legislation
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246 rows where congress = 109 and policy_area = "Commerce" sorted by introduced_date descending
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| 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 |
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| 109-hr-6427 | 109 | hr | 6427 | To increase the amount in certain funding agreements relating to patents and nonprofit organizations to be used for scientific research, development, and education, and for other purposes. | Commerce | 2006-12-08 | 2006-12-09 | Received in the Senate. | House | Rep. Latham, Tom [R-IA-4] | IA | R | L000111 | 0 | (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Increases to 15% (currently 5%) of a government-owned contractor-operated facility's annual budget, for facilities with annual budgets of less than $40 million, the amount of money from royalties or income earned during any fiscal year from a patent for a subject invention under a funding agreement that a nonprofit organization can keep for scientific research, development, and education consistent with the research and development mission and objectives of the facility. | 2022-02-03T05:28:41Z | |
| 109-s-4110 | 109 | s | 4110 | U.S. SAFE WEB Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-12-07 | 2006-12-08 | Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 673. | Senate | Sen. Smith, Gordon H. [R-OR] | OR | R | S001142 | 5 | Undertaking Spam, Spyware, And Fraud Enforcement With Enforcers beyond Borders Act of 2006 or the U.S. SAFE WEB Act of 2006 - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to include within the term "unfair or deceptive acts or practices" those acts or practices involving foreign commerce that: (1) cause or are likely to cause reasonably foreseeable injury within the United States; or (2) involve material conduct occurring within the United States. Declares that remedies available to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for unfair and deceptive acts or practices include restitution to domestic or foreign victims. Authorizes the FTC to disclose certain privileged or confidential information to foreign law enforcement agencies and to grant investigative assistance to them. Grants the FTC power to transmit to the Attorney General evidence of a violation of federal criminal law by any person, partnership, or corporation, either domestic or foreign. Authorizes the FTC to designate its attorneys to assist the Attorney General with litigation in foreign courts on particular matters in which it has an interest. Prescribes procedural guidelines for sharing by FTC with foreign law enforcement agencies of information obtained pursuant to compulsory process or investigation. Declares the FTC subject to the Right to Financial Privacy Act, but specifies conditions relating to procedures for delay of notification or prohibition of disclosure, and ex parte proceedings. Exempts from coverage by such Act an investigation or proceeding related to the administration of federal or foreign antitrust laws. Shields from liability voluntary providers of information, including certain financial institutions. Authorizes the FTC to accept payment or reimbursement from a domestic or foreign law enforcement agency, or payment or reimbursement made on behalf of such agency, for expenses incurred by the FTC in carrying out any of its proper activities. Terminates this Act seven years after its enactment. | 2018-02-04T01:56:55Z | |
| 109-hr-6393 | 109 | hr | 6393 | Emergency Child Care Lending for the Gulf Coast Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-12-06 | 2006-12-06 | Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. | House | Rep. Jefferson, William J. [D-LA-2] | LA | D | J000070 | 0 | Emergency Child Care Lending for the Gulf Coast Act of 2006 - Authorizes the proceeds of a loan for plant acquisition, construction, conversion, or expansion under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to be used by the certified development company to provide loans to small, nonprofit child care businesses that have a track record of providing such services in the presidentially declared disaster areas in the Gulf Coast region. Limits to 3% the amount of the total number of such loans guaranteed in FY2007-FY2008 that may be awarded for the program under this Act. Terminates such program after December 30, 2007. | 2019-04-11T15:39:53Z | |
| 109-s-4097 | 109 | s | 4097 | Small Business Disaster Response and Loan Improvements Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-12-06 | 2006-12-06 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measure as introduced: CR S11336-113341) | Senate | Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME] | ME | R | S000663 | 4 | Small Business Disaster Response and Loan Improvements Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) guarantee the payment of principal and interest on private lender loans to small businesses located in a disaster area; and (2) make disaster loans to private nonprofit organizations located or operating in a disaster area. Increases disaster loan caps. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) allow small business development centers (SBDCs) to provide assistance to a small business located outside the state of the SBDC if the business is in a disaster area; (2) establish a contracting outreach and technical assistance program for small businesses having a significant presence in a disaster area; (3) declare a disaster area as an area of concentrated unemployment or underemployment, or a labor surplus area, for purposes of a contracting priority for local small businesses; and (4) establish and implement a disaster assistance business loan program. Provides for increased public notice of disaster declaration and application periods and deadlines. Authorizes the Administrator to enter into agreements with private contractors to process disaster loans. Requires the Administrator to amend the 2006 hurricane season disaster response plan to apply to major disasters and catastrophic national disasters. Provides for increased congressional oversight of the SBA disaster loan program with respect to presidentially declared disasters. Authorizes the Administrator to make loans to assist small businesses that have or are likely to suffer substantial economic injury as the result of significant increases in the price of heating fuel due to a disaster-related energy emergency. | 2019-11-15T21:59:01Z | |
| 109-s-4072 | 109 | s | 4072 | Gulf Coast Back to Business and Homes Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-11-16 | 2006-11-16 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measure as introduced: CR S11074) | Senate | Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA] | LA | D | L000550 | 1 | Gulf Coast Back to Business and Homes Act of 2006 - Authorizes appropriations for the Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce to make grants to appropriate state government agencies in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas for assistance to small businesses located in a disaster area that was negatively affected by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita in 2005. Amends the Small Business Act to require the deferment of payments of principal and interest on loans made by the Small Business Administration (SBA) before December 31, 2006, to a small business located in a disaster area negatively affected by such hurricanes. Amends the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Hurricane Recovery, 2006 to authorize the SBA Administrator to waive the duplication of certain benefits with respect to hurricane recovery loans made to affected small businesses in Louisiana. | 2023-01-12T17:51:57Z | |
| 109-s-4025 | 109 | s | 4025 | Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-09-29 | 2006-09-29 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S10712) | Senate | Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] | PA | R | S000709 | 3 | Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2006 - Amends the McCarran-Ferguson Act to permit federal enforcement of antitrust laws and regulations pertaining to the insurance industry except to the extent that the states actively supervise the conduct of such industry or such conduct involves third-party data collection or other informational activities. | 2023-01-12T17:52:02Z | |
| 109-s-4037 | 109 | s | 4037 | Rent-To-Own Reform Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-09-29 | 2006-09-29 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. | Senate | Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY] | NY | D | S000148 | 0 | Rent-To-Own Reform Act of 2006 - Amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to prohibit a seller in a rent-to-own transaction from receiving or assessing any interest, finance charge, or other fee for the transaction that exceeds the interest, fees, or finance charges permissible under the laws of the state in which the seller is located which establish: (1) a maximum rate or amount of interest, finance charge, or time-price differential that may be charged in connection with a credit sale or retail installment sale for the same or a similar item; (2) the types of fees and the maximum amount of fees that a seller may so charge; or (3) the types of credit insurance and the maximum amount of premiums that can be charged for credit insurance in such a connection. Permits certain additional termination charges and fees. Cites federal laws which are applicable to a rent-to-own transaction. Sets forth required disclosures, prohibitions, and enforcement, as well as civil liability for failure to properly disclose the terms of a rent-to-own transaction. Declares this Act inapplicable to certain motor vehicles sales and leases otherwise subject to the Truth in Lending Act. | 2023-01-12T17:52:01Z | |
| 109-s-4040 | 109 | s | 4040 | Public Research in the Public Interest Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-09-29 | 2006-09-29 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S10743-10745) | Senate | Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] | VT | D | L000174 | 0 | Public Research in the Public Interest Act of 2006 - Requires, as a condition of receiving federal assistance, any institution of higher education or research that conceives, reduces to practice, or holds title in a subject invention to grant irrevocable, perpetual, nonexclusive licenses to the invention and associated rights to any party requesting such a license pursuant to this Act. Provides that licenses shall be issued for: (1) supplying medical products to countries with low-income or lower-middle income economies; or (2) conducting neglected research anywhere, royalty-free. Provides that such licenses shall be part of the institution's title in a subject invention. Makes a license under this Act irrevocable and perpetual so long as the licensee submits to the licensor payment of a fair royalty on sales of any medical product within 90 days. Deems a party as automatically receiving the license requested upon submitting the required information to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Sets forth procedures for objections to the grant of a requested license. Requires the holder of title or any license in a subject invention to notify the FDA of any grant or license of rights in that invention. | 2023-01-12T17:52:01Z | |
| 109-hr-6244 | 109 | hr | 6244 | To amend the Hobby Protection Act to require that imitation Civil War items be clearly marked as copies. | Commerce | 2006-09-28 | 2006-10-02 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. | House | Rep. Moran, James P. [D-VA-8] | VA | D | M000933 | 0 | Amends the Hobby Protection Act to declare as an unlawful, unfair, and deceptive act the manufacture in the United States, or the importation into the United States, for introduction or distribution into commerce of any imitation Civil War item which is not plainly and permanently marked "copy" or "facsimile." Requires the Federal Trade Commission to prescribe rules relating to such items that are substantially similar to the rules prescribed by the Commission relating to imitation numismatic items. | 2023-01-12T17:52:14Z | |
| 109-hr-6204 | 109 | hr | 6204 | Small Business Information Security Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-09-27 | 2006-09-27 | Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. | House | Rep. Akin, W. Todd [R-MO-2] | MO | R | A000358 | 0 | Small Business Information Security Act of 2006 - 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 portal to be used by the SBA to receive and dispense information and resources with respect to such needs. | 2023-01-12T17:52:15Z | |
| 109-s-3953 | 109 | s | 3953 | Minority Entrepreneurship Development Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-09-27 | 2006-09-27 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. | Senate | Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] | MA | D | K000148 | 0 | Minority Entrepreneurship Development Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Act to establish within the Small Business Administration (SBA) an Office of Minority Small Business Development to, among other things, formulate, execute, and promote SBA policies and programs that provide assistance to small businesses owned and controlled by minorities. Authorizes the SBA Administrator to make grants to eligible educational institutions: (1) to assist in establishing an entrepreneurship curriculum for undergraduate or graduate studies; and (2) for the placement of a small business development center on the campus of the institution. Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to eligible associations and organizations to: (1) assist in establishing the technical capacity to provide online or distance learning for businesses seeking to contract with the federal government; (2) develop curriculum for seminars that will provide businesses with the technical expertise for such contracting; and (3) provide training and technical expertise through distance learning to participant business owners and other interested parties. Amends the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994 to extend through FY2009 the socially and economically disadvantaged business program. | 2023-01-12T17:52:04Z | |
| 109-hr-6189 | 109 | hr | 6189 | Protection From Telemarketers Act | Commerce | 2006-09-26 | 2006-10-02 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. | House | Rep. King, Peter T. [R-NY-3] | NY | R | K000210 | 0 | Protection From Telemarketers Act - Amends the Telemarketing and Consumer Fraud and Abuse Prevention Act to require the Federal Trade Commission to include in rules respecting abusive telemarketing acts or practices a requirement that telemarketers not make any calls during the hours of 5 to 7 p.m. | 2023-01-12T17:52:16Z | |
| 109-s-3935 | 109 | s | 3935 | Truth in Video Game Rating Act | Commerce | 2006-09-26 | 2006-09-26 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. | Senate | Sen. Brownback, Sam [R-KS] | KS | R | B000953 | 0 | Truth in Video Game Rating Act - Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe rules that prohibit as an unfair and deceptive act or practice: (1) any rating organization from assigning a content rating to any video or computer game unless it has reviewed its playable content; and (2) any producer, seller, or distributor of such games from withholding or hiding any such content. Requires the FTC rules also to: (1) require any person submitting to a rating organization a video or computer game with hidden content to accompany it with the codes or methods necessary to access such hidden content; and (2) prohibit a rating organization from providing a content rating that grossly mischaracterizes the game content. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the efficacy of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) ratings system in assigning appropriate content ratings to video and computer games, and related questions. | 2023-01-12T17:52:05Z | |
| 109-hr-6159 | 109 | hr | 6159 | To extend temporarily certain authorities of the Small Business Administration. | Commerce | 2006-09-25 | 2006-10-10 | Became Public Law No: 109-316. | House | Rep. Manzullo, Donald A. [R-IL-16] | IL | R | M001138 | 0 | (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Extends through February 2, 2007, under the same terms and conditions, any program, authority, or provision, including any pilot program, authorized under the Small Business Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 that is scheduled to expire on or after September 30, 2006, and before February 2, 2007. | 2023-01-31T21:42:03Z | |
| 109-hr-6141 | 109 | hr | 6141 | Child Product Safety Notification Act | Commerce | 2006-09-21 | 2006-10-02 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. | House | Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] | IL | D | S001145 | 1 | Child Product Safety Notification Act - Instructs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to promulgate a final consumer product safety standard that requires manufacturers of durable infant or toddler products to: (1) provide consumers with a postage-paid consumer registration form with each such product; (2) maintain a record of registered consumer contact information to improve the effectiveness of product recalls; (3) permanently place the manufacturer name and contact information, model name and number, and the date of manufacture on each durable infant or toddler product; and (4) implement specified recordkeeping and notification requirements. | 2023-01-12T17:52:17Z | |
| 109-hr-6148 | 109 | hr | 6148 | To designate Campbell County, Virginia, as a qualified nonmetropolitan county for purposes of the HUBZone programs of the Small Business Administration. | Commerce | 2006-09-21 | 2006-09-21 | Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. | House | Rep. Goode, Virgil H., Jr. [R-VA-5] | VA | R | G000280 | 0 | Amends the Small Business Act to include Campbell County, Virginia, as a qualified nonmetropolitan county for purposes of the HUBZone (heavily underutilized business zone) programs under such Act. | 2023-01-12T17:52:17Z | |
| 109-hr-6150 | 109 | hr | 6150 | National Minority Business Enterprise Incubator Program Act | Commerce | 2006-09-21 | 2006-09-21 | Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services. | House | Rep. Hayworth, J. D. [R-AZ-5] | AZ | R | H000413 | 0 | National Minority Business Enterprise Incubator Program Act - Authorizes the National Director of the Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency to make grants to certain organizations (e.g., public charities, business leagues, small business development centers, colleges or universities) to establish and operate minority business enterprise incubator programs. | 2023-01-12T17:52:17Z | |
| 109-s-3919 | 109 | s | 3919 | Small Business Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance Assistance Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-09-21 | 2006-09-21 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. | Senate | Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] | MA | D | K000148 | 0 | Small Business Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance Assistance Act of 2006 - Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make grants to qualified small public companies and small business concerns for the costs of compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Directs the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the SBA to establish a task force (including officials from the Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] and appropriate bank regulatory agencies) to report to Congress biennially regarding how to assist small public companies in complying with that Act. | 2023-01-12T17:52:05Z | |
| 109-hr-6113 | 109 | hr | 6113 | Truth in Video Game Rating Act | Commerce | 2006-09-20 | 2006-09-25 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. | House | Rep. Stearns, Cliff [R-FL-6] | FL | R | S000822 | 2 | Truth in Video Game Rating Act - Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe rules that prohibit as an unfair and deceptive act or practice: (1) any rating organization from assigning a content rating to any video or computer game unless it has reviewed its playable content; and (2) any producer, seller, or distributor of such games from withholding or hiding any playable content of the game from a rating organization with the intent of obtaining a less-restrictive content rating than the game would likely receive if such rating organization were to review the withheld or hidden content. Requires the FTC rules also to require any person submitting to a rating organization a video or computer game with hidden content to accompany it with the codes or methods necessary to access such hidden content. Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the efficacy of the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) ratings system in assigning appropriate content ratings to video and computer games, and related questions. | 2023-01-12T17:52:18Z | |
| 109-hr-6120 | 109 | hr | 6120 | Video Game Decency Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-09-20 | 2006-09-25 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. | House | Rep. Upton, Fred [R-MI-6] | MI | R | U000031 | 14 | Video Game Decency Act of 2006 - Makes it unlawful for any person to distribute any video game whose label contains an age-based content rating if, with the intent of obtaining a less restrictive age-based rating, that person fails to disclose game content to an independent ratings organization, with the result that the video game receives a less-restrictive age-based content rating. Treats any violation of this Act as an unfair or deceptive act or practice. Preempts state or local law or regulation related to video game content rating. | 2023-01-12T17:52:18Z | |
| 109-hr-6093 | 109 | hr | 6093 | Damaged Vehicle Information Act | Commerce | 2006-09-19 | 2006-09-25 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. | House | Rep. Stearns, Cliff [R-FL-6] | FL | R | S000822 | 23 | Damaged Vehicle Information Act - Amends federal transportation law to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue a regulation to require persons who terminate a motor vehicle contract due to flood or water damage, collision, fire damage, theft and recovery, or any circumstance that adversely affects the fair market value of the vehicle to disclose information of such vehicle damage to the public. | 2023-01-12T17:52:19Z | |
| 109-s-3911 | 109 | s | 3911 | Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness and International Standards Conforming Act | Commerce | 2006-09-19 | 2006-09-19 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9726-9727) | Senate | Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] | IL | D | D000563 | 2 | Wool Suit Fabric Labeling Fairness and International Standards Conforming Act - Amends the Wool Products Labeling Act of 1939 to declare that specified wool products, including cashmere, are misbranded if their average diameter of wool fiber does not meet certain standards of fineness. Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission to adopt additional standards or deviations. | 2023-01-12T17:52:06Z | |
| 109-hr-6052 | 109 | hr | 6052 | Copyright Modernization Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-09-12 | 2006-09-12 | Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary. | House | Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21] | TX | R | S000583 | 0 | Copyright Modernization Act of 2006 - Section 115 Reform Act of 2006 - Sets forth provisions governing compulsory licenses for digital phonorecord deliveries and hybrid offerings that cover the making and distribution of general and incidental digital phonorecord deliveries in the form of full downloads, limited downloads, interactive streams, and any other form constituting a digital phonorecord delivery or hybrid offering. Requires the Register of Copyrights to designate a General Designated Agent to grant and administer licenses and collect and distribute royalties payable for the use of musical works licensed under this Act. Orphan Works Act of 2006 - Limits the remedies available in a copyright infringement action if the infringer proves that: (1) the infringer performed and documented a reasonably diligent search in good faith to identify and locate the copyright owner before using the work, but was unable to locate the owner; and (2) the infringing use of the work provided attribution to the author and owner of the copyright, if known. Copyright Protection Resources Authorization Act of 2006 -Provides that a certificate of registration of a copyright satisfies the registration requirements even when it contains inaccurate information, unless: (1) the information was included on the application with knowledge that it was inaccurate; and (2) the inaccurate information, if known, would have caused the Register of Copyrights to refuse registration. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) create an operational unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to assist in the investigation and coordination of intellectual property crimes; and (2) create a task force to develop and implement a plan to investigate and prosecute international organized crime syndicates involved in theft of intellectual property. | 2023-01-12T17:52:20Z | |
| 109-hr-6041 | 109 | hr | 6041 | Disabled Veteran Small Business Eligibility Expansion Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-09-07 | 2006-09-07 | Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. | House | Rep. Davis, Jo Ann [R-VA-1] | VA | R | D000597 | 7 | Disabled Veteran Small Business Eligibility Expansion Act of 2006 - 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. | 2023-01-12T17:52:21Z | |
| 109-s-3872 | 109 | s | 3872 | Truth in Cigarette Labeling Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-09-07 | 2006-09-07 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9132-9133) | Senate | Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ] | NJ | D | L000123 | 7 | Truth in Cigarette Labeling Act of 2006 - Prohibits a cigarette manufacturer from: (1) using a health descriptor (e.g., "light" or "low tar") on the label or the advertising of any brand of cigarette; or (2) making any claims or other representations based on data derived from the 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. | 2023-01-12T17:52:07Z | |
| 109-s-3785 | 109 | s | 3785 | Surety Bond Improvement Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-08-03 | 2006-08-03 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. | Senate | Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME] | ME | R | S000663 | 0 | Surety Bond Improvement Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to: (1) authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to guarantee any surety against loss from a small business principal's breach of bond on any total work or contract amount that does not exceed $3 million (currently, $2 million); (2) allow the Administrator to authorize a surety that issues, monitors, or services such bonds to use rates approved by the insurance commissioner in the state in which the contract will be performed; and (3) prohibit the Administrator from refusing to make payment on a surety guarantee based on facts, circumstances, or defects that the Administrator should reasonably have identified during the guarantee process. Requires the Administrator to notify the congressional small business committees regarding a proposed change in fees charged to guarantee surety bonds. Expresses the sense of Congress that the surety bond guarantee program is not required to be self-funding and, therefore, may at times operate at a loss. | 2023-01-12T17:52:25Z | |
| 109-s-3786 | 109 | s | 3786 | Small Business Information Security Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-08-03 | 2006-08-03 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. | Senate | Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME] | ME | R | S000663 | 0 | Small Business Information Security Act of 2006 - 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 portal to be used by the SBA to receive and dispense information and resources with respect to such needs. | 2023-01-12T17:52:25Z | |
| 109-s-3812 | 109 | s | 3812 | Tanning Accountability and Notification Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-08-03 | 2006-08-03 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. | Senate | Sen. Isakson, Johnny [R-GA] | GA | R | I000055 | 2 | Tanning Accountability and Notification Act of 2006 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to determine whether: (1) the labeling requirements for indoor tanning devices provide sufficient information to consumers regarding the risks that the use of such devices pose for the development of irreversible damage to the eyes and skin, including skin cancer; and (2) an additional warning would communicate such risks more effectively; or (3) there is no warning that would adequately communicate such risks. Requires the Secretary, in making such determinations, to: (1) conduct consumer testing using the best available methods for determining consumer understanding of label warnings; and (2) hold public hearings and solicit public comments. | 2023-01-12T17:52:24Z | |
| 109-s-3818 | 109 | s | 3818 | Patent Reform Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-08-03 | 2006-08-03 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] | UT | R | H000338 | 1 | Patent Reform Act of 2006 - Modifies conditions under which a patent may be obtained for an invention or discovery, including by: (1) defining "inventor" to include a joint inventor and coinventor; (2) making the effective filing date of a claimed invention the filing date of the patent or the patent application; and (3) revising procedures for patent interference disputes.Renames the Board of Patent Appeals as the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. Revises provisions relating to the Board's composition, duties, and authorities.Revises requirements for an inventor's oath or declaration to allow substitute statements in specified circumstances (e.g., death, disability) and supplemental and corrected statements.Allows a third party assignee (other than the inventor) or a person with a proprietary interest to file a patent application.Modifies provisions relating to patent infringement litigation to: (1) allow increased damages for willful infringement; (2) grant attorney fees to a prevailing party in patent infringement litigation (unless the position of nonprevailing party is substantially justified); (3) specify permitted grounds for unenforceability of a patent; and (4) expand the prior user defense.Allows a person who is not the patent owner to file a petition with the Patent Trial and Appeal Board to cancel a patent as invalid (post-grant review). Sets forth procedures for the consideration of such petitions.Allows third parties to submit documents relevant to the examination of a patent application.Revises venue requirements for civil patent actions to allow actions to be brought in the judicial district where either party resides (currently, where the defendant resides). | 2023-01-12T17:52:24Z | |
| 109-s-3778 | 109 | s | 3778 | Small Business Reauthorization and Improvements Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-08-02 | 2006-11-16 | By Senator Snowe from Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship filed written report. Report No. 109-361. | Senate | Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME] | ME | R | S000663 | 0 | Small Business Reauthorization and Improvements Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to reauthorize for FY2007-FY2009 certain small business assistance programs of the Small Business Administration (SBA), including a predisaster mitigation program and grants to microloan program intermediaries and technical assistance providers. Makes permanent the Small Business Innovation Research Program. Extends through FY2009 various loan programs for small businesses under the Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, including: (1) general section 7(a) start-up and equity loans; (2) the microloan program; (3) certified development company financing; (4) the Service Corps of Retired Executives program; (5) disaster loan programs; and (6) the new markets venture capital program. Establishes: (1) the National Preferred Lenders Program; and (2) an Office of Minority Small Business Development. Authorizes: (1) the SBA Administrator to guarantee participating debentures issued by a licensed company to interim small business funding providers; (2) various development company loan programs, to be known collectively as the local development business loan program; (3) the Administrator to guarantee loans made by private lenders to small businesses located in disaster areas, including loans for disaster relief and reconstruction; (4) funding for veterans' and reservists' small business loan programs; (5) energy loans for small businesses; and (6) assistance for women-owned small businesses. Increases funding under the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. Provides technical and financial assistance for small business innovation. Native American Small Business Development Act of 2006 - Establishes a Native American small business development program and related pilot programs. National Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act of 2006 - Establishes a pilot program to assist small businesses in complying with federal and state regulatory requirements. Small Business… | 2022-02-03T06:04:15Z | |
| 109-hr-5971 | 109 | hr | 5971 | HIT for Small Business Health Care Providers Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-07-28 | 2006-07-28 | Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. | House | Rep. Kelly, Sue W. [R-NY-19] | NY | R | K000078 | 1 | HIT for Small Business Health Care Providers Act of 2006 - Instructs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure that a portion of certain loan amounts secured by the SBA under the Microloan program and under the 504 loan program (which finances small business concerns through loan guarantees under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958), respectively, are secured by certain guarantees. Includes among the guarantee requirements that: (1) the purpose of the guarantee is to help a small business acquire capital for the purchase of materials relating to health information technology; and (2) purchase of materials is made pursuant to a plan certified by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology. Requires the SBA Inspector General to review periodically a representative sample of such guaranteed loans in order to mitigate fraud and to ensure the safety and soundness of the program. | 2023-01-12T17:52:33Z | |
| 109-hr-5921 | 109 | hr | 5921 | Intellectual Property Enhanced Criminal Enforcement Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-07-27 | 2006-07-27 | Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [R-WI-5] | WI | R | S000244 | 2 | Intellectual Property Enhanced Criminal Enforcement Act of 2006 - Amends federal copyright law to: (1) provide that copyright registration requirements apply to civil (not criminal) infringement actions; (2) allow a court to issue a protective order to prevent disclosure of seized records relating to copyright infringement; (3) allow a court to treat parts of a copyrighted work as separate works for purposes of assessing statutory damages; (4) impose criminal penalties for attempts and conspiracies to commit copyright infringement; and (5) prohibit importing and exporting of infringing copies of copyrighted works.Amends the federal criminal code to increase penalties for: (1) trafficking in counterfeit labels or packaging; (2) criminal infringement of copyrights; (3) unauthorized fixation of and trafficking in reproductions of live musical performances; (4) unauthorized recording of motion pictures; and (5) trafficking in counterfeit goods or services.Provides for civil forfeiture of property used to facilitate copyright infringement and restitution for victims of such infringement. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) create an operational unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to assist in the investigation and coordination of intellectual property crimes; (2) implement a comprehensive program to train FBI agents in the investigation and prosecution of such crimes; (3) assign federal prosecutors to Justice Department offices in Hong Kong and Budapest to coordinate international enforcement of intellectual property laws; and (4) create a task force to develop and implement a plan to investigate and prosecute international organized crime syndicates involved in theft of intellectual property. Authorizes additional funding through FY2011 to investigate and prosecute criminal activity involving computers. | 2023-01-12T17:52:34Z | |
| 109-hr-5924 | 109 | hr | 5924 | To amend the Small Business Act to provide for loan guarantees for certain private disaster loans. | Commerce | 2006-07-27 | 2006-07-27 | Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. | House | Rep. Baker, Richard H. [R-LA-6] | LA | R | B000072 | 0 | Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to guarantee timely payment of principal and interest on any loan issued by a qualified private lender to an eligible small business concern located in a disaster area during the 24-month period in which it has been designated as a disaster area. Permits such loans to be used for acquiring or developing real estate for selling or rental purposes, or to refinance any debt under this Act, or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. Authorizes the Administrator to establish an on-line application process for loans guaranteed under this Act. | 2023-01-12T17:52:34Z | |
| 109-hr-5934 | 109 | hr | 5934 | HUBZone Improvement Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-07-27 | 2006-07-27 | Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. | House | Rep. Goode, Virgil H., Jr. [R-VA-5] | VA | R | G000280 | 1 | HUBZone Improvement Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Act redefine a Hubzone Qualified Area to count as a qualified nonmetropolitan county any county located within a metropolitan statistical area if: (1) its total population is 80,000 or less; (2) the population residing within the county's urbanized areas is 10% or less of the county's total population; and (3) the county meets either a specified median household income or a specified unemployment rate requirement. | 2023-01-12T17:52:34Z | |
| 109-hr-5912 | 109 | hr | 5912 | Truth in Video Game Rating Act | Commerce | 2006-07-26 | 2006-08-01 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. | House | Rep. Stearns, Cliff [R-FL-6] | FL | R | S000822 | 2 | Truth in Video Game Rating Act - Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe rules to prohibit as an unfair and deceptive act or practice: (1) providing a content rating of any video or computer game labeled for sale or distribution in interstate commerce without having reviewed the game's content in its entirety; (2) withholding, hiding, or failing to disclose any content of such a game to the person assigning such rating; or (3) providing a rating that grossly mischaracterizes a game's content. Requires the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on game content ratings systems and related questions. | 2023-01-12T17:52:35Z | |
| 109-hr-5878 | 109 | hr | 5878 | Minority Entrepreneurship and Innovation Pilot Program of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-07-25 | 2006-09-28 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Select Education. | House | Rep. Cummings, Elijah E. [D-MD-7] | MD | D | C000984 | 42 | Minority Entrepreneurship and Innovation Pilot Program of 2006 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make grants to historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges, and Hispanic serving institutions, or to any entity formed by a combination of such institutions: (1) to assist in establishing an entrepreneurship curriculum for undergraduate or graduate studies; and (2) for the placement of small business development centers on the physical campus of the institution.Requires an institution of higher education receiving a grant to: (1) develop a curriculum that includes training in various skill sets needed by successful entrepreneurs; and (2) open a small business development center. Limits this pilot program to two fiscal years, and a grant to $1 million per fiscal year for any one institution of higher education. | 2023-01-12T17:52:36Z | |
| 109-s-3718 | 109 | s | 3718 | Pool and Spa Safety Act | Commerce | 2006-07-24 | 2006-12-09 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | Senate | Sen. Allen, George [R-VA] | VA | R | A000121 | 5 | Pool and Spa Safety Act - (Sec. 3) Requires each swimming pool or spa drain cover manufactured, distributed, or entered into commerce in the United States to conform to specified ASME/ANSI entrapment protection standards. Considers that requirement to be a consumer product safety rule issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) under certain provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Act. (Sec. 4) Establishes a program of grants to states to: (1) hire and train enforcement personnel; and (2) educate pool construction, installation, and service companies, pool owners and operators, and other members of the public. Conditions grants on a state imposing certain requirements by statute, including: (1) enclosure of residential pools and spas to prevent small children from gaining unsupervised access; and (2) drain entrapment prevention devices and systems on all pools and spas. (Sec. 6) Requires the CPSC to establish and carry out a public education program on methods to prevent drowning and entrapment in pools and spas. Authorizes appropriations. | 2023-01-12T17:52:08Z | |
| 109-hr-5850 | 109 | hr | 5850 | Pool and Spa Safety Act | Commerce | 2006-07-20 | 2006-08-01 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. | House | Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-20] | FL | D | W000797 | 18 | Pool and Spa Safety Act - Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish recommended state law standards meeting specified minimum requirements for: (1) enclosure of swimming pools and spas by barriers to prevent unsupervised access by small children; and (2) systems to prevent entrapment of children by pool or spa drains. Requires the CPSC to establish: (1) a grant program to provide assistance to states in hiring and training government employees in implementing and enforcing state pool safety standards, educating the public about pool and spa safety, and administering safety programs; and (2) a national education program to inform the public of methods to prevent drownings and entrapment in pools and spas. | 2023-01-12T17:52:36Z | |
| 109-hr-5831 | 109 | hr | 5831 | To authorize the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office to extend a reissue patent for up to two years if the application for reissue is not processed within 10 years. | Commerce | 2006-07-19 | 2006-07-19 | Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Baca, Joe [D-CA-43] | CA | D | B001234 | 0 | Allows the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to extend the term of a reissued patent for up to two years if the reissue delay is due to USPTO's failure to act within 10 years after the reissue application is filed. | 2023-01-12T17:52:37Z | |
| 109-s-3691 | 109 | s | 3691 | Veterans Corporation Reauthorization Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-07-19 | 2006-07-19 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7926) | Senate | Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] | MA | D | K000148 | 3 | Veterans Corporation Reauthorization Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Act to make it the principal purpose of the Veterans Corporation to establish and maintain a national network of information and assistance centers for use by veterans and the public. Revises requirements for appointment of voting members of the Board of the Corporation. Shortens the term of appointment from six to four years. Provides for removal of a Board member deemed unable to fulfill his or her duties. Postpones from October 1, 2006, to October 1, 2009, the date upon which the Corporation shall assume the duties of the Advisory Committee on Veterans Affairs. Extends the authorization of appropriations. Revises grant matching requirements, establishing limitations on the Corporation's nonfederal sources of revenue. Directs the Corporation to develop and implement a plan to raise private funds and become a self-sustaining corporation within six months after enactment of this Act. | 2023-01-12T17:52:28Z | |
| 109-s-3680 | 109 | s | 3680 | Securing Equity for the Economic Development of Low Income Areas Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-07-18 | 2006-07-18 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. | Senate | Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] | MA | D | K000148 | 3 | Securing Equity for the Economic Development of Low Income Areas Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to select at least one company from each SBA geographic region when selecting companies to participate as New Markets Venture Capital companies. Establishes in the Investment Division of the SBA the Office of New Markets Venture Capital. Modifies the definition of low-income geographic area to reflect the new markets tax credit under the Internal Revenue Code. Revises the formula for the amount of operational assistance grants for new markets venture capital companies. | 2023-01-12T17:52:29Z | |
| 109-s-3663 | 109 | s | 3663 | Small Business International Trade Enhancements Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-07-14 | 2006-07-14 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7556) | Senate | Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA] | LA | D | L000550 | 3 | Small Business International Trade Enhancements Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Act to increase: (1) the ceiling on a Small Business Administration (SBA) international trade loan (ITL) guarantee under the Export Working Capital Program from $1.75 million to $2.75 million; (2) the maximum ITL to $3.67 million; and (3) the maximum available for export working capital, supplies, or financing from $1.25 million to $2 million. Allows the use of an ITL for working capital. Allows an ITL to be secured by a second lien position on the property or equipment financed by the loan or on other assets of the small business concern. (Currently a first lien position or first mortgage on the property, equipment, or other business assets is required.) Directs the SBA Administrator to assign to the Office of International Trade (OIT) one additional full-time international finance specialist to carry out the export promotion efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Requires such specialist to be located at the U.S. Export Assistance Center in the New Orleans, Louisiana. Directs the Administrator to ensure that the number of full-time equivalent OIT employees (international finance specialists) assigned to the district and foreign one-stop shops for U.S. exporters operated by the United States and Foreign Commercial Service is at least the number of such employees (16) so assigned on January 1, 2006. | 2023-01-12T17:52:29Z | |
| 109-s-3664 | 109 | s | 3664 | Small Business Disaster Recovery Assistance Improvements Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-07-14 | 2006-07-14 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7557-7560) | Senate | Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA] | LA | D | L000550 | 3 | Small Business Disaster Recovery Assistance Improvements Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make both emergency bridge loans and business recovery grants to a qualified small business concern after major disasters, and to provide assistance until the concern is able to obtain funding through insurance claims, other federal assistance programs, or other sources. Authorizes the Administrator to: (1) guarantee loans made under an approved State Bridge Loan Program; and (2) make loans under expedited procedures that include loss verification and loan processing. Sets forth maximum disaster loan amounts. Doubles the minimum size of loans for which collateral must be required. Directs the Administrator to hire a full-time disaster planning specialist in the Office of Disaster Assistance. Provides for economic injury disaster loans to private non-profit organizations. Authorizes the Administrator, in the event of a major disaster, to waive the maximum $100,000 amount for small business development center portability grants. Makes such grants available for small business development centers assisting small business concerns adversely affected by the disaster. Directs the Administrator to authorize a small business development center, regardless of location, to provide advice, information, and assistance to a small business concern located in a major disaster area. | 2023-01-12T17:52:29Z | |
| 109-s-3659 | 109 | s | 3659 | Women's Small Business Ownership Programs Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-07-13 | 2006-07-13 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measured as introduced: CR S7521-7524) | Senate | Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME] | ME | R | S000663 | 6 | Women's Small Business Ownership Programs Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Act with respect to the Office of Women's Business Ownership to direct the Assistant Administrator of the Small Business Administration to: (1) address issues concerning management, operations, manufacturing, technology, finance, retail and product sales, international trade, and other disciplines required for starting, operating, and growing a small business concern; and (2) develop programs and services for women-owned businesses. Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to award women's business center grants to private nonprofit organizations. Amends the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 to authorize the National Women's Business Council to enter into agreements as a cosponsor with public and private entities in order to implement its duties. Establishes within such Council: (1) the Committee on Manufacturing, Technology, and Training and Professional Services; (2) the Committee on Travel, Tourism, Product and Retail Sales, and International Trade; and (3) the Committee on Federal Procurement and Contracting. Directs the Council to serve as a clearinghouse for information on small businesses owned and controlled by women. Directs the Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration to serve as acting chairperson of the Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise until a chairperson is appointed. Establishes a Policy Advisory Group to assist the chairperson in developing policies and programs. Requires the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, when filling vacancies, to ensure that there are an equal number of members on the Council from each of the two major political parties. | 2023-01-12T17:52:29Z | |
| 109-hr-5762 | 109 | hr | 5762 | Contact Lens Consumer Protection Act | Commerce | 2006-07-11 | 2006-07-17 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. | House | Rep. Terry, Lee [R-NE-2] | NE | R | T000459 | 1 | Contact Lens Consumer Protection Act - Amends the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act to require contact lens manufacturers to make the lenses available in a commercially reasonable and nondiscriminatory manner to: (1) prescribers and associated entities; and (2) alternative channels of distribution. (Excludes specified types of lenses, including lenses that are custom designed and manufactured for an individual patient and are not mass produced or marketed.) Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe rules to carry out this Act. Treats violations of this Act as unfair or deceptive acts or practices. | 2023-01-12T17:52:39Z | |
| 109-hr-5737 | 109 | hr | 5737 | Children's Health Federal Trade Commission Authority Restoration Act | Commerce | 2006-06-29 | 2006-07-17 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. | House | Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] | DC | D | N000147 | 0 | Children's Health Federal Trade Commission Authority Restoration Act - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to repeal provisions denying the FTC authority to promulgate any rule in children's advertising proceedings on the basis of a determination that such advertising constitutes an unfair act or practice in or affecting commerce. | 2023-01-13T04:50:45Z | |
| 109-s-3612 | 109 | s | 3612 | Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-06-29 | 2006-06-29 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6795-6796) | Senate | Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI] | WI | D | K000305 | 1 | Railroad Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2006 - Amends the Clayton Act to grant the United States exclusive authority to bring suit for injunctive relief against a common carrier that is not a rail common carrier subject to the jurisdiction the Surface Transportation Board (STB). Revises the declaration that prohibitions against mergers and acquisitions that tend to create monopolies shall not apply to certain transactions duly consummated pursuant to specified federal authority. Excepts specified rate agreements between two or more rail carriers (collective rate agreements) and certain transactions, including railroad mergers and acquisitions, from specified antitrust exemptions. Provides that, in any civil action against a rail common carrier, the U.S. district court shall not be required to defer to the primary jurisdiction of the STB. Empowers the Federal Trade Commission to regulate, and engage in antitrust enforcement regarding, collective rate agreements and certain transactions, including railroad mergers and acquisitions. Applies to rail common carriers subject to STB jurisdiction requirements governing the amount of recovery or prejudgment interest (treble damages) by injured persons, without regard to whether: (1) such railroads have filed rates; or (2) a complaint has been filed that challenges a rate. Amends federal transportation law to terminate the exemptions from antitrust laws for collective ratemaking agreements. Requires the STB, and other reviewing agencies, when reviewing a proposed agreement, to take into account its impact upon shippers, consumers, and affected communities. Revises STB authority to provide that a rail carrier, corporation, or a person participating in an approved transaction is not exempt from specified antitrust laws. | 2023-01-13T04:50:36Z | |
| 109-s-3582 | 109 | s | 3582 | Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Act | Commerce | 2006-06-27 | 2006-06-27 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced in Senate: CR S6578) | Senate | Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI] | WI | D | K000305 | 5 | Preserve Access to Affordable Generics Act - Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to deem it to be an unfair method of competition affecting commerce for a person, in connection with the sale of a drug product, to be a party to any agreement resolving or settling a patent infringement claim in which: (1) an abbreviated new drug (generic) application filer receives anything of value; and (2) such filer agrees not to research, develop, manufacture, market, or sell the generic product for any period. Excludes a resolution or settlement that includes no more than the right to market the generic product prior to the expiration of the patent. | 2023-01-13T04:50:37Z | |
| 109-s-3552 | 109 | s | 3552 | Christen O'Donnell Equestrian Helmet Safety Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-06-21 | 2006-06-21 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. | Senate | Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT] | CT | D | D000388 | 1 | Christen O'Donnell Equestrian Helmet Safety Act of 2006 - Authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to award grants to states, political subdivisions, Indian tribes and organizations, public organizations, and private nonprofit organizations for activities that encourage individuals to wear approved equestrian helmets. Requires the Secretary to report to the appropriate congressional committees on the effectiveness of such grants. Establishes an interim standard for equestrian helmets manufactured nine months after enactment of this Act pending establishment of a final standard. Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to begin rulemaking proceedings for development of a final standard. Excludes such proceedings from specified laws governing the CPSC's reliance on voluntary standards, the development of consumer product safety rules, and the CPSC's regulation of consumer products in accordance with other laws. Prohibits application of judicial review provisions to any standard issued pursuant to such proceedings. Requires any failure to meet the interim standard to be treated as a violation of a consumer product safety standard promulgated under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA). Requires any final standard to be considered a CPSA consumer product safety standard. | 2023-01-13T04:50:38Z | |
| 109-hr-5593 | 109 | hr | 5593 | Royalty Distribution Clarification Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-06-13 | 2006-09-25 | Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H6963) | House | Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21] | TX | R | S000583 | 2 | Royalty Distribution Clarification Act of 2006 - Allows Copyright Royalty Judges, upon the motion of a claimant and after publication of a request for responses, to make a partial distribution of cable and satellite royalty fees at any time after the filing of claims for distribution if no eligible claimant has stated a reasonable objection. (Current law authorizes a partial distribution during the pendency of a distribution proceeding.) | 2023-01-13T04:50:49Z | |
| 109-hr-5553 | 109 | hr | 5553 | Section 115 Reform Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-06-08 | 2006-06-08 | Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote . | House | Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21] | TX | R | S000583 | 1 | Section 115 Reform Act of 2006 - Sets forth provisions governing compulsory licenses for digital phonorecord deliveries and hybrid offerings that cover the making and distribution of general and incidental digital phonorecord deliveries in the form of full downloads, limited downloads, interactive streams, and any other form constituting a digital phonorecord delivery or hybrid offering. Allows a digital music provider to obtain a compulsory license only from a designated agent. Requires a designated agent to grant a license for the making of server and incidental reproduction to facilitate noninteractive streaming at a royalty-free rate. Excludes from such license any server or incidental reproductions used to enable a streaming service (or any other type of service) that takes affirmative steps to authorize, enable, cause, or induce the making of reproductions of musical works by or for end users for future listening. Allows a digital music provider that receives a license for the making and distribution of limited downloads or interactive streams to report activity and make payments for the activity retroactively beginning January 1, 2001, to avoid being subject to an action for copyright infringement alleging violation of reproduction or distribution rights. Sets forth procedures for the setting of royalty rates and terms. Requires the Register of Copyrights to designate a General Designated Agent to grant and administer licenses and collect and distribute royalties payable for the use of musical works licensed under this Act. | 2023-01-13T04:50:50Z | |
| 109-s-3487 | 109 | s | 3487 | Small Business Disaster Loan Reauthorization and Improvements Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-06-08 | 2006-06-08 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. | Senate | Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] | MA | D | K000148 | 5 | Small Business Disaster Loan Reauthorization and Improvements Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize appropriations for FY2007 through FY2009 for Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan and mitigation programs. Authorizes the SBA Administrator to make loans to small businesses economically adversely impacted by a catastrophic national disaster. Provides for increased public awareness (outreach) of disaster declarations and disaster loan application periods. Authorizes the Administrator to enter into agreements with private contractors to process loans in the event of a major disaster or catastrophic national disaster, and to make bridge grants and loans to persons negatively impacted by declared disasters. Directs the Administrator to make supplemental emergency loans after disasters. Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide a preference for the use of local firms and individuals in the expenditure of federal funds for debris clearance, supplies distribution, reconstruction, and other major disaster or emergency assistance activities. Waives: (1) certain major disaster loan limits; and (2) geographic restrictions on small business development center counseling following a major disaster. Requires a monthly report from the Administrator to the congressional small business committees on the SBA disaster loan program. Provides SBA grant assistance for military reservists' small businesses. Authorizes the Administrator to make loans to small businesses that: (1) have suffered or are likely to suffer substantial economic injury on or after August 24, 2005, as the result of significant increases in the price of heating oil, natural gas, gasoline, propane, or kerosene; and (2) if engaged in the heating oil business, sell not more than 10 million gallons of heating oil per year. | 2023-01-13T04:50:39Z | |
| 109-s-3458 | 109 | s | 3458 | Children's Gasoline Burn Prevention Act | Commerce | 2006-06-07 | 2006-06-07 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. | Senate | Sen. Bayh, Evan [D-IN] | IN | D | B001233 | 1 | Children's Gasoline Burn Prevention Act - Directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to promulgate final child-resistance product safety standards for closures on portable gasoline containers intended for use by consumers. Prescribes criteria for such standards. | 2023-01-13T04:50:40Z | |
| 109-hr-5494 | 109 | hr | 5494 | Identity Theft Protection for the Deceased Act | Commerce | 2006-05-25 | 2006-05-26 | Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E989-990) | House | Rep. Davis, Susan A. [D-CA-53] | CA | D | D000598 | 1 | Identity Theft Protection for the Deceased Act - Directs the National Technical Information Service of the Department of Commerce to provide monthly updates of the Death Master List prepared by the Social Security Administration to each consumer reporting agency described in the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to require each such consumer reporting agency to include a fraud alert in the consumer file of each consumer whose name appears on the Death Master List prepared by the Social Security Administration so long as the agency continues to maintain such file. | 2023-01-13T04:48:25Z | |
| 109-hr-5517 | 109 | hr | 5517 | Seeds for Soldiers Act | Commerce | 2006-05-25 | 2006-05-26 | Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E977) | House | Rep. Udall, Tom [D-NM-3] | NM | D | U000039 | 3 | Seeds for Soldiers Act - Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), using loan authority under the Small Business Act, to make loans to small businesses owned and controlled by veterans. Allows such loans to be made for any business purpose, including the refinancing of outstanding business debt. Defers loan principal payments for one year after loan issuance. Prohibits the total amount outstanding and committed to a borrower from exceeding $3 million. Provides conditions under which the Administrator may participate in SBA-guaranteed loans to such businesses, including collection of a loan guarantee fee. Terminates the loan authority at the end of 2008. Directs the Administrator to make grants to small business development centers to enable such centers to provide to veterans a program of assistance that includes training in a vocational or technical trade and entrepreneurial assistance in establishing and operating a small business that provides services in such trade. Provides a minimum grant amount of $500,000. Terminates the grant authority at the end of 2008. | 2023-01-13T04:48:24Z | |
| 109-s-3122 | 109 | s | 3122 | Patriot Loan Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-05-25 | 2006-05-25 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. | Senate | Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME] | ME | R | S000663 | 2 | Patriot Loan Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Act to increase from $1.5 million to $2 million the loan limit that may be made to a small businesses that has suffered or is likely to suffer substantial economic injury as a result of an essential employee being ordered to active military duty during a period of military conflict. Limits to $25,000 any such loan that is made without collateral. Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Secretary of Defense to: (1) develop a joint website and printed material providing information on such loan program; and (2) conduct a joint study on the feasibility of creating a business mobilization and interruption insurance program and a debt insurance program for mobilized Guard and reserve personnel who own or operate small businesses. | 2023-01-13T04:48:09Z | |
| 109-s-3175 | 109 | s | 3175 | Life-Saving Medicines Export Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-05-25 | 2006-05-25 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5247-5252) | Senate | Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] | VT | D | L000174 | 0 | Life-Saving Medicines Export Act of 2006 - Allows the Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to issue a compulsory license to a generic manufacturer of a pharmaceutical product or a patented product needed to prevent or treat potentially life threatening public health problems for the purposes of manufacturing and exporting such pharmaceutical products to an eligible country. Allows exportation to a country that is a least developed country as designated by the United Nations (U.N.) or a country that lacks sufficient manufacturing capacities to produce the pharmaceutical product. Sets forth application requirements for compulsory licenses, including that the manufacturer sought a voluntary license from the patent holder. Requires the Director to establish an office within USPTO to assist applicants and eligible counties, nongovernmental organizations, or nations likely to become eligible countries in identifying companies in the United States which could provide pharmaceutical products under this Act. Sets forth formulas for calculating the royalty amount that the holder of a compulsory license must pay to the patent holder. Allows the Director to grant a compulsory license to a generic manufacturer on an expedited basis for a limited period for a pharmaceutical product to address a national emergency or other circumstances of extreme urgency. Declares that it is not patent infringement to manufacture and export a pharmaceutical product in accordance with this Act. Requires the Director to establish the National Advisory Board on Implementation of the General Council Decision to provide advice and guidance regarding the implementation and administration of the compulsory licensing program established under this Act. | 2023-01-13T04:50:57Z | |
| 109-s-3239 | 109 | s | 3239 | Uniform Insurance Non-Coverage Disclosure Act | Commerce | 2006-05-25 | 2006-05-25 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. | Senate | Sen. Dayton, Mark [D-MN] | MN | D | D000596 | 2 | Uniform Insurance Non-Coverage Disclosure Act - Requires state-registered insurance companies to include on the front or first page of each individual policy a noncoverage disclosure box that restates in plain English all conditions, exclusions, and other limitations pertaining to coverage under that policy. Treats violations as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act. | 2023-01-13T04:50:56Z | |
| 109-hr-5439 | 109 | hr | 5439 | Orphan Works Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-05-22 | 2006-05-24 | Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote . | House | Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21] | TX | R | S000583 | 0 | Orphan Works Act of 2006 - Limits the remedies available in a copyright infringement action 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; and (2) the infringing use of the work provided attribution to the author and owner of the copyright, if known. Requires the Register of Copyrights to make information available from authoritative sources to assist users in conducting and documenting a reasonably diligent search. 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. Allows the court to impose injunctive relief to prevent or restrain the infringing use, but such relief shall account for harm caused to the infringer due to reliance on having performed a reasonably diligent search. Prohibits the court from imposing injunctive relief that restrains the continued preparation or use of a new work that recasts, transforms, adapts, or integrates the infringed work with the infringer's original expression in a new work of authorship if the infringer pays reasonable compensation and provides attribution to the copyright owner. Requires the Register of Copyrights to conduct an inquiry with respect to remedies for copyright infringement claims seeking limited amounts of monetary relief, including consideration of alternatives to disputes currently heard in the U.S. district courts. | 2023-01-13T04:48:26Z | |
| 109-sres-488 | 109 | sres | 488 | A resolution expressing the sense of Congress that institutions of higher education should adopt policies and educational programs on their campuses to help deter and eliminate illicit copyright infringement occurring on, and encourage educational uses of, their computer systems and networks. | Commerce | 2006-05-22 | 2006-05-22 | Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4916-4917; text as passed Senate: CR S4916-4917; text of measure as introduced: CR S4897) | Senate | Sen. Alexander, Lamar [R-TN] | TN | R | A000360 | 4 | (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Expresses the sense of Congress that colleges and universities should continue to take: (1) a leadership role in educating students regarding the detrimental consequences of online infringement of intellectual property rights; and (2) steps to deter and eliminate unauthorized peer-to-peer computer use by warning students of the risks of such use and educating them concerning the value of intellectual property. | 2018-02-03T18:38:52Z | |
| 109-s-2854 | 109 | s | 2854 | Oil Industry Merger Antitrust Enforcement Act | Commerce | 2006-05-18 | 2006-05-18 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4804-4805) | Senate | Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI] | WI | D | K000305 | 2 | Oil Industry Merger Antitrust Enforcement Act - Amends the Clayton Act to require, in any civil action in which the plaintiff alleges that the effect of a merger, acquisition, or other transaction (transaction) may be to substantially lessen competition or to create a monopoly in the business of exploring for, producing, refining, marketing, or selling petroleum, oil, natural gas, or their related products and that establishes that the transaction involves competitors in that business, the burden of proof shall be on the defendant to establish that such transaction will not substantially lessen competition or create a monopoly. Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice to jointly review and revise applicable enforcement guidelines and policies in order to: (1) specifically address the above transactions; and (2) ensure that the guidelines will prevent any transaction which substantially lessens competition or creates a monopoly. | 2023-01-13T04:48:17Z | |
| 109-hr-5352 | 109 | hr | 5352 | Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-05-11 | 2006-05-11 | Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. | House | Rep. Manzullo, Donald A. [R-IL-16] | IL | R | M001138 | 1 | Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to reauthorize for FY2007-FY2010 various loan programs for small businesses guaranteed by the Small Business Administration (SBA), including: (1) general section 7(a) start-up and equity loans; (2) the small business development center (SBDC) program; (3) the disaster mitigation pilot project; (4) the microloan program; (5) the drug-free workplace program; (6) the women's business center program; (7) the HUBZone (heavily underutilized business zone) Program; (8) veterans programs; (9) the federal and state technology partnership program; (10) the new markets venture capital program; and (11) the pilot program for very small business concerns. Certified Development Company Program Act - Requires certified development companies (CDCs) which elect not to apply for authority to foreclose and liquidate defaulted loans guaranteed by the SBA, or which the SBA Administrator determines to be ineligible for such authority, to contract with a qualified third party to perform such foreclosures and liquidation. Provides additional authorities for CDCs to aid small businesses, including additional equity, debt refinancing, and lowering of loan fees. Provides criteria under which state and local development companies may qualify as CDCs. Small Business Lending Improvement Act - Authorizes the Administrator to establish a National Preferred Lenders Program. Increases maximum loan amounts for small businesses. Authorizes the Administrator to guarantee the payment of redemption price and prioritized payments on participating securities issued by small business investment companies providing equity capital to small businesses. National Small Business Regulatory Assistance Act - Directs the Administrator to establish a program to provide regulatory compliance assistance to small businesses through SBDCs, the Association of Small Business Development Centers, and federal compliance partnership programs. Vocational … | 2023-01-13T04:48:29Z | |
| 109-hr-5361 | 109 | hr | 5361 | Perform Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-05-11 | 2006-05-11 | Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-28] | CA | D | B000410 | 7 | Platform Equality and Remedies for Right Holders in Music Act of 2006 or the Perform Act of 2006 - Requires Copyright Royalty Judges (CRJs) to establish rates for a statutory license for the transmission of sound recordings by organizations that most clearly represent the fair market value of the rights licensed. Replaces the different processes for setting rates and terms of royalty payments for subscription transmissions by preexisting subscription services, satellite digital radio services, and eligible nonsubscription transmission services with one process for all such transmissions. Directs CRJs, when setting such rates and terms, to consider: (1) the fair market value of the rights licensed; and (2) the degree to which reasonable recording affects the potential market for sound recordings and the additional fees that are required to be paid by services for compensation. Conditions statutory licensing of transmissions on the transmitting entity using technology that is reasonably available, technologically feasible, and economically reasonable to prevent the making of copies or phonorecords embodying the transmission in whole or in part, except for reasonable recording. (Current law provides for limits on phonorecords of the transmission directly in a digital format.) Allows a performing rights society or a mechanical rights organization to monitor public performances or other uses of copyrighted works contained in transmissions. Requires the Register of Copyrights to convene a meeting among affected parties to discuss whether to recommend creating a new category of limited interactive services within certain statutory licenses for subscription transmissions. | 2023-01-13T04:48:29Z | |
| 109-hr-5378 | 109 | hr | 5378 | Corporate Welfare Reduction and Job Preservation Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-05-11 | 2006-08-31 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology. | House | Rep. McKinney, Cynthia A. [D-GA-4] | GA | D | M000523 | 0 | Corporate Welfare Reduction and Job Preservation Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require a 50% reduction in tax benefits for certain large profitable corporations that reduce their employee workforce by 15% or more. Defines "large profitable corporation" as a corporation or partnership that is not defined as a small business concern under the Small Business Act and which has a taxable income that exceeds net operating losses during a specified five-year period.Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Export-Import Act of 1945 to require large profitable corporations (as defined by this Act) that reduce their employee workforce by 15% or more to immediately repay loans and forfeit insurance benefits and credit lines provided by such Acts. | 2023-01-13T04:48:28Z | |
| 109-hr-5339 | 109 | hr | 5339 | Safe Access in Fire Emergencies Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-05-10 | 2006-08-31 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity. | House | Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-9] | CA | D | L000551 | 8 | Safe Access in Fire Emergencies Act of 2006 - Requires the Consumer Products Safety Commission to establish a consumer product safety standard for window bars that: (1) requires all window bars manufactured or installed in the United States to incorporate releasing systems that meet minimum standards; and (2) addresses such systems for interior and exterior based bars. Provides that the minimum standards shall require that such systems provide for: (1) egress when actuated; and (2) manual activation from inside a residence allowing escape through a protected opening. Requires compliance enforcement under the Consumer Products Safety Act. Directs the Commission to require each manufacturer to include in the packaging a statement explaining window bar installation and releasing system operation. Expresses the sense of the Congress that public housing, low-income housing, manufactured housing units, and homes purchased using any loan made, insured, or guaranteed under the National Housing Act should meet a minimal standard that requires window bars to incorporate an emergency releasing system. Requires the Commission to establish and maintain a National Electronic Injury Surveillance System code and system for collection of information and statistics on casualties associated with window bars. | 2023-01-13T04:48:29Z | |
| 109-hr-5345 | 109 | hr | 5345 | Video Games Ratings Enforcement Act | Commerce | 2006-05-10 | 2006-05-15 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. | House | Rep. Matheson, Jim [D-UT-2] | UT | D | M001142 | 3 | 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. | 2023-01-13T04:48:29Z | |
| 109-hr-5325 | 109 | hr | 5325 | To direct the Federal Trade Commission to revise the do-not-call telemarketing rules to permit individuals to opt out of receiving telephone calls from certain political organizations. | Commerce | 2006-05-09 | 2006-05-15 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. | House | Rep. Doolittle, John T. [R-CA-4] | CA | R | D000429 | 2 | Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue regulations to revise the Telemarketing Sales (do-not-call) Rule to prohibit, as an abusive telemarketing act or practice, any politically-oriented telephone calls to persons who, after such regulations are issued, register with the FTC to include their telephone numbers on a "do-not-call" registry established to prohibit such calls. | 2023-01-13T04:48:30Z | |
| 109-hr-5334 | 109 | hr | 5334 | Small Scale Disaster Small Business Assistance Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-05-09 | 2006-05-09 | Referred to the House Committee on Small Business. | House | Rep. Sweeney, John E. [R-NY-20] | NY | R | S001149 | 2 | Small Scale Disaster Small Business Assistance Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make disaster loans to a small business that: (1) has suffered or is likely to suffer over $50,000 in damage or lost revenue as the result of a small-scale disaster; and (2) is not otherwise receiving federal or state assistance by reason of the disaster. | 2023-01-13T04:48:30Z | |
| 109-s-2758 | 109 | s | 2758 | Cigarette Litter Prevention Act | Commerce | 2006-05-08 | 2006-05-08 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. | Senate | Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [D-CT] | CT | D | L000304 | 0 | Cigarette Litter Prevention Act - Amends the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act to prohibit manufacturing, packaging, or importing for sale or distribution within the United States any cigarettes the package of which fails to bear, in accordance with regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the following statement: "Please dispose of all cigarette waste properly. Do not litter." | 2023-01-13T04:48:19Z | |
| 109-hr-5279 | 109 | hr | 5279 | Oil and Gas Industry Antitrust Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-05-03 | 2006-05-03 | Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Conyers, John, Jr. [D-MI-14] | MI | D | C000714 | 10 | Oil and Gas Industry Antitrust Act of 2006 - Amends the Clayton Act to make it unlawful for any person to refuse to sell, or to export or divert, existing supplies of petroleum, gasoline, or other fuel derived from petroleum, or natural gas, with the primary intention of increasing prices or creating a shortage in a geographic market. Directs the Attorney General (AG) and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study whether section 7 of the Clayton Act (prohibiting certain mergers or acquisitions) should be amended to modify how that section applies to persons engaged in the business of exploring for, producing, refining, or otherwise processing, storing, marketing, selling, or otherwise making available petroleum, gasoline or other fuel derived from petroleum, or natural gas. Requires the Comptroller General to study the effectiveness of divestitures required under certain prior oil and gas industry consent decrees. Directs the AG and FTC Chairman to establish a joint federal-state task force to investigate information sharing among persons in the oil and gas industry. No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2006 or NOPEC - Amends the Sherman Act to make it illegal for any foreign state or instrumentality thereof to act collectively with any other foreign state or instrumentality to: (1) limit oil production or distribution; (2) set or maintain the price of oil; or (3) take any other action in restraint of trade for oil, natural gas, or any petroleum product. | 2023-01-13T04:48:31Z | |
| 109-s-2699 | 109 | s | 2699 | Elimination of Neglected Diseases Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-05-02 | 2006-05-02 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Brownback, Sam [R-KS] | KS | R | B000953 | 1 | Elimination of Neglected Diseases Act of 2006 - Provides for the extension and restoration of the patent term for a certified tropical disease product: (1) that is used to treat neglected or tropical diseases such as HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, or other infectious disease that disproportionately affect poor and marginalized populations; and (2) the patent for which claims an approved new molecular entity standard review drug or the process of making such a drug or the drug's active ingredient. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to: (1) designate as a new molecular entity standard review drug a drug that has a new molecular entity chemical type classification and standard review drug treatment potential classifications and is not a drug developed to treat serious or life-threatening diseases; and (2) maintain and annually update a classification list of serious and life-threatening diseases. Allows the Secretary, acting through the Commissioner, to remove the designation of a drug as a new molecular entity standard review drug. Requires the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to study the effect of patent extension and restoration on the ability of pharmaceutical companies to develop and distribute tropical disease products for poor and marginalized populations. | 2023-01-13T04:48:21Z | |
| 109-hr-5184 | 109 | hr | 5184 | Consumer Cancellation Fairness Act | Commerce | 2006-04-25 | 2006-04-25 | Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. | House | Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-16] | CA | D | L000397 | 0 | Consumer Cancellation Fairness Act - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to require subscription service providers to allow subscribers to cancel service the same way they subscribed to such service. | 2023-01-13T04:48:43Z | |
| 109-s-2644 | 109 | s | 2644 | Platform Equality and Remedies for Rights Holders in Music Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-04-25 | 2006-04-25 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3510-3511) | Senate | Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] | CA | D | F000062 | 4 | Platform Equality and Remedies for Rights Holders in Music Act of 2006 or the Perform Act of 2006 - Requires Copyright Royalty Judges (CRJs) to establish rates for a statutory license for the transmission of sound recordings by organizations that most clearly represent the fair market value of the rights licensed. Replaces the different processes for setting rates and terms of royalty payments for subscription transmissions by preexisting subscription services, satellite digital radio services, and eligible nonsubscription transmission services with one process for all such transmissions. Directs CRJs, when setting such rates and terms, to consider: (1) the fair market value of the rights licensed; and (2) the degree to which reasonable recording affects the potential market for sound recordings and the additional fees that are required to be paid by services for compensation. Conditions statutory licensing of transmissions on the transmitting entity using technology that is reasonably available, technologically feasible, and economically reasonable to prevent the making of copies or phonorecords embodying the transmission in whole or in part, except for reasonable recording. (Current law provides for limits on phonorecords of the transmission directly in a digital format.) Allows a performing rights society or a mechanical rights organization to monitor public performances or other uses of copyrighted works contained in transmissions. Requires the Register of Copyrights to convene a meeting among affected parties to discuss whether to recommend creating a new category of limited interactive services within certain statutory licenses for subscription transmissions. | 2023-01-13T04:48:36Z | |
| 109-s-2646 | 109 | s | 2646 | Child Care Lending Pilot Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-04-25 | 2006-04-25 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3512-3513) | Senate | Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] | MA | D | K000148 | 1 | Child Care Lending Pilot Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to allow proceeds of loans made through the Small Business Administration (SBA) to be used by certified local development companies to assist a small, nonprofit child care business (business) if: (1) the loan is used for a sound business purpose approved by the SBA; (2) each business meets eligibility requirements applicable to for-profit businesses; (3) one or more individuals has personally guaranteed the loan; (4) each business has clear title to the collateral for the loan; and (5) each business has sufficient cash flow to meet loan obligations and reasonable operating expenses. Prohibits more than seven percent of the total number of loans guaranteed in any fiscal year for certified development companies from being awarded under such program. Allows such assistance through FY2009. | 2023-01-13T04:48:35Z | |
| 109-s-2607 | 109 | s | 2607 | Small Business Health Education and Awareness Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-04-07 | 2006-04-07 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3384-3385) | Senate | Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME] | ME | R | S000663 | 2 | Small Business Health Education and Awareness Act of 2006 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a four-year pilot program to make grants to small business development centers to provide information and educational materials regarding health insurance options to small businesses. Allows the Administrator to select up to 20 centers to receive such grants. Sets the maximum individual grant limit at $300,000 per fiscal year. | 2023-01-13T04:48:36Z | |
| 109-s-2608 | 109 | s | 2608 | Small Business Partners in Reconstruction Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-04-07 | 2006-04-07 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. | Senate | Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME] | ME | R | S000663 | 1 | Small Business Partners in Reconstruction Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Act to define "Guidelines" as the guidelines entitled "Emergency Procurement Flexibilities" for responsive contracting and the use of simplified acquisition procedures, as issued by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy on May 30, 2003. Directs the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy to: (1) ensure that the Guidelines continue to encourage the federal government to utilize small business procurement flexibilities in times of disaster, contingency, and other emergency; and (2) periodically revise, update, modify, and publish such Guidelines. Provides for or requires: (1) reciprocity with respect to contracting certifications for small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; (2) an update of the Federal Procurement Data System with respect to small business participation in Hurricane Katrina or Rita-related contracting; (3) disaster contracting outreach programs for small businesses; (4) small business performance bonding thresholds; (5) small business participation in disaster-related federal contracts and subcontracts and disaster-related multiple-award contracts; and (6) disaster contracting priorities for local small businesses. | 2023-01-13T04:48:36Z | |
| 109-hr-5120 | 109 | hr | 5120 | To amend title 35, United States Code, to conform certain filing provisions within the Patent and Trademark Office. | Commerce | 2006-04-06 | 2006-09-14 | Subcommittee Hearings Held. | House | Rep. Jenkins, William L. [R-TN-1] | TN | R | J000082 | 26 | Allows the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to accept an application for an extension of the term of a patent which claims a product, a method of using a product, or a method of manufacturing a product if: (1) such application is filed no more than 5 days late; and (2) the applicant files a petition showing that the delay in filing the application was unintentional. Deems such petition to be denied if no determination has been made on the petition within 30 days of filing. Establishes the fee for filing such a petition. Applies this Act to any application for patent term extension which: (1) is pending on the date of enactment; (2) is the subject of a request for reconsideration of a denial of a patent term extension; or (3) has been denied a patent term extension in a case in which the period for seeking reconsideration of such denial has not yet expired. | 2023-01-13T04:48:45Z | |
| 109-hr-5163 | 109 | hr | 5163 | Federal and Small Business Telework Promotion Act | Commerce | 2006-04-06 | 2006-04-19 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman . | House | Rep. Udall, Mark [D-CO-2] | CO | D | U000038 | 0 | Federal and Small Business Telework Promotion Act - Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to require each federal agency to take necessary actions to reduce the level of fuel consumed by vehicles of employees of such agency (other than fuel for military purposes) by ten percent or more during the one-year period following enactment of this section. Outlines methods to achieve such reduction, including telework and carpooling. Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to conduct, in not more than five of the SBA's regions, a pilot 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, including disabled American veterans, and agencies, groups, or organizations that aid such individuals. Terminates such program after two years. | 2023-01-13T04:48:44Z | |
| 109-s-2557 | 109 | s | 2557 | Oil and Gas Industry Antitrust Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-04-06 | 2006-04-27 | Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 416. | Senate | Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] | PA | R | S000709 | 10 | (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Oil and Gas Industry Antitrust Act of 2006 - Amends the Clayton Act to make it unlawful for any person to refuse to sell, or to export or divert, existing supplies of petroleum, gasoline, or other fuel derived from petroleum, or natural gas, with the primary intention of increasing prices or creating a shortage in a geographic market. Directs the Attorney General (AG) and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study, and report to Congress on, whether section 7 of the Clayton Act (prohibiting certain mergers or acquisitions) should be amended to modify how that section applies to persons engaged in the business of exploring for, producing, refining, or otherwise processing, storing, marketing, selling, or otherwise making available petroleum, gasoline or other fuel derived from petroleum, or natural gas. Requires the Comptroller General (CG) to study the effectiveness of divestitures required under certain prior oil and gas industry consent decrees. Requires a report on study results from the CG to Congress, the FTC, and the Department of Justice. Directs the AG and FTC Chairman to establish a joint federal-state task force to investigate information sharing among persons in the oil and gas industry. No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act of 2006 or NOPEC - Amends the Sherman Act to make it illegal for any foreign state or instrumentality thereof to act collectively with any other foreign state or instrumentality to: (1) limit oil production or distribution; (2) set or maintain the price of oil; or (3) take any other action in restraint of trade for oil, natural gas, or any petroleum product. Provides for enforcement through the AG. | 2023-01-13T04:48:38Z | |
| 109-s-2586 | 109 | s | 2586 | Minority Entrepreneurship and Innovation Pilot Program of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-04-06 | 2006-04-06 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. | Senate | Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] | MA | D | K000148 | 1 | Minority Entrepreneurship and Innovation Pilot Program of 2006 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to make grants to historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal Colleges, and Hispanic serving institutions, or to any entity formed by a combination of such institutions: (1) to assist in establishing an entrepreneurship curriculum for undergraduate or graduate studies; and (2) for the placement of small business development centers on the physical campus of the institution.Requires an institution of higher education receiving a grant to: (1) develop a curriculum that includes training in various skill sets needed by successful entrepreneurs; and (2) open a small business development center. Limits this pilot program to two fiscal years, and a grant to $1 million per fiscal year for any one institution of higher education. | 2023-01-13T04:48:37Z | |
| 109-s-2594 | 109 | s | 2594 | 7(a) Loan Program Reauthorization Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-04-06 | 2006-04-06 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. | Senate | Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] | MA | D | K000148 | 2 | 7(a) Loan Program Reauthorization Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Act to reauthorize through FY2009 the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan program under section 7(a) of such Act (guaranteed general business loans to small businesses). Increases the maximum amount of individual loans. Authorizes: (1) lower loan fees in some cases; and (2) an alternative business size standard for purposes of loan qualification. Establishes within the SBA an Office of Minority Small Business Development, administered by the Associate Administrator for Minority Small Business Development. Directs the SBA Administrator to establish a National Preferred Lenders Program, under which the Administrator may authorize an SBA-preferred lender to operate in any area served by a district office of the SBA and make loans to small businesses in such areas. | 2023-01-13T04:48:37Z | |
| 109-s-2595 | 109 | s | 2595 | 504 Loan Program Modernization Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-04-06 | 2006-04-06 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. | Senate | Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] | MA | D | K000148 | 1 | 504 Loan Program Modernization Act of 2006 - Amends the Small Business Act to extend through FY2009 the authorization of appropriations for the 504 Loan Program (a program initiated under title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 that provides long-term financing to small businesses for expansion or modernization, delivered through nonprofit certified development companies (CDCs) established in the communities of such small businesses). Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to outline requirements for development companies to qualify as CDCs for purposes of small business loans guaranteed by and administered through the Small Business Administration (SBA). Includes among such requirements that such companies: (1) employ fewer than 500 employees; (2) have a primary function of providing long-term financing to small businesses under the 504 Loan Program; and (3) maintain nonprofit status. Outlines additional requirements concerning board of directors, staffing, areas of operations (including multistate operation), and conflicts of interests. Includes as a goal of CDC projects the expansion of business in low-income communities. Provides for, among other things: (1) the repeal of the sunset on reserve requirements for premier certified lenders; (2) permissible debt refinancing for state and local development companies; (3) a report from the SBA Administrator assessing the impact on fostering economic development caused by changes in fees for SBA-guaranteed small business loans; (4) additional equity for small business loans; (5) CDC contracting with a qualified third party to perform foreclosures and liquidations of defaulted small business loans; and (6) a report from the Administrator on the operation of the Premier Certified Lenders Program during the previous three-year period. | 2023-01-13T04:48:37Z | |
| 109-hconres-380 | 109 | hconres | 380 | Expressing the sense of Congress that United States intellectual property rights must be protected globally. | Commerce | 2006-04-05 | 2006-04-05 | Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-29] | CA | D | S001150 | 26 | Calls for: (1) the United States to not complete agreements relating to accession of the Russian Federation to the World Trade Organization (WTO) until the Russian Federation takes steps to address widespread intellectual property violations; (2) the People's Republic of China to change its intellectual property rights enforcement model by significantly increasing the application of criminal sanctions against major copyright pirates and imposing effective deterrent penalties; (3) Mexico, Canada, India, and Malaysia to cooperate with the U.S. government and U.S. industries to address piracy problems within their borders; and (4) the President to use all effective remedies and solutions for the protection of U.S. intellectual property rights and to maintain policies that vigorously respond to the failure by other countries to abide by international standards of protection or to adequately protect intellectual property. | 2023-01-13T04:48:47Z | |
| 109-hr-5096 | 109 | hr | 5096 | PDQ Act | Commerce | 2006-04-05 | 2006-04-06 | Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E524-525) | House | Rep. Berman, Howard L. [D-CA-28] | CA | D | B000410 | 1 | Patents Depend on Quality Act of 2006 or PDQ Act - Allows a person to request that the grant or reissue of a patent be reconsidered by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) by filing an opposition seeking to invalidate one or more claims in the patent. Requires the Director of USPTO to issue and publish a certificate, in accordance with the final decision by the panel of three administrative patent judges, canceling any claim of the patent determined to be unpatentable and incorporating into the patent any new or amended claims determined to be patentable. Allows a third party to submit for consideration, and for inclusion in the record, prior art to determine whether the invention was known, used, in public use, or on sale or would have been obvious. Provides that a third party requester whose request for a reexamination results in an order is not estopped from asserting a claim which the third party requester could have raised during such reexamination proceedings. Allows treble damages only upon a finding of willful infringement of a patent. (Current law allows treble damages for any patent infringement.) Sets forth the grounds for a finding of willful infringement. Permits transfers of venue. Requires a court to stay an injunction pending appeal upon an affirmative showing that: (1) the stay would not result in irreparable harm to the owner of the patent; and (2) the balance of hardships from the stay does not favor the owner of the patent. | 2023-01-13T04:48:45Z | |
| 109-s-2553 | 109 | s | 2553 | Call Center Consumer's Right to Know Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-04-05 | 2006-04-05 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. | Senate | Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] | MA | D | K000148 | 5 | Call Center Consumer's Right to Know Act of 2006 - Directs each U.S. corporation or subsidiary that utilizes a call center to initiate telephone calls to, or receive calls from, individuals located in the United States to require each call center employee to disclose the physical location of such employee at the beginning of such call. Requires such corporation or subsidiary to annually certify to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) their compliance with such requirement. Subjects noncomplying corporations or subsidiaries to such civil penalties as the FTC may prescribe. Directs the FTC to prescribe rules for effective monitoring and compliance with such requirement. | 2023-01-13T04:48:38Z | |
| 109-sconres-87 | 109 | sconres | 87 | A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that United States intellectual property rights must be protected globally. | Commerce | 2006-04-05 | 2006-04-05 | Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2919-2920) | Senate | Sen. Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [D-DE] | DE | D | B000444 | 1 | Calls for: (1) the United States to not complete agreements relating to accession of the Russian Federation to the World Trade Organization (WTO) until the Russian Federation takes steps to address widespread intellectual property violations; (2) the People's Republic of China to change its intellectual property rights enforcement model by significantly increasing the application of criminal sanctions against major copyright pirates and imposing effective deterrent penalties; (3) Mexico, Canada, India, and Malaysia to cooperate with the U.S. government and U.S. industries to address piracy problems within their borders; and (4) the President to use all effective remedies and solutions for the protection of U.S. intellectual property rights and to maintain policies that vigorously respond to the failure by other countries to abide by international standards of protection or to adequately protect intellectual property. | 2023-01-13T04:48:34Z | |
| 109-hr-5052 | 109 | hr | 5052 | Stop Deceptive Advertising for Women's Services Act | Commerce | 2006-03-30 | 2006-04-19 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. | House | Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-14] | NY | D | M000087 | 46 | Stop Deceptive Advertising for Women's Services Act - Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to: (1) promulgate rules prohibiting 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. | 2023-01-13T04:48:55Z | |
| 109-hr-5055 | 109 | hr | 5055 | To amend title 17, United States Code, to provide protection for fashion design. | Commerce | 2006-03-30 | 2006-07-27 | Subcommittee Hearings Held. | House | Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6] | VA | R | G000289 | 7 | Extends copyright protection to fashion designs. Excludes from such protection fashion designs that are embodied in a useful article that was made public by the designer or owner more than three months before the registration of copyright application. Gives fashion designs copyright protection for three years. Declares that is not infringement to make, have made, import, sell, or distribute any article embodying a design which was created without knowledge or reasonable grounds to know that protection for the design is claimed and was copied from such protected design. Extends the definition of infringing article to include any article the design of which has been copied from an image of a protected design without the consent of the owner. Applies the doctrines of secondary infringement and secondary liability to actions related to original designs. Makes any person who is liable under either such doctrine subject to all the remedies, including those attributable to any underlying or resulting infringement. Requires the Register of Copyrights to determine whether or not the application relates to a design which on its face appears to be within the subject matter protected as original designs and, if so, register the design. Increases allowable damage awards for infringement of original designs. | 2023-01-13T04:48:54Z | |
| 109-hr-5058 | 109 | hr | 5058 | Small Business Investment and Promotion Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-03-30 | 2006-06-07 | Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3487-3488) | House | Rep. Allen, Thomas H. [D-ME-1] | ME | D | A000357 | 13 | Small Business Investment and Promotion Act of 2006 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide to small business owners and operators of farming or commercial fishing businesses a temporary credit for excessive fuel costs paid or incurred in the operation of such business; (2) make permanent the credit for increasing research activities; and (3) treat as 15-year property for purposes of the depreciation deduction qualified restaurant property, qualified retail improvement property, and certain systems installed in nonresidential buildings. Authorizes appropriations for FY2007-FY2008 for: (1) the Advanced Technology Program; (2) the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE); (3) small business development centers; (4) the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program; and (5) the Women's Business Centers program. Expresses the sense of Congress calling for appropriate funding for the above programs and the Small Business Act's 7(a) loan program. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide market-based adjustments in annual H-1B and H-2B nonimmigrant numerical limitations. Amends the Small Business Act to include awards for contracts performed outside the United States within the federal government's small business contracting goal. | 2023-01-13T04:48:54Z | |
| 109-s-2482 | 109 | s | 2482 | Gulf Coast Open for Business Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-03-30 | 2006-03-30 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. | Senate | Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA] | LA | D | L000550 | 2 | Gulf Coast Open for Business Act of 2006 - Authorizes appropriations for grants to appropriate state agencies in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, and Florida for state bridge loan programs in response to economic disruption caused by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, or Wilma (hurricanes) in 2005. Requires the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to hire a full-time international finance specialist for the SBA's Office of International Trade to help carry out export promotion efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas. Amends the Small Business Act to waive grant limits in the case of grants made to small business development centers for assisting small businesses affected by the hurricanes. Authorizes the SBA to: (1) allow qualified lenders to process disaster loans and to verify loan losses; (2) make loans to nonprofit organizations that were negatively impacted by the hurricanes or are providing services to persons negatively impacted; and (3) make loans to any small business in the United States negatively impacted by the hurricanes. Provides for the deferred payment of disaster loans. Requires the Administrator to provide daily updates to Congress on the operation of SBA disaster loans in presidentially declared disaster areas. Requires the Administrator and the head of each federal agency making procurements related to relief, recovery, and reconstruction in areas affected by the hurricanes to set a goal for small business subcontracts with respect to such procurements. Requires the use of local firms and individuals in the use of federal funds for debris clearance, distribution of supplies, reconstruction, and other emergency assistance activities in hurricane-affected areas. Directs the Administrator to submit to the congressional small business committees a 2006 Atlantic hurricane season disaster response plan. | 2023-01-13T04:48:48Z | |
| 109-s-2480 | 109 | s | 2480 | Contact Lens Consumer Protection Act | Commerce | 2006-03-29 | 2006-03-29 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. | Senate | Sen. Bennett, Robert F. [R-UT] | UT | R | B000382 | 3 | Contact Lens Consumer Protection Act - Amends the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act to require contact lens manufacturers to make the lenses available in a commercially reasonable and nondiscriminatory manner to: (1) prescribers and associated entities; and (2) alternative channels of distribution. (Excludes specified types of lenses, including lenses that are custom designed and manufactured for an individual patient and are not mass produced or marketed.) Requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe rules to carry out this Act. Treats violations of this Act as unfair or deceptive acts or practices. | 2023-01-13T04:48:48Z | |
| 109-s-2436 | 109 | s | 2436 | Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advocacy Act | Commerce | 2006-03-16 | 2006-03-16 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2327) | Senate | Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL] | FL | D | N000032 | 1 | Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advocacy Act - Establishes within the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) an Office of Consumer Advocacy and Outreach to protect minority consumers, disabled consumers, and other targeted consumers from unfair or deceptive acts or practices. Requires the head of the Office to: (1) assist law enforcement personnel in investigating unfair or deceptive acts or practices that affect such consumers and in increasing the amount of information available about such conduct through the Consumer Sentinel (or an equivalent) database system; (2) provide consumers with information regarding detecting unfair or deceptive acts or practices; (3) administer a program that permits the anonymous reporting of information concerning unfair or deceptive acts or practices that affect such consumers; (4) carry out a program of monetary rewards for reports of such conduct if such reports result in civil penalties; and (5) carry out a public awareness campaign in Spanish. | 2023-01-13T04:48:50Z | |
| 109-hr-4943 | 109 | hr | 4943 | Prevention of Fraudulent Access to Phone Records Act | Commerce | 2006-03-14 | 2006-03-16 | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 217. | House | Rep. Barton, Joe [R-TX-6] | TX | R | B000213 | 29 | Prevention of Fraudulent Access to Phone Records Act - Makes it unlawful to attempt to obtain, or cause to be disclosed to any person, customer proprietary network information (CPNI) relating to any other person by: (1) making a false or fraudulent statement to an officer, employee, or agent of a telecommunications carrier; or (2) providing any document or other information to such officer, employee, or agent that the presenter knows or should have known to be forged, lost, stolen, or otherwise fraudulently obtained, or to contain a false or fraudulent statement or representation. Prohibits also: (1) the solicitation of another person to fraudulently obtain such information; and (2) the sale or other disclosure of CPNI obtained under false pretenses. Provides for enforcement through the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to expand responsibilities of telecommunications carriers with respect to the confidentiality of subscriber (customer) calling records, both cellular and land-line based. Allows a carrier to use individual calling records only for purposes such as increasing business or publishing directories, and prohibits a carrier from otherwise disclosing CPNI without express prior authorization by the subscriber. Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to prescribe regulations adopting more stringent security standards for CPNI (including detailed customer telephone records) to detect and prevent confidentiality violations. Provides penalties for such violations. | 2023-01-13T04:48:57Z | |
| 109-hr-4932 | 109 | hr | 4932 | Call Center Consumer Right to Know Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-03-09 | 2006-03-17 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. | House | Rep. Strickland, Ted [D-OH-6] | OH | D | S001004 | 7 | Call Center Consumer Right to Know Act of 2006 - Directs each U.S. corporation or subsidiary that utilizes a call center to initiate telephone calls to, or receive calls from, individuals located in the United States to disclose the location, including the city and state or county, of the employee initiating or receiving each call at the beginning of such call. Requires such corporation or subsidiary to annually certify to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) their compliance with such requirement. Subjects noncomplying corporations or subsidiaries to such civil penalties as the FTC may prescribe. Directs the FTC to prescribe rules for effective monitoring and compliance with such requirement. | 2023-01-13T04:48:58Z | |
| 109-s-2396 | 109 | s | 2396 | Second-Stage Small Business Development Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-03-09 | 2006-03-09 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. | Senate | Sen. Santorum, Rick [R-PA] | PA | R | S000059 | 1 | Second-Stage Small Business Development Act of 2006 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to carry out a four-year pilot program to make grants to eligible entities for the development of peer learning opportunities for second-stage small businesses. Defines a "second-stage small business concern" as one that: (1) has experienced high growth in specified demonstrable ways; and (2) does not exceed the size standard for the North American Industrial Classification System code of such concern. Provides a minimum grant amount of $50,000. | 2023-01-13T04:48:51Z | |
| 109-hr-4904 | 109 | hr | 4904 | Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-03-08 | 2006-03-17 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. | House | Rep. Ferguson, Mike [R-NJ-7] | NJ | R | F000443 | 33 | Truth in Fur Labeling Act of 2006 - Amends the Fur Product Labeling Act to revise the definition of "fur product" to mean any article of wearing apparel made in whole or in part of fur or used fur, regardless of the fur's value, the quantity of fur imported, or the expense of labeling (thus requiring labeling of all fur products). | 2023-01-13T04:48:58Z | |
| 109-hr-4910 | 109 | hr | 4910 | National Drug Testing Integrity Act | Commerce | 2006-03-08 | 2006-03-17 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. | House | Rep. Whitfield, Ed [R-KY-1] | KY | R | W000413 | 8 | National Drug Testing Integrity Act - Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to promulgate a rule that declares any substance or device designed or intended to falsify, alter, or defraud a lawfully administered drug test for detecting a chemical or controlled substance in the body to be a banned hazardous product. | 2023-01-13T04:48:58Z | |
| 109-hr-4896 | 109 | hr | 4896 | Infant and Toddler Durable Product Safety Act | Commerce | 2006-03-07 | 2006-03-17 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. | House | Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9] | IL | D | S001145 | 20 | Infant and Toddler Durable Product Safety Act - Instructs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to: (1) promulgate a consumer product safety standard for durable infant or toddler products; and (2) establish an Infant and Toddler Product Review Panel to advise the CPSC on guidelines and standards for such products. Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to declare the limitation on maximum civil penalties inapplicable to this Act. | 2023-01-13T04:48:59Z | |
| 109-hr-4767 | 109 | hr | 4767 | Tanning Accountability and Notification Act of 2006 | Commerce | 2006-02-16 | 2006-02-17 | Referred to the Subcommittee on Health. | House | Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-14] | NY | D | M000087 | 15 | Tanning Accountability and Notification Act of 2006 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, to determine whether: (1) the labeling requirements for indoor tanning devices provide sufficient information to consumers regarding the risks that the use of such devices pose for the development of irreversible damage to the eyes and skin, including skin cancer; (2) adding the warning suggested by the American Academy of Dermatology or any other additional warning to the current warning label would communicate such risks more effectively; and (3) there is no warning that would be capable of adequately communicating such risks. Requires the Secretary, in making such determinations, to: (1) conduct appropriate consumer testing using the best available methods for determining consumer understanding of label warnings; and (2) hold public hearings and solicit comments from the public. | 2023-01-13T04:49:09Z | |
| 109-hr-4742 | 109 | hr | 4742 | To amend title 35, United States Code, to allow the Director of the Patent and Trademark Office to waive statutory provisions governing patents and trademarks in certain emergencies. | Commerce | 2006-02-14 | 2006-12-06 | Received in the Senate. | House | Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21] | TX | R | S000583 | 2 | (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Allows the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to waive statutory provisions governing the filing, processing, renewal, and maintenance of patents, trademark registrations, and applications for patents or registrations to the extent necessary to protect the rights and privileges of applicants and other persons affected by an emergency or a major disaster. Disallows judicial review of any decision not to exercise such waiver authority. | 2023-01-13T04:48:46Z |
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CREATE TABLE legislation (
bill_id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
congress INTEGER,
bill_type TEXT,
bill_number INTEGER,
title TEXT,
policy_area TEXT,
introduced_date TEXT,
latest_action_date TEXT,
latest_action_text TEXT,
origin_chamber TEXT,
sponsor_name TEXT,
sponsor_state TEXT,
sponsor_party TEXT,
sponsor_bioguide_id TEXT,
cosponsor_count INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
summary_text TEXT,
update_date TEXT,
url TEXT
);
CREATE INDEX idx_leg_congress ON legislation(congress);
CREATE INDEX idx_leg_type ON legislation(bill_type);
CREATE INDEX idx_leg_policy ON legislation(policy_area);
CREATE INDEX idx_leg_date ON legislation(introduced_date);
CREATE INDEX idx_leg_sponsor ON legislation(sponsor_name);
CREATE INDEX idx_leg_sponsor_bioguide ON legislation(sponsor_bioguide_id);