Summary:
Protect Democracy From Criminal Corporations Act

Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit a corporation from making a disbursement of funds in connection with a campaign for election for federal, state, or local office for six years after the corporation: (1) is finally convicted of conspiracy to commit an offense against, or to defraud, the United States or any other felony involving dishonesty or a breach of trust; or (2) that has been charged with such an offense enters into a non-prosecution agreement, a deferred prosecution agreement, or any other agreement with the Attorney General to resolve such charge if the agreement includes a requirement that the corporation make a payment equal to or greater than $1 million.

protect democracy criminal corporations act amends federal_election_campaign_act prohibit corporation making disbursement funds connection campaign election federal state local office years corporation finally convicted conspiracy commit offense defraud united_states felony involving breach trust charged offense enters non prosecution agreement deferred prosecution agreement agreement attorney general resolve charge agreement includes requirement corporation payment equal greater million


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 10, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Amends the National Labor Relations Act to provide that any Indian tribe or any enterprise or institution owned and operated by an Indian tribe and located on its lands is not considered an employer (thus excluding Indian tribes and such enterprises or institutions from coverage by the Act).

measure amended reported house september summary version repeated tribal_labor_sovereignty_act sec amends national_labor_relations_act provide indian tribe enterprise institution owned operated indian tribe located lands considered employer excluding indian tribes enterprises institutions coverage act


Summary:
Native American Energy Act

 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to allow the Department of the Interior, an affected Indian tribe, or a certified third-party appraiser under contract with the Indian tribe to appraise Indian land or trust assets involved in a transaction requiring Interior approval. (Currently, Interior sets appraisal requirements.)

Interior must approve or disapprove an appraisal within 60 days or the appraisal is deemed approved.

A tribe may waive the requirement for an appraisal if it also waives any claims for damages it might have against the United States as a result of the lack of an appraisal. (Sec. 3) Each agency within Interior involved in the review of oil and gas activities on Indian lands must use a uniform system of reference numbers and tracking systems for oil and gas wells.

(Sec. 4) This bill amends the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to make the environmental impact statement for a major federal action (excluding an action related to gaming) on Indian lands available for review and comment only to the affected tribe, individuals residing within the affected area, and state, tribal, and local governments within the affected area.

(Sec. 5) This bill sets forth provisions for the judicial review of a cause of action related to energy development on Indian land.

(Sec. 6) This bill amends the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004 to direct Interior, for land under Bureau of Land Management jurisdiction, and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), for land under Forest Service jurisdiction, to enter into agreements with Indian tribes to carry out demonstration projects that promote biomass energy production on Indian forest land and in nearby communities by providing tribes with reliable supplies of woody biomass from federal lands. Interior and USDA may carry out demonstration projects by which tribes may perform the functions of programs under the Tribal Forest Protection Act of 2004.

(Sec. 7) Activity pursuant to a tribal resource management plan or an integrated resource management plan approved by Interior under the National Indian Forest Resources Management Act or the American Indian Agricultural Resource Management Act is considered to be a sustainable management practice.

(Sec. 8) This bill amends the Long-Term Leasing Act to allow the Navajo Nation to enter into mineral resource leases on their restricted lands without Interior's approval. The maximum term of a Navajo Nation lease that does not require Interior's approval is extended for commercial and agricultural leases and established for mineral resource leases.

(Sec. 9) Interior rules regarding hydraulic fracturing do not apply on land held in trust for Indians or on restricted Indian land, except with the express consent of the Indian beneficiaries. Hydraulic fracturing or fracking is a process to extract underground resources such as oil or gas from a geologic formation by injecting water, a propping agent (e.g., sand), and chemical additives into a well under enough pressure to fracture the geological formation.

sec bill amends energy policy act allow department_of_the_interior affected indian tribe certified party appraiser contract indian tribe appraise indian land trust assets involved transaction requiring interior approval currently interior sets appraisal requirements interior approve disapprove appraisal days appraisal deemed approved tribe waive requirement appraisal waives claims damages united_states result lack appraisal sec agency interior involved review oil gas activities indian lands use uniform system reference numbers tracking systems oil gas wells sec bill amends national_environmental_policy_act environmental impact statement major federal action excluding action related gaming indian lands available review comment affected tribe individuals residing affected area state tribal local governments affected area sec bill sets forth provisions judicial review cause action related energy development indian land sec bill amends tribal_forest_protection act direct interior land bureau_of_land_management jurisdiction department_of_agriculture usda land forest_service jurisdiction enter agreements indian tribes carry demonstration projects promote biomass energy production indian forest land nearby communities providing tribes reliable supplies woody biomass federal lands interior usda carry demonstration projects tribes perform functions programs tribal_forest_protection act sec activity pursuant tribal resource management plan integrated resource management plan approved interior considered sustainable management practice sec bill amends long-term_leasing_act allow navajo nation enter mineral resource leases restricted lands interior approval maximum term navajo nation lease require interior approval extended commercial agricultural leases established mineral resource leases sec interior rules hydraulic fracturing apply land held trust indians restricted indian land express consent indian beneficiaries hydraulic fracturing fracking process extract underground resources oil gas geologic formation injecting water propping agent sand chemical additives pressure fracture geological formation


Summary:
Revolving Door Pension Prevention Act

Prohibits any former Member of Congress who is a registered lobbyist who receives annual compensation of $1 million or more for lobbying activities from receiving  benefits under: (1) the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees' Retirement System (including the Thrift Savings Plan); or (2) the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (including enhanced dental or vision benefits).

revolving door pension prevention act prohibits member congress registered lobbyist receives annual compensation million lobbying activities receiving benefits civil_service_retirement_system including thrift savings plan federal_employees_health_benefits_program including enhanced dental vision benefits


Summary:
Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act of 2015

Requires the Internal Revenue Service standards and definitions in effect on January 1, 2010, for determining whether an organization qualifies for tax-exempt status as an organization operated exclusively for social welfare to apply to such determinations after enactment of this Act. Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury, or any delegate of the Secretary, from issuing, revising, or finalizing any regulation (including proposed regulations), revenue ruling, or other guidance not limited to a particular taxpayer relating to such standards and definitions. Terminates this Act after December 31, 2017.

stop targeting political beliefs irs act requires internal_revenue_service standards definitions effect january determining organization qualifies tax exempt status organization operated exclusively social welfare apply determinations enactment act prohibits secretary treasury delegate secretary issuing revising finalizing regulation including proposed regulations revenue ruling guidance limited particular taxpayer relating standards definitions terminates act december


Summary:
Leadership PAC Limitation Act

 Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit the conversion of leadership PAC funds to personal use.

leadership pac limitation act amends federal_election_campaign_act prohibit conversion leadership pac funds personal use


Summary:
Amends the federal criminal code to replace the current two-year ban on lobbying contacts by former Senators and one-year ban on lobbying contacts by former Members of the House of Representatives with any Member, officer, or employee of either chamber with an outright ban at any time on such contacts, subject to fines and/or imprisonment.

Specifies a one-year ban on lobbying contacts by former elected officers of the House with any House Member, officer, or employee.

amends federal criminal code replace current year ban lobbying contacts senators year ban lobbying contacts members house_of_representatives member officer employee chamber ban time contacts subject fines imprisonment specifies year ban lobbying contacts elected officers house house member officer employee


Summary:
Native American Indian Education Act

Directs the Department of Education to pay four-year Native American-serving nontribal institutions of higher education the out-of-state tuition of their Indian students if those schools are required to provide a tuition-free education, with the support of their state, to Indian students in fulfillment of a condition under which the college or state received its original grant of land and facilities from the federal government.

Prohibits the amount paid to any such college from exceeding the lower of the following amounts: (1) the charges for tuition for the Indian students of that college who were non-residents of the state in which the college is located and who were enrolled in the college for academic year 2014-2015, or (2) $15 million.

Treats such payments as reimbursements to such institutions from their states.

Rescinds unobligated discretionary appropriations to offset the costs of this program.

native american indian education act directs department_of_education pay year native american serving nontribal institutions higher education state tuition indian students schools required provide tuition free education support state indian students fulfillment condition college state received original grant land facilities federal government prohibits paid college exceeding lower following amounts charges tuition indian students college non residents state college located enrolled college academic year million treats payments reimbursements institutions states rescinds unobligated discretionary appropriations offset costs program


Summary:
Redistricting Transparency Act of 2015

 Requires states to carry out congressional redistricting in accordance with a process under which members of the public are informed of redistricting proposals via the Internet and have the opportunity to participate in the development of such proposals prior to their adoption.

Requires each state redistricting entity to establish and maintain a public Internet site meeting specified requirements.

Requires the state redistricting entity to: (1) solicit the input of members of the public in its work to develop initial congressional redistricting plans for the state; and (2) post the proposed final plan on the Internet site at least 10 days before its adoption, as well as no later than 7 days after its adoption, together with a map, the reasons for adoption, dissenting opinions, and certain other information.

redistricting transparency act requires states carry congressional redistricting accordance process members public informed redistricting proposals internet opportunity participate development proposals prior adoption requires state redistricting entity establish maintain public internet site meeting specified requirements requires state redistricting entity solicit input members public work develop initial congressional redistricting plans state post proposed final plan internet site days adoption later days adoption map reasons adoption dissenting opinions certain information


Summary:
Transparency in Government Act of 2015

Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 and the Rules of the House of Representatives to expand disclosure requirements for the personal financial information of Members of Congress and for foreign travel, gifts, earmarks, and representational allowances.

Requires the Comptroller General to study the effect of written requests by Members of Congress to executive agencies to carry out and provide funding for projects and activities.

Requires each congressional committee to: (1)  post on its website the schedule for public hearings and markups conducted by each committee, and (2) submit to the Clerk of the House of Representatives a complete list of all public hearings and markup schedules of the committee and its subcommittees for posting on the House website.

Requires the Clerk and the Secretary of the Senate to: (1) post on their respective websites voting record information for each Member of Congress; and (2) establish an advisory Congressional Data Task Force to recommend data standards for the creation, exchange, and publication of congressional information.

 Requires that, to the extent practicable, all bills, resolutions, orders, and votes be created, exchanged, and published in searchable electronic formats.

Public Access to Congressional Research Service Reports Resolution of 2015 or the Congressional Research Service Electronic Accessibility Resolution of 2015

Requires the Clerk of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the Congressional Research Service (CRS), to establish and maintain a centralized, searchable, bulk downloadable, electronic database consisting of CRS issue briefs, reports, authorization of appropriation products and appropriation products, and similar material intended or available for general congressional distribution.

Exempts from public disclosure confidential information or any document that is the product of a confidential research request made by a Member, officer, employee, or office of the House of Representatives and that is not intended for distribution.

Lobbyist Disclosure Enhancement Act

Directs the Attorney General to establish the Lobbying Disclosure Act Enforcement Task Force, which shall have primary responsibility for investigating and prosecuting each case referred to the Attorney General under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.

Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to require: (1) expedited online registration of lobbyists, (2) more frequent disclosure of contributions made by lobbyists, and (3) a system for assigning an identification number to each lobbyist who is required to register or report under such Act. Requires lobbyists registered under such Act to complete an ethics training program.

Amends the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 to require the USAspending.gov website to provide specified information on federal awards.

Requires each agency Inspector General to conduct an annual audit of the data used on USAspending.gov and report on such audit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

Requires OMB to: (1) revise its guidance to federal agencies on reporting federal awards, and (2) ensure that the unique identifier used to link information about an award recipient is also used to link information about that recipient on the Federal Awardee Performance Integrity Information System.

Amends the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 to require information about individuals receiving awards or grants to be maintained on the Federal Awardee Performance Integrity Information System for 10 years.

Requires: (1) every advertisement or other communication paid for by a federal agency to include a prominent notice that the agency has paid for such advertisement or communication, (2) disclosure of White House visitor logs with personal information redacted, (3) online disclosure of OMB budget justifications, (4) disclosure of draft proposed or final rules by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, and (4) online disclosure of tax information of nonprofit organizations and registration information of foreign agents.

 Requires each agency (defined as a U.S. government authority, with specified exceptions) to require all private sector entities from which it regularly collects reports, filings, forms, disclosures or other regularized information to obtain a unique entity identifier.

 Requires each such agency to: (1) make available in an electronic format its completed responses to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and (2) use FOAIonline to log, track, and publish all FOIA requests received by the agency.

Requires the Chief Justice of the United States to ensure that the audio of an oral argument before the Supreme Court is recorded and is made publicly available on the Court's Internet website at the same time that it is recorded.

Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) conduct an audit of the public access to court electronic records system (Pacer) maintained by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, and (2) conduct annual audits of the implementation of this Act.

Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require the U.S. Judicial Conference to post on its website any report filed by a judicial officer within 48 hours of the applicable submission deadline.

transparency government act amends ethics government act rules house_of_representatives expand disclosure requirements personal financial information members congress foreign travel gifts earmarks representational allowances requires comptroller general study effect written requests members congress executive agencies carry provide funding projects activities requires congressional committee post website schedule public hearings conducted committee submit clerk house_of_representatives complete list public hearings schedules committee subcommittees posting house website requires clerk secretary senate post respective websites voting record information member congress establish advisory recommend data standards creation exchange publication congressional information requires extent practicable bills resolutions orders votes created exchanged published searchable electronic formats public access congressional research service reports resolution requires clerk house_of_representatives consultation congressional_research_service crs establish maintain centralized searchable bulk downloadable electronic database consisting crs issue briefs reports authorization appropriation products appropriation products similar material intended available general congressional distribution exempts public disclosure confidential information document product confidential research request member officer employee office house_of_representatives intended distribution lobbyist disclosure enhancement act directs attorney general establish lobbying disclosure act enforcement task force shall primary responsibility investigating prosecuting case referred attorney general lobbying disclosure act amends lobbying disclosure act require expedited online registration lobbyists frequent disclosure contributions lobbyists system assigning identification number lobbyist required register report act requires lobbyists registered act complete ethics training program amends federal_funding_accountability transparency act require website provide specified information federal awards requires agency inspector general conduct annual audit data report audit office_of_management_and_budget omb requires omb revise guidance federal agencies reporting federal awards ensure unique identifier link information award recipient link information recipient amends duncan hunter national defense authorization act fiscal year require information individuals receiving awards grants maintained years requires advertisement communication paid federal agency include prominent notice agency paid advertisement communication disclosure white_house visitor logs personal information redacted online disclosure omb budget justifications disclosure draft proposed final rules office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs online disclosure tax information nonprofit organizations registration information foreign agents requires agency defined government authority specified exceptions require private sector entities regularly collects reports filings forms disclosures information obtain unique entity identifier requires agency available electronic format completed responses freedom information act foia requests use log track publish foia requests received agency requires chief justice united_states ensure audio oral argument supreme_court recorded publicly available court internet website time recorded directs comptroller general conduct audit public access court electronic records system maintained administrative_office_of_the_united_states_courts conduct annual audits implementation act amends ethics government act require post website report filed judicial officer hours applicable submission deadline


Summary:
Restoring Confidence Through Smarter Campaigns Act

 Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to limit expenditures by candidates for the House of Representatives to $500,000 during the election cycle ($250,000 for a primary election and $250,000 for a general election). Sets at $250,000 the maximum amount of expenditures which may be made for a runoff election ($125,000 for a primary runoff election and $125,000 for a general runoff election). Excludes from such limits expenditures for legal services. Provides for indexing such amounts for inflation.

restoring confidence smarter campaigns act amends federal_election_campaign_act limit expenditures candidates house_of_representatives election cycle primary election general election sets maximum expenditures runoff election primary runoff election general runoff election excludes limits expenditures legal services provides indexing amounts inflation


Summary:
Let It Go Act

Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to allow the use of contributions or donations only for the six years following the most recent federal election for a six-year office (i.e., election to the Senate) in which an individual was a candidate for the office if that individual is not a candidate for that office during those ensuing six years.

Requires contributions or donations remaining available to to such an individual after such six-year period ends to be disposed of within 30 days, as follows: (1) to pay any debts or obligations owed in connection with the campaign for that office; (2) to return those contributions or donations to the individuals, entities, or both, who made them; (3) to make contributions to a charitable organization; and (4) to make transfers to a national, state or local committee of a political party.

let act amends federal_election_campaign_act allow use contributions donations years following recent federal election year office election senate individual candidate office individual candidate office ensuing years requires contributions donations remaining available individual year period ends disposed days follows pay debts obligations owed connection campaign office return contributions donations individuals entities contributions charitable organization transfers national state local committee political party


Summary:
Federal Election Integrity Act of 2015

 Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to make it unlawful for a chief state election administration official to take active part in political management or in a political campaign with respect to any election for federal office over which the official has supervisory authority.

Waives application of this Act if the chief state election administration official himself or herself, or an immediate family member, is a candidate.

amends federal_election_campaign_act unlawful chief state election administration official active political management political campaign respect election federal office official supervisory authority waives application act chief state election administration official immediate family member candidate


Summary:
No Golden Parachutes for Public Service Act

Amends the federal criminal code to replace the current two-year ban on lobbying contacts by former Senators and one-year ban on lobbying contacts by former Members of the House of Representatives, including former elected House officers, with any Member, officer, or employee of either chamber with an outright ban at any time on such contacts, subject to fines and/or imprisonment.

golden public service act amends federal criminal code replace current year ban lobbying contacts senators year ban lobbying contacts members house_of_representatives including elected house officers member officer employee chamber ban time contacts subject fines imprisonment


Summary:
Indian Health Service Health Professions Tax Fairness Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income amounts received under the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program and the Indian Health Professions Scholarships Program.

amends internal revenue code exclude gross income amounts received indian_health_service_loan_repayment_program


Summary:
Keeping Foreign Money Out of Politics Act of 2015

Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit foreign nationals from making contributions or donations in connection with state and local ballot initiatives and referenda.

keeping foreign money politics act amends federal_election_campaign_act prohibit foreign nationals making contributions donations connection state local ballot initiatives referenda


Summary:
Empowering Mass Participation to Offset the Wealthy's Electoral Role Act or the EMPOWER Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to revise the system of public financing for presidential primary and general elections occurring after January 1, 2016.

Increases the amount of matching funds for presidential primaries from a one-to-one match to a six-to-one match for contributions of $250 or less from individuals, with a limit on aggregate individual contributions of $1,000. Limits the total amount of payments to a presidential primary candidate to $300 million. Provides for an inflation adjustment to matching contributions beginning after 2015.

Requires presidential primary candidates who opt to participate in the public financing system to certify to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) that they have raised $25,000 (currently, $5,000) in each of 20 states, with individual contributions limited to $250. Requires such candidates to commit to accept public financing in both the primary and general elections.

Prohibits presidential primary candidates or their authorized committees from accepting contributions or bundled contributions (i.e., combining small contributions into one large contribution) from lobbyists or political action committees (PACs).

Eliminates expenditure limitations for presidential primary and general elections.

Changes the period for payment of matching funds to presidential primary candidates from January 1 of the election year to six months prior to the date of the earliest state primary election.

Revises financing provisions for general elections to: (1) limit individual contributions to participating candidates to $1,000; and (2) extend matching payments to general elections at a six-to-one rate for contributions of $250 or less, to a maximum amount of $300 million in total matching payments to a publicly-financed general election candidate.

Increases to $100 million the limit on coordinated spending by a national party and its presidential candidate in a general election campaign.

Establishes a uniform date for the release of payments to eligible general election candidates.

empowering mass participation offset electoral role act empower act amends internal revenue code federal_election_campaign_act revise system public financing presidential primary general elections occurring january increases matching funds presidential primaries match match contributions individuals limit aggregate individual contributions limits total payments presidential primary candidate million provides inflation adjustment matching contributions beginning requires presidential primary candidates opt participate public financing system certify federal_election_commission fec raised currently states individual contributions limited requires candidates commit accept public financing primary general elections prohibits presidential primary candidates authorized committees accepting contributions bundled contributions combining small contributions large contribution lobbyists political action committees pacs eliminates expenditure limitations presidential primary general elections changes period payment matching funds presidential primary candidates january election year months prior date earliest state primary election revises financing provisions general elections limit individual contributions participating candidates extend matching payments general elections rate contributions maximum million total matching payments publicly financed general election candidate increases million limit coordinated spending national party presidential candidate general election campaign establishes uniform date release payments eligible general election candidates


Summary:
Redistricting Reform Act of 2015

Prohibits a state that has been redistricted after an apportionment from being redistricted again until after the next apportionment of Representatives, unless the state is ordered by a court to conduct a subsequent redistricting in order to comply with the U.S. Constitution or enforce the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Requires such redistricting to be conducted in accordance with the plan developed and enacted into law by the independent redistricting commission established in the state or, if such a plan is not enacted into law, with the redistricting plan developed and enacted into law by a three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Sets forth provisions relating to: (1) the establishment by a nonpartisan agency of a state independent redistricting commission (including requirements for holding each of its meetings in public and maintaining a public Internet site); (2) the development and publication of a preliminary redistricting plan and the holding of at least three public hearings on such plan; (3) the enactment of a redistricting plan, under specified conditions, by a three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia; (4) redistricting conducted under a federal court order; and (5) Election Assistance Commission payments to states for carrying out redistricting.

Authorizes the Department of Justice to bring a civil action to enforce this Act, which shall be given expedited consideration.

redistricting reform act prohibits state redistricted apportionment redistricted apportionment representatives state ordered court conduct subsequent redistricting order comply enforce voting rights act requires redistricting conducted accordance plan developed enacted law independent redistricting commission established state plan enacted law redistricting plan developed enacted law judge panel district_of_columbia sets forth provisions relating establishment nonpartisan agency state independent redistricting commission including requirements holding meetings public maintaining public internet site development publication preliminary redistricting plan holding public hearings plan enactment redistricting plan specified conditions judge panel district_of_columbia redistricting conducted federal court order election assistance commission payments states carrying redistricting bring civil action enforce act shall given expedited consideration


Summary:
Citizens' Districts Preservation Act

Requires each of the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, New Jersey, and Washington to retain the congressional redistricting plan in effect in such state as of the first day of the 114th Congress until such state carries out a redistricting plan in response to the apportionment of Representatives resulting from the regular decennial census conducted in 2020.

states arizona california hawaii idaho new_jersey washington retain congressional redistricting plan effect state day congress state carries redistricting plan response apportionment representatives resulting regular decennial census conducted


Summary:
Open Our Democracy Act of 2015

 Requires all candidates for election to the Senate and the House of Representatives to run in an open primary, regardless of political party preference or lack thereof.

Limits the ensuing general election to the two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes in the open primary.

Gives candidates the option, at the time of filing to run for office, to declare a political party preference, which does not constitute or imply endorsement of the candidate by the party designated.

Treats the general election day in the same manner as a legal public holiday for purposes of federal employment.

Expresses the sense of Congress that private employers should give their employees a day off on the general election day in November 2016 and each even-numbered year thereafter to enable them to cast votes in elections held on that day.

Directs the Government Accountability Office to study the procedures used by states to conduct congressional redistricting.

open democracy act requires candidates election senate house_of_representatives run open primary regardless political party preference lack thereof limits ensuing general election candidates receiving greatest number votes open primary gives candidates option time filing run office declare political party preference constitute imply endorsement candidate party designated treats general election day manner legal public holiday purposes federal employment expresses sense congress private employers employees day general election day november numbered year enable cast votes elections held day directs government_accountability_office study procedures states conduct congressional redistricting


Summary:
Restoring Integrity to America's Elections Act

This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act with respect to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to: (1) reduce the number of members of the FEC from eight to five; (2) remove the Secretary of the Senate and Clerk of the House as ex officio members; and (3) permit no more than two members to be affiliated with the same political party. A majority of the FEC members serving at the time shall constitute a quorum, except that three shall constitute a quorum if there are only four members serving.

A Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel shall recommend to the President individuals for nomination to the FEC.

The President shall appoint the FEC Chair, subject to Senate confirmation as a member of the FEC.

The powers of the FEC are revised and distributed between the Chair and the other FEC members.

Persons who oppose requests for advisory opinions are permitted to appear at FEC hearings on such requests.

elections act bill amends federal_election_campaign_act respect federal_election_commission fec reduce number members fec remove secretary senate clerk house members permit members affiliated political party majority fec members serving time shall constitute quorum shall constitute quorum members serving blue ribbon advisory panel shall recommend president individuals nomination fec president shall appoint fec chair subject senate confirmation member fec powers fec revised distributed chair fec members persons oppose requests advisory opinions permitted appear fec hearings requests


Summary:
Financial Services Conflict of Interest Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to declare that any pension, retirement, group life, health or accident insurance, profit-sharing, stock bonus, or other employee welfare or benefit plan maintained by a federal employee's former private sector employer that makes payment of compensation contingent on accepting a position in the federal government shall not be considered exempt from certain conflict-of-interest restrictions.

The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 is amended with respect to a financial services regulator who occupies a specified supervisory position within a primary financial regulatory agency, including among specified others the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A financial services regulator shall not make, participate in making, or in any way attempt to use his or her official position to influence a particular matter that provides a direct and substantial pecuniary benefit for a former employer or former client. The regulator must recuse himself or herself from any official action that would provide such a benefit.

Moreover, the regulator may not knowingly participate in any matter which involves an individual or entity with which the regulator is negotiating prospective employment.

If the regulator is negotiating future employment with another entity, that fact must be disclosed to the designated agency ethics official.

The Director of the Office of Government Ethics must discharge certain recordkeeping duties to implement this Act, and refer any non-compliance to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.

The bill subjects violators of this Act to specified federal civil and criminal penalties.

The bill also increases from one to two years the period during which a former federal procurement officer responsible for a particular federal contract may not accept compensation from the contractor, including for lawyering or lobbyist services. This prohibition shall extend to accepting compensation from affiliates and subcontractors.

Procurement officials must also disclose contacts with procurement bidders or offerors about possible non-federal employment for a relative.

A federal employee may not be personally and substantially involved with the award or administration of a contract to a former employer for two years after leaving the employer.

Federal criminal law is amended to prohibit compensation for a former regulator:

 for a one-year period for legal representation, lobbying, or assistance for any person (except the United States) in any judicial proceeding pending under his or her official responsibility as a regulator; or for a two-year period for similar activities on behalf of any person (except the United States) before any executive branch agency or Congress in connection with any pending matter. The Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) is amended to expand from one to two years the conflict-of-interest restrictions on federal examiners. These restrictions shall apply also to supervisors of up to five financial institutions.

The FDIA subjects to specified penalties the supervisor of a large financial service regulatory agency as well as the supervisor of a senior examiner for knowingly accepting compensation during the prohibited two-year period after the individual's regulatory service ends.

bill amends federal criminal code declare pension retirement group life health accident insurance profit sharing stock bonus employee welfare benefit plan maintained federal employee private sector employer makes payment compensation contingent accepting position federal government shall considered exempt certain conflict interest restrictions ethics government act amended respect financial services regulator occupies specified supervisory position primary financial regulatory agency including specified board_of_governors federal_reserve_system commodity_futures_trading_commission securities_and_exchange_commission financial services regulator shall participate making way attempt use official position influence particular matter provides direct substantial pecuniary benefit employer client regulator official action provide benefit regulator knowingly participate matter involves individual entity regulator negotiating prospective employment regulator negotiating future employment entity fact disclosed designated agency ethics official director office_of_government_ethics discharge certain recordkeeping duties implement act refer non compliance attorney district_of_columbia bill subjects violators act specified federal civil criminal penalties bill increases years period federal procurement officer responsible particular federal contract accept compensation contractor including lobbyist services prohibition shall extend accepting compensation affiliates subcontractors procurement officials disclose contacts procurement bidders offerors possible non federal employment relative federal employee personally substantially involved award administration contract employer years leaving employer federal criminal law amended prohibit compensation regulator year period legal representation lobbying assistance person united_states judicial proceeding pending official responsibility regulator year period similar activities behalf person united_states executive branch agency congress connection pending matter federal_deposit_insurance_act fdia amended expand years conflict interest restrictions federal examiners restrictions shall apply supervisors financial institutions fdia subjects specified penalties supervisor large financial service regulatory agency supervisor senior examiner knowingly accepting compensation prohibited year period individual regulatory service ends


Summary:
501(c)(4) Reform Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax exemption for civic leagues or organizations operated for the promotion of social welfare, to prohibit such entities from participating or intervening (including the publishing or distributing of statements) in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.

reform_act bill amends internal_revenue_code respect tax exemption civic leagues organizations operated promotion social welfare prohibit entities participating intervening including publishing distributing statements political campaign behalf opposition candidate public office


Summary:
Real Time Transparency Act of 2015

 This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to revise the requirement of a 48-hour notification of a campaign contribution of $1,000 or more to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and certain other officials by the principal campaign committee of a candidate for federal office.

(Currently, a candidate's principal campaign committee is required to give a written 48-hour notification to the Secretary of the Senate or the FEC, and the Secretary of State, as appropriate, after the receipt of any contribution of $1,000 or more by any authorized committee of such candidate after the 20th day, but more than 48 hours before, any election.)

This requirement, with certain additions, shall now apply to any political committee, not just a candidate's principal campaign committee, regarding cumulative contributions (instead of single contributions) of $1,000 or more from any contributor during a calendar year. A report shall now be made only to the FEC.

Any amount transferred by a joint fundraising committee established by a candidate's authorized committee to any other authorized committee of that candidate shall be treated as a contribution by the joint fundraising committee to such authorized committee (and thus subject to the 48-hour notification requirement).

Senate candidates must file designations, statements, and reports directly with the FEC (instead of via the Secretary of the Senate, as currently required).

real time transparency act bill amends federal_election_campaign_act revise requirement hour notification campaign contribution federal_election_commission fec certain officials principal campaign committee candidate federal office currently candidate principal campaign committee required written hour notification secretary senate fec secretary state appropriate receipt contribution authorized committee candidate 20th day hours election requirement certain additions shall apply political committee candidate principal campaign committee cumulative contributions instead single contributions contributor calendar year report shall fec transferred joint fundraising committee established candidate authorized committee authorized committee candidate shall treated contribution joint fundraising committee authorized committee subject hour notification requirement senate candidates file designations statements reports directly fec instead secretary senate currently required


Summary:
Weekend Voting Act

 This bill amends the Revised Statutes to establish the first Saturday and Sunday after the first Friday in November, in every even numbered year, as the days for the election, in each state and territory, of Delegates to, or Members of, Congress.

The first Saturday and Sunday after the first Friday in November, in every fourth year, shall be the days for the election of the President and Vice President of the United States.

The polling place hours in the United States for both congressional and presidential elections shall be from 10:00 a.m. EST on Saturday till 6:00 p.m. EST on Sunday, with polls allowed to close between the hours of 10:00 p.m. local time on Saturday and 6:00 a.m. local time on Sunday, as provided by the law of the state in which the polling place is located.

weekend voting act bill amends revised_statutes establish saturday sunday friday november numbered year days election state territory delegates members congress saturday sunday friday november fourth year shall days election president vice president united_states polling place hours united_states congressional presidential elections shall est saturday till est sunday polls allowed close hours local time saturday local time sunday provided law state polling place located


Summary:
No Taxpayer Money for Corporate Campaigns Act of 2015

 Prohibits: (1) the use of federal funds received by any entity, other than a natural person, to advocate the election or defeat of a political candidate or to engage in any lobbying activity; (2) use such funds for voter registration or get-out-the-vote activities; or (3) donate such funds to any entity that advocates for the election or defeat of a political candidate or engages in lobbying activities. Exempts from this ban the use of funds by an entity for an activity specifically authorized by federal law, rule, or regulation.

taxpayer money corporate campaigns act prohibits use federal funds received entity natural person advocate election defeat political candidate engage lobbying activity use funds voter registration vote activities donate funds entity advocates election defeat political candidate engages lobbying activities exempts ban use funds entity activity specifically authorized federal law rule regulation


Summary:
Stop Foreign Donations Affecting Our Elections Act

This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit political committees from accepting any Internet credit card contribution unless:

 the individual or entity making the contribution is required, at the time of the contribution, to disclose the credit card's verification value; and the billing address associated with the card is located in the United States or, if the contribution comes from an individual U.S. citizen living outside of the United States, the individual gives the committee the U.S. mailing address he or she uses for voter registration. In the case of an Internet credit card contribution:

 the person receiving the contribution shall forward it to the treasurer of the political comittee within 10 days, together with the name and address of the contributor and the date of receipt; and the treasurer shall keep an account of the contributor's name and address, together with the date and amount of the contribution.

stop foreign donations affecting elections act bill amends federal_election_campaign_act prohibit political committees accepting internet credit card contribution individual entity making contribution required time contribution disclose credit card verification value billing address associated card located united_states contribution comes individual citizen living outside united_states individual gives committee mailing address uses voter registration case internet credit card contribution person receiving contribution shall forward treasurer political days address contributor date receipt treasurer shall account contributor address date contribution


Summary:
Campaign Transparency Act

This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to:

 eliminate the dollar amount thresholds for mandatory reporting of the identity of persons making contributions (generally in the aggregate amount or value in excess of $200 within the calendar year or election cycle) to political committees in federal elections; and so require reporting the identification of all persons making contributions within the calendar year or election cycle to such committees, regardless of the amount.

campaign transparency act bill amends federal_election_campaign_act eliminate dollar thresholds mandatory reporting identity persons making contributions generally aggregate value excess calendar year election cycle political committees federal elections require reporting identification persons making contributions calendar year election cycle committees regardless


Summary:
Stop Act

This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit an individual holding federal office from soliciting funds directly from any person: (1) for or on behalf of any political committee, or (2) for or on the behalf of any person for use for federal election activity.

Such an individual, however, may participate in a fundraising event, including planning or attending it, speaking at it, or serving as a featured guest at the event, so long as he or she does not engage in any written or verbal solicitation of funds in connection with the event.

stop act bill amends federal_election_campaign_act prohibit individual holding federal office soliciting funds directly person behalf political committee behalf person use federal election activity individual participate fundraising event including planning attending speaking serving guest event long engage written verbal solicitation funds connection event


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

(Sec. 1) This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to permit candidates for election to federal office to: (1) designate an individual for each of a candidate's authorized campaign committees who will be authorized to disburse funds of the committee in the event of the candidate's death, and (2) designate another individual to carry out the responsibilities of the designated individual in the event of the death or incapacity of the designated individual or the designated individual's unwillingness to carry out the responsibilities.

The bill prescribes procedures for filing and revoking such a designation, and permits the filing of a designation to contain the candidate's instructions regarding the disbursement of funds.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill amends federal_election_campaign_act permit candidates election federal office designate individual candidate authorized campaign committees authorized disburse funds committee event candidate death designate individual carry responsibilities designated individual event death incapacity designated individual designated individual unwillingness carry responsibilities bill prescribes procedures filing revoking designation permits filing designation contain candidate instructions disbursement funds


Summary:
Political Intelligence Transparency Act of 2016

This bill amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) to require the disclosure of political intelligence activities, particularly relating to information useful for analyzing securities or commodities markets.

Political intelligence consultants or their employing organizations must register with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives and make quarterly reports on political intelligence activities.

Persons or entities that make an oral or written political intelligence contact with a covered legislative branch or executive branch official must, on the official's request: (1) state whether such person or entity is registered under the LDA, (2) identify the client on behalf of whom the contact is made, and (3) state whether such client is a foreign entity and make any related disclosures.

The federal criminal code is amended to subject to a fine and/or imprisonment certain former officers, employees, and elected officials of the executive and legislative branches who knowingly make any communication to, or appearance before, any officer or employee of a federal or District of Columbia agency or court in violation of certain permanent or temporary restrictions and with the intent to gain information for use in: (1) analyzing securities or commodities markets, or (2) informing investment decisions in those markets.

The bill excludes from such prohibition any communication made by a representative of a media organization to gather and disseminate news and information to the public.

political intelligence transparency act bill amends lobbying disclosure act lda require disclosure political intelligence activities particularly relating information useful analyzing securities commodities markets political intelligence consultants employing organizations register secretary senate clerk house_of_representatives quarterly reports political intelligence activities persons entities oral written political intelligence contact covered legislative branch executive branch official official request state person entity registered lda identify client behalf contact state client foreign entity related disclosures federal criminal code amended subject fine imprisonment certain officers employees elected officials executive legislative branches knowingly communication appearance officer employee federal district_of_columbia agency court violation certain permanent temporary restrictions intent gain information use analyzing securities commodities markets informing investment decisions markets bill excludes prohibition communication representative media organization gather disseminate news information public


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 9, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Preventing IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the Internal Revenue Service from requiring a tax-exempt organization to include in annual returns the name, address, or other identifying information of any contributor.

The bill includes exceptions for: (1) required disclosures regarding prohibited tax shelter transactions; and (2) contributions by the organization's officers, directors, or five highest compensated employees (including compensation paid by related organizations).

measure amended reported house june summary version repeated preventing irs abuse protecting free speech act sec bill amends internal_revenue_code prohibit internal_revenue_service requiring tax exempt organization include annual returns address identifying information contributor bill includes exceptions required disclosures prohibited tax shelter transactions contributions organization officers directors highest compensated employees including compensation paid related organizations


Summary:
Presidential Tax Transparency Act

This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require any candidate of a major party for the office of President to file with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) a copy of the candidate's income tax returns for the three most recent taxable years for which such a return has been filed with the Internal Revenue Service as of the date of the nomination.

In any case in which such a candidate has not filed with the FEC such income tax returns within 30 days after the nomination date, the FEC shall request the Department of the Treasury to furnish the returns.

A tax return furnished to the FEC by a candidate or by Treasury shall be treated in the same manner as a report filed by the candidate and, except for the appropriate redaction of certain information, shall be made publicly available at the same time and in the same manner as other reports and statements.

The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize the FEC to disclose to the public the applicable tax returns of any person who has been nominated as a candidate of a major party. Treasury shall furnish the FEC with copies of any requested returns.

presidential tax transparency act bill amends federal_election_campaign_act require candidate major party office president file federal_election_commission fec copy candidate income tax returns recent taxable years return filed internal_revenue_service date nomination case candidate filed fec income tax returns days nomination date fec shall request department_of_the_treasury furnish returns tax return furnished fec candidate treasury shall treated manner report filed candidate appropriate redaction certain information shall publicly available time manner reports statements bill amends internal_revenue_code authorize fec disclose public applicable tax returns person nominated candidate major party treasury shall furnish fec copies requested returns


Summary:
Federal Election Administration Act of 2016

This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to replace the Federal Election Commission with the Federal Election Administration (FEA).

The Government Accountability Office shall conduct: (1) a thorough examination of the Attorney General's enforcement of the criminal provisions of FECA and Internal Revenue Code requirements and prohibitions regarding the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account; and (2) an ongoing study on the level of funding that constitutes an adequate level of resources for the FEA to execute competently the responsibilities imposed on the FEA by this bill.

federal_election_administration_act bill amends federal_election_campaign_act feca replace federal_election_commission federal_election_administration fea government_accountability_office shall conduct thorough examination attorney general enforcement criminal provisions feca internal_revenue_code requirements prohibitions presidential_election_campaign_fund presidential_primary_matching_payment_account ongoing study level funding constitutes adequate level resources fea execute responsibilities imposed fea bill


Summary:
We the People Act of 2016

Democracy Is Supported by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2016 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2016

This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to:

 redefine "independent expenditure" to expand the meaning of express advocacy for the election or defeat of a candidate; expand the period for treating communications as electioneering communications; repeal the prohibition against contributions by minors; prescribe disclosure requirements for campaign-related disbursements by corporations, labor organizations, and certain other entities, including super political action committees (PACs); prescribe requirements for (Stand by Your Ad) disclosure of top funders of radio, television, and telephone advocacy communications; and prescribe requirements for disclosures by covered organizations to shareholders, members, and donors of information on campaign-related disbursements. The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 is amended to require the disclosure of any independent expenditure and electioneering communication equal to or greater than $1,000.

Stop Super PAC-Candidate Coordination Act

The bill amends FECA to treat payments for coordinated expenditures as contributions to candidates under certain conditions, and set forth rules for coordinated expenditures.

The bill also prohibits candidates, individual federal officeholders, agents of a candidate or an individual federal officeholder, or certain related entities from soliciting, receiving, directing, or transferring funds to or on behalf of any political committee which accepts donations or contributions that do not comply with FECA limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements, or to or on behalf of any political organization which accepts such donations or contributions.

Real Time Transparency Act

The bill amends FECA to require 48-hour notification to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) by all political committees receiving cumulative contributions (instead of single contributions) of $1,000 or more during a year from any contributor.

Federal Election Administration Act of 2016

FECA is also amended to replace the FEC with the Federal Election Administration (FEA).

The Government Accountability Office shall: (1) examine the enforcement of the criminal provisions of FECA and prohibitions regarding the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account, and (2) study the adequate level of resources for the FEA to execute competently the responsibilities imposed by this bill.

 The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 is amended to revise the definition of lobbyist to mean any individual who is employed or retained by a client for financial or other compensation for services that include more than one lobbying contact over a two-year (currently three-month) period.

Financial Services Conflict of Interest Act

The federal criminal code is amended regarding application of certain conflict-of-interest restrictions to a private sector employer that makes payment of compensation contingent on accepting a position in the federal government.

The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 is amended to prohibit a covered financial services regulator from making, participating in making, or in any way attempting to use his or her official position to influence a particular matter that provides a direct and substantial pecuniary benefit for a former employer or former client.

The Office of Government Ethics must discharge certain record keeping duties to implement this bill.

Violators of this bill shall be subject to specified criminal and civil penalties.

The bill revises and extends certain restrictions on subsequent employment on current and former procurement officers.

The federal criminal code is also amended to place specified time restrictions on subsequent employment for financial service regulators.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Act is amended to revise restrictions on federal examiners and supervisors of financial institutions.

people act democracy supported casting light spending elections act disclose act bill amends federal_election_campaign_act feca redefine independent expenditure expand meaning express advocacy election defeat candidate expand period treating communications electioneering communications repeal prohibition contributions minors prescribe disclosure requirements campaign related disbursements corporations labor organizations certain entities including super political action committees pacs prescribe requirements stand disclosure funders radio television telephone advocacy communications prescribe requirements disclosures covered organizations shareholders members donors information campaign related disbursements lobbying disclosure act amended require disclosure independent expenditure electioneering communication equal greater stop super pac candidate coordination act bill amends feca treat payments coordinated expenditures contributions candidates certain conditions set forth rules coordinated expenditures bill prohibits candidates individual federal agents candidate individual federal officeholder certain related entities soliciting receiving directing transferring funds behalf political committee accepts donations contributions comply feca limitations prohibitions reporting requirements behalf political organization accepts donations contributions real time transparency act bill amends feca require hour notification federal_election_commission fec political committees receiving cumulative contributions instead single contributions year contributor federal_election_administration_act feca amended replace fec federal_election_administration fea government_accountability_office shall examine enforcement criminal provisions feca prohibitions presidential_election_campaign_fund presidential_primary_matching_payment_account study adequate level resources fea execute responsibilities imposed bill lobbying disclosure act amended revise definition lobbyist mean individual employed retained client financial compensation services include lobbying contact year currently month period federal criminal code amended application certain conflict interest restrictions private sector employer makes payment compensation contingent accepting position federal government ethics government act amended prohibit covered financial services regulator making participating making way attempting use official position influence particular matter provides direct substantial pecuniary benefit employer client office_of_government_ethics discharge certain record keeping duties implement bill violators bill shall subject specified criminal civil penalties bill revises extends certain restrictions subsequent employment current procurement officers federal criminal code amended place specified time restrictions subsequent employment financial service regulators federal_deposit_insurance_act amended revise restrictions federal examiners supervisors financial institutions


Summary:
Election Protection & Integrity Certification Act or the EPIC Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to require an organization applying for tax-exempt status to certify that it will not: (1) use foreign funds to make certain expenditures in connection with an election, a political party, or an electioneering communication; or (2) solicit, accept, or receive a contribution or donation from a foreign national for an election or a political party.

A tax-exempt organization must certify in its annual tax return that it has not violated the requirements described above.

The Government Accountability Office must study the political activities of corporations to determine whether foreign money is being used in U.S elections.

The bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require tax-exempt organizations filing certain reports regarding disbursements for independent expenditures or electioneering communications to certify that foreign funds were not used for the disbursements.

act bill amends internal_revenue_code require organization applying tax exempt status certify use foreign funds certain expenditures connection election political party electioneering communication solicit accept receive contribution donation foreign national election political party tax exempt organization certify annual tax return violated requirements described government_accountability_office study political activities corporations determine foreign money elections bill amends federal_election_campaign_act require tax exempt organizations filing certain reports disbursements independent expenditures electioneering communications certify foreign funds disbursements


Summary:
Contributions Legally Interdicted from Noncitizens To Our Nonprofits Act of 2016 or the CLINTON Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit a federal official organization from being treated as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) for any period after the date on which the organization knowingly or willingly accepts or solicits any contribution from any person connected to a foreign government.

A tax-exempt organization is a "federal official organization" if one or more current or former specified federal officials established, control, or actively participate in the management of the organization.

If the organization accepts a contribution from any person and learns that that the person is connected to a foreign government after the acceptance, it will not be treated as knowingly or willingly accepting the contribution if the contribution is returned within 30 days of learning of the status of the person.

The bill imposes a tax on any federal official organization that knowingly or willingly accepts any contribution from any person connected to any foreign government in an amount equal to the amount of the contribution.

contributions legally interdicted noncitizens nonprofits act clinton act bill amends internal_revenue_code prohibit federal official organization treated tax exempt organization section period date organization knowingly accepts solicits contribution person connected foreign government tax exempt organization federal official organization current specified federal officials established control actively participate management organization organization accepts contribution person person connected foreign government acceptance treated knowingly accepting contribution contribution returned days learning status person bill imposes tax federal official organization knowingly accepts contribution person connected foreign government equal contribution


Summary:
Stop Abusing the Presidential Plane Act

This bill prohibits an aircraft under the jurisdiction of a military department that is available for the President's use from being used to transport a candidate for federal office to an event promoting the candidate's election campaign.

This prohibition does not apply to the use of an aircraft to transport the President or Vice President to an event promoting the President's or Vice President's re-election campaign.

stop presidential plane act bill prohibits aircraft jurisdiction military department available president use transport candidate federal office event promoting candidate election campaign prohibition apply use aircraft transport president vice president event promoting president vice president election campaign


Summary:
Campaign Spending Integrity Act

This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit a candidate for election to federal office from using amounts contributed to the candidate's campaign to make payments to vendors owned or controlled by the candidate.

campaign spending integrity act bill amends federal_election_campaign_act prohibit candidate election federal office amounts contributed candidate campaign payments vendors owned controlled candidate


Summary:
This bill amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require candidates for nomination or election to the office of President or Vice President to include in financial disclosure reports a statement from the Department of the Treasury indicating whether or not the Internal Revenue Service is in the process of auditing any of the candidates' individual federal income tax returns, and, if so, the year of the tax return involved.

Each candidate who won the nomination of a political party for election to the office of President or Vice President in 2016 must comply with this bill by September 26, 2016.

bill amends ethics_in_government_act require candidates nomination election office president vice president include financial disclosure reports statement department_of_the_treasury indicating internal_revenue_service process auditing candidates individual federal income tax returns year tax return involved candidate nomination political party election office president vice president comply bill september


Summary:
Ethics in Foreign Lobbying Act of 2016

 This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit contributions and expenditures in federal elections by multicandidate political committees or separate segregated funds sponsored by foreign-controlled corporations and associations (at least 50% owned by a non-U.S. citizen or foreign national). Ownership and operating fund reporting requirements are set forth.

 A foreign national Floor Agenda Team may not participate in the decision-making process of any person's election-related activities (such as those of a corporation, labor organization, or political committee).

The bill establishes within the Federal Election Commission (FEC) a clearinghouse of existing public information regarding the political activities of foreign principals and agents of foreign principals.

 The Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 is amended to: (1) revise foreign agents' supplemental reporting requirements, and (2) provide civil penalties for specified reporting violations.

ethics foreign lobbying act bill amends federal_election_campaign_act prohibit contributions expenditures federal elections multicandidate political committees separate segregated funds sponsored foreign controlled corporations associations owned citizen foreign national ownership operating fund reporting requirements set forth foreign national participate decision making process person election related activities corporation labor organization political committee bill establishes federal_election_commission fec clearinghouse existing public information political activities foreign principals agents foreign principals foreign agents registration act amended revise foreign agents supplemental reporting requirements provide civil penalties specified reporting violations


Summary:
Free Speech Fairness Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit a tax-exempt organization to make certain statements related to a political campaign without losing its tax-exempt status. An organization may not lose its tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) or be deemed to have participated in, or intervened in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office, solely because of the content of any statement that: (1) is made in the ordinary course of the organization's regular and customary activities in carrying out its exempt purpose, and (2) results in the organization incurring not more than de minimis incremental expenses.

free speech fairness act bill amends internal_revenue_code permit tax exempt organization certain statements related political campaign losing tax exempt status organization lose tax exempt status section deemed participated political campaign behalf opposition candidate public office solely content statement ordinary course organization regular customary activities carrying exempt purpose results organization incurring minimis incremental expenses


Summary:
Openness in Political Expenditures Now Act or OPEN Act

 This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require a corporation that submits regular, periodic reports to its shareholders to include in each such report specified information on disbursements it has made for certain political activity (including independent expenditures and electioneering communications) during the period covered by the report. The amount of disbursements reported, however, is limited to the amount that equals or exceeds the applicable threshold for the covered political activity.

 "Applicable threshold" for a disbursement is defined as: (1) $250 for an independent expenditure, (2) $10,000 for an electioneering communication or another kind of communication meeting specified criteria, and (3) the amount of the applicable limitation on contributions in effect for payment of dues or other amounts to a trade association or to a tax-exempt social welfare organization.

 A Corporation reporting such expenditures shall: (1) file a statement about them with the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), and (2) post on its website (if any) a hyperlink from its homepage to this statement on the EAC website.

 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny a tax exemption for a social welfare organization if: (1) its expenditures for the taxable year for covered political activity exceed the lesser of 10% of its total expenditures or $10 million, or (2) its governing instrument does not effectively prohibit its expenditures for a covered political activity from exceeding these thresholds.

openness political expenditures act open act bill amends federal_election_campaign_act require corporation submits regular periodic reports shareholders include report specified information disbursements certain political activity including independent expenditures electioneering communications period covered report disbursements reported limited equals exceeds applicable threshold covered political activity applicable threshold disbursement defined independent expenditure electioneering communication kind communication meeting specified criteria applicable limitation contributions effect payment dues amounts trade association tax exempt social welfare organization corporation reporting expenditures shall file statement election_assistance_commission eac post website hyperlink homepage statement eac website bill amends internal_revenue_code deny tax exemption social welfare organization expenditures taxable year covered political activity exceed lesser total expenditures million governing instrument effectively prohibit expenditures covered political activity exceeding thresholds


Summary:
SuperPAC Elimination Act of 2017

 This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) eliminate the limitations on direct contributions from individuals and political committees to candidates in federal elections; and (2) require 24-hour notification to the Secretary of the Senate or the Federal Election Commission, and the Secretary of State, as appropriate, for all direct contributions to candidates in excess of $200.

elimination act bill amends federal_election_campaign_act eliminate limitations direct contributions individuals political committees candidates federal elections require hour notification secretary senate federal_election_commission secretary state appropriate direct contributions candidates excess


Summary:
Clean Money Act of 2016

This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to entitle a candidate in a congressional general election who is certified as a participating candidate under FECA to political advertising vouchers disbursed by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) as well as funds to defray the costs of postage.

Participating candidates shall return to the FEC any political advertising vouchers provided to the authorized committees of the candidate which remain unused.

The Clean Money Fund is established in the Treasury to be available to redeem vouchers that are accepted by broadcasting stations as payment for the purchase of broadcasting time for political advertisements.

The bill imposes civil penalties for violation of contribution and expenditure requirements and requires repayment for improper use of payments made to defray costs of postage.

The bill amends the FECA with respect to: (1) contributions and expenditures by multicandidate and political party political committees on behalf of participating candidates, and (2) restrictions on permitted uses of funds by candidates receiving small dollar financing.

This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 to set a station's lowest unit price for preemptible use as the charge for a broadcast by the national committee of a political party for an affiliated candidate.

The FEC is authorized to revoke a broadcast station license or construction permit only for at least three willful failures to allow reasonable access to, or to permit purchase of reasonable amounts of time for the use of, a broadcasting station or cable system by a legally qualified candidate for federal office.

clean money act bill amends federal_election_campaign_act feca entitle candidate congressional general election certified participating candidate feca political advertising vouchers disbursed federal_election_commission fec funds defray costs postage participating candidates shall return fec political advertising vouchers provided authorized committees candidate remain unused established treasury available redeem vouchers accepted broadcasting stations payment purchase broadcasting time political advertisements bill imposes civil penalties violation contribution expenditure requirements requires repayment improper use payments defray costs postage bill amends feca respect contributions expenditures multicandidate political party political committees behalf participating candidates restrictions permitted uses funds candidates receiving small dollar financing bill amends communications act set station lowest unit price preemptible use charge broadcast national committee political party affiliated candidate fec authorized revoke broadcast station license construction permit willful failures allow reasonable access permit purchase reasonable amounts time use broadcasting station cable system legally qualified candidate federal office


Summary:
Deter Revolving-door Appointments in our Nation; Stop Washington Appointees from becoming Manipulative Petitioners Act or the DRAIN the SWAMP Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to revise post-employment lobbying restrictions on senior executive branch officials and employees.

Specifically, it imposes a five-year ban on communications by a former political appointee with the intent to influence officers or employees at their former executive branch agency or department.

The term political appointee includes certain senior political officials compensated on the Executive Schedule; limited term, limited emergency, and noncareer appointees in the Senior Executive Service; and employees in confidential or policy-determining positions in the excepted service.

Additionally, the bill amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to impose a lifetime ban on lobbying by a former political appointee on behalf of a foreign government or foreign political party.

appointments nation stop washington appointees manipulative petitioners act drain act bill amends federal criminal code revise post employment lobbying restrictions senior executive branch officials employees specifically imposes year ban communications political appointee intent influence officers employees executive branch agency department term political appointee includes certain senior political officials compensated executive schedule limited term limited emergency appointees senior_executive_service employees confidential policy determining positions excepted service additionally bill amends impose lifetime ban lobbying political appointee behalf foreign government foreign political party


Summary:
We the People Act of 2016

Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2016 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2016

This bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to:

 redefine "independent expenditure" to expand the meaning of express advocacy for the election or defeat of a candidate; expand the period for treating communications as electioneering communications; repeal the prohibition against contributions by minors; and prescribe disclosure requirements for campaign-related disbursements by corporations, labor organizations, and certain other entities, including super political action committees (PACs). Stop Super PAC-Candidate Coordination Act

The bill amends FECA to treat payments for coordinated expenditures as contributions to candidates under certain conditions, and set forth rules for coordinated expenditures.

The bill also prohibits candidates, individual federal officeholders, agents of a candidate or an individual federal officeholder, or certain related entities from soliciting, receiving, directing, or transferring funds to or on behalf of any political committee that accepts donations or contributions that do not comply with FECA limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements, or to or on behalf of any political organization that accepts such donations or contributions.

Real Time Transparency Act

The bill amends FECA to require 48-hour notification to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) by all political committees receiving cumulative contributions (instead of single contributions) of $1,000 or more during a year from any contributor.

Federal Election Administration Act of 2016

The FECA is also amended to replace the FEC with the Federal Election Administration (FEA).

The Government Accountability Office shall: (1) examine the enforcement of the criminal provisions of FECA and prohibitions regarding the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account, and (2) study the adequate level of resources for the FEA to execute competently the responsibilities imposed by this bill.

The federal criminal code is amended to prohibit former Members of Congress from ever lobbying a current Member in connection with any matter on which such former Member seeks action.

The Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 is amended to revise the definition of lobbyist to mean any individual who is employed or retained by a client for financial or other compensation for services that include more than one lobbying contact over a two-year (currently three-month) period. Financial Services Conflict of Interest Act

The federal criminal code is also amended regarding application of certain conflict-of-interest restrictions to a private sector employer that makes payment of compensation contingent on accepting a position in the federal government.

The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 is amended to prohibit a covered financial services regulator from making, participating in making, or in any way attempting to use his or her official position to influence a particular matter that provides a direct and substantial pecuniary benefit for a former employer or former client.

The Office of Government Ethics must discharge certain recordkeeping duties to implement this bill.

Violators of this bill shall be subject to specified criminal and civil penalties.

The bill revises and extends certain restrictions on subsequent employment on current and former procurement officers.

The federal criminal code is amended to place specified time restrictions on subsequent employment for financial service regulators.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Act is amended to revise restrictions on federal examiners and supervisors of financial institutions.

people act democracy strengthened casting light spending elections act disclose act bill amends federal_election_campaign_act feca redefine independent expenditure expand meaning express advocacy election defeat candidate expand period treating communications electioneering communications repeal prohibition contributions minors prescribe disclosure requirements campaign related disbursements corporations labor organizations certain entities including super political action committees pacs stop super pac candidate coordination act bill amends feca treat payments coordinated expenditures contributions candidates certain conditions set forth rules coordinated expenditures bill prohibits candidates individual federal agents candidate individual federal officeholder certain related entities soliciting receiving directing transferring funds behalf political committee accepts donations contributions comply feca limitations prohibitions reporting requirements behalf political organization accepts donations contributions real time transparency act bill amends feca require hour notification federal_election_commission fec political committees receiving cumulative contributions instead single contributions year contributor federal_election_administration_act feca amended replace fec federal_election_administration fea government_accountability_office shall examine enforcement criminal provisions feca prohibitions presidential_election_campaign_fund presidential_primary_matching_payment_account study adequate level resources fea execute responsibilities imposed bill federal criminal code amended prohibit members congress lobbying current member connection matter member seeks action lobbying disclosure act amended revise definition lobbyist mean individual employed retained client financial compensation services include lobbying contact year currently month period federal criminal code amended application certain conflict interest restrictions private sector employer makes payment compensation contingent accepting position federal government ethics government act amended prohibit covered financial services regulator making participating making way attempting use official position influence particular matter provides direct substantial pecuniary benefit employer client office_of_government_ethics discharge certain recordkeeping duties implement bill violators bill shall subject specified criminal civil penalties bill revises extends certain restrictions subsequent employment current procurement officers federal criminal code amended place specified time restrictions subsequent employment financial service regulators federal_deposit_insurance_act amended revise restrictions federal examiners supervisors financial institutions


Summary:
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit any authorized committee of a candidate or any other political committee established, maintained, or controlled by a candidate or person who holds a federal office from employing the spouse or any immediate family member of such candidate or federal office holder.

Amends the federal criminal code to subject to specified criminal and civil penalties any spouse of a Member of Congress who: (1) was not a registered lobbyist at least one year before the Member's election to Congress; and (2) knowingly lobbies, after the election of such Member, any Member on behalf of a client for compensation or is associated with any such lobbying activity by his or her employer.

amends federal_election_campaign_act prohibit authorized committee candidate political committee established maintained controlled candidate person holds federal office employing spouse immediate family member candidate federal office holder amends federal criminal code subject specified criminal civil penalties spouse member congress registered lobbyist year member election congress knowingly election member member behalf client compensation associated lobbying activity employer


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

Keep the Promise Act of 2015

 (Sec. 4) This bill restricts gaming on land within the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area acquired by the Department of the Interior in trust for the benefit of an Indian tribe after April 9, 2013. The restriction ends on January 1, 2027.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure promise act sec bill restricts gaming land phoenix arizona metropolitan area acquired department_of_the_interior trust benefit indian tribe april restriction ends january


Summary:
Economic Development Through Tribal Land Exchange Act

 Provides for the disposition of four parcels of land in California.

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey approximately 41.15 acres designated as Morongo lands to Lloyd L. Fields in exchange for 41.15 acres owned by Fields to be held in trust for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians.

Grants an easement to the city of Banning for a public right-of-way in exchange for 1.21 acres of land to be held in trust for the Tribe.

economic development tribal land exchange act provides disposition parcels land california directs secretary interior convey approximately acres designated morongo lands exchange acres owned fields held trust morongo_band_of_mission_indians grants easement city banning public right way exchange acres land held trust tribe


Summary:
Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2015 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2015

 Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to redefine the term "independent expenditure" as an expenditure by a person that, when taken as a whole, expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate, or is the functional equivalent of express advocacy because it can be interpreted by a reasonable person only as advocating the election or defeat of a candidate, taking into account whether the communication involved mentions a candidacy, a political party, or a challenger to a candidate, or takes a position on a candidate's character, qualifications, or fitness for office.

Expands the period during which certain communications are treated as electioneering communications.

Prescribes disclosure requirements for corporations, labor organizations, and certain other entities, including a political committee with an account established for the purpose of accepting donations or contributions that do not comply with the contribution limits or source prohibitions under FECA (but only with respect to such accounts).

Repeals the prohibition against political contributions by individuals age 17 or younger.

democracy strengthened casting light spending elections act disclose act amends federal_election_campaign_act feca redefine term independent expenditure expenditure person taken expressly advocates election defeat clearly identified candidate functional equivalent express advocacy interpreted reasonable person advocating election defeat candidate taking account communication involved mentions candidacy political party challenger candidate takes position candidate character qualifications fitness office expands period certain communications treated electioneering communications prescribes disclosure requirements corporations labor organizations certain entities including political committee account established purpose accepting donations contributions comply contribution limits source prohibitions feca respect accounts repeals prohibition political contributions individuals age younger


Summary:
Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS Act of 2015

Requires the Internal Revenue Service standards and definitions in effect on January 1, 2010, for determining whether an organization qualifies for tax-exempt status as an organization operated exclusively for social welfare to apply to such determinations after enactment of this Act. Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury, or any delegate of the Secretary, from issuing, revising, or finalizing any regulation (including proposed regulations), revenue ruling, or other guidance not limited to a particular taxpayer relating to such standards and definitions. Terminates this Act after February 28, 2017.

stop targeting political beliefs irs act requires internal_revenue_service standards definitions effect january determining organization qualifies tax exempt status organization operated exclusively social welfare apply determinations enactment act prohibits secretary treasury delegate secretary issuing revising finalizing regulation including proposed regulations revenue ruling guidance limited particular taxpayer relating standards definitions terminates act february


Summary:
Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act

 Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require all election-related designations, statements, and reports required to be filed under the Act to be filed directly with the Federal Election Commission.

senate campaign disclosure parity act amends federal_election_campaign_act require election related designations statements reports required filed act filed directly federal_election_commission


Summary:
Sunlight for Unaccountable Non-profits (SUN) Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require: (1) the annual tax return information for tax-exempt organizations and deferred compensation plans to be made available to the public at no charge and in an open structured data format that is processable by computers, with the information easy to find, access, reuse, and download in bulk; and (2) the disclosure of the names and addresses of contributors of $5,000 or more to tax-exempt organizations that participate or intervene in political campaigns on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.

sunlight non profits sun act amends internal revenue code require annual tax return information tax exempt organizations deferred compensation plans available public charge open structured data format processable computers information easy find access reuse download bulk disclosure names addresses contributors tax exempt organizations participate intervene political campaigns behalf opposition candidate public office