Summary:
Livable Communities Act of 2014 - Establishes in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) an Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities (OSHC) to review and coordinate federal policies that:

 encourage locally directed comprehensive and integrated planning and development at the state, regional, and local levels, and coordinated public investments through development of comprehensive regional plans; and provide long-term affordable, accessible, energy-efficient, healthy and location-efficient housing choices for all people, particularly low-income families. Requires the OSHC Director to establish a program to make comprehensive planning grants and community challenge grants to units of general local government or Indian tribes to carry out projects meeting specified criteria.

Authorizes the Secretary of HUD to make or guarantee (up to 75% of) loans to eligible governmental, corporate, or partnership borrowers for infrastructure development projects used to support transit-oriented development.

Requires the Director of the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes to lead the federal initiative to support healthy housing and eradicate housing-related health hazards.

Requires the Secretary to study how sustainable building features in housing, such as energy efficiency, affect: (1) the quality of the indoor environment, (2) the prevalence of housing-related health hazards, and (3) the health of the occupants.

livable communities act establishes department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud office sustainable housing communities review coordinate federal policies encourage locally directed comprehensive integrated planning development state regional local levels coordinated public investments development comprehensive regional plans provide long term affordable accessible energy efficient healthy location efficient housing choices people particularly low income families requires director establish program comprehensive planning grants community challenge grants units general local government indian tribes carry projects meeting specified criteria authorizes secretary hud guarantee loans eligible governmental corporate partnership borrowers infrastructure development projects support transit oriented development requires director office lead hazard control healthy homes lead federal initiative support healthy housing eradicate housing related health hazards requires secretary study sustainable building features housing energy efficiency affect quality indoor environment prevalence housing related health hazards health occupants


Summary:
Community Parks Revitalization Act

 Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to carry out a community revitalization program of federal grants to eligible local governments located within standard metropolitan statistical areas for various park and recreation purposes, including grants for rehabilitation and construction, innovation and recreation programming, and recovery action programs.

Authorizes the Secretary to designate local governments not located in standard metropolitan statistical areas to receive such grants under a partial eligibility waiver.

Prescribes requirements, including matching requirements, for rehabilitation and construction and for innovation and recreation grants.

Limits to 10% the use of funds appropriated for rehabilitation and construction grants for acquisition of land or interests in land.

Allows a recipient, at its discretion, to transfer a grant in whole or in part to private nonprofit agencies for recreational areas and facilities they own or operate which offer recreational opportunities to the general population.

Requires an applicant, for project approval, to submit to the Secretary evidence of its commitment to ongoing planning, rehabilitation, service, operation, and maintenance programs for its park and recreation systems, expressed in a five-year local park and recreation recovery action program.

Prescribes requirements for the five-year park and recreation recovery action program under an at-risk youth recreation grant.

Authorizes the Secretary to increase federal rehabilitation and construction, innovation, and at-risk youth recreation grants to a state under this Act by an additional match of up to 15% (but not more than 15%) of total project or program cost. Limits the aggregate amount of the grant and the additional grant amounts to 85% of total project or program cost.

Prohibits the conversion, without HUD approval, of any property improved or developed with assistance under this Act for uses other than for public recreation.

community parks revitalization act requires secretary housing_and_urban_development hud carry community revitalization program federal grants eligible local governments located standard metropolitan statistical areas park recreation purposes including grants rehabilitation construction innovation recreation programming recovery action programs authorizes secretary designate local governments located standard metropolitan statistical areas receive grants partial eligibility waiver prescribes requirements including matching requirements rehabilitation construction innovation recreation grants limits use funds appropriated rehabilitation construction grants acquisition land interests land allows recipient discretion transfer grant private nonprofit agencies recreational areas facilities operate offer recreational opportunities general population requires applicant project approval submit secretary evidence commitment ongoing planning rehabilitation service operation maintenance programs park recreation systems expressed year local park recreation recovery action program prescribes requirements year park recreation recovery action program risk youth recreation grant authorizes secretary increase federal rehabilitation construction innovation risk youth recreation grants state act additional match total project program cost limits aggregate grant additional grant amounts total project program cost prohibits conversion hud approval property improved developed assistance act uses public recreation


Summary:
EDA Elimination Act of 2015

Terminates the Economic Development Administration (EDA).

Repeals the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce to take such actions as necessary and appropriate to conclude the outstanding affairs of the EDA, including dispositions of personnel, assets, and obligations.

eda elimination act terminates economic_development_administration eda repeals public_works_and_economic_development_act directs secretary commerce actions necessary appropriate conclude outstanding affairs eda including dispositions personnel assets obligations


Summary:
Common Sense Housing Investment Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax deduction for mortgage interest, to: (1) allow, in lieu of such deduction, a tax credit for 15% of mortgage interest paid in a taxable year for the taxpayer's principal residence and one other residence; (2) provide for a phaseout of the tax deduction for mortgage interest between 2016 and 2020; (3) allow a deduction for interest and taxes relating to land for dwelling purposes owned or leased by cooperative housing corporations; and (4) increase the state housing credit ceiling for the low-income housing tax credit.

Directs the Department of the Treasury to apply the savings from the enactment of this Act to the Housing Trust Fund, for assistance under the Section 8 low-income housing program, and for the Public Housing Capital Fund.

common sense housing investment act amends_the_internal_revenue_code respect tax deduction mortgage interest allow lieu deduction tax credit mortgage interest paid taxable year taxpayer principal residence residence provide phaseout tax deduction mortgage interest allow deduction interest taxes relating land dwelling purposes owned leased cooperative housing corporations increase state housing credit ceiling low income housing tax credit directs department_of_the_treasury apply savings enactment act housing_trust_fund assistance section low income housing program public housing capital_fund


Summary:
Local Zoning and Property Rights Protection Act of 2015

This bill requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to withdraw:

 the proposed HUD rule entitled "Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH)," any final rule based on it (including the rule with the Regulation Identifier Number RIN 2501-AD33), and any successor rule that is substantially similar to them; and the HUD notice relating to the AFFH Assessment Tool, any proposed or final rule issued pursuant to such notice, and any successor notice or rule substantially similar to them. HUD is required to consult with state, local government, and public housing agency officials to develop recommendations, consistent with applicable rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court, to further the Fair Housing Act's purposes and policies.

local zoning property rights protection act bill requires secretary housing_and_urban_development hud withdraw proposed hud rule entitled affirmatively furthering fair housing final rule based including rule regulation identifier number successor rule substantially similar hud notice relating assessment tool proposed final rule issued pursuant notice successor notice rule substantially similar hud required consult state local government public housing agency officials develop recommendations consistent applicable rulings supreme_court fair housing act purposes policies


Summary:
Renovate and Enhance Veterans' Meeting Halls and Posts Act of 2015 or REVAMP Act of 2015

 Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to require the Department of Housing and Urban Development to make competitive grants to eligible veterans service organizations for: (1) repairs or rehabilitation of their existing facilities, and (2) acquiring or upgrading computers and technology for such facilities.

Defines "eligible veterans service organization" as: (1) a tax-exempt entity organized on a local or area basis; and (2) a tax-exempt local or area chapter, post, or other unit of a national, regional, statewide, or other larger entity of which local or area chapters, posts, or units are members (but not any such national, regional, statewide, or other larger entity itself).

 Prohibits an eligible veterans service organization from receiving such grant amounts, for any single fiscal year, in an amount exceeding the lesser of: (1) the aggregate cost of the proposed activities and uses for which the grant amounts will be used, or (2) $200,000.

Makes a grant recipient ineligible to receive another such grant for any of the five succeeding fiscal years.

Prohibits the use of such grants for construction or acquisition of a new facility.

renovate enhance veterans meeting halls posts act revamp act amends housing_and_community_development_act require department_of_housing_and_urban_development competitive grants eligible veterans service organizations repairs rehabilitation existing facilities acquiring upgrading computers technology facilities defines eligible veterans service organization tax exempt entity organized local area basis tax exempt local area chapter post unit national regional statewide larger entity local area chapters posts units members national regional statewide larger entity prohibits eligible veterans service organization receiving grant amounts single fiscal year exceeding lesser aggregate cost proposed activities uses grant amounts makes grant recipient ineligible receive grant succeeding fiscal years prohibits use grants construction acquisition new facility


Summary:
Solar and Water-Efficient Homes Act of 2015

 This bill amends the National Housing Act, with respect to Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) insurance of financial institutions which finance housing alterations, repairs, improvements, or conversions, to increase the premium charge from 1% per annum of the net proceeds of a loan, advance of credit, or purchase, for the term of the obligation, to 1.5% per year of the remaining insured principal balance, with a specified exclusion and without taking into account delinquent payments or prepayments.

 There may also be a single upfront additional premium charge of 2.75% of the original insured principal obligation with respect to existing single-family or multi-family structures.

HUD may increase the limitations on premium payments to percentages greater than these but only if necessary, and not in excess of the minimum increase necessary to maintain a negative credit subsidy for insurance of loans, advances of credit, or certain purchases.

The maximum insurance amount (10% of the total amount of such loans, advances of credit, and purchases) any financial institution may receive is repealed.

The maximum obligation of an individual loan, advance of credit, or purchase that may be insured for improvements: (1) to an existing single-family dwelling is increased from $25,000 to $42,000; and (2) to an existing multi-family structure is increased from $60,000 to $100,380, with an average amount of $20,076 (currently $12,000) per family unit.

HUD shall develop a method of indexing to increase these dollar amount limitations annually, based on consumer price index data on housing collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor.

These dollar amount limitations may also be increased by up to 150%, not to exceed the dollar amount of the loan used for purchasing or installing solar energy systems or for purchasing or implementing water conserving improvements.

solar water efficient homes act bill amends national housing act respect department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud insurance financial institutions finance housing alterations repairs improvements conversions increase premium charge net proceeds loan advance credit purchase term obligation year remaining insured principal balance specified exclusion taking account delinquent payments prepayments single upfront additional premium charge original insured principal obligation respect existing single family multi family structures hud increase limitations premium payments percentages greater necessary excess minimum increase necessary maintain negative credit subsidy insurance loans advances credit certain purchases maximum insurance total loans advances credit purchases financial institution receive repealed maximum obligation individual loan advance credit purchase insured improvements existing single family dwelling increased existing multi family structure increased average currently family unit hud shall develop method indexing increase dollar limitations annually based consumer price index data housing collected bureau_of_labor_statistics department_of_labor dollar limitations increased exceed dollar loan purchasing installing solar energy systems purchasing implementing water conserving improvements


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Private Investment in Housing Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a demonstration program under which, in FY2016 through FY2019, HUD may execute budget-neutral, performance-based agreements (for up to 12 years each) that result in a reduction in energy or water costs with appropriate entities to carry out projects for energy or water conservation improvements at up to 20,000 residential units in multifamily buildings participating in:

 Section 8 project-based rental assistance programs under the United States Housing Act of 1937, other than Section 8 (voucher program) assistance; supportive housing for the elderly programs under the Housing Act of 1959; or supportive housing for persons with disabilities programs under the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act. Specifies requirements for payment under an agreement, which shall be contingent on documented utility savings, as well as for agreement terms, eligibility, geographical diversity, and funding for the program.

Limits this demonstration program to properties subject to affordability restrictions, which may be through an affordability agreement under a new housing assistance payments contract with HUD, or through an enforceable covenant with the property owner, for at least 15 years after completion of any conservation improvements made under the program. Requires HUD to submit to specified congressional committees a detailed plan for the implementation of this Act.

Authorizes HUD, for each fiscal year during which an agreement is in effect, to use any HUD appropriated funds for the renewal of contracts under the program.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure private investment housing act sec directs department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud establish demonstration program fy2016 fy2019 hud execute budget neutral performance based agreements years result reduction energy water costs appropriate entities carry projects energy water conservation improvements residential units multifamily buildings participating section project based rental assistance programs united_states_housing_act section voucher program assistance supportive housing elderly programs housing act supportive housing persons disabilities programs cranston gonzalez national affordable housing act specifies requirements payment agreement shall contingent documented utility savings agreement terms eligibility geographical diversity funding program limits demonstration program properties subject affordability restrictions affordability agreement new housing assistance payments contract hud enforceable covenant property owner years completion conservation improvements program requires hud submit specified congressional committees detailed plan implementation act authorizes hud fiscal year agreement effect use hud appropriated funds renewal contracts program


Summary:
Protect Local Independence in Housing Act of 2015

Amends the Fair Housing Act to prohibit its provisions from being construed to prohibit conduct resulting in a disparate impact on a class protected by such Act unless the person engaging in that conduct intended that impact.

protect local independence housing act amends fair housing act prohibit provisions construed prohibit conduct resulting disparate impact class protected act person engaging conduct intended impact


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on February 2, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016

This bill amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 and other housing laws to modify the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) rental assistance (including section 8 low-income [voucher]) and public housing programs, the Federal Housing Administration's (FHA's) requirements for condominium mortgage insurance, and the Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) single family housing guaranteed loan program.

TITLE I--SECTION 8 RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND PUBLIC HOUSING

(Sec. 101) This section revises the requirements for Public House Agencies (PHAs) to inspect dwelling units before making housing assistance payments to ensure that units comply with housing quality standards. If the PHA determines that a unit has defects, the bill sets forth procedures and requirements for determining noncompliance, correcting defects, withholding assistance payments, terminating a housing payments contract for a unit, notifying tenants, and relocating a tenant.

(Sec. 102) A PHA must review the incomes of assisted families in dwelling units: (1) upon the initial provision of housing assistance for the family, (2) annually thereafter, and (3) any time the family's income and deductions are estimated to increase by 10%. A family may request a review at any time its income and deductions are estimated to decrease by 10%. The PHA must follow specified requirements in calculating income and deductions.

HUD must: (1) develop a mechanism for disclosing information to PHAs for employment and income verification, and (2) ensure that PHAs have access to information contained in the Do Not Pay system established by the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act of 2012.

(Sec. 103) If a PHA determines that a tenant's income is greater than 120% of the area median income for two consecutive years, the PHA must: (1) charge the tenant the greater of the fair market rent or the amount of the government subsidy for the unit, or (2) terminate the tenancy. HUD may increase or decrease the income limitation based on unique local conditions, such as construction costs, unusually high or low family incomes, vacancy rates, or rental costs.

(Sec. 104) A PHA may not rent a dwelling unit to or assist families with net family assets exceeding $100,000 annually (adjusted for inflation) or an ownership interest in property that is suitable for occupancy. This restriction does not apply to victims of domestic violence, individuals using housing assistance for homeownership opportunities, or a family that is offering a property for sale. PHAs must require applicants to authorize financial institutions to disclose records necessary to determine eligibility for benefits.

(Sec. 105) A unit owned by a PHA means any dwelling unit located in a project owned by: (1) the PHA, (2) an entity wholly controlled by the PHA, or (3) a limited liability company or limited partnership in which the PHA holds a controlling interest.

A unit shall not be deemed to be owned by a PHA if the agency only holds an interest in the ground lease, holds a security interest under a mortgage or deed of trust on the unit, or holds a non-controlling interest in an entity that owns the unit.

(Sec. 106) This section changes requirements for PHA project-based assistance. (Project-based rental assistance is a subsidy attached to a unit of privately-owned housing that houses low-income tenants. If the family moves, the subsidy remains with the housing unit. In contrast, tenant-based rental assistance vouchers permit families to move and retain their vouchers.)

A PHA may not use more than 20% of its authorized units for project-based vouchers (PBVs), except for an additional 10% that a PHA may use for PBVs that target the homeless, veterans, the elderly, the disabled, or for units in areas where vouchers are difficult to use due to market conditions.

Calculation of the 20% limit shall not include units subject to federal rent restrictions or receiving another type of long-term housing subsidy from HUD.

A PHA may not provide PBVs in a project that exceed the greater of 25% of the units in a property or 25 units, subject to exceptions for units: (1) exclusively made available to elderly families or to households eligible for supportive service, or (2) located in areas where vouchers are difficult to use or where the poverty rate is 20% or lower.

This section extends the permissible term for PBV contracts from 15 to 20 years, subject to the availability of funds and inspection requirements. If there are insufficient funds, a PHA must prioritize payments for units subject to a PBV contract if other cost-saving measures that do not require the termination of contracts are available. Subject to these limitations, a PHA and the owner may: (1) add eligible units within the same project during the term of a contract, and (2) enter into a housing assistance payments contract with an owner for housing under construction or recently constructed.

If a PBV contract is not extended or is terminated, this section extends tenant-based rental assistance for households to continue to reside in the property or to choose to move.

Subject to existing rent restrictions, a PHA and owner may agree to limit rent increases to the operating cost adjustment factor (OCAF) established by HUD pursuant to the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997. Owners may request an additional adjustment periodically subject to rent reasonableness.

Residents may place their names on site-specific waiting lists managed by owners, in addition to waiting lists established by PHAs.

A PHA may provide PBV assistance to improve, develop, or replace a public housing property or property that it controls or has an ownership interest in without using a competitive process if it notifies the public of its intent through its public housing agency plan.

PHAs may use project-based HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) and Family Unification Program (FUP) vouchers under the same policies and procedures applicable to general purpose vouchers.

(Sec. 107) This section modifies the public notice requirements for proposed Fair Market Rents (FMRs). PHAs may request exception payment standards within fair market rental areas, subject to HUD procedures and criteria. (Payment standards are used to calculate the housing assistance payment that the PHA pays to the owner on behalf of the family leasing the unit.) No PHA shall be required to reduce any payment standard for a unit based on a reduction in the fair market rent determination if the family occupying the unit before the FMR analysis continues to reside in the unit.

(Sec. 108) HUD must collect and publish utility consumption data to assist in establishing tenant-paid utility allowances.

(Sec. 109) PHAs may establish a replacement reserve to fund specified capital fund activities, subject to specified requirements and restrictions on the transfer of operating funds into the replacement reserve.

(Sec. 110) This section increases: (1) to 36 months the time-period for which a child aging out of foster care may use a family unification housing voucher, and (2) to 24 the maximum age for an individual using the Family Unification Program (FUP). HUD must issue guidance to improve coordination between PHAs and public child welfare agencies in carrying out the FUP.

(Sec. 111) HUD must publish guidelines for minimum heating requirements in public housing units operated by PHAs.

(Sec. 112) This section revises the requirements for providing and calculating voucher rental assistance for families living in manufactured housing.

(Sec. 113) HUD must prioritize financial assistance for U.S. citizens or nationals over aliens who are eligible for assistance.

(Sec. 114) This section exempts PHAs in the county of Los Angeles, California, and in the states of Alaska, Iowa, and Mississippi from the requirement to include public housing residents on their governing boards. PHAs that do not include residents on their boards must establish an advisory board of at least six public housing residents or recipients of section 8 assistance.

TITLE II--RURAL HOUSING

(Sec. 201) This section amends the Housing Act of 1949 to permit USDA to delegate to preferred lenders its loan approval authority for the Rural Housing Service's single family housing guaranteed loan program.

(Sec. 202) USDA may charge lenders a fee of up to $50 per loan to use USDA's automated underwriting systems for the single family loan program.

TITLE III--FHA MORTGAGE INSURANCE FOR CONDOMINIUMS

(Sec. 301) This title amends the National Housing Act to require the FHA to modify its certification requirements for condominium mortgage insurance to make recertifications substantially less burdensome than original certifications. The FHA must consider lengthening the time between certifications for approved properties and allowing information to be updated rather than resubmitted.

A HUD field office must make decisions regarding exemptions to current FHA commercial space requirements and must consider factors relating to the economy of the locality in which the project is located.

The FHA must apply to FHA condominium mortgage insurance the existing standards of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) relating to encumbrances under private transfer fee covenants to the same extent and in the same manner as those standards apply to mortgage investments by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac). If the FHFA changes its standards after enactment of this bill, the FHA must adopt the changes or disregard them with an explanatory notice within 90 days.

 The FHA must issue guidance regarding the percentage of units that must be occupied by the owners (or sold to owners intending to meet such occupancy requirements) in order for a condominium to be eligible for FHA mortgage insurance. If the guidance is not issued within 90 days of enactment of this bill: (1) at least 35% of all family units must be occupied by the owners or sold to owners who intend to meet the occupancy requirement, and (2) the FHA may increase the requirement for a project on a project-by-project or regional basis after considering factors relating to the economy of the locality in which the project is located.

TITLE IV--HOUSING REFORMS FOR THE HOMELESS AND FOR VETERANS

(Sec. 401) This section amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to require HUD to define the ''geographic area'' for purposes of the Continuum of Care Program (which awards project sponsors or unified funding agencies competitive grants focused on addressing the long-term housing and services needs of homeless individuals and families).

(Sec. 402) Local governments receiving Emergency Solutions Grants may distribute all or part of the assistance to PHAs or Local Redevelopment Authorities. (The grants are awarded to assist the homeless and prevent homelessness. Distribution of the grants is currently limited to nonprofit organizations.)

(Sec. 403) This section amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act to require HUD to transfer the position of Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs from the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Needs to the Office of the Secretary.

(Sec. 404) HUD and the Department of Veterans Affairs must submit annually to Congress reports regarding: the number of veterans assisted by HUD programs, coordination of services for veterans, and the cost of administering programs to veterans.

(Sec. 405) HUD must reopen the public comment period for the interim rule entitled "Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing: Continuum of Care Program."

TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS

(Sec. 501) All recipients of HUD Disaster Housing Assistance Program funds must meet specified income verification requirements.

(Sec. 502) This section amends the Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996 to prohibit HUD from requiring any dwelling in the Self-Help Ownership Opportunity Program to meet energy efficiency standards other than those included in the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act.

(Sec. 503) HUD must create data exchange standards to improve interoperability between federal and state agencies.

TITLE VI--REPORTS

(Sec. 601) HUD, in consultation with the Department of Labor, must report to Congress on their interagency strategies to improve family economic empowerment by linking housing assistance with other support services, such as employment counseling and training, financial education and growth, childcare, transportation, meals, and youth recreational activities.

TITLE VII--HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS

(Sec. 701) This title revises the formula and requirements for distributing funds under the Housing Opportunities for Persons With Aids (HOPWA) Program.

 A grantee that received an allocation in FY2016 shall continue to be eligible for such allocations in subsequent fiscal years, subject to HUD approval and the amounts available from appropriations Acts. HUD shall:

 redetermine a grantee's eligibility at least once every 10 years, and ensure that a grantee that received an allocation in the prior fiscal year does not receive an allocation 5% less than or 10% greater than the amount allocated to that grantee in the preceding fiscal year. HUD may also award such funds to an alternative grantee if the original grantee agrees in a written document meeting HUD approval.

measure amended passed house february summary version repeated housing opportunity modernization act bill amends united_states_housing_act housing laws modify department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud rental assistance including section low income voucher public housing programs federal_housing_administration fha requirements condominium mortgage insurance department_of_agriculture usda single family housing guaranteed loan program title section rental assistance public housing sec section revises requirements public house agencies phas inspect dwelling units making housing assistance payments ensure units comply housing quality standards pha determines unit defects bill sets forth procedures requirements determining noncompliance correcting defects withholding assistance payments terminating housing payments contract unit notifying tenants relocating tenant sec pha review incomes assisted families dwelling units initial provision housing assistance family annually time family income deductions estimated increase family request review time income deductions estimated decrease pha follow specified requirements calculating income deductions hud develop mechanism disclosing information phas employment income verification ensure phas access information contained pay system established improper_payments_elimination recovery improvement act sec pha determines tenant income greater area median income consecutive years pha charge tenant greater fair market rent government subsidy unit terminate tenancy hud increase decrease income limitation based unique local conditions construction costs unusually high low family incomes vacancy rates rental costs sec pha rent dwelling unit assist families net family assets exceeding annually adjusted inflation ownership interest property suitable occupancy restriction apply victims domestic violence individuals housing assistance homeownership opportunities family offering property sale phas require applicants authorize financial institutions disclose records necessary determine eligibility benefits sec unit owned pha means dwelling unit located project owned pha entity wholly controlled pha limited liability company limited partnership pha holds controlling interest unit shall deemed owned pha agency holds interest ground lease holds security interest mortgage deed trust unit holds non controlling interest entity owns unit sec section changes requirements pha project based assistance project based rental assistance subsidy attached unit privately owned housing houses low income tenants family moves subsidy remains housing unit tenant based rental assistance vouchers permit families retain vouchers pha use authorized units project based vouchers additional pha use target homeless veterans elderly disabled units areas vouchers difficult use market conditions calculation limit shall include units subject federal rent restrictions receiving type long term housing subsidy hud pha provide project exceed greater units property units subject exceptions units exclusively available elderly families households eligible supportive service located areas vouchers difficult use poverty rate lower section extends permissible term contracts years subject availability funds inspection requirements insufficient funds pha prioritize payments units subject contract cost saving measures require termination contracts available subject limitations pha owner add eligible units project term contract enter housing assistance payments contract owner housing construction recently constructed contract extended terminated section extends tenant based rental assistance households continue reside property choose subject existing rent restrictions pha owner agree limit rent increases operating cost adjustment factor established hud pursuant multifamily assisted housing reform affordability act owners request additional adjustment periodically subject rent reasonableness residents place names site specific waiting lists managed owners addition waiting lists established phas pha provide assistance improve develop replace public housing property property controls ownership interest competitive process notifies public intent public housing agency plan phas use project based hud veterans_affairs supportive housing hud family program vouchers policies procedures applicable general purpose vouchers sec section modifies public notice requirements proposed fair market rents phas request exception payment standards fair market rental areas subject hud procedures criteria payment standards calculate housing assistance payment pha pays owner behalf family leasing unit pha shall required reduce payment standard unit based reduction fair market rent determination family occupying unit analysis continues reside unit sec hud collect publish utility consumption data assist establishing tenant paid utility allowances sec phas establish replacement reserve fund specified capital_fund activities subject specified requirements restrictions transfer operating funds replacement reserve sec section increases months time period child aging foster care use family housing voucher maximum age individual family program hud issue guidance improve coordination phas public child welfare agencies carrying sec hud publish guidelines minimum heating requirements public housing units operated phas sec section revises requirements providing calculating voucher rental assistance families living manufactured housing sec hud prioritize financial assistance citizens nationals aliens eligible assistance sec section exempts phas county los_angeles california states alaska iowa mississippi requirement include public housing residents governing boards phas include residents boards establish advisory_board public housing residents recipients section assistance title rural housing sec section amends housing act permit usda delegate preferred lenders loan approval authority rural housing service single family housing guaranteed loan program sec usda charge lenders fee loan use usda automated underwriting systems single family loan program title iii fha mortgage insurance sec title amends national housing act require fha modify certification requirements condominium mortgage insurance substantially burdensome original certifications fha consider time certifications approved properties allowing information updated resubmitted hud field office decisions exemptions current fha commercial space requirements consider factors relating economy locality project located fha apply fha condominium mortgage insurance existing standards federal_housing_finance_agency fhfa relating encumbrances private transfer fee covenants extent manner standards apply mortgage investments federal_national_mortgage_association fannie_mae federal_home_loan_mortgage_corporation freddie_mac fhfa changes standards enactment bill fha adopt changes disregard explanatory notice days fha issue guidance percentage units occupied owners sold owners intending meet occupancy requirements order condominium eligible fha mortgage insurance guidance issued days enactment bill family units occupied owners sold owners intend meet occupancy requirement fha increase requirement project project project regional basis considering factors relating economy locality project located title housing reforms homeless veterans sec section amends mckinney-vento homeless assistance_act require hud define geographic area purposes continuum care program awards project sponsors unified funding agencies competitive grants focused addressing long term housing services needs homeless individuals families sec local governments receiving emergency solutions grants distribute assistance phas local redevelopment authorities grants awarded assist homeless prevent homelessness distribution grants currently limited nonprofit organizations sec section amends department_of_housing_and_urban_development_act require hud transfer position special assistant veterans_affairs office deputy assistant secretary special needs office_of_the_secretary sec hud department_of_veterans_affairs submit annually congress reports number veterans assisted hud programs coordination services veterans cost administering programs veterans sec hud reopen public comment period interim rule entitled homeless emergency assistance rapid transition housing continuum care program title miscellaneous sec recipients hud disaster housing assistance program funds meet specified income verification requirements sec section amends housing opportunity program extension act prohibit hud requiring dwelling self help ownership opportunity program meet energy efficiency standards included cranston gonzalez national affordable housing act sec hud create data exchange standards improve interoperability federal state agencies title reports sec hud consultation department_of_labor report congress interagency strategies improve family economic empowerment linking housing assistance support services employment counseling training financial education growth childcare transportation meals youth recreational activities title vii housing opportunities persons aids sec title revises formula requirements distributing funds housing opportunities persons aids program grantee received allocation fy2016 shall continue eligible allocations subsequent fiscal years subject hud approval amounts available appropriations acts hud shall redetermine grantee eligibility years ensure grantee received allocation prior fiscal year receive allocation greater allocated grantee preceding fiscal year hud award funds alternative grantee original grantee agrees written document meeting hud approval


Summary:
Renters Fairness and Equality Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax deduction of all rent paid paid or accrued on the principal residence of a taxpayer, but denies such deduction if the assessed or appraised value of the residence exceeds $1 million.

fairness equality act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow tax deduction rent paid paid accrued principal residence taxpayer denies deduction assessed appraised value residence exceeds million


Summary:
Helping Our Middle-Income Earners Act or the HOME Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers an income-based tax deduction, up to $5,000, for qualified homeowners association assessments paid during the taxable year. The bill defines "qualified homeowners association assessments" as regularly occurring, mandatory financial assessments: (1) that are paid by a taxpayer to a homeowners association for the taxpayer's principal residence, (2) that directly benefit such residence, and (3) that arise from the taxpayer's mandatory and automatic membership in such association. The bill requires homeowners associations to file an informational return that sets forth the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of a taxpayer from whom the association receives assessments and the amount of such assessments.

helping middle income earners act home act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow individual taxpayers income based tax deduction qualified homeowners association assessments paid taxable year bill defines qualified homeowners association assessments regularly occurring mandatory financial assessments paid taxpayer homeowners association taxpayer principal residence directly benefit residence arise taxpayer mandatory automatic membership association bill requires homeowners associations file informational return sets forth address taxpayer identification number taxpayer association receives assessments assessments


Summary:
Homeowners Access to Visitability Enhancements (HAVE) Act of 2016

This bill authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development to make grants to low-income families to assist them in obtaining residences that are visitable for individuals.

A residence shall be "visitable" if it complies with the most current version of the visitability standards of the International Code Council/American National Standards Institute.

Amounts from such grants may be used only for:

 acquiring a visitable residence that has never previously been occupied, constructing a visitable residence, and retrofitting or renovating an existing residence to make it visitable.

homeowners access enhancements act bill authorizes department_of_housing_and_urban_development grants low income families assist obtaining residences individuals residence shall complies current version standards international code council american_national_standards_institute amounts grants acquiring residence previously occupied constructing residence retrofitting renovating existing residence


Summary:
Preserving HUD's Multifamily Field Offices Act of 2016

This bill prohibits the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from relocating to any core office of the Office of Multifamily Housing any asset management position (including any account executive, senior account executive, and troubled asset specialist position) that, as of this bill's enactment, is located at a non-core office of that Office.

"Core office" is defined as a regional hub office located in Atlanta, Chicago, Fort Worth, New York City, or San Francisco.

Upon the occurrence of a vacancy in any asset management position at any non-core office (including any vacancy in existence as of the date of enactment), HUD may newly hire an employee to fill that position only at the same non-core office.

preserving hud multifamily field offices act bill prohibits department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud relocating core office office multifamily housing asset management position including account executive senior account executive troubled asset specialist position bill enactment located non core office office core office defined regional hub office located atlanta chicago fort worth new_york_city san_francisco occurrence vacancy asset management position non core office including vacancy existence date enactment hud newly hire employee fill position non core office


Summary:
Helping Expand Lending Practices in Rural Communities Act of 2015 or the HELP Rural Communities Act of 2015

Directs the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to establish an application process under which a person who lives or does business in a state may apply to have an area in the state identified as a rural area if it has not yet been so designated by the CFPB for purposes of federal consumer financial law.

 Prescribes criteria for the CFPB to consider when evaluating the application. States that if, at any time before submission of an application, the area subject to review has been designated as nonrural by certain federal agencies, the CFPB is not required to consider that designation in its evaluation. Requires the CFPB to: (1) grant or deny the application within 90 days after the public comment period ends; and (2) publish the grant or denial in the Federal Register, including an explanation of the factors upon which the CFPB relied in making its determination.

Sunsets this Act two years after its enactment.

Amends The Truth in Lending Act with respect to CFPB authority to treat a balloon loan as "a qualified mortgage" to mean a balloon loan extended by any creditor operating in rural or underserved areas even if it does not operate predominantly in them. Exempts such a creditor from the requirements for escrow or impound accounts governing certain consumer credit transactions secured by a first lien on the consumer's principal dwelling.

helping expand lending practices rural communities act help rural communities act directs consumer_financial_protection_bureau cfpb establish application process person lives business state apply area state identified rural area designated cfpb purposes federal consumer financial law prescribes criteria cfpb consider evaluating application states time submission application area subject review designated certain federal agencies cfpb required consider designation evaluation requires cfpb grant deny application days public comment period ends publish grant denial federal_register including explanation factors cfpb relied making determination sunsets act years enactment amends_the_truth_in_lending_act respect cfpb authority treat balloon loan qualified mortgage mean balloon loan extended creditor operating rural underserved areas operate predominantly exempts creditor requirements escrow impound accounts governing certain consumer credit transactions secured lien consumer principal dwelling


Summary:
Local Zoning Decisions Protection Act of 2015

This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to:

 implement, administer, or enforce the final rule of the Department of Housing and Urban Development entitled "Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing" (80 Fed. Reg. 42272 [July 16, 2015]); or design, build, maintain, utilize, or provide access to a federal database of geospatial information on community racial disparities or disparities in access to affordable housing.

local zoning decisions protection act bill prohibits use federal funds implement administer enforce final rule department_of_housing_and_urban_development entitled affirmatively furthering fair housing fed july design build maintain utilize provide access federal database geospatial information community racial disparities disparities access affordable housing


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on June 8, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Waterfront Community Revitalization and Resiliency Act of 2015

(Sec. 4) This bill requires the Department of Commerce to designate as a resilient waterfront community a unit of local government or Indian tribe that meets specified criteria and is:

 bound in part by the Great Lakes or the ocean, or bordered or traversed by a riverfront or an inland lake; self-nominated as a resilient waterfront community; and designated as one by Commerce on the basis of a community-developed plan. In making such a designation for inland lake and riverfront communities, Commerce must work with the Environmental Protection Agency and the heads of other federal agencies as necessary.

A resilient waterfront community plan is a community-driven vision and plan developed:

 voluntarily at the discretion of the community to respond to local needs or take advantage of new water-oriented opportunities; with the leadership of the relevant governmental entity or Indian tribe and the active participation of community residents, utilities, and interested business and nongovernmental stakeholders; in consideration of all applicable state and federal coastal zone management planning; to address economic competitive strengths; and to complement and incorporate the objectives and recommendations of regional economic plans. A resilient waterfront community plan shall consider all, or a portion of, the waterfront area and adjacent land and water to which it is connected ecologically, economically, or through local governmental or tribal boundaries, and integrate consideration of:

 the economic opportunities resulting from water proximity and access and the community's relationship to the water; ecosystem challenges and projections, including extreme weather and water conditions; infrastructure needs and opportunities to facilitate specified strategic and sustainable capital investments; and such other factors that align with metrics or indicators for resiliency, considering environmental and economic changes. After the designation of a resilient waterfront community, its plan may be effective for a 10-year period.

(Sec. 5) Commerce must: (1) develop and maintain a resilient waterfront communities network to facilitate the sharing of best practices among waterfront communities; and (2) recognize such communities formally and publicly to promote tourism, investment, or other benefits.

(Sec. 6) Commerce may use existing authority to support:

 the development of a resilient waterfront community plan, including planning and feasibility analysis; and the implementation of strategic components after the plan has been approved. A lead nonfederal partner (a local government or Indian tribe) may contract with an eligible nonfederal implementation partner (a nonprofit organization, a public utility, a private entity, an institution of higher education, a state government, or a regional organization) for implementation activities, such as site preparation, environmental review, acquisition of easements or land for uses for green infrastructure, construction of public waterfront or boating amenities and public spaces, and infrastructure upgrades to improve coastal resiliency.

In developing a plan, a resilient waterfront community, among other eligible planning activities, may:

 conduct community visioning and outreach; and collaborate across local agencies and work with regional, state, and federal agencies to identify, understand, and develop responses to changing ecosystem and economic circumstances. Assistance may be furnished to:

 initiate implementation of a resilient waterfront community plan and facilitate high-quality development, including leveraging local and private sector investment; and address strategic community priorities identified in the plan. The lead nonfederal partner shall ensure that assistance and resources received by it to advance its resilient waterfront community plan and for related activities are used for the purposes of any initiative advanced by Commerce to promote waterfront community revitalization and resiliency.

A resilient waterfront community that receives assistance under this bill shall furnish nonfederal funds from entities eligible to be nonfederal implementation partners toward the completion of planning or implementation activities.

(Sec. 7) At regular intervals Commerce must give a list of resilient waterfront communities to the applicable states and the heads of national and regional offices of interested federal agencies.

(Sec. 8) Nothing in this bill may be construed as establishing new authority for any federal agency.

measure amended reported senate june summary version repeated waterfront community revitalization resiliency act sec bill requires department_of_commerce designate resilient waterfront community unit local government indian tribe meets specified criteria bound great_lakes ocean bordered traversed riverfront inland lake self nominated resilient waterfront community designated commerce basis community developed plan making designation inland lake riverfront communities commerce work environmental_protection_agency heads federal agencies necessary resilient waterfront community plan community driven vision plan developed voluntarily discretion community respond local needs advantage new water oriented opportunities leadership relevant governmental entity indian tribe active participation community residents utilities interested business nongovernmental stakeholders consideration applicable state federal coastal zone management planning address economic competitive strengths complement incorporate objectives recommendations regional economic plans resilient waterfront community plan shall consider portion waterfront area adjacent land water connected ecologically economically local governmental tribal boundaries integrate consideration economic opportunities resulting water proximity access community relationship water ecosystem challenges projections including extreme weather water conditions infrastructure needs opportunities facilitate specified strategic sustainable capital investments factors align metrics indicators resiliency considering environmental economic changes designation resilient waterfront community plan effective year period sec commerce develop maintain resilient waterfront communities network facilitate sharing best practices waterfront communities recognize communities formally publicly promote tourism investment benefits sec commerce use existing authority support development resilient waterfront community plan including planning feasibility analysis implementation strategic components plan approved lead nonfederal partner local government indian tribe contract eligible nonfederal implementation partner nonprofit organization public utility private entity institution higher education state government regional organization implementation activities site preparation environmental review acquisition easements land uses green infrastructure construction public waterfront boating amenities public spaces infrastructure upgrades improve coastal resiliency developing plan resilient waterfront community eligible planning activities conduct community outreach collaborate local agencies work regional state federal agencies identify understand develop responses changing ecosystem economic circumstances assistance furnished initiate implementation resilient waterfront community plan facilitate high quality development including leveraging local private sector investment address strategic community priorities identified plan lead nonfederal partner shall ensure assistance resources received advance resilient waterfront community plan related activities purposes initiative advanced commerce promote waterfront community revitalization resiliency resilient waterfront community receives assistance bill shall furnish nonfederal funds entities eligible nonfederal implementation partners completion planning implementation activities sec regular intervals commerce list resilient waterfront communities applicable states heads national regional offices interested federal agencies sec bill construed establishing new authority federal agency


Summary:
Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016

This bill amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 and other housing laws to modify the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rental assistance (including section 8 low-income [voucher]) and public housing programs, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requirements for condominium mortgage insurance, and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) single family housing guaranteed loan program.

The bill revises the requirements for Public House Agencies (PHAs) to inspect dwelling units before making housing assistance payments to ensure that units comply with housing quality standards.

A PHA shall review the incomes of assisted families in dwelling units, and may not rent a dwelling unit to or assist families with net family assets exceeding $100,000 annually (adjusted for inflation) or an ownership interest in property that is suitable for occupancy.

The bill also revises requirements for:

 PHA project-based assistance, including vouchers; the public notice requirements for proposed Fair Market Rents; and the Family Unification Program, especially coordination between PHAs and public child welfare agencies in carrying it out. The Housing Act of 1949 is amended to permit USDA to delegate to preferred lenders its loan approval authority for the Rural Housing Service single family housing guaranteed loan program.

The National Housing Act is amended to require the FHA to modify its certification requirements for condominium mortgage insurance.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is amended to require HUD to define the ''geographic area'' for purposes of the Continuum of Care Program (which awards project sponsors or unified funding agencies competitive grants focused on addressing the long-term housing and services needs of homeless individuals and families).

 Local governments receiving Emergency Solutions Grants may distribute all or part of the assistance to PHAs or Local Redevelopment Authorities. (The grants are awarded to assist the homeless and prevent homelessness. Distribution of the grants is currently limited to nonprofit organizations.)

The bill transfers to the Office of the Secretary the Special Assistant for Veterans Affairs, currently in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Special Needs.

HUD and the Department of Veterans Affairs must report annually to Congress on the number of veterans assisted by HUD programs, coordination of services for veterans, and the cost of administering programs to veterans.

The bill also revises the formula and requirements for distributing funds under the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program.

housing opportunity modernization act bill amends united_states_housing_act housing laws modify department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud rental assistance including section low income voucher public housing programs federal_housing_administration fha requirements condominium mortgage insurance department_of_agriculture usda single family housing guaranteed loan program bill revises requirements public house agencies phas inspect dwelling units making housing assistance payments ensure units comply housing quality standards pha shall review incomes assisted families dwelling units rent dwelling unit assist families net family assets exceeding annually adjusted inflation ownership interest property suitable occupancy bill revises requirements pha project based assistance including vouchers public notice requirements proposed fair market rents family program especially coordination phas public child welfare agencies carrying housing act amended permit usda delegate preferred lenders loan approval authority rural housing service single family housing guaranteed loan program national housing act amended require fha modify certification requirements condominium mortgage insurance mckinney-vento homeless assistance_act amended require hud define geographic area purposes continuum care program awards project sponsors unified funding agencies competitive grants focused addressing long term housing services needs homeless individuals families local governments receiving emergency solutions grants distribute assistance phas local redevelopment authorities grants awarded assist homeless prevent homelessness distribution grants currently limited nonprofit organizations bill transfers office_of_the_secretary special assistant veterans_affairs currently office deputy assistant secretary special needs hud department_of_veterans_affairs report annually congress number veterans assisted hud programs coordination services veterans cost administering programs veterans bill revises formula requirements distributing funds housing opportunities persons aids program


Summary:
Middle-Income Housing Tax Credit Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for the development of housing for middle-income households.

The credit is based on the existing low-income housing tax credit and applies to the development or rehabilitation of residential rental properties if: (1) 60% or more of the residential units in the project are both rent-restricted and occupied by individuals whose income is 100% or less of the area median gross income, and (2) the project is not federally subsidized or financed with a federally funded grant.

The credits are allocated to each state based on population, and state housing agencies then distribute the credits to developers using a competitive process. The credits are paid over a 15-year credit period, and the amounts of the credits are based on a percentage of a project's qualified basis, which is the portion of the project dedicated to affordable middle-income housing.

The credit dollar amount allocated to a project may not exceed the amount that is necessary for the financial feasibility of the project and its viability as a qualified middle-income housing project throughout the credit period.

To qualify for the credit, the developer must make a long-term commitment to middle-income housing, under which the affordability restrictions for a property remain in place for at least an additional 15 years after the close of the credit period.

middle income housing tax credit act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow tax credit development housing middle income households credit based existing low income housing tax credit applies development rehabilitation residential rental properties residential units project rent restricted occupied individuals income area median gross income project federally subsidized financed federally funded grant credits allocated state based population state housing agencies distribute credits developers competitive process credits paid year credit period amounts credits based percentage project qualified basis portion project dedicated affordable middle income housing credit dollar allocated project exceed necessary financial feasibility project viability qualified middle income housing project credit period qualify credit developer long term commitment middle income housing affordability restrictions property remain place additional years close credit period


Summary:
HUD Inspection Process and Enforcement Reform Act of 2016

This bill allows the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to remove certain HUD employees from civil service or to reduce their grade or pay for misconduct or performance. HUD employees may challenge a removal or reduction in grade or pay by filing an appeal with the Merit Systems Protection Board.

This bill amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to require an entity receiving section 8 housing assistance payments under a payment contract to: (1) maintain decent, safe, and sanitary conditions for dwelling units covered under such payment contract; and (2) comply with any standards under applicable state or local laws, rules, ordinances, or regulations relating to the physical condition of the dwelling units. HUD must, under certain conditions, take enforcement actions for violations of dwelling-unit physical condition standards.

HUD may provide tenant-based assistance for dwelling units covered under a section 8 payment contract if: (1) the dwelling units' owner has received a Notice of Default; or (2) the units pose an imminent health and safety risk to tenants. A Notice of Default cites deficiencies in the physical condition of a section 8 dwelling unit and provides a specified period of time for correction of such deficiencies.

HUD must issue a publicly available report on its website regarding Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) inspections of all properties assisted, insured, or both, under a HUD program.

The Government Accountability Office must issue a report on its website regarding such REAC inspection areas that should be reformed and improved.

hud inspection process enforcement reform_act bill allows department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud remove certain hud employees civil service reduce grade pay misconduct performance hud employees challenge removal reduction grade pay filing appeal merit_systems_protection_board bill amends united_states_housing_act require entity receiving section housing assistance payments payment contract maintain decent safe sanitary conditions dwelling units covered payment contract comply standards applicable state local laws rules ordinances regulations relating physical condition dwelling units hud certain conditions enforcement actions violations dwelling unit physical condition standards hud provide tenant based assistance dwelling units covered section payment contract dwelling units owner received notice default units pose imminent health safety risk tenants notice default cites deficiencies physical condition section dwelling unit provides specified period time correction deficiencies hud issue publicly available report website real estate assessment center inspections properties assisted insured hud program government_accountability_office issue report website inspection areas reformed improved


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny U.S. companies doing business in Sudan the foreign tax credit and other tax benefits until the Secretary of State certifies to the Secretary of the Treasury that the Government of Sudan has ceased to support, and has taken steps to end, acts of genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan, including: (1) ensuring that the military is not attacking civilians or obstructing human rights monitors or humanitarian assistance; (2) disarming Government supported militias; (3) allowing access for providing humanitarian assistance to all regions; and (4) cooperating with international missions.

amends_the_internal_revenue_code deny companies business sudan foreign tax credit tax benefits secretary state certifies secretary treasury government sudan ceased support taken steps end acts genocide darfur region sudan including ensuring military civilians obstructing human rights monitors humanitarian assistance government supported militias allowing access providing humanitarian assistance regions cooperating international missions


Summary: Afghan Women Empowerment Act of 2007 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the protection of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan and their full participation in the reestablishment of democracy are essential to Afghanistan's reconstruction, and to achieve such reconstruction the U.S. government must commit resources to advance the rights of women throughout Afghanistan. Amends the Afghanistan Freedom Support Act of 2002 to revise the provisions respecting assistance to women and girls in Afghanistan. Extends funding authority. Expresses the sense of Congress that the President should: (1) condition the provision of such assistance on the recipient adhering to international standards for women's rights and human rights; and (2) ensure that Afghan women-led nongovernmental organizations with demonstrated experience in delivering services to Afghan women and children receive grants without ethnic, religious, or any other discrimination.

afghan women empowerment act expresses sense congress protection rights women girls afghanistan participation democracy essential afghanistan reconstruction achieve reconstruction government commit resources advance rights women afghanistan amends afghanistan freedom support act revise provisions respecting assistance women girls afghanistan extends funding authority expresses sense congress president condition provision assistance recipient adhering international standards women rights human rights ensure afghan women led nongovernmental organizations demonstrated experience delivering services afghan women children receive grants ethnic religious discrimination


Summary: Wartime Treatment Study Act - Establishes the Commission on Wartime Treatment of European Americans to review U.S. government wartime treatment (from September 1, 1939, through December 31, 1948) of European Americans and European Latin Americans.Requires the Commission to review: (1) government actions with respect to European Americans and European Latin Americans pursuant to the Alien Enemies Acts, Presidential Proclamations 2526, 2527, 2655, 2662, 2685, Executive Orders 9066 and 9095, and related directives pertaining to the registration, arrest, exclusion, internment, exchange, or deportation of such people; (2) registration requirements, travel and property restrictions, internment, and forced abandonment of property; (3) participation by European Americans in the U.S. Armed Forces; and (4) appropriate remedies, including future protection of civil liberties during wartime.Establishes the Commission on Wartime Treatment of Jewish Refugees to review the U.S. government's refusal to allow entry into the United States of Jewish and other refugees fleeing persecution or genocide in Europe. Directs the Commission to include reviews of: (1) the rationale for such refusal, its perceived benefit, and its impact on refugees; and (2) federal refugee policy concerning those fleeing persecution or genocide.

wartime treatment study act establishes_the_commission wartime treatment european americans review government wartime treatment september december european americans european latin americans requires commission review government actions respect european americans european latin americans pursuant alien acts presidential executive orders related directives pertaining registration arrest exclusion internment exchange deportation people registration requirements travel property restrictions internment forced abandonment property participation european americans armed_forces appropriate remedies including future protection civil liberties wartime establishes_the_commission wartime treatment jewish refugees review government refusal allow entry united_states jewish refugees fleeing persecution genocide europe directs commission include reviews rationale refusal perceived benefit impact refugees federal refugee policy concerning fleeing persecution genocide


Summary: Torture Outsourcing Prevention Act - Directs the Secretary of State to submit to the appropriate congressional committees an annual list of countries where there are substantial grounds for believing that torture, cruel, or degrading treatment is commonly used in the detention or interrogation of individuals. Prohibits the direct or indirect transfer or return of persons by the United States for the purpose of detention, interrogation, trial, or otherwise to a listed country. Sets forth conditions under which: (1) the Secretary may waive such transfer prohibition; and (2) a treaty-based transfer may occur. Prohibits the transfer from the United States of any person to a non-listed country without an opportunity to challenge such transfer on the grounds of being subjected to torture or cruel or degrading treatment. Amends the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to direct the appropriate government agencies to prescribe regulations to implement U.S. obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

torture outsourcing prevention act_-_directs secretary state submit appropriate congressional committees annual list countries substantial grounds believing torture cruel degrading treatment commonly detention interrogation individuals prohibits direct indirect transfer return persons united_states purpose detention interrogation trial listed country sets forth conditions secretary waive transfer prohibition treaty based transfer occur prohibits transfer united_states person non listed country opportunity challenge transfer grounds subjected torture cruel degrading treatment amends foreign affairs reform restructuring act direct appropriate government agencies prescribe regulations implement obligations united_nations convention torture cruel inhuman degrading treatment punishment


Summary: Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations for FY2008-FY2009 to: (1) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide grants to programs in the United States to cover the costs of services provided by domestic treatment centers in the rehabilitation of victims of torture (including treatment of the physical and psychological effects of torture), social and legal services, and research and training of health care providers outside of treatment centers or programs to enable them to provide such services; (2) the President for grants to treatment centers and programs in foreign countries that carry out projects and activities specifically designed to treat victims of torture for the physical and psychological effects of torture; and (3) the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.

torture victims relief reauthorization act amends torture victims relief_act authorize appropriations fy2008 fy2009 department_of_health_and_human_services hhs provide grants programs united_states cover costs services provided domestic treatment centers rehabilitation victims torture including treatment physical psychological effects torture social legal services research training health_care providers outside treatment centers programs enable provide services president grants treatment centers programs foreign countries carry projects activities specifically designed treat victims torture physical psychological effects torture united_nations voluntary fund victims torture


Summary: Genocide Accountability Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code allow the prosecution of acts constituting genocide committed by an alleged offender who is: (1) an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States; (2) a stateless person whose habitual residence is in the United States; or (3) brought into, or found in, the United States, even if the offense occurred outside the United States.

genocide accountability_act amends federal criminal code allow prosecution acts constituting genocide committed alleged offender alien lawfully admitted permanent residence united_states stateless person habitual residence united_states brought found united_states offense occurred outside united_states


Summary: Iran Human Rights Act of 2007 - Amends the Iran Freedom Support Act to direct the President to appoint a special envoy for human rights in Iran within the Department of State to coordinate efforts to improve respect for the fundamental human rights of the people of Iran and work with organizations committed to promoting democracy in Iran. Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) there is a direct relationship between the state of freedom and democracy within Iran and the efforts of the Iranian regime to acquire nuclear weapons and the long-term success of the global war on terror; (2) it is essential that the issue of human rights violations in Iran should remain a top U.S. foreign policy priority independent of efforts to address the nuclear threat in Iran; (3) the U.S. government should explore the possibility of a regional human rights dialogue with Iran; (4) the United Nations has a significant role to play in improving human rights in Iran; and (5) the commitment to human rights and democracy of an Iranian national who has applied for a U.S. entry visa should be considered when determining visa eligibility.

iran human rights act amends iran freedom support act direct president appoint special envoy human rights iran department_of_state coordinate efforts improve respect fundamental human rights people iran work organizations committed promoting democracy iran expresses sense congress direct relationship state freedom democracy iran efforts iranian regime acquire nuclear weapons long term success global war terror essential issue human rights violations iran remain foreign policy priority independent efforts address nuclear threat iran government explore possibility regional human rights dialogue iran united_nations significant role play improving human rights iran commitment human rights democracy iranian national applied entry visa considered determining visa eligibility


Summary: International Women's Freedom Act of 2007 - Establishes within the Department of State an Office of International Women's Rights to be headed by an Ambassador at Large for International Women's Rights. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) establish a women's rights Internet site; and (2) maintain prisoner lists and issue briefs on women's rights concerns. Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to include instruction on the internationally recognized rights of women and the various aspects and manifestations of violations of women's rights in Foreign Service officer training. Establishes the United States Commission on International Women's Rights. (Terminates the Commission 12 years after the date of the initial appointment of its members.) Amends the National Security Act of 1947 to express the sense of Congress that there should be within the National Security Council (NSC) staff a Special Adviser to the President on International Women's Rights. Directs the President to take specified actions in response to women's rights violations, including actions in response to particularly severe rights violations. Provides for prohibition of economic, multilateral, military, and export assistance in instances of particularly severe women's rights violations. Provides for the promotion of women's rights. Provides for women's rights-related training with respect to refugee, asylum, and consular matters. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for the inadmissibility of foreign government officials who have engaged in particularly severe women's rights violations. Expresses the sense of Congress that transnational corporations operating overseas should adopt codes of conduct upholding the rights of their female employees.

international women freedom act establishes department_of_state office international women rights headed ambassador large international women rights directs secretary state establish women rights internet site maintain prisoner lists issue briefs women rights concerns amends foreign_service act include instruction internationally recognized rights women aspects violations women rights foreign_service officer training establishes united_states_commission international women rights terminates commission years date initial appointment members amends national security act express sense congress national_security_council staff special adviser president international women rights directs president specified actions response women rights violations including actions response particularly severe rights violations provides prohibition economic multilateral military export assistance instances particularly severe women rights violations provides promotion women rights provides women rights related training respect refugee asylum consular matters amends immigration_and_nationality_act provide inadmissibility foreign government officials engaged particularly severe women rights violations expresses sense congress transnational corporations operating overseas adopt codes conduct rights female employees


Summary: Eradication of Slavery in Sudan Act of 2007 - Establishes the United States Commission to Monitor Slavery and its Eradication in Sudan, which shall have as its primary responsibility: (1) reporting on progress made by the government of Sudan and nongovernmental organizations in identifying the location of slaves in Sudan and ensuring their freedom; (2) working with the government of Sudan to ensure safe passage of freed slaves and family reunification; (3) documenting existing cases of slavery and working to prevent new cases from occurring; (4) ensuring that former slaves have access to basic education and skill training, as well as medical, social, and psychological support needed for their rehabilitation and reintegration into society; (5) ensuring that those individuals responsible for slavery are brought to justice; and (6) recommending U.S. government actions in response to the Sudanese government's inaction to eradicate slavery. Terminates the Commission six years after the initial appointment of all of the members.

eradication slavery sudan act establishes united_states_commission monitor slavery eradication sudan shall primary responsibility reporting progress government sudan nongovernmental organizations identifying location sudan ensuring freedom working government sudan ensure safe passage family reunification documenting existing cases slavery working prevent new cases occurring ensuring access basic education skill training medical social psychological support needed rehabilitation reintegration society ensuring individuals responsible slavery brought justice recommending government actions response sudanese government inaction eradicate slavery terminates commission years initial appointment members


Summary: American Anti-Torture Act of 2007 - Amends the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 to prohibit any person in the custody or control of the United States (under current law, the Department of Defense) from being subject to any treatment or technique of interrogation not authorized by and listed in the U.S. Army Field Manual on Intelligence Interrogation. Makes such prohibition inapplicable with respect to any person in the custody or control of the United States (under current law, the Department of Defense) pursuant to a U.S. criminal or immigration law.

american anti torture act amends detainee_treatment_act prohibit person custody control united_states current law department_of_defense subject treatment technique interrogation authorized listed army field manual intelligence interrogation makes prohibition inapplicable respect person custody control united_states current law department_of_defense pursuant criminal immigration law


Summary: Amends the Detainee Treatment Act of 2005 and the federal criminal code to include waterboarding (simulated drowning) within the definitions of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, and torture. Includes individuals under the custody or physical control of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) within the protection against cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the government.

amends detainee_treatment_act federal criminal code include simulated definitions cruel inhuman degrading treatment punishment torture includes individuals custody physical control central_intelligence_agency cia protection cruel inhuman degrading treatment punishment government


Summary: North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to the resettlement of North Korean refugees. Amends the North Korean Human Rights Act of 2004 to authorize appropriations through FY2012 for: (1) activities to support human rights and democracy and freedom of information (by increasing the availability of non-government controlled sources) in North Korea; and (2) assistance to North Koreans who are outside North Korea. Directs the Broadcasting Board of Governors to report respecting U.S. broadcasting to North Korea and the extent to which the Board has achieved the goal of 12-hour-per-day broadcasting to North Korea. States that the Special Envoy on North Korean human rights issues (as renamed by this Act) in North Korea shall have the rank of ambassador. Extends the Special Envoy's annual congressional reporting requirement through FY2012. Extends the United States Agency for International Development's (USAID) congressional reporting requirement respecting U.S. humanitarian assistance to North Koreans and efforts to improve transparency and monitoring in the provision of such assistance inside North Korea through 2012. Sets forth specified reporting provisions.

north korean human rights reauthorization act expresses sense congress respect resettlement north korean refugees amends north_korean_human_rights_act authorize appropriations fy2012 activities support human rights democracy freedom information increasing availability non government controlled sources north_korea assistance north outside north_korea directs broadcasting_board_of_governors report respecting broadcasting north_korea extent board achieved goal hour day broadcasting north_korea states special envoy north korean human rights issues renamed act north_korea shall rank ambassador extends special envoy annual congressional reporting requirement fy2012 extends united_states_agency international_development usaid congressional reporting requirement respecting humanitarian assistance north efforts improve transparency monitoring provision assistance inside north_korea sets forth specified reporting provisions


Summary: International Violence Against Women Act of 2008 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to establish in the Department of State the Office of Women's Global Initiatives (which shall replace the Office of International Women's Issues) to coordinate U.S. government efforts respecting international women's issues. Establishes within the Department an Advisory Commission on International Violence Against Women. Directs the President to develop a comprehensive strategy to prevent violence against women and girls. Directs the Coordinator of the Women's Global Initiatives to ensure that foreign assistance programs incorporate measures to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. Provides that U.S. training of foreign military and police forces incorporates training on prevention of violence against women and girls. Directs the Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to assist programs that prevent and respond to violence against women and girls in all humanitarian relief, conflict, and post-conflict operations. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) encourage U.N. member states to expand the number of female members of U.N. peacekeeping missions; and (2) take emergency measures to respond to violence against women and girls during conflict or post-conflict operations. Expresses the sense of Congress that the United Nations should strengthen its ability to prevent violence against women and girls by U.N. military and civilian personnel. Provides that Foreign Service training include instruction on prevention of violence against women and girls. Authorizes appropriations to support the United Nations Development Fund for Women Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence Against Women.

international violence_against_women_act amends foreign assistance_act establish department_of_state office women global initiatives shall replace office international women issues coordinate government efforts respecting international women issues establishes department advisory commission international violence women directs president develop comprehensive strategy prevent violence women girls directs coordinator women global initiatives ensure foreign assistance programs incorporate measures prevent respond violence women girls provides training foreign military police forces incorporates training prevention violence women girls directs department united_states_agency international_development usaid assist programs prevent respond violence women girls humanitarian relief conflict post conflict operations directs secretary state encourage member states expand number female members peacekeeping missions emergency measures respond violence women girls conflict post conflict operations expresses sense congress united_nations strengthen ability prevent violence women girls military civilian personnel provides foreign_service training include instruction prevention violence women girls authorizes appropriations support united_nations development fund women trust_fund support actions eliminate violence women


Summary: Human Rights Commission Act of 2007 [sic] - Establishes the Human Rights Commission which shall monitor U.S. compliance with all international human rights treaties to which the United States is a party (including treaties to which the United States becomes a party after the date of the enactment of this Act).

human rights commission act sic establishes human rights commission shall monitor compliance international human rights treaties united_states party including treaties united_states party date enactment act


Summary: International Child Abduction Progress Reports Act - Directs the Secretary of State to report annually to Congress on progress made by the United States in negotiating and entering into bilateral treaties (or other international agreements) relating to international child abduction with countries that are not parties to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to include information on efforts to prohibit international child abduction in the annual human rights and security assistance reports to Congress. Directs the Attorney General to report annually to Congress respecting each case involving a request for extradition to the United States of an individual alleged to have violated international parental kidnapping provisions. Authorizes appropriations for extraditing individuals from foreign countries to the United States for violations of U.S. laws by unlawfully removing a child from the child's custodial parent.

international child abduction progress reports act_-_directs secretary state report annually congress progress united_states negotiating entering bilateral treaties international agreements relating international child abduction countries parties hague_convention civil aspects international child abduction amends foreign assistance_act include information efforts prohibit international child abduction annual human rights security assistance reports congress directs attorney general report annually congress respecting case involving request extradition united_states individual alleged violated international parental kidnapping provisions authorizes appropriations individuals foreign countries united_states violations laws unlawfully removing child child custodial parent


Summary: Avena Case Implementation Act of 2008 - Authorizes a person whose rights are infringed by a nonforeign governmental authority's violation of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and the Optional Protocol to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations to bring a civil action to obtain: (1) declaratory or equitable relief; and (2) in any case where the plaintiff is convicted of a criminal offense where the violation occurs during and in relation to the investigation or prosecution of the offense, any relief required to remedy the harm done by the violation, including vitiation of conviction or sentence.

case implementation act authorizes person rights infringed governmental authority violation vienna convention consular relations optional protocol vienna convention consular relations bring civil action obtain declaratory equitable relief case plaintiff convicted criminal offense violation occurs relation investigation prosecution offense relief required remedy harm violation including conviction sentence


Summary: States that: (1) it shall be U.S. policy that the President and the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations work with the international community to increase political and financial support for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to prevent and resolve problems related to de jure and de facto statelessness and to promote the rights of de jure or de facto stateless persons; (2) the President shall make prevention and reduction of de jure or de facto statelessness an important goal of U.S. foreign policy and human rights efforts; and (3) it shall be U.S. policy to comply with the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. Directs the Secretary of State to increase staff and resources in the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration to work toward the prevention and resolution of de jure and de facto statelessness and the protection of de jure or de facto stateless persons.

states shall policy president permanent representative united_states united_nations work international community increase political financial support office united_nations high commissioner refugees prevent resolve problems related jure facto promote rights jure facto stateless persons president shall prevention reduction jure facto important goal foreign policy human rights efforts shall policy comply convention relating status stateless persons convention reduction directs secretary state increase staff resources bureau population refugees migration work prevention resolution jure facto protection jure facto stateless persons


Summary: SIMPLE Cafeteria Plan Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish a new employee benefit cafeteria plan to be known as a Simple Cafeteria Plan. Defines "Simple Cafeteria Plan" as a cafeteria plan which: (1) is established and maintained by an employer with an average of 100 or fewer employees during a two-year period; (2) requires employers to make contributions or match employee contributions to the plan; (3) requires participating employees to have at least 1,000 hours of service for the preceding plan year and allows such employees to elect any benefit available under the plan; (4) permits participation by self-employed individuals; and (5) includes long-term care insurance as an qualified benefit. Exempts employers who make contributions for employees under a simple cafeteria plans from pension plan nondiscrimination requirements applicable to highly compensated and key employees. Modifies rules applicable to employee benefit flexible spending arrangements, including health and dependent care arrangements, to permit participants to make or modify elections regarding covered benefits and to carry over up to $500 (indexed for inflation) of unused benefits to the succeeding year or transfer such unused amounts to another plan, including an individual retirement plan or a health savings account. Allows an exclusion from the gross income of an employee of up to $7,500 ($10,000 for employees with one or more dependents) for employer contributions to a flexible spending arrangement. Provides for a cost-of-living adjustment to such exclusion amounts beginning in calendar year 2007.

simple cafeteria plan act amends_the_internal_revenue_code establish new employee benefit cafeteria plan known simple cafeteria plan defines simple cafeteria plan cafeteria plan established maintained employer average fewer employees year period requires employers contributions match employee contributions plan requires participating employees hours service preceding plan year allows employees elect benefit available plan permits participation self employed individuals includes long-term_care insurance qualified benefit exempts employers contributions employees simple cafeteria plans pension plan nondiscrimination requirements applicable highly compensated key employees modifies rules applicable employee benefit flexible spending arrangements including health dependent care arrangements permit participants modify elections covered benefits carry indexed inflation unused benefits succeeding year transfer unused amounts plan including individual retirement plan health savings account allows exclusion gross income employee employees dependents employer contributions flexible spending arrangement provides cost living adjustment exclusion amounts beginning calendar year