Summary:
Sunshine for Regulations and Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2016

TITLE I--SUNSHINE FOR REGULATORY DECREES AND SETTLEMENTS

Sunshine for Regulations and Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2016

(Sec. 102) This Act defines: (1) "covered civil action" as a civil action seeking to compel agency action and alleging that an agency is unlawfully withholding or unreasonably delaying an agency action relating to a regulatory action that would affect the rights of private persons other than the person bringing the action or a state, local, or tribal government; and (2) "covered consent decree" or "covered settlement agreement" as a consent decree or settlement agreement entered into in a covered civil action and any other consent decree or settlement agreement that requires agency action relating to a regulatory action that affects the rights of private persons other than the person bringing the action or a state, local, or tribal government.

(Sec. 103) An agency against which a covered civil action is brought must publish the notice of intent to sue and the complaint in a readily accessible manner, including by making such notice and complaint available online not later than 15 days after receiving service of such notice or complaint.

The opportunity for affected parties to intervene in a covered civil action must conclude before a covered consent decree or settlement agreement may be entered by a court.

The Act sets forth factors that a court must be consider in granting a motion to intervene in a covered civil action or a civil action in which a covered consent decree or settlement agreement has been proposed. If the court grants intervention, it must conduct mediation or arbitration to settle a covered civil action and include any party that intervenes in the action.

The agency seeking to enter a covered consent decree or settlement agreement shall publish online and in the Federal Register, not later than 60 days before it is filed with the court, the proposed covered consent decree or settlement agreement and a statement providing the statutory basis for the decree or agreement and a description of its terms. The agency shall accept public comments during that period and may hold public hearings on whether to enter into a proposed covered consent decree or settlement agreement.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) or an agency head, if an agency is litigating a matter independently, must certify to the court that DOJ or the agency head approves of: (1) any proposed covered consent decree that includes terms that convert into a nondiscretionary duty a discretionary authority of an agency to propose, promulgate, revise, or amend regulations, that commit an agency to expend funds that have not been appropriated and budgeted or to seek a particular appropriation or budget authorization, that divest an agency of discretion committed to it by statute or the Constitution, or that otherwise afford any relief that the court could not enter under its own authority; or (2) any proposed covered settlement agreement that includes terms that provide a remedy for a failure by the agency to comply with the terms of the agreement other than the revival of the civil action resolved by the agreement, that interfere with the authority of an agency to revise, amend, or issue rules, or that commit the agency to expend funds that have not been appropriated and budgeted or to exercise in a particular way discretion which was committed to the agency by statute or the Constitution.

A court considering a covered consent decree or settlement agreement must adopt a rebuttable presumption favoring participation of parties as amicus curiae and must ensure that a decree or agreement allows sufficient time and incorporates adequate procedures for agencies to comply with requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act and other applicable statutes that govern rulemaking and, unless contrary to the public interest, any executive order that governs rulemaking.

Each agency must submit to Congress an annual report that includes: (1) the number, identity, and content of covered civil actions brought against, and covered consent decrees or settlement agreements entered against or into by, the agency; and (2) any award of attorneys fees or costs in a civil action resolved by a covered consent decree or settlement agreement entered against or into by the agency.

(Sec. 104) A court must grant de novo review of a covered consent decree or settlement agreement if an agency files a motion to modify such decree or agreement on the basis that its terms are no longer fully in the public interest due to the agency's obligations to fulfill other duties or due to changed facts and circumstances.

(Sec. 105) This Act is applicable to: (1) any covered civil action filed on or after its enactment date, and (2) any covered consent decree or settlement agreement proposed to a court on or after such date.

TITLE II--ALL ECONOMIC REGULATIONS ARE TRANSPARENT

All Economic Regulations are Transparent Act of 2016 or the ALERT Act of 2016

(Sec. 202) This Act requires each federal agency to submit a monthly report to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each rule such agency expects to propose or finalize during the following year. Such reports shall include: (1) a summary of the nature of the rule, including the regulation identifier and docket number for the rule; (2) the objectives of and legal basis for issuance of the rule; (3) the stage of the rulemaking as of the date of submission; and (4) whether the rule is subject to periodic review as a rule with a significant economic impact.

Each agency must submit a monthly report for any rule expected to be finalized during the following year for which the agency has issued a general notice of proposed rulemaking. Such reports must include an approximate schedule for completing action on the rule and an estimate of its cost and economic effects, including the imposition of unfunded mandates and impact on job creation. OIRA must make such monthly reports publicly available on the Internet.

OIRA must publish in the Federal Register, not later than October 1 of each year: (1) information that OIRA receives from each agency; (2) the number of rules and a list of each such rule that was proposed by each agency and each rule that was finalized by each agency; (3) the number of agency actions that repealed a rule, reduced the scope or cost of a rule, or accelerated the expiration date of a rule; (4) the total cost of all rules proposed or finalized; (5) the total costs of any unfunded mandates imposed by such rules; and (6) the number of rules for which an estimate of the cost of the rule was not available.

OIRA must make publicly available on the Internet, not later than October 1 of each year: (1) the analysis of the costs or benefits of each proposed or final rule issued by an agency for the previous year, (2) the docket number and regulation identifier number for each such rule, (3) the number of rules reviewed by OMB for the previous year, (4) the number of rules for which a review by the head of an agency was completed, (5) the number of rules submitted to the Government Accountability Office, and (6) the number of rules for which a resolution of disapproval was introduced in Congress.

A rule may not take effect until the information required by this Act is posted on the Internet for not less than six months, unless the agency proposing the rule seeks an exemption under the Freedom of Information Act or the President determines by executive order that such rule is necessary: (1) because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, (2) for the enforcement of criminal laws, (3) for national security, or (4) to implement an international trade agreement. This requirement is effective eight months after the enactment date of this Act.

TITLE III--PROVIDING ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH TRANSPARENCY

Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act of 2016

(Sec. 302) This Act requires the general notice of proposed rule making by a federal agency to include the Internet address of a plain-language summary, not exceeding 100 words, of the proposed rule, which shall be posted on the regulations.gov website.

sunshine regulations regulatory decrees settlements act title sunshine regulatory decrees settlements sunshine regulations regulatory decrees settlements act sec act defines covered civil action civil action seeking compel agency action alleging agency unlawfully withholding unreasonably delaying agency action relating regulatory action affect rights private persons person bringing action state local tribal government covered consent decree covered settlement agreement consent decree settlement agreement entered covered civil action consent decree settlement agreement requires agency action relating regulatory action affects rights private persons person bringing action state local tribal government sec agency covered civil action brought publish notice intent sue complaint readily accessible manner including making notice complaint available online later days receiving service notice complaint opportunity affected parties intervene covered civil action conclude covered consent decree settlement agreement entered court act sets forth factors court consider granting motion intervene covered civil action civil action covered consent decree settlement agreement proposed court grants intervention conduct mediation arbitration settle covered civil action include party action agency seeking enter covered consent decree settlement agreement shall publish online federal_register later days filed court proposed covered consent decree settlement agreement statement providing statutory basis decree agreement description terms agency shall accept public comments period hold public hearings enter proposed covered consent decree settlement agreement department_of_justice doj agency head agency litigating matter independently certify court doj agency head approves proposed covered consent decree includes terms convert nondiscretionary duty discretionary authority agency propose promulgate revise amend regulations commit agency expend funds appropriated budgeted seek particular appropriation budget authorization divest agency discretion committed statute constitution afford relief court enter authority proposed covered settlement agreement includes terms provide remedy failure agency comply terms agreement civil action resolved agreement interfere authority agency revise amend issue rules commit agency expend funds appropriated budgeted exercise particular way discretion committed agency statute constitution court considering covered consent decree settlement agreement adopt rebuttable presumption favoring participation parties amicus curiae ensure decree agreement allows sufficient time incorporates adequate procedures agencies comply requirements administrative procedure act applicable statutes govern rulemaking contrary public interest executive order governs rulemaking agency submit congress annual report includes number identity content covered civil actions brought covered consent decrees settlement agreements entered agency award attorneys fees costs civil action resolved covered consent decree settlement agreement entered agency sec court grant novo review covered consent decree settlement agreement agency files motion modify decree agreement basis terms longer fully public interest agency obligations fulfill duties changed facts circumstances sec act applicable covered civil action filed enactment date covered consent decree settlement agreement proposed court date title economic regulations transparent economic regulations transparent act alert act sec act requires federal agency submit monthly report office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs oira office_of_management_and_budget omb rule agency expects propose finalize following year reports shall include summary nature rule including regulation identifier docket number rule objectives legal basis issuance rule stage rulemaking date submission rule subject periodic review rule significant economic impact agency submit monthly report rule expected finalized following year agency issued general notice proposed rulemaking reports include approximate schedule completing action rule estimate cost economic effects including imposition unfunded mandates impact job creation oira monthly reports publicly available internet oira publish federal_register later october year information oira receives agency number rules list rule proposed agency rule finalized agency number agency actions repealed rule reduced scope cost rule accelerated expiration date rule total cost rules proposed finalized total costs unfunded mandates imposed rules number rules estimate cost rule available oira publicly available internet later october year analysis costs benefits proposed final rule issued agency previous year docket number regulation identifier number rule number rules reviewed omb previous year number rules review head agency completed number rules submitted government_accountability_office number rules resolution disapproval introduced congress rule effect information required act posted internet months agency proposing rule seeks exemption freedom information act president determines executive order rule necessary imminent threat health safety emergency enforcement criminal laws national security implement international trade agreement requirement effective months enactment date act title iii providing accountability transparency providing accountability transparency act sec act requires general notice proposed rule making federal agency include internet address plain language summary exceeding words proposed rule shall posted website


Summary:
Audit the Pentagon Act of 2015

This bill reduces discretionary spending by 0.5% for federal agencies that have either not submitted a financial statement for a fiscal year or have submitted a financial statement that has not received an unqualified or a qualified audit opinion by an independent external auditor.

The bill excludes specified Department of Defense (DOD) accounts for personnel and the Defense Health Program from the reductions.

The President may waive the reductions for any account by certifying that the cuts would harm national security or members of the Armed Forces who are in combat.

The bill establishes reporting requirements for the Office of Management and Budget and DOD.

audit pentagon act bill reduces discretionary spending federal agencies submitted financial statement fiscal year submitted financial statement received unqualified qualified audit opinion independent external auditor bill excludes specified department_of_defense dod accounts personnel defense_health_program reductions president waive reductions account certifying cuts harm national security members armed_forces combat bill establishes reporting requirements office_of_management_and_budget dod


Summary:
Realign and Eliminate Duplicative Unnecessary Costly Excess in Government Act of 2015 or the REDUCE Government Act

Establishes the Federal Realignment and Closure Commission, which shall: (1) establish a systematic method for assessing the effectiveness and accountability of agency programs, excluding Department of Defense programs; (2) divide the programs into three approximately equal budgetary groupings; (3) assess the effectiveness and accountability of all programs within a grouping in each of 2017, 2019, and 2021; and (4) by June 30 of each such year, submit a plan with recommendations of the agencies and programs that should be realigned or eliminated within the grouping assessed.

Requires the Commission to recommend: (1) the realignment of agencies or programs that are performing the same essential function that can be consolidated or streamlined into a single agency or program; and (2) the elimination of agencies or programs that have completed their intended purpose, have become irrelevant, or have failed to meet their objectives. Authorizes the Commission to recommend the realignment or elimination of any agency or program that has wasted federal funds by: (1) spending funds on items outside its authorized mission, (2) mismanaging resources and personnel, or (3) using such funds for personal benefit or the benefit of a special interest group.

Requires the President: (1) by August 15 of each such year, to transmit a report containing the President's approval or disapproval of the Commission's plan and recommendations; (2) to transmit a copy of an approved plan and recommendations to Congress; and (3) to eliminate or realign  agencies and programs pursuant to such recommendations unless Congress enacts a resolution disapproving them.

Requires funds saved by implementation of such plan to be used for deficit reduction.

realign eliminate duplicative unnecessary costly excess government act reduce government act establishes shall establish systematic method assessing effectiveness accountability agency programs excluding department_of_defense programs divide programs approximately equal budgetary groupings assess effectiveness accountability programs grouping june year submit plan recommendations agencies programs realigned eliminated grouping assessed requires commission recommend realignment agencies programs performing essential function consolidated streamlined single agency program elimination agencies programs completed intended purpose irrelevant failed meet objectives authorizes commission recommend realignment elimination agency program wasted federal funds spending funds items outside authorized mission resources personnel funds personal benefit benefit special interest group requires president august year transmit report containing president approval disapproval commission plan recommendations transmit copy approved plan recommendations congress eliminate realign agencies programs pursuant recommendations congress enacts resolution disapproving requires funds saved implementation plan deficit reduction


Summary:
Research and Development Efficiency Act

 Requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to establish a working group under the authority of the National Science and Technology Council, to include the Office of Management and Budget, to be responsible for reviewing federal regulations affecting research and research universities and making recommendations on how to: (1) harmonize, streamline, and eliminate duplicative federal regulations and reporting requirements; (2) minimize the regulatory burden on U.S. institutions of higher education performing federally funded research while maintaining accountability for federal tax dollars; and (3) identify and update specific regulations to refocus on performance-based goals rather than on process while still meeting the desired outcome.

Instructs the working group to take into account input and recommendations from non-federal stakeholders, including researchers, institutions of higher education, industry, and others with a stake in ensuring effectiveness, efficiency, and accountability in the performance of scientific research.

Requires OSTP to report to Congress annually on the steps taken to carry out the working group's recommendations.

requires office_of_science_and_technology_policy ostp establish working group authority national_science_and_technology_council include office_of_management_and_budget responsible reviewing federal regulations affecting research research universities making recommendations harmonize streamline eliminate duplicative federal regulations reporting requirements minimize regulatory burden institutions higher education performing federally funded research maintaining accountability federal tax dollars identify update specific regulations performance based goals process meeting desired outcome instructs working group account input recommendations non federal stakeholders including researchers institutions higher education industry stake ensuring effectiveness efficiency accountability performance scientific research requires ostp report congress annually steps taken carry working group recommendations


Summary:
Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act of 2016 or the SCRUB Act of 2016

TITLE I--RETROSPECTIVE REGULATORY REVIEW COMMISSION

(Sec. 101) This bill establishes the Retrospective Regulatory Review Commission to conduct a review of the Code of Federal Regulations to identify rules and sets of rules that collectively implement a regulatory program that should be repealed to lower the cost of regulation. The Commission shall give priority to the review of rules or sets of rules that are major rules or that include major rules, that have been in effect more than 15 years, that impose paperwork burdens or unfunded mandates that could be reduced substantially without significantly diminishing regulatory effectiveness, that impose disproportionately high costs on small entities, or that could be strengthened in their effectiveness while reducing regulatory costs. The Commission's goal is to achieve a reduction of at least 15% in the cumulative costs of regulation with a minimal reduction in the overall effectiveness of such regulation.

Criteria the Commission shall use in identifying which rules and sets of rules should be repealed include whether:

 the original purpose of the rules was achieved; the implementation, compliance, administration, enforcement, imposition of unfunded mandates, or other costs of the rules are not justified by a cost-benefit analysis; the rules have been rendered unnecessary or obsolete; the rules are ineffective at achieving their purposes; the rules overlap, duplicate, or conflict with other federal, state, or local rules; the rules have excessive compliance costs, impose unfunded mandates, or are otherwise excessively burdensome compared to possible alternatives; the rules inhibit innovation or harm competition; the rules limit or prevent an agency from applying new or emerging technologies to improve efficiency and effectiveness of government; and the rules harm wage growth, including wage growth for minimum wage and part-time workers. The Commission shall terminate on the later of 5 years and 180 days after the enactment date of this Act or 5 years after the date by which the terms of all members of the Commission have commenced.

The bill requires congressional consideration and enactment of a joint resolution of approval of recommendations of the Commission for the repeal of a rule or rules prior to agency implementation of a repeal. An agency is prohibited from: (1) reissuing rules substantially similar to rules repealed by this Act without congressional approval, or (2) issuing a new rule that results in the same adverse effects of a repealed rule.

 The Commission shall establish a public website to provide information in a standard data format and shall receive and publish public comments at no cost to the public.

The Federal Advisory Committee Act shall apply to the Commission and any subcommittees of the Commission.

TITLE II--REGULATORY CUT-GO

(Sec. 201) This title requires agencies, when making a new rule, to repeal rules or sets of rules classified by the Commission as recommended for repeal to offset the costs of the new rule (cut-go procedure).

(Sec. 202) Agencies are exempted from cut-go requirements when the Commission has implemented the repeal of all rules and sets of rules that the Commission has recommended for repeal.

(Sec. 203) The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget shall review and certify the accuracy of agency determinations of the cost of new rules subject to cut-go requirements.

TITLE III--RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF NEW RULES

(Sec. 301) This title requires an agency, when issuing a new rule, to include a plan for the review of such rule not later than 10 years after the date of such rule.

TITLE IV--JUDICIAL REVIEW

(Sec. 401) This title allows judicial review of repeals of regulations, cut-go procedures, and plans for future review.

TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

(Sec. 501) A "major rule" is defined to mean any rule that OIRA determines is likely to impose: (1) an annual cost on the economy of $100 million or more, adjusted annually for inflation; (2) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, federal, state, local, or tribal government agencies, or geographic regions; (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises; or (4) significant impacts on multiple sectors of the economy.

searching cutting regulations unnecessarily burdensome act act title retrospective regulatory review commission sec bill establishes conduct review code federal regulations identify rules sets rules collectively implement regulatory program repealed lower cost regulation commission shall priority review rules sets rules major rules include major rules effect years impose paperwork burdens unfunded mandates reduced substantially significantly diminishing regulatory effectiveness impose disproportionately high costs small entities strengthened effectiveness reducing regulatory costs commission goal achieve reduction cumulative costs regulation minimal reduction overall effectiveness regulation shall use identifying rules sets rules repealed include original purpose rules achieved implementation compliance administration enforcement imposition unfunded mandates costs rules justified cost benefit analysis rules rendered unnecessary obsolete rules ineffective achieving purposes rules overlap duplicate conflict federal state local rules rules excessive compliance costs impose unfunded mandates excessively burdensome compared possible alternatives rules inhibit innovation harm competition rules limit prevent agency applying new emerging technologies improve efficiency effectiveness government rules harm wage growth including wage growth minimum wage time workers commission shall terminate later years days enactment date act years date terms members commenced bill requires congressional consideration enactment joint resolution approval recommendations commission repeal rule rules prior agency implementation repeal agency prohibited rules substantially similar rules repealed act congressional approval issuing new rule results adverse effects repealed rule commission shall establish public website provide information standard data format shall receive publish public comments cost public federal_advisory_committee act shall apply commission subcommittees commission title regulatory cut sec title requires agencies making new rule repeal rules sets rules classified commission recommended repeal offset costs new rule cut procedure sec agencies exempted cut requirements commission implemented repeal rules sets rules commission recommended repeal sec office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs oira office_of_management_and_budget shall review certify accuracy agency determinations cost new rules subject cut requirements title iii retrospective review new rules sec title requires agency issuing new rule include plan review rule later years date rule title judicial review sec title allows judicial review repeals regulations cut procedures plans future review title miscellaneous provisions sec major rule defined mean rule oira determines likely impose annual cost economy million adjusted annually inflation major increase costs prices consumers individual industries federal state local tribal government agencies geographic regions significant adverse effects competition employment investment productivity innovation ability enterprises compete foreign based enterprises significant impacts multiple sectors economy


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

Office of Compliance Administrative and Technical Corrections Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA) to revise its procedures for mediation and hearings.

The Executive Director of the Office of Compliance is required to:

 develop a master list of individuals experienced in adjudicating, arbitrating, or mediating the kinds of personnel and other matters for which mediation may be held, including, but not limited to, members of a state or District of Columbia bar and retired judges of U.S. courts; and appoint individuals (mediators) from this list. Currently, mediators are appointed after the Executive Director considers recommendations by certain organizations. Between 30 to 90 days after the end of the mediation period, a CAA-covered legislative branch employee must elect either to file a complaint with the Office or to file a civil action in the proper U.S. district court.

The Executive Director must also notify all persons participating in a mediation, hearing, or deliberation of the confidentiality requirements and of the sanctions applicable to any person who violates them.

(Sec. 3) Any individual serving as a member of the Board of Directors of the Office as of February 28, 2015, may be appointed to serve for one additional two-year term.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house passed version repeated sec bill amends congressional_accountability_act caa revise procedures mediation hearings executive director office_of_compliance required develop master list individuals experienced adjudicating kinds personnel matters mediation held including limited members state district_of_columbia bar retired judges courts appoint individuals list currently appointed executive director considers recommendations certain organizations days end mediation period caa covered legislative branch employee elect file complaint office file civil action proper district court executive director notify persons participating mediation hearing deliberation confidentiality requirements sanctions applicable person violates sec individual serving member board_of_directors office february appointed serve additional year term


Summary:
Regulatory Improvement Act of 2015

Establishes in the legislative branch the Regulatory Improvement Commission.

Requires the Commission to evaluate and makee recommendations and propose legislation for modification, consolidation, or repeal of regulations that have been finalized not later than 10 years before the establishment of the Commission (covered regulations) for the purpose of reducing compliance costs, encouraging growth and innovation, improving competitiveness, and protecting public safety.

 Requires the Commission to give priority to covered regulations that: (1) impose disproportionately high costs on a small entity, (2) create substantial recurring paperwork burdens or transaction costs, or (3) could be made more effective while reducing regulatory costs.

Sets forth reporting requirements for the Commission and procedures for congressional consideration of Commission reports and recommendations and proposed legislation.

regulatory improvement act establishes legislative branch requires commission evaluate recommendations propose legislation modification consolidation repeal regulations finalized later years establishment commission covered regulations purpose reducing compliance costs encouraging growth innovation improving competitiveness protecting public safety requires commission priority covered regulations impose disproportionately high costs small entity create substantial recurring paperwork burdens transaction costs effective reducing regulatory costs sets forth reporting requirements commission procedures congressional consideration commission reports recommendations proposed legislation


Summary:
Zero-based Budgeting Ensures Responsible Oversight (ZERO) Act of 2015

This bill requires the President to submit annual department and agency budgets that include:

 a description of each activity for which funds were appropriated during the current year or are requested for the budget year; the legal basis for each activity; three alternative funding levels and the priorities that could be accomplished with each, including at least two levels that are below the current funding level; and measures of cost efficiency and effectiveness for each activity. The Office of Management and Budget must publish guidelines to carry out this bill by assuming the baseline budget of each department or agency to be zero and requiring each proposed expenditure to be justified as if it were new.

zero based zero act bill requires president submit annual department agency budgets include description activity funds appropriated current year requested budget year legal basis activity alternative funding levels priorities accomplished including levels current funding level measures cost efficiency effectiveness activity office_of_management_and_budget publish guidelines carry bill assuming baseline budget department agency zero requiring proposed expenditure justified new


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 17, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

DHS IT Duplication Reduction Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Directs the Chief Information Officer of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report on:

 the number of information technology systems at DHS; the number of such systems exhibiting duplication or fragmentation (i.e., where there are two or more systems or programs that deliver similar functionality to similar user populations); a strategy for reducing such duplicative systems, including an assessment of potential cost savings; and a methodology for determining which system should be eliminated when there is duplication or fragmentation.

measure amended reported house june summary version repeated dhs duplication reduction act sec directs chief information officer department_of_homeland_security dhs report number information technology systems dhs number systems exhibiting duplication fragmentation systems programs deliver similar functionality similar user populations strategy reducing duplicative systems including assessment potential cost savings methodology determining system eliminated duplication fragmentation


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 17, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Department of Homeland Security Headquarters Consolidation Accountability Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in coordination with the General Services Administration (GSA), to submit a report on the DHS headquarters consolidation project within the National Capital Region, including:

 a proposed occupancy plan that includes specific information about which DHS-wide operations, component operations, and support offices will be located at the site, the aggregate number of full time equivalent employees projected to occupy the site, and schedule estimates for migrating operations to the site; a comprehensive assessment of the real property needed by DHS in the Region to carry out its mission to secure the homeland and defend against terrorism; an analysis of the difference between the current and needed capital assets and facilities of DHS; a current plan for construction of the headquarters consolidation at the St. Elizabeth's campus that includes the estimated costs and schedule for the current plan and any estimated costs savings associated with reducing the scope of the project and increasing the use of existing capacity developed under the project; a current plan for the leased portfolio of DHS in the Region that includes the total rentable square feet, number of personnel, and proposed utilization rates, the replacement and consolidation plan, including an end-state vision that identifies which DHS-wide operations, component operations, and support offices do not migrate to the St. Elizabeths campus and continue to operate at a property in the leased portfolio, the number of full time equivalent employees who are expected to operate at each property, component, or office, and timing and anticipated leased terms for leased space, and the costs and benefits of leasing and construction alternatives; and a detailed list of alternatives considered by DHS during the plan's development, including their costs and benefits. Directs DHS, in coordination with GSA, to complete the update of the cost and schedule estimates for the portions of the project that are not yet complete based on the information contained in the report. Directs the Comptroller General to review the update, evaluate the quality and reliability of such estimates, and report on the results.

measure amended reported house june summary version repeated department_of_homeland_security headquarters consolidation accountability act sec directs department_of_homeland_security dhs coordination general_services_administration gsa submit report dhs headquarters consolidation project national_capital_region including proposed occupancy plan includes specific information dhs wide operations component operations support offices located site aggregate number time equivalent employees projected occupy site schedule estimates operations site comprehensive assessment real property needed dhs region carry mission secure homeland defend terrorism analysis difference current needed capital assets facilities dhs current plan construction headquarters consolidation campus includes estimated costs schedule current plan estimated costs savings associated reducing scope project increasing use existing capacity developed project current plan leased portfolio dhs region includes total square feet number personnel proposed utilization rates replacement consolidation plan including end state vision identifies dhs wide operations component operations support offices campus continue operate property leased portfolio number time equivalent employees expected operate property component office timing anticipated leased terms leased space costs benefits leasing construction alternatives detailed list alternatives considered dhs plan development including costs benefits directs dhs coordination gsa complete update cost schedule estimates portions project complete based information contained report directs comptroller general review update evaluate quality reliability estimates report results


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the version reported by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is repeated here.)

All Economic Regulations are Transparent Act of 2015 or the ALERT Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Requires the head of each federal agency to submit a monthly report to the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each rule such agency expects to propose or finalize during the following year. Sets forth the required content of such reports, including: (1) a summary of the nature of the rule, (2) the objectives of and legal basis for issuance of the rule, (3) the stage of the rulemaking as of the date of submission, and (4) whether the rule is subject to periodic review as a rule with a significant economic impact.

Requires each agency head to submit a monthly report for any rule expected to be finalized during the following year for which the agency has issued a general notice of proposed rulemaking. Requires such reports to include an approximate schedule for completing action on the rule and an estimate of its cost and economic effects.

Requires the Administrator to make such monthly reports publicly available on the Internet.

Requires the Administrator to publish, not later than October 1 of each year, in the Federal Register: (1) information that the Administrator receives from each agency under this Act; (2) the number of rules and a list of each such rule that was proposed by each agency and each rule that was finalized by each agency; (3) the number of agency actions that repealed a rule, reduced the scope or cost of a rule, or accelerated the expiration date of a rule; (4) the total cost of all rules proposed or finalized; and (5) the number of rules for which an estimate of the cost of the rule was not available.

Requires the Administrator to make publicly available on the Internet, not later than October 1 of each year: (1) the analysis of the costs or benefits of each proposed or final rule issued by an agency for the preceding year, (2) the docket number and regulation identifier number for each such rule, (3) the number of rules reviewed by OMB for the preceding year, (4) the number of rules for which a review by the head of an agency was completed, (5) the number of rules submitted to the Comptroller General, and (6) the number of rules for which a resolution of disapproval was introduced in Congress.

Prohibits a rule from taking effect until the information required by this Act is posted on the Internet for not less than six months, unless the agency proposing the rule seeks an exemption under the Freedom of Information Act or the President determines by executive order that such rule is necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, for the enforcement of criminal laws, for national security, or to implement an international trade agreement. Makes such requirement effective eight months after enactment of this Act.

measure amended introduced expanded summary version reported house_committee_on_oversight_and_government_reform repeated economic regulations transparent act alert act sec requires head federal agency submit monthly report administrator office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs office_of_management_and_budget omb rule agency expects propose finalize following year sets forth required content reports including summary nature rule objectives legal basis issuance rule stage rulemaking date submission rule subject periodic review rule significant economic impact requires agency head submit monthly report rule expected finalized following year agency issued general notice proposed rulemaking requires reports include approximate schedule completing action rule estimate cost economic effects requires administrator monthly reports publicly available internet requires administrator publish later october year federal_register information administrator receives agency act number rules list rule proposed agency rule finalized agency number agency actions repealed rule reduced scope cost rule accelerated expiration date rule total cost rules proposed finalized number rules estimate cost rule available requires administrator publicly available internet later october year analysis costs benefits proposed final rule issued agency preceding year docket number regulation identifier number rule number rules reviewed omb preceding year number rules review head agency completed number rules submitted comptroller_general number rules resolution disapproval introduced congress prohibits rule taking effect information required act posted internet months agency proposing rule seeks exemption freedom information act president determines executive order rule necessary imminent threat health safety emergency enforcement criminal laws national security implement international trade agreement makes requirement effective months enactment act


Summary:
Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill establishes in the executive branch a Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking.

(Sec. 3) The bill provides for a 15 member Commission appointed by the President and congressional leaders with consideration given to individuals with expertise in economics, statistics, program evaluation, data security, confidentiality, or database management.

(Sec. 4) The Commission must conduct a comprehensive study of the data inventory, data infrastructure, database security, and statistical protocols related to federal policymaking and the agencies responsible for maintaining that data to:

 determine the optimal arrangement for which administrative data on federal programs and tax expenditures, survey data, and related statistical data series may be integrated and made available to facilitate program evaluation, continuous improvement, policy-relevant research, and cost-benefit analyses; make recommendations on how data infrastructure, database security, and statistical protocols should be modified to best fulfill those objectives; and make recommendations on how best to incorporate outcomes measurement, institutionalize randomized controlled trials, and rigorous impact analysis into program design. The Commission shall consider whether a clearinghouse for program and survey data should be established and how to create such clearinghouse.

The Commission shall evaluate:

 what administrative data and survey data are relevant for program evaluation and federal policy-making and should be included in a clearinghouse; which survey data such administrative data may be linked to, in addition to linkages across administrative data series; what are the legal and administrative barriers to including or linking these data series; what data-sharing infrastructure should be used to facilitate data merging and access for research purposes; how a clearinghouse could be self-funded; which researchers, officials, and institutions should have access to data; what limitations should be placed on the use of data; how to protect information and ensure individual privacy and confidentiality; how data and results of research can be used to inform program administrators and policymakers to improve program design; what incentives may facilitate interagency sharing of information to improve programmatic effectiveness and enhance data accuracy and comprehensiveness; and how individuals whose data are used should be notified of its usages. The Commission shall, upon the affirmative vote of at least three-quarters of its members, submit to the President and Congress a detailed statement of its findings and conclusions, together with its recommendations for appropriate legislation or administrative actions.

(Sec. 5) The following agencies shall advise and consult with the Commission on matters within their respective areas of responsibility:

 the Bureau of the Census; the Internal Revenue Service; the Social Security Administration; the Departments of Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Education, and Justice; the Office of Management and Budget; the Bureau of Economic Analysis; and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. (Sec. 6) The agencies identified as Principal Statistical Agencies in the report entitled "Statistical Programs of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2015," published by the Office of Management and Budget, shall transfer up to $3 million to the Bureau of the Census, upon request, for carrying out the activities of the Commission.

The Bureau of the Census shall provide administrative support to the Commission.

No additional funds may be authorized to carry out this Act.

(Sec. 8) The Commission shall terminate not later than 18 months after enactment of this Act.

act sec bill establishes executive branch sec bill provides member commission appointed president congressional leaders consideration given individuals expertise economics statistics program evaluation data security confidentiality database management sec commission conduct comprehensive study data inventory data infrastructure database security statistical protocols related federal policymaking agencies responsible maintaining data determine optimal arrangement administrative data federal programs tax expenditures survey data related statistical data series integrated available facilitate program evaluation continuous improvement policy relevant research cost benefit analyses recommendations data infrastructure database security statistical protocols modified best fulfill objectives recommendations best incorporate outcomes measurement randomized controlled trials rigorous impact analysis program design commission shall consider clearinghouse program survey data established create clearinghouse commission shall evaluate administrative data survey data relevant program evaluation federal policy making included clearinghouse survey data administrative data linked addition linkages administrative data series legal administrative barriers including linking data series data sharing infrastructure facilitate data merging access research purposes clearinghouse self funded researchers officials institutions access data limitations placed use data protect information ensure individual privacy confidentiality data results research inform program administrators policymakers improve program design incentives facilitate interagency sharing information improve programmatic effectiveness enhance data accuracy individuals data notified commission shall affirmative vote quarters members submit president congress detailed statement findings conclusions recommendations appropriate legislation administrative actions sec following agencies shall advise consult commission matters respective areas responsibility bureau_of_the_census internal_revenue_service social_security_administration justice office_of_management_and_budget bureau_of_economic_analysis bureau_of_labor_statistics sec agencies identified report entitled statistical programs united_states_government fiscal year published office_of_management_and_budget shall transfer million bureau_of_the_census request carrying activities commission bureau_of_the_census shall provide administrative support commission additional funds authorized carry act sec commission shall terminate later months enactment act


Summary:
Sunset Inefficient and Unaccountable Government Act

This bill requires the abolishment of the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Labor, the Interior, the Treasury, Veterans Affairs, and Transportation on specified dates of between 2 years and 11 years after enactment of this Act or every 10 years thereafter, and of any other agency about which Congress has not passed a concurrent resolution disapproving abolishment during the previous 10 years, unless a disapproval of such abolishment is enacted prior to the date of the agency's scheduled abolishment.

The head of each agency which is scheduled to be abolished must: (1) take necessary actions to dispose of the assets, obligations, and liabilities of the agency during the one-year period that begins on the date of abolishment; and (2) report to Congress on the roles and responsibilities of the agency, detailing the agency's justification for existence, including areas where the duties of the agency may overlap with the duties of other agencies.

government act bill requires abolishment labor interior treasury veterans_affairs transportation specified dates years years enactment act years agency congress passed concurrent resolution disapproving abolishment previous years disapproval abolishment enacted prior date agency scheduled abolishment head agency scheduled abolished necessary actions dispose assets obligations liabilities agency year period begins date abolishment report congress roles responsibilities agency detailing agency justification existence including areas duties agency overlap duties agencies


Summary:
Regulatory Review and Sunset Act of 2015

 Requires federal agencies to review their covered rules and modify, consolidate, or terminate such rules on a periodic basis. Defines "covered rule" to include a significant rule that is likely to result in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or any other rule designated by an agency or the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget for sunset review.

Allows a person adversely affected by a rule that is not a significant rule to submit a public petition for sunset review of such rule. Provides for sunset review of a rule upon the request of a congressional committee or a majority of the members of such committee.

Requires the OIRA to: (1) conduct an inventory of existing rules and deadlines for their sunset review; (2) prioritize rules for sunset review based on specified criteria, including the cost of the rule and the burden of reviewing it; (3) group related rules for simultaneous sunset review; (4) provide guidance to agencies for conducting sunset reviews; and (5) provide feedback to agencies on sunset reviews and results.

Sets forth review deadlines for existing and new significant rules.

Requires each agency to designate a Regulatory Review Officer with responsibility for implementation of this Act.

Provides for judicial review of a denial or substantial inexcusable delay in granting or denying a public petition for sunset review of a rule.

Terminates this Act 10 years after its enactment.

regulatory review sunset act requires federal agencies review covered rules modify consolidate terminate rules periodic basis defines covered rule include significant rule likely result annual effect economy million rule designated agency office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs oira office_of_management_and_budget sunset review allows person adversely affected rule significant rule submit public petition sunset review rule provides sunset review rule request congressional committee majority members committee requires oira conduct inventory existing rules deadlines sunset review prioritize rules sunset review based specified criteria including cost rule burden reviewing group related rules simultaneous sunset review provide guidance agencies conducting sunset reviews provide feedback agencies sunset reviews results sets forth review deadlines existing new significant rules requires agency designate regulatory review officer responsibility implementation act provides judicial review denial substantial delay granting denying public petition sunset review rule terminates act years enactment


Summary:
Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act of 2015

Establishes as additional functions of the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requirements to:

 adopt and oversee government-wide standards, policies, and guidelines for program and project management for executive agencies; chair the Program Management Policy Council (established by this Act); issue regulations and establish standards and policies for executive agencies in accordance with nationally accredited standards for program and project management planning and delivery issues; engage with the private sector; conduct portfolio reviews to address programs identified as high risk by the Government Accountability Office; conduct portfolio reviews of agency programs at least annually; and establish a five-year strategic plan for program and project management. Requires the head of each federal agency that is required to have a Chief Financial Officer to designate a Program Management Improvement Officer to implement agency program management policies and develop a written strategy for enhancing the role of program managers within the agency.

Establishes the Program Management Policy Council within OMB to act as the principal interagency forum for improving agency practices related to program and project management.

Requires the Office of Personnel Management to issue regulations that: (1) identify key skills and competencies needed for an agency program and project manager, (2) establish a new job series for program and project management within an agency, and (3) establish a new career path for program and project managers.

program management improvement accountability act establishes additional functions deputy director omb requirements adopt oversee government wide standards policies guidelines program project management executive agencies chair established act issue regulations establish standards policies executive agencies accordance nationally accredited standards program project management planning delivery issues engage private sector conduct portfolio reviews address programs identified high risk government_accountability_office conduct portfolio reviews agency programs annually establish year strategic plan program project management requires head federal agency required chief financial officer designate program management improvement officer implement agency program management policies develop written strategy enhancing role program managers agency omb act principal interagency forum improving agency practices related program project management requires office_of_personnel_management issue regulations identify key skills competencies needed agency program project manager establish new job series program project management agency establish new career path program project managers


Summary:
Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture (PACT) Act

Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit intentionally engaging in animal crushing in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States. (Current law prohibits knowingly creating or distributing an animal crush video.) Adds exceptions for conduct that is for predator or pest control, medical or scientific research, or necessary to protect the life or property of a person from a serious threat caused by an animal.

preventing animal cruelty torture pact act amends federal criminal code prohibit intentionally engaging animal affecting interstate foreign commerce special maritime territorial jurisdiction united_states current law prohibits knowingly creating distributing animal video adds exceptions conduct predator pest control medical scientific research necessary protect life property person threat caused animal


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

Electronic Message Preservation Act of 2015

 (Sec. 2) This bill requires the Archivist of the United States to promulgate regulations governing federal agency preservation of electronic messages that are federal records and to periodically review and amend, as necessary, such regulations. Such regulations, at a minimum, shall: (1) require the electronic capture, management, and preservation of such electronic records in accordance with the Federal Records Act; (2) require such records to be retrievable through electronic searches; and (3) include timelines for federal agency compliance with the regulations that ensure compliance not later than December 31, 2016.

The Archivist shall promulgate regulations not later than two years after the enactment of this Act that: (1) establish mandatory minimum functional requirements for electronic records management systems and a process to ensure that such systems meet the functional requirements; and (2) include requirements for the capture, management, and preservation of other electronic records. The bill defines "electronic records management system" as software designed to manage electronic records, including by categorizing and locating records, ensuring that records are retained as long as necessary, identifying records that are due for disposition, and ensuring the storage, retrieval, and disposition of records.

Federal agency heads must report to the Archivist on agency compliance with the regulations promulgated by this Act and make such reports publicly available on the agency's website.

(Sec. 3) The bill requires the Archivist to: (1) establish standards for the management of electronic presidential records during a President's term of office, including records management controls necessary for the capture, management, and preservation of electronic messages and for ensuring that electronic messages are readily accessible for retrieval through electronic searches; (2) certify annually whether electronic records management controls established by a President meet the requirements of the Presidential Records Act; and (3) report annually to specified congressional committees on the status of such certification.

The Archivist must report to Congress one year after the conclusion of a President's term of office on: (1) the volume and format of electronic presidential records deposited into the presidential archival depository, and (2) whether electronic records management controls of a President met the requirements of this Act and the Presidential Records Act.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure electronic message preservation act sec bill requires archivist united_states promulgate regulations governing federal agency preservation electronic messages federal records periodically review amend necessary regulations regulations minimum shall require electronic capture management preservation electronic records accordance require records retrievable electronic searches include timelines federal agency compliance regulations ensure compliance later december archivist shall promulgate regulations later years enactment act establish mandatory minimum functional requirements electronic records management systems process ensure systems meet functional requirements include requirements capture management preservation electronic records bill defines electronic records management system software designed manage electronic records including locating records ensuring records retained long necessary identifying records disposition ensuring storage retrieval disposition records federal agency heads report archivist agency compliance regulations promulgated act reports publicly available agency website sec bill requires archivist establish standards management electronic presidential records president term office including records management controls necessary capture management preservation electronic messages ensuring electronic messages readily accessible retrieval electronic searches certify annually electronic records management controls established president meet requirements presidential_records_act report annually specified congressional committees status certification archivist report congress year conclusion president term office volume format electronic presidential records deposited presidential archival depository electronic records management controls president met requirements act presidential_records_act


Summary:
Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 2016

This bill amends the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) to modify and expand requirements for federal advisory committees. . A federal advisory committee is any term-limited committee, board, commission, council, conference, panel, task force, or similar group that dispenses objective advice and recommendations to officers and agencies of the executive branch.

(Sec. 2) The bill requires that appointments to federal advisory committees be made without regard to political affiliation or political activity, unless required by federal statute. The head of a federal agency making an appointment to an advisory committee must give interested persons an opportunity to suggest potential committee members by including a request for comments in the Federal Register and providing a mechanism for interested persons to comment through the agency's official website. The agency must consider any comments submitted in making selections of advisory committee members.

Any individual appointed to an advisory committee who is not a full-time or permanent part-time officer or employee of the federal government shall be designated as: (1) a special government employee if the individual is providing advice based on the individual's expertise or experience, or (2) a representative if representing the views of an entity outside of the federal government. An agency may not designate committee members as representatives to avoid making them subject to federal ethics rules and requirements.

A designated ethics official of each agency shall review the designation of each member of an advisory committee to determine whether such member's designation is appropriate and may redesignate members if appropriate.

Agency heads must ensure that the agency does not interfere with the free and independent participation, expression of views, and deliberation by advisory committee members.

(Sec. 3) The bill deems an individual who is not a full-time or permanent part-time officer or employee of the federal government as a member of an advisory committee if such individual regularly attends and participates in committee meetings, even if such individual does not have the right to vote or veto the advice or recommendations of the committee. Subcommittees of advisory committees, advisory committees established under contract or other transactional authority, and committees that include members appointed as special government employees are deemed subject to FACA requirements.

(Sec. 4) Agencies must make publicly available for each advisory committee: (1) the charter of the advisory committee; (2) the member appointment process; (3) a list of all current members, including designations as representatives or special government employees; (4) any recusal agreement made by a committee member to avoid a conflict of interest; (5) committee processes for making decisions; (6) detailed meeting minutes; and (7) notices of future committee meetings. This information must be placed on the agency's website and the website of the General Services Administration (GSA).

Advisory committees may not meet or take any action until an advisory committee charter has been filed with the GSA, the agency to which the committee reports, and specified congressional committees.

(Sec. 5) The head of each federal agency that has an advisory committee must designate a senior agency official as the agency's Advisory Committee Management Officer. Such official shall be an expert in implementing the requirements of FACA and shall be the primary point of contact for the GSA.

(Sec. 6) The Government Accountability Office shall review, and report on, compliance by agencies with FACA, as amended by this Act, including whether agencies are appropriately appointing advisory committee members as either special government employees or representatives.

(Sec. 7) The bill amends the Trade Act of 1974 to expand exemptions from FACA requirements for trade advisory committees under such Act.

(Sec. 8) The bill adopts, for purposes of FACA , the definition of "special Government employee" in the federal criminal code.

(Sec. 10) The effective date of this bill is 30 days after its enactment.

(Sec. 11) No additional funds shall be authorized to carry out the requirements in this bill.

federal advisory committee act amendments bill amends federal_advisory_committee_act faca modify expand requirements federal advisory committees federal advisory committee term limited committee board commission council conference panel task force similar group dispenses objective advice recommendations officers agencies executive branch sec bill requires appointments federal advisory committees regard political affiliation political activity required federal statute head federal agency making appointment advisory committee interested persons opportunity suggest potential committee members including request comments federal_register providing mechanism interested persons comment agency official website agency consider comments submitted making selections advisory committee members individual appointed advisory committee time permanent time officer employee federal government shall designated special government employee individual providing advice based individual expertise experience representative representing views entity outside federal government agency designate committee members representatives avoid making subject federal ethics rules requirements designated ethics official agency shall review designation member advisory committee determine member designation appropriate redesignate members appropriate agency heads ensure agency interfere free independent participation expression views deliberation advisory committee members sec bill deems individual time permanent time officer employee federal government member advisory committee individual regularly attends participates committee meetings individual right vote veto advice recommendations committee subcommittees advisory committees advisory committees established contract transactional authority committees include members appointed special government employees deemed subject faca requirements sec agencies publicly available advisory committee charter advisory committee member appointment process list current members including designations representatives special government employees recusal agreement committee member avoid conflict interest committee processes making decisions detailed meeting minutes notices future committee meetings information placed agency website website general_services_administration gsa advisory committees meet action advisory committee charter filed gsa agency committee reports specified congressional committees sec head federal agency advisory committee designate senior agency official agency official shall expert implementing requirements faca shall primary point contact gsa sec government_accountability_office shall review report compliance agencies faca amended act including agencies appropriately appointing advisory committee members special government employees representatives sec bill amends trade act expand exemptions faca requirements trade advisory committees act sec bill adopts purposes faca definition special government employee federal criminal code sec effective date bill days enactment sec additional funds shall authorized carry requirements bill


Summary:
Regulatory Predictability for Business Growth Act of 2015

This bill adds the definitions of "longstanding interpretive rule" and "revise" to the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). A longstanding interpretive rule is distinguished from an "interpretive rule" if it has been in effect for at least one year. If a rule is a longstanding interpretive rule, it remains subject to the general notice of proposed rulemaking and comment and publication provisions of the APA.

regulatory predictability business growth act bill adds definitions interpretive rule revise administrative procedure act apa interpretive rule distinguished interpretive rule effect year rule interpretive rule remains subject general notice proposed rulemaking comment publication provisions apa


Summary:
Sunset Act of 2015

Revises provisions relating to congressional review of agency rulemaking to require federal agencies to submit to Congress and the Government Accountability Office a report every three months containing a copy of any rule made during that three month period and information relating to such rule. Prohibits the implementation of a proposed rule prior to the submission of such report. Requires Congress to enact a joint resolution of approval of any agency rule and sets forth approval procedures.

Revises the definition of "rule" for purposes of this Act to exclude: (1) any rule of particular applicability, including a rule that approves or prescribes for the future rates, wages, prices, services, or allowances therefore, corporate or financial structures, reorganizations, mergers, or acquisitions thereof, or accounting practices or disclosures bearing on any of the foregoing; (2) any rule relating to agency management or personnel; or (3) any rule of agency organization, procedure, or practice that does not substantially affect the rights or obligations of non-agency parties.

Permits judicial review of whether an agency has completed the necessary requirements for a rule to take effect.

Requires agencies to designate not less than 10% of their eligible rules for review during each of the next ten years. Terminates any such rule for which Congress has not enacted a joint resolution of approval within 10 years after enactment of this Act.

Terminates an agency rule for which Congress has enacted a joint resolution of approval 10 years after the enactment of such resolution. Authorizes the President to exempt a rule from termination if such rule is: (1) necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, for the enforcement of criminal law, or for national security; or (2 ) issued to implement an international trade agreement.

revises provisions relating congressional review agency rulemaking require federal agencies submit congress government_accountability_office report months containing copy rule month period information relating rule prohibits implementation proposed rule prior submission report requires congress enact joint resolution approval agency rule sets forth approval procedures revises definition rule purposes act exclude rule particular applicability including rule approves prescribes future rates wages prices services allowances corporate financial structures mergers acquisitions thereof accounting practices disclosures bearing foregoing rule relating agency management personnel rule agency organization procedure practice substantially affect rights obligations non agency parties permits judicial review agency completed necessary requirements rule effect requires agencies designate eligible rules review years terminates rule congress enacted joint resolution approval years enactment act terminates agency rule congress enacted joint resolution approval years enactment resolution authorizes president exempt rule termination rule necessary imminent threat health safety emergency enforcement criminal law national security issued implement international trade agreement


Summary:
Sunshine on Government Act of 2015

Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to create a separate website with a distinct URL, apart from the OMB website, about the reports issued by each Office of Inspector General. Requires such website to include: (1) a general description of the role of the Office of Inspector General, (2) a description of the types of reports issued by the Office of Inspector General, (3) a list of each federal agency that has an Office of Inspector General, and (4) a link to a website containing Inspector General reports.

sunshine government act requires office_of_management_and_budget omb create separate website distinct apart omb website reports issued office_of_inspector_general requires website include general description role description types reports issued office_of_inspector_general list federal agency office_of_inspector_general link website containing inspector general reports


Summary:
Stay in Place, Cut the Waste Act of 2015

This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to: (1) review the extent to which federal agencies have reduced travel expenses by using video conferencing, and (2) develop a plan to reduce federal agency travel expenses by 50% below FY2015 levels or the greatest reduction OMB considers feasible by FY2019. Beginning in FY2019, OMB must implement the plan by rescinding from agency budgets the amounts proposed for reduction by the plan.

stay place cut waste act bill requires office_of_management_and_budget omb review extent federal agencies reduced travel expenses video conferencing develop plan reduce federal agency travel expenses fy2015 levels greatest reduction omb considers feasible fy2019 beginning fy2019 omb implement plan rescinding agency budgets amounts proposed reduction plan


Summary:
Government Transformation Act

Establishes the Commission on Government Transformation. Directs the Commission to: (1) review work done by governmental and non-governmental entities and conduct research on the organizational practices, operations, and reform efforts of federal agencies; (2) analyze organizational practices and management challenges of federal agencies; (3) assess federal programs for economy, efficiency, and effectiveness and identify best practices; (4) upon request, provide information on Commission activities to the Government Accountability Office, the Congressional Budget Office, the Office of Management and Budget, other federal agency heads, and the Office of Inspector General of each federal agency; and (5) serve as a repository for best practices for federal agencies. Requires the Commission to make interim and annual reports on its activities to the President and Congress and make such reports available to the public.

Provides for expedited congressional consideration of legislation to implement recommendations of the Commission.

government transformation act establishes commission government transformation directs commission review work governmental non governmental entities conduct research organizational practices operations reform efforts federal agencies analyze organizational practices management challenges federal agencies assess federal programs economy efficiency effectiveness identify best practices request provide information commission activities government_accountability_office congressional_budget_office office_of_management_and_budget federal agency heads office_of_inspector_general federal agency serve repository best practices federal agencies requires commission interim annual reports activities president congress reports available public provides expedited congressional consideration legislation implement recommendations commission


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

(Sec. 1) This bill makes technical amendments to titles 2, 5, 39, 42, and 44 of the U.S. Code to update statutory references to reflect the new locations of provisions in title 2 (The Congress), which was reorganized by an editorial reclassification.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill makes technical amendments titles code update statutory references reflect new locations provisions title congress reorganized reclassification


Summary:
This bill makes technical amendments to statutory references to title 50 (War and National Defense) of the U.S. Code, especially with respect to:

 national security, miscellaneous intelligence community authorities, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the National Security Agency.

bill makes technical amendments statutory references title war national defense code especially respect national security miscellaneous intelligence community authorities central_intelligence_agency national_security_agency


Summary:
This bill makes technical amendments to the U.S. Code with respect to title 52 (Voting and Elections), especially:

 uniformed and overseas citizens absentee voting,

 voting accessibility for the elderly and handicapped,

 election administration, and

 federal election campaign finance.

bill makes technical amendments code respect title voting elections especially uniformed overseas citizens absentee voting voting accessibility elderly handicapped election administration federal election campaign finance


Summary:
Stop the EPA Act of 2015

Amends the Congressional Review Act to require congressional approval of major rules issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (Currently, a rule goes into effect unless Congress disapproves it.) Nullifies the EPA's existing major rules unless the EPA resubmits them for congressional review.

Lowers the annual economic impact threshold from $100 million to $50 million for a rule that is deemed to be a major rule. Expands the criteria for an EPA regulation to be deemed a major rule to include that the rule will have a significant impact on a substantial number of agricultural entities or it will implement a carbon tax.

Expands the EPA's reports to Congress and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to include: (1) a classification of each rule as a major or nonmajor rule with an explanation of the economic effects of the rule, (2) related regulatory actions taken by the EPA or another agency, and (3) any jobs added or lost.

Allows Congress to consider approval of a major rule only once in a Congress. Gives Congress 70 session days or legislative days to approve a rule.

Requires the GAO to estimate the economic cost imposed by all of EPA's rules.

stop epa act amends require congressional approval major rules issued environmental_protection_agency epa currently rule goes effect congress disapproves nullifies epa existing major rules epa congressional review lowers annual economic impact threshold million million rule deemed major rule expands criteria epa regulation deemed major rule include rule significant impact substantial number agricultural entities implement carbon tax expands epa reports congress government_accountability_office gao include classification rule major nonmajor rule explanation economic effects rule related regulatory actions taken epa agency jobs added lost allows congress consider approval major rule congress gives congress session days legislative days approve rule requires gao estimate economic cost imposed epa rules


Summary:
Domestic Reduction In Vehicle Expenditure Act or the DRIVE Act

Requires the Office of Management and Budget to determine: (1) the total number of civilian vehicles purchased and leased by each executive agency in FY2010, (2) the total dollar amount obligated by each executive agency to purchase and to lease civilian vehicles in FY2010, and (3) the amount that would be 20% less than such total dollar amount. Prohibits each executive agency from obligating more than the reduced dollar amount for FY2010 to purchase and lease civilian vehicles in each of FY2016-FY2020. Exempts the purchase or procurement of any vehicle determined by the President to be essential for reasons of national security.

Requires the General Services Administration to ensure that agencies may share excess or unused vehicles for temporary or long-term use through the Federal Fleet Management System.

domestic reduction vehicle expenditure act drive act requires office management budget determine total number civilian vehicles purchased leased executive agency fy2010 total dollar obligated executive agency purchase lease civilian vehicles fy2010 total dollar prohibits executive agency obligating reduced dollar fy2010 purchase lease civilian vehicles fy2016-fy2020 exempts purchase procurement vehicle determined president essential reasons national security requires general services administration ensure agencies share excess unused vehicles temporary long term use


Summary:
Cost of Services and Translations Act or the COST Act

Requires federal agency Chief Financial Officers to include multilingual services accounting information in their mandatory annual reports to the agency head and to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Defines multilingual services to include: (1) services provided by interpreters hired by an agency; (2) services resulting in additional expenses which an agency provides to assist its employees or contractors to learn a non-English language; (3) agency preparation, translation, printing, or recordation of materials in a language other than English; and (4) services provided or performed for the federal government by agency employees or contractors that require speaking a non-English language that result in wage differentials or benefits provided by the agency.

Requires the annual financial management status report of the OMB to certain congressional committees to contain a Multilingual Services Expenses Report that includes: (1) a summary and analysis of the multilingual services accounting information prepared by each agency Chief Financial Officer, and (2) a description of any changes to the existing financial management structure of the federal government needed to establish an integrated individual agency accounting of all multilingual services conducted by each agency.

Requires the OMB to issue guidance that an agency Chief Financial Officer must follow in compiling multilingual services accounting information.

cost services act cost act requires federal agency chief financial officers include multilingual services accounting information mandatory annual reports agency head office_of_management_and_budget omb defines multilingual services include services provided interpreters hired agency services resulting additional expenses agency provides assist employees contractors learn non-english language agency preparation translation printing recordation materials language english services provided performed federal government agency employees contractors require speaking non-english language result wage differentials benefits provided agency requires annual financial management status report omb certain congressional committees contain includes summary analysis multilingual services accounting information prepared agency chief financial officer description changes existing financial management structure federal government needed establish integrated individual agency accounting multilingual services conducted agency requires omb issue guidance agency chief financial officer follow compiling multilingual services accounting information


Summary:
One In, One Out Act

 Prohibits a federal agency from issuing a rule that imposes a cost or responsibility on a nongovernmental person or a state or local government unless: (1) such agency has repealed or revised one or more related rules in a way that reduces costs to the regulated entities, and (2) the cost of the new rule is less than or equal to the cost of the rules being repealed or revised.

Requires any rule that is repealed or revised to be published in the Federal Register.

Makes this Act inapplicable to any rule that: (1) relates to procurement by the agency, or (2) is being revised to be less burdensome by decreasing requirements imposed or compliance costs.

act prohibits federal agency issuing rule imposes cost responsibility nongovernmental person state local government agency repealed revised related rules way reduces costs regulated entities cost new rule equal cost rules repealed revised requires rule repealed revised published federal_register makes act inapplicable rule relates procurement agency revised burdensome decreasing requirements imposed compliance costs


Summary:
Unified Savings and Accountability Act or the USA Act

Requires: (1) the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy to issue guidance to federal agencies to reinvigorate the role of the competition advocate, (2) the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue government-wide savings goals for the strategic sourcing of goods and services by executive agencies required to designate or appoint a Chief Financial Officer, (3) the Chief Information Officer of each agency to submit to the OMB a report on potentially duplicative information technology investments, and (4) the modification of the Federal Acquisition Regulation to address the use of reverse auctions by federal agencies.

Requires each federal agency to: (1) maintain adequate inventory controls and accountability systems for real property under its control, (2) develop workforce projections to assess the need of the federal workforce regarding the use of real property, (3) continuously survey real property under its control to identify property suitable for colocation or consolidation with other agencies and facilities, (4) establish goals to reduce excess and underutilized federal property, (5) identify leased space that is not fully used or occupied, and (6) conduct an inventory and make an assessment of real property under its control on an annual basis.

Establishes a Federal Real Property Council to: (1) develop guidance and ensure implementation of an efficient and effective real property management strategy, (2) identify opportunities to better manage real property assets, and (3) reduce the costs of managing real property. Requires agencies with independent leasing authority to submit to the Council a list of all their leases.

Requires the General Services Administration to establish and maintain a database of real property under the custody and control of all federal agencies

Requires the OMB to establish a pilot program to dispose of any surplus property.

Authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make grants to private nonprofit organizations to purchase surplus real property to assist the homeless.

Amends title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services to submit to Congress a report on efforts to finalize plans and schedules for fully implementing and expanding the use of the Integrated Data Repository and on actions taken to plan, schedule, and conduct training on the One Program Integrity System.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the Secretary of State to deny, revoke, or limit a passport of an individual who has a seriously delinquent tax debt in excess of $50,000.

Prohibits the Department of the Treasury from minting or issuing any coin, or engraving or printing any U.S. currency, that costs more to produce than the denomination of such coin or currency.

Requires the Government Publishing Office (GPO) to make any document of the House of Representatives or Senate available only in an electronic format accessible through the Internet and prohibits the printing or distribution of a printed copy of any such document, with a limited exception for requests by any person for whom the GPO would have been required to provide a printed copy.

Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to: (1) sequester all $1 coins bearing the design common to $1 coins minted and issued from 1979 through 1981 and in 1999; (2) undertake and report on efforts to improve the circulation of the $1 coin, other than those sequestered; (3) continuously conduct education programs to help businesses using or accepting cash to choose the best mix of $1 coins and bank notes to facilitate and reduce transaction costs; and (4) work with the Departments of State and the Treasury to ensure that countries that have adopted the dollar as a base unit of exchange and that place orders for supplies of $1 monetary units are fully briefed on the durability and longevity of $1 coins in high-circulation economies.

Declares it to be U.S. policy that after $1 coins achieve sufficient market penetration, $1 coins should replace $1 Federal Reserve notes. Allows Federal Reserve banks to continue to place $1 Federal Reserve notes into circulation until the number of $1 coins placed into circulation exceeds 600 million annually, or until four years after enactment of this Act, whichever is earlier.

Directs the Internal Revenue Service to develop a long-term strategy to improve its Internet web services provided to taxpayers.

Directs HUD and the Departments of Agriculture and Veterans Affairs to: (1) analyze, each year, the effectiveness and long-term costs and benefits of their programs, actions, and strategies for avoidance or mitigation of foreclosure losses regarding loans for and mortgages on one- to four-family homes made, insured, or guaranteed by such Departments; and (2) provide additional guidance on loss mitigation efforts to servicers of such loans and mortgages.

accountability_act usa act requires administrator federal procurement policy issue guidance federal agencies reinvigorate role competition advocate office_of_management_and_budget omb issue government wide savings goals strategic sourcing goods services executive agencies required designate appoint chief financial officer chief information officer agency submit omb report potentially duplicative information technology investments modification federal_acquisition_regulation address use reverse auctions federal agencies requires federal agency maintain adequate inventory controls accountability systems real property control develop workforce projections assess need federal workforce use real property continuously survey real property control identify property suitable colocation consolidation agencies facilities establish goals reduce excess underutilized federal property identify leased space fully occupied conduct inventory assessment real property control annual basis establishes federal real property council develop guidance ensure implementation efficient effective real property management strategy identify opportunities better manage real property assets reduce costs managing real property requires agencies independent leasing authority submit council list leases requires general_services_administration establish maintain database real property custody control federal agencies requires omb establish pilot program dispose surplus property authorizes department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud grants private nonprofit organizations purchase surplus real property assist homeless amends title general provisions social security act require department_of_health_and_human_services submit congress report efforts finalize plans schedules fully implementing expanding use actions taken plan schedule conduct training program integrity system amends internal revenue code authorize secretary state deny revoke limit passport individual seriously delinquent tax debt excess minting issuing coin printing currency costs produce denomination coin currency requires government_publishing_office gpo document house_of_representatives senate available electronic format accessible internet prohibits printing distribution printed copy document limited exception requests person gpo required provide printed copy directs_the_board_of_governors federal_reserve_system sequester coins bearing design common coins issued undertake report efforts improve circulation coin sequestered continuously conduct education programs help businesses accepting cash choose best mix coins bank notes facilitate reduce transaction costs work departments state treasury ensure countries adopted dollar base unit exchange place orders supplies monetary units fully briefed durability longevity coins high circulation economies declares policy coins achieve sufficient market penetration coins replace federal reserve notes banks continue place federal reserve notes circulation number coins placed circulation exceeds million annually years enactment act whichever earlier directs internal_revenue_service develop long term strategy improve internet web services provided taxpayers directs hud departments_of_agriculture veterans_affairs analyze year effectiveness long term costs benefits programs actions strategies avoidance mitigation foreclosure losses loans mortgages one- family homes insured guaranteed departments provide additional guidance loss mitigation efforts servicers loans mortgages


Summary:
Small Business Regulatory Sunset Act of 2015

Requires each federal agency to establish a plan for the periodic review (every nine years) of: (1) its rules that have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, and (2) any small entity compliance guide required to be published by an agency. Sets forth criteria for review of a rule, including the continued need for the rule, the complexity of the rule, and the economic impact of the rule on small entities. Requires: (1) each agency to publish in the Federal Register and on the agency website a list of the rules and small entity compliance guides to be reviewed under the plan, and (2) the agency Inspector General to determine whether the agency has conducted the required review.

Provides that each covered rule (i.e., any rule for which an agency is required to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis and which is a major rule) promulgated by an agency shall cease to have effect seven years after the final version of such rule is published unless renewed by the agency using the notice and comment rulemaking process.

small business regulatory sunset act requires federal agency establish plan periodic review years rules significant economic impact substantial number small entities small entity compliance guide required published agency sets forth criteria review rule including continued need rule complexity rule economic impact rule small entities requires agency publish federal_register agency website list rules small entity compliance guides reviewed plan agency inspector general determine agency conducted required review provides covered rule rule agency required prepare regulatory flexibility analysis major rule promulgated agency shall cease effect seven years final version rule published renewed agency notice comment rulemaking process


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 13, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Require Evaluation before Implementing Executive Wishlists Act of 2016 or the REVIEW Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill prohibits a final agency rule from being published or taking effect until the agency submits the rule to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) and the OIRA makes a determination as to whether the rule is a high-impact rule. The agency shall publish such determination with the final rule.

An agency shall postpone the effective date of a high-impact rule until the final disposition of all actions seeking judicial review of the rule.

If no person seeks judicial review of a high-impact rule during any period explicitly provided for such review under the authorizing statute or during the 60-day period after the rule is published if no such period is explicitly provided, the rule may take effect as early as the date the applicable period ends.

The bill defines a "high-impact rule" as any rule that the OIRA determines may impose an annual cost on the economy of at least $1 billion.

measure amended reported house september summary version repeated require evaluation act review act sec bill prohibits final agency rule published taking effect agency submits rule office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs oira oira makes determination rule high impact rule agency shall publish determination final rule agency shall postpone effective date high impact rule final disposition actions seeking judicial review rule person seeks judicial review high impact rule period explicitly provided review authorizing statute day period rule published period explicitly provided rule effect early date applicable period ends bill defines high impact rule rule oira determines impose annual cost economy billion