the requirements of this Act enforceable by the Federal Trade Commission.  Deems a violation of this Act to be an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of the Federal Trade Commission Act. Subjects sellers who violate the requirements of this Act to civil liability.",2025-08-21T20:14:26Z,
104-s-1574,104,s,1574,HUBZone Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-02-27,1996-03-21,Committee on Small Business. Hearings held.,Senate,"Sen. Bond, Christopher S. [R-MO]",MO,R,B000611,1,"HUBZone Act of 1996 - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to define the following terms for purposes of this Act:  (1) historically underutilized business (HUB) zones; (2) small business concerns located in such zones; and (3) qualified areas and qualified small businesses (QSBs) located in such areas. Provides qualification requirements for small businesses to receive Federal contracting assistance under the Act for locating in or relocating to HUB zones (distressed urban and rural communities which have suffered economic decline).  Includes within such requirements that not less than 50 percent of the contract performance incurred for services or supplies be expended for employees or for the manufacturing of supplies in HUB zones.  Requires a certification from a small business to the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) with respect to such requirements.  Authorizes the Administrator to change the above percentage.  Directs the Administrator to establish and maintain a list of QSBs located in HUB zones. Establishes within the SBA a program to provide for Federal contracting assistance to QSBs located in HUB zones. Requires the head of a Federal procuring agency to provide a contract set-aside (preference) to a QSB if such agency head determines that two or more QSBs will submit offers and that the award can be made at a fair market price.  Allows sole source contracts to be awarded to a QSB if it submits a reasonable and responsive offer and the Administrator determines it to be a responsible contractor. Limits the value of sole source contracts to $5 million.  Provides a ten percent price evaluation preference to a QSB if its offer is not more than ten percent higher than the other offeror, as long as the other offeror is not a small business. Directs the Administrator to enforce the requirements of this Act and to verify the qualification requirements of QSBs, including the use of random inspections.  Provides penalties. Makes technical and conforming amendments to the Act in order to provide QSBs under this Act with a higher preference for Federal contracting assistance than small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Sets forth as Government-wide goals for the awarding of Government contracts to QSBs a goal in FY 1997 of one percent of the total value of all prime contracts awarded, with an increase of one percent each year to four percent for FY 2000 and thereafter.",2025-08-21T20:15:59Z,
104-hr-2925,104,hr,2925,Antitrust Health Care Advancement Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-02-01,1996-06-27,"Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 325.",House,"Rep. Hyde, Henry J. [R-IL-6]",IL,R,H001022,153,"Antitrust Health Care Advancement Act of 1996 - Provides that the following activities shall not be deemed illegal per se in any action under the Federal antitrust laws or similar State law, but shall be judged based on reasonableness:  (1) the exchange of information relating to costs, sales, profitability, marketing, prices, or fees of any health care service health care providers solely for, and reasonably required for, establishing a health care provider network (HCPN); (2) the conduct of an HCPN in negotiating, making, or performing a contract for providing health care services to individuals under the terms of a health benefit plan; and (3) the conduct of any HCPN member for the purpose of providing such services under such contract. Directs the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission to jointly issue guidelines specifying the enforcement policies and analytical principles that will be applied by the Department of Justice and the Commission with respect to the operation of this Act.",2025-08-21T20:16:41Z,
104-hr-2933,104,hr,2933,Export Working Capital Program Enhancement Act of 1995,Commerce,1996-02-01,1996-02-01,Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.,House,"Rep. Baldacci, John Elias [D-ME-2]",ME,D,B000081,13,Export Working Capital Program Enhancement Act of 1995 - Amends the Small Business Act to provide that the level of participation by the Small Business Administration in a loan on a deferred basis under the Export Working Capital Program shall be equal to the rate in effect prior to the enactment of the Small Business Lending Enhancement Act of 1995 (90 percent guarantee rate).,2025-08-21T20:14:08Z,
104-s-1540,104,s,1540,Full Patent Term Preservation Act of 1996,Commerce,1996-01-26,1996-01-26,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]",UT,R,H000338,1,"Full Patent Term Preservation Act of 1996 - Revises patent law to direct that the term of a patent be adjusted to include the period of time for which the issue of the original patent was delayed due to: (1) a proceeding designed to determine the priority of invention (""interference""); (2) the imposition of an order pertaining to a determination that the patent would be detrimental to the national security; (3) appellate review by the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences or by a Federal court where the patent was issued pursuant to a decision in the review reversing an adverse determination of patentability; or (4) an unusual administrative delay by the Patent and Trademark Office in issuing the patent. Directs the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks to prescribe regulations to govern the determination of the period of delay, including the circumstances determined to constitute an unusual administrative delay. Establishes a ten-year limit for adjustments in patent terms under this Act.  Precludes adjustments in patent term beyond the actual number of days that a patent was delayed.  Specifies that no adjustment in patent term may be granted for periods when the applicant did not act with due diligence.  Directs the Commissioner to prescribe regulations establishing the circumstances that constitute a failure to act with due diligence. Specifies that no patent, the term of which has been disclaimed beyond a specified date, may be adjusted pursuant to this Act beyond the expiration date specified in the disclaimer. Directs the Commissioner:  (1) in a case in which a patent term is so adjusted, to determine the period of any patent term adjustment and include a copy of that determination with the final notice; and (2) to prescribe regulations establishing procedures for the application for, and notification of, patent term adjustments granted by the Commissioner. Authorizes any applicant dissatisfied with such determination to bring a civil action in the United States Court of Federal Claims if commenced within 60 days after the mailing of the notice of allowance as the Commissioner appoints.  Specifies that the initiation of such action shall not delay the issuance of a patent.",2025-08-21T20:15:50Z,
104-s-1513,104,s,1513,Federal Trademark Dilution Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-12-29,1995-12-29,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]",UT,R,H000338,0,"Federal Trademark Dilution Act of 1995 - Amends the Trademark Act of 1946 to entitle owners of famous marks to injunctions against, and relief for, another's commercial use in commerce of a mark or trade name if such use begins after the mark becomes famous and causes dilution of its distinctive quality. Limits owners to injunctive relief unless the person against whom the injunction is sought willfully intended to trade on the owner's reputation or to cause dilution of the mark.  Provides for additional remedies if such intent is proven. Provides that ownership by a person of a valid registration shall be a complete bar to an action against such person that is brought under common or State law and that seeks to prevent dilution of the distinctiveness of a mark, label, or form of advertisement. Provides that the following uses shall not be actionable:  (1) fair use of a famous mark in comparative commercial advertising or promotion to identify the competing goods or services of the owner of the famous mark; (2) noncommercial use of a mark; and (3) all forms of news reporting and news commentary.",2025-08-21T20:16:05Z,
104-s-1496,104,s,1496,A bill to grant certain patent rights for certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for a two year period.,Commerce,1995-12-21,1995-12-21,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Simon, Paul [D-IL]",IL,D,S000423,3,"Entitles the owner of the right to market a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that contains a previously patented active agent, that has been reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for more than 120 months as a new drug application, and that was approved as safe and effective by the FDA on October 29, 1992, to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, selling, or importing such active agent for two years beginning October 29, 1997. Applies the prohibition on infringement of patents to such entitlement.  Prohibits submission of an application under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for introduction into interstate commerce of a drug claimed in a patent, or the use of which is claimed in a patent, before the expiration of such entitlement.",2025-07-21T19:32:26Z,
104-hr-2820,104,hr,2820,Consumer Disclosure and Rental Purchase Agreement Act,Commerce,1995-12-20,1996-01-19,Referred to the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.,House,"Rep. Watts, J. C., Jr. [R-OK-4]",OK,R,W000210,36,"Consumer Disclosure and Rental Purchase Agreement Act - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to create a new title on rental purchase agreements.  Declares that the title does not apply to rental-purchase agreements primarily for business, commercial, or agricultural purposes or made with Government instrumentalities. Regulates:  (1) the content and manner of disclosures by merchants in rental-purchase agreements; and (2) the contents of rental-purchase agreements.  Imposes individual and class action civil liability for violations.  Establishes merchant defenses and provides for the liability of merchant assignees.  Mandates model disclosure forms and clauses.  Preempts inconsistent State laws providing lesser consumer protection.",2025-08-21T20:15:51Z,
104-hr-2806,104,hr,2806,Venture Capital Marketing Association Charter Act,Commerce,1995-12-18,1996-04-18,Subcommittee Hearings Held.,House,"Rep. Torkildsen, Peter G. [R-MA-6]",MA,R,T000314,0,"Venture Capital Marketing Association Charter Act - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (the Act) to establish the Venture Capital Marketing Association (VCMA) as a private, tax-exempt corporation in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.  Requires a permanent VCMA Board of Directors of 15 members.  Outlines administrative provisions with respect to VCMA, including provisions regarding an interim Board, member terms, and general powers. Requires VCMA to have and issue voting and nonvoting common stock, as well as nonvoting preferred stock.  Directs VCMA to require each small business investment company (SBIC) to make payments to VCMA of a specified percentage of its nonrefundable capital contributions, so that VCMA may accumulate funds for its capital surplus account (account).  Requires VCMA to issue voting common stock to such SBICs in an amount equal to their contributions.  Authorizes VCMA, in order to accumulate additional funds in the account, to issue voting common stock to private investors other than SBICs.  Outlines rights of holders of nonvoting common and preferred stock.  Authorizes depository institutions to make payments of capital contributions to VCMA and to receive VCMA stock. Authorizes VCMA to issue and have outstanding obligations having such maturities and bearing such rates of interest as may be determined by a Board majority.  Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to purchase and sell any obligation issued by VCMA, but limits to $1 billion the total outstanding VCMA obligations authorized to be held by the Secretary. Treats all obligations issued and guaranteed by VCMA as lawful investments and exempt securities as defined under the Federal Reserve Act and public finance law. Authorizes VCMA, after its permanent Board is elected, to purchase, sell, and otherwise deal in small business investment securities (securities).  Provides for perfection of interests in such securities under the Uniform Commercial Code. Authorizes and directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to enter into a contract with VCMA under which VCMA manages and services all securities and commitments outstanding, and all assets held by SBA in default or liquidation status, as the result of liquidation or default proceedings by SBICs.  Provides contract terms and conditions.  Requires a VCMA report to the Senate and House Small Business Committees (small business committees) describing the activities of SBA and VCMA under such contract. Directs VCMA to:  (1) establish appropriate criteria for the qualification of SBICs to conduct business with VCMA; and (2) redetermine such qualifications upon a change of control due to a transfer of ownership.  Requires each SBIC authorized to operate with VCMA to have private capital of no less than $5 million, with an exception for licensees in good standing at the time SBA receives notice that VCMA is ready to do business with a permanent Board. Makes national banks of the Federal Reserve System and nonmember insured banks as permitted under State law eligible to purchase ownership interests in SBICs.  Authorizes each SBIC to purchase VCMA stock and to borrow money and issue debentures and other obligations or securities, subject to VCMA rules.  Makes certain provisions of the Act inapplicable to SBICs. Directs VCMA to contract with qualified SBICs to carry out the purposes of this Act.  Authorizes or directs qualified SBICs to:  (1) provide equity capital and loans to small business concerns; (2) follow VCMA conflict-of-interest rules, as well as rules restricting SBIC control of small businesses that have borrowed from such SBIC; (3) invest only in small business concerns which are independently owned and operated, are not dominant in their field of operations, and maintain specified limits on net worth and income; and (4) provide financings of small businesses for a minimum of five years, with a limitation on the amount of obligations and securities invested in a single enterprise.  Prohibits SBICs from financing a small business for purposes of relending, foreign or passive investments, or the acquisition of real estate. Directs the Board to require each SBIC to adopt rules for the determination of the value of investments made by such company. Requires the Board to adopt rules to minimize the risk of loss to VCMA on the total amount of securities issued by any individual SBIC or by SBICs under common control.  Requires each SBIC to undergo financial audits at least annually, and compliance audits at least every two years.  Directs VCMA to adopt appropriate measures to ensure compliance by SBICs with the requirements of this section.  Provides penalties for SBIC noncompliance.  Preempts State law with respect to any business loan made by an SBIC under this Act. Limits the total amount of leverage that may be provided by VCMA to an SBIC to 300 percent of such company's private capital, as determined under a specified leveraging formula. Requires VCMA accounts to be audited annually, and a report on such audit results to be made by the Office of Investment Oversight to the President and the small business committees. Establishes in SBA an Office of Investment Oversight (Office), headed by a Director, to review and report on the regulatory and financial performance of VCMA.  Requires the Director to establish a risk-based capital test to determine the amount of regulatory capital sufficient for VCMA to maintain positive capital during a ten-year period in which specified circumstances occur.  Provides considerations for establishing such test and requires the Director to examine and revise such test six years after the enactment of this Act.  Provides, for purposes of such test, the amount of:  (1) risk- based capital level; (2) minimum capital level; (3) critical capital level; and (4) VCMA enforcement levels (requiring such enforcement level to be determined no less than semiannually).  Requires notification to the Congress when VCMA reaches levels II or III (poorer levels as to minimum capital and critical capital levels).  Requires specified mandatory VCMA actions when its enforcement levels fall to II or III, including submission to the Director for approval of a capital restoration plan.  Provides mandatory and discretionary Director supervisory actions applicable to a VCMA that reaches a level III enforcement level. Provides access by the small business committees of VCMA books and records and subjects such records to examination by the General Accounting Office (GAO). Authorizes the Office to review the VCMA's criteria for the qualification of SBICs to conduct business with VCMA, as well as VCMA's rules governing SBIC operations.  Requires an annual VCMA report to the President, SBA, and the small business committees on its operations and activities during the previous fiscal year. Requires a GAO report to the small business committees on the impact of VCMA. Directs SBA to furnish to VCMA all necessary books and records to carry out their purposes under this Act. Allows licensees (SBICs currently in good standing with the SBA under loan agreements) three months to qualify for loans and guarantees from VCMA.",2025-08-21T20:15:52Z,
104-s-1475,104,s,1475,Fishing Industry Bargaining Act,Commerce,1995-12-13,1995-12-13,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Stevens, Ted [R-AK]",AK,R,S000888,1,Fishing Industry Bargaining Act - Amends Federal law to authorize fishermen to collectively agree with fish processors on the price paid to the fishermen for aquatic products and the minimum price that fish processors will accept for the sale of processed aquatic products.,2025-08-21T20:16:37Z,
104-s-1458,104,s,1458,Patent and Trademark Office Reform Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-12-07,1995-12-07,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]",NJ,D,L000123,0,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Patent and Trademark Corporation      Title II:  Miscellaneous Provisions Patent and Trademark Office Reform Act of 1995 - Title I:  Patent and Trademark Corporation - Replaces specified provisions governing the Patent and Trademark Office with provisions establishing the Patent and Trademark Corporation as a wholly owned Government corporation within the Department of Commerce.  Requires the Corporation to maintain an office in the District of Columbia metropolitan area.  Provides appropriate Corporation powers and duties with respect to the granting and issuing of patents and the registration of trademarks, as well as related activities. Vests Corporation management in the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks, appointed by the President, with specified duties and responsibilities.  Directs the Commissioner to appoint a Deputy Commissioner for Patents, a Deputy Commissioner for Trademarks, and an Inspector General.  Exempts: (1) the Corporation from any administratively or statutorily imposed limitations on positions or personnel; and (2) Corporation personnel from various Federal employment authorities and requirements, including provisions governing employee classification, performance appraisals, and pay rates.  Includes such employees under Federal provisions relating to retirement and health and life insurance.   Requires all officers and employees of the Patent and Trademark Office to become officers and employees of the Corporation on the effective date of this Act. Provides other employee and Office transition provisions.  Prohibits Corporation officers and employees, during their appointments and for one year thereafter, from applying for or acquiring any patent issued by the Corporation. Establishes an Advisory Board of the Corporation to review and report annually to the President and specified congressional committees on the Corporation's policies, goals, performance, budget, and user fees and to advise the Commissioner. Sets forth provisions regarding:  (1) suits by and against the Corporation; (2) revised membership and duties of the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences; (3) a required annual Corporation management report; (4) the prohibited use of the Corporation's name; (5) receipts, expenditures, and borrowing authority of the Corporation; (6) annual audit requirements; (7) the transfer to the Corporation of Department of Commerce functions, powers, duties, and assets; (8) transition requirements; and (9) technical and conforming amendments. (Sec. 109) Prohibits full-time equivalent Corporation positions from being eliminated in order to meet the requirements of the Federal Workforce Restructuring Act of 1994. Title II:  Miscellaneous Provisions - Provides for the separability of provisions of this Act.  Makes this Act effective 180 days after its enactment.",2025-08-21T20:14:20Z,
104-hr-2674,104,hr,2674,Intellectual Property Antitrust Protection Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-11-20,1996-05-14,Committee Hearings Held.,House,"Rep. Hyde, Henry J. [R-IL-6]",IL,R,H001022,10,"Intellectual Property Antitrust Protection Act of 1995 - Provides that in any action in which the conduct of an owner, licensor, licensee, or other holder of an intellectual property right is alleged to be in violation of the antitrust laws in connection with the marketing or distribution of a protected product or service, such right shall not be presumed to define a market, to establish market power, or to establish monopoly power.",2025-08-21T20:16:56Z,
104-hr-2579,104,hr,2579,United States National Tourism Organization Act of 1996,Commerce,1995-11-02,1996-10-11,Became Public Law No: 104-288.,House,"Rep. Roth, Toby [R-WI-8]",WI,R,R000459,264,"United States National Tourism Organization Act of 1996 - Establishes the United States National Tourism Organization as a private not-for-profit organization to represent and promote United States international travel and tourism.  Prohibits the Organization from engaging in any activities to promote a political party or candidacy of a person seeking or holding political office. Establishes the United States National Tourism Organization Board to govern and supervise the Organization's activities. Directs the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of State, the U.S.  Trade Representative, the Director of the U.S. Information Agency, and the Trade and Development Agency to cooperate with the Organization and give priority consideration to its recommendations. Requires specified Federal officials to report biennially to specified congressional committees on any travel and tourism activities carried out in conjunction with the U.S. Government. Terminates the Organization within two years after enactment of this Act if the Board has not developed and implemented a comprehensive plan for its long-term financing. Amends the Export Enhancement Act of 1988 to require the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee's Federal trade promotion plan to reflect, among other things, Organization recommendations. Amends the International Travel Act of 1961 to:  (1) terminate the United States Travel and Tourism Administration; and (2) revise the international travel and tourism promotion duties of the Secretary of Commerce.  Eliminates export promotion services from such duties. Limits the scope of the Secretary's currently mandated comprehensive performance plan to critical tourism functions not being carried out by the Organization or other private sector entities or State governments. Revises the composition and administrative duties of the Tourism Policy Council.",2025-04-07T15:30:26Z,
104-s-1379,104,s,1379,Fair Debt Collection Practices Amendments Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-11-02,1995-11-02,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking.,Senate,"Sen. Simpson, Alan K. [R-WY]",WY,R,S000429,10,"Fair Debt Collection Practices Amendments Act of 1995 - Amends the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to limit the exclusion from its purview of debt collection activities by a Federal or State official to collection of debts owed to the Federal or a State government, respectively. (Sec. 3) Permits a debt collector to acquire income, assets, or credit information from a person other than the debtor's attorney if the attorney refuses to provide such information. (Sec. 4) Revises procedural guidelines for:  (1) debt validation; (2) legal actions by debt collectors; and (3) limitations on damages, including repeal of the allowance of up to $1,000 in additional damages. Provides that this Act:  (1) supersedes any State law creating a private right of action against a debt collector; (2) does not provide a remedy for any violation of State law regarding debt collection practices; and (3) does not establish any liability or penalty for violation of State law unless such violation also constitutes a violation under this Act.",2025-08-21T20:15:57Z,
104-hr-2533,104,hr,2533,United States Intellectual Property Organization Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-10-25,1996-03-08,Subcommittee Hearings Held.,House,"Rep. Moorhead, Carlos J. [R-CA-27]",CA,R,M000926,1,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  United States Intellectual Property Organization           Subtitle A:  Establishment; Powers and Duties;                Organization and Management           Subtitle B:  Trademark Trial and Appeal Board; Board of                Patent Appeals and Interferences; Suits By and                Against the Organization           Subtitle C:  Fees; Organization Moneys; Borrowing;                Audits           Subtitle D:  Transfers; Use of Organization Name;                Transition Provisions; Technical and Conforming Amendments           Subtitle E:  Separability; Effective Date; Report to the                Secretary      Title II:  Under Secretary for Intellectual Property United States Intellectual Property Organization Act of 1995 - Title I:  United States Intellectual Property Organization - Subtitle A:  Establishment; Powers and Duties; Organization and Management - Establishes within the Department of Commerce (Department) the United States Intellectual Property Organization (USIPO) to:  (1) perform all current duties of the Department's Patent and Trademark Office with respect to the examination and granting of patent and trademark applications; and (2) carry on studies, programs, and other activities relating to domestic and international patent and trademark laws and issues.  Outlines USIPO administrative powers and authority.  Vests USIPO management in a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), with specified duties and responsibilities.  Provides for USIPO officers and employees.  Requires USIPO to make specified funding payments in order to provide appropriate Federal employee compensation and benefits for its staff.  Provides that USIPO shall:  (1) establish a joint labor-management committee; and (2) not be subject to any Federal full-time equivalent employee restrictions. Subtitle B:  Trademark Trial and Appeal Board; Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences; Suits By and Against the Organization - Amends the Trademark Act of 1946 (the Act) to direct the CEO, in every action concerning a trademark (interference, opposition to registration, concurrent use, or application to cancel registration), to:  (1) give notice to all parties; and (2) direct a Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to determine and decide such actions. (Sec. 106) Establishes in the USIPO a Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences to review adverse decisions of examiners with respect to patent applications and to determine priority and patentability of invention in interferences declared under the Act. (Sec. 107) Provides administrative provisions regarding suits brought by and against USIPO. (Sec. 108) Requires the CEO to report annually to the President and the Congress on USIPO moneys received and expended, work statistics, and management. Subtitle C:  Fees; Organization Moneys; Borrowing; Audits - Directs USIPO to:  (1) recommend to the Secretary of Commerce a schedule of fees to be levied for USIPO services rendered and products provided; and (2) be guided by specified principles in developing such schedule.  Exempts the United States Intellectual Property Fund from any sequestration orders under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.  Provides for the appropriate payment of international fees and handling fees under the Patent Cooperation Treaty, and authorizes the charging of additional fees. (Sec. 110) Establishes in the Treasury the Patent and Trademark Organization Fund for the deposit of all moneys paid to USIPO. Provides authority to invest and issue obligations with respect to the Fund. (Sec. 111) Directs USIPO to reimburse the Department's Inspector General for the cost of any audits conducted for USIPO benefit. Subtitle D:  Transfers; Use of Organization Name; Transition Provisions; Technical and Conforming Amendments - Transfers to USIPO all functions, powers and duties, assets and liabilities, and invested capital of the Patent and Trademark Office (Office).  Prohibits the use of the USIPO name by any other entity.  Provides transition provisions with respect to the continuation of current Office contracts, employees, and labor agreements. Subtitle E:  Separability; Effective Date; Report to the Secretary - Provides for the separability of provisions of this Act. Makes this Act effective six months after its enactment. (Sec. 118) Directs the Secretary to report to the President and the Congress on the operation and effectiveness of provisions of this Act, as well as associated costs. Title II:  Under Secretary for Intellectual Property - Establishes within the Department an Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property who shall grant patents and register trademarks, advise the Secretary on all aspects of intellectual property policy, legislation, and issues, and conduct related activities.  Directs the Under Secretary to be assisted in such duties by two Deputy Under Secretaries of Commerce for Intellectual Property.  Provides funding for the offices of the Under Secretary through reimbursement from USIPO.",2025-08-21T20:15:29Z,
104-hr-2525,104,hr,2525,Charitable Gift Annuity Antitrust Relief Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-10-24,1995-12-08,Became Public Law No: 104-63.,House,"Rep. Hyde, Henry J. [R-IL-6]",IL,R,H001022,38,"Charitable Gift Annuity Antitrust Relief Act of 1995 - Declares that it shall not be unlawful under any Federal antitrust law, or a similar State law, for two or more persons that are exempt (as a corporation or community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, educational, or other specified purposes) from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code to use, or agree to use, the same annuity rate for the purpose of issuing one or more charitable gift annuities, except where expressly provided otherwise by a State law enacted within three years after enactment of this Act.",2025-04-07T15:27:54Z,
104-s-1340,104,s,1340,Livestock Concentration Report Act,Commerce,1995-10-19,1995-12-21,Held at the desk.,Senate,"Sen. Daschle, Thomas A. [D-SD]",SD,D,D000064,19,"Livestock Concentration Report Act - Establishes a Commission on Concentration in the Livestock Industry composed of the Secretary of Agriculture, cattle, hog, and lamb producers, meat packers, corporate representatives, economists, and antitrust experts to review:  (1) the adequacy of the study of concentration in the red meat packing industry; (2) the impact of antitrust, coordination, and other laws affecting the meat packing industry; (3) certain farm-to-retail and other price related data; (4) a specified lamb study; and (5) certain hog processing activities. Requires the Commission to report to the Congress within a specified time, and terminates the Commission within a specified time after such submission.",2025-07-21T19:32:26Z,
104-hr-2506,104,hr,2506,Livestock Concentration Report Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-10-18,1995-10-23,Executive Comment Requested from USDA.,House,"Rep. Johnson, Tim [D-SD-At Large]",SD,D,J000177,25,"Livestock Concentration Report Act of 1995 - Directs the President to appoint a Commission on Concentration in the Livestock Industry to review and report on specified meat packing industry matters, including certain studies, effects of antitrust laws, and prices.",2025-08-21T20:16:38Z,
104-s-1334,104,s,1334,Medical Procedures Innovation and Affordability Act,Commerce,1995-10-18,1995-10-18,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Frist, William H. [R-TN]",TN,R,F000439,3,"Medical Procedures Innovation and Affordability Act - Provides that it shall not be an act of patent infringement for a patient, physician, or other licensed health care practitioner, or a health care entity with which a physician or licensed health care practitioner is professionally affiliated, to use or induce others to use a patented technique, method, or process for performing a surgical or medical procedure, administering a surgical or medical therapy, or making a medical diagnosis.  Provides that this Act shall not apply to the use of, or inducement to use, such a patented technique, method, or process by any person engaged in the commercial manufacture, sale, or offer for sale of a drug, medical device, process, or other product that is subject to regulation under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or the Public Health Service Act.",2025-08-21T20:14:52Z,
104-hr-2467,104,hr,2467,To grant certain patent rights for certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for a 2-year period.,Commerce,1995-10-11,1995-11-06,Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property.,House,"Rep. Hastert, J. Dennis [R-IL-14]",IL,R,H000323,5,"Entitles the owner of the right to market a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that contains a previously patented active agent, that has been reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for more than 120 months as a new drug application, and that was approved as safe and effective by the FDA on October 29, 1992, to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, selling, or importing into the United States such active agent for two years beginning October 29, 1997. Applies the prohibition on infringement of patents to such entitlement.  Prohibits submission of an application under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act for introduction into interstate commerce of a drug claimed in a patent, or the use of which is claimed in a patent, before the expiration of such entitlement.",2025-01-16T12:12:20Z,
104-hr-2441,104,hr,2441,NII Copyright Protection Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-09-29,1996-02-08,Subcommittee Hearings Held.,House,"Rep. Moorhead, Carlos J. [R-CA-27]",CA,R,M000926,7,"NII Copyright Protection Act of 1995 - Amends Federal copyright law to grant exclusive rights to the owner of a copyrighted work to provide public distribution of copies or phonorecords of such work by transmission. Revises the definition of:  (1) ""publication"" to include transmission as a means by which copies and phonorecords of a work may be distributed to the public; and (2) ""transmit"" to include distribution by any device or process whereby a copy or phonorecord of the work is fixed beyond the place from which it was sent. Makes importation in the United States, whether by carriage of tangible goods or by transmission, of copies or phonorecords of work acquired outside of the United States an infringement of the exclusive right to distribute such work unless done with the owner's consent. (Sec. 3) Increases from one to three the limit on copies or phonorecords of a work a library or archive is allowed to reproduce.  Limits the number of such copies or phonorecords that may be distributed to one.  Revises the conditions of such reproduction or distribution to require that a copyright notice must appear on the copy or phonorecord that is reproduced under the provisions of this Act. Allows a library or archive to reproduce or distribute a copy or phonorecord of an unpublished work duplicated in a digital form solely for purposes of:  (1) preservation and security; and (2) replacement of a copy or phonorecord that is damaged, deteriorating, lost, or stolen, if the library or archive determines that an unused replacement cannot be obtained at a fair price. Exempts a nonprofit organization from copyright infringement for reproducing and distributing to the visually impaired, at cost, a Braille, large type, audio or other edition of a previously published literary work in a form intended to be perceived by the visually impaired if, during at least a one-year period after the first publication of a standard edition of such work in the United States, the owner of the exclusive right to distribute such work in the United States has not entered the market for editions intended to be perceived by the visually impaired. (Sec. 4) Prohibits any person from importing, manufacturing, or distributing any device or product, or from offering or performing any service, the primary purpose or effect of which is to circumvent any process, treatment, mechanism, or system which prevents or inhibits the violation of any of the exclusive rights of the copyright owner, without the authority of such owner or the law. Prohibits a person from knowingly:   (1) providing, publicly distributing, or importing for public distribution false copyright management information; (2) removing or altering any copyright management information, without the authority of the copyright owner or the law; or (3) distributing or importing for distribution such unauthorized altered information or copies or phonorecords from which such information has been removed without authorization.  Defines ""copyright management information"" to mean the name and other identifying information of the author of a work, the name and other identifying information of the copyright owner, terms and conditions for uses of the work, and such other information as the Register of Copyrights may prescribe by regulation. Sets forth civil remedies and criminal penalties for violation of this section.",2025-08-21T20:14:23Z,
104-hr-2419,104,hr,2419,Inventor Protection Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-09-28,1996-05-15,For Further Action See H.R.3460.,House,"Rep. Moorhead, Carlos J. [R-CA-27]",CA,R,M000926,3,"Inventor Protection Act of 1995 - Requires that every contract for invention development services be in writing and that a copy of the signed written contract be given to the customer at the time the customer enters into the contract. Directs the invention developer to:  (1) state in the contract whether the usual business practice is either to seek more than one contract in connection with an invention or to seek to perform services in one or more phases; and (2) supply to the customer a copy of the written document including the usual business terms of contracts and the approximate amount of the usual fees for services provided. Prohibits a developer from requiring or accepting payment for services for five business days after the customer receives a copy of the contract. Calls for the invention developer or a third party representing the invention developer to deem delivery of a promissory note, check, bill of exchange, or negotiable instrument of any kind as payment on the date received. Gives the parties the option to refuse to enter into the contract until five business days after the payment is made. Prescribes language and information that must be included in a cover notice on every such contract. Requires the developer to deliver at quarterly intervals a written report for every contract which shall include:  (1) a description of the services performed and those yet to be performed; and (2) the name and address of each person, firm, or corporation to whom the subject matter has been disclosed. Mandates that each contract include:  (1) the terms and conditions of payment and contract termination rights; (2) a statement that the customer may avoid entering into the contract by not making a payment to the developer; (3) a concise description of the specific acts or services the developer undertakes; (4) a statement as to whether the developer undertakes to construct, sell, or distribute one or more prototypes, models, or devices embodying the invention; (5) the name and place of business of the developer and any entity that may perform any of the services; (6) a statement of the developer's representation of estimated or projected customer earnings and the data upon which such representation is based; (7) the name and address of the custodian of all records and correspondence relating to the contract; and (8) a statement setting forth a schedule for performance of services. Renders any such contract voidable if it:  (1) does not comply with applicable provisions; (2) is entered into in reliance upon any false, fraudulent, or misleading information, representation, notice, or advertisement; or (3) is made by an unenrolled invention developer. Deems any waiver by the customer of any provision of this chapter contrary to public policy void, and unenforceable. Permits any customer who is injured by a developer's violation of this chapter or by any false or fraudulent statement, representation, or omission of material fact by a developer to recover in a civil action against the developer, in addition to reasonable costs and attorney's fees, the greater of $5,000 or the amount of actual damages sustained to the customer. Requires the developers that offer to perform or perform for the customer any act involved in filing for and obtaining utility, design, or plant patent or trademark protection to enroll annually with the Patent and Trademark Office. Authorizes the Commissioner of the Patent and Trademark Office, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, to suspend or exclude from enrollment as a developer any person, firm, partnership, or corporation demonstrated to be incompetent, disreputable, liable for gross misconduct, or not in compliance with the regulations. Makes an act by an unenrolled developer of representing himself as enrolled or permitting himself to be held out as enrolled as a misdemeanor subject to a $10,000 fine for each offense.",2025-08-21T20:15:06Z,
104-s-1284,104,s,1284,NII Copyright Protection Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-09-28,1996-05-07,Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held.,Senate,"Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]",UT,R,H000338,1,"NII Copyright Protection Act of 1995 - Amends Federal copyright law to grant exclusive rights to the owner of a copyrighted work to provide public distribution of copies or phonorecords of such work by transmission. Revises the definition of:  (1) ""publication"" to include transmission as a means by which copies and phonorecords of a work may be distributed to the public; and (2) ""transmit"" to include distribution by any device or process whereby a copy or phonorecord of the work is fixed beyond the place from which it was sent. Makes importation in the United States, whether by carriage of tangible goods or by transmission, of copies or phonorecords of work acquired outside of the United States an infringement of the exclusive right to distribute such work unless done with the owner's consent. (Sec. 3) Increases from one to three the limit on copies or phonorecords of a work a library or archive is allowed to reproduce. Limits the number of such copies or phonorecords that may be distributed to one.  Revises the conditions of such reproduction or distribution to require that a copyright notice must appear on the copy or phonorecord that is reproduced under the provisions of this Act. Allows a library or archive to reproduce or distribute a copy or phonorecord of an unpublished work duplicated in a digital form solely for purposes of:  (1) preservation and security; and (2) replacement of a copy or phonorecord that is damaged, deteriorating, lost, or stolen, if the library or archive determines that an unused replacement cannot be obtained at a fair price. Exempts a non-profit organization from copyright infringement for reproducing and distributing to the visually impaired, at cost, a Braille, large type, audio or other edition of a previously published literary work in a form intended to be perceived by the visually impaired if, during at least a one-year period after the first publication of a standard edition of such work in the United States, the owner of the exclusive right to distribute such work in the United States has not entered the market for editions intended to be perceived by the visually impaired. (Sec. 4) Prohibits any person from importing, manufacturing, or distributing any device or product, or from offering or performing any service, the primary purpose or effect of which is to circumvent any process, treatment, mechanism, or system which prevents or inhibits the violation of any of the exclusive rights of the copyright owner, without the authority of such owner or the law. Prohibits a person from knowingly:   (1) providing, publicly distributing, or importing for public distribution false copyright management information; (2) removing or altering any copyright management information, without the authority of the copyright owner or the law; or (3) distributing or importing for distribution such unauthorized altered information or copies or phonorecords from which such information has been removed without authorization.  Defines ""copyright management information"" to mean the name and other identifying information of the author of a work, the name and other identifying information of the copyright owner, terms and conditions for uses of the work, and such other information as the Register of Copyrights may prescribe by regulation. Sets forth civil remedies and criminal penalties for violation of this section.",2025-08-21T20:14:50Z,
104-s-1277,104,s,1277,Pharmaceutical Industry Special Equity Act of 1996,Commerce,1995-09-27,1996-10-01,Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 640.,Senate,"Sen. Brown, Hank [R-CO]",CO,R,B000919,2,"Pharmaceutical Industry Special Equity Act of 1996 - Declares that certain patent infringement remedies, as the term ""patent"" has been modified by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (Uruguay Act), shall not apply to any patent if:  (1) the patent is subject to certification under Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) provisions relating to new drug applications, abbreviated new drug applications, or abbreviated applications for new animal drugs; (2) after enactment of this Act, the certification is made in an application under such provisions accepted for filing before June 8, 1995; and (3) an unappealable final order has been made in an action under specified infringement of patent provisions, finding that the certifier made a substantial investment and establishing the amount of equitable remuneration to be paid by the certifier to the patentee. Declares that all patents in force on June 8, 1995, are entitled to the full benefit of the Uruguay Act and any extension granted before such date under certain patent provisions. Requires that, notwithstanding specified patent provisions, the term of a patent be extended for any patent that encompasses within its scope of composition of matter known as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug if certain circumstances exist. Expresses the sense of the Senate regarding the concluding of litigation under this Act.",2025-07-21T19:32:26Z,
104-hr-2378,104,hr,2378,To amend the White House Conference on Small Business Authorization Act to require the final report of the National Conference to be published in the Federal Register and distributed through the regional offices of the Small Business Administration.,Commerce,1995-09-21,1995-09-21,Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.,House,"Rep. McHale, Paul [D-PA-15]",PA,D,M000466,0,Amends the White House Conference on Small Business Authorization Act to require the final report of the National White House Conference on Small Business to be published in the Federal Register and distributed through the regional offices of the Small Business Administration.,2025-01-02T17:36:54Z,
104-hr-2379,104,hr,2379,Minority Business Development Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-09-21,1995-09-21,Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.,House,"Rep. McHale, Paul [D-PA-15]",PA,D,M000466,0,"Minority Business Development Act of 1995 - Amends the Small Business Act to provide that the Small Business Administration shall not prohibit the owner of a small business concern from qualifying as an economically disadvantaged individual for purposes of receiving contract awards solely on the basis of personal net worth unless such net worth exceeds $350,000.",2025-08-21T20:17:10Z,
104-s-1262,104,s,1262,Tobacco Products Control Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-09-20,1995-09-20,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce.,Senate,"Sen. Ford, Wendell H. [D-KY]",KY,D,F000268,0,"Tobacco Products Control Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act (with regard to cigarettes) and the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986 (with regard to smokeless tobacco products) to make unlawful:  (1) advertising on certain outdoor billboards; (2) advertising in publications having more than 15 percent of their total readership under 18 years old; (3) product placement (paid for by a manufacturer) as a prop in any general public motion picture; and (4) placement of a brand name or logo in a video, on a video game machine, or in a family amusement center. Amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit or reduce, starting in FY 1997, formula grants to States for prevention and treatment of substance abuse unless the State has a law:  (1) prohibiting the sale or distribution of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18; (2) regulating in specified ways cigarette or smokeless tobacco product vending machines; and (3) prohibiting the distribution without charge of cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products or the distribution of coupons redeemable for cigarettes or smokeless tobacco products. Allows amounts from the formula grants to be used to enforce such State laws. Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to declare that nothing in the FDCA or any other Act shall provide the Food and Drug Administration with any authority to regulate in any manner tobacco or tobacco products.",2025-08-21T20:17:10Z,
104-hr-2342,104,hr,2342,Natural Gas Competitiveness Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-09-14,1995-09-14,Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.,House,"Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21]",TX,R,S000583,39,"Natural Gas Competitiveness Act of 1995 - Permits independent natural gas producers to act together in associations to collectively produce, gather, transport, process, store, handle, and market natural gas in both domestic and foreign commerce. Requires the Attorney General to file an antitrust complaint against any such association which monopolizes or restrains trade to such an extent that the price of natural gas or natural gas liquid is unduly enhanced. Sets forth procedural guidelines for the filing of such a complaint. Provides for antitrust and market and price-discrimination actions against an association under the Sherman and the Clayton Acts, respectively.",2025-08-21T20:17:09Z,
104-hr-2283,104,hr,2283,To prohibit the regulation of the sale or use of tobacco or tobacco products by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.,Commerce,1995-09-07,1995-09-18,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Payne, Lewis F., Jr. [D-VA-5]",VA,D,P000152,23,"Prohibits the Secretary of Health and Human Services from:  (1) regulating the sale or use of tobacco or tobacco products under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; and (2) taking any similar action under the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act or the Comprehensive Smokeless Tobacco Health Education Act of 1986 which was not authorized before enactment of this Act.",2025-01-02T17:36:49Z,
104-s-1137,104,s,1137,Fairness in Musical Licensing Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-08-09,1995-08-09,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Thomas, Craig [R-WY]",WY,R,T000162,5,"Fairness in Musical Licensing Act of 1995 - Revises Federal copyright law to provide that communication by electronic device of a transmission embodying a performance or display of a work by the reception of a broadcast, cable, satellite, or other transmission shall not be a copyright infringement unless an admission fee is charged to see or hear the transmission or the transmission is not properly licensed.  Provides that a performance or display in a commercial establishment shall not be considered infringement if incidental to the main purpose of the establishment. (Sec. 3) Specifies that if a general music user and a performing rights society are unable to agree on the appropriate fee to be paid for the user's past or future performance of musical works in the society's repertoire, the user shall be entitled to binding arbitration of such disagreement pursuant to the rules of the American Arbitration Association in lieu of any other dispute-resolution mechanism established by any judgment or decree governing the operation of such society. Requires the arbitrator to determine a fair and reasonable fee for the user's past and future performance of works in such society's repertoire and to impose a penalty for infringement if the user's past performance infringed the copyright of such works.  Makes an arbitrator's determination binding on both parties. Sets forth provisions regarding civil actions for infringement that may be submitted to arbitration if the license fee for a performance is contested. (Sec. 4) Requires a performing rights society, at the request of any radio broadcaster, to offer the broadcaster a per programming license to perform nondramatic musical works in its repertoire. Directs that such license be offered on terms and conditions that provide an economically and administratively viable alternative to all other licenses offered by the society to radio broadcasters (including the society's blanket license) for all such broadcasters.  Sets forth provisions regarding prices of such licenses. Requires, beginning January 1, 1998, the performance of nondramatic musical works by broadcasters under any per programming period license to be determined on the basis of statistically reliable sampling or monitoring by the society and prohibits the society from requiring the broadcaster to report such performance to the society. Authorizes such broadcasters to bring actions to require compliance with such requirements. (Sec. 5) Directs each performing rights society to make available free online computer access to copyright and licensing information for each work in its repertoire as well as a semiannual printed directory of each title in its repertoire.  Requires such society, upon request, to provide to any person who may perform musical works in its repertoire, copies of documentation establishing the society's right to license the public performance of such works.  Bars a society from instituting or being a party to any action alleging infringement in, or charging a fee under any per programming period license for, any work in the repertoire that is not identified or documented as described above, with exceptions. (Sec. 6) Requires the Attorney General to report annually to the Congress on the activities of the Department of Justice relating to the continuing supervision and enforcement of specified consent decrees of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers and Broadcast Music, Inc. (Sec. 7) Sets forth conditions under which landlords, organizers of conventions, or others making space available to another party are exempt from liability under any theory of vicarious or contributory infringement with respect to an infringing public performance of a copyrighted work by a tenant, lessee, or other user of such space. (Sec. 8) Provides that the transmission of religious services or the recording of copies or phonorecords of a transmission program embodying such services shall not be a copyright infringement.",2025-08-21T20:15:07Z,
104-hr-2235,104,hr,2235,Prior Domestic Commercial Use Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-08-04,1996-05-15,For Further Action See H.R.3460.,House,"Rep. Moorhead, Carlos J. [R-CA-27]",CA,R,M000926,1,"Prior Domestic Commercial Use Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal judicial code to create a defense to patent infringement with respect to any subject matter the manufacture, use, sale, offer for sale, or importation of which in the United States would otherwise infringe one or more claims in the patent being asserted, if a person had, acting in good faith, commercially used the subject matter before the effective filing date of such patent. Specifies that the sale or other disposition of the subject matter of a patent by a person entitled to assert the defense shall exhaust the patent owner's rights to the extent they would have been exhausted had such disposition been made by the patent owner. Subjects the defense to specified limitations and qualifications regarding:  (1) the scope of the defense (the defense is not a general license under all claims of the patent at issue but extends only to the subject matter claimed in the patent that the person asserting the defense had commercially used before the effective filing date of the patent, with exceptions); (2) effective and serious preparation; (3) burden of proof (on the person asserting the defense); (4) abandonment of use; (5) who may assert the defense (it is a personal defense); (6) a one-year limitation (the subject matter on which the defense is based must have been commercially used or reduced to practice more than one year prior to the effective filing date of the patent); (7) unsuccessful assertion of the defense (directs the court to find the case exceptional for purposes of awarding attorney's fees); and (8) invalidity of a patent (a patent shall not be deemed invalid solely because a defense is raised or established under this Act).",2025-08-21T20:15:13Z,
104-s-1122,104,s,1122,Criminal Copyright Improvement Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-08-04,1995-09-28,Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S14552-14553),Senate,"Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]",VT,D,L000174,1,"Criminal Copyright Improvement Act of 1995 - Amends Federal copyright law to define ""financial gain"" to include the receipt of anything of value, including the receipt of other copyrighted works. Sets penalties for willfully infringing a copyright by reproducing or distributing, including by transmission, or assisting others in the reproduction or distribution of, one or more copies of one or more copyrighted works which have a total retail value of $5,000 or more. Extends the statute of limitations for criminal copyright infringement from three to five years. Revises Federal criminal code provisions regarding criminal copyright infringement to provide for a fine and up to five years' imprisonment for infringing a copyright:  (1) for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain, by reproducing or distributing, including by transmission, or assisting others in such reproduction or distribution, during any 180-day period, of at least ten copies or phonorecords of one or more copyrighted works which have a total retail value of more than $5,000; or (2) otherwise by reproducing or distributing one or more copyrighted works which have a total retail value of more than $10,000.  Provides for:  (1) up to one year's imprisonment in any other such infringement case; and (2) up to ten years' imprisonment for a second or subsequent felony offense. Requires, during preparation of the presentence report in cases of criminal copyright infringement, unauthorized fixation and trafficking of live musical performances, and trafficking in counterfeit goods or services, that victims of the offense be permitted to submit, and the probation officer receive, a victim impact statement that identifies the victim and the extent and scope of the victim's injury and loss, including the estimated economic impact of the offense on that victim. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to ensure that the applicable guideline range for a defendant convicted of a crime against intellectual property is sufficiently stringent to deter such a crime and to adequately reflect consideration of the retail value of the legitimate items that are infringed upon and the quantity of items so infringed.",2025-08-21T20:14:38Z,
104-s-1111,104,s,1111,"A bill to amend title 35, United States Code, with respect to patents on biotechnological processes.",Commerce,1995-08-02,1995-11-01,Became Public Law No: 104-41.,Senate,"Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]",UT,R,H000338,1,"Provides that, upon timely election by the applicant for patent to proceed, a ""biotechnological process"" using or resulting in a composition of matter that is novel and nonobvious shall be considered nonobvious if:  (1) claims to the process and the composition of matter are contained in either the same application for patent or in separate applications having the same effective filing date; and (2) the composition of matter and the process at the time it was invented were owned by the same person or subject to an obligation of assignment to the same person. Specifies that a patent issued on such a process shall:  (1) contain the claims to the composition of matter used in or made by that process; or (2) if such composition of matter is claimed in another patent, be set to expire on the same date as such other patent. Provides that, if a claim to a composition of matter is held invalid and that claim was the basis of a determination of nonobviousness under this Act, the process shall no longer be considered nonobvious solely on the basis of provisions of this Act.",2025-07-21T19:32:26Z,
104-hr-2150,104,hr,2150,Small Business Credit Efficiency Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-08-01,1995-09-12,Laid on the table. See S. 895 for further action.,House,"Rep. Meyers, Jan [R-KS-3]",KS,R,M000684,0,"Small Business Credit Efficiency Act of 1995 - Amends the Small Business Act to increase, from four to five tenths of one percent of the outstanding principal balance of a loan guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA), the amount which may be charged as a fee for loan guarantees sold on the secondary market. Decreases the level of participation by the SBA in the guarantee of general business loans made to qualified small businesses to:  (1) 80 percent of the balance of the financing outstanding if such amount is less than or equal to $100,000; and (2) 75 percent of such balance if such amount is greater than $100,000.  (Currently, the level is no less than 90 percent of such balance for any amount less than or equal to $155,000.) Limits the maximum authorized interest rate for a loan guaranteed under the Preferred Lenders Program to the highest rate charged for other SBA loan guarantees. Authorizes the SBA to collect from borrowers a loan guarantee fee of:  (1) two percent of the outstanding loan balance for loans of less than $250,000; (2)two and a half percent for loans of $250,000 or more, but less than $500,000; and (3) three percent of such balance for loans of $500,000 or greater.  (Currently, the SBA may collect a loan fee of two percent for loans of any amount.) Exempts from such fees loans repayable in one year or less.   Directs the SBA to collect an additional fee to offset administrative costs of such loans. Repeals a provision authorizing lenders to retain one half of such loan guarantee fee. Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to:  (1) increase to $1.25 million the maximum authorized loan that may be made to each qualifying State and local development company for use in plant acquisition, construction, conversion, and expansion; and (2) direct the SBA to collect an additional fee to offset administrative costs of such loans.",2025-04-07T15:27:07Z,
104-hr-2125,104,hr,2125,Small Business Administration Transfer Act,Commerce,1995-07-27,1995-07-28,Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1540),House,"Rep. Dreier, David [R-CA-28]",CA,R,D000492,10,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Reorganization of Small Business Functions      Title II:  Termination of Certain Authorities Under Small           Business Act and Small Business Investment Act of 1958      Title III:  Transfers of Functions to Secretary of the           Treasury      Title IV:  Other Transfers      Title V:  General Administrative Provisions      Title VI:  Transitional, Savings, and Conforming Provisions Small Business Administration Transfer Act - Title I: Reorganization of Small Business Functions - Terminates the present Small Business Administration (SBA) on September 30, 1996. (Sec. 102) Establishes in the Treasury an SBA, to be headed by an Under Secretary appointed by the President.  Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to appoint a Deputy Under Secretary to assist in SBA functions. (Sec. 103) Establishes in the Executive Office of the President an Office of Small Business Advocacy, to be headed by a Director appointed by the President. Title II:  Termination of Certain Authorities Under Small Business Act and Small Business Investment Act of 1958 - Repeals, with specified exceptions, the Small Business Act effective September 30, 1995.  Repeals on the same date the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. Title III:  Transfers of Functions to Secretary of the Treasury - Amends the Small Business Act to transfer to the Secretary the functions with respect to the general business loan program. Prohibits any loan from being guaranteed by the Secretary under the program:  (1) if the applicant can obtain credit elsewhere; (2) unless the loan is of such sound value or so secured as to reasonably assure repayment; (3) if it extends to more than 75 percent of the balance outstanding at the time of disbursement; (4) if the total amount outstanding and committed to a borrower would exceed $750,000; (5) if the terms of the loan allow repayment more than 25 years after the date of the loan (with an exception); and (6) if the interest rate charged exceeds a rate prescribed by the Secretary.  Directs the Secretary to enter into a guarantee agreement with each financial institution participating in the program in order to assure that such loan conditions are met.  Requires each financial institution entering into such an agreement to:  (1) maintain at all participatory times tangible assets of at least six percent of its total assets; and (2) have complete authority to make and close, service, and liquidate such guaranteed loans without the Secretary's approval. Directs the Secretary to collect a loan guarantee fee of two percent of the guaranteed amount, except for a loan repayable in one year or less.  Authorizes the Secretary to adjust such amount when necessary to cover administrative costs.  Directs the Secretary to reduce the guaranteed portion of loans made by a financial institution when the Secretary determines that losses on such loans exceed the average losses on such loans by other financial institutions. Prohibits the Secretary from limiting an institution's ability to call (request full payment of) a loan guaranteed under the program. Authorizes the Secretary to permit lenders under the program to impose and collect a reasonable penalty fee for late payments of guaranteed loans.  Subjects each participating financial institution to an annual compliance review.  Authorizes the Secretary to phase in the application of changes made under this Act in order to prevent disruption to financial institutions currently participating in the general business loan program. (Sec. 302) Transfers to the Secretary all financial obligations currently owned by the SBA, together with all other assets, rights, functions, and powers.  Succeeds the Secretary to all rights of the SBA with respect to outstanding loan guarantees.  Provides for the disposition of assets received under the loan guarantee program. Authorizes and directs the Secretary to purchase from the Federal Financing Bank all obligations that were guaranteed or otherwise backed by the SBA.  Transfers to the Secretary all SBA regulatory authorities. Title IV:  Other Transfers - Transfers to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget all the functions, powers, and duties vested in the SBA under the Small Business Act with respect to:  (1) size standards for small businesses; and (2) government procurement programs. (Sec. 402) Transfers to the Director of the Office of Small Business Advocacy all current SBA functions, powers, and duties with respect to:  (1) maintenance of national small business economic indices; and (2) certain business aid programs. Title V:  General Administrative Provisions - Revises administrative and organizational authorities necessitated by the transfer of functions under this Act. Title VI:  Transitional, Savings, and Conforming Provisions - Makes transitional, savings, and conforming amendments and revisions necessitated by the transfer of functions under this Act, including the implementation of a one-year transition period beginning September 30, 1995.  Provides a September 30, 1995, effective date, with exceptions.",2025-08-21T20:15:52Z,
104-s-1070,104,s,1070,Patent Reexamination Reform Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-07-25,1995-07-25,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]",UT,R,H000338,0,"Patent Reexamination Reform Act of 1995 - Amends Federal patent law to expand reexamination request authority to authorize the filing of such requests by any person on the basis of patent specification requirements except for the best mode requirement.  (Current law permits reexamination requests only on the basis of prior art.) Establishes procedures for reexamination proceedings based upon third-party (persons who are not the patent owner) requests.  Requires documents filed in such proceedings, other than the request, to be served on all parties.  Authorizes third-party requesters to file written comments not less than one month from the date of service of the patent owner's response to any Patent and Trademark Office action on the merits of reexamination. Grants third-party requesters the right to appeal final reexamination decisions on the same basis such right is available to patent owners. Estops a third-party requester who files a notice of appeal or who participates as a party to an appeal from later asserting the invalidity of any claim determined to be patentable on appeal on any ground which was or could have been raised during reexamination. Bars patent owners and third-party requesters, once an order for reexamination has been issued, from filing a subsequent reexamination request until a reexamination certificate is published. Prohibits a party, once a final decision has been entered in a civil action that the party has not sustained the burden of proving the invalidity of a patent claim, from requesting reexamination on issues that were or could have been raised in the civil action. Requires the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences to review adverse decisions of examiners in reexamination proceedings and authorizes appeals to the Board by patent owners and third-party requesters with respect to reexamination decisions.  Permits appeals of Board decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.",2025-08-21T20:14:43Z,
104-hr-2022,104,hr,2022,Giles Act,Commerce,1995-07-12,1995-07-12,Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.,House,"Rep. McHale, Paul [D-PA-15]",PA,D,M000466,18,"Professional Baseball Antitrust Reform Act of 1995 or the ""Giles Act""- Amends the Clayton Act to apply the antitrust laws to any agreement or restraint imposed by professional baseball, major or minor league owners, or their agents or employees on the location of any minor league team or franchise.",2025-08-21T20:14:42Z,
104-hjres-100,104,hjres,100,To encourage States to study and adopt interstate compacts for the regulation of interstate insurance.,Commerce,1995-07-11,1995-07-28,Referred to the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.,House,"Rep. Moorhead, Carlos J. [R-CA-27]",CA,R,M000926,11,"Encourages and authorizes the States to study and to adopt interstate insurance regulatory compacts to address regulatory issues, such as the regulation of non-U.S. insurers, insurer solvency, rehabilitation and liquidation, guaranty fund protection, and insurance agent licensing.",2024-02-05T14:30:09Z,
104-hr-1979,104,hr,1979,Small Business Regulatory Bill of Rights Act,Commerce,1995-06-30,1995-07-28,Referred to the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.,House,"Rep. Duncan, John J., Jr. [R-TN-2]",TN,R,D000533,1,"Small Business Regulatory Bill of Rights Act - Amends Federal civil service law to enumerate the rights of small business entities before (including a voluntary no-fault compliance audit program and a compliance assistance program), during, and after an investigative or enforcement action, with certain exceptions and limitations.",2025-08-21T20:16:38Z,
104-hr-1937,104,hr,1937,Small Business Advocacy Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-06-27,1995-07-18,Referred to the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.,House,"Rep. Schiff, Steven [R-NM-1]",NM,R,S000125,0,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Small Business Advocacy Review      Title II:  Peer Review Survey Small Business Advocacy Act of 1995 - Title I:  Small Business Advocacy Review - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate an EPA employee who is a member of the Senior Executive Service and whose immediate supervisor is appointed by the President to serve as the chairperson of each Environmental Small Business Advocacy Review Panel established under this Act.  Directs the Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) of the Department of Labor to designate an OSHA employee with such qualifications to serve as the chairperson of each Occupational Safety and Health Small Business Advocacy Review Panel established under this Act. Directs the appropriate chairperson, with respect to a proposed Federal agency rule (other than agency organization, management, or personnel rules), to determine whether such rule is significant (has an impact on small business and has an annual aggregate impact on government and the private sector of at least $50 million) and, if so, to notify the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget and the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration to appoint review panel members for evaluation of the rule.  Requires each chairperson to notify panel members of the intent of an agency to issue a final rule, and to solicit comments from the panel with respect to the rule's effect on small business.  Provides review panel administrative, procedural, and personnel matters. Directs each chairperson to submit to the appropriate Federal agency employees responsible for carrying out a significant rule and to the appropriate congressional committees a report containing the findings and recommendations of the review panel for such rule and a recommendation of whether to conduct a cross-section survey of the small businesses impacted by the rule.  Prohibits:  (1) the judicial review of review panel activities; or (2) the publication of a rule in the Federal Register until the appropriate chairperson has had an adequate opportunity for its review under this Act. Title II:  Peer Review Survey - Provides that, if a review panel recommends that a survey be conducted, the Federal agency involved shall contract with a private sector firm or organization to conduct the survey.  Requires the availability of survey results to each interested Federal agency and, upon request, to any other interested party.",2025-08-21T20:14:19Z,
104-s-942,104,s,942,Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996,Commerce,1995-06-16,1996-03-28,For Further Action See H.R.3136.,Senate,"Sen. Bond, Christopher S. [R-MO]",MO,R,B000611,27,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Regulatory Compliance Simplification      Title II:  Regulatory Enforcement Reforms      Title III:  Equal Access to Justice Act Amendments      Title IV:  Regulatory Flexibility Act Amendments      Title V:  Congressional Review Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 - Title I:  Regulatory Compliance Simplification - States that for each rule or group of related rules for which an agency is required to prepare a final regulatory flexibility analysis, the agency shall publish one or more guides to assist small entities (businesses) in complying.  Designates such publications as small entity compliance guides.  Requires such guides to be provided through comprehensive sources of information.  Limits judicial review with respect to the designation of such guides. (Sec. 103) Provides that, whenever appropriate, it shall be the practice of the agency to answer inquiries by small entities concerning information on and advice about compliance with statutes and regulations. Requires each agency regulating the activities of small entities to establish a program for responding to such inquiries within one year after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 104) Amends the Small Business Act to require small business development centers to provide assistance to small businesses concerning regulatory requirements and to develop informational publications and programs which assist such small businesses. (Sec. 105) Requires manufacturing technology centers and other similar centers administered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to provide such assistance and develop such publications and programs. (Sec. 106) Authorizes agencies to develop guides that fully integrate requirements of both Federal and State regulations where regulations within such agency's area of interest affect small businesses. Title II:  Regulatory Enforcement Reforms - Requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to designate a Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman to:  (1) ensure that small businesses that receive an audit, inspection, or other enforcement action are given a confidential means to comment on such enforcement activity; (2) establish means to receive comments from small businesses regarding enforcement actions; (3) report annually to the Congress on such comments; and (4) provide the affected agency with an opportunity to comment. Directs the SBA to establish a Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board (Board) in each SBA regional office.  Requires each Board to: (1) meet at least annually and report to the Ombudsman on instances of excessive enforcement actions taken against small businesses; and (2) consist of owners and operators of small entities. (Sec. 202) Requires each agency regulating the activities of small entities to establish, within one year of enactment of this Act, a policy or program to provide for the reduction and possible waiver of civil penalties for violations of a statutory or regulatory requirement by a small entity.  Requires each such agency to report to the Congress concerning the implementation of its program or policy. Title III:  Equal Access to Justice Act Amendments - Amends Federal provisions concerning administrative and judicial proceedings to:  (1) increase from $75 to $125 the authorized hourly rate of attorney's fees that may be awarded in such proceedings; and (2) provide for the award of attorney's fees for a party or small entity. Title IV:  Regulatory Flexibility Act Amendments - Requires each agency that publishes an initial regulatory flexibility analysis with respect to a proposed rule to prepare, after such rule is published, a final regulatory flexibility analysis containing specified information, including the need for and objectives of the rule and its possible reporting, recordkeeping, and other effects on small entities. (Sec. 402) Revises judicial review procedures for small entities adversely affected or aggrieved by agency regulatory actions or requirements. (Sec. 404) Revises procedures concerning the gathering of comments on regulatory rules to allow the solicitation and reception of comments over computer networks.  Provides that, prior to publication of an initial or final regulatory flexibility analysis of a rule, an agency shall provide, through the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the SBA, notice and information to small entities concerning the potential impacts of such rule.  Requires the agency to convene a review panel to review the rule, collect advice and recommendations from small entities identified to be affected by such rule, and report on such comments and other issues raised.  Requires such report to be made public as part of the rulemaking record.  Authorizes the Chief Counsel to waive the review panel requirements of this section if the Chief Counsel finds that such requirements would not advance the effective participation of small entities in the rulemaking process. Requires the head of each agency that has conducted a final regulatory flexibility analysis to designate a small business advocacy chairperson to be responsible for implementing this section and to act as permanent chair of the agency's review panels established under this section. Title V:  Congressional Review - Congressional Review Act of 1996 - Provides that before a rule can take effect as a final rule, the Federal agency promulgating such rule shall submit to each House of Congress and the Comptroller General a report containing:  (1) a copy of the rule; (2) a concise general statement of the rule; and (3) its proposed effective date.  Requires such agency, upon request, to also supply certain other information, including a cost-benefit analysis of the rule.  Directs the Comptroller General to report on each significant rule to the committees of jurisdiction of each House of Congress.  Makes a significant rule effective as a final rule on the latter of the date 45 days after:  (1) the Congress receives the report on such rule; or (2) the rule is published in the Federal Register.  Prohibits a rule from taking effect if the Congress passes a joint resolution of disapproval under procedures prescribed in this Act.  Authorizes the President to waive such a resolution if he determines, and notifies the Congress in writing, that the waiver is necessary:  (1) because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency; (2) for the enforcement of criminal laws; or (3) for national security.  Outlines the procedure for the congressional treatment of rules issued 60 days or earlier before the Congress adjourns a session.  Provides transition rules for rules issued before enactment of this title.  Provides congressional rule disapproval procedures.  Defines ""significant rule"" for purposes of this section as a rule having an annual economic effect of $100 million or more, adversely affecting the economy in a material way, or having certain other material or legal impact. (Sec. 505) Provides that, in the case of any deadline for or relating to any rule which does not take effect because of the enactment of a congressional joint resolution, such deadline is extended until 12 months after the date of such resolution. (Sec. 507) Prohibits judicial review of determinations made under this title. (Sec. 509) States that the congressional review procedures of this title shall not apply to rules that:  (1) concern monetary policy proposed or implemented by the Federal Reserve System or Federal Open Market Committee; or (2) establish or modify a regulatory program for a commercial, recreational, or subsistence activity relating to hunting, fishing, or camping.",2025-04-07T15:22:58Z,
104-hr-1853,104,hr,1853,Freedom From Nicotine Addiction Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-06-15,1995-06-19,Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.,House,"Rep. Meehan, Martin T. [D-MA-5]",MA,D,M000627,10,"Freedom From Nicotine Addiction Act of 1995 - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) to make it unlawful to deliver into interstate commerce a tobacco product with a nicotine content over specified limits.  Reduces those limits each year for six years. Provides for enforcement under existing FDCA enforcement provisions.",2025-08-21T20:16:17Z,
104-hr-1861,104,hr,1861,Copyright Clarifications Act of 1996,Commerce,1995-06-15,1996-07-12,Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.,House,"Rep. Moorhead, Carlos J. [R-CA-27]",CA,R,M000926,0,"Copyright Clarifications Act of 1996 - Amends the Satellite Home Viewer Act of 1994 to provide that the formula used to compute the royalty fee to be deposited semiannually by a satellite carrier with the Register of Copyrights shall require that 17.5-cent and 14-cent per subscriber charges apply, respectively, to:  (1) superstations that, as retransmitted by the satellite carrier, include any program which, if delivered by any cable system in the United States, would be subject to the syndicated exclusivity rules of the Federal Communications Commission; and (2) superstations that are syndex-proof. (Sec. 3) Revises existing copyright law to provide that, in the case of a derivative work that is based upon a restored work and is created before the enactment of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, if the source country of the restored (currently, derivative) work is an eligible country on such enactment or, before the date of adherence or proclamation, the country of the restored (currently, derivative) work is ineligible on such enactment, a reliance party may continue to exploit that derivative work for the duration of the restored copyright if such party pays to the owner of the restored copyright reasonable compensation for conduct which would otherwise be subject to a remedy for infringement. Deletes the requirement of the Copyright Office to publish in the Federal Register a cumulative annual list of notices of intent to enforce restored copyrights. Revises the definition of:  (1) ""date of restoration"" to specify January 1, 1996, as the date of restoration of foreign copyrights; and (2) ""eligible country"" for purposes of determining who qualifies as a reliance party to mean a nation, other than the United States, that, after enactment of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act becomes a World Trade Organization member, is or becomes a member of the Berne Convention, or becomes subject to a presidential proclamation. (Sec. 4) Provides that royalty rates and terms established for licenses for nonexempt subscription transmissions shall be effective until December 31, 2000 (as under current law) or until 30 days after the Librarian of Congress issues and publishes in the Federal Register an order adopting or rejecting the report of a copyright arbitration royalty panel (CARP), if convened.  Deletes requirements for a CARP to publish royalty rates, terms, or decisions in the Federal Register. (Sec. 6) Revises arbitration proceedings concerning jukebox negotiated licenses to allow parties not subject to such negotiations to determine the result of the negotiation by arbitration in accordance with CARP proceedings. Defines for purposes of negotiated licenses for jukeboxes:  (1) ""coin-operated phonorecord player""; and (2) ""operator."" (Sec. 7) Provides that it is not a copyright infringement for the owner or lessee of a machine to make or authorize the making of a copy of a computer program solely by activation of a machine that lawfully contains an authorized copy of the program for purposes only of maintenance or repair of that machine, provided:  (1) such new copy is used in no other manner and is destroyed immediately after the maintenance or repair is completed; and (2) any program or part thereof that is not necessary for machine activation is not accessed or used other than to make such new copy by activation of the machine. (Sec. 8) Eliminates provisions:  (1) directing the Librarian of Congress to collect royalty rate proposals for public broadcasting compulsory licenses from public broadcasters and proposals; and (2) requiring the Register of Copyrights to report to the Congress on January 3, 1980, on the extent of voluntarily negotiated public broadcasting licenses. (Sec. 9) Requires a copyright owner to give an infringer at least 48 hours' (currently, ten to 30 days') notice of the owner's intention to secure copyright in a work that is to be transmitted live at the same time that it is being fixed in tangible form for the first time. (Sec. 10) Revises procedures for adjusting Copyright Office fees to authorize the Register of Copyrights, in 1996 and any subsequent calendar year, to:  (1) study the costs incurred by the Office for the registration of claims, the recordation of documents, and the provisions of services (considering the timing of any increase in fees and the authority to use such fees consistent with the budget); (2) submit a proposed schedule for any fee increase to the Congress; and (3) increase fees up to the reasonable costs incurred by the Office for such services plus a reasonable inflation adjustment unless, within a specified period, a law is enacted stating that the Congress does not approve the schedule. Requires the Register to request the Secretary of the Treasury to invest in interest-bearing Treasury securities any portion of the fees deposited against future services that is not required to meet current deposit account demands. (Sec. 11) Requires CARP arbitration proceedings to be used in satellite carrier compulsory license rate adjustments. Authorizes the Librarian of Congress to:  (1) distribute royalty fees collected that are not subject to controversy; and (2) accept or reject royalty claims filed on the basis of timeliness or failure to establish the basis for a claim. Requires the Librarian to reimburse an arbitrator at such intervals and in such a manner as the Librarian provides by regulation and pursuant to a signed agreement between the Library of Congress and the arbitrator (an independent contractor acting on behalf of the United States).  Considers such payments to be costs incurred by the Library of Congress and the Copyright Office for purposes of deducting such amounts from royalty fees. Allows the Librarian and the Copyright Office, in ratemaking proceedings, to access their reasonable costs directly to the parties to the most relevant arbitration proceeding (50 percent of the costs to the parties who would receive royalties from the royalty rate adopted in the proceeding and 50 percent of the costs to the parties who would pay the adopted royalty rate, subject to the discretion of the arbitrators to assess costs under such proceeding). (Sec. 12)  Removes the March 30 deadline by which the Librarian must annually determine whether there are any controversies among claimants in the distribution of digital audio recording technology royalties. (Sec. 13) Provides that the distribution before January 1, 1978, of a phonorecord shall not constitute a publication of the musical work embodied therein.",2025-07-21T19:32:26Z,
104-hr-1822,104,hr,1822,To provide that Federal and State courts and agencies may not require that legal citations in which copyright subsists be the only acceptable submission to such courts and agencies where alternatives exist.,Commerce,1995-06-13,1995-07-18,Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property.,House,"Rep. Frank, Barney [D-MA-4]",MA,D,F000339,0,"Prohibits State or Federal courts, agencies, departments, or other authorities from requiring that submitted documents use a system of legal citations in which copyright subsists, unless no other citation system exists.",2025-01-16T12:12:20Z,
104-s-917,104,s,917,Small Business Advocacy Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-06-13,1996-02-28,Committee on Small Business. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 104-443.,Senate,"Sen. Domenici, Pete V. [R-NM]",NM,R,D000407,9,"TABLE OF CONTENTS:      Title I:  Small Business Advocacy Review      Title II:  Peer Review Survey Small Business Advocacy Act of 1995 - Title I:  Small Business Advocacy Review - Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate an EPA employee who is a member of the Senior Executive Service and whose immediate supervisor is appointed by the President to serve as the chairperson of each Environmental Small Business Advocacy Review Panel established under this Act.  Directs the Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) of the Department of Labor to designate an OSHA employee with such qualifications to serve as the chairperson of each Occupational Safety and Health Small Business Advocacy Review Panel established under this Act. Directs the appropriate chairperson, with respect to a proposed Federal agency rule (other than agency organization, management, or personnel rules), to determine whether such rule is significant (has an impact on small business and has an annual aggregate impact on government and the private sector of at least $50 million) and, if so, to notify the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget and the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration to appoint review panel members for evaluation of the rule.  Requires each chairperson to notify panel members of the intent of an agency to issue a final rule, and to solicit comments from the panel with respect to the rule's effect on small business.  Provides review panel administrative, procedural, and personnel matters. Directs each chairperson to submit to the appropriate Federal agency employees responsible for carrying out a significant rule and to the appropriate congressional committees a report containing the findings and recommendations of the review panel for such rule and a recommendation of whether to conduct a cross-section survey of the small businesses impacted by the rule.  Prohibits:  (1) the judicial review of review panel activities; or (2) the publication of a rule in the Federal Register until the appropriate chairperson has had an adequate opportunity for its review under this Act. Title II:  Peer Review Survey - Provides that, if a review panel recommends that a survey be conducted, the Federal agency involved shall contract with a private sector firm or organization to conduct the survey.  Requires the availability of survey results to each interested Federal agency and, upon request, to any other interested party.",2025-08-21T20:15:53Z,
104-s-909,104,s,909,Inventor Protection Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-06-09,1995-06-09,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [D-CT]",CT,D,L000304,0,"Inventor Protection Act of 1995 - Requires that every contract for invention development services be in writing and that a copy of the signed written contract be given to the customer at the time the customer enters into the contract. Directs the invention developer to:  (1) state in the contract whether the usual business practice is either to seek more than one contract in connection with an invention or to seek to perform services in one or more phases; and (2) supply to the customer a copy of the written document including the usual business terms of contracts and the approximate amount of the usual fees for services provided. Prohibits a developer from requiring or accepting payment for services for five business days after the customer receives a copy of the contract. Gives the parties the option to refuse to enter into the contract until five business days after the payment is made. Prescribes language and information that must be included in a cover notice on every such contract. Requires the developer to deliver at quarterly intervals a written report for every contract which shall include:  (1)  a description of the services performed and those yet to be performed; and (2) the name and address of each person, firm, or corporation to whom the subject matter has been disclosed. Mandates that each contract include:  (1) the terms and conditions of payment and contract termination rights; (2) a statement that the customer may avoid entering into the contract by not making a payment to the developer; (3) a concise description of the specific acts or services the developer undertakes; (4) a statement as to whether the developer undertakes to construct, sell, or distribute one or more prototypes, models, or devices embodying the invention; (5) the name and place of business of the developer and any entity that may perform any of the services; (6) a statement of the developer's representation of estimated or projected customer earnings and the data upon which such representation is based; (7) the name and address of the custodian of all records and correspondence relating to the contract; and (8) a statement setting forth a schedule for performance of services. Renders any such contract voidable if it:  (1) does not comply with applicable provisions; (2) is entered into in reliance upon any false, fraudulent, or misleading information, representation, notice, or advertisement; or (3)  is made by an unenrolled invention developer.   Deems any waiver by the customer of any provision of this chapter contrary to public policy void, and unenforceable. Permits any customer who is injured by a developer's violation of this chapter or by any false or fraudulent statement, representation, or omission of material fact by a developer to recover in a civil action against the developer, in addition to reasonable costs and attorney's fees, the greater of $5,000 or the amount of actual damages sustained to the customer. Requires the developers that offer to perform or perform for the customer any act involved in filing for and obtaining utility, design, or plant patent or trademark protection to enroll annually with the Patent and Trademark Office. Authorizes the Commissioner of the Patent and Trademark Office, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, to suspend or exclude from enrollment as a developer any person, firm, partnership, or corporation demonstrated to be incompetent, disreputable, liable for gross misconduct, or not in compliance with the regulations. Makes an act by an unenrolled developer of representing himself as enrolled or permitting himself to be held out as enrolled as a misdemeanor subject to a $10,000 fine for each offense.",2025-08-21T20:14:10Z,
104-s-895,104,s,895,Small Business Lending Enhancement Act of 1995,Commerce,1995-06-08,1995-10-12,Became Public Law No: 104-36.,Senate,"Sen. Bond, Christopher S. [R-MO]",MO,R,B000611,5,"Small Business Lending Enhancement Act of 1995 - Amends the Small Business Act to reduce the level of participation by the Small Business Administration (SBA) in loans guaranteed under the Act on a deferred basis to:  (1) 75 percent of the outstanding balance, if the balance exceeds $100,000; and (2) 80 percent of such balance, for balances less than or equal to $100,000.   Allows such percentages to be reduced upon request of the participating lender.  Prohibits the SBA from using the percentage requested as a criterion for establishing priorities in approving guarantee requests.  Limits the maximum interest rate under the Preferred Lenders Program to that charged for other loan guarantees under the Act. Increases the loan guarantee fees authorized to be charged by the SBA on all guaranteed loans payable over a period in excess of one year.  Establishes a fee of two percent of the total deferred participation share of loans of $80,000 or less.      Repeals provisions allowing participating lenders providing loans of less than $75,000 to retain a portion of the loan guarantee fee charged by the SBA. Directs the SBA to assess and collect an annual fee, to be payable by the participating lender and not charged to the borrower, in an aggregate amount equal to 0.5 percent of the outstanding balance of the deferred participation share of the loan. Directs the SBA to notify the congressional small business committees at least 15 days before making any significant policy or administrative change affecting the operation of the SBA loan program. Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to direct the SBA, with respect to each guaranteed loan made from the proceeds of development company debentures issued by qualified State or local development companies, to:  (1) assess and collect a fee for such loan, payable by the borrower; and (2) use the fee proceeds to offset the cost of making such loan guarantees. Amends the Small Business Administration Reauthorization and Amendment Act of 1988 to extend through FY 1997 the preferred surety bond guarantee pilot program.",2025-07-02T21:29:49Z,