Summary:
Federal Permitting Improvement Act of 2013 - Establishes the Federal Permitting Improvement Council to be chaired by a Federal Chief Permitting Officer (Federal CPO) who is an officer of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Requires the Federal CPO to: (1) establish an inventory of covered projects for which the review or authorization of the head of any federal agency is pending, (2) develop nonbinding performance schedules for reviews and authorizations of each category of covered projects, and (3) maintain an online database, to be known as the Permitting Dashboard, to track the status of federal reviews and authorizations for any covered project. Defines "covered project" as any construction activity that requires authorization or review by a federal agency and that: (1) involves renewable or conventional energy production, electricity transmission, surface transportation, aviation, ports and waterways, water resource projects, broadband, manufacturing, or any other sector as determined by the Federal CPO; and (2) is likely to require an initial investment of more than $25 million.

Requires an agency with principal responsibility for review and authorization of a covered project (lead agency) to establish: (1) a plan for coordinating public and agency participation in, and completion of, any required federal review and authorization for a covered project and submit such plan to the Federal CPO; (2) a permitting timetable that includes intermediate and final deadlines for agency action on any federal review or authorization required for a project; and (3) a process for consultation with participating agencies early in the approval process to identify and address key issues of concern.

Grants the consent of Congress for three or more contiguous states to enter into an interstate compact establishing regional infrastructure development agencies to facilitate authorization and review of covered projects.

Requires agencies to complete environmental reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for covered projects in a timely, coordinated, and environmentally responsible manner.

Reduces the statute of limitations for judicial review of any authorization issued by an agency for a covered project from 6 years to 150 days after a notice is published in the Federal Register that authorization for a covered project is final. Requires a court, in issuing injunctive relief, to consider the potential for significant job losses or other economic harm from an order or injunction.

federal permitting improvement act establishes chaired federal chief permitting officer federal officer office_of_management_and_budget omb requires federal establish inventory covered projects review authorization head federal agency pending develop nonbinding performance schedules reviews authorizations category covered projects maintain online database known permitting dashboard track status federal reviews authorizations covered project defines covered project construction activity requires authorization review federal agency involves renewable conventional energy production electricity transmission surface transportation aviation ports waterways water resource projects broadband manufacturing sector determined likely require initial investment million requires agency principal responsibility review authorization covered project lead agency establish plan coordinating public agency participation completion required federal review authorization covered project submit plan permitting timetable includes intermediate final deadlines agency action federal review authorization required project process consultation participating agencies early approval process identify address key issues concern grants consent congress contiguous states enter interstate compact establishing regional infrastructure development agencies facilitate authorization review covered projects requires agencies complete environmental reviews required national_environmental_policy_act covered projects timely coordinated environmentally responsible manner reduces statute limitations judicial review authorization issued agency covered project years days notice published federal_register authorization covered project final requires court issuing injunctive relief consider potential significant job losses economic harm order injunction


Summary:
Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Act of 2013 - Establishes the Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Program for the appointment of individuals who are graduates of accredited law schools to serve as Congressional Clerks in the Senate or House of Representatives.

Requires the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration to each select at least six individuals for a one-year term to serve as employees in their respective chambers.

Specifies eligibility criteria for a Congressional Clerk, including that the selected candidate be a graduate of such a law school as of the starting date of his or her clerkship.

Requires the Committees to ensure that Congressional Clerks selected under this Act are apportioned equally between majority and minority party offices.

Entitles each clerk selected to the same compensation as, and comparable benefits to, an individual who holds the position of a judicial clerkship for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia within three months of graduating from law school.

act establishes congressional program appointment individuals graduates accredited law schools serve senate house_of_representatives requires senate_committee_on_rules_and_administration house_committee select individuals year term serve employees respective chambers specifies eligibility criteria including selected candidate graduate law school starting date requires committees ensure selected act apportioned equally majority minority party offices entitles clerk selected compensation comparable benefits individual holds position judicial district_of_columbia months graduating law school


Summary:
Strengthening Congressional Oversight of Regulatory actions for Efficiency - Requires the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to establish and maintain a separate Regulatory Analysis Division within CBO responsible for assessing the impact of federal rules and regulations.

Requires the Division to provide analysis:

 during the public comment period, of the prospective economic impact of economically significant proposed rules having an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or an adverse effect in a material way on the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities; and of economically significant regulations that have been in effect for five years, including an analysis of costs and benefits to determine if the regulation is meeting the stated goals it was intended to meet.

strengthening congressional oversight regulatory actions efficiency requires director congressional_budget_office cbo establish maintain separate cbo responsible assessing impact federal rules regulations requires division provide analysis public comment period prospective economic impact economically significant proposed rules having annual effect economy million adverse effect material way economy sector economy productivity competition jobs environment public health safety state local tribal governments communities economically significant regulations effect years including analysis costs benefits determine regulation meeting stated goals intended meet


Summary:
Audit the Pentagon Act of 2013 - Provides that Department of Defense (DOD) financial statements shall cease to be covered by specified DOD financial reporting requirements upon the issuance of an unqualified audit opinion (UAO) on such statements.

Provides that if DOD obtains a UAO on its statement of budgetary resources for any fiscal year after FY2014, the limitation on the total amount of authorizations that the Secretary of Defense may transfer pursuant to general transfer authority in the national interest in the succeeding fiscal year shall be $8 billion. Sets forth thresholds for the reprogramming of funds that shall apply to increases or decreases to the program base amount for a procurement or research program or an operation and maintenance or military personnel budget activity for a military department, defense agency, or defense field activity that obtains a UAO on its statement of budgetary resources.

Requires additional qualifications and responsibilities of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) and certain other DOD financial management officials if DOD fails to obtain a UAO on its general fund statement of budgetary resources for FY2015 by December 31, 2015.

Provides that if DOD fails to obtain a UAO on its general fund statement of budgetary resources for FY2018 by December 31, 2018, the reprogramming authority provided above will cease to apply. Requires, effective as of April 1, 2019, the reorganization of the position of DOD Chief Management Officer, with added qualifications and responsibilities.

Transfers jurisdiction of the Defense Finance and Accounting Service from DOD to the Department of the Treasury and requires the Secretary of the Treasury to administer such Service.

Provides that if a military department fails to obtain a UAO on its financial statements: (1) for FY2018 by December 31, 2018, the reprogramming authority provided above will cease to apply; and (2) for any fiscal year after 2017, amounts available to that department may not be obligated for a weapon or weapon system or platform being acquired under a major defense acquisition program for any activity beyond Milestone B approval not already obtained.

Directs the Secretary of Defense to amend the acquisition guidance of DOD to place specific limits on the procurement of any enterprise resource planning business system, including a three-year limit on its total procurement time from initial obligation of funds to full deployment and sustainment.

audit pentagon act provides department_of_defense dod financial statements shall cease covered specified dod financial reporting requirements issuance unqualified audit opinion statements provides dod obtains statement budgetary resources fiscal year fy2014 limitation total authorizations secretary defense transfer pursuant general transfer authority national interest succeeding fiscal year shall billion sets forth thresholds reprogramming funds shall apply increases decreases program base procurement research program operation maintenance military personnel budget activity military department defense agency defense field activity obtains statement budgetary resources requires additional qualifications responsibilities secretary certain dod financial management officials dod fails obtain general fund statement budgetary resources fy2015 december provides dod fails obtain general fund statement budgetary resources fy2018 december reprogramming authority provided cease apply requires effective april reorganization position added qualifications responsibilities transfers jurisdiction dod department_of_the_treasury requires secretary treasury administer service provides military department fails obtain financial statements fy2018 december reprogramming authority provided cease apply fiscal year amounts available department obligated weapon weapon system platform acquired major defense acquisition program activity milestone approval obtained directs secretary defense amend acquisition guidance dod place specific limits procurement enterprise resource planning business system including year limit total procurement time initial obligation funds deployment sustainment


Summary:
Grants Oversight and New Efficiency Act or the GONE Act - Directs the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency to submit to Congress and the head of each federal agency a report that: (1) lists each covered grant account held by the federal government, (2) recommends which of such grants should be immediately closed, and (3) explains why any covered grant account that has been expired for more than 90 days has not been closed out. Requires each federal agency head that manages a covered grant account recommended for closure in such report to close such account not later than 180 days after the report is submitted.

Defines "covered grant account" as a grant account in a federal agency payment management system that has a zero balance for more than 180 days and for which the grant award period has expired.

new efficiency act act directs council inspectors general integrity efficiency submit congress head federal agency report lists covered grant account held federal government recommends grants immediately closed explains covered grant account expired days closed requires federal agency head manages covered grant account recommended closure report close account later days report submitted defines covered grant account grant account federal agency payment management system zero balance days grant award period expired


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

Responsible Use of Taxpayer Dollars for Portraits Act of 2013 - Prohibits federal funds from being used to pay for production of a portrait of: (1) a Member of Congress, (2) the head of an executive agency, or (3) the head of an agency or office of the legislative branch.

Authorizes up to $20,000 in federal funds to pay for production of a portrait of an individual in line of succession to the presidency.

Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit the use of:

 federal funds to publicly display a portrait of: (1) a Member of Congress, (2) the head of an executive agency, or (3) the head of an agency or office of the legislative branch; or nonfederal funds to produce a portrait of such individual, including, in the case of a portrait of an individual in line of succession to the presidency, the use of nonfederal funds to pay the entire cost of producing it or the portion of the cost that exceeds $20,000, if any.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated responsible use taxpayer dollars act prohibits federal funds pay production member congress head executive agency head agency office legislative branch authorizes federal funds pay production individual line succession provides act shall construed prohibit use federal funds publicly display member congress head executive agency head agency office legislative branch nonfederal funds produce individual including case individual line succession use nonfederal funds pay entire cost producing portion cost exceeds


Summary:
Department of Commerce and the Workforce Consolidation Act - Establishes the Department of Commerce and the Workforce, headed by a Secretary of Commerce and the Workforce, as an executive department for the advancement of economic growth and job opportunities. Consolidates in such Department: (1) the Office of the Workforce, (2) the Patent and Trademark Office, (3) the Small Business Administration (SBA), (4) the Office of Economic Affairs and Statistics, (5) the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), (6) the International Trade Administration, (7) the Bureau of Industry and Security, (8) the Economic Development and Training Administration, (9) the Communications and Information Administration, and (10) the Office of Inspector General. Sets forth the powers and responsibilities of the Secretary.

Transfers: (1) specified functions and programs of the Departments of Commerce and Labor to the Department of Commerce and the Workforce, (2) all functions of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to the Department of the Interior, and (3) all functions of the National Marine Fisheries Service of NOAA to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Eliminates: (1) the International Labor Comparisons program of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, (2) the career pathways innovation fund established under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, (3) the Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration program (4) grants for public telecommunications facilities, (5) the Baldridge Performance Excellence Program, (6) the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award, (6) the Emergency Steel Guaranteed Loan Program, and (7) certain functions and programs of the Bureau of the Census.

department_of_commerce workforce consolidation act establishes department_of_commerce workforce headed secretary commerce workforce executive department advancement economic growth job opportunities consolidates department small_business_administration sba national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist international_trade_administration office_of_inspector_general sets forth powers responsibilities secretary transfers specified functions programs departments_of_commerce labor department_of_commerce workforce functions national_oceanic_and_atmospheric_administration noaa department_of_the_interior functions united_states fish_and_wildlife_service eliminates program bureau_of_labor_statistics career pathways innovation fund established workforce investment act program grants public telecommunications facilities emergency steel guaranteed loan program certain functions programs bureau_of_the_census


Summary:
Federal Information Technology Savings, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2013 - Modifies provisions relating to the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO) in federal agencies to require the appointment of not more than one CIO in the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Energy (DOE), Health and Human Services (HHS), Interior, Justice (DOJ), Labor, State, Transportation (DOT), Treasury, and Veterans Affairs (VA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Requires CIOs to: (1) be appointed or designated by the President, in consultation with relevant agency heads; (2) be chosen from among individuals who have demonstrated knowledge of information technology management practices and ability to manage such practices in large entities; and (3) be given enhanced authority in the budget planning process of an agency and the hiring of personnel who will have information technology responsibilities.

Expands the responsibilities of the Chief Information Officers Council to require the Council to: (1) develop cross-agency portfolio management practices and issue guidelines and practices for expansion of the federal enterprise architecture process, and (2) report to specified congressional committees on its activities. Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to examine and report on the effectiveness of the Council.

Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to make available to the public the cost, schedule, and performance data for at least 80% of all information technology investments in each federal agency to which this Act applies, unless the Director or the agency CIO determines that a waiver or limitation of such disclosure requirement is in the interests of national security.

accountability transparency_act modifies provisions relating position chief information officer cio federal agencies require appointment cio doe health_and_human_services hhs interior justice doj labor state transportation dot treasury veterans_affairs environmental_protection_agency epa national_aeronautics_and_space_administration nasa requires appointed designated president consultation relevant agency heads chosen individuals demonstrated knowledge information technology management practices ability manage practices large entities given enhanced authority budget planning process agency hiring personnel information technology responsibilities expands responsibilities chief information officers council require council develop cross agency portfolio management practices issue guidelines practices expansion federal enterprise architecture process report specified congressional committees activities requires comptroller general gao examine report effectiveness council requires director office_of_management_and_budget omb available public cost schedule performance data information technology investments federal agency act applies director agency cio determines waiver limitation disclosure requirement interests national security


Summary: Taxpayer Transparency Act of 2013 - Requires each communication funded by a federal agency for advertising or educational purposes to clearly state: (1) in the case of a printed communication, including mass mailings, signs, and billboards, that the communication is printed and published at taxpayer expense; and (2) in the case of a communication transmitted through radio, television, or the Internet, that the communication is produced and disseminated at taxpayer expense. Requires any such printed communication, including e-mails, to be of sufficient size to be clearly readable, to be set apart from the other contents of the communication, and to be printed with a reasonable degree of color contrast between the background and the printed statement. Exempts from such requirements: (1) information in or relating to a solicitation for offers for a federal contract or applications or submissions of a bid or proposal for a federal grant or other means of funding under a federal program; and (2) advertisements for employment opportunities, not including advertising materials developed for use in recruiting and retaining personnel for the Armed Forces.

taxpayer transparency act requires communication funded federal agency advertising educational purposes clearly state case printed communication including mass mailings signs communication printed published taxpayer expense case communication transmitted radio television internet communication produced disseminated taxpayer expense requires printed communication including mails sufficient size clearly readable set apart contents communication printed reasonable degree color background printed statement exempts requirements information relating solicitation offers federal contract applications submissions bid proposal federal grant means funding federal program advertisements employment opportunities including advertising materials developed use recruiting retaining personnel armed_forces


Summary:
Oversight Workforce Improvement Act of 2014 - Exempts from requirements relating to the authority of federal agencies to collect information for investigations: (1) information collected during any evaluation by the Federal Accountability and Spending Transparency Board; and (2) information collected during any audit, investigation, evaluation, or other review conducted by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency or any Office of the Inspector General, including any office of Special Inspector General.

Exempts from document disclosure requirements of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) information relating to the information security program or practices of a federal agency if disclosure could reasonably be expected to lead to, or result in, unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction of such information program or the information such program controls, processes, stores, or transmits.

Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to: (1) establish classification and pay standards for the Inspectors General of each federal agency; (2) set forth procedures for considering allegations of wrongdoing against the Special Counsel and Deputy Special Counsel (officials appointed to investigate prohibited personal practices and government waste and abuse); and (3) include within the membership of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency the Inspectors General of the Intelligence Community and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (currently, the Inspectors General of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the CIA).

oversight workforce improvement act exempts requirements relating authority federal agencies collect information investigations information collected evaluation information collected audit investigation evaluation review conducted council_of_the_inspectors_general_on_integrity_and_efficiency office_of_the_inspector_general including office exempts document disclosure requirements freedom information act foia information relating information security program practices federal agency disclosure reasonably expected lead result unauthorized access use disclosure disruption modification destruction information program information program controls processes stores transmits amends inspector general act establish classification pay standards inspectors general federal agency set forth procedures considering allegations wrongdoing special_counsel deputy special counsel officials appointed investigate prohibited personal practices government waste abuse include membership central_intelligence_agency cia currently inspectors general cia


Summary:
Sound Regulation Act of 2014 - Establishes additional requirements for rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), including:

 identification by a federal agency, in the context of a coherent conceptual framework and supported with objective data, of the nature and significance of the market failure, regulatory failure, or other problem that necessitates regulatory action and why other alternatives, such as market forces or state or local regulations, could not address the problem better than federal regulation;  establishment by an agency of an achievable objective for its regulatory action; development of at not less than three regulatory options, in addition to not regulating, that the agency estimates will provide the greatest benefits for the least cost in meeting the regulatory objective; an estimate by each agency of the costs and benefits of each regulatory option developed, at least to the extent the agency is able to exclude options whose costs exceed their benefits, and rank such options by cost from lowest to highest; publication for public comment of all analyses, documentation, and data relating to the requirements of this Act for a public comment period of not less than 30 days; establishment, by rule, of the specific cost-benefit analysis methodology appropriate to the functions and responsibilities of the agency and establishment of an appropriate period for review of new rules to assess their cost-effectiveness; justification of why the agency does not select the least-cost regulatory option as its proposed rule, and agency review, every four years, of all rules of the agency that are in effect and a determination, based on objective data, of whether the rules are working as intended, furthering their objectives, imposing unanticipated costs, or generating a net benefit. Requires the Comptroller General (GAO), for purposes of congressional review, to: (1)  examine each agency cost-benefit analysis for compliance with the requirements of this Act, including the agency methodology for such analysis; (2) examine risk analysis pertaining to the cost-benefit analysis; and (3) examine and report on agency quadrennial regulatory reviews for consistency with the requirements of this Act.

sound regulation act establishes additional requirements rulemaking administrative procedure act apa including identification federal agency context coherent conceptual framework supported objective data nature significance market failure regulatory failure problem regulatory action alternatives market forces state local regulations address problem better federal regulation establishment agency achievable objective regulatory action development regulatory options addition regulating agency estimates provide greatest benefits cost meeting regulatory objective estimate agency costs benefits regulatory option developed extent agency able exclude options costs exceed benefits rank options cost lowest highest publication public comment analyses documentation data relating requirements act public comment period days establishment rule specific cost benefit analysis methodology appropriate functions responsibilities agency establishment appropriate period review new rules assess cost effectiveness justification agency select cost regulatory option proposed rule agency review years rules agency effect determination based objective data rules working intended furthering objectives imposing unanticipated costs generating net benefit requires comptroller general gao purposes congressional review examine agency cost benefit analysis compliance requirements act including agency methodology analysis examine risk analysis pertaining cost benefit analysis examine report agency quadrennial regulatory reviews consistency requirements act


Summary: Government Reports Elimination Act of 2014 - Eliminates, modifies, or consolidates reporting requirements for the: (1) Department of Agriculture, (2) Department of Commerce, (3) Department of Defense (DOD), (4) Department of Education, (5) Department of Energy (DOE), (6) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), (7) Department of Homeland Security (DHS), (8) Department of Housing and Urban Affairs (HUD), (9) Department of Justice (DOJ), (10) Department of Labor, (11) Department of the Interior, (12) Department of State, (13) Department of the Treasury, (14) Department of Transportation (DOT), (15) Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), (16) Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), (17) Corporation for National and Community Service (18) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), (19) Federal Trade Commission (FTC), (20) General Services Administration (GSA), (21) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), (22) National Science Foundation (NSF), (23) Office of Personnel Management (OPM), (24) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), (25) Small Business Administration (SBA), (26) Social Security Administration (SSA), (27) Army Corps of Engineers, and (28) Executive Office of the President. Repeals or modifies reports relating to activities conducted by the intelligence community.

government reports elimination act modifies consolidates reporting requirements department_of_agriculture department_of_commerce department defense dod department_of_education department_of_energy doe hhs department homeland security dhs hud doj department_of_labor department interior department_of_state department treasury department_of_transportation dot department_of_veterans_affairs consumer_product_safety_commission cpsc corporation environmental protection agency epa federal_trade_commission ftc general_services_administration gsa national_aeronautics_and_space_administration nasa national_science_foundation nsf office_of_personnel_management opm securities_and_exchange_commission sec small business administration sba social_security_administration ssa army_corps_of_engineers executive office president repeals modifies reports relating activities conducted intelligence community


Summary:
Taxpayer Right-to-Know Act - (Sec. 2) Defines "program" for purposes of this Act as an organized set of activities by one or more agencies directed toward a common purpose or goal.

Requires that the website of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) include a program inventory that identifies each program of the federal government, which shall include: (1) any activity that is commonly referred to as a program; (2) any activity specifically created by law, or referenced in law, as a program; (3) each program that has an application process; (4) each program for which financial awards are made on a competitive basis; and (5) any activity identified as a program activity in a budget request.

Requires, for each program identified in such program inventory: (1) an identification of the specific statute that authorizes the program and any program regulations; (2) an estimate of the number of individuals served by any program that provides grants or financial assistance and the beneficiaries who received financial assistance under the program; (3) an estimate of the number of full-time employees who administer the program and the number of such employees whose salary is paid, in full or part, by the federal government; (4) links to any evaluation, assessment, or program performance reviews by the agency, an Inspector General, or the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released during the preceding five years; and (5) financial information for each program required to be reported under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006.

Requires the OMB Director to issue guidance to assist agencies in identifying how the program activities used in budget or appropriations accounts correspond with programs identified in the program inventory required by this Act. Authorizes the Director to issue guidance to agencies on how to more closely align programs in the program inventory for purposes of the President's annual budget submission to Congress.

(Sec. 3) Requires: (1) the OMB Director, not later than 120 days after the enactment of this Act, to prescribe regulations or other guidance to implement this Act; and (2) the implementation of this Act not later than 1 year after its enactment.

taxpayer right know act sec defines program purposes act organized set activities agencies directed common purpose goal requires website office_of_management_and_budget omb include program inventory identifies program federal government shall include activity commonly referred program activity specifically created law referenced law program program application process program financial awards competitive basis activity identified program activity budget request requires program identified program inventory identification specific statute authorizes program program regulations estimate number individuals served program provides grants financial assistance beneficiaries received financial assistance program estimate number time employees administer program number employees salary paid federal government links evaluation assessment program performance reviews agency inspector general government_accountability_office gao released preceding years financial information program required reported federal_funding_accountability transparency act requires omb director issue guidance assist agencies identifying program activities budget appropriations accounts correspond programs identified program inventory required act authorizes director issue guidance agencies closely align programs program inventory purposes president annual budget submission congress sec requires omb director later days enactment act prescribe regulations guidance implement act implementation act later year enactment


Summary:
National Regulatory Budget Act of 2014 - Establishes the Office of Regulatory Analysis in the executive branch as an independent establishment. Requires the Director of such Office to submit by January 30 of each year to the House Committees on Oversight and Government Reform and Small Business and the Senate Committees on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and Small Business and Entrepreneurship a Report on National Regulatory Costs, which shall include: (1) regulatory costs imposed on regulated entities; (2) an analysis of any major changes in estimation methodology used by the Office since its last annual report; (3) an analysis of any major estimate changes caused by improved or inadequate data; and (4) recommendations on how regulations may be streamlined, simplified, and modernized, what regulations should be repealed, and how the federal government may reduce the cost of regulations without diminishing their effectiveness.

Requires the Director to publish in the Federal Register and on the website of the Office a regulatory analysis of each proposed covered federal rule (i.e., a rule, an information collection requirement, guidance, or a directive that imposes not less than $25 million in annual costs on regulated entities) and each proposed withdrawal or modification of a covered federal rule by an executive agency that imposes or reduces costs on a regulated entity.

Requires Congress, not later than July 31 of each year, to pass a bill establishing a National Regulatory Budget that sets an annual overall regulatory cost cap and an annual agency regulatory cost cap for each executive agency for the fiscal year beginning on October 1. Provides that the initial National Regulatory Budget shall take effect in FY2016.

Makes cooperation with the requests of the Director for information mandatory upon executive agencies. Imposes sanctions on such agencies for failure to provide timely information to the Director.

Prohibits an executive agency that exceeds the annual agency regulatory cost cap imposed by the National Regulatory Budget for a fiscal year from promulgating a new covered federal rule that increases regulatory costs.

Requires the Director to report to Congress on positions in the federal government that are duplicative of the work performed by the Office and on the effectiveness of regulatory analysis.

establishes executive branch independent establishment requires director office submit january year senate committees homeland_security national regulatory costs shall include regulatory costs imposed regulated entities analysis major changes estimation methodology office annual report analysis major estimate changes caused improved inadequate data recommendations regulations streamlined simplified modernized regulations repealed federal government reduce cost regulations diminishing effectiveness requires director publish federal_register website office regulatory analysis proposed covered federal rule rule information collection requirement guidance directive imposes million annual costs regulated entities proposed withdrawal modification covered federal rule executive agency imposes reduces costs regulated entity requires congress later july year pass bill establishing sets annual overall regulatory cost cap annual agency regulatory cost cap executive agency fiscal year beginning october provides initial shall effect fy2016 makes cooperation requests director information mandatory executive agencies imposes sanctions agencies failure provide timely information director prohibits executive agency exceeds annual agency regulatory cost cap imposed fiscal year promulgating new covered federal rule increases regulatory costs requires director report congress positions federal government duplicative work performed office effectiveness regulatory analysis


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

Amends the Revised Statutes to repeal the requirement that stationery for the Senate be purchased according to a bidding process, and related requirements.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated amends revised statutes repeal requirement senate purchased according bidding process related requirements


Summary:
Let Me Google That For You Act - Repeals the National Technical Information Act of 1988, effective one year after the enactment of this Act (thus abolishes the National Technical Information Service [NTIS]).

Directs: (1) the Secretary of Commerce, the Archivist of the United States, the Comptroller General (GAO), and the Commissioner of Social Security to consult with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to determine if any NTIS function is critical to the U.S. economy; (2) the Comptroller General to determine which of any such critical functions are not being carried out by any other agency or instrumentality of the federal government; and (3) the Secretary of Commerce, prior to the effective date of this Act, to submit to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Finance a written certification that all NTIS operations have been terminated.

let act repeals national technical information act effective year enactment act abolishes ntis directs secretary commerce archivist united_states comptroller_general gao commissioner_of_social_security consult director office_of_management_and_budget omb determine ntis function critical economy comptroller general determine critical functions carried agency instrumentality federal government secretary commerce prior effective date act submit house_committee_on_energy_and_commerce senate_committee_on_finance written certification ntis operations terminated


Summary: Financial Regulatory Clarity Act of 2014 - Requires the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Office of Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB), the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), before issuing a final regulation or order, to assess other federal regulations and orders to determine whether the agency's proposal is in conflict with, is inconsistent with, or is duplicative of such other regulations or orders and whether such other federal regulations or orders are outdated.

requires federal_deposit_insurance_corporation fdic board_of_governors federal_reserve_system bureau_of_consumer_financial_protection cfpb national_credit_union_administration ncua securities_and_exchange_commission sec commodity_futures_trading_commission cftc issuing final regulation order assess federal regulations orders determine agency proposal conflict inconsistent duplicative regulations orders federal regulations orders outdated


Summary:
Reports Reduction Act of 2014 - Eliminates or modifies reporting requirements for programs of the: (1) Department of Agriculture (USDA), (2) Department of Defense (DOD), (3) Department of Education, (4) Department of Homeland Security (DHS), (5) U.S. Coast Guard, (6) Department of State, (7) Executive Office of the President, (8) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and (9) National Science Foundation (NSF).

Amends the Children's Health Act of 2000 to eliminate the report on blood lead screening tests received by children.

Amends the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to eliminate the annual reporting requirement on disbursements from the Oil Pollution Fund and the biennial report on the oil pollution research and development program.

Eliminates the annual report of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on the number of federally-assisted housing units under lease and their per unit cost to HUD.

Amends the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act to eliminate the reporting requirement on labor obligations.

Eliminates the annual report on investigations of travel costs of federal employees on official business.

Eliminates the requirement that the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States be compiled and published in printed form.

reports reduction act modifies reporting requirements programs department agriculture usda department_of_defense dod department_of_education department homeland security dhs president nasa national science foundation nsf amends children health act eliminate report blood lead screening tests received children amends oil pollution act eliminate annual reporting requirement disbursements biennial report oil pollution research development program eliminates annual report secretary housing_and_urban_development hud number federally assisted housing units lease unit cost hud amends eliminate reporting requirement labor obligations eliminates annual report investigations travel costs federal employees official business eliminates requirement harmonized_tariff schedule united_states compiled published printed form


Summary: Inspectors General Streamlining Act - Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to authorize each federal agency inspector general, in conducting an audit, investigation, inspection, evaluation, or other review authorized by such Act, to compare any records with other records or non-federal records. Provides that such comparison of records shall not be considered a matching program for purposes of the Privacy Act of 1974 or any other provision of law.

inspectors general streamlining act amends inspector general act authorize federal agency inspector general conducting audit investigation inspection evaluation review authorized act compare records records non federal records provides comparison records shall considered matching program purposes privacy_act provision law


Summary:
Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act of 2014 - Establishes in the executive branch a Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking. Directs the Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of the data inventory, data infrastructure, and statistical protocols related to federal policymaking and the statistical and programmatic agencies responsible for maintaining that data to:

 determine the optimal arrangement for which administrative data on federal programs and tax expenditures and related data series may be integrated and made available to facilitate program evaluation, policy-relevant research, and cost-benefit analyses by qualified researchers and institutions; make recommendations on how data infrastructure and 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. Requires the Commission to consider if and how to create a clearinghouse for program and survey data.

Terminates the Commission not later than 18 months after enactment of this Act.

act establishes executive branch directs commission conduct comprehensive study data inventory data infrastructure statistical protocols related federal policymaking statistical programmatic agencies responsible maintaining data determine optimal arrangement administrative data federal programs tax expenditures related data series integrated available facilitate program evaluation policy relevant research cost benefit analyses qualified researchers institutions recommendations data infrastructure protocols modified best fulfill objectives recommendations best incorporate outcomes measurement randomized controlled trials rigorous impact analysis program design requires commission consider create clearinghouse program survey data later months enactment act


Summary:
Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act of 2014 or the SCRUB Act of 2014 - Establishes the Retrospective Regulatory Review Commission to review the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to identify, using specified criteria, rules and sets of rules that collectively implement a regulatory program that should be repealed to lower the cost of regulation to the economy, giving priority to major rules that: (1) have been in effect more than 15 years, (2) impose paperwork burdens that could be reduced substantially without significantly diminishing regulatory effectiveness, (3) impose disproportionately high costs on small business entities, and (4) could be strengthened in their effectiveness while reducing regulatory costs. Requires the Commission to establish a public website to make regulatory information accessible to the public at no cost.

Requires a federal agency that makes a new rule to: (1) repeal rules identified by the Commission to offset the cost to the economy of such new rule (cut-go procedures), and (2) include in the final issuance of such rule a plan for reviewing the rule not later than 10 years after it is promulgated. Requires the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to review and certify the accuracy of agency determinations of the cost of new rules.

Makes agency compliance with the requirements of this Act subject to judicial review.

searching cutting regulations unnecessarily burdensome act act establishes review code federal regulations cfr identify specified criteria rules sets rules collectively implement regulatory program repealed lower cost regulation economy giving priority major rules effect years impose paperwork burdens reduced substantially significantly diminishing regulatory effectiveness impose disproportionately high costs small business entities strengthened effectiveness reducing regulatory costs requires commission establish public website regulatory information accessible public cost requires federal agency makes new rule repeal rules identified commission offset cost economy new rule cut procedures include final issuance rule plan reviewing rule later years promulgated requires administrator office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs office_of_management_and_budget omb review certify accuracy agency determinations cost new rules makes agency compliance requirements act subject judicial review


Summary:
Federal Sunset Act of 2015

 Establishes the Federal Agency Sunset Commission to: (1) submit to Congress a schedule for review by the Commission, at least once every 12 years, of the abolishment or reorganization of each federal executive agency, including advisory committees; (2) review and evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency using specified criteria; (3) recommend whether each agency should be abolished or reorganized; and (4) report to Congress on all legislation introduced that would establish a new agency or a new program to be carried out by an existing agency. Requires the abolishment of any agency within one year of the Commission's review, unless the agency is reauthorized by Congress. Authorizes the deadline for abolishing an agency to be extended for an additional two years by legislation enacted by a super majority of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Terminates the Commission on December 31, 2034.

Directs the Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, to prepare an inventory of federal programs within each agency, including the budget authority for each such program, to assist Congress and the Commission in carrying out the requirements of this Act.

federal sunset act submit congress schedule review commission years abolishment reorganization federal executive agency including advisory committees review evaluate efficiency public need agency specified criteria recommend agency abolished reorganized report congress legislation introduced establish new agency new program carried existing agency requires abolishment agency year commission review agency reauthorized congress authorizes deadline abolishing agency extended additional years legislation enacted super majority house_of_representatives senate december directs comptroller general director congressional_budget_office cooperation director congressional_research_service prepare inventory federal programs agency including budget authority program assist congress commission carrying requirements act


Summary:
Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015

 (Sec. 2) Defines "major rule" and "major guidance" for purposes of this Act as a rule or guidance that the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 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; (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S. enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises; or (4) significant impacts on multiple sectors of the economy.

Defines: (1) "high-impact rule" as a rule that the Administrator determines is likely to have an annual cost on the economy of $1 billion or more, adjusted annually for inflation; and (2) "negative-impact on jobs and wages rule" as any rule likely to reduce employment or wages in certain economic sectors or industry areas by specified amounts over specified periods.

(Sec. 3) Revises procedures for rule making under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) to require a federal agency, in the rule making process, to make all preliminary and final factual determinations based on evidence and to consider: (1) the legal authority under which a rule may be proposed; (2) the specific nature and significance of the problem the agency may address with a rule; (3) whether existing rules have created or contributed to the problem the agency may address with a rule and whether such rules may be amended or rescinded; (4) any reasonable alternatives for a new rule; and (5) the potential costs and benefits associated with potential alternative rules, including impacts on low-income populations.

Revises rule making notice requirements to require an agency to:

 publish in the Federal Register advance notice of proposed rule making involving a major or high-impact rule, a negative impact on jobs and wages rule, or a rule that involves a novel legal or policy issue arising out of statutory mandates; consult with the Administrator before issuing a proposed rule and after the issuance of an advance notice of proposed rule making; provide interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making process; hold a hearing before the adoption of any high-impact rule; expand requirements for the adoption of a final rule, including requiring that the agency adopt a rule only on the basis of the best evidence and at the least cost; and grant any interested person the right to petition for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of a rule.  Specifies the minimum amount of information that must be included in an advance notice of a proposed rule making.

Requires the Administrator to issue guidelines to promote coordination, simplification, and harmonization of agency rules during the rule making process.

Exempts from such revised procedures rule makings that concern monetary policy proposed or implemented by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Open Market Committee.

(Sec. 4) Imposes new requirements for issuing any major guidance or guidance that involves a novel legal or policy issue arising out of statutory mandates. Authorizes the Administrator to issue guidelines for agencies in issuing major guidance or other guidance.

(Sec. 5) Provides for electronic access to transcripts of testimony and exhibits and other papers filed in a rule making proceeding.

Requires the record of decision in a rule making proceeding to include information from a hearing under the Information Quality Act or on a high-impact rule.

Requires an agency to grant a petition for a hearing in the case of a major rule, unless the agency reasonably determines that a hearing would not advance consideration of the rule or would unreasonably delay completion of the rule making. Exempts from this requirement rule makings that concern monetary policy proposed or implemented by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Open Market Committee.

(Sec. 6) Provides that an agency's denial of an Information Quality Act petition, or a failure to grant or deny such petition within 90 days, is reviewable by a court as a final action.  Allows immediate judicial review of interim rules, other than in cases involving national security interests, issued without compliance with the notice requirements of this Act.

(Sec. 7) Revises standards for the scope of judicial review of agency rule making to prohibit a court from deferring to an agency's: (1) interpretation of a rule if the agency did not comply with APA requirements, (2) determination of the costs and benefits or other economic or risk assessment if the agency failed to conform to guidelines on such determinations and assessments established by the Administrator, (3) determinations made in the adoption of an interim rule, or (4) guidance.

(Sec. 8) Defines "substantial evidence" for purposes of evaluating agency adjudications and for rule making under APA as such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion in light of the record considered as a whole, taking into account whatever in the record fairly detracts from the weight of the evidence relied upon by the agency to support its decision.

(Sec. 9) Provides that the amendments made by this Act to specified provisions of federal law shall not apply to any rule makings pending or completed on the enactment date of this Act.

regulatory accountability act sec defines major rule major guidance purposes act rule guidance administrator office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs office_of_management_and_budget omb determines likely impose annual cost economy million adjusted annually inflation major increase costs prices significant adverse effects competition employment investment productivity innovation ability enterprises compete foreign based enterprises significant impacts multiple sectors economy defines high impact rule rule administrator determines likely annual cost economy billion adjusted annually inflation negative impact jobs wages rule rule likely reduce employment wages certain economic sectors industry areas specified amounts specified periods sec revises procedures rule making administrative procedure act apa require federal agency rule making process preliminary final factual determinations based evidence consider legal authority rule proposed specific nature significance problem agency address rule existing rules created contributed problem agency address rule rules amended rescinded reasonable alternatives new rule potential costs benefits associated potential alternative rules including impacts low income populations revises rule making notice requirements require agency publish federal_register advance notice proposed rule making involving major high impact rule negative impact jobs wages rule rule involves novel legal policy issue arising statutory mandates consult administrator issuing proposed rule issuance advance notice proposed rule making provide interested persons opportunity participate rule making process hold hearing adoption high impact rule expand requirements adoption final rule including requiring agency adopt rule basis best evidence cost grant interested person right petition issuance amendment repeal rule specifies minimum information included advance notice proposed rule making requires administrator issue guidelines promote coordination simplification harmonization agency rules rule making process exempts revised procedures rule concern monetary policy proposed implemented board_of_governors federal_reserve_system federal_open_market_committee sec imposes new requirements issuing major guidance guidance involves novel legal policy issue arising statutory mandates authorizes administrator issue guidelines agencies issuing major guidance guidance sec provides electronic access transcripts testimony exhibits papers filed rule making proceeding requires record decision rule making proceeding include information hearing information quality act high impact rule requires agency grant petition hearing case major rule agency reasonably determines hearing advance consideration rule unreasonably delay completion rule making exempts requirement rule concern monetary policy proposed implemented board_of_governors federal_reserve_system federal_open_market_committee sec provides agency denial information quality act petition failure grant deny petition days reviewable court final action allows immediate judicial review interim rules cases involving national security interests issued compliance notice requirements act sec revises standards scope judicial review agency rule making prohibit court deferring agency interpretation rule agency comply apa requirements determination costs benefits economic risk assessment agency failed conform guidelines determinations assessments established administrator determinations adoption interim rule guidance sec defines substantial evidence purposes evaluating agency adjudications rule making apa relevant evidence reasonable mind accept adequate support conclusion light record considered taking account record fairly weight evidence relied agency support decision sec provides amendments act specified provisions federal law shall apply rule pending completed enactment date act


Summary:
Taxpayer Transparency Act of 2015

 Requires each communication funded by a federal agency that is an advertisement, or that provides information about any federal program, benefit, or service, to clearly state: (1) in the case of a printed communication, including mass mailings, signs, and billboards, that the communication is printed or published at taxpayer expense; and (2) in the case of a communication transmitted through radio, television, or the Internet, that the communication is produced or disseminated at taxpayer expense. Requires such notification to state that a communication is provided by the U.S. government, rather than at taxpayer expense, if the communication is funded entirely by user fees or by other sources that do not include federal funds.

Requires any such printed communication: (1) to be of sufficient size to be clearly readable; and (2) to the extent feasible, to be contained in a printed box set apart from the other contents of the communication and to be printed with a reasonable degree of color contrast between the background and the printed statement. Sets forth similar requirements for audio, video, and email communications.

Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to develop and issue guidance on implementing the requirements of this Act.

Prohibits judicial review of the compliance or noncompliance with any provision of this Act.

taxpayer transparency act requires communication funded federal agency advertisement provides information federal program benefit service clearly state case printed communication including mass mailings signs communication printed published taxpayer expense case communication transmitted radio television internet communication produced disseminated taxpayer expense requires notification state communication provided government taxpayer expense communication funded entirely user fees sources include federal funds requires printed communication sufficient size clearly readable extent feasible contained printed box set apart contents communication printed reasonable degree color background printed statement sets forth similar requirements audio video email communications requires director office_of_management_and_budget develop issue guidance implementing requirements act prohibits judicial review compliance noncompliance provision act


Summary:
Review Every Dollar Act of 2015

This bill prohibits Congress from considering legislation authorizing or reauthorizing a federal program for more than seven years. Congressional committees are required to consider specified criteria to determine whether direct spending programs should be modified, terminated, or reauthorized.

The bill amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to create deficit reduction accounts for savings from legislation intended for deficit reduction. The Chairmen of the House and Senate Budget Committees are required to adjust spending allocations to reflect balances in the accounts. This creates procedural obstacles for considering legislation that spends savings intended for deficit reduction.

The bill requires transfers of funds from the general fund of the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund to be counted as new budget authority and outlays.

The bill prohibits certain rules requiring at least $100 million in new budget authority from taking effect unless: (1) the President notifies Congress that the rule is necessary for an emergency, the enforcement of criminal laws, national security, or the implementation of an international trade agreement; or (2) budget authority to carry out the rule is provided by law.

review dollar act bill prohibits congress considering legislation authorizing reauthorizing federal program seven years congressional committees required consider specified criteria determine direct spending programs modified terminated reauthorized bill amends congressional_budget_act create deficit reduction accounts savings legislation intended deficit reduction senate_budget_committees required adjust spending allocations reflect balances accounts creates procedural obstacles considering legislation spends savings intended deficit reduction bill requires transfers funds general fund treasury highway_trust_fund counted new budget authority outlays bill prohibits certain rules requiring million new budget authority taking effect president notifies congress rule necessary emergency enforcement criminal laws national security implementation international trade agreement budget authority carry rule provided law


Summary:
Federal Workforce Reduction Through Attrition Act

 Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to ensure that the total number of federal employees in each calendar quarter after the enactment of this Act does not exceed the applicable maximum for such quarter, as determined under this Act. Sets forth a formula for determining the applicable maximum based upon 90% of the total number of federal employees as of September 30, 2013. Requires that compliance with such workforce limitation be made through attrition, or through both attrition and a freeze on appointments if the total number of federal employees exceeds the applicable maximum for a quarter.

Requires OMB to: (1) ensure that there is a reduction in the amount expended for the procurement of service contracts for each fiscal year after this Act's enactment equal to the reduction in the amount expended for the federal workforce in the previous fiscal year as a result of the requirements of this Act; and (2) continuously monitor all agencies to determine whether the workforce limitation required by this Act has been met.

Allows the President to waive such workforce or service contract limitation if necessary due to: (1) a state of war or for reasons of national security; or (2) an extraordinary emergency threatening life, health, safety, or property.

federal workforce reduction attrition act requires office_of_management_and_budget omb ensure total number federal employees calendar quarter enactment act exceed applicable maximum quarter determined act sets forth formula determining applicable maximum based total number federal employees september requires compliance workforce limitation attrition attrition freeze appointments total number federal employees exceeds applicable maximum quarter requires omb ensure reduction expended procurement service contracts fiscal year act enactment equal reduction expended federal workforce previous fiscal year result requirements act continuously monitor agencies determine workforce limitation required act met allows president waive workforce service contract limitation necessary state war reasons national security extraordinary emergency threatening life health safety property


Summary:
Repeals the National Technical Information Act of 1988, effective one year after the enactment of this Act (thus abolishes the National Technical Information Service [NTIS]).

Directs: (1) the Secretary of Commerce, the Archivist of the United States, the Comptroller General, and the Commissioner of Social Security to consult with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to determine if any NTIS function is critical to the U.S. economy; (2) the Comptroller General to determine which of any such critical functions are not being carried out by any other agency or instrumentality of the federal government; and (3) the Secretary of Commerce, prior to the effective date of this Act, to submit to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Finance a written certification that all NTIS operations have been terminated.

repeals national technical information act effective year enactment act abolishes ntis directs secretary commerce archivist united_states comptroller_general commissioner_of_social_security consult director office_of_management_and_budget determine ntis function critical economy comptroller general determine critical functions carried agency instrumentality federal government secretary commerce prior effective date act submit house_committee_on_energy_and_commerce senate_committee_on_finance written certification ntis operations terminated


Summary:
Transparency in Rule Making When Using Scientific Testing Act of 2015

Requires the general notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal Register to include any scientific research of which the agency is aware and which is relevant to the rulemaking. Defines "scientific study" for purposes of the rulemaking process.

transparency rule making scientific testing act requires general notice proposed rulemaking published federal_register include scientific research agency aware relevant rulemaking defines scientific study purposes rulemaking process


Summary:
Duplication Elimination Act of 2015

This bill requires the President to send Congress a proposed joint resolution and a special message within 90 days of publication of the annual Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on duplicative government programs.

The joint resolution is limited to one that: (1) makes legislative changes needed to carry out the recommendations contained in the GAO report and included by the President, and (2) requires savings from the legislative changes to be transferred to the Treasury for deficit reduction.

The bill requires the special message to specify:

 the GAO recommendations that are excluded from the proposed joint resolution, why the recommendations were excluded, and the GAO recommendations included in the joint resolution. The bill sets forth expedited procedures for congressional consideration of the joint resolution.

duplication elimination act bill requires president send congress proposed joint resolution special message days publication annual government_accountability_office gao report duplicative government programs joint resolution limited makes legislative changes needed carry recommendations contained gao report included president requires savings legislative changes transferred treasury deficit reduction bill requires special message specify gao recommendations excluded proposed joint resolution recommendations excluded gao recommendations included joint resolution bill sets forth expedited procedures congressional consideration joint resolution


Summary:
Security Clearance Reform Act of 2015

 Directs the President to submit a strategic plan to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and the intelligence committees of Congress (appropriate congressional committees) to improve security clearance and background investigation activities. Sets forth the required contents of such plan, including the development of a continuous evaluation or monitoring system of information used for security clearances, improvement of information sharing procedures between agencies, and the reduction or elimination of databases and information sources that cannot be accessed and processed electronically.

Prohibits the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) from awarding a contract to any entity for investigative support services or background investigation fieldwork services if such entity has another contract in effect with the federal government to provide such services.

Requires the OPM Director to report to the appropriate congressional committees listing any state or local entity covered by the definition of "criminal justice agency" that has failed to cooperate with three or more criminal history record information requests of the Director. Reduces criminal justice grant funding to state and local entities that fail to substantially comply with such requests.

security clearance reform act directs president submit strategic plan house_committee_on_oversight_and_government_reform senate_committee_on_homeland_security governmental_affairs intelligence committees congress appropriate congressional committees improve security clearance background investigation activities sets forth required contents plan including development continuous evaluation monitoring system information security clearances improvement information sharing procedures agencies reduction elimination databases information sources accessed processed electronically prohibits director awarding contract entity investigative support services background investigation services entity contract effect federal government provide services requires opm director report appropriate congressional committees listing state local entity covered definition criminal justice agency failed cooperate criminal history record information requests director reduces criminal justice grant funding state local entities fail substantially comply requests


Summary:
Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies Act

 Establishes the Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies. Requires such Commission to evaluate federal agencies and their programs each year for a six-year period to determine whether: (1) two or more agencies or programs are performing the same essential function and such function can be consolidated or streamlined; (2) any agency or program has wasted federal funds by egregious spending, mismanagement of resources and personnel, or use of funds for personal benefit or the benefit of a special interest group; and (3) any agency or program has completed its intended purpose, has become irrelevant, or has failed to meet its objectives. Requires the realignment or elimination of such agencies or programs.

Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress on the effectiveness of the Commission. Sets forth procedures for consideration and implementation by Congress of Commission recommendations.

commission establishes commission requires commission evaluate federal agencies programs year year period determine agencies programs performing essential function function consolidated streamlined agency program wasted federal funds egregious spending mismanagement resources personnel use funds personal benefit benefit special interest group agency program completed intended purpose irrelevant failed meet objectives requires realignment elimination agencies programs requires comptroller general report congress effectiveness commission sets forth procedures consideration implementation recommendations


Summary:
Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2015

This bill amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Act of 1996 (SBREFA) to revise and expand the rulemaking requirements and procedures of federal agencies (excluding Congress, U.S. courts, U.S. territories and possessions, and the District of Columbia) that affect small entities.

(Sec. 2) RFA is amended to adopt the broader definition of "rule" set forth in the Administrative Procedure Act, but excludes from such definition: (1) rules that pertain to the protection of veterans' rights and benefits and to consumer credit extended to service members and dependents, or (2) rules of particular (and not general) applicability relating to rates, wages, and other financial indicators. The concept of "economic impact" is added to RFA to require agencies to consider any direct economic effect of a proposed rule on small entities and any indirect economic effect on such entities that is reasonably foreseeable and that results from such rule.

The applicability of RFA is expanded to cover: (1) rules that have a beneficial significant economic impact on small entities, (2) rules that affect Tribal organizations, (3) land management plans developed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, and (4) certain collection-of-information and record keeping activities of the Internal Revenue Service.

The definition of "small organization" under RFA is revised to mean any not-for-profit enterprise, including a local labor organization, with a net worth not exceeding $7 million and with no more than 500 employees.

(Sec. 3) Each agency is required to: (1) include in its regulatory agenda (published in the Federal Register every April and October) a brief description of the sector of the North American Industrial Classification System that is primarily affected by a proposed or promulgated rule that is likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, and (2) prominently display a plain language summary of the information in the regulatory agenda on its website.

(Sec. 4) RFA requirements relating to an initial regulatory flexibility analysis are expanded to require an analysis to contain a detailed statement (instead of merely a statement) of information relating to a proposed rule. The analysis must include an estimate of the additional cumulative impact of the proposed rule on small entities, a description of any disproportionate economic impact on small entities or a specific class of small entities, and a description of any impairment of the ability of small entities to have access to credit.

A final regulatory flexibility analysis must include a detailed description of any disproportionate economic impact on small entities or a specific class of small entities.

The standard for measuring the economic impact of a proposed rule on small entities is enhanced to require a quantifiable or numerical description of the effects of a proposed or final rule on such entities.

(Sec. 5) The authority of an agency to waive or delay the completion of regulatory flexibility analyses is eliminated.

The Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) is given expanded authority to issue, modify, or amend rules governing agency compliance with RFA requirements and to intervene in agency adjudications.

(Sec. 6) RFA procedures for the participation of small entities in the promulgation of a proposed rule are modified to require the rulemaking agency to: (1) notify the SBA Chief Counsel for Advocacy, and (2) provide the Chief Counsel with all materials prepared or utilized by the agency in making the proposed rule and with information on the potential adverse and beneficial economic impacts of the rule on small entities.

The Chief Counsel is specifically charged with: (1) convening a review panel with representation from the SBA Office of Advocacy, the agency making the rule, and the Office of Management and Budget; and (2) reporting to the rulemaking agency on the economic impact of the proposed rule on small entities with respect to energy and startup costs and on alternatives that will minimize adverse or maximize beneficial economic impacts on small entities.

The Chief Counsel is empowered to waive the review panel requirements if they are deemed impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.

(Sec. 7) RFA requirements for periodic review of rules affecting small entities are expanded to require: (1) mandatory review of all rules that have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities; (2) a detailed statement on how an agency will conduct outreach activities to include small businesses, including those owned and controlled by women, veterans, and socially and economically-disadvantaged individuals; (3) annual agency reports on the results of its review of rules; and (4) annual publication in the Federal Register and on the agency website of a list of rules to be reviewed, with a solicitation of public comments.

(Sec. 8) Judicial review under RFA is expedited to allow an individual who is aggrieved by an agency rule to initiate judicial review of agency compliance with RFA without waiting for final agency action on such rule.

(Sec. 9) Exclusive jurisdiction is granted to the U.S. Court of Appeals to review challenges by small entities to rules promulgated by the SBA Chief Counsel for Advocacy for implementing RFA.

(Sec. 10) The Small Business Act is amended to: (1) authorize the SBA Chief Counsel for Advocacy to specify size standards for small business concerns for purposes of any enactment other than the Small Business Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and (2) permit a party who seeks judicial review of a small business size determination approved by the SBA Chief Counsel for Advocacy to join the Chief Counsel as a party in an action for such review.

(Sec. 12) SBREFA is amended to require agencies, in developing small entity compliance guides, to solicit input from affected small entities or associations of small entities.

(Sec. 13) The Comptroller General must complete and publish a study that examines whether the SBA Chief Counsel for Advocacy has the capacity and resources to carry out duties under this Act.

small business regulatory flexibility improvements act bill amends regulatory flexibility act rfa revise expand rulemaking requirements procedures federal agencies excluding congress courts territories possessions district_of_columbia affect small entities sec rfa amended adopt broader definition rule set forth administrative procedure act excludes definition rules pertain protection veterans rights benefits consumer credit extended service members dependents rules particular general applicability relating rates wages financial indicators concept economic impact added rfa require agencies consider direct economic effect proposed rule small entities indirect economic effect entities reasonably foreseeable results rule applicability rfa expanded cover rules beneficial significant economic impact small entities rules affect tribal organizations land management plans developed bureau_of_land_management certain collection information record keeping activities internal_revenue_service definition small organization rfa revised mean profit enterprise including local labor organization net worth exceeding million employees sec agency required include regulatory agenda published federal_register april october brief description sector north_american_industrial_classification_system primarily affected proposed promulgated rule likely significant economic impact substantial number small entities prominently display plain language summary information regulatory agenda website sec rfa requirements relating initial regulatory flexibility analysis expanded require analysis contain detailed statement instead merely statement information relating proposed rule analysis include estimate additional cumulative impact proposed rule small entities description disproportionate economic impact small entities specific class small entities description impairment ability small entities access credit final regulatory flexibility analysis include detailed description disproportionate economic impact small entities specific class small entities standard measuring economic impact proposed rule small entities enhanced require quantifiable numerical description effects proposed final rule entities sec authority agency waive delay completion regulatory flexibility analyses eliminated chief counsel advocacy small_business_administration sba given expanded authority issue modify amend rules governing agency compliance rfa requirements intervene agency adjudications sec rfa procedures participation small entities promulgation proposed rule modified require rulemaking agency notify sba chief counsel advocacy provide chief counsel materials prepared utilized agency making proposed rule information potential adverse beneficial economic impacts rule small entities chief counsel specifically charged convening review panel representation agency making rule office_of_management_and_budget reporting rulemaking agency economic impact proposed rule small entities respect energy startup costs alternatives minimize adverse maximize beneficial economic impacts small entities chief counsel empowered waive review panel requirements deemed impracticable unnecessary contrary public interest sec rfa requirements periodic review rules affecting small entities expanded require mandatory review rules significant impact substantial number small entities detailed statement agency conduct outreach activities include small businesses including owned controlled women veterans socially economically disadvantaged individuals annual agency reports results review rules annual publication federal_register agency website list rules reviewed solicitation public comments sec judicial review rfa expedited allow individual aggrieved agency rule initiate judicial review agency compliance rfa waiting final agency action rule sec exclusive jurisdiction granted review challenges small entities rules promulgated sba chief counsel advocacy implementing rfa sec small business act amended authorize sba chief counsel advocacy specify size standards small business concerns purposes enactment small business act small_business_investment_act permit party seeks judicial review small business size determination approved sba chief counsel advocacy join chief counsel party action review sec amended require agencies developing small entity compliance guides solicit input affected small entities associations small entities sec comptroller general complete publish study examines sba chief counsel advocacy capacity resources carry duties act


Summary:
To Help Reduce Inefficient Federal Tendencies Act of 2015 or the THRIFT Act of 2015

Allows federal agencies, including judicial branch agencies, to: (1) retain up to 25% of annual savings from the implementation of plans developed by such agencies to create efficiencies and cost savings in agency operations; and (2) use such savings for specified purposes, including salary increases and employee awards for cost savings disclosures. Requires an agency to submit to the appropriate congressional committees a plan and an associated request to amend its approved operating budget specifying how such savings will be achieved and the amount and source of such savings.

help reduce inefficient federal act thrift act allows federal agencies including judicial branch agencies retain annual savings implementation plans developed agencies create efficiencies cost savings agency operations use savings specified purposes including salary increases employee awards cost savings disclosures requires agency submit appropriate congressional committees plan associated request amend approved operating budget specifying savings achieved source savings


Summary:
Government Waste Reduction Act of 2015

Establishes the Independent Government Waste Reduction Board, the membership of which shall include individuals with national recognition for expertise in agencies, waste reduction, finance and economics, and actuarial sciences.

Sets forth the duties of the Board, including: (1) analyzing organizational practices and management challenges of agencies; (2) assessing federal programs for economy, efficiency, and effectiveness and identifying best practices of agencies, and (3) submitting to Congress and the President a report on specific implementation of the recommendations from Government Accountability Office reports issued in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 on reducing duplication in government programs.

Sets forth procedures for congressional consideration of the Board's recommendations.

government waste reduction act establishes independent government waste reduction board membership shall include individuals national recognition expertise agencies waste reduction finance economics actuarial sciences sets forth duties board including analyzing organizational practices management challenges agencies assessing federal programs economy efficiency effectiveness identifying best practices agencies submitting congress president report specific implementation recommendations government reports issued reducing duplication government programs sets forth procedures congressional consideration board recommendations


Summary:
Taxpayers Right-To-Know Act

(Sec. 2) This bill requires that the website of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) include a program inventory that identifies each program of the federal government for which there is more than $1 million in annual budget authority. Such inventory shall include: (1) any activity that is commonly referred to as a program by a federal agency, and (2) any activity that is referenced in law as a program after June 30, 2019.

For programs identified in such inventory for which there is more than $1 million and not more than $10 million in annual budget authority (smaller programs), the inventory must include:

 an identification of the program activities that are aggregated, disaggregated, or consolidated as part of identifying programs; for each such program activity, the amount of funding for the current fiscal year and the previous two fiscal years; an identification of the statutes that authorize the program and any major regulations specific to the program; a description of the individuals served by a program and beneficiaries who received financial assistance under a program for the most recent fiscal year; and links to any evaluation, assessment, or program performance reviews by the agency, an Inspector General, or the Government Accountability Office released during the preceding five years. For programs identified in such inventory for which there is more than $10 million in annual budget authority (larger programs), the inventory must include:

 an identification of the program activities that are aggregated, disaggregated, or consolidated as part of identifying programs; for each program activity, the amount of funding for the current fiscal year and the previous two fiscal years; an estimate of the amount of funding for the program; an identification of the statutes that authorize the program and any major regulations specific to the program; a description and estimate of the number of individuals served by a program and beneficiaries who received financial assistance under a program for the most recent fiscal year; a description of the federal employees who administer the program and other individuals whose salary is paid in full or in part by the federal government through a grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or another form of financial award or assistance; links to any evaluation, assessment, or program performance reviews by the agency, an Inspector General, or the Government Accountability Office released during the preceding five years; and financial and other information for each program activity required to be reported under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006. The OMB shall: (1) archive and preserve the information included in the program inventory; and (2) not later than February 1 of each fiscal year, publish on a public website the total amount of undisbursed grant funding remaining in grant accounts for which the period of availability to the grantee has expired.

(Sec. 3) The bill requires the OMB, not later than June 30, 2018, to: (1) prescribe guidance to implement this Act, and (2) issue guidance to assist agencies in identifying how the program activities used in budget or appropriations accounts correspond with programs identified in the program inventory required by this Act. The OMB may: (1) issue guidance to agencies to ensure that programs are presented at a similar level of detail across agencies and are not duplicative or overlapping; (2) exempt from the requirements of this Act, based on an analysis of the costs of implementation, agencies that are not required to have a chief financial officer and that have not more than $10 million in budget authority; and (3) extend the Act's implementation deadline by not more than one year.

Implementation of the requirements in this bill must be completed not later than June 30, 2019.

(Sec. 4)  No additional funds may be authorized to carry out the requirements in this bill.

taxpayers right know act sec bill requires website office_of_management_and_budget omb include program inventory identifies program federal government million annual budget authority inventory shall include activity commonly referred program federal agency activity referenced law program june programs identified inventory million million annual budget authority smaller programs inventory include identification program activities aggregated disaggregated consolidated identifying programs program activity funding current fiscal year previous fiscal years identification statutes authorize program major regulations specific program description individuals served program beneficiaries received financial assistance program recent fiscal year links evaluation assessment program performance reviews agency inspector general government_accountability_office released preceding years programs identified inventory million annual budget authority larger programs inventory include identification program activities aggregated disaggregated consolidated identifying programs program activity funding current fiscal year previous fiscal years estimate funding program identification statutes authorize program major regulations specific program description estimate number individuals served program beneficiaries received financial assistance program recent fiscal year description federal employees administer program individuals salary paid federal government grant contract cooperative agreement form financial award assistance links evaluation assessment program performance reviews agency inspector general government_accountability_office released preceding years financial information program activity required reported federal_funding_accountability transparency act omb shall archive preserve information included program inventory later february fiscal year publish public website total undisbursed grant funding remaining grant accounts period availability grantee expired sec bill requires omb later june prescribe guidance implement act issue guidance assist agencies identifying program activities budget appropriations accounts correspond programs identified program inventory required act omb issue guidance agencies ensure programs presented similar level detail agencies duplicative overlapping exempt requirements act based analysis costs implementation agencies required chief financial officer million budget authority extend act implementation deadline year implementation requirements bill completed later june sec additional funds authorized carry requirements bill


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

Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) 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.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure providing accountability transparency act sec requires general notice proposed rule making federal agency include internet address plain language summary exceeding words proposed rule shall posted website