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
110-hr-7321,110,hr,7321,Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act,Commerce,2008-12-10,2008-12-11,Received in the Senate.,House,"Rep. Frank, Barney [D-MA-4]",MA,D,F000339,1,"Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act - (Sec. 3) Directs the President to designate one or more executive branch officers (designee) to carry out the purposes of this Act. Requires such designee to have appropriate expertise to facilitate the restructuring necessary to achieve the long-term financial viability of domestic automobile manufacturers.  (Sec. 4) Requires the designee to authorize and direct the disbursement of bridge loans or to enter into commitments for lines of credit to each automobile manufacturer that submitted to Congress a plan on December 2, 2008, and request for such loan or commitment ("automaker," for purposes of this Act). Establishes as the amount of such assistance the amount intended to facilitate continued operations of the automaker and prevent its failure.(Sec. 5) Directs the designee to: (1) determine measures to assess the progress of each automaker for transforming the plan submitted into a restructuring plan; (2) evaluate progress toward developing a restructuring plan after a 45-day period beginning when the assessment measures were established; and (3) facilitate agreement on a restructuring plan to achieve and sustain the long-term viability, international competitiveness, and energy efficiency of an automaker.(Sec. 6) Requires each automaker to submit a restructuring plan to the designee no later than March 31, 2009. Directs the designee to approve such plan if it meets specified requirements, including that it will result in: (1) the repayment of all government-provided financing, under specified terms; (2) the domestic manufacturing of advanced technology vehicles, as described under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007; (3) efforts to rationalize costs, capitalization, and capacity; and (4) proposals to restructure existing debt.(Sec. 7) Authorizes the designee, upon plan approval, to provide financial assistance to an automaker to implement the plan. Requires a loan to be called upon restructuring plan disapproval.(Sec. 9) Directs the designee to prioritize the loan assistance to automakers, based on: (1) its necessity for continued operations; (2) potential impacts of the automaker's failure on the U.S. economy; and (3) the ability to use the assistance to satisfy operational and long-term restructuring requirements.(Sec. 10) Makes appropriations to provide loan funds under this Act in an amount up to $14 billion. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Energy to replenish funds made available. Provides loan terms and conditions.(Sec. 11) Requires each recipient, during the loan period, to inform the designee of: (1) any proposed automaker transaction in excess of $100 million; and (2) any other material change in financial condition. Authorizes the designee to review and approve or disapprove such a transaction. Outlines provisions concerning an automaker's failure to comply with loan requirements.(Sec. 12) Requires the designee to receive warrants for up to 20% of the common or preferred stock of each automaker as a loan condition. Subjects each automaker, during the loan period, to specified executive compensation and corporate governance standards. Limits an automaker's owning or leasing of corporate passenger aircraft, and prohibits an automaker's payment of dividends, during such period. Subordinates to the federal loan any other automaker obligations.Prohibits a title 11 bankruptcy discharge from discharging an automaker or its successor in interest from any debt for assistance received under this Act.(Sec. 13) Directs the Comptroller General (CG) to conduct ongoing oversight of the designee's activities and performance and to report at least every 60 days to Congress. Adds to duties of the Special Inspector General established by the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 the duty to coordinate audits and investigations of the designee.(Sec. 14) Requires: (1) each loan recipient to analyze potential uses of excess production capacity to make vehicles for sale to public transit agencies; and (2) the CG to review such analyses and report thereon to Congress and the designee. (Sec. 15) Requires reports from the designee to Congress on: (1) bridge loans made under this Act; (2) the restructuring progress assessment measures established under section 5; (3) actions taken against an automaker for failure to comply with this Act's requirements; (4) any additional powers and authorities necessary to facilitate completion of a negotiated restructuring plan; (5) progress of automakers to continue operations and proceed with restructuring processes that restore financial viability and promote environmental sustainability; and (6) a plan on achieving the long-term viability, international competitiveness, and energy efficiency of each automaker.(Sec. 18) Directs the designee to serve as a guarantor of leases of qualified transportation property (domestic property subject to a lease approved by the Federal Transit Administration prior to January 1, 2006). Requires designee recoupment of payments of claims in excess of collateral held with respect to such guarantees.(Sec. 19) Authorizes a salary adjustment during FY2009 for justices and judges of the United States.Sets forth guidelines for application of the antitrust laws and antitrust agency participation in proceedings of the automakers.(Sec. 20) Makes inapplicable to ownership changes resulting from this Act certain Internal Revenue Code provisions limiting the carryover of net operating losses and certain built-in losses. (Sec. 21) Designates amounts provided under this Act as an emergency requirement under the FY2008 concurrent budget resolution. (Sec. XX [sic]) Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require each financial condition report from insured depository institutions that received an investment or other assistance under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) established by the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 or under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to contain information on any increase in new lending during the report period that is attributable to such investment or assistance. Allows an alternative report on the total amount of increased new lending if the institution cannot accurately quantify the effect that an investment or other assistance under TARP has had on any new lending.",2022-02-03T05:18:54Z,
110-hr-7330,110,hr,7330,College Football Playoff Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-12-10,2008-12-10,Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.,House,"Rep. Barton, Joe [R-TX-6]",TX,R,B000213,3,"College Football Playoff Act of 2008 - Prohibits promoting, marketing, or advertising a post-season National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) game as a championship or national championship game (or any merchandise that refers to the game as a championship or national championship game) unless such game is the final game of a single elimination post-season playoff system for which all NCAA Division I FBS conferences and unaffiliated Division I FBS teams are eligible.Treats a violation as an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act. Makes this Act applicable to any game that occurs after January 31, 2011.",2018-11-21T21:31:03Z,
110-hr-7297,110,hr,7297,Emergency Automobile Industry American Jobs Protection Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-11-20,2008-11-20,Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.,House,"Rep. Jackson-Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]",TX,D,J000032,0,"Emergency Automobile Industry American Jobs Protection Act of 2008 - States that any distribution of loan funds to General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler (Big Three) should be conditioned upon their certifying to Congress, before the disbursement, that: (1) U.S. automobile jobs will not be decreased by relocation to foreign countries; (2) automobile dealerships will benefit from the receipt of these loan funds; (3) the Big Three shall provide for the stability of such dealerships; and (4) U.S. automobile suppliers will also be supported by and stabilized such loan funding.  States that no loan funds should be used by the Big Three to allow them to relocate overseas if the relocation causes the loss of U.S. automobile industry jobs, dealerships, or suppliers. Declares that such loan funds should be used to: (1) ensure the stability of the Big Three; and (2) establish a long-term plan of growth for automobile dealerships and automotive industry suppliers.",2019-11-15T20:56:30Z,
110-s-3699,110,s,3699,HUBZone Improvement Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-11-19,2008-11-19,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measure as introduced: CR S10662-10663),Senate,"Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]",ME,R,S000663,0,HUBZone Improvement Act of 2008 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) correct and update the map used by the SBA to identify HUBZones (historically underutilized business zones) and to ensure that it is updated on a more frequent basis; (2) develop and implement guidance for determining whether an applicant is a qualified HUBZone small business; (3) establish a date for elimination of the backlog of applications for recertification as a qualified HUBZone small business; (4) ensure that the SBA eliminates the backlog by such date; (5) establish and implement a time period for completing a recertification; and (6) develop and implement plans to assess the effectiveness of the HUBZone program.,2019-11-15T21:59:14Z,
110-s-3705,110,s,3705,10 Steps for a Main Street Economic Recovery Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-11-19,2008-11-19,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S10666-10670),Senate,"Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]",ME,R,S000663,0,"10 Steps for a Main Street Economic Recovery Act of 2008 - Amends the Small Business Act concerning 7(a) loans (general small business loans) made by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) increase certain loan amounts; (2) direct the SBA Administrator to establish an optional business size standard for 7(a) loan applicants and for development company loan applicants under title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958; and (3) revise provisions concerning the pooling of SBA loans for sale on the secondary market. Establishes a community express program under which the Administrator may guarantee the payment of principal and interest on loans of up to $150,000 made to small businesses owned and controlled by women, Indian tribes, socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, veterans and reserve members, small businesses located in low- or moderate-income areas or in a special market initiative, and HUBZone (heavily underutilized business zone) small businesses. Directs the Administrator to: (1) carry out a rural lender and new lender outreach program and guarantee small business loans of up to $500,000 made by such lenders; and (2) establish an online underwriting program guide to develop the lending capacity of such lenders. Revises provisions concerning the 504 program (SBA financings to small businesses through certified development companies [CDCs]) to: (1) increase maximum loan amounts; (2) include as a program goal the expansion of businesses in low-income communities; (3) allow CDC financings to include a limited amount of other-debt refinancing; and (4) allow the Administrator to guarantee repayment of a limited amount of third party financing obtained by loan pool assemblers, and to issue trust certificates representing all or a part of such guaranteed amount. Direct the Administrator, during FY2009-FY2010, to collect no lending fees, and reduce other fees, in connection with certain 7(a) and 504 loan programs. Authorizes appropriations for FY2009-FY2010 for the Microloan program (SBA start-up, acquisition, and expansion loans to very small businesses). Increases maximum leverage amounts available to small business investment companies. Directs the Administrator to develop an emergency small business lending advertising strategy to inform small businesses of the availability of loans through lenders participating in SBA programs. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise or add small business tax provisions, including providing for: (1) an extension of a temporary increase in limitations on expensing certain depreciable business assets; (2) a five-year carryback of certain net operating losses; and (3) the temporary suspension of the 90% limit on certain net operating loss carrybacks and carryovers. Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to include certain trust certificates issued by the Administrator under the 7(a) and 504 loan programs as "troubled assets" (thereby qualifying them under such Act's troubled assets relief program).",2019-11-15T21:59:21Z,
110-s-3660,110,s,3660,Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act,Commerce,2008-10-01,2008-10-01,"Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.",Senate,"Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]",MN,D,K000367,1,"Residential Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to require the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to publish the American National Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms (American National Standard ANSI/UL 2034-2005) as a mandatory consumer product safety standard. Makes it unlawful for any manufacturer or distributor to import into or distribute any new assembled or unassembled residential carbon monoxide detector unless it complies with the standard.  Requires the CPSC to promulgate consumer product safety rules requiring, at a minimum, that every portable generator sold to the public for purposes other than resale shall be equipped with an interlock safety device that: (1) detects the level of carbon monoxide in the areas surrounding such portable generator; and (2) automatically turns off the portable generator before the level of carbon monoxide reaches a level that would cause serious bodily injury or death to people. Requires the CPSC to establish a grant program to provide assistance to states to carry out a carbon monoxide alarm program.",2020-02-12T18:55:57Z,
110-s-3666,110,s,3666,Copper Theft Prevention Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-10-01,2008-10-01,"Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.",Senate,"Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]",MN,D,K000367,1,"Copper Theft Prevention Act of 2008 - Requires secondary copper recyclers (purchasers of copper that has served its original economic purpose) to keep records for at least one year of all purchases of copper property. Prohibits such recyclers from accepting cash in excess of $250 for the purchase of copper property. Imposes a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for violations of this Act.",2020-02-12T18:55:57Z,
110-s-3670,110,s,3670,"A bill to regulate certain State and local taxation of electronic commerce, and for other purposes.",Commerce,2008-10-01,2008-10-01,"Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S10335)",Senate,"Sen. Bunning, Jim [R-KY]",KY,R,B001066,0,"Prohibits a state from imposing any tax on electronic commerce (i.e., transactions conducted over the Internet or through Internet access) of any person unless that person has a physical presence in the state during the period to which such tax applies or is incorporated or domiciled in such state. Sets forth criteria for determining physical presence, including: (1) being physically in a state or assigning one or more employees to a state; (2) using the services of an agent to establish or maintain the electronic commerce in the state; or (3) leasing or owning tangible personal or real property in the state. Exempts from the definition of "physical presence" entering into an agreement to share revenue generated by the electronic commerce of another person, presence in the state for less than 15 days in a taxable year, and presence in a state to conduct limited or transient business activity.",2020-02-12T18:55:57Z,
110-s-3649,110,s,3649,Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-09-29,2008-09-29,Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]",OR,D,W000779,1,"Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008 - Allows a receiving agent (designated by the Librarian of Congress to collect royalties that ultimately are disbursed to sound recording copyright owners and performers) to enter into agreements with webcasters that establish royalty terms for the performance of sound recordings over the Internet. Provides that such agreements, which may be effective for a period of up to 11 years following January 1, 2005, are to be binding on all copyright owners of sound recordings and other persons entitled to payment, in lieu of any determination of compulsory license rates by the Copyright Royalty Judges.Terminates the authority to negotiate settlement agreements under this Act on February 15, 2009.Declares that nothing in this Act (or any agreement entered into under this Act) shall be taken into account by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in its review of the May 1, 2007, determination of royalty rates by the Copyright Royalty Judges.",2019-11-15T22:00:12Z,
110-hr-7175,110,hr,7175,Small Business Financing Improvements Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-09-27,2008-09-30,Received in the Senate.,House,"Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-12]",NY,D,V000081,4,"(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Small Business Financing Improvements Act of 2008 - Title I: 7(a) Loan Program - (Sec. 101) Amends the Small Business Act to require trust certificates representing all or a portion of one or more small business loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to be based on and backed by a trust or pool approved by the SBA Administrator and composed solely of the guaranteed portion of such loan(s). Makes the interest rate on such certificates either: (1) the lowest rate on any loan in the pool; or (2) the weighted average rate of all the pooled loans. (Sec. 102) Directs the SBA to establish an optional loan size standard applicable to both 7(a) (SBA-guaranteed general business loans) borrowers and 504 (loans to small businesses funded by the SBA through certified development companies) borrowers, using net worth and average net income as loan size standards in lieu of industry standards. Title II: 504 CDC Program - (Sec. 201) Provides definitions of "development company," "certified development company," and "rural area" under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. (Sec. 202) Provides criteria required before a development company may issue debentures for the financing of SBA-backed loans (and thereby be considered a certified development company, or CDC), including: (1) size (fewer than 500 employees, with an exception); (2) primary purpose and function; (3) nonprofit status; (4) good standing in the state in which it conducts business; (4) membership, board of directors, and professional management and staff; (5) area of operations; and (6) use of proceeds. Provides ethical requirements, including prohibited conflicts of interest in approved loans under the Certified Development Company Economic Development Loan Program. (Sec. 204) Adds as an eligible purpose (public policy goal) of the SBA's development company loan program the expansion of businesses in low-income communities that would be eligible for new market tax credit investments under the Internal Revenue Code. (Sec. 205) Allows a small business or corporation owned by more than one individual to qualify as minority-owned or veteran-owned for purposes of qualifying for a public policy goal loan if 51% or more of the business interest belongs to one or more individuals who are a minority or a veteran. (Sec. 206) Allows CDC loan financing to include a limited amount of refinancing for debt not previously guaranteed by the SBA, if the project involves expansion of a small business which has existing indebtedness collateralized by fixed assets. (Sec. 207) Allows small business borrowers using SBA loans for plant acquisition, construction, conversion, and expansion to contribute more equity to a project funded partially through a CDC, and to use the excess equity to reduce the amount of the non-CDC-funded portion of the loan. (Sec. 208) Requires a CDC which elects not to foreclose and liquidate defaulted loans, or is determined ineligible to do so, to contract with a third party to carry out such foreclosures and liquidations. Provides for SBA reimbursement of such expenses. (Sec. 209) Allows CDC borrowers to include administrative and closing costs (except attorney fees) within their loan amounts. (Sec. 210) Authorizes a small business whose CDC or 7(a) loan includes the acquisition of a facility or construction of a new facility to lease up to 50% of the space in such facility. Title III: Small Business Investment Company Program - (Sec. 301) Revises the maximum amount of outstanding leverage made available to: (1) any single company licensed under the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program; and (2) two or more such companies that are commonly controlled and not under capital impairment. (Sec. 302) Revises an SBIC company's maximum aggregate investment limit in a single business.",2022-02-03T05:18:09Z,
110-s-3610,110,s,3610,Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-09-26,2008-09-26,"Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.",Senate,"Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]",NJ,D,M000639,8,"Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2008 - Amends the Fur Products Labeling Act to: (1) eliminate the exemption to fur labeling requirements for products containing relatively small amounts of fur; and (2) permit states to enforce more restrictive labeling requirements. Directs the the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in the Fur Products Name Guide, to replace the term "Raccoon, Asiatic" with "Dog, Raccoon."",2020-02-12T18:55:58Z,
110-hr-7076,110,hr,7076,Alcohol Franchise Contract Arbitration Fairness Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-09-25,2008-09-25,Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.,House,"Rep. Space, Zachary T. [D-OH-18]",OH,D,S001173,2,"Alcohol Franchise Contract Arbitration Fairness Act of 2008 - Authorizes the resolution of alcohol beverage franchise disputes through arbitration if an alcoholic beverage franchise contract provides for it, but only if, after a dispute arises, all parties to the dispute consent to use of arbitration. Defines "alcoholic beverage franchise contract" as one under which an alcoholic beverage manufacturer, importer, or distributor sells alcoholic beverages to any other person for resale to an ultimate purchaser.",2018-11-21T20:29:37Z,
110-hr-7084,110,hr,7084,Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-09-25,2008-10-16,Became Public Law No: 110-435.,House,"Rep. Inslee, Jay [D-WA-1]",WA,D,I000026,4,"(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on September 30, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008 - Allows a receiving agent (designated by the Librarian of Congress to collect royalties that ultimately are disbursed to sound recording copyright owners and performers) to enter into agreements with webcasters that establish royalty terms for the performance of sound recordings over the Internet. Provides that such agreements, which may be effective for a period of up to 11 years following January 1, 2005, are to be binding on all copyright owners of sound recordings and other persons entitled to payment, in lieu of any determination of compulsory license rates by the Copyright Royalty Judges.   Terminates the authority to negotiate settlement agreements under this Act on February 15, 2009.   Declares that nothing in this Act (or any agreement entered into under this Act) shall be taken into account by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in its review of the May 1, 2007 determination of royalty rates by the Copyright Royalty Judges.",2023-11-13T20:13:44Z,
110-hr-7087,110,hr,7087,To amend the Small Business Act to establish a mentorship program designed to help minority and women-owned small businesses build their capacities and access to contracting opportunities in the construction industry.,Commerce,2008-09-25,2008-09-25,Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.,House,"Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-11]",NY,D,C001067,0,Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a program of grants to state and local governments to assist eligible small businesses to build their capacities and access to contracting opportunities in the construction industry. Makes eligible for such assistance those small businesses owned and controlled by: (1) women; and (2) socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.,2019-04-11T15:40:04Z,
110-s-3596,110,s,3596,Small Business Lending Market Stabilization Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-09-25,2008-09-25,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.,Senate,"Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]",MA,D,K000148,2,"Small Business Lending Market Stabilization Act of 2008 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), to the extent that the cost is offset by appropriations, to collect no fees currently charged by: (1) the SBA to borrowers and lenders under the SBA's 7(a) loan program (SBA-guaranteed general business loans to small businesses); and (2) development companies under SBA's 504 loan program (local business development loans). Directs the Administrator to reimburse development companies for waived fees. Increases maximum limits on SBA loans made to small businesses under the Small Business Act and on loans made to development companies under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. Authorizes a small business whose SBA loan includes the acquisition of a facility or construction of a new facility to lease up to 50% of the space in such facility. Permits certain borrowers to refinance a limited amount of their preexisting debt through a new 504 loan. Directs the SBA to establish an optional business size standard for certain small business loan applicants. Allows the SBA to use weighted average rates when pooling loans for sale on the secondary market. Directs the SBA to provide lenders at least one alternative loan interest rate to the prime rate.",2019-11-15T21:59:15Z,
110-s-3600,110,s,3600,Patent Reform Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-09-25,2008-09-25,Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9506-9516),Senate,"Sen. Kyl, Jon [R-AZ]",AZ,R,K000352,0,"Patent Reform Act of 2008 - Amends federal patent law to define terms, including "inventor," "joint inventor," and "effective filing date of a claimed invention."  Modifies the conditions under which a patent may be obtained, including basing patent granting in part on filing dates (often referred to as a "first-to-file" system). Repeals provisions relating to inventions made abroad and provisions allowing statutory invention registration. Requires that a subsequent patent application which names an inventor or joint inventor in a previous application apply as though filed on the date of the previous application. Repeals provisions providing for interfering patent civil actions. Allows an applicant to request a derivation proceeding. Allows a third party assignee or a person with a proprietary interest to file a patent application. Allows tripling of royalty damages. Sets forth criteria for calculating reasonable royalties. Replaces provisions relating to optional inter partes reexamination procedures with post-grant review procedure provisions. Replaces the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences with the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and specifies its responsibilities. Revises civil action venue requirements. Allows the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to set its fees.   Prohibits, subject to exception, holding a patent invalid or unenforceable based on misconduct before the USPTO, but allows a court to order a reissue application. Allows a civil penalty for intentional, materially deceptive conduct. Shields a financial institution that infringes by using a check collection system from the infringement remedies of civil actions, injunctions, damages, and attorney's fees. Applies the amendment made by this paragraph to any civil action for infringement pending or filed on or after enactment of this Act. Establishes the United States Patent and Trademark Office Public Enterprise Fund, transfers to it the amounts in the Patent and Trademark Office Appropriation Account, and makes Fund amounts available without fiscal year limitation for all ordinary and reasonable expenses.",2019-11-15T22:00:17Z,
110-hres-1473,110,hres,1473,"Recognizing the 150th anniversary year of the founding of Macy's, Inc., as an American entrepreneurial success story and the role Macy's, Inc., plays in supporting America's small businesses and vendors, including those that are minority and women owned; celebrating the vision, innovativeness, and ingenuity of all of our Nation's small businesses that aspire to grow and prosper as Macy's, Inc., has over its 150-year history; and congratulating Macy's, Inc., as an American entrepreneurial success story.",Commerce,2008-09-22,2008-09-23,Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.,House,"Rep. Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1]",OH,R,C000266,1,"(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Recognizes the 150th anniversary of the founding of Macy's, Inc., and the role Macy's plays in supporting America's small businesses and vendors, including those that are minority and women owned. Celebrates the vision, innovativeness, and ingenuity of all U.S. small businesses that aspire to grow and prosper as Macy's has. Congratulates Macy's as an American entrepreneurial success story.",2022-02-03T05:18:05Z,
110-hres-1477,110,hres,1477,"Recognizing the importance and sustainability of the United States hardwoods industry and urging that United States hardwoods and the products derived from United States hardwoods be given full consideration in any program directed at constructing environmentally preferable commercial, public, or private buildings.",Commerce,2008-09-22,2008-09-22,Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.,House,"Rep. Ellsworth, Brad [D-IN-8]",IN,D,E000289,27,"Recognizes that U.S. hardwoods are an abundant, sustainable, and legal resource.  Urges that U.S. hardwoods and derivative products should be given full consideration in programs directed at constructing environmentally preferable commercial, public, or private buildings.",2019-11-15T20:46:43Z,
110-hr-6922,110,hr,6922,To amend the Small Business Act to provide low-interest loans to small business concerns providing transportation services to assist them in dealing with high motor fuel prices.,Commerce,2008-09-17,2008-09-17,Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.,House,"Rep. Baird, Brian [D-WA-3]",WA,D,B001229,5,"Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make disaster loans to assist eligible small businesses that have suffered or are likely to suffer substantial economic injury as the result of increases in the price of gasoline or diesel fuel. Makes eligible for such loans small businesses engaged in the transportation of persons or property for hire. Limits loan amounts to $250,000, with an authorized waiver by the SBA. States that, for purposes of such assistance, no declaration of a disaster area is required.",2019-04-11T15:40:04Z,
110-hconres-415,110,hconres,415,"Celebrating 75 years of effective State-based alcohol regulation and recognizing State lawmakers, regulators, law enforcement officers, the public health community and industry members for creating a workable, legal, and successful system of alcoholic beverage regulation, distribution, and sale.",Commerce,2008-09-16,2008-10-02,Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.,House,"Rep. Coble, Howard [R-NC-6]",NC,R,C000556,1,"(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Celebrates 75 years of effective state-based alcohol regulation.Recognizes the successful system of alcoholic beverage regulation, distribution, and sale. Expresses continued support for policies that allow states to effectively regulate alcohol.",2022-02-03T05:09:48Z,
110-hres-1445,110,hres,1445,Commending the General Motors Corporation on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.,Commerce,2008-09-16,2008-09-16,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.",House,"Rep. Kildee, Dale E. [D-MI-5]",MI,D,K000172,21,Commends and congratulates General Motors Corporation on its 100th anniversary.,2023-01-11T13:15:50Z,
110-hr-6845,110,hr,6845,Fair Copyright in Research Works Act,Commerce,2008-09-09,2008-09-10,Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1753),House,"Rep. Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI-14]",MI,D,C000714,3,"Fair Copyright in Research Works Act - Prohibits any federal agency from imposing any condition, in connection with a funding agreement, that requires the transfer or license to or for a federal agency, or requires the absence or abandonment, of specified exclusive rights of a copyright owner in an extrinsic work.  Prohibits any federal agency from: (1) imposing, as a condition of a funding agreement, the waiver of, or assent to, any such prohibition; or (2) asserting any rights in material developed under any funding agreement that restrain or limit the acquisition or exercise of copyright rights in an extrinsic work.  Defines "funding agreement" as any contract, grant, or other agreement entered into between a federal agency and any person under which funds are provided by a federal agency for the performance of experimental, developmental, or research activities. Defines "extrinsic work" as any work, other than a work of the U.S. government, that is related to a funding agreement and is also funded in substantial part by, or results from a meaningful added value contributed by, one or more nonfederal entities that are not a party to the funding agreement.",2019-11-15T21:37:53Z,
110-s-3451,110,s,3451,Strengthening Our Economy Through Small Business Innovation Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-09-08,2008-09-08,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.,Senate,"Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI]",WI,D,F000061,0,"Strengthening Our Economy Through Small Business Innovation Act of 2008 - Amends the Small Business Act to extend: (1) the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program through FY2022; and (2) the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program through FY2023.Increases, for FY2009 and thereafter, the percentage allocation of a federal agency's annual extramural research and development budget that may be allocated to SBIR and STTR programs.Increases, for both the SBIR and STTR programs, the individual small business award levels for program participation at phase one and two levels.Includes energy, security, transportation, and water related research topics as "special consideration" SBIR research topics.Directs the Secretary of Defense to terminate the Airborne Laser program.",2019-11-15T21:59:11Z,
110-hr-6831,110,hr,6831,Copper Theft Prevention Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-08-01,2008-08-01,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.",House,"Rep. Stupak, Bart [D-MI-1]",MI,D,S001045,10,"Copper Theft Prevention Act of 2008 - Requires secondary copper recyclers (purchasers of copper that has served its original economic purpose) to keep records for at least two years of all purchases of copper property. Prohibits such recyclers from accepting cash in excess of $500 for the purchase of copper property. Imposes a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for violations of this Act.",2021-04-20T15:25:50Z,
110-s-3375,110,s,3375,Protect Children from Dangerous Lighters Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-07-31,2008-07-31,"Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7915)",Senate,"Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]",OR,D,W000779,3,"Protect Children from Dangerous Lighters Act of 2008 - Treats certain novelty lighters as banned hazardous substances under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and applies to them the Act's prohibitions (in effect banning their introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce).",2020-02-12T18:55:29Z,
110-s-3362,110,s,3362,SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-07-29,2008-08-22,Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 943.,Senate,"Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]",MA,D,K000148,14,"(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Title I: Reauthorization of the SBIR and STTR Programs - (Sec. 101) Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to reauthorize through: (1) FY2022 the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR); and (2) FY2023 the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs of the Small Business Administration (SBA). (Sec. 102) Directs the SBA to maintain an Office of Technology to carry out oversight, reporting, and public database responsibilities as assigned by the SBA Administrator. (Sec. 103) Increases by 0.1% per year, from FY2010-FY2019, the percentage of participating federal agencies' extramural research budget to be set aside for SBIR program activities. Requires the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Energy (DOE) to use the increased amounts for activities in their respective departments that further the technology readiness levels of technologies being developed under Phase II SBIR awards. Makes such increased fund usage inapplicable to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). (Sec. 104) Increases the set-aside allocation under the STTR from 0.3% to 0.6% by increasing such percentage by 0.1% every two years from FY2010-FY2014. (Sec. 105) Increases, for both the SBIR and STTR programs, the individual small business award levels from: (1) $100,000 to $150,000, for participation at the Phase I level; and (2) $750,000 to $1 million, for participation at the Phase II level. Changes from every five to every three years the required SBA inflation adjustment of such awards. Prohibits an agency from issuing an SBIR or STTR award if the award size exceeds established guidelines by more than 50%, and requires participating agencies to maintain specified information on awards exceeding such guidelines. (Sec. 106) Allows a small business that receives an: (1) SBIR award from one agency to receive an award for a subsequent phase from another agency, as long as the head of each agency certifies that the topics of the relevant awards are the same; and (2) award under either the SBIR or STTR program to receive an award for a subsequent phase under either program. (Sec. 107) Requires federal agencies to conduct solicitations of Phase II SBIR and STTR proposals without any invitation, pre-screening, pre-selection, or down-selection process between the first and second phases. (Sec. 108) Authorizes the head of the SBIR program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 30 days after notifying the Administrator and the congressional small business committees, to award up to 18% of NIH SBIR funds to small businesses owned by multiple venture capital companies. (Other federal agencies may currently award up to 8% of their SBIR funds to such small businesses.) Directs the Administrator to establish requirements relating to the affiliation of small businesses with venture capital companies for such purposes, and requires such small businesses to register with the SBA. Provides for federal agency compliance with such percentage limits. Directs the Administrator to post on the SBA website information on SBIR program affiliation standards. (Sec. 109) States as the intent of Congress that federal agencies and federal prime contractors shall issue Phase II awards, including sole source awards, to the SBIR and STTR award recipients that developed the technology. (Sec. 110) Authorizes the head of each participating federal agency to issue SBIR and STTR awards to small businesses that have entered or intend to enter into a collaborative research and development (R&D) agreement with a federal laboratory or federally funded research and development center. Prohibits a federal agency from: (1) conditioning an award upon entering into such an agreement; (2) approving an agreement if the small business performs a lesser portion of the R&D activities than required by the Act and by SBIR and STTR Policy Directives; or (3) approving an agreement that violates any SBA provision or such Directives. Requires the Administrator to modify such Directives to ensure that small businesses may use the resources of federal laboratories or federally funded research and development centers without entering into such agreements. (Sec. 111) Requires any federal agency involved in a judicial or administrative case or controversy concerning the SBIR or STTR program to provide timely notice thereof to the Administrator. Title II: Outreach and Commercialization Initiatives - (Sec. 201) Reauthorizes through FY2014 the Federal and State Technology Partnership (FAST) and Rural Outreach programs. Increases the annual authorization for the latter program. Provides for the establishment of initiatives to utilize businesses owned and controlled by women and minorities, or small businesses in underutilized communities, in order to increase their involvement in the SBIR and STTR programs. (Sec. 202) Directs the Administrator to establish a SBIR-STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) workforce development grant pilot program to encourage the business community to provide workforce development opportunities for college students in such fields by providing an SBIR grant to be used for internships. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 203) Increases the discretionary technical assistance that SBIR and STTR agencies can provide to awardees (by contracting out) from $4,000 to $5,000 for Phase I awards, and from $4,000 to $5,000 per year for Phase II awards. Allows awardees to use such amounts to select their own technical assistance contractor in lieu of the vendor selected by the agency. (Sec. 204) Reauthorizes through FY2014 DOD's Commercialization Pilot Program (CPP), and extends such program to the STTR program. (Currently, the Commercialization Pilot Program is only authorized to be utilized under the SBIR program.) Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to establish goals for transitioning Phase III technologies in subcontracting plans for contracts of $100 million or more. Requires the Secretary to: (1) set a goal of increasing the number of Phase II contracts that lead to technology transition into DOD programs of record or fielded systems; (2) use incentives to encourage DOD agency program managers and prime contractors to meet such goal; and (3) include within annual congressional reporting requirements information on the status of projects funded through the CPP. (Sec. 205) Authorizes the head of each federal agency other than DOD to set aside up to 10% of SBIR and STTR funds for further technology development, testing, and evaluation of SBIR and STTR Phase II technologies. (Sec. 206) Requires each federal SBIR/STTR participant to encourage the submission of applications for support of nanotechnology-related projects. (Sec. 207) Establishes an advisory board at the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to conduct periodic SBIR program evaluations in order to improve program management through data-driven assessment. Requires the director of the NIH SBIR program to address gaps and deficiencies in data collection identified in a NAS report assessing the NIH's SBIR program. Authorizes such director to initiate a pilot program to test new strategies to enhance the development of data collection capabilities. Requires such director to report annually to Congress and the advisory board on NIH SBIR activities. Requires such director, to the maximum extent practicable, to reduce to six months the period between SBIR Phases I and II. Terminates the requirements of this section five years after the enactment of this Act. Title III: Oversight and Evaluation - (Sec. 301) Directs the SBA, in currently-required annual reports, to include information on: (1) proposals received from small businesses with venture capital investment; (2) efforts to increase outreach to small businesses owned and controlled by women and minorities; (3) implementation and compliance with requirements concerning the allocation of funding to small businesses owned and controlled by multiple venture capital companies; and (4) appeals of Phase III awards, as well as notices of noncompliance with SBIR and STTR Policy Directives. Directs the SBA to coordinate the implementation of electronic databases at participating federal agencies. (Sec. 302) Requires agencies with an SBIR or STTR program to collect information similar to that outlined above for program assessment purposes. (Sec. 304) Requires specified information to be included in public and government databases maintained by the SBA concerning SBIR and STTR awardees. (Sec. 306) Directs the Comptroller General (CG), every three years, to: (1) conduct a fiscal and management audit of the SBIR and STTR programs; and (2) report audit results to the small business committees. (Sec. 307) Amends the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 to continue NAS evaluation of the SBIR program, as well as reports on such evaluation from the National Research Council to participating agency heads and the small business committees. Require updates every four years. (Sec. 308) Requires the SBA to include in an annual report to Congress specified information on Phase III awards issued by federal agencies participating in the SBIR and STTR programs. (Sec. 309) Directs the CG to conduct a study of, and report to the small business committees on, federal agency compliance with data rights and technologies protection for SBIR awardees. Title IV: Policy Directives - (Sec. 401) Requires the Administrator: (1) within 180 days after the enactment of this Act, to promulgate amendments to the SBIR and STTR Policy Directives to conform them to this Act and its amendments; and (2) publish the amended Directives in the Federal Register.",2022-02-03T05:09:23Z,
110-s-3342,110,s,3342,Rural Small Business Enhancement Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-07-26,2008-07-26,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7530-7531),Senate,"Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]",LA,D,L000550,0,"Rural Small Business Enhancement Act of 2008 - Amends the Small Business Act to reduce state matching funds requirements for participation in the Federal and State Technology Partnership (FAST) and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Revises the SBA's Rural Outreach program (a program to increase states' participation in the SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer [STTR] programs) to: (1) make eligible for program awards states whose total value of SBIR and STTR contracts awarded during FY2004 was less than $10 million and will match federal funding on a 50% basis; (2) reauthorize the program for FY2009-FY2020; and (3) require award funds to be used to increase state participation in the SBIR and STTR programs. Requires a report from the SBA Administrator to the congressional small business committees on the number of government-owned computers in possession of, and recently disposed by, the SBA. Directs the Administrator to establish a pilot program to annually provide up to 1,000 excess government-owned computers to small businesses at no cost or a reduced cost. Requires the Administrator to hire at least five additional full-time employees for the SBA's Office of Technology. Directs the Administrator to carry out a rural lending outreach program to provide up to an 85% guaranty of loans of not more than $250,000.",2019-11-15T21:59:11Z,
110-s-3325,110,s,3325,Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-07-24,2008-10-13,Became Public Law No: 110-403.,Senate,"Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]",VT,D,L000174,21,"Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008 - Title I: Enhancements to Civil Intellectual Property Laws -  (Sec. 101) Amends federal copyright law to provide that copyright registration requirements apply to civil (not criminal) infringement actions and provide a safe harbor for copyright registrations that contain inaccurate information.(Sec. 102) Allows a court, while an infringement action is pending, to impound records documenting the manufacture, sale, or receipt of related things, requiring a protective order to ensure that confidential, private, proprietary, or privileged information is not improperly disclosed or used.Amends trademark seizure provisions to broaden protective order requirements.(Sec. 103) Amends the Trademark Act to revise treble damages provisions and double statutory damages in counterfeiting cases.(Sec. 104) Doubles statutory damage minimums and maximums for the use of counterfeit trademarks.(Sec. 105) Makes exportation of copies or phonorecords without the copyright owner's authority an infringement. (Importation is already an infringement.)Title II: Enhancements to Criminal Intellectual Property Laws - (Sec. 205) Imposes criminal penalties if, in intentionally trafficking in counterfeit goods or services, an offender knowingly or recklessly causes serious bodily injury or death.Prohibits the transshipment or exportation of counterfeit goods or services and deems such acts to be violations of the Acts commonly referred to as the Trademark Act of 1946 or the Lanham Act.(Sec. 206) Requires, for civil and criminal violations of certain provisions, the forfeiture and destruction of any articles involved, any property used in commission of the offense, and property constituting or derived from proceeds obtained directly or indirectly from the offense. (Those provisions relate to: (1) economic espionage involving trade secrets and benefiting any foreign government, instrumentality, or agent; (2) criminal copyright infringement; (3) trafficking in counterfeit goods or services; (4) unauthorized fixation of, and trafficking in, sound and video recordings of live musical performances; and (5) unauthorized recording of motion pictures.)Requires, in addition, restitution for violation of such provisions.(Sec. 208) Revises the penalties applicable to various criminal copyright violations.Title III: Coordination and strategic Planning of Federal Effort Against Counterfeiting and Infringement -  (Sec. 301) Directs the President to appoint an Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC). Includes in the IPEC's duties chairing the interagency intellectual property enforcement advisory committee (IIPEAC) established by this Act and coordinating the development, and assisting in the implementation, of the IIPEAC's Joint Strategic Plan against counterfeiting and piracy.(Sec. 303) Requires the Plan to include in its objectives: (1) reducing counterfeit and infringing goods in the domestic and international supply chain; (2) identifying and addressing structural weaknesses, systemic flaws, or other unjustified impediments to effective enforcement; (3) ensuring that information is identified and shared among the relevant departments and agencies; (4) disrupting and eliminating domestic and international counterfeiting and infringement networks; and (5) providing training and technical assistance to foreign governments to enhance those governments' enforcement of counterfeiting and infringement laws. Requires a report every three years to the House and Senate Judiciary and Appropriations Committees.(Sec. 304) Requires an annual report to Congress on the IIPEAC's activities.(Sec. 305) Amends the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2000 to repeal provisions establishing the National Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordination Council, effective on Senate confirmation of the IPEC.(Sec. 306) Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title.Title IV: Department of Justice Programs - (Sec. 401) Amends the Computer Crime Enforcement Act to allow existing grants to combat computer crime to be used for activities relating to infringement of copyrighted works over the Internet. Authorizes appropriations. Authorizes the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants for training, prevention, enforcement, and prosecution of intellectual property theft and infringement crimes. Authorizes appropriations.(Sec. 402) Requires the Attorney General, subject to appropriations, to: (1) ensure that there are at least 10 additional operational Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents designated to support the DOJ's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property section on the investigation and coordination of intellectual property crimes; (2) increase by at least one the number of FBI agents supporting any DOJ Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property Crime Unit; (3) ensure that all such Units located at a U.S. Attorney's office are assigned at least two Assistant United States Attorneys; (4) ensure the implementation of a regular and comprehensive intellectual property training program; and (5) create and implement a comprehensive, long-range plan to investigate and prosecute international organized crime syndicates engaging in or supporting crimes relating to intellectual property theft. Authorizes appropriations.(Sec. 403) Authorizes appropriations to hire and train law enforcement officers to investigate and prosecute intellectual property crimes and other crimes committed using information technology, including through the Internet, and to enable DOJ units to procure advanced tools of forensic science and expert computer forensic assistance to investigate, prosecute, and study such crimes.(Sec. 404) Directs the Attorney General and the FBI's director each to report annually to Congress on actions to carry out this title.Title V: Miscellaneous - (Sec. 501) Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on how the federal government could better protect the intellectual property of manufacturers by quantification of the impacts of imported and domestic counterfeit goods on the U.S. manufacturing industry and on the overall U.S. economy.(Sec. 502) Requires the Comptroller General to report to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and to the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives on: (1) the actions of the IPEC and the Attorney General in carrying out this Act; (2) any possible legislative, administrative, or regulatory changes to better achieve this Act's goals and purposes; (3) the effectiveness of any actions taken by the IPEC and the Attorney General to minimize duplicating the efforts, materials, facilities, and procedures of any other federal agency and to enhance efficiency and consistency in enforcing, investigating, or prosecuting intellectual property crimes; and (4) any actions to reduce duplication of efforts and increase that efficiency and consistency.(Sec. 503) Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) effective criminal enforcement of the intellectual property laws should be among the Attorney General's highest priorities; and (2) the Attorney General shall give priority to intellectual property theft cases with a nexus to terrorism and organized crime.Expresses the sense of Congress that, with respect to criminal counterfeiting and infringement of computer software, the Attorney General should give priority to cases: (1) involving willful theft for commercial advantage or private financial gain; (2) where the theft is central to the viability of the commercial activity of the enterprise (or subsidiary) involved in the violation; (3) where the counterfeited or infringing goods or services enable unfair competition; or (4) where there is actual knowledge of the theft by the directors or officers of the enterprise.",2023-11-13T20:13:01Z,
110-s-3315,110,s,3315,Video Game Rating Enforcement Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-07-23,2008-07-23,"Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.",Senate,"Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]",MS,R,W000437,0,"Video Game Rating Enforcement Act of 2008 - Prohibits shipping or distributing in interstate commerce, selling, or renting a video game the outside packaging of which does not contain an age-based content rating determined by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB). Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to require all retail establishments that sell video games to display information about the ESRB content rating system. Prohibits any person from selling or renting video games containing the ESRB content rating of : (1) "adults only" to any person under the age of 18; or (2) "mature" to any person under the age of 17. Treats violations of such requirements and prohibitions as an unfair or deceptive act or practice subject to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 per violation.",2020-02-12T18:55:28Z,
110-hr-6573,110,hr,6573,Office of Domestic Product Promotion Act,Commerce,2008-07-22,2008-07-22,Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.,House,"Rep. Sutton, Betty [D-OH-13]",OH,D,S001174,16,"Office of Domestic Product Promotion Act - Establishes within the Department of Commerce an Office of Domestic Product Promotion to: (1) work with U.S. businesses to promote domestic products; (2) provide information and advice to them on benefits and incentives available for producing domestic products, including the award of federal procurement contracts and federal and state tax benefits; (3) establish a comprehensive publicly available database of businesses that use, sell, or would prefer to use or sell, domestic products; (4) develop tools and ideas on how to promote domestic products; and (5) coordinate with state governments to further the Office's performance of its duties.",2019-11-15T21:21:57Z,
110-s-3295,110,s,3295,"A bill to amend title 35, United States Code, and the Trademark Act of 1946 to provide that the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, shall appoint administrative patent judges and administrative trademark judges, and for other purposes.",Commerce,2008-07-21,2008-08-12,Became Public Law No: 110-313.,Senate,"Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]",VT,D,L000174,1,"(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on July 22, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Transfers from the director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) to the Secretary of Commerce the authority to appoint administrative patent judges and administrative trademark judges. Requires the Secretary to consult with the director on such appointments. Names the PTO's deputy director as an additional member of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Authorizes the Secretary, in his or her discretion, to deem the appointment of an administrative patent judge or an administrative trademark judge who, before enactment, held office pursuant to an appointment by the director to take effect on the date on which the director initially appointed the administrative patent judge. Makes it a defense to a challenge to the appointment of an administrative patent judge or an administrative trademark judge on the basis of the judge's having been originally appointed by the director that the administrative patent judge so appointed was acting as a de facto officer.",2023-11-13T20:31:04Z,
110-hr-6531,110,hr,6531,Vessel Hull Design Protection Amendments of 2008,Commerce,2008-07-17,2008-10-16,Became Public Law No: 110-434.,House,"Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-28]",CA,D,B000410,3,"(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Vessel Hull Design Protection Amendments of 2008 - Amends federal copyright law to specify that the design of a vessel's hull, deck, or combination of a hull and deck, including a plug or mold are protected (currently, only the design of the vessel hull is protected, including a plug or mold).  Requires that Department of Defense (DOD) rights in a registered design, including the right to build to such a design, be determined solely by provisions of federal Armed Forces law relating to rights in technical data or by the instrument under which the design was developed for the U.S. government. Redefines "useful article" and "hull." Defines "deck" as the horizontal surface of the vessel that covers the hull, including exterior cabin and cockpit surfaces, and exclusive of masts, sails, yards, rigging, hardware, fixtures, and other attachments.",2023-11-13T20:13:43Z,
110-s-3285,110,s,3285,Disadvantaged Business Disaster Eligibility Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-07-17,2008-07-17,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6941),Senate,"Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]",LA,D,L000550,0,Disadvantaged Business Disaster Eligibility Act of 2008 - Permits any small business that was participating in a Small Business Administration (SBA) business development program located in a Louisiana parish or Mississippi or Alabama county designated by the SBA Administrator as a disaster area by reason of Hurricane Katrina or Rita to continue participation and eligibility in such program for an additional 24 months.,2019-11-15T21:59:11Z,
110-hr-6488,110,hr,6488,To direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to promulgate a final consumer product safety rule banning novelty lighters.,Commerce,2008-07-14,2008-07-14,Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.,House,"Rep. Hooley, Darlene [D-OR-5]",OR,D,H000762,1,"Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to declare any novelty lighter to be a banned hazardous product under the Consumer Product Safety Act and promulgate a final consumer product safety rule to carry out this Act. Defines "novelty lighter" as a mechanical or electrical device that is typically used to light cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, is designed to appear to be a toy (such as by flashing lights or making sounds), and contains such other factors as the CPSC may determine.",2019-11-15T21:22:03Z,
110-s-3262,110,s,3262,SBA Women's Business Programs Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-07-14,2008-07-14,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.,Senate,"Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX]",TX,R,H001016,0,"SBA Women's Business Programs Act of 2008 - Amends the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 to direct the National Women's Business Council to: (1) conduct at least one annual study that evaluates problems hindering the success of women entrepreneurs; and (2) report biannually on its initiatives, policies, programs, and plans. Amends the Small Business Act relating to the women's business center program (program) to replace the five-year projects for the benefit of small businesses owned and controlled by women with a three-tiered program of five-year (first tier), three-year (second tier), and three-year (third tier) projects, with each tier commencing after the previous tier is being completed. Revises matching funds requirements for such projects. States that organizations that have conducted projects under the program: (1) are not eligible to conduct another such project; and (2) may continue to use the women's business center logo only with the Administrator's consent. Requires notice to the public of women's business center awards.",2019-11-15T21:59:11Z,
110-hr-6429,110,hr,6429,Small Business Energy Emergency Relief Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-07-08,2008-10-03,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development, and Foreign Agriculture.",House,"Rep. Michaud, Michael H. [D-ME-2]",ME,D,M001149,2,"Small Business Energy Emergency Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration to make disaster loans to assist small businesses that have suffered or are likely to suffer substantial economic injury as the result of a significant increase in the price of heating fuel occurring on or after October 1, 2007. Prohibits such loan from being made if the total amount outstanding and committed to the borrower would exceed $1.5 million, unless the borrower is a major source of employment in its surrounding area. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans to farm operations that qualify as a small business and that have or are likely to suffer substantial economic injury on or after October 1, 2007, as the result of a significant increase in energy costs in connection with an energy emergency declared by the President or the Secretary.",2021-06-07T20:04:58Z,
110-s-3223,110,s,3223,Small Business Energy Emergency Relief Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-06-27,2008-06-27,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6329-6330),Senate,"Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]",MA,D,K000148,20,"Small Business Energy Emergency Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration to make disaster loans to assist small businesses that have suffered or are likely to suffer substantial economic injury as the result of a significant increase in the price of heating fuel occurring on or after October 1, 2007. Prohibits such loan from being made if the total amount outstanding and committed to the borrower would exceed $1.5 million, unless the borrower is a major source of employment in its surrounding area. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make loans to farm operations that qualify as a small business and that have or are likely to suffer substantial economic injury on or after October 1, 2007, as the result of a significant increase in energy costs in connection with an energy emergency declared by the President or the Secretary.",2019-11-15T21:59:11Z,
110-hr-6362,110,hr,6362,"To amend title 35, United States Code, and the Trademark Act of 1946 to provide that the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, shall appoint administrative patent judges and administrative trademark judges, and for other purposes.",Commerce,2008-06-25,2008-06-25,Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.,House,"Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-28]",CA,D,B000410,3,Transfers from the director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office to the Secretary of Commerce the authority to appoint administrative patent judges and administrative trademark judges. Requires the Secretary to consult with the director on such appointments.,2019-11-15T21:37:53Z,
110-hr-6346,110,hr,6346,Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act,Commerce,2008-06-23,2008-06-24,"On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 276 - 146 (Roll no. 448). (text: CR H5934-5935)",House,"Rep. Stupak, Bart [D-MI-1]",MI,D,S001045,0,"Federal Price Gouging Prevention Act - Makes it unlawful, during a period proclaimed by the President as an energy emergency, to sell gasoline or any other petroleum distillate at a price that: (1) is unconscionably excessive; or (2) indicates the seller is taking unfair advantage of the circumstances of an emergency to increase prices unreasonably. Authorizes the President to issue an energy emergency proclamation of up to 30 days, with renewals allowed, and to cite the geographic area, gasoline or other petroleum distillate, and time period covered. Authorizes a proclamation to include a period of up to one week preceding a reasonably foreseeable emergency. Exempts from this Act a sale of gasoline or other petroleum distillate transaction on a futures market. Empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general to enforce this Act and provides for civil and criminal penalties, limiting the criminal penalty to criminal actions brought by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Allows a state to bring a civil action to enforce this Act or to impose civil penalties. Requires deposit of fines and penalties collected under this Act in a separate Consumer Relief Trust Fund fund in the Treasury to provide assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) Program. Declares that nothing in this Act preempts state law.",2021-06-07T20:04:40Z,
110-s-3106,110,s,3106,"A bill to amend chapter 13 of title 17, United States Code (relating to the vessel hull design protection), to clarify the definitions of a hull and a deck.",Commerce,2008-06-10,2008-06-10,Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5449),Senate,"Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]",VT,D,L000174,3,"Vessel Hull Design Protection Amendments of 2008 - Amends federal copyright law to specify that the design of a vessel's hull, deck, or combination of a hull and deck, including a plug or mold are protected (currently, only the design of the vessel hull is protected, including a plug or mold and the definition of hull includes the deck).  Requires that Department of Defense rights in a registered design, including the right to build to such a design, be determined solely by provisions of federal Armed Forces law relating to rights in technical data or by the instrument under which the design was developed for the U.S. government. Redefines "useful article" and "hull." Defines "deck" as the horizontal surface of the vessel that covers the hull, including exterior cabin and cockpit surfaces, and exclusive of masts, sails, yards, rigging, hardware, fixtures, and other attachments.",2019-11-15T21:58:58Z,
110-hr-6206,110,hr,6206,Small Business Information Security Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-06-09,2008-06-09,Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.,House,"Rep. Manzullo, Donald A. [R-IL-16]",IL,R,M001138,1,"Small Business Information Security Act of 2008 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish the Small Business Information Security Task Force to address the information technology security needs of small businesses. Requires the Task Force, among other duties, to make recommendations to the Administrator on the establishment of an Internet website to be used by the SBA to receive and dispense information and resources with respect to such needs.",2019-04-11T15:40:02Z,
110-s-3102,110,s,3102,Small Business Information Security Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-06-09,2008-06-09,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5391-5392),Senate,"Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]",ME,R,S000663,2,"Small Business Information Security Act of 2008 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish the Small Business Information Security Task Force to address the information technology security needs of small businesses. Requires the Task Force, among other duties, to make recommendations to the Administrator on the establishment of an Internet website to be used by the SBA to receive and dispense information and resources with respect to such needs.",2019-11-15T21:59:11Z,
110-s-3086,110,s,3086,Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-06-05,2008-06-05,Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]",IL,D,D000563,1,"Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2008 - Authorizes providers of a single covered electronic payment system (e.g., Visa or Mastercharge credit cards) and any merchants to jointly negotiate and agree upon the fees and terms for access to such a system. Defines covered electronic payment system as any system that has been used for at least 20% of the combined dollar value of credit and debit card payments processed in the most recent year. Grants limited antitrust immunity to such providers and merchants, as well as to those providers who jointly determine among themselves the proportionate division of paid access fees.Sets forth procedures to determine fees and terms for access to a covered electronic payment system. Creates a panel of three full-time Electronic Payment System Judges, appointed by the Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, to determine the schedule of fees and terms for two-year periods. Outlines procedures for correcting overpayments, underpayments, and late payments as determined by the Judges. Subjects any determination of such Judges to judicial review.Authorizes providers and merchants to engage in voluntarily negotiated access agreements. Declares that such an executed agreement shall supersede any fees or terms established by the Judges.",2019-11-15T21:59:02Z,
110-hr-6188,110,hr,6188,Foreign Business Bribery Prohibition Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-06-04,2008-06-04,"Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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. Perlmutter, Ed [D-CO-7]",CO,D,P000593,1,"Foreign Business Bribery Prohibition Act of 2008 - Amends the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 to make a foreign concern liable for up to treble damages to any issuer, domestic concern, or U.S. person as a result of violating certain anti-bribery prohibitions. (In effect, authorizes a private right of action against such concerns.)",2021-06-07T20:04:08Z,
110-s-3081,110,s,3081,A bill to establish a Petroleum Industry Antitrust Task Force within the Department of Justice.,Commerce,2008-06-04,2008-06-04,Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]",MA,D,K000148,0,"Directs the Attorney General to establish a Petroleum Industry Antitrust Task Force in the Department of Justice (DOJ) to examine all issues relating to the application of federal antitrust laws to the petroleum markets, including the existence and effects of: (1) price gouging in the sales of gasoline; (2) international oil cartels; (3) collusive behavior in restricting petroleum production; (4) anticompetitive price discrimination; and (5) anticompetitive manipulation in futures markets or other trading exchanges relating to petroleum.",2019-11-15T21:59:02Z,
110-s-3078,110,s,3078,National Innovation and Job Creation Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-06-03,2008-06-03,"Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.",Senate,"Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]",ME,R,C001035,2,"National Innovation and Job Creation Act of 2008 - Establishes in the Executive Office of the President a National Innovation Council, to be responsible for formulating and advocating for the federal government's innovation policy. Requires the Council to collaborate with major statistical agencies, collect data concerning the impact on productivity of the Council's programs, and annually report to Congress on national innovation and productivity. Places the Council under the direction of a National Innovation Council Board.Transfers to the Council specified research and innovation programs of the National Institute of Standards of Technology, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Labor.Establishes within the Council the CLUSTER Information Center to promote the collection, development, and dissemination of data and analysis on industry clusters (geographic concentrations of interconnected businesses and associated institutions in a particular field).Requires the Council to award grants for: (1) operation of CLUSTER Initiatives (formal efforts to promote cluster growth and competitiveness through collaborative activities); (2) research partnerships between academic institutions and industry research alliances; (3) early-stage research, by academic institutions and joint ventures, into methods of increasing productivity and innovation; (4) state innovation-based economic development partnerships; and (5) diffusion of technological innovations by manufacturing extension partnership centers.",2020-02-12T18:55:29Z,
110-hr-6117,110,hr,6117,Small Business Regulatory Equity Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-05-21,2008-05-21,Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.,House,"Rep. Hill, Baron P. [D-IN-9]",IN,D,H001030,0,"Small Business Regulatory Equity Act of 2008 - Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to report to Congress on the Comptroller General's analysis of the impacts of federal regulations on businesses with 15 or fewer, 16 to 35, and 36 to 50 employees. Requires the report to detail the cost and impacts of federally mandated, state-administered regulations, the time such businesses must spend working with agencies attempting to obtain written responses to their written questions, the time that passes between submitting such questions and receiving responses, how long projects are delayed by federal regulations, and how long it takes small business to obtain permits from federal agencies. Requires the report to cover, and treat separately, direct impacts such as wages, time, and fees spent on compliance and indirect impacts such as cash flow, sales, and competitiveness.",2019-04-11T15:40:01Z,
110-hr-6068,110,hr,6068,Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-05-15,2008-05-16,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.",House,"Rep. Butterfield, G. K. [D-NC-1]",NC,D,B001251,7,"Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to provide grants to an eligible state to assist the state, if the State has established a program to inspect at least 20% of rooms in lodging facilities in the state, for cimex lectularius, commonly know as the bed bug. Allows a state to use a grant to conduct inspections, train inspection personnel, and educate lodging proprietors and staff about prevention and eradication of bed bugs.",2019-11-15T21:21:48Z,
110-hr-6074,110,hr,6074,Gas Price Relief for Consumers Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-05-15,2008-05-21,Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 744.,House,"Rep. Kagen, Steve [D-WI-8]",WI,D,K000365,19,"(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Gas Price Relief for Consumers Act of 2008 - Title I: Amendment to Sherman Act - No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2008 or NOPEC - (Sec. 102) Amends the Sherman Act to make it illegal for any foreign state or instrumentality thereof to act collectively or in combination with any other foreign state or any other person, when such action has a direct, substantial, and reasonably foreseeable effect on the market, supply, price, or distribution of petroleum in the United States, to: (1) limit the production or distribution of oil, natural gas, or any other petroleum product (petroleum); (2) set or maintain the price of petroleum; or (3) otherwise take any action in restraint of trade for petroleum. Denies a foreign state engaged in such conduct sovereign immunity from the jurisdiction or judgments of U.S. courts in any action brought to enforce this Act. States that no U.S. court shall decline, based on the act of state doctrine, to make a determination on the merits in an action brought under this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring an action in U.S. district court to enforce this Act. (Sec. 103) Makes an exception to the jurisdictional immunity of a foreign state in an action brought under this Act. Title II: Creation of Department of Justice Petroleum Industry Antitrust Task Force - (Sec. 201) Directs the Attorney General to establish in the Department of Justice (DOJ) a Petroleum Industry Antitrust Task Force to: (1) develop, coordinate, and facilitate the implementation of DOJ investigative and enforcement policies related to petroleum industry antitrust issues under federal law; and (2) report annually to Congress on DOJ investigatory and enforcement efforts related to petroleum industry antitrust issues, and on issues related to the application of federal antitrust laws to the market for petroleum. Title III: Study by the Government Accountability Office - (Sec. 301) Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) conduct a study evaluating the effects of mergers addressed in covered petroleum merger consent decrees on competition in the markets involved, including the effectiveness of divestitures required in such decrees in preserving competition in those markets; and (2) report study results to Congress and DOJ. Directs the Attorney General to refer such report to the Task Force, which shall consider whether any further enforcement action is warranted to protect or restore competition in any market affected by a transaction to which any covered merger consent decree relates.",2019-11-15T21:37:46Z,
110-hr-6080,110,hr,6080,HUBZone Equity for Distressed Communities Act,Commerce,2008-05-15,2008-05-15,Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.,House,"Rep. Walberg, Timothy [R-MI-7]",MI,R,W000798,0,"HUBZone Equity for Distressed Communities Act - Amends Small Business Act provisions relating to HUBZones (historically underutilized business zones) to define "qualified suburban area" as any village, city, town, or economic development area governed by a public authority, district, or other unit of general local government, located in a county that includes, or is located in, a metropolitan statistical area and that meets certain low income or high unemployment qualifications.",2019-04-11T15:40:01Z,
110-s-3026,110,s,3026,"A bill to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes.",Commerce,2008-05-15,2008-05-15,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.,Senate,"Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]",MA,D,K000148,1,"Extends through March 20, 2009, under the same terms and conditions, the authorization for any program, authority, or provision, including any pilot program, that is currently authorized through May 23, 2008, under the Small Business Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.",2022-02-03T05:09:23Z,
110-s-3029,110,s,3029,"A bill to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes.",Commerce,2008-05-15,2008-05-23,Became Public Law No: 110-235.,Senate,"Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]",MA,D,K000148,1,"(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Extends through March 20, 2009, under the same terms and conditions, the authorization for any program, authority, or provision, including any pilot program, that is currently authorized through May 23, 2008, under the Small Business Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.",2023-11-13T20:29:19Z,
110-hr-6044,110,hr,6044,To authorize appropriations for the Federal Trade Commission for certain international technical assistance activities.,Commerce,2008-05-13,2008-05-13,Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.,House,"Rep. Towns, Edolphus [D-NY-10]",NY,D,T000326,2,"Authorizes appropriations to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enhance its provision of international technical assistance regarding foreign consumer protection and competition regimes, including for consultations and meetings hosted by the FTC with foreign government agency officials and appropriate representatives and staff and related necessary administrative and logistical expenses.",2019-11-15T21:21:46Z,
110-hr-5990,110,hr,5990,Video Games Ratings Enforcement Act,Commerce,2008-05-07,2008-05-08,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.",House,"Rep. Matheson, Jim [D-UT-2]",UT,D,M001142,6,"Video Games Ratings Enforcement Act - Prohibits shipping or distributing in interstate commerce, selling, or renting a video game the outside packaging of which does not display a label containing an age-based content rating determined by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB). Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to require all retail establishments that sell video games to display information about the ESRB content rating system. Prohibits any person from selling or renting video games containing the ESRB content rating of : (1) "adults only" to any person under the age of 18; or (2) "mature" to any person under the age of 17. Treats violations of such requirements and prohibitions as an unfair or deceptive act or practice subject to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 per violation.",2022-02-03T05:08:52Z,
110-sres-551,110,sres,551,A resolution celebrating 75 years of successful State-based alcohol regulation.,Commerce,2008-05-06,2008-09-24,Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S9436-9437),Senate,"Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT]",MT,D,B000243,15,"(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Celebrates 75 years of effective state-based alcohol regulation. Commends state lawmakers, regulators, law enforcement officers, the public health community, and industry members for successful collaboration in achieving a workable, legal, and successful system for the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages.Reaffirms the Senate's continued support for policies that allow states to effectively regulate alcohol.",2019-11-15T22:00:15Z,
110-hconres-341,110,hconres,341,"Celebrating 75 years of effective State-based alcohol regulation and recognizing State lawmakers, regulators, law enforcement officers, the public health community and industry members for creating a workable, legal, and successful system of alcoholic beverage regulation, distribution, and sale.",Commerce,2008-05-05,2008-05-05,Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.,House,"Rep. Stupak, Bart [D-MI-1]",MI,D,S001045,98,"Celebrates 75 years of effective state-based alcohol regulation. Recognizes the successful system of alcoholic beverage regulation, distribution, and sale. Expresses continued support for policies that allow states to effectively regulate alcohol.",2022-02-03T05:09:48Z,
110-hr-5969,110,hr,5969,Disabled Veteran Small Business Eligibility Expansion Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-05-05,2008-05-05,Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.,House,"Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]",VA,R,W000804,0,Disabled Veteran Small Business Eligibility Expansion Act of 2008 - Amends the Small Business Act to make small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans eligible for the award by the Small Business Administration (SBA) of small business development grants in the same manner as small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.,2019-04-11T15:40:01Z,
110-s-2956,110,s,2956,Incorporation Transparency and Law Enforcement Assistance Act,Commerce,2008-05-01,2008-05-01,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3706-3708),Senate,"Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI]",MI,D,L000261,2,"Incorporation Transparency and Law Enforcement Assistance Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to: (1) establish uniform requirements for states relating to the disclosure of beneficial owners of corporations and limited liability companies formed in such states and the updating of such disclosures; (2) require states to maintain beneficial ownership disclosure information for five years after a corporation or limited liability company is terminated; (3) impose additional identification requirements for the beneficial owners of corporations or limited liability companies who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States; and (4) provide for additional civil and criminal penalties for individuals who provide false beneficial ownership information to a state. Defines "beneficial owner" as an individual who has a level of control over a business entity that enables such individual to control, manage, or direct such entity.Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to publish a proposed and final rule to require persons involved in forming a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust, or other legal entity to establish anti-money laundering programs. Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on state requirements for the disclosure of beneficial owners of partnerships, trusts, or other legal entities formed in such states.",2017-12-15T00:05:11Z,
110-s-2928,110,s,2928,BPA-Free Kids Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-04-29,2008-04-29,"Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.",Senate,"Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]",NY,D,S000148,11,"BPA-Free Kids Act of 2008 - Treats as a banned hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act any consumer product that contains a detectable amount of bisphenol A (commonly known as BPA) and that is designed for or intended for use by, or care of, a child seven years of age or younger. Permits state laws that provide equal or greater protection. Requires a study on the health effects of BPA exposure in all age groups and in pregnant women.",2020-02-12T18:55:27Z,
110-hr-5889,110,hr,5889,Orphan Works Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-04-24,2008-05-07,Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .,House,"Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-28]",CA,D,B000410,3,"Orphan Works Act of 2008 - Limits the remedies in a civil action brought for infringement of copyright in an orphan work if the infringer proves that: (1) the infringer performed and documented a reasonably diligent search in good faith to locate the copyright owner before using the work, but was unable to locate the owner; (2) a Notice of Use was filed with the Register of Copyrights before the work was used; and (3) the infringing use of the work provided attribution to the owner of the copyright, if known.  Permits an award of reasonable compensation for the use of the infringed work, except if: (1) the infringement is performed without any commercial advantage and for primarily a charitable, religious, scholarly, or educational purpose; and (2) the infringer ceases the infringement expeditiously after receiving notice of the claim for infringement. Directs the Register of Copyrights to: (1) undertake a certification process for the establishment of an electronic database to facilitate the search for pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works that are subject to copyright protection; and (2) study and report to Congress on remedies for copyright infringement claims by an individual copyright owner or a related group of copyright owners seeking small amounts of monetary relief. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the function of the deposit requirement in the copyright registration system .",2019-11-15T21:37:46Z,
110-s-2913,110,s,2913,Shawn Bentley Orphan Works Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-04-24,2008-09-27,Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]",VT,D,L000174,2,"Shawn Bentley Orphan Works Act of 2008 - Limits the remedies in a civil action brought for infringement of copyright in an orphan work, notwithstanding specified provisions and subject to exceptions, if the infringer meets certain requirements, including proving that: (1) the infringer performed and documented a reasonably diligent search in good faith to locate and identify the copyright owner before using the work, but was unable to locate and identify the owner; and (2) the infringing use of the work provided attribution to the owner of the copyright, if known. Requires a search to include methods that are reasonable and appropriate given the circumstances, including in some circumstances: (1) Copyright Office records that are not available through the Internet; and (2) resources for which a charge or subscription is imposed. Limits monetary compensation to reasonable compensation for the use of the infringed work. Prohibits such compensation if the infringer is a nonprofit educational institution, museum, library, or archive, or a public broadcasting entity and if the infringer proves that: (1) the infringement is performed without any purpose of commercial advantage and is primarily educational, religious, or charitable in nature;and (2) the infringer ceases the infringement expeditiously after receiving notice of the claim for infringement. Allows injunctive relief to prevent or restrain infringement, subject to exception and limitation. Directs the Register of Copyrights to: (1) undertake a process to certify that databases are available that facilitate searching for pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works protected by copyright; (2) report to the House and Senate judiciary committees on the implementation and effects of certain amendments made by this Act, including any recommendations for legislative changes; and (3) report to those committees on remedies for copyright infringement claims by an individual copyright owner or a related group of copyright owners seeking small amounts of monetary relief.  Directs the Comptroller General to report to such committees on the function of the deposit requirement in the copyright registration system.",2019-11-15T21:58:55Z,
110-s-2920,110,s,2920,SBA Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-04-24,2008-04-28,Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 720.,Senate,"Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]",MA,D,K000148,31,"SBA Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to reauthorize for FY2008-FY2010 certain small business assistance programs of the Small Business Administration (SBA), including: (1) the microloan program (loans made to very small businesses for start-up, expansion, or equipment); (2) section 7(a) loans (SBA-guaranteed general business loans); (3) certified development company (CDC) financings; (4) assistance to small businesses affected by a Department of Defense base closure or realignment or the termination of a defense contract or subcontract; (5) the Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs (PRIME); and (6) small business disaster loans. Revises or adds provisions concerning the microloan program, including: (1) increased loan amounts; and (2) making eligible under such program persons with disabilities. Transfers the PRIME Program from the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 to the Act. Establishes the Small Business Intermediary Lending Pilot Program under which the SBA Administrator provides loans to loan intermediaries, who then make loans to startup, newly established, and growing small businesses. Revises or adds provisions concerning the 7(a) loan program, including: (1) establishing a Preferred Lenders Program under which the Administrator may authorize qualified lenders to make and service small business loans; (2) increasing maximum loan amounts and expanding loan eligibility; (3) authority for an alternative loan size standard and a variable loan interest rate; (4) establishing an Office of Minority Small Business Development; (5) increasing small business international trade loans; and (6) requiring a rural lending outreach program. Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to revise or add provisions concerning CDCs, including: (1) replacing the term "504 loan program" with "local development business loan program"; (2) loan foreclosure and liquidation; (3) adding as an eligible purpose the expansion of businesses in low-income communities; (4) allowing CDC financings to include a limited amount of debt refinancing; (5) repealing the sunset on reserve requirements for premier certified lenders; (6) allowing development companies to issue debentures for the financing of loans; (7) allowing CDCs to provide loans to small, nonprofit child care businesses; and (8) requiring (in some cases) or authorizing CDCs to utilize real estate appraisals in connection with loans. Revises or adds provisions concerning the Small Business Investment Company program, including: (1) reauthorization through FY2010; (2) increased outstanding leverage amounts; and (3) increased maximum investment in a single company. Revises or adds provisions concerning the New Markets Venture Capital Program, including: (1) a goal of selecting at least one participating company from each SBA region; (2) establishing the Office of New Markets Venture Capital; and (3) the use of operational assistance grants. Reauthorizes through FY2010 the: (1) Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) program; (2) small business development center program; and (3) Paul D. Coverdell drug-free workplace program. Revises or adds provisions concerning women's small business ownership. Establishes an Associate Administrator for International Trade. Native American Small Business Development Act of 2008 - Establishes: (1) the Office of Native American Affairs; (2) a Native American small business development program; (3) a Native American development grant pilot program; and (4) an American Indian tribal assistance center grant pilot program. National Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act of 2008 - Establishes a: (1) small business regulatory assistance pilot program; (2) minority entrepreneurship and innovation pilot program; (3) small business health insurance information pilot program; and (4) Native American economic development pilot program. Directs the President to convene a National Small Business Summit. Revises or adds provisions concerning small business lender oversight.",2017-12-15T00:04:18Z,
110-s-2902,110,s,2902,Independent Office of Advocacy and Small Business Regulatory Reform Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-04-23,2008-04-29,Referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.,Senate,"Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]",ME,R,S000663,2,"Independent Office of Advocacy and Small Business Regulatory Reform Act of 2008 - Requires the Office of Advocacy (Office) of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to carry out responsibilities concerning the analysis of regulatory functions, including regulatory flexibility analyses. Requires: (1) each federal budget to include a separate statement of the amount requested for the Office, designated in a separate account in the General Fund of the Treasury; and (2) the SBA Administrator to provide the Office with appropriate and adequate office space, together with necessary equipment, operating budget, and communications facilities and services, and to provide necessary maintenance services for such offices and equipment. Requires: (1) each federal agency to notify the SBA's Chief Counsel for Advocacy of any agency draft rules that may have a significant impact on a substantial number of small businesses; (2) each agency's final regulatory analysis of a final rule to include the agency's response to any comments of the Chief Counsel for Advocacy with respect to that rule, as well as changes made as a result of such comments; and (3) agencies to make final regulatory flexibility analyses available to the public, including on a website.",2020-02-10T17:01:59Z,
110-sres-524,110,sres,524,"A resolution honoring the entrepreneurial spirit of the owners of small business concerns in the United States during National Small Business Week, beginning April 21, 2008.",Commerce,2008-04-22,2008-04-28,Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3452; text as passed Senate: CR S3452),Senate,"Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]",MA,D,K000148,15,"(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Honors the entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners during National Small Business Week beginning April 21, 2008. Honors the efforts and achievements of small business owners and their employees. Recognizes that small businesses are essential to restoring the country's economic health. Recognizes the vital role of Small Business Administration (SBA) programs, employees, and resource partners in providing assistance to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Urges the President to ensure that: (1) reasonable rules relating to the federal contract procurement program for women-owned small businesses are expeditiously implemented; (2) small businesses have access to quality, affordable health insurance; (3) the needs of veterans and reservists who own, work for, or wish to start a business are met during deployment and upon their return from duty; (4) measures are enacted to provide a stimulus for business lending during the current economic downturn; (5) small business tax burdens and regulatory and bureaucratic barriers are reduced; (6) all federal agencies adhere to contracting goals for small businesses; (7) venture capital and small business loans are available to all qualified small businesses; and (8) necessary federal resources are provided to management assistance programs delivered by SBA resource partners. Urges that the SBA Administrator have an active role as a member of the President's Cabinet.",2019-11-15T21:59:10Z,
110-hres-1120,110,hres,1120,Supports the establishment of an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Championship playoff system in the interest of fairness and to bring parity to all NCAA teams.,Commerce,2008-04-17,2008-04-17,"Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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. Abercrombie, Neil [D-HI-1]",HI,D,A000014,4,Rejects the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I A Bowl Championship Series (BCS) football playoff system as an illegal restraint of trade that violates the Sherman Anti-Trust Act.Calls for: (1) the Department of Justice's Antitrust Division to investigate and bring appropriate action to have the BCS system declared illegal and to require a playoff to determine a national champion; and (2) establishment of an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision Championship playoff system in the interest of fairness and to bring parity to all NCAA teams.,2021-06-07T19:38:34Z,
110-hr-5819,110,hr,5819,SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act,Commerce,2008-04-16,2008-04-24,Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.,House,"Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-12]",NY,D,V000081,2,"SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act - Title I: Modernizing the SBIR and STTR Programs - (Sec. 101) Amends the Small Business Act to extend through FY2010 (currently scheduled to expire at the end of FY2008) the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs of the Small Business Administration (SBA). (Sec. 102) Increases, for both the SBIR and STTR programs, the individual small business award levels from: (1) $100,000 to $300,000, for participation at a Phase One level; and (2) $750,000 to $2.2 million, for participation at a Phase Two level. Allows participating federal agencies (agencies) to exceed such award levels if such agencies notify, and provide annual reports concerning such increase to, the congressional small business committees. (Sec. 103) Directs each federal agency that is required to conduct an SBIR program and that annually administers $50 million or more in SBIR grants to have an SBIR advisory board. Outlines advisory board duties and requirements, including an annual program report to the small business committees. (Sec. 104) Increases technical assistance funding for Phase One awardees and Phase Two grantees. Includes under authorized technical assistance assistance in implementing manufacturing processes and production strategies. Allows Phase One grantees to opt-out of the agency's technical assistance in favor of a payment of up to $2,500, to be used to purchase such assistance. Requires agencies to select technical assistance vendors for a term not to exceed three years. (Sec. 105) Requires each agency to conduct at least two rounds of SBIR research solicitations per year, and to render a final decision on each proposal within 90 days after the solicitation closes (with an authorized extension to 180 days on a case-by-case basis). (Sec. 106) Includes energy-related and rare disease-related research topics as "special consideration" SBIR research topics. (Sec. 107) Requires the SBA Administrator to submit annually to the small business committees a list of small businesses that, during the previous five-year period, received 15 or more Phase One awards and no Phase Two awards. (Sec. 108) Requires each agency to engage with SBIR awardees that have been awarded multiple Phase One awards but no Phase Two awards, and to develop performance metrics to measure awardee progress in the SBIR program. (Sec. 109) Allows a small business that receives an: (1) SBIR award from one agency to receive an award for a subsequent phase from another agency, as long as the head of each agency certifies that the topics of the relevant awards are the same; and (2) award under either the SBIR or STTR program to receive an award for a subsequent phase under either program. (Sec. 110) Requires the Comptroller General to carry out, and report to the small business committees on, an audit of agency calculations of SBIR and STTR extramural research budgets. (Sec. 111) Requires that, whenever an entity applies for but does not receive a research and development (R&D) award under an SBIR or STTR program, the federal agency conducting the program shall: (1) notify the entity that it can request an explanation of why it did not receive the award; and (2) if requested, provide such explanation.  Title II: Venture Capital Investment Standards - (Sec. 201) Provides that, effective only for the SBIR and STTR programs: (1) a business concern that has more than 500 employees shall not qualify as a small business concern; (2) in determining whether a small business concern is independently owned and operated, the SBA Administrator shall not consider a business concern to be affiliated with a venture capital operating company if the venture capital operating company (VCOC) does not own 50% or more of the business concern and employees of the VCOC do not constitute a majority of the board of directors of the business concern; and (3) a business concern shall be deemed to be independently owned and operated if it is owned in majority part by one or more natural persons or VCOCs, there is no single VCOC that owns 50% or more of the business concern, and there is no single VCOC the employees of which constitute a majority of the board of directors of the business concern. States that, if a VCOC controlled by a business with more than 500 employees has an ownership interest in a small business owned in majority by VCOCs, that small business is eligible to receive an SBIR or STTR award only if: (1) not more than two of such VCOCs have an ownership interest in the small business; (2) such VCOCs do not collectively own more than 20% of the small business; and (3) such VCOCs do not collaborate to exercise more control over the small business than they could exercise individually. Title III: SBIR and Economic Development - (Sec. 301) Directs the Administrator to make two-year grants to organizations to: (1) conduct SBIR outreach efforts to increase small business participation; and (2) provide application support and entrepreneurial and business skills support to prospective participants. Provides assistance limits. Requires organizations receiving grants to direct activities towards small business concerns located in underrepresented geographic areas and/or small business concerns owned and controlled by women, small business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, and small business concerns owned and controlled by minorities.  Requires the Administrator to establish an advisory board to: (1) assist with such activities; and (2) report annually to the small business committees. Provides per-state limits on grant awards, with specific requirements for awards under the SBA's FAST (Federal and State Technology Partnership) program. (Sec. 302) Requires each agency to receive an SBIR applicant's consent to the release of contact information to economic development organizations. Title IV: Advancing Commercialization of SBIR-Funded Research - (Sec. 401) Revises the definition of "Phase Three" of the SBIR program. Defines "commercialization" as the process of developing marketable products or services and producing and delivering products or services for sale (whether by the originating party or by others) to government or commercial markets. (Sec. 402) Requires agencies to establish annual goals for: (1) the percentage of SBIR projects that receive Phase Three funds; (2) the percentage of SBIR projects that are integrated into a program of record; and (3) the amount of non-SBIR federal funds received by SBIR projects through federal contracts. Directs each agency to submit annually to its advisory board information on the extent to which such goals were met. (Sec. 403) Requires the Administrator to issue directives to ensure that: (1) a small business that receives a Phase Two award for an SBIR project remains eligible to receive additional Phase Two awards; and (2) agencies are expressly authorized to provide additional Phase Two awards for testing and evaluation assistance for the insertion of SBIR technologies into technical or weapons systems. (Sec. 404) Directs each agency to establish initiatives to encourage partnerships between SBIR awardees and prime contractors, venture capital investment companies, business incubators, and larger businesses in order to facilitate the progression of SBIR awardees to Phase Three. (Sec. 405) Authorizes agencies to develop fast-track programs to eliminate funding delays by issuing Phase Two SBIR awards as soon as practicable, including simultaneously with the issuance of the Phase One award. (Sec. 406) Requires each agency to establish a commercialization program that supports the progression of SBIR awardees to Phase Three. Requires commercialization program information to be included in each agency and advisory board's annual report. Authorizes appropriations. Directs the Administrator, from amounts authorized under this section, to establish and carry out a pilot program of grants to minority institutions that partner with nonprofit organizations in order to increase the number of SBIR and STTR program applications by minority-owned small businesses. Requires matching non-federal funds for pilot program participation. (Sec. 407) Requires each agency's advisory board to include in annual report requirements information on efforts to enhance manufacturing activities. Title V: Supporting Program Utilization - (Sec. 501) Requires: (1) SBIR and STTR small business participants to provide updated project information for purposes of updating agency databases which evaluate the outcome of Phase One and Two awards; and (2) participating agencies to develop and maintain such databases. (Sec. 502) Requires each agency to create and maintain a technology utilization database, available to the public, containing data supplied by award recipients. (Sec. 503) Requires: (1) the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy to establish an Interagency SBIR/STTR Policy Committee; and (2) specified Committee reports to the small business committees. (Sec. 504) Adds nanotechnology-related research to the SBIR list of research topics deserving special consideration. (Sec. 505) Requires agencies to give a priority to SBIR and STTR award applications submitted by rural companies. (Sec. 506) Requires federal agencies, in making R&D awards to small businesses under the SBIR and STTR programs, to give a priority to: (1) businesses located in areas that have lost a major source of employment; (2) veterans; and (3) organizations that are making significant contributions toward energy efficiency. Title VI: Implementation - (Sec. 601) Directs the Administrator to promulgate amendments to SBIR and STTR policy directives to conform such directives to this Act and its amendments. (Sec. 602) Amends the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 to remove the requirement that the National Research Council provide an updated report on the SBIR program. (Sec. 603) Requires SBIR awardees to have their primary business operations in the United States. (Sec. 604) Prohibits SBIR or STTR R&D awards to small businesses with ownership interests by unlawful aliens. (Sec. 605) Prohibits any future SBIR or STTR R&D awards to applicants found to have engaged in a pattern or practice of hiring, recruiting, or referring for employment in the United States an unauthorized alien.",2022-02-03T05:38:22Z,
110-hr-5789,110,hr,5789,Science and Technology Innovation Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-04-15,2008-04-15,"Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Science and Technology, 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. Wu, David [D-OR-1]",OR,D,W000793,3,"Science and Technology Innovation Act of 2008 - Amends the Small Business Act to: (1) extend through FY2010 the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs; (2) increase SBIR and STTR set-asides and award levels; (3) prohibit a small business from being excluded from SBIR or STTR program participation due to being owned by more than one equity provider, as long as no single equity provider owns more than 49% of such business; (4) require agency database updates in order to support SBIR and STTR program evaluation and technology utilization; (5) establish an Interagency SBIR/STTR Policy Committee; (6) allow federal agencies to use up to 3% of their SBIR funds for the payment of administrative costs; (7) allow SBIR technical assistance to include the implementation of manufacturing processes and production strategies for utilization; (8) allow federal agencies participating in the SBIR program to enter into agreements with the technical extension or assistance programs of other federal agencies in order to provide small business technical assistance; and (9) increase expenditure limits for the provision of such technical assistance.",2022-02-03T05:14:09Z,
110-s-2866,110,s,2866,Corporate Executive Compensation Accountability and Transparency Act,Commerce,2008-04-15,2008-04-15,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.,Senate,"Sen. Clinton, Hillary Rodham [D-NY]",NY,D,C001041,0,"Corporate Executive Compensation Accountability and Transparency Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to the limit annual aggregate amounts which may be deferred under nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements. Amends the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to extend from 12 to 36 months the look-back period for any bonuses, incentive-based or equity-based compensation, or profits realized from the sale of securities which must be reimbursed to a securities issuer by its chief executive officer and chief financial officer if the issuer is required to prepare an accounting restatement because of material noncompliance, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement. Requires the Securities Exchange and Commission (SEC) to promulgate regulations to ensure more effective enforcement of such forfeitures. Requires such regulations to cite specified illicit accounting irregularities. Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require that any proxy, consent, or authorization for an annual (or special) meeting of shareholders provide for a separate nonbinding shareholder vote on executive compensation, especially executive compensation (golden parachute payments) based on or related to disposition of substantially all the assets of an issuer in an acquisition, merger, consolidation, sale, or other disposition.  Directs the SEC to promulgate regulations: (1) clarifying and strengthening requirements governing disclosure of compensation of consultants or advisors to a compensation committee; and (2) requiring each company subject to its jurisdiction to disclose the full grant date present value of equity instruments used as executive compensation awards in the Summary Compensation Table of the company. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to require certain federal contractors to disclose their executive compensation structures. Requires Armed Forces defense procurement contracts also to disclose such structures.",2019-11-15T21:57:49Z,
110-hr-5769,110,hr,5769,SMASH Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-04-10,2008-04-14,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.",House,"Rep. Gingrey, Phil [R-GA-11]",GA,R,G000550,38,"Stop M-Spam Abuse as a Sales industry Habit Act of 2008 or the SMASH Act of 2008 - Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue regulations to revise the Telemarketing Sales Rule to explicitly prohibit, as an abusive telemarketing act or practice, the sending of any electronic commercial message containing an unsolicited advertisement to a telephone number that is assigned to a commercial mobile service and listed on the FTC's do-not-call registry. Prohibits interpreting anything in this Act to preclude or override the applicability of specified provisions of the Communications Act of 1934 or the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 or rules prescribed under specified provisions of the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act.",2019-11-15T21:21:50Z,
110-hr-5753,110,hr,5753,"To prohibit the sale of kitchen ranges or ovens which do not include a design, bracket, or other device which complies with an applicable consensus product safety standard intended to prevent the product from tipping.",Commerce,2008-04-09,2008-04-10,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.",House,"Rep. Stupak, Bart [D-MI-1]",MI,D,S001045,4,"Prohibits, under the Consumer Product Safety Act, the manufacture, sale, distribution, importation, or installation of a residential kitchen range or oven which does not include a device which complies with a consensus product safety standard intended to prevent product tipping. Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to conduct a campaign to educate consumers about range and oven tipping danger and the importance of installing such products in accordance with an applicable consensus product safety standard.",2019-11-15T21:21:49Z,
110-hr-5692,110,hr,5692,Infant Crib Safety Act,Commerce,2008-04-03,2008-04-04,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.",House,"Rep. Tauscher, Ellen O. [D-CA-10]",CA,D,T000057,10,"Infant Crib Safety Act - Amends the Federal Hazardous Substances Act to make it unlawful for any commercial user to manufacture, sell, or otherwise place in the stream of commerce any full-size or nonfull-size crib which was made before 1999, does not conform to the standards of this Act, or has any missing, loose, or broken components.  Makes it unlawful for any hotel, motel, or similar lodging facility to offer or provide such a crib.  Considers to be a banned hazardous product under the Consumer Product Safety Act any crib which does not conform to specified regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations and standards of the American Society for Testing Materials, unless labeled as not intended to be used for, and dangerous to, an infant. Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to begin a rulemaking to include the requirements of the American Society for Testing Materials standards and to address any hazards due to crib and play yard durability. Requires the CPSC to promulgate a consumer product safety rule to require that cribs manufactured and introduced into interstate commerce contain a label warning consumers against the use of soft bedding. Includes in the definition of commercial user any person who manufactures or sells cribs or, by his or her occupation holds himself or herself out as having knowledge or skill peculiar to cribs, including child care facilities and family child care homes. Excludes from that definition an individual who sells a used crib at a one-time private sale.",2019-11-15T21:21:47Z,
110-hr-5672,110,hr,5672,Women's Business Ownership Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-04-01,2008-04-01,"Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Small Business, 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. Johnson, Eddie Bernice [D-TX-30]",TX,D,J000126,19,"Women's Business Ownership Act of 2008 - Establishes the Commission on Women's Business Ownership to review and make recommendations concerning: (1) the status of women business owners nationwide, and the progress made since the 1980 White House Conference on Small Business; (2) the role of the federal government in aid to and promotion of women business owners; and (3) data collection procedures with regard to women-owned businesses and federal initiatives and procurement.",2021-09-29T17:06:45Z,
110-s-2793,110,s,2793,Stop Deceptive Advertising for Women's Services Act,Commerce,2008-04-01,2008-04-01,"Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.",Senate,"Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]",NJ,D,M000639,5,"Stop Deceptive Advertising for Women's Services Act - Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to: (1) promulgate rules prohibiting, as unfair and deceptive acts or practices, persons from advertising with the intent to deceptively create the impression that such persons provide abortion services; and (2) enforce violations of such rules as unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce.",2020-02-12T18:55:27Z,
110-hr-5636,110,hr,5636,Consumer Product and Food Safety Information Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-03-13,2008-03-14,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.",House,"Rep. Lewis, John [D-GA-5]",GA,D,L000287,12,"Consumer Product and Food Safety Information Act of 2008 - Requires the head of each federal product safety enforcement agency to design and implement a public information plan to use agency and media resources to provide information to the public concerning: (1) the role of the agency in ensuring product safety; (2) steps consumers can take to enhance their safety while using regulated products; (3) product recalls; and (4) additional information to enhance consumer safety. Requires such plan to include procedures for developing and distributing product safety information to the public.Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish: (1) a clearinghouse to collect and distribute product recall and safety information to government entities and the public; (2) a toll-free number for such information; and (3) a public website to provide recall information to the public.Requires the head of each enforcement agency to issue: (1) national public service announcements that contain information on the public safety role of the agency, available resources, and product safety information; and (2) posters and other printed material on the public safety role of the agency.Sets forth requirements for product recall notifications and quarterly reporting.Requires any manufacturer or distributor of a product who voluntarily initiates a product recall as a result of safety concerns to provide notice of such recall to the relevant enforcement agency within 10 days.",2021-09-29T17:06:14Z,
110-hr-5638,110,hr,5638,"To amend title 35, United States Code, to create an exception from infringement for certain component parts used to repair another article of manufacture.",Commerce,2008-03-13,2008-04-14,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.",House,"Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-16]",CA,D,L000397,7,"Declares that it is not a patent infringement to make, use, offer to sell, or sell within the United States or import into the United States any article of manufacture that is a part of another article of manufacture, if the sole purpose of the part is for the repair of the article of manufacture of which it is a part so as to restore its original appearance.",2019-11-15T21:37:50Z,
110-hr-5546,110,hr,5546,Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-03-06,2008-10-03,"Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 588.",House,"Rep. Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI-14]",MI,D,C000714,45,"Credit Card Fair Fee Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Sets forth a limited antitrust immunity to providers of covered electronic payment systems and merchants for negotiation of access rates and terms. Authorizes providers of a single covered electronic payment system (e.g. Visa or Mastercharge credit cards) and merchants to jointly negotiate and agree upon rates and terms for access to such system. Authorizes such providers to jointly determine the proportionate division among themselves of paid access fees. Denies such immunity during any period in which such a provider or merchant is engaged in any unlawful boycott. Requires the rates and terms of a voluntarily negotiated access agreement to be the same for all merchants and participating providers, regardless of their respective category or volume of transactions. Requires the negotiating parties to file with the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice a schedule for negotiations within one month following enactment of this Act. Directs the Antitrust Division to issue such a schedule, and inform the negotiating parties, if they fail to file a schedule before the deadline. Requires issuers, acquirers, owners, and merchants to make specified disclosures regarding itemized costs and access agreements. Requires a representative of the Antitrust Division to attend all negotiation sessions conducted under the authority of this Act. Requires the negotiating parties to file jointly with the Antitrust Division any voluntarily negotiated access agreement that affects any market in the United States or elsewhere, including the various components of the interchange fee, and a description of how access fees that merchants pay are allocated among financial institutions and how they are spent. Directs the Antitrust Division to report to certain congressional committees on: (1) the negotiations conducted under this Act during the first six months after its enactment; and (2) if a voluntarily negotiated agreement is reached, whether such access rates and terms will have an adverse effect on competition, and how such rates compare with access rates and terms in current use in other countries. (Sec. 3) Declares that nothing in this Act shall limit the ability of acquirers or issuers that are regulated by the National Credit Union Administration or that, together with affiliates, have assets of less than $1 billion, to opt out of negotiations under this Act. (Sec. 4) Requires agreements reached pursuant to the limited antitrust immunity under this Act to provide that: (1) when any fees that a merchant is charged for access to a covered electronic payment system are reduced, the merchant shall pass the benefits on to customers or employees; and (2) when any fees that a financial institution collects for access to a covered electronic payment system are increased, the institution shall pass those benefits on to its customers or employees.",2022-02-03T05:19:01Z,
110-s-2685,110,s,2685,Truth in Cigarette Labeling Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-03-03,2008-09-26,Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 1095.,Senate,"Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]",NJ,D,L000123,2,(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Truth in Cigarette Labeling Act of 2008 - Prohibits a cigarette manufacturer from making any claims or other representations based on data derived from a cigarette testing method established by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) before enactment of this Act. Treats any violation as an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act and requires enforcement by the FTC.,2022-02-03T05:08:57Z,
110-s-2663,110,s,2663,CPSC Reform Act,Commerce,2008-02-25,2008-03-06,See also H.R.4040.,Senate,"Sen. Pryor, Mark L. [D-AR]",AR,D,P000590,45,"CPSC Reform Act - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to authorize appropriations to carry out the Act and for other purposes. Creates or modifies provisions relating to personnel and Commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), public disclosure of information, and rulemaking procedures.  Requires third party certification of, and provides for tracking and record keeping regarding, children's products.  Modifies provisions relating reporting of substantial product hazards and corrective action plans. Requires manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and importers to identify each other. Modifies provisions relating to prohibited acts, penalties, preemption, and sharing of information with federal, state, local, and foreign government agencies.  Requires certain manufacturers or distributors to post an escrow or proof of insurance to cover recalls. Allows enforcement by state attorneys general and provides public and private sector whistleblower protections.  Bans children's products containing lead and lowers the allowable lead content in paint.  Requires a study of preventable injuries and deaths of minority children related to consumer products.  Requires a cost-benefit analysis under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970.  Imposes or modifies requirements regarding portable gasoline containers, toy safety, all-terrain vehicles, garage door openers, carbon monoxide, cigarette lighters, and consumer product registration forms.  Requires development of a risk assessment methodology regarding imports. Requires publication of a list of product defects that constitute a substantial product hazard. Conditions importation of a consumer product on the manufacturer's compliance with certain inspection and record keeping requirements. Requires a database on violations of consumer product safety rules to be used to determine whether a container being imported contains consumer products that are in violation of a consumer product safety standard and whether action should be taken under imported products provisions.",2022-02-03T05:12:47Z,
110-hr-5471,110,hr,5471,To require the Consumer Product Safety Commission to prescribe rules requiring distinctive markings on toy and look-alike firearms.,Commerce,2008-02-14,2008-02-14,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.",House,"Rep. Towns, Edolphus [D-NY-10]",NY,D,T000326,1,"Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to promulgate a final consumer product safety rule providing for a distinctive marking or device for any toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm to distinguish the look-alike firearm from a firearm. Includes in the term "look-alike firearm" any imitation of any original firearm manufactured, designed, and produced since 1898, including toy guns, water guns, replica nonguns, and air-soft guns firing nonmetallic projectiles. Excludes any nonfiring replica of a firearm developed before 1898, or traditional BB, paint-ball, or pellet-firing air guns that expel a projectile through the force of air pressure. Declares that this Act supersedes any state or local law relating to markings, identification, or sale of toy, look-alike, and imitation firearms. Prohibits any state or political subdivision from prohibiting the sale or manufacturer of any look-alike, nonfiring to or collector replica of an antique firearm developed prior to 1898 or prohibiting the sale (other than prohibiting the sale to minors) of traditional BB, paint ball, or pellet-firing air guns. Declares that this paragraph does not apply to any provision of state or local law enacted before January 30, 1955, that prohibits the sale of any toy or imitation firearm unless its exterior surface is brightly colored.",2023-01-11T13:15:44Z,
110-hr-5402,110,hr,5402,Climate Change Center and Clearinghouse Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-02-12,2008-02-12,Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.,House,"Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large]",VT,D,W000800,11,"Climate Change Center and Clearinghouse Act of 2008 - Amends the Small Business Act to establish: (1) the Office of Environment, Energy, and Climate Change within the Small Business Administration (SBA); and (2) the Climate Change Center and Clearinghouse within such Office.Requires the Office to: (1) oversee and administer the Center; (2) promote energy efficiency efforts for, and efforts to reduce energy costs of, small businesses; and (3) oversee efforts by small businesses to develop renewable energy technologies. Requires the Center to: (1) provide information to small businesses on assessing and managing the impacts of climate change and on cost savings and revenue gains possible through carbon credit trading opportunities and federal and state renewable energy and energy efficiency tax relief programs, purchase incentives, and rebate programs; (2) ensure that such information is provided to small businesses on an accessible website and through nationwide workshops; (3) coordinate federal agency efforts to provide support to small businesses for the purpose of maintaining competitiveness while developing green products or services, implementing green business practices, or reducing pollution; (4) develop a baseline study that provides a broad analysis that aggregates small business energy consumption and emissions; (5) raise awareness among small businesses of the information, technical support, and network opportunities made available through the Energy Star Program to reduce energy waste and energy costs; (6) develop a carbon footprint website that contains information on how small business concerns can reduce their carbon footprint, links to other carbon footprint websites, and a calculator for obtaining an estimate of a small business's carbon emissions based on electricity usage, heating fuel usage, and fleet mileage; and (7) develop a marketing plan.Directs: (1) the President to establish an interagency working group to establish goals and priorities for the Center and to provide for interagency coordination of Center activities; and (2) the Administrator of SBA to specify a detailed definition for the terms "green products or services" and "green business practices."",2023-01-11T13:15:45Z,
110-s-2608,110,s,2608,Small Business Women's Procurement Program Improvement Act,Commerce,2008-02-07,2008-02-07,Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measure as introduced: CR S791),Senate,"Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]",ME,R,S000663,4,Small Business Women's Procurement Program Improvement Act - Amends the Small Business Act relating to the women's procurement program (the provision of contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses) to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to wait until five years after the program is implemented before conducting a required study to identify industries in which small businesses owned and controlled by women are underrepresented with respect to federal procurement contracting (and therefore eligible for contracting preferences or set-asides). Presumes as underrepresented by women-owned small businesses the industries identified in industry codes 11 through 81 of the 2007 North American Industry Classification System Code. States that a contracting officer need not make a finding of past gender discrimination by a contracting agency in order to comply with federal contracting requirements under the women's business procurement program.,2022-02-03T05:11:23Z,
110-s-2612,110,s,2612,Small Business Lending Stimulus Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-02-07,2008-04-16,Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held.,Senate,"Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]",MA,D,K000148,0,"Small Business Lending Stimulus Act of 2008 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to reduce in 2008 the rate of certain loan fees imposed under the Small Business Act and debenture fees under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. Authorizes appropriations for FY2008: (1) to cover such rate reductions; and (2) for direct loans and assistance under the SBA Microloan Program. Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to authorize the SBA to refinance certain existing debt of small businesses that received prior loans for plant acquisition, construction, conversion, or expansion.",2019-11-15T21:59:11Z,
110-s-2591,110,s,2591,"A bill to amend chapter 1 of title 17, United States Code, to provide an exemption from exclusive rights in copyright for certain nonprofit organizations to display live football games, and for other purposes.",Commerce,2008-02-04,2008-02-04,Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA]",PA,R,S000709,0,"Declares that it is not a copyright infringement for churches and qualified church-controlled organizations to communicate a transmission of a professional football contest so long as no direct charge is made to see or hear the transmission, no money is accepted or received by the organization during the communication, and the transmission is not further retransmitted.",2019-11-15T21:58:47Z,
110-hr-5217,110,hr,5217,Small Business Telework Promotion Act,Commerce,2008-01-29,2008-01-29,Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.,House,"Rep. Udall, Mark [D-CO-2]",CO,D,U000038,0,"Small Business Telework Promotion Act -Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to carry out a competitive grant program to raise awareness about telework among small business employers and to encourage such employers to offer telework options to employees. Requires the Administrator to make special efforts to conduct outreach to businesses owned by or employing individuals with disabilities, particularly service-disabled veterans, as well as agencies, groups, or organizations that aid such individuals. Terminates such program at the end of FY2009.",2023-01-11T13:15:15Z,
110-s-2553,110,s,2553,Small Business Stimulus Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-01-24,2008-04-16,Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held.,Senate,"Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]",MA,D,K000148,2,"Small Business Stimulus Act of 2008 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to reduce in 2008 the rate of certain loan fees imposed under the Small Business Act.Appropriates, as an emergency requirement, additional funds in FY2008 for: (1) loan subsidies under the SBA Business Loans Program Account; and (2) direct loans and assistance under the SBA Microloan Program.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase to $200,000 in 2008 the expensing allowance for depreciable business assets; and (2) extend through 2008 the five-year carryback of certain unused net operating losses.",2023-01-11T13:15:10Z,
110-hr-5069,110,hr,5069,Food and Product Responsibility Act of 2008,Commerce,2008-01-17,2008-04-25,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development, and Foreign Agriculture.",House,"Rep. Visclosky, Peter J. [D-IN-1]",IN,D,V000108,13,"Food and Product Responsibility Act of 2008 - Applies this Act to replacement equipment, food, drugs, devices, cosmetics, biological products, consumer products, meat or meat food product, poultry or poultry products, and eggs or egg products (covered products).Prohibits a manufacturer from distributing a covered product unless the manufacturer holds a certification from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection that the manufacturer possesses sufficient means (through insurance or otherwise) to cover the entire cost of a recall of the product, including administrative costs, compensatory damages, and costs of any product liability or other lawsuit relating to that product.Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act (regarding meat and meat food products), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (regarding poultry and poultry products), the Egg Products Inspection Act (regarding eggs and egg products), and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA) (regarding food) to provide for voluntary and mandatory recalls of adulterated or misbranded articles, notice to consumers and health officials, and related procedures.",2023-01-11T13:15:19Z,
110-hr-4936,110,hr,4936,Antifreeze Bittering Act of 2007,Commerce,2008-01-15,2008-01-16,Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials.,House,"Rep. Ackerman, Gary L. [D-NY-5]",NY,D,A000022,21,"Antifreeze Bittering Act of 2007 [sic] - Requires engine coolant or antifreeze that is manufactured six months after the enactment of this Act, and that contains more than 10% ethylene glycol, to include denatonium benzoate at a minimum of 30 parts per million and a maximum of 50 parts per million as a bittering agent so as to render the coolant or antifreeze unpalatable. Requires a coolant or antifreeze manufacturer to maintain records of compliance with this Act. Limits the liability of manufacturers, distributors, recyclers, or sellers of engine coolant or antifreeze who are in compliance with the requirements of this Act for personal and property loss or damage to the environment that results from the inclusion of denatonium benzoate in any coolant or antifreeze.  Declares this Act inapplicable to: (1) the sale of a motor vehicle that contains engine coolant or antifreeze; or (2) wholesale containers of engine coolant or antifreeze containing 55 gallons or more of engine coolant or antifreeze.",2023-01-11T13:15:22Z,
110-hr-4850,110,hr,4850,Sanctions to Eliminate Products Unsafe to the Public Act of 2007,Commerce,2007-12-19,2007-12-19,"Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.",House,"Rep. Jackson-Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]",TX,D,J000032,3,"Sanctions to Eliminate Products Unsafe to the Public Act of 2007 or the STEP UP Act of 2007 - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to require every manufacturer (and any related private labeler) of an article for use by a child under 60 months of age which is subject to a consumer product safety standard or a rule under any Act administered by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) declaring a consumer product a banned hazardous product to certify, based on testing conducted by a nongovernmental independent third party, that the product conforms to such standard or is not a banned hazardous product. Bars importation of such articles lacking independent third party certification. Increases the civil penalties for violations of a consumer product safety standard involving lead in a children's product.",2023-01-11T13:15:01Z,
110-s-2529,110,s,2529,Protecting the Spirit of Giving Act,Commerce,2007-12-19,2007-12-19,"Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.",Senate,"Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]",NJ,D,M000639,1,"Protecting the Spirit of Giving Act - Prohibits a manufacturer or retailer from using the name of a charitable organization to solicit donations or to sell or market a product under certain arrangements unless the manufacturer or retailer, for each solicitation, sale, or promotion, notifies the organization, obtains advance written approval, and limits the use of the organization's name to the scope approved. Requires a manufacturer or retailer that sells or markets a product with the intention of remitting a portion of the proceeds to a charitable organization to disclose to the purchaser the portion of the purchase price that will be remitted, the maximum amount that will be remitted, the applicable time period, and the organization's contact information.",2023-01-11T13:15:23Z,
110-hr-4789,110,hr,4789,Performance Rights Act,Commerce,2007-12-18,2008-06-26,Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .,House,"Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-28]",CA,D,B000410,22,"Performance Rights Act - Amends federal copyright law to: (1) grant performers of sound recordings equal rights to compensation from terrestrial broadcasters; (2) establish a flat annual fee in lieu of payment of royalties for individual terrestrial broadcast stations with gross revenues of less than $1.25 million and for non-commercial, public broadcast stations; (3) grant an exemption from royalty payments for broadcasts of religious services and for incidental uses of musical sound recordings; and (4) grant terrestrial broadcast stations that make limited feature uses of sound recordings a per program license option.Provides that nothing in this Act shall adversely affect the public performance rights or royalties payable to songwriters or copyright owners of musical works.",2023-01-11T13:15:30Z,
110-s-2500,110,s,2500,Performance Rights Act,Commerce,2007-12-18,2008-07-29,Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.,Senate,"Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]",VT,D,L000174,4,"Performance Rights Act - Amends federal copyright law to: (1) grant performers of sound recordings equal rights to compensation from terrestrial broadcasters; (2) establish a flat annual fee in lieu of payment of royalties for individual terrestrial broadcast stations with gross revenues of less than $1.25 million and for non-commercial, public broadcast stations; (3) grant an exemption from royalty payments for broadcasts of religious services and for incidental uses of musical sound recordings; and (4) grant terrestrial broadcast stations that make limited feature uses of sound recordings a per program license option.Provides that nothing in this Act shall adversely affect the public performance rights or royalties payable to songwriters or copyright owners of musical works.",2023-01-11T13:15:24Z,
110-hr-4458,110,hr,4458,Small Business Regulatory Improvement Act,Commerce,2007-12-12,2007-12-13,Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 0.,House,"Rep. Ellsworth, Brad [D-IN-8]",IN,D,E000289,12,"Small Business Regulatory Improvement Act - Revises the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Defines the "economic impact" of a rule to include any direct or indirect economic effects on small entities. Requires initial regulatory flexibility analyses of a proposed rule to contain a detailed statement describing the type of small entities to which the proposed rule will apply.Revises provisions requiring the publication by each agency of a plan for the periodic review of its rules that have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities to determine whether they should be continued, changed, or rescinded, including to: (1) limit to two years the amount of time the period for reviewing an agency's regulations may be extended; and (2) require each agency to report annually on review results to Congress and to the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).Requires an agency to notify the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration of any draft rules that may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities either: (1) when the agency submits a draft rule to the such Office, if submission is required; or (2) if no submission to the Office is so required, at a reasonable time before publication of the rule by the agency.Requires that final regulatory flexibility analyses include the agency's response to any comments filed on a rule by the Chief Counsel and a detailed statement of any changes made as a result.",2023-01-11T13:15:39Z,
110-hr-4516,110,hr,4516,Toy Origin for Toddler Safety Act,Commerce,2007-12-12,2007-12-12,Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.,House,"Rep. Perlmutter, Ed [D-CO-7]",CO,D,P000593,2,"Toy Origin for Toddler Safety Act - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to require every manufacturer of a consumer product to post on its website (if any) the location of the facility where the product was manufactured or assembled. Requires the manufacturer, if similar products are manufactured or assembled at multiple facilities, to make such information available by serial number or other identifier.",2023-01-11T13:15:37Z,
110-s-2459,110,s,2459,A bill to authorize appropriations for research and enforcement activities of the Federal Trade Commission related to misleading mortgage advertisements.,Commerce,2007-12-12,2007-12-12,"Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.",Senate,"Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]",NJ,D,M000639,0,"Authorizes appropriations to carry out research and enforcement regarding misleading mortgage advertisements, in an amount double the amount spent for such purposes in the previous fiscal year, for the Division of Financial Practices of the Bureau of Consumer Protection of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).",2023-01-11T13:15:25Z,
110-s-2447,110,s,2447,"A bill to make a technical correction to section 119 of title 17, United States Code.",Commerce,2007-12-11,2007-12-11,Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.,Senate,"Sen. Smith, Gordon H. [R-OR]",OR,R,S001142,1,"Applies statutory license requirements to secondary transmissions by a satellite carrier to subscribers in certain counties of primary transmissions of a network station located in a state in which there are located four such counties that, on January 1, 2004, had a specified combined number of television households and that were in local markets principally comprised of counties in another state, if the satellite carrier or any cable operator was making such secondary transmissions to any subscribers in such a county on that date.",2023-01-11T13:15:26Z,
110-hr-4279,110,hr,4279,Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008,Commerce,2007-12-05,2008-05-12,Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.,House,"Rep. Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI-14]",MI,D,C000714,19,"Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008 - Title I: Enhancements to Civil Intellectual Property Laws - (Sec. 101) Amends federal copyright law to: (1) provide a safe harbor for copyright registrations that contain inaccurate information, unless there was knowledge of the inaccurate information and the inaccuracy of the information, if known, would have caused the Register of Copyrights to refuse registration; (2) provide that copyright registration requirements apply to civil (not criminal) infringement actions; and (3) require courts to issue protective orders to prevent disclosure of seized records relating to copyright infringement. (Sec. 104) Broadens the trademark infringement situations in which treble damages are allowed to include: (1) intentionally inducing another to violate a trademark; and (2) providing goods and services necessary to the commission of a violation with the intent that they be used in the violation. Doubles the minimum and maximum statutory damage limits for trademark infringement. (Sec. 106) Prohibits the importing (current law), as well as the exporting, of infringing copies of copyrighted works. Title II: Enhancements to Criminal Intellectual Property Laws - (Sec. 201) Amends the federal criminal code with respect to intellectual property to: (1) revise criminal penalties for infringement of a copyright by permitting repeat felony violations to be interchangeable, for trafficking in counterfeit labels or packaging, and for causing serious bodily harm or death while trafficking in counterfeit goods or services; and (2) revise current civil and criminal forfeiture provisions for copyright infringement, as well as add new restitution and forfeiture provisions. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the United States Sentencing Commission to amend certain federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements regarding whether a defendant should receive an upward adjustment in the offense level on the grounds that exportation introduces infringing items into the stream of foreign commerce in a manner analogous to the manner in which manufacturing, importing, and uploading such items introduces them into the stream of commerce. Title III: Coordination and Strategic Planning of Federal Effort Against Counterfeiting and Piracy - Subtitle A: Office of the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative - (Sec. 301) Establishes within the Executive Office of the President the Office of the United States Intellectual Property Enforcement Representative (IP Enforcement Representative) to formulate a Joint Strategic Plan for combating counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property and for coordinating national and international enforcement efforts to protect intellectual property rights. Prohibits the IP Enforcement Representative from controlling or directing any law enforcement agency in the exercise of its investigative or prosecutorial authority in particular cases. Establishes an interagency intellectual property enforcement advisory committee to develop the Joint Strategic Plan against counterfeiting and piracy under subtitle B of this title. Subtitle B: Joint Strategic Plan - (Sec. 321) Requires the IP Enforcement Representative to submit a Joint Strategic Plan against counterfeiting and piracy to the President and specified congressional committees every three years. Requires that the plan include programs to provide training and technical assistance to foreign governments to enhance those governments' efforts to enforce counterfeiting and piracy laws. (Sec. 322) Requires an annual report on the Office's activities to the President, Congress, and the people of the United States. (Sec. 323) Repeals provisions establishing the National Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordination Council. (Sec. 324) Authorizes appropriations to carry out this title. Title IV: International Enforcement and Coordination - (Sec. 401) Directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to appoint at least 10 additional intellectual property attaches to work with foreign countries to combat counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property. Sets forth provisions providing for the duties, assignment, and training of such attaches. (Sec. 404) Requires the Department of Commerce's Inspector General to perform yearly audits of the intellectual property attaches and report to the House and Senate judiciary committees on the audit results, including regarding activities and effectiveness. (Sec. 405) Authorizes appropriations for the training and support of the intellectual property attaches appointed under this title and of other Department of Commerce intellectual property attaches. Title V: Department of Justice Programs - Subtitle A: Coordination - (Sec. 501) Establishes within the Department of Justice (DOJ) the Intellectual Property Enforcement Division to be headed by an Intellectual Property Enforcement Officer (IP Officer). Transfers to the Intellectual Property Enforcement Division the functions of the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice that relate to the enforcement of criminal laws regarding intellectual property rights and trade secrets. Requires that the Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinators of the Department of Justice to whom this title applies also be in the Intellectual Property Enforcement Division. Subtitle B: Law Enforcement Resources - (Sec. 511) Amends the Computer Crime Enforcement Act to: (1) modify grant programs for combating computer crime to include infringement of copyrighted works over the Internet; and (2) authorize appropriations for the grants. Directs the Office of Justice Programs of DOJ to make grants to state and local law enforcement agencies to combat intellectual property theft and infringement crimes. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 512) Directs the Attorney General to: (1) review Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (CHIP) units, provide such units with additional support and resources, and coordinate unit activities with corresponding state and local activities; and (2) direct each U.S. attorney to review policies for accepting or declining prosecutions of criminal cases involving intellectual property law violation. (Sec. 514) Authorizes appropriations to carry out this subtitle. Subtitle C: International Activities - (Sec. 521) Directs the Attorney General to deploy five additional Intellectual Property Law Enforcement Coordinators in foreign countries to protect the intellectual property rights of U.S. citizens. Authorizes appropriations. (Sec. 522) Directs the Attorney General to increase DOJ training and assistance to foreign governments to combat counterfeiting and piracy of intellectual property. Authorizes appropriations. Subtitle D: Coordination, Implementation, and Reporting - (Sec. 531) Requires the IP Officer to ensure that activities undertaken under this title are carried out in a way consistent with the Joint Strategic Plan. (Sec. 532) Directs the Attorney General to report to the House and Senate judiciary committees on actions taken to carry out this title, including regarding the IP Officer's activities.",2023-01-11T13:15:42Z,
110-hr-4252,110,hr,4252,"To provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 through May 23, 2008, and for other purposes.",Commerce,2007-12-04,2007-12-14,Became Public Law No: 110-136.,House,"Rep. Chabot, Steve [R-OH-1]",OH,R,C000266,0,"(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Extends through May 23, 2008, under the same terms and conditions, the authorization for any program, authority, or provision, including any pilot program, that is currently authorized through December 15, 2007, under the Small Business Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.",2023-03-30T18:35:48Z,
110-hr-4253,110,hr,4253,Military Reservist and Veteran Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act of 2008,Commerce,2007-12-04,2008-02-14,Became Public Law No: 110-186.,House,"Rep. Altmire, Jason [D-PA-4]",PA,D,A000362,3,"Military Reservist and Veteran Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act of 2008 - Title I: Veterans Business Development - (Sec. 101) Increases funding (with an offset), for FY2008-FY2009, for the Office of Veterans Business Development of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Expresses the sense of Congress that excess amounts for such Office should be used to support veterans business outreach centers. (Sec. 102) Amends the Small Business Act to direct the President to establish an interagency task force to coordinate federal efforts to improve capital and business development opportunities for, and ensure achievement of the pre-established federal contracting goals for, small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans and veterans. (Sec. 103) Extends permanently the SBA's Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs. (Sec. 104) Directs the SBA's Associate Administrator for Veterans Business Development to: (1) ensure that veterans business outreach centers regularly participate in the workshops of the transition assistance program of the Department of Labor; and (2) compile information on existing resources available to women veterans for business training. Allows a veterans business outreach center to provide grants to entities to make presentations on opportunities available from the SBA for recently separating or separated veterans. Requires implementation reports from the Associate Administrator to Congress. (Sec. 105) Increases the number of veterans business outreach centers by at least two for each of FY2008 and FY2009, and by the number considered appropriate by the Administrator for each fiscal year thereafter. (Sec. 106) Requires the Administrator to: (1) sponsor an independent study on gaps in the availability of veterans business outreach centers across the United States; and (2) report to Congress on study results. (Sec. 107) Authorizes a small business development center to apply for a grant to carry out a veterans assistance and services program to: (1) promote awareness of the services of the center that are available to veterans; (2) use online counseling and distance learning technology to overcome impediments to entrepreneurship faced by veterans and members of the Armed Forces; and (3) increase coordination among organizations that assist veterans. Title II: Reservist Programs - (Sec. 201) Extends the date by which a small business that has suffered or is likely to suffer substantial economic injury as the result of an essential employee being called or ordered to active duty may apply to the SBA for a disaster loan to one year (current law allows 90 days) after the essential employee is discharged or released from such duty. Authorizes the Administrator, when considered appropriate, to extend such period by up to one additional year. Directs the Administrator to: (1) establish a loan pre-consideration process for loans to small businesses with key employee reservists; and (2) develop an outreach and technical assistance program with respect to loans and grants made to small businesses employing such reservists. Requires a semiannual report from the Administrator to Congress on the status of the outreach and technical assistance program. (Sec. 202) Requires the Administrator and the Secretary of Defense to develop a joint website and printed materials providing information regarding any program for small businesses that is available to veterans or reservists. Authorizes the Administrator to advertise and market SBA reservist programs. (Sec. 203) Authorizes the Administrator to make noncollateralized small business loans of up to $50,000 to small businesses suffering the loss of essential employee reservists. (Sec. 204) Directs the Administrator to give a priority to loan applications involving essential employee reservists. (Sec. 205) Provides relief from SBA time limits in the case of loans made to small businesses owned and controlled by veterans: (1) called to active duty on or after September 11, 2001; or (2) who became service-disabled due to an injury or illness incurred or aggravated during active duty on or after such date. Extends such relief for the period in which the veteran served on active duty. Makes such relief inapplicable to programs subject to the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990. (Sec. 206) Directs the Comptroller General (CG) to report to the small business committees on types of assistance needed by service-disabled veterans who wish to become entrepreneurs. (Sec. 207) Requires the CG to: (1) study options for promoting positive working relations between employers and their reservist employees; and (2) report study results to the defense and small business committees. (Sec. 208) Directs the Administrator to establish and carry out a two-year pilot program under which the Administrator shall reduce by 50% the fees for loans made to small businesses owned and controlled by veterans or reservists (veteran participation loans). Authorizes the Administrator to waive the fee reduction in certain cases. Requires a pilot program report from the CG to the small business committees.",2023-11-13T20:14:28Z,
110-hr-4261,110,hr,4261,Safe Toys Act,Commerce,2007-12-04,2007-12-04,Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.,House,"Rep. Graves, Sam [R-MO-6]",MO,R,G000546,0,"Safe Toys Act - Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, and the Flammable Fabrics Act to increase civil penalties for various violations under those Acts. Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to expand: (1) the requirement that manufacturers certify conformity to all applicable consumer product safety standards under the Act or under other Acts enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC); and (2) the authorization of the CPSC to prescribe reasonable testing programs for consumer products subject to standards under the Act or under Acts enforced by the CPSC. (Current law requires certification and allows testing programs under the Act, but makes no reference to other Acts enforced by the CPSC.) Requires the CPSC to maintain on its website a current list of all products with such certificates and allows the CPSC to publish such a list.",2023-01-11T13:15:43Z,
110-hr-4266,110,hr,4266,Katie Elise and Meghan Agnes Act,Commerce,2007-12-04,2007-12-04,Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.,House,"Rep. Schwartz, Allyson Y. [D-PA-13]",PA,D,S001162,11,"Katie Elise and Meghan Agnes Act - Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to promulgate final consumer product safety standards, applicable to any furniture the CPSC determines poses a substantial safety hazard due to tipping, that are (at a minimum) substantially the same as a specified ASTM standard. Requires the CPSC to promulgate final consumer product safety standards to require that, in any furniture containing a glass surface or pane of a size that poses a safety hazard on breaking, the glass be safety glass.",2023-01-11T13:15:43Z,