Summary:
Care Planning Act of 2015

 Amends titles XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to cover advanced illness planning and coordination services furnished to an eligible individual with progressive illness, including Alzheimer's disease, by a hospice or other provider through an interdisciplinary team.

Amends SSAct title XI with respect to the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation and its selection for Phase I testing of innovative payment and service delivery models to reduce Medicare and Medicaid expenditures while preserving or enhancing the quality of care. Adds a model for payments to providers that furnish advanced illness care coordination services to eligible individuals who are entitled to, or enrolled for, benefits under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) and enrolled under part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance), but not enrolled under Medicare part C (Medicare+Choice).

Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services, in awarding grants, contracts, or agreements under provisions for quality measure development, to give priority to the development of quality measures that allow the assessment of various specified factors including the effectiveness, patient-centeredness (and, where relevant, family caregiver-centeredness), and accuracy of care plans, including documentation of individual goals, preferences, and values.

Amends SSAct title XVIII (Medicare) to require inclusion of information on advanced care planning materials in the "Medicare and You Handbook."

Revises requirements for the use under Medicare of advanced directives, portable treatment orders, and other treatment directions from an individual or legally authorized representative.

Amends the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 with respect to advanced directives.

Establishes additional requirements under Medicare for hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and hospice programs with respect to completion before discharge of care plan documentation.

Authorizes the Secretary to award grants to certain entities to:

 develop online training modules, decision support tools, and instructional materials for individuals, family caregivers, and health care providers; establish a website and telephone hotline to disseminate such resources and any materials designed by the HHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships for faith communities; and conduct a national public education campaign to raise public awareness of advance care planning and advanced illness care.

care planning act amends titles xviii medicare social_security_act ssact cover advanced illness planning coordination services furnished eligible individual progressive illness including alzheimer disease hospice provider interdisciplinary team amends ssact title respect center medicare medicaid_innovation selection phase testing innovative payment service delivery models reduce medicare medicaid expenditures preserving enhancing quality care adds model payments providers furnish advanced illness care coordination services eligible individuals entitled enrolled benefits medicare hospital insurance enrolled supplementary_medical_insurance enrolled medicare amends public_health_service_act require department_of_health_and_human_services awarding grants contracts agreements provisions quality measure development priority development quality measures allow assessment specified factors including effectiveness patient relevant family caregiver accuracy care plans including documentation individual goals preferences values amends ssact title xviii medicare require inclusion information advanced care planning materials medicare handbook revises requirements use medicare advanced directives portable treatment orders treatment directions individual legally authorized representative amends assisted suicide funding restriction act respect advanced directives establishes additional requirements medicare hospitals skilled nursing facilities home health agencies hospice programs respect completion discharge care plan documentation authorizes secretary award grants certain entities develop online training modules decision support tools instructional materials individuals family caregivers health_care providers establish website telephone hotline disseminate resources materials designed hhs center faith based neighborhood partnerships faith communities conduct national public education campaign raise public awareness advance care planning advanced illness care


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of Senate passed version is repeated here.)

Amends the Construction Authorization and Choice Improvement Act to remove the FY2015 limitation on, and increase the amount authorized for, the replacement of the existing Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver, Colorado.

(Sec. 2) Authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to transfer specified amounts of the unobligated balances available to the VA for FY2015 from the following appropriations accounts to the Construction, Major Projects account to carry out the major medical facility construction project in Denver:

 Medical Services, to be derived from amounts available for the Human Capital Investment Plan; Medical Support and Compliance, to be derived from amounts available for such Plan; Medical Facilities, to be derived from amounts available for green energy projects of the VA and human capital investment plans; National Cemetery Administration, to be derived from amounts available for such Plan; General Administration, to be derived from amounts available for the Office of the Secretary; General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration, to be derived from amounts available for such Plan; Information Technology Systems, to be derived from amounts available for such Plan; and Construction, Minor Projects, to be derived from amounts available for minor construction projects at the staff offices of the VA. Authorizes the VA to transfer specified amounts of the unobligated balances available in the VA's revolving supply fund and in the VA's Franchise Fund to the Construction, Major Projects account to carry out the Denver project.

Requires funds transferred under this Act to remain available until September 30, 2016.

measure amended introduced expanded summary senate passed version repeated amends construction authorization choice improvement act remove fy2015 limitation increase authorized replacement existing department_of_veterans_affairs_medical_center denver colorado sec authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs transfer specified amounts unobligated balances available fy2015 following appropriations accounts construction major projects account carry major medical facility construction project denver medical services derived amounts available human capital investment plan medical support compliance derived amounts available plan medical facilities derived amounts available green energy projects human capital investment plans national_cemetery_administration derived amounts available plan general administration derived amounts available office_of_the_secretary general operating expenses veterans_benefits_administration derived amounts available plan information technology systems derived amounts available plan construction minor projects derived amounts available minor construction projects staff offices authorizes transfer specified amounts unobligated balances available revolving supply fund franchise fund construction major projects account carry denver project requires funds transferred act remain available september


Summary:
Puerto Rico Hospital HITECH Amendments Act of 2015

Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to apply Medicare HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act) payments to subsection (d) hospitals in Puerto Rico to allow them to qualify for incentives for adoption and meaningful use of certified electronic health record Technology.

(Generally, a subsection [d] hospital is an acute care hospital, particularly one that receives payments under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system when providing covered inpatient services to eligible beneficiaries.)

puerto_rico hospital amendments act amends title xviii medicare social_security_act apply medicare health information technology economic clinical health act payments subsection hospitals puerto_rico allow qualify incentives adoption meaningful use certified electronic health record technology generally subsection hospital acute care hospital particularly receives payments medicare inpatient prospective payment system providing covered inpatient services eligible beneficiaries


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

Rural Health Care Connectivity Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to include skilled nursing facilities among the types of health care providers that may request from a telecommunications carrier under the Universal Service Fund the necessary telecommunications and information services to serve persons who reside in rural areas at rates that are reasonably comparable to rates charged for similar services in urban areas.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure rural health_care connectivity act sec bill amends communications act include skilled nursing facilities types health_care providers request telecommunications carrier universal service fund necessary telecommunications information services serve persons reside rural areas rates reasonably comparable rates charged similar services urban areas


Summary:
Ambulatory Surgical Center Quality and Access Act of 2015

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) require the payment system for ambulatory surgical center (ASC) services to feature certain positive annual adjustments equivalent to those made with respect to hospital outpatient department (OPD) services; (2) revise quality reporting requirements to permit publicly available, side-by-side comparisons of quality measures for ASCs and OPDs in the same geographic area; and (3) require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), when excluding requested procedures from the list of those approved to be performed in ASCs, to cite specified reasons for doing so.

With respect to excluding procedures from the approved list for ASCs, HHS may not cite as a basis for exclusion that a procedure can only be reported using an unlisted surgical procedure code. (Physicians sometimes use unlisted codes when performing new procedures or services if no existing code is adequately descriptive.)

ambulatory surgical center quality access act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act require payment system ambulatory surgical center services feature certain positive annual adjustments equivalent respect hospital outpatient department opd services revise quality reporting requirements permit publicly available comparisons quality measures geographic area require department_of_health_and_human_services hhs excluding requested procedures list approved performed cite specified reasons respect excluding procedures approved list hhs cite basis exclusion procedure reported surgical procedure code physicians use codes performing new procedures services existing code adequately descriptive


Summary:
Preserving Patient Access to Post-Acute Hospital Care Act of 2015

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to delay by two additional years the application of negative payment adjustments under the "25-percent rule" to certain long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) and satellite facilities. This rule reduces payments to a long-term care facility that admits proportionately more patients from any single hospital.

The bill also continues for two additional years the moratorium, for the purposes of Medicare, on establishing new LTCHs or increasing LTCH beds.

preserving patient access post acute hospital care act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act delay additional years application negative payment adjustments percent rule certain long-term_care hospitals ltchs satellite facilities rule reduces payments long-term_care facility proportionately patients single hospital bill continues additional years moratorium purposes medicare establishing new ltchs increasing ltch beds


Summary:
Securing Care for Seniors Act of 2015

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to periodically revise the Medicare Advantage (MA) risk adjustment system, such that an individual's risk score takes into account the number of chronic conditions with which the individual has been diagnosed.

In addition, CMS must evaluate the impacts to the system of: (1) using two years of data, (2) removing diagnostic codes related to chronic kidney disease, and (3) modifying the use of encounter data (information on services furnished to MA enrollees). If CMS subsequently determines that any of these revisions would better reflect the population served, CMS shall make such revisions. Before doing so, however, CMS must: (1) ensure that the changes do not prevent an MA organization from performing activities that are consistent with national health policy goals, and (2) provide an opportunity for review and public comment.

securing care seniors act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act require centers medicare medicaid_services cms periodically revise medicare_advantage risk adjustment system individual risk score takes account number chronic conditions individual diagnosed addition cms evaluate impacts system years data removing diagnostic codes related chronic kidney disease modifying use encounter data information services furnished enrollees cms subsequently determines revisions better reflect population served cms shall revisions cms ensure changes prevent organization performing activities consistent national health policy goals provide opportunity review public comment


Summary: This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow adminstrative or judicial review of additional Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment determinations for acute care hospitals known as subsection (d) hospitals. Under current law, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid must make DSH payments to qualifying hospitals that treat a disproportionate share of low-income patients.

bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act allow judicial review additional medicare disproportionate share hospital dsh payment determinations acute care hospitals known subsection hospitals current law centers medicare medicaid dsh payments qualifying hospitals treat disproportionate share low income patients


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

Rural ACO Provider Equity Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish additional requirements for assigning Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries to accountable care organizations (ACOs) under the Medicare shared savings program. (The program enables ACOs to receive payments for savings stemming from care coordination and management.)

Specifically, the bill requires the basis for assignment to reflect beneficiaries' utilization of not only primary care services provided by ACO physicians, but also those furnished in federally qualified health centers or rural health clinics.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure rural aco provider equity act sec bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act establish additional requirements assigning medicare fee service beneficiaries accountable care organizations medicare shared savings program program enables receive payments savings stemming care coordination management specifically bill requires basis assignment reflect beneficiaries utilization primary care services provided aco physicians furnished federally qualified health centers rural health clinics


Summary:
Promoting Responsible Opioid Prescribing Act of 2016 or the PROP Act of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to exclude certain pain-related measures for purposes of calculating incentive payments under the value-based purchasing program (VBP). (VBP is a program that links hospital payments to the quality of care provided.)

Specifically, VPB measures shall not include measures based on a patient's assessment of: (1) the patient's need for pain medicine during a hospital stay; (2) how often, during the stay, the patient's pain was well controlled; or (3) how often, during the stay, hospital staff did everything they could to help manage the patient's pain.

promoting responsible opioid prescribing act act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act exclude certain pain related measures purposes calculating incentive payments value based purchasing program program links hospital payments quality care provided specifically measures shall include measures based patient assessment patient need pain medicine hospital stay stay patient pain controlled stay hospital staff help manage patient pain


Summary:
Fair Medicare Hospital Payments Act of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to establish, with respect to hospitals not located in a frontier state, a floor on the area wage adjustment factor for hospital inpatient and outpatient services covered under Medicare. (Such a floor already applies with respect to hospitals located in frontier states.)

fair medicare hospital payments act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act establish respect hospitals located frontier state floor area wage adjustment factor hospital inpatient outpatient services covered medicare floor applies respect hospitals located frontier states


Summary:
Veterans Choice Program Resolution Act

This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to direct the Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to select from among employees of the Office of Inspector General a Choice Program Ombudsman to manage complaints about program hospital care and medical services.

The VA shall publish on publicly available Internet websites of the VA and the Office of Inspector General information regarding the process for submitting a complaint to the Ombudsman.

veterans_choice_program resolution act bill amends veterans access choice accountability_act direct inspector_general department_of_veterans_affairs select employees office_of_inspector_general choice program ombudsman manage complaints program hospital care medical services shall publish publicly available internet websites office_of_inspector_general information process submitting complaint ombudsman


Summary:
Care Veterans Deserve Act of 2016

This bill amends the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 to make the Veterans Choice Program permanent.

Program eligibility is expanded to include all veterans who are enrolled in the annual patient enrollment system under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital care and medical services program.

The VA shall provide information about the availability of Program care and services to veterans who are new to, or already enrolled, in the system.

The VA shall contract with a national chain of walk-in clinics to provide hospital care and medical services in such clinics to veterans who are in the annual patient enrollment system. A veteran shall not be required to: (1) obtain pre-authorization for such care, or (2) pay a copayment to the clinic or to the VA.

Such national chain shall establish an automated system to provide the VA with weekly information on veterans receiving hospital care or medical services.

A covered health care professional may practice his or her health care profession at any location in any state, regardless of where such health care professional or the patient is located, if the health care professional is using telemedicine to treat an individual. Such treatment is permitted regardless of whether the professional or patient is located in a federally-owned facility.

"Covered health care professional" means a health care professional who is: (1) authorized by the VA to provide health care, including a private health care professional who provides such care under a VA contract or agreement; and (2) licensed, registered, or certified in a state to practice his or her health care profession.

The VA shall:

 extend the operating hours for each VA pharmacy to include weekday evenings until 8:00 p.m., weekends, and federal holidays; and contract with qualifying physicians and nurses to work at VA medical facilities during nights and weekends. The VA may: (1) hire support staff in connection with such extended operating hours, and (2) provide for a nongovernmental hospital organization best-practices peer review of each VA medical center.

care veterans deserve act bill amends veterans access choice accountability_act veterans_choice_program permanent program eligibility expanded include veterans enrolled annual patient enrollment system department_of_veterans_affairs hospital care medical services program shall provide information availability program care services veterans new enrolled system shall contract national chain walk clinics provide hospital care medical services clinics veterans annual patient enrollment system veteran shall required obtain pre authorization care pay copayment clinic national chain shall establish automated system provide weekly information veterans receiving hospital care medical services covered health_care professional practice health_care profession location state regardless health_care professional patient located health_care professional telemedicine treat individual treatment permitted regardless professional patient located federally owned facility covered health_care professional means health_care professional authorized provide health_care including private health_care professional provides care contract agreement licensed registered certified state practice health_care profession shall extend operating hours pharmacy include weekends federal holidays contract qualifying physicians nurses work medical facilities weekends hire support staff connection extended operating hours provide nongovernmental hospital organization best practices peer_review medical center


Summary:
Requiring Accountability and Inspections for Dining Service Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide for annual inspections to ensure that VA medical facility kitchens and food service areas meet private hospital kitchen and food service area standards.

The VA shall seek to enter into an agreement with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations to conduct such inspections. If the VA is unable to enter into an agreement with the Commission, the VA shall seek such an agreement with a non-federal, not-for-profit entity with comparable expertise and objectivity.

If a VA facility kitchen or food service area fails such inspection, the VA shall implement a remediation plan within 48 hours and conduct a second inspection within 7 days. A facility kitchen or food service area that fails the second inspection shall be closed until: (1) remediation is completed, and (2) all kitchens and food service areas at that facility meet the standards.

The Veterans Integrated Service Network of a facility in which a kitchen or food service area is closed shall enter into a food service contract with a General Services Administration-approved vendor to provide food at such facility.

requiring accountability inspections service act bill directs department_of_veterans_affairs provide annual inspections ensure medical facility food service areas meet private hospital kitchen food service area standards shall seek enter agreement joint commission accreditation hospital organizations conduct inspections unable enter agreement commission shall seek agreement non federal profit entity comparable expertise objectivity facility kitchen food service area fails inspection shall implement remediation plan hours conduct second inspection days facility kitchen food service area fails second inspection shall closed remediation completed food service areas facility meet standards veterans_integrated_service_network facility kitchen food service area closed shall enter food service contract general_services_administration approved vendor provide food facility


Summary: This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to continue to instruct Medicare contractors not to enforce requirements for direct physician supervision of outpatient therapeutic services in critical access and small rural hospitals through 2016.

bill requires department_of_health_and_human_services continue instruct medicare contractors enforce requirements direct physician supervision outpatient therapeutic services critical access small rural hospitals


Summary:
EHR Regulatory Relief Act

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to:

 establish a 90-day reporting period with respect to determining whether an eligible professional or hospital is a meaningful electronic health record (EHR) user, allow the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to determine that an eligible professional or hospital is a meaningful EHR user if the professional or hospital meets a specified percentage of the applicable measures established by CMS, and extend the applicability of the hardship exception with respect to meaningful EHR use.

ehr regulatory relief_act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act establish day reporting period respect determining eligible professional hospital meaningful electronic health record ehr user allow centers medicare medicaid_services cms determine eligible professional hospital meaningful ehr user professional hospital meets specified percentage applicable measures established cms extend applicability hardship exception respect meaningful ehr use


Summary:
Fairness for Our Hospitals Act of 2016

This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to allow a hospital that meets specified criteria and is located in a state with no rural areas to be considered a Medicare-dependent hospital. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shall establish and implement a process for reimbursing impacted hospitals for any underpayments resulting from this bill's implementation.

fairness hospitals act bill amends title xviii medicare social_security_act allow hospital meets specified criteria located state rural areas considered medicare dependent hospital centers medicare medicaid_services shall establish implement process reimbursing impacted hospitals underpayments resulting bill implementation


Summary:
Reaching Underserved Rural Areas to Lead on Telehealth Act

This bill directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to remove regulatory limitations on the reimbursement amounts that certain large non-rural hospitals may receive for universal service support from the Healthcare Connect Fund, which provides support for high-capacity broadband connectivity to eligible health care providers.

The FCC must allow an eligible non-rural health care provider to receive universal service support if: (1) the majority of locations it serves are in rural areas, and (2) the provider serves as a consortium leader of a group of health care provider sites that request support through a single application.

reaching underserved rural areas lead telehealth act bill directs federal_communications_commission fcc remove regulatory limitations reimbursement amounts certain large non rural hospitals receive universal service support healthcare connect fund provides support high capacity broadband connectivity eligible health_care providers fcc allow eligible non rural health_care provider receive universal service support majority locations serves rural areas provider serves consortium leader group health_care provider sites request support single application


Summary:
Providing Veterans Overdue Care Act of 2016

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out major medical facility leases in specified amounts for:

 outpatient clinics in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Daytona Beach, Gainesville, and Ocala, Florida; Hampton Roads, Virginia; Missoula, Montana; Northern Colorado, Colorado; Oxnard and Santa Rosa, California; Pike County, Georgia; Portland, Maine; and Raleigh, North Carolina; an outpatient mental health clinic and an outpatient specialty clinic in Birmingham, Alabama; research space in Boston, Massachusetts; Charleston, South Carolina; and Mission Bay, California; Chief Business Office Purchased Care office space in Denver, Colorado; and replacement outpatient clinics in Corpus Christi, Texas; Jacksonville and Tampa, Florida; Pontiac, Michigan; Rochester, New York (phase II); and Terre Haute, Indiana.

providing veterans overdue care act bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs carry major medical facility leases specified amounts outpatient clinics michigan beach gainesville florida roads virginia montana northern colorado colorado santa rosa california county georgia portland maine north_carolina outpatient mental health clinic outpatient specialty clinic alabama research space boston massachusetts charleston south_carolina mission bay california chief business office purchased care office space denver colorado replacement outpatient clinics corpus texas florida michigan rochester new_york phase_ii indiana


Summary:
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to carry out major medical facility projects that consist of:

 seismic, life safety, and utilities upgrades and expansion of clinical services in Reno, Nevada; and seismic corrections to the mental health and community living center in Long Beach, California. The bill authorizes appropriations for such projects, subject to specified fund limitations.

bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs carry major medical facility projects consist seismic life safety utilities upgrades expansion clinical services reno nevada seismic corrections mental health community living center long_beach california bill authorizes appropriations projects subject specified fund limitations


Summary:
VA Best-Practices Peer Review Act of 2016

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide for the conduct by a nongovernmental hospital organization of a best-practices peer review of each VA medical center to evaluate the efficacy of health care delivered at each such center.

The VA must give priority for such review to the VA centers with the longest wait times for an appointment or the worst health outcomes.

best practices peer_review act bill authorizes department_of_veterans_affairs provide conduct nongovernmental hospital organization best practices peer_review medical center evaluate efficacy health_care delivered center priority review centers wait times appointment worst health outcomes


Summary: Farm Programs Payment Limitation Integrity Act - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate regulations to establish measurable standards to prevent the use of separate entities to exceed commodity payment limitations and to provide payments only to active farmers. Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to provide that if the Secretary determines that a person has committed fraud in connection with the adoption of a scheme or device to evade payment limitations such person shall be ineligible for farm program payments in the crop year for which the scheme or device was adopted and the succeeding five crop years.

farm programs payment limitation integrity act_-_directs secretary agriculture promulgate regulations establish measurable standards prevent use separate entities exceed commodity payment limitations provide payments active farmers amends food security act provide secretary determines person committed fraud connection adoption scheme device evade payment limitations person shall ineligible farm program payments crop year scheme device adopted succeeding crop years


Summary: Life Insurance Employee Notification Act - Requires an employer to notify an employee in writing upon the purchase of an employer-owned insurance policy on the life of such employee for a beneficiary other than the individual who is the subject of the policy.Declares that violation of this Act constitutes an unfair method of competition and an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

life insurance employee notification act_-_requires employer notify employee writing purchase employer owned insurance policy life employee beneficiary individual subject policy declares violation act constitutes unfair method competition unfair deceptive act practice federal_trade_commission_act


Summary: Seasoned Customer CTR Exemption Act of 2007 - Amends federal money and finance law to: (1) repeal the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to exempt a depository institution from currency transaction reporting (CTR) requirements with respect to transactions between the depository institution and a qualified business customer; and (2) instruct the Secretary to prescribe regulations that exempt a depository institution from filing a CTR if the transaction is with a qualified customer. Defines qualified customer as any person that: (1) is incorporated or organized under federal or state law, including a sole proprietorship, or is registered as and eligible to do business within the United States or a state; (2) has maintained a deposit account with the depository institution for at least 12 months; and (3) has engaged, using such account, in multiple currency transactions subject to federal CTR requirements. Requires such regulations to require a depository institution to file a one-time notice of designation of exemption for each of its qualified customers. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) suspend, reject, or revoke any qualified customer exemption notice; and (2) establish conditions under which exempt qualified customers of an insured depository institution merged with or acquired by another insured depository institution will continue to be treated as designated exempt qualified customers of the surviving or acquiring institution. Requires the Secretary to submit a three-year review and report evaluating implementation of this Act. Requires the Secretary to review every five years: (1) the continuing appropriateness, relevance, and utility of each threshold amount or denomination established for any mandatory CTR; (2) adjust such amount for inflation, if any; and (3) report to Congress the review findings and conclusions, together with an explanation for any adjustment, or lack of adjustment, of any threshold amount or denomination.

customer ctr exemption act amends federal money finance law repeal authority secretary treasury exempt depository institution currency transaction reporting ctr requirements respect transactions depository institution qualified business customer instruct secretary prescribe regulations exempt depository institution filing ctr transaction qualified customer defines qualified customer person incorporated organized federal state law including sole proprietorship registered eligible business united_states state maintained deposit account depository institution months engaged account multiple currency transactions subject federal ctr requirements requires regulations require depository institution file time notice designation exemption qualified customers authorizes secretary suspend reject revoke qualified customer exemption notice establish conditions exempt qualified customers insured depository institution merged acquired insured depository institution continue treated designated exempt qualified customers surviving acquiring institution requires secretary submit year review report evaluating implementation act requires secretary review years continuing appropriateness relevance utility threshold denomination established mandatory ctr adjust inflation report congress review findings conclusions explanation adjustment lack adjustment threshold denomination


Summary: Prevent Unfair Manipulation of Prices Act of 2007 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to extend its jurisdiction to certain: (1) "included energy transactions" traded on an electronic trading facility; and (2) certain energy commodities involved in over-the-counter transactions. Sets forth reporting and recordkeeping requirements for: (1) certain contract participants that enter into or execute "included energy transactions;" and (2) electronic trading facilities for energy commodities. Extends prohibitions against fraudulent transactions to: (1) filling an order by offset against the other person's order; and (2) knowingly and willfully becoming the buyer in respect to another person's selling order, or the seller in respect to another person's buying order, without the other person's prior consent. Empowers the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to impose civil and criminal penalties for price manipulation and other violations of such Act.

prevent unfair manipulation prices act amends commodity_exchange_act extend jurisdiction certain included energy transactions traded electronic trading facility certain energy commodities involved counter transactions sets forth reporting recordkeeping requirements certain contract participants enter execute included energy transactions electronic trading facilities energy commodities extends prohibitions fraudulent transactions filling order offset person order knowingly willfully buyer respect person selling order seller respect person buying order person prior consent empowers commodity_futures_trading_commission impose civil criminal penalties price manipulation violations act


Summary: Promoting Transparency in Financial Reporting Act of 2007 - Requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to provide oral testimony by their respective Chairpersons (or a designee), beginning in 2007, and annually for five years, to the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives on their efforts to reduce the complexity in financial reporting to provide more accurate and clear financial information to investors.

promoting transparency financial reporting act requires securities_and_exchange_commission sec financial accounting standards board public_company_accounting_oversight_board provide oral testimony respective chairpersons designee beginning annually years committee financial_services house_of_representatives efforts reduce complexity financial reporting provide accurate clear financial information investors


Summary: Tax Snooping Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to double the dollar amount of civil damages available and the criminal fines for unauthorized inspection or disclosure of tax returns and return information.Amends the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 to require the firing of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees who violate IRS policy on unauthorized inspection of tax returns or return information.

tax prevention act amends_the_internal_revenue_code double dollar civil damages available criminal fines unauthorized inspection disclosure tax returns return information amends internal_revenue_service_restructuring reform_act require firing internal_revenue_service irs employees violate irs policy unauthorized inspection tax returns return information


Summary: Simplification Through Additional Reporting Tax Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to include within the reporting requirements of investment brokers the adjusted basis of any security owned by customers of such brokers.

simplification additional reporting tax act amends_the_internal_revenue_code include reporting requirements investment brokers adjusted basis security owned customers brokers


Summary: Amend Misinterpreted Excessive Regulation In Corporate America Act - Amends the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to direct the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to appoint an ombudsman to act as a liaison between the Board and any registered public accounting firm or issuer regarding: (1) issues or disputes concerning the preparation or issuance of any audit report with respect to that issuer; and (2) problems resulting from Board regulatory activities, particularly implementation of management assessment of internal controls. Revises requirements governing appointment of Board members. Provides for Presidential appointment of Board members, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. Declares that Congress reserves the authority to establish periodic limits upon the amount of fees which may be collected on behalf of the Board. Instructs the Securities and Exchange Commission to: (1) adopt revisions to its rules regarding management's assessment of an issuer's internal control structure and procedures; and (2) adopt a more risk-based statement on internal control reporting that focuses internal control review on financial controls having significant risk of failing to prevent financial damages that would be material to the issuer's financial statements. Instructs the Board to revise its standards for auditor attestation to and reporting on management's internal control assessment. Revises the requirement that each registered public accounting firm that prepares or issues the audit report for an issuer attest to the internal control assessment made by the issuer's management. Allows an issuer, in the alternative, to engage separately a different registered public accounting firm to attest to such assessment. (Current law prohibits such separate attestation engagements.) Prohibits any private right of action against a registered public accounting firm in any federal or state court on the basis of a violation or alleged violation of assessment requirements or standards issued by the Board for purposes of implementing the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

amend excessive regulation corporate america act_-_amends sarbanes-oxley_act direct public_company_accounting_oversight_board appoint ombudsman act liaison board registered public accounting firm issuer issues disputes concerning preparation issuance audit report respect issuer problems resulting board regulatory activities particularly implementation management assessment internal controls revises requirements governing appointment board members provides presidential appointment board members advice consent senate declares congress reserves authority establish periodic limits fees collected behalf board instructs securities_and_exchange_commission adopt revisions rules management assessment issuer internal control structure procedures adopt risk based statement internal control reporting focuses internal control review financial controls having significant risk failing prevent financial damages material issuer financial statements instructs board revise standards auditor attestation reporting management internal control assessment revises requirement registered public accounting firm prepares issues audit report issuer attest internal control assessment issuer management allows issuer alternative engage separately different registered public accounting firm attest assessment current law prohibits separate attestation prohibits private right action registered public accounting firm federal state court basis violation alleged violation assessment requirements standards issued board purposes implementing sarbanes-oxley_act


Summary: Money Market Fund Parity Act of 2007 - Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to revise, according to specified requirements, rules relating to net capital, custody and use of customers' securities, and certain underwritings to provide for: (1) treatment of securities issued by qualified money market funds comparable with the treatment under those rules of other low-risk securities and deposits; and (2) the expanded use of securities issued by qualified money market funds for financing by brokers and dealers.

money market fund parity act directs securities_and_exchange_commission revise according specified requirements rules relating net capital custody use customers securities certain provide treatment securities issued qualified money market funds comparable treatment rules low risk securities deposits expanded use securities issued qualified money market funds financing brokers dealers


Summary: Corporate Charitable Disclosure Act of 2007 - Amends the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 to require disclosure of: (1) corporate charitable contributions whose value exceeds what the issuer made during the previous year to any nonprofit organization of which a director, officer, or controlling person of the issuer (or a spouse) was a director or trustee (insider affiliated charity); (2) the name of such nonprofit organization and the value of the contribution; (3) the total value of contributions made by the issuer to nonprofit organizations during its previous fiscal year; and (4) the organization name and the value of contributions if the value to any one organization exceeds the amount designated by Securities and Exchange Commission rule.

corporate charitable disclosure act amends securities exchange act require disclosure corporate charitable contributions value exceeds issuer previous year nonprofit organization director officer controlling person issuer spouse director trustee insider affiliated charity nonprofit organization value contribution total value contributions issuer nonprofit organizations previous fiscal year organization value contributions value organization exceeds designated securities_and_exchange_commission rule


Summary: Shareholder Vote on Executive Compensation Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require a proxy, consent, or authorization for a shareholder meeting occurring on or after January 1, 2009, to permit a separate shareholder vote to approve executive compensation. States that such shareholder vote shall not be binding on the corporation or board of directors, nor construed: (1) as overruling a board decision; (2) to create or imply additional fiduciary duty by such board; (3) to restrict or limit shareholder ability to make proposals for inclusion in proxy materials related to executive compensation. Requires proxy solicitation material for a shareholder meeting occurring on or after January 1, 2009, concerning disposition of substantially all of an issuer's assets, to disclose compensation agreements or understandings with principal executive officers of either the issuer, or acquiring issuer, regarding (golden parachute) compensation which: (1) relates to such disposition; and (2) has not been subject to a shareholder vote. Provides that proxy solicitation material containing such executive compensation disclosures shall require a separate shareholder vote to approve such agreements or understandings. States such a shareholder vote shall not be binding on the corporation or the board of directors, nor construed: (1) as overruling a board decision; (2) to create or imply additional fiduciary duty by such board; (3) to constrain shareholder ability to make proposals for inclusion in proxy materials related to executive compensation.

shareholder vote executive compensation act_-_amends securities_exchange_act require proxy consent authorization shareholder meeting occurring january permit separate shareholder vote approve executive compensation states shareholder vote shall binding corporation board_of_directors construed board decision create imply additional fiduciary duty board restrict limit shareholder ability proposals inclusion proxy materials related executive compensation requires proxy solicitation material shareholder meeting occurring january concerning disposition substantially issuer assets disclose compensation agreements principal executive officers issuer acquiring issuer golden parachute compensation relates disposition subject shareholder vote provides proxy solicitation material containing executive compensation disclosures shall require separate shareholder vote approve agreements states shareholder vote shall binding corporation board_of_directors construed board decision create imply additional fiduciary duty board constrain shareholder ability proposals inclusion proxy materials related executive compensation


Summary: Honest Income Disclosure Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to instruct the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to issue revised regulations requiring certain mandatory annual reports to include the income reported by the issuer to the Internal Revenue Service for the most recent taxable year, presented in a prominent location and in a manner that permits a ready comparison of such income to income otherwise required to be included. Requires such information to be: (1) suitable for entry into the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system (EDGAR); and (2) immediately available via that system, upon receipt.

honest income disclosure act_-_amends securities_exchange_act instruct securities_and_exchange_commission sec issue revised regulations requiring certain mandatory annual reports include income reported issuer internal_revenue_service recent taxable year presented prominent location manner permits ready comparison income income required included requires information suitable entry electronic data gathering analysis retrieval system immediately available system receipt


Summary: Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Commodities Exchange Act to direct both the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to prohibit purchase or sale of either securities or commodities for future delivery by a person in possession of material nonpublic information regarding pending or prospective legislative action if the information was obtained: (1) knowingly from a Member or employee of Congress; (2) by reason of being a Member or employee of Congress; and (3) other federal employees. Amends the Code of Official Conduct of the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit designated House personnel from disclosing material nonpublic information relating to any pending or prospective legislative action relating to either securities of a publicly-traded company or a commodity if such personnel has reason to believe that the information will be used to buy or sell the securities or commodity based on such information. Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require formal disclosure of certain securities and commodities futures transactions to either the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate. Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to subject to its registration, reporting, and disclosure requirements political intelligence activities, contacts, firms, and consultants.

stop trading congressional knowledge act_-_amends securities_exchange_act commodities exchange act direct securities_and_exchange_commission sec commodity_futures_trading_commission cftc prohibit purchase sale securities commodities future delivery person possession material nonpublic information pending prospective legislative action information obtained knowingly member employee congress reason member employee congress federal employees amends code official conduct rules house_of_representatives prohibit designated house personnel disclosing material nonpublic information relating pending prospective legislative action relating securities publicly traded company commodity personnel reason believe information buy sell securities commodity based information amends ethics_in_government_act require formal disclosure certain securities commodities futures transactions clerk house_of_representatives secretary senate amends lobbying disclosure act subject registration reporting disclosure requirements political intelligence activities contacts firms consultants


Summary: Securities and Exchange Commission Authority Restoration Act of 2007 - Amends the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 with respect to the exemption from the requirement of registration for any investment adviser: (1) who has had fewer than fifteen clients during the course of the preceding twelve months; and (2) who neither holds himself out generally to the public as an investment adviser, nor acts an an investment adviser to any registered investment company or a company which has elected to be a business development company. Authorizes the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to: (1) limit the availability of this exemption; and (2) require the registration of any investment adviser by requiring that certain shareholders, partners, and beneficial owners of, or investors in, clients of the adviser be counted as clients themselves.

securities_and_exchange_commission authority restoration act amends investment advisers act respect exemption requirement registration investment adviser fewer clients course preceding months holds generally public investment adviser acts investment adviser registered investment company company elected business development company authorizes securities_and_exchange_commission sec limit availability exemption require registration investment adviser requiring certain shareholders partners beneficial owners investors clients adviser counted clients


Summary: Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1943 to require certain persons acquiring more than 5% of certain classes of securities to report to the security issuer and to the exchange where the security is traded: (1) how the votes for such shares were cast on any proxy or consent or authorization in respect of any such security relating to executive and director compensation proposals, including a description of the matter voted on; and (2) a description of any relationship between the person filing the statement and the security issuer, or between the person filing the statement and any other person required to file a statement regarding such securities. Directs the Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC) to promulgate a requirement that such information be updated annually.

amends securities_exchange_act require certain persons acquiring certain classes securities report security issuer exchange security traded votes shares cast proxy consent authorization respect security relating executive director compensation proposals including description matter voted description relationship person filing statement security issuer person filing statement person required file statement securities directs securities exchanges commission sec promulgate requirement information updated annually


Summary: Amends the Securities Act of 1933, with respect to exclusive federal registration of nationally traded securities, to exclude from exclusive federal regulation, and thus permit state regulation of, certain securities any one of specified securities exchanges has listed (or authorized for listing) in a tier or segment for uncovered securities, according to standards for designating such a tier or segment the exchange has adopted.

amends securities act respect exclusive federal registration nationally traded securities exclude exclusive federal regulation permit state regulation certain securities specified securities exchanges listed authorized listing tier segment uncovered securities according standards designating tier segment exchange adopted


Summary: Market Transparency Reporting of United States Transactions Act of 2007 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to define "included natural gas transaction" as a contract, agreement, or transaction in natural gas that is entered into: (1) in reliance on the provisions regarding either excluded swap transactions or the legal certainty for certain transaction in exempt commodities; or (2) by use of a domestic technology or software providing direct access to a foreign board of trade. (Thus places natural gas transactions within the jurisdiction of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).) Prescribes recordkeeping and disclosure requirements governing natural gas in swap transactions, positions, inventories and commitments otherwise excluded from CFTC jurisdiction ("over-the-counter transactions"). Requires the CFTC to: (1) establish a reporting system regarding large positions in included natural gas transactions; (2) publish on a regular basis the information reported to it regarding such transactions; and (3) promulgate rules or regulations to implement this Act. Requires the CFTC reporting system to include aggregate reportable positions held by commercial and noncommercial persons.Increases civil money penalties for violations of this Act. Revises criminal penalties.

market transparency reporting united_states transactions act amends commodity_exchange_act define included natural gas transaction contract agreement transaction natural gas entered reliance provisions excluded swap transactions legal certainty certain transaction exempt commodities use domestic technology software providing direct access foreign board trade places natural gas transactions jurisdiction commodity_futures_trading_commission cftc prescribes recordkeeping disclosure requirements governing natural gas swap transactions positions inventories commitments excluded cftc jurisdiction counter transactions requires cftc establish reporting system large positions included natural gas transactions publish regular basis information reported transactions promulgate rules regulations implement act requires cftc reporting system include aggregate reportable positions held commercial noncommercial persons increases civil money penalties violations act revises criminal penalties


Summary: Mutual Fund Fee Reform Act - Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to initiate rulemaking proceedings to revise the requirements of regulations applicable to open-end investment companies relating to the disclosure of 12b-1 fees to investors in such investment companies.

mutual fund fee reform act_-_directs securities_and_exchange_commission initiate rulemaking proceedings revise requirements regulations applicable open end investment companies relating disclosure fees investors investment companies


Summary: Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to the tax on the unrelated business income of tax-exempt organizations to exempt from treatment as acquisition indebtedness (subject to the unrelated business income tax) indebtedness incurred or continued by a limited partnership in a partnership to purchase or carry certain securities or commodities.

amends internal_revenue_code provisions relating tax unrelated business income tax exempt organizations exempt treatment acquisition indebtedness subject unrelated business income tax indebtedness incurred continued limited partnership partnership purchase carry certain securities commodities


Summary: Transparency in Corporate Filings Act - Amends the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, with respect to mandatory public disclosures in either registration statements, prospectuses, reports, or broadcasts, to authorize the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to provide that a disclosure form, periodic report, or document need not be filed if the SEC has otherwise prescribed another means for public disclosure of such information (including, by implication, on an Internet website). Amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to authorize the SEC to: (1) permit or require one or more alternative means of public disclosure (including, by implication, on an Internet website) in lieu of, or in addition to, filing with the SEC or transmitting to security holders a registration statement, prospectus, application, report, account, record, or other document; and (2) determine whether any information so disclosed shall be deemed filed or transmitted under the Act.

transparency corporate filings act_-_amends securities act securities_exchange_act investment company act respect mandatory public disclosures registration statements reports broadcasts authorize securities_and_exchange_commission sec provide disclosure form periodic report document need filed sec prescribed means public disclosure information including internet website amends investment company act authorize sec permit require alternative means public disclosure including internet website lieu addition filing sec transmitting security holders registration statement prospectus application report account record document determine information disclosed shall deemed filed transmitted act


Summary: Securities Law Technical Corrections Act of 2007 - Makes technical corrections to the following Acts: (1) the Securities Act of 1933; (2) the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; (3) the Trust Indenture Act of 1939; (4) the Investment Company Act of 1940; and (5) the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.Amends the following statutes to make conforming amendments for the repeal of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935: (1) the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; (2) the Trust Indenture Act of 1939; (3) the Investment Company Act of 1940; and (4) the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.

securities law technical corrections act makes technical corrections following acts securities act securities_exchange_act trust act investment company act investment advisers act following statutes conforming amendments repeal public utility holding company act securities_exchange_act trust act investment company act investment advisers act


Summary: Securities Litigation Attorney Accountability and Transparency Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Securities Act of 1933 to state that, in any private action in which the court enters a final judgment against plaintiff on the basis of a motion to dismiss, motion for summary judgment, or a trial on the merits, the court shall, upon defendant's motion, determine whether: (1) the position of the plaintiff was not substantially justified; (2) imposition of fees and expenses on the plaintiff's attorney would be just; and (3) the cost of such fees and expenses to the defendant is substantially burdensome or unjust.Requires the court to award the defendant reasonable fees and other expenses, and impose such fees and expenses on the plaintiff's attorney, if the court makes positive determinations in such a case.Places the burden of persuasion upon the defendant as to whether or not the position of the plaintiff was substantially justified.Requires plaintiff and plaintiff's attorney to provide sworn, signed certifications that identify any actual or promised payment by the attorney to the plaintiff, beyond the plaintiff's pro rata share of any recovery.Requires similar plaintiff and plaintiff's attorney certifications regarding: (1) legal representations; (2) contributions; and (3) conflicts of interest.Requires the court, in exercising discretion over the approval of lead counsel, to employ a competitive bidding process as one of the criteria (unless the court determines that such a process is not feasible). Instructs the Comptroller General to study and report to certain congressional committees on average hourly fees in securities class actions.

securities litigation attorney accountability transparency act_-_amends securities_exchange_act securities act state private action court enters final judgment plaintiff basis motion dismiss motion summary judgment trial merits court shall defendant motion determine position plaintiff substantially justified imposition fees expenses plaintiff attorney cost fees expenses defendant substantially burdensome unjust requires court award defendant reasonable fees expenses impose fees expenses plaintiff attorney court makes positive determinations case places burden defendant position plaintiff substantially justified requires plaintiff plaintiff attorney provide sworn signed certifications identify actual promised payment attorney plaintiff plaintiff pro rata share recovery requires similar plaintiff plaintiff attorney certifications legal representations contributions conflicts interest requires court exercising discretion approval lead counsel employ competitive bidding process criteria court determines process feasible instructs comptroller_general study report certain congressional committees average hourly fees securities class actions


Summary: Close the Enron Loophole Act - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to provide that it applies to an agreement, contract, or transaction in an exempt commodity that is executed or traded on an electronic trading facility that is an energy trading center.Prohibits any person from entering into an agreement, contract, or transaction for future delivery of an energy commodity that is not a spot sale of cash commodity or a sale of a cash commodity for deferred shipment or delivery on or through an energy trading facility that is not registered as such with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Sets forth registration criteria.Requires CFTC to ensure that the position limits and accountability levels applicable to contracts in an energy commodity listed for trading on a designated contract market and similar contracts in the same energy commodity listed for trading on an energy trading facility: (1) prevent price manipulation, excessive speculation, price distortion, and disruption of the delivery or cash-settlement process; and (2) are on a parity with each other and are applied in a functionally equivalent manner.Requires CFTC to take necessary action to direct an energy trading facility or a designated contract market to require a person who has exceeded an applicable position limit or accountability level in an energy commodity to limit, reduce, or liquidate any position to prevent or reduce the threat of price manipulation, excessive speculation, price distortion, or disruption of the delivery or cash-settlement process. Sets forth provisions concerning the provision of information and records about energy trading contracts to CFTC. Revises provisions concerning the prohibition on energy contracts designed to defraud or mislead, including by prohibiting any person from cheating or defrauding another person in connection with any contract of sale of any commodity in interstate commerce or for future delivery that is made subject to the rules of a designated contract market for or on behalf of any such person (currently the provisions prohibit members of registered entities, correspondent agents, or employees of members from such actions.)Requires CFTC to issue a rule regarding the requirements for an application for registration for an energy trading facility.

close loophole act_-_amends commodity_exchange_act provide applies agreement contract transaction exempt commodity executed traded electronic trading facility energy trading center prohibits person entering agreement contract transaction future delivery energy commodity spot sale cash commodity sale cash commodity deferred shipment delivery energy trading facility registered commodity_futures_trading_commission cftc sets forth registration criteria requires cftc ensure position limits accountability levels applicable contracts energy commodity listed trading designated contract market similar contracts energy commodity listed trading energy trading facility prevent price manipulation excessive speculation price disruption delivery cash settlement process parity applied functionally equivalent manner requires cftc necessary action direct energy trading facility designated contract market require person exceeded applicable position limit accountability level energy commodity limit reduce liquidate position prevent reduce threat price manipulation excessive speculation price disruption delivery cash settlement process sets forth provisions concerning provision information records energy trading contracts cftc revises provisions concerning prohibition energy contracts designed defraud mislead including prohibiting person cheating person connection contract sale commodity interstate commerce future delivery subject rules designated contract market behalf person currently provisions prohibit members registered entities correspondent agents employees members cftc issue rule requirements application registration energy trading facility


Summary: CFTC Reauthorization Act of 2007 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to revise Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) jurisdiction over an agreement, contract, or retail transaction in foreign currency. Extends coverage to certain future commissions merchants (and affiliated persons) and retail foreign exchange dealers. Requires them to register with the CFTC in order to: (1) solicit or accept orders from any person that is not an eligible contract participant in connection with such agreements, contracts, or transactions; (2) exercise discretionary trading authority (or obtain written authorization to do so) over any account for or on behalf of such a person; or (3) operate or solicit funds, securities, or property for any pooled investment vehicle that is not such an eligible contract participant. Revises the prohibition against contracts designed to defraud or mislead. Declares that the requirements of such prohibition do not obligate any person, in connection with a transaction, to disclose to another person in the transaction any nonpublic information that may be material to the market price, rate, or level of the commodity or transaction, except as necessary to make any statement to such other person not misleading in any material respect. Authorizes appropriations for the CFTC through FY2013. Increases: (1) the civil penalty for market manipulation to $1 million, or triple the monetary gain for each such violation; and (2) the criminal penalty for market manipulation from five to ten years imprisonment. Subjects to CFTC jurisdiction certain agreements, contracts, or transactions that perform a significant price discovery function in spite of the fact that they are conducted, on an electronic trading facility on a principal-to-principal basis solely between persons that are eligible commercial entities, in reliance on the general exemption for such agreements, contracts, and transactions (in the exempt commercial markets (ECMs)). Subjects to CFTC (large trader) reporting and recordkeeping requirements any significant price discovery contract traded or executed on an electronic trading facility. Authorizes the CFTC to communicate to an electronic trading facility, with respect to a significant price discovery contract, the full facts concerning any transaction or market operation which, in the CFTC's judgment, disrupts or tends to disrupt any market, or is otherwise harmful or against the best interests of producers, consumers, or investors.

cftc reauthorization act amends commodity_exchange_act revise commodity_futures_trading_commission cftc jurisdiction agreement contract retail transaction foreign currency extends coverage certain future commissions merchants affiliated persons retail foreign exchange dealers requires register cftc order solicit accept orders person eligible contract participant connection agreements contracts transactions exercise discretionary trading authority obtain written authorization account behalf person operate solicit funds securities property pooled investment vehicle eligible contract participant revises prohibition contracts designed defraud mislead declares requirements prohibition obligate person connection transaction disclose person transaction nonpublic information material market price rate level commodity transaction necessary statement person misleading material respect authorizes appropriations cftc fy2013 increases civil penalty market manipulation million triple monetary gain violation criminal penalty market manipulation years imprisonment subjects cftc jurisdiction certain agreements contracts transactions perform significant price discovery function fact conducted electronic trading facility principal principal basis solely persons eligible commercial entities reliance general exemption agreements contracts transactions exempt commercial markets subjects cftc large trader reporting recordkeeping requirements significant price discovery contract traded executed electronic trading facility authorizes cftc communicate electronic trading facility respect significant price discovery contract facts concerning transaction market operation cftc judgment disrupts disrupt market harmful best interests producers consumers investors


Summary: CFTC Improvement Act of 2008 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to revise Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) jurisdiction over certain agreements, contracts, and transactions in retail foreign currency. Extends coverage to certain future commissions merchants (and affiliated persons) and retail foreign exchange dealers. Requires them to register with the CFTC in order to solicit or accept orders from any person that is not an eligible contract participant in connection with such agreements, contracts, or transactions. Directs the CFTC to maintain a liaison with the Department of Justice to coordinate civil and criminal investigations and prosecutions of violations of the Act. Revises the prohibition against contracts designed to defraud or mislead. Declares that the requirements of such prohibition do not obligate any person, in connection with a transaction, to disclose to another person in the transaction any nonpublic information that may be material to the market price, rate, or level of the commodity or transaction, except as necessary to make any statement to such other person not misleading in any material respect. Increases: (1) the civil penalty for market manipulation to $1 million, or triple the monetary gain for each such violation; and (2) the criminal penalty for market manipulation from five to ten years imprisonment Authorizes appropriations for the CFTC through FY2013. Requires the agencies represented on the President's Working Group on Financial Markets to work to ensure that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the CFTC, have taken the actions to permit: (1) by September 30, 2008, risk-based portfolio margining for security options and security futures products; and (2) by June 30, 2008, the trading of futures on certain security indexes by resolving issues related to foreign security indexes. Sets forth standards applicable to significant price discover contracts, including: (1) price linkage; (2) arbitrage; (3) core principles applicable to significant price discovery contract; and (4) daily publication of trading information. Subjects to CFTC (large trader) reporting and recordkeeping requirements any significant price discovery contract traded or executed on an electronic trading facility.

cftc improvement act amends commodity_exchange_act revise commodity_futures_trading_commission cftc jurisdiction certain agreements contracts transactions retail foreign currency extends coverage certain future commissions merchants affiliated persons retail foreign exchange dealers requires register cftc order solicit accept orders person eligible contract participant connection agreements contracts transactions directs cftc maintain liaison department_of_justice coordinate civil criminal investigations prosecutions violations act revises prohibition contracts designed defraud mislead declares requirements prohibition obligate person connection transaction disclose person transaction nonpublic information material market price rate level commodity transaction necessary statement person misleading material respect increases civil penalty market manipulation million triple monetary gain violation criminal penalty market manipulation years imprisonment authorizes appropriations cftc fy2013 requires agencies represented president working_group financial markets work ensure securities_and_exchange_commission sec cftc taken actions permit september risk based portfolio security options security futures products june trading futures certain security indexes resolving issues related foreign security indexes sets forth standards applicable significant price discover contracts including price arbitrage core principles applicable significant price discovery contract daily publication trading information subjects cftc large trader reporting recordkeeping requirements significant price discovery contract traded executed electronic trading facility


Summary: Affordable Housing Expansion Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the Secretary of the Treasury to allocate among the states in 2008 and subsequent years unused amounts of authorized private activity bonds for prior calendar years.

affordable housing expansion act amends_the_internal_revenue_code allow secretary treasury allocate states subsequent years unused amounts authorized private activity bonds prior calendar years


Summary: Enhanced Emergency and Enforcement Authority Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to empower the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to reduce, eliminate, or prevent substantial disruption by an emergency of the ability of market participants to conduct securities activities or comply with obligations under the securities laws in a timely, orderly, or efficient manner. Amends the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Company Act of 1940, and Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to provide that, in any action or proceeding instituted by the SEC in federal district court for any judicial district, subpoenas issued by or on behalf of such court to compel the attendance of witnesses or the production of documents or tangible things (or both) may be served in any other district (thus granting the SEC nationwide service of process).

enhanced emergency enforcement authority act_-_amends securities_exchange_act empower securities_and_exchange_commission sec reduce eliminate prevent substantial disruption emergency ability market participants conduct securities activities comply obligations securities laws timely orderly efficient manner amends securities act securities_exchange_act investment company act investment advisers act provide action proceeding instituted sec federal district_court judicial district subpoenas issued behalf court compel attendance witnesses production documents tangible things served district granting sec nationwide service process


Summary: Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from state volume caps private facility bonds for sewage and water supply facilities.

sustainable water infrastructure investment act amends_the_internal_revenue_code exempt state volume caps private facility bonds sewage water supply facilities


Summary: Credit Rating Agency Transparency and Disclosure Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to instruct the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to promulgate rules that: (1) require nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs), with respect to their determination of credit ratings for structured securities, to disclose the information they require from originators, issuers, and underwriters regarding the collateral underlying such securities; (2) establish procedures to disseminate information about processes used by such originators, issuers, and underwriters to assess the accuracy and integrity of their data and fraud detection; and (3) require each NRSRO to maintain on a publicly accessible Internet site the historical default rates of all classes of financial products it has rated.

credit rating agency transparency disclosure act_-_amends securities_exchange_act instruct securities_and_exchange_commission sec promulgate rules require nationally recognized statistical rating organizations nrsros respect determination credit ratings structured securities disclose information require originators issuers underwriters collateral underlying securities establish procedures disseminate information processes originators issuers underwriters assess accuracy integrity data fraud detection require maintain publicly accessible internet site historical default rates classes financial products rated


Summary: Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to make it unlawful for a person to enter into or execute an otherwise excluded swap transaction or exempt transaction involving crude oil, heating oil, gasoline, or diesel fuel (specified energy commodity), unless the person has been certified by the Commodities Future Trading Commission (CFTC) as having the capacity of accepting physical delivery of the commodity. Makes it unlawful, as well, for any person to hold a contract or agreement of sale of a specified energy commodity for future delivery, which is otherwise an excluded swap transaction or an exempt transaction, unless the CFTC has certified that the person has the capacity to produce or manufacture the commodity.

amends commodity_exchange_act unlawful person enter execute excluded swap transaction exempt transaction involving crude oil heating oil gasoline diesel fuel specified energy commodity person certified commodities future trading commission cftc having capacity accepting physical delivery commodity makes unlawful person hold contract agreement sale specified energy commodity future delivery excluded swap transaction exempt transaction cftc certified person capacity produce manufacture commodity


Summary: Oil Speculation Reduction Act of 2008 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to prohibit the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) from exempting a board of trade, exchange, or market located outside the United States from the requirement to become a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity, with respect to agreements, contracts, and transactions (transactions) in crude oil to be physically delivered in the United States, unless the CFTC makes certain determinations. Requires the CFTC to determine, in order to make such an exemption, that the board of trade, exchange, or market: (1) applies principles or requirements regarding the daily publication of trading information and position limits or accountability levels for speculators in such transactions comparable to those applied by a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity; (2) provides information to the CFTC regarding the extent of speculative and nonspeculative trading in transactions in crude oil comparable to the information the CFTC determines necessary to publish a Commitment of Traders report for a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity with respect to the trading; and (3) imposes margin requirements comparable to those imposed by a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity for commodities, and sufficient to reduce excessive speculation and protect consumers. Directs CFTC to determine whether to continue to grant any such exemption that was granted before the enactment of this Act to any board of trade, exchange, or market located outside the United States.

oil speculation reduction act amends commodity_exchange_act prohibit commodity_futures_trading_commission cftc exempting board trade exchange market located outside united_states requirement designated contract market derivatives transaction execution facility registered entity respect agreements contracts transactions transactions crude oil physically delivered united_states cftc makes certain determinations requires cftc determine order exemption board trade exchange market applies principles requirements daily publication trading information position limits accountability levels transactions comparable applied designated contract market derivatives transaction execution facility registered entity provides information cftc extent speculative trading transactions crude oil comparable information cftc determines necessary publish commitment traders report designated contract market derivatives transaction execution facility registered entity respect trading imposes margin requirements comparable imposed designated contract market derivatives transaction execution facility registered entity commodities sufficient reduce excessive speculation protect consumers directs cftc determine continue grant exemption granted enactment act board trade exchange market located outside united_states


Summary: Close the London Loophole Act of 2008 - Amends the Commodity Exchange Act to authorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), in the case of a registered entity located within the United States, and subject to CFTC jurisdiction, which trades on a foreign board of trade, exchange, or market located outside the United States, to: (1) enforce criminal prosecution of violations, including manipulation or attempted manipulation, the making of false statements, and willful violations of this Act; (2) require a person to limit, reduce, or liquidate any position to prevent or reduce the threat of price manipulation, excessive speculation, price distortion, or disruption of delivery or the cash settlement process; and (3) apply necessary recordkeeping requirements. Addresses the kind of case in which the CFTC grants or considers granting relief to a foreign board of trade from the requirement that it become a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity with respect to an energy commodity physically delivered in the United States. Requires the CFTC, before granting or considering such relief, to determine that the foreign board of trade: (1) applies comparable principles or requirements regarding the daily publication of trading information and position limits or accountability levels for speculators as apply to a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity trading energy commodities physically delivered in the United States; and (2) provides such information to the CFTC regarding the extent of speculative and nonspeculative trading in the energy commodity that is comparable to the information the CFTC determines necessary to publish a Commitment of Traders report for such a designated contract market, derivatives transaction execution facility, or other registered entity.

close london loophole act amends commodity_exchange_act authorize commodity_futures_trading_commission cftc case registered entity located united_states subject cftc jurisdiction trades foreign board trade exchange market located outside united_states enforce criminal prosecution violations including manipulation attempted manipulation making false statements willful violations act require person limit reduce liquidate position prevent reduce threat price manipulation excessive speculation price disruption delivery cash settlement process apply necessary recordkeeping requirements addresses kind case cftc grants considers granting relief foreign board trade requirement designated contract market derivatives transaction execution facility registered entity respect energy commodity physically delivered united_states requires cftc granting considering relief determine foreign board trade applies comparable principles requirements daily publication trading information position limits accountability levels apply designated contract market derivatives transaction execution facility registered entity trading energy commodities physically delivered united_states provides information cftc extent speculative trading energy commodity comparable information cftc determines necessary publish commitment traders report designated contract market derivatives transaction execution facility registered entity


Summary: Municipal Bond Fairness Act - Title I: Discriminatory Ratings Treatment of State and Municipal Securities - (Sec. 101) Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to direct the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to require each registered nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NSRO) (credit rating agency) to establish, maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures reasonably designed to: (1) establish and maintain credit ratings with respect to securities and money market instruments designed to assess the risk that investors in such instruments may not receive payment in accordance with their terms of issuance; and (2) define clearly any rating symbol and apply it consistently. Permits an NSRO to consider the following when assessing the risk that an investor in a security or money market instrument will not receive repayment in accordance with the terms of issuance: (1) additional credit factors that it has documented and disclosed; or (2) credit factors that are unique to municipal securities that are not backed by the issuer's full faith and credit.Prohibits the SEC from imposing any requirement that prevents an NSRO from establishing ratings that are complementary to mandatory ratings and that are created to measure a discrete aspect of risk. Directs the SEC to establish performance measures, which may include transition and default rates in discrete asset classes, to consider when deciding whether to initiate a review concerning whether an NSRO has failed to adhere to its procedures and methodologies for issuing ratings. (Sec. 102) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to certain congressional committees on the treatment of different classes of bonds (municipal versus corporate) by the NSROs. Title II: Review of Municipal Bond Insurance Industry - (Sec. 201) Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to receive (directly from states and other sources), analyze, and disseminate information: (1) about entities that insure or guarantee the payment of principal and interest of any municipal obligation; and (2) from state insurance regulatory authorities and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Requires any submission to the Secretary of non-publicly available data and information to be voluntary. States that such a submission does not constitute a waiver of, or otherwise affect, any privilege or confidentiality protection to which the data or information is otherwise subject. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into an information-sharing agreement with states, NAIC, or other appropriate sources to provide for the receipt of any data and information such sources have already received or collected, or can efficiently receive or collect. Requires the Secretary to treat as confidential and privileged data or information obtained from any source that is entitled to confidential treatment under applicable state or federal law or regulations, or under any agreement to which the source is a party. Prohibits the Secretary from disclosing personally identifiable information received or collected under this Act.Considers non-publicly available data and information received or collected under this Act as trade secrets and commercial or financial information that is privileged and confidential.(Sec. 202) Directs the Secretary to report annually to certain congressional committees on: (1) the financial state of the industry for insurance and guarantee of municipal bonds; (2) meaningful trends in such industry; and (3) potential impacts that entities providing such insurance and guarantees could have upon the overall domestic financial system under various scenarios of macro- and micro-economic stress. (Sec. 203) Prohibits construction of this Act to establish any supervisory or regulatory authority of the Secretary over any entity that insures or guarantees the payment of any portion of the principal and interest of any municipal obligation. (Sec. 205) Authorizes appropriations.

municipal bond fairness act title discriminatory ratings treatment state municipal securities sec amends securities_exchange_act direct securities_and_exchange_commission sec require registered nationally recognized statistical rating organization credit rating agency establish maintain enforce written policies procedures reasonably designed establish maintain credit ratings respect securities money market instruments designed assess risk investors instruments receive payment accordance terms issuance define clearly rating symbol apply consistently permits consider following assessing risk investor security money market instrument receive repayment accordance terms issuance additional credit factors documented disclosed credit factors unique municipal securities backed issuer faith credit prohibits sec imposing requirement prevents establishing ratings complementary mandatory ratings created measure discrete aspect risk directs sec establish performance measures include transition default rates discrete asset classes consider deciding initiate review concerning failed adhere procedures methodologies issuing ratings sec directs comptroller_general study report certain congressional committees treatment different classes bonds municipal versus corporate title review municipal bond insurance industry sec authorizes secretary treasury receive directly states sources analyze disseminate information entities insure guarantee payment principal interest municipal obligation state insurance regulatory authorities national_association_of_insurance_commissioners naic requires submission secretary non publicly available data information voluntary states submission constitute waiver affect privilege confidentiality protection data information subject authorizes secretary enter information sharing agreement states naic appropriate sources provide receipt data information sources received collected efficiently receive collect requires secretary treat confidential privileged data information obtained source entitled confidential treatment applicable state federal law regulations agreement source party prohibits secretary disclosing personally identifiable information received collected act considers non publicly available data information received collected act trade secrets commercial financial information privileged directs secretary report annually certain congressional committees financial state industry insurance guarantee municipal bonds meaningful trends industry potential impacts entities providing insurance guarantees overall domestic financial system scenarios micro economic stress sec prohibits construction act establish supervisory regulatory authority secretary entity insures guarantees payment portion principal interest municipal obligation sec authorizes appropriations