Summary:
Promote Accountability and Government Efficiency Act

This bill requires civil service employees to be hired on an at-will basis beginning one year after this bill's enactment. Such an employee may be removed or suspended from service by the agency head for good cause, bad cause, or no cause at all, without notice or right to appeal.

 The bill specifies how an employee or applicant may seek a remedy under specified employment protection statutes with respect to an adverse personnel action.

The bill permits an agency to suspend an employee for misconduct or poor performance. The employee may appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board, which may not reinstate the employee until a final decision is made on such appeal. In the case of critical necessity, an agency may immediately replace a suspended employee. An employee or applicant may not appeal an adverse personnel action to more than one agency. The bill prohibits an employee who does not receive a score of four or five out of five (or an equivalent rating) on his or her latest performance review from receiving a pay raise. A grievance filed on behalf of such employee covered by a collective bargaining agreement that results in an increased performance rating for such employee may not result in a pay raise.

The OPM shall submit a report that contains recommendations for a single-agency rating system.

An individual appointed to the civil service who is not subject to this bill's requirements regarding at-will employment may not be paid an annuity or retired pay on the basis of such service if the individual was finally convicted of a felony offense: (1) when such individual was performing creditable service, or (2) after such individual has separated from service if such offense is related to the performance of his or her government position.

An agency may transfer an individual occupying a Senior Executive Service position who is not an at-will employee to a position within the General Schedule.

The bill: (1) eliminates provisions authorizing official time for an employee serving as an exclusive representative in the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement, and (2) prohibits an employee from using government property in carrying out any activities relating to the internal business of a labor organization.

promote accountability government efficiency act bill requires civil service employees hired basis beginning year bill enactment employee removed suspended service agency head good cause bad cause cause notice right appeal bill specifies employee applicant seek remedy specified employment protection statutes respect adverse personnel action bill permits agency suspend employee misconduct poor performance employee appeal merit_systems_protection_board reinstate employee final decision appeal case critical necessity agency immediately replace suspended employee employee applicant appeal adverse personnel action agency bill prohibits employee receive score equivalent rating latest performance review receiving pay raise grievance filed behalf employee covered collective bargaining agreement results increased performance rating employee result pay raise opm shall submit report contains recommendations single agency rating system individual appointed civil service subject bill requirements employment paid annuity retired pay basis service individual finally convicted felony offense individual performing creditable service individual separated service offense related performance government position agency transfer individual occupying senior_executive_service position employee position general_schedule bill eliminates provisions authorizing official time employee serving exclusive representative negotiation collective bargaining agreement prohibits employee government property carrying activities relating internal business labor organization


Summary:
Truth in Regulations Act of 2016

This bill requires each executive agency to: (1) have written procedures for the approval of significant guidance documents by each appropriate senior agency official; and (2) maintain on its website a list of, links to, and a means for the public to comment on and request issuance, modification, or rescission of, such documents.

"Significant guidance document" means a guidance document disseminated to regulated entities or the general public that may reasonably be anticipated to:

 lead to an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities; create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an agency action; materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients; or raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in Executive Order 12866 (relating to regulatory planning and review). The bill requires agencies to publish drafts of economically significant guidance documents for public comment.

The bill allows an exception to rulemaking notice and publication requirements when an agency determines that an imminent threat to public health or safety or a similar exigent circumstance exists. When such exception is applied, the agency, within 18 months after the rule takes effect, shall: (1) provide for a period in which interested persons may submit written data, views, or arguments; and (2) consider such submissions and, if appropriate, repeal or amend the rule.

If a committee reports a joint resolution of disapproval for a rule, the committee may also submit recommendations on withholding agency funds to the Committee on Appropriations of that chamber.

The Administrative Conference of the United States shall study and report on the permitting process under environmental laws and on categories of federal rulemaking that would be more appropriately addressed by state action.

 An agency shall report any determination pertaining to a permit that the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs determines would cost more than $25 million to the Administrative Conference.

truth regulations act bill requires executive agency written procedures approval significant guidance documents appropriate senior agency official maintain website list links means public comment request issuance modification rescission documents significant guidance document means guidance document disseminated regulated entities general public reasonably anticipated lead annual effect economy million adversely affect material way economy productivity competition jobs environment public health safety state local tribal governments communities create inconsistency interfere agency action materially alter budgetary impact entitlements grants user fees loan programs rights obligations recipients raise novel legal policy issues arising legal mandates president priorities principles set forth executive order relating regulatory planning review bill requires agencies publish economically significant guidance documents public comment bill allows exception rulemaking notice publication requirements agency determines imminent threat public health safety similar exigent circumstance exists exception applied agency months rule takes effect shall provide period interested persons submit written data views arguments consider submissions appropriate repeal amend rule committee reports joint resolution disapproval rule committee submit recommendations withholding agency funds chamber administrative conference united_states shall study report permitting process environmental laws categories federal rulemaking appropriately addressed state action agency shall report determination pertaining permit office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs determines cost million


Summary:
Workforce Regulatory Review Act of 2016

This bill establishes in the legislative branch the Workforce Regulatory Review Commission. The purpose of the commission is to evaluate and provide recommendations for modification, consolidation, or repeal of regulations with the aim of reducing the total number of regulatory requirements related to workplace safety, workplace discrimination, wages, hours, and employee health by one-third to reduce compliance costs, encourage growth and innovation, and improve competitiveness.

The commission shall:

 decide, within 45 days of convening, which regulations to examine; solicit and review comments from the public; determine the effectiveness of individual regulations by using multiple resources, including quantitative metrics, testimony from industry and agency experts, and research from commission staff; develop and implement a uniform model such as the Standard Cost Model to determine whether a regulation shall be modified or eliminated by balancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the regulation in achieving desirable outcomes; and develop a package of regulations to modify, consolidate, or repeal to be submitted to Congress for an up-or-down vote. A regulation shall be recommended for amendment or repeal if: (1) its intended outcome is no longer desirable or would result even if the regulation were amended or repealed; (2) the regulation is ineffective in achieving the desired outcome; or (3) the costs associated with achieving the desired outcome outweigh the benefits. Regulations mandated by statute but recommended for repeal or amendment by the Commission shall be repealed or amended as soon as possible, and repealed regulations may not be replaced.

The bill sets forth reporting requirements for the commission and procedures for congressional consideration of the commission's report, recommendations, and proposed legislation.

The commission shall terminate 90 days after it submits its report.

bill establishes legislative branch purpose commission evaluate provide recommendations modification consolidation repeal regulations aim reducing total number regulatory requirements related workplace safety workplace discrimination wages hours employee health reduce compliance costs encourage growth innovation improve competitiveness commission shall decide days convening regulations examine solicit review comments public determine effectiveness individual regulations multiple resources including quantitative metrics testimony industry agency experts research commission staff develop implement uniform model determine regulation shall modified eliminated balancing effectiveness efficiency regulation achieving desirable outcomes develop package regulations modify consolidate repeal submitted congress vote regulation shall recommended amendment repeal intended outcome longer desirable result regulation amended repealed regulation ineffective achieving desired outcome costs associated achieving desired outcome outweigh benefits regulations mandated statute recommended repeal amendment commission shall repealed amended soon possible repealed regulations replaced bill sets forth reporting requirements commission procedures congressional consideration commission report recommendations proposed legislation commission shall terminate days submits report


Summary:
Regulatory Impact on Employment and Wages Act

This bill bars any major rule proposed by a federal agency on or after enactment of this bill from taking effect as a final rule until the Department of Labor, through the Bureau of Labor Statistics, conducts a study to determine how the rule will impact:

 wage growth (including for hourly and part-time workers) in each industry to which it is applicable, and employment in each such industry. The bill states that the requirement for conducting a study under this bill may not be fulfilled by a study that is conducted prior to this bill's enactment date, or conducted by another agency.

regulatory impact employment wages act bill bars major rule proposed federal agency enactment bill taking effect final rule department_of_labor bureau_of_labor_statistics conducts study determine rule impact wage growth including hourly time workers industry applicable employment industry bill states requirement conducting study bill fulfilled study conducted prior bill enactment date conducted agency


Summary:
Main Street Input Opportunity Act of 2016

This bill includes the Department of Labor as a "covered agency" for purposes of regulatory flexibility analysis provisions.

opportunity act bill includes department_of_labor covered agency purposes regulatory flexibility analysis provisions


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

Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to exempt inspectors general (when they are conducting an authorized audit, investigation, inspection, evaluation, or review) from: (1) information privacy protections that require agreements between agencies for computerized comparisons of automated federal records systems under the Computer Matching and Privacy Protection Act of 1988, and (2) procedural requirements for information collections under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

(Sec. 3) The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) must submit to Congress an annual report that it currently submits only to the President.

CIGIE must mediate disputes regarding an audit, investigation, inspection, evaluation, or project that involves the jurisdiction of more than one office of inspector general, except for matters coordinated by intelligence community inspectors general.

The membership structure of CIGIE's Integrity Committee is modified to eliminate: (1) the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation as chairperson of the committee, and (2) the Special Counsel of the Office of Special Counsel (OSC) as a committee member. The committee must elect one of the inspectors general on the committee as chairperson to serve for a term of two years.

Within seven days after the committee receives an allegation of wrongdoing against an inspector general or a staff member of an inspector general's office, the committee must refer such allegation to: (1) the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the OSC for investigation, or (2) the committee for review. If an allegation of wrongdoing is referred to the committee, the committee must decide within 30 days whether to refer the allegation to the chairperson to initiate an investigation. The 30-day period may be extended if the committee notifies Congress.

The bill revises procedures for investigations of allegations of wrongdoing to: (1) require the committee chairperson to complete the investigation of referred allegations within 150 days after the committee's referral; (2) allow concurrent investigations by the committee, DOJ, and the OSC; and (3) require the committee's investigation reports and recommendations to be made available to Congress.

The committee may also receive, review, and refer allegations of wrongdoing against the Special Counsel or Deputy Special Counsel (officials appointed to investigate prohibited personnel practices and government waste and abuse).

(Sec. 4) The Government Accountability Office must report on prolonged vacancies in inspectors general offices. CIGIE must report on its analysis of critical issues that involve the jurisdiction of more than one office of inspector general to identify best practices and issues for increased coordination among inspectors general offices.

The semiannual reports that inspectors general submit to their agencies and Congress must include:

 a summary of audit, inspection, and evaluation reports for which an inspector general's agency did not return a comment and for which there are outstanding unimplemented recommendations, including the aggregate potential cost savings of those recommendations; statistical tables and metrics showing the total number of issued investigative reports, referrals to prosecuting authorities for criminal prosecution, and indictments from prior referrals; a report on each investigation involving a senior government employee where allegations of misconduct were substantiated; descriptions of any whistle-blower retaliation, investigations that were closed and were not disclosed to the public, or attempts by an agency to interfere with inspector general independence, including through budget constraints, resistance to oversight, or delayed information access. Inspectors general are prohibited from providing Congress or the public with any information through such semiannual reports that would reveal the personally identifiable information of a whistle-blower without the whistle-blower's consent.

Inspectors general must submit their recommendations for corrective action to: (1) the head of their agency, (2) the congressional committees of jurisdiction, and (3) any individual or entity requesting the corrective action if the recommendation was initiated by request. The document making the recommendation must also be posted on the inspector general's website.

(Sec. 5) The bill sets forth standards regarding inspectors general access to agency records, the timeliness of their access, and procedures for their requests for access to federal grand jury materials.

An inspector general may access federal grand jury materials that are protected from disclosure under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure by submitting a request to the head of his or her establishment, who must then transmit the request to DOJ. DOJ must grant such a request unless access to the grand jury materials would: (1) interfere with an ongoing criminal investigation, prosecution, or undercover operation; (2) identify a confidential source or protected witness; (3) pose a serious threat to national security; or (4) significantly impair the trade or economic interests of the United States. If DOJ denies such a request, it must submit a statement to Congress explaining the reason for the denial.

The DOJ Inspector General is exempt from these request procedures and shall automatically have access to information available to DOJ regarding grand jury materials.

(Sec. 6) The Attorney General or the Secretaries of Defense, the Treasury, Homeland Security, or Energy may prohibit inspectors general from accessing certain sensitive or national security information.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house passed version repeated inspector general sec bill amends inspector general act exempt inspectors general conducting authorized audit investigation inspection evaluation review information privacy protections require agreements agencies computerized comparisons automated federal records systems computer matching privacy protection act procedural requirements information collections paperwork reduction act sec council_of_the_inspectors_general_on_integrity_and_efficiency submit congress annual report currently submits president disputes audit investigation inspection evaluation project involves jurisdiction office inspector general matters coordinated intelligence community inspectors general membership structure modified eliminate director federal_bureau_of_investigation chairperson committee special counsel office_of_special_counsel committee member committee elect inspectors general committee chairperson serve term years seven days committee receives allegation wrongdoing inspector general staff member inspector general office committee refer allegation department_of_justice doj investigation committee review allegation wrongdoing referred committee committee decide days refer allegation chairperson initiate investigation day period extended committee notifies congress bill revises procedures investigations allegations wrongdoing require committee chairperson complete investigation referred allegations days committee referral allow concurrent investigations committee doj require committee investigation reports recommendations available congress committee receive review refer allegations wrongdoing special_counsel deputy special counsel officials appointed investigate prohibited personnel practices government waste abuse sec government_accountability_office report prolonged vacancies inspectors general offices report analysis critical issues involve jurisdiction office inspector general identify best practices issues increased coordination inspectors general offices semiannual reports inspectors general submit agencies congress include summary audit inspection evaluation reports inspector general agency return comment outstanding recommendations including aggregate potential cost savings recommendations statistical tables metrics showing total number issued investigative reports referrals prosecuting authorities criminal prosecution prior referrals report investigation involving senior government employee allegations misconduct substantiated descriptions whistle blower retaliation investigations closed disclosed public attempts agency interfere inspector general independence including budget constraints resistance oversight delayed information access inspectors general prohibited providing congress public information semiannual reports reveal personally identifiable information whistle blower whistle blower consent inspectors general submit recommendations corrective action head agency congressional committees jurisdiction individual entity requesting corrective action recommendation initiated request document making recommendation posted inspector general website sec bill sets forth standards inspectors general access agency records timeliness access procedures requests access federal grand jury materials inspector general access federal grand jury materials protected disclosure federal_rules_of_criminal_procedure submitting request head establishment transmit request doj doj grant request access grand jury materials interfere ongoing criminal investigation prosecution undercover operation identify confidential source protected witness pose threat national security significantly impair trade economic interests united_states doj denies request submit statement congress explaining reason denial doj inspector general exempt request procedures shall automatically access information available doj grand jury materials sec attorney general secretaries_of_defense treasury homeland_security energy prohibit inspectors general accessing certain sensitive national security information


Summary:
Advancing and Promoting Programming or the APP Act

This bill requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to establish a publicly available website that includes a database of federal funding opportunities for the creation of apps (software applications that enable the performance of specific tasks that may be run on a computer, a mobile device, the Internet, or any other electronic device) and allows the public to download a federal government app that includes:

 a list of each funding source for the creation and maintenance of government apps and instructions on how an applicant may apply for such funding; the ability for the public to rate and review any such app; a page that prominently displays apps that have been recently updated or that receive a high user review average; a page that features government projects that provide application developers with tools to improve private apps; resources for education and training related to the creation of apps; and a page that features outstanding, educational, computer science programs and resources to replicate such programs. The GSA shall review any app for which an update has not been released in more than two years and shall remove any app from the website that is no longer functional or compatible.

advancing act bill requires general_services_administration gsa establish publicly available website includes database federal funding opportunities creation software applications enable performance specific tasks run computer mobile device internet electronic device allows public download federal government includes list funding source creation maintenance government instructions applicant apply funding ability public rate review page prominently displays recently updated receive high user review average page features government projects provide application developers tools improve private resources education training related creation page features outstanding educational computer science programs resources replicate programs gsa shall review update released years shall remove website longer functional compatible


Summary: Directs the Government Accountability Office, in coordination with the National Academy of Engineering, to conduct and submit to Congress a full audit of hurricane protection funding and cost estimates associated with post-Katrina hurricane protection.

directs government_accountability_office coordination national_academy_of_engineering conduct submit congress audit hurricane protection funding cost estimates associated post katrina hurricane protection


Summary:
Public Land Job Creation Act of 2015

This bill gives the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 45 days to review a state BLM notice for submission to the Federal Register. If the review has not been completed: (1) the notice shall consider to be approved, and (2) the state BLM office shall immediately forward the notice to the Federal Register for publication.

public land job creation act bill gives bureau_of_land_management blm days review state blm notice submission federal_register review completed notice shall consider approved state blm office shall immediately forward notice federal_register publication


Summary:
Energy Consumers Relief Act of 2015

 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to submit a report to Congress and the Department of Energy (DOE) before promulgating a final rule that regulates any aspect of the production, supply, distribution, or use of energy and that is estimated by the EPA or the Office of Management and Budget to impose aggregate costs of more than $1 billion. The report must contain: (1) an estimate of the total costs and benefits of the rule, (2) an estimate of the increases in energy prices that may result from implementation or enforcement of the rule, and (3) a detailed description of the employment effects that may result from implementation or enforcement of the rule.

DOE must: (1) prepare an independent analysis to determine whether the rule will cause any increase in energy prices for consumers, any impact on fuel diversity of the nation's electricity generation portfolio or on electric reliability, or any adverse effect on energy supply, distribution, or use; and (2) determine whether the rule will cause significant adverse effects to the economy and publish the determination.

The EPA may not promulgate the final rule if DOE determines that the rule will cause significant adverse effects to the economy.

The EPA may not use the social cost of carbon in any cost-benefit analysis relating to an energy-related rule estimated to cost more than $1 billion unless a federal law is enacted authorizing such use. The social cost of carbon is an estimate of the monetized damages associated with an incremental increase in carbon dioxide emissions in a given year.

energy consumers relief act bill requires environmental_protection_agency epa submit report congress department_of_energy doe promulgating final rule regulates aspect production supply distribution use energy estimated epa office_of_management_and_budget impose aggregate costs billion report contain estimate total costs benefits rule estimate increases energy prices result implementation enforcement rule detailed description employment effects result implementation enforcement rule doe prepare independent analysis determine rule cause increase energy prices consumers impact fuel diversity nation electricity generation portfolio electric reliability adverse effect energy supply distribution use determine rule cause significant adverse effects economy publish determination epa promulgate final rule doe determines rule cause significant adverse effects economy epa use social cost carbon cost benefit analysis relating energy related rule estimated cost billion federal law enacted authorizing use social cost carbon estimate damages associated incremental increase carbon dioxide emissions given year


Summary:
Regulatory Responsibility for our Economy Act of 2015

 Sets forth general requirements for the federal regulatory system, including the protection of public health, welfare, safety, and the environment, the promotion of predictability in the regulatory process, and the consideration of benefits and costs of regulations.

Requires federal agencies to: (1) propose or adopt regulations only upon a reasoned determination that the benefits of such regulations justify their costs; (2) tailor regulations to impose the least burden on society and to maximize economic and other benefits; (3) involve the public and parties affected by regulations in the regulatory process; (4) develop regulatory actions that promote innovation, flexibility, and objectivity; and (5) consider methods to promote retrospective analysis of rules that may be outmoded, ineffective, insufficient, or excessively burdensome, and develop plans for reviewing on a periodic basis significant regulation actions (i.e., those having an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or otherwise adversely affecting the economy).

Provides for judicial review of any agency action required under this Act.

regulatory responsibility economy act sets forth general requirements federal regulatory system including protection public health welfare safety environment promotion predictability regulatory process consideration benefits costs regulations requires federal agencies propose adopt regulations reasoned determination benefits regulations justify costs tailor regulations impose burden society maximize economic benefits involve public parties affected regulations regulatory process develop regulatory actions promote innovation flexibility objectivity consider methods promote retrospective analysis rules outmoded ineffective insufficient excessively burdensome develop plans reviewing periodic basis significant regulation actions having annual effect economy million adversely affecting economy provides judicial review agency action required act


Summary:
Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2015

 States that the purpose of this Act is to increase accountability for and transparency in the federal regulatory process by requiring Congress to approve all new major regulations.

Revises provisions relating to congressional review of agency rulemaking to require a federal agency promulgating a rule to include in its report to Congress and to the Comptroller General a classification of the rule as a major or nonmajor rule.

Requires a joint resolution of approval of major rules to be enacted before such rules may take effect. Provides that if a joint resolution of approval is not enacted by the end of 70 session days or legislative days, as applicable, after the agency proposing the rule submits its report on such rule to Congress, the major rule shall be deemed not to be approved and shall not take effect. Permits a major rule to take effect for one 90-calendar day period without such approval if the President determines it is necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, for the enforcement of criminal laws, for national security, or to implement an international trade agreement.

Sets forth the congressional approval procedure for major rules and the congressional disapproval procedure for nonmajor rules.

Requires the introduction of a joint resolution addressing a report classifying a rule as a major rule within three legislative days in the House of Representative and three session days in the Senate. Prohibits any amendments to such a joint resolution at any stage of the legislative process. Provides for expedited consideration of a joint resolution of approval and requires a vote on such resolution in the Senate within 15 session days after it is reported by the committee to which it was referred, or after such committee has been discharged from further consideration of the resolution.

Allows a court to review whether an agency has completed the necessary requirements under this Act for a rule to take effect. Limits the effect of a joint resolution of approval of a major rule.

Prohibits an agency from allowing a major rule to take effect without the congressional review procedures set forth in this Act.

Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to provide that any congressional approval procedure set forth in this Act affecting budget authority, outlays, or receipts shall be assumed to be effective unless it is not approved in accordance with this Act.

regulations executive need scrutiny act states purpose act increase accountability transparency federal regulatory process requiring congress approve new major regulations revises provisions relating congressional review agency rulemaking require federal agency promulgating rule include report congress comptroller_general classification rule major nonmajor rule requires joint resolution approval major rules enacted rules effect provides joint resolution approval enacted end session days legislative days applicable agency proposing rule submits report rule congress major rule shall deemed approved shall effect permits major rule effect calendar day period approval president determines necessary imminent threat health safety emergency enforcement criminal laws national security implement international trade agreement sets forth congressional approval procedure major rules congressional disapproval procedure nonmajor rules requires introduction joint resolution addressing report classifying rule major rule legislative days session days senate prohibits amendments joint resolution stage legislative process provides expedited consideration joint resolution approval requires vote resolution senate session days reported committee referred committee discharged consideration resolution allows court review agency completed necessary requirements act rule effect limits effect joint resolution approval major rule prohibits agency allowing major rule effect congressional review procedures set forth act amends balanced_budget emergency deficit control act provide congressional approval procedure set forth act affecting budget authority outlays receipts shall assumed effective approved accordance act


Summary:
Duplication Elimination Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill requires the President to send Congress a proposed joint resolution and a special message within 180 days of publication of the annual Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on duplicative government programs.

The joint resolution must: (1) address the recommendations contained in the GAO report and included by the President, (2) eliminate or consolidate programs identified in the GAO report as duplicative or fragmented, and (3) require savings from legislative changes to be transferred to the Treasury for deficit reduction.

Before the proposed joint resolution is transmitted to Congress, the President must consult with: (1) Congress to provide an opportunity for feedback, alternative recommendations, and input regarding which GAO report recommendations should not be addressed by the proposed joint resolution; and (2) the GAO.

The bill requires the special message to specify:

 the GAO recommendations that are excluded from the proposed joint resolution, why the recommendations were excluded, the GAO recommendations included in the joint resolution, and programs included in the GAO report that should be eliminated or consolidated. The bill sets forth procedures and time periods for congressional introduction, expedited consideration, amendments, and points of order for the joint resolution.

The sponsor of the joint resolution must exclude, and it shall be out of order for the Senate or the House of Representatives to consider, provisions that: (1) are unnecessary to eliminate or consolidate programs in GAO-identified actions or areas of duplication, (2) are not germane to the GAO report, or (3) affect direct spending.

In the Senate, the joint resolution shall be agreed to only upon an affirmative three-fifths vote.

The bill provides procedures for the coordination of consideration between chambers and the consideration of presidential vetoes of such joint resolutions.

duplication elimination act sec bill requires president send congress proposed joint resolution special message days publication annual government_accountability_office gao report duplicative government programs joint resolution address recommendations contained gao report included president eliminate consolidate programs identified gao report duplicative require savings legislative changes transferred treasury deficit reduction proposed joint resolution transmitted congress president consult congress provide opportunity feedback alternative recommendations input gao report recommendations addressed proposed joint resolution gao bill requires special message specify gao recommendations excluded proposed joint resolution recommendations excluded gao recommendations included joint resolution programs included gao report eliminated consolidated bill sets forth procedures time periods congressional introduction expedited consideration amendments points order joint resolution sponsor joint resolution exclude shall order senate house_of_representatives consider provisions unnecessary eliminate consolidate programs gao identified actions areas duplication gao report affect direct spending senate joint resolution shall agreed affirmative fifths vote bill provides procedures coordination consideration chambers consideration presidential joint resolutions


Summary:
Federal Permitting Improvement Act of 2015

This bill revises the process for federal approval of major infrastructure projects by establishing best practices, requiring coordination of federal agency review of projects, and by shortening the period for challenges to final decisions for issuing project permits.

(Sec. 2) This section sets forth definitions of terms used in the bill, including the definition of "covered project" as any construction activity in the United States that requires authorization or environmental review by a federal agency and that: (1) involves renewable or conventional energy production, electricity transmission, surface transportation, aviation, ports and waterways, water resource projects, broadband, pipelines, manufacturing, or any other sector as determined by a majority vote of the Federal Infrastructure Permitting Improvement Steering Council established by this Act; (2) is likely to require a total investment of more than $200 million; (3) does not qualify for abbreviated authorization or environmental review processes under any applicable law; or (4) involves a project the size and complexity of which make it likely to benefit from enhanced oversight and coordination, including a project likely to require authorization from, or environmental review involving, more than two agencies, or the preparation of an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The bill excludes from such definition: (1) highway or transportation projects, and (2) water resources development projects subject to environmental review.

The bill also defines "authorization" as any license, permit, approval, finding, determination, or other administrative decision that is required or authorized in order to site, construct, reconstruct, or commence operations of a covered project, whether administered by a federal or state agency.

(Sec. 3) This section establishes the Federal Permitting Improvement Council, to be chaired by an Executive Director appointed by the President. The Executive Director shall: (1) establish an inventory of covered projects that are pending environmental review or authorization by the head of any federal agency; (2) categorize the projects in the inventory based on sector and project type; (3) for each category, identify the types of environmental reviews and authorizations most commonly involved; (4) add a covered project to the inventory after receiving a notice of the initiation of a proposed covered project by a project sponsor; and (5) designate a facilitating agency for each category of covered projects and publish a list of such agencies.

The Council must issue recommendations on an annual basis on best practices relating to the permitting process, including stakeholder engagement, coordination between federal and non-federal governmental entities, information collection, transparency, and training.

The chief environmental review and permitting officer of each agency shall act as an advisor to his or her agency's council members on matters related to environmental review and authorizations, provide technical support, analyze agency environmental review and authorization processes, policies, and authorities, and review and develop training programs for agency staff.

The Office of Management and Budget shall designate a federal agency to provide administrative support and staff for the Executive Director.

(Sec. 4) This section allows for the initiation of a covered project by a project sponsor after notice to the Executive Director and the facilitating agency (the agency receiving notice from the project sponsor).

The Executive Director shall maintain an online database known as the Permitting Dashboard to track the status of federal environmental reviews and authorizations for covered projects and shall make a specific entry for a project on the Dashboard.

A facilitating or lead agency must establish a Coordinated Project Plan to coordinate public and agency participation in, and completion of, any required federal environmental review and authorization for a project and establish a permitting timetable that includes deadlines for action on any federal environmental review or authorization required for a project. The Executive Director shall mediate any disputes relating to the permitting timetables.

The facilitating or lead agencies shall provide an expeditious process for project sponsors to consult with each cooperating and participating agency.

(Sec. 5) This section grants the consent of Congress for three or more contiguous states to enter into an interstate compact establishing regional infrastructure development agencies to facilitate authorization and review of covered projects.

(Sec. 6) This section requires agencies to complete environmental reviews required under NEPA for covered projects in a timely, coordinated, and environmentally responsible manner.

(Sec. 7) This section directs federal agencies with statutory authority to authorize a state to issue or administer a permit program to initiate a national process to determine whether best practices developed by the Council are generally applicable to state permitting processes.

(Sec. 8) This section limits the period for challenges to an authorization of a covered project to no more than two years after the date of publication in the Federal Register of the final decision, unless a shorter period is specified in federal law.

(Sec. 9) This section requires the Executive Director to report annually to Congress over a 10-year period on progress accomplished under this Act during the previous fiscal year. The report shall assess the performance of each participating agency and lead agency.

(Sec. 10) This section authorizes specified agencies, after public notice and opportunity for comment, to issue regulations establishing a fee structure for reimbursing the United States for reasonable costs incurred in conducting environmental reviews and authorizations for covered projects. Such fees shall be deposited into an Environmental Review Improvement Fund for use by the Executive Director solely to administer, implement, and enforce this Act. The regulations must ensure that the use of fees will not impact impartial decision-making with respect to environmental reviews or authorizations.

(Sec. 11) This Act is applicable to any covered project for which: (1) a notice of initiation is filed, or (2) an application or other request for a federal authorization is pending before a federal agency 90 days after enactment of this Act.

federal permitting improvement act bill revises process federal approval major infrastructure projects establishing best practices requiring coordination federal agency review projects period challenges final decisions issuing project permits sec section sets forth definitions terms bill including definition covered project construction activity united_states requires authorization environmental review federal agency involves renewable conventional energy production electricity transmission surface transportation aviation ports waterways water resource projects broadband pipelines manufacturing sector determined majority vote established act likely require total investment million qualify abbreviated authorization environmental review processes applicable law involves project size complexity likely benefit enhanced oversight coordination including project likely require authorization environmental review involving agencies preparation environmental impact statement national_environmental_policy_act nepa bill excludes definition highway transportation projects water resources development projects subject environmental review bill defines authorization license permit approval finding determination administrative decision required authorized order site construct reconstruct commence operations covered project administered federal state agency sec section establishes chaired executive director appointed president executive director shall establish inventory covered projects pending environmental review authorization head federal agency categorize projects inventory based sector project type category identify types environmental reviews authorizations commonly involved add covered project inventory receiving notice initiation proposed covered project project sponsor designate facilitating agency category covered projects publish list agencies council issue recommendations annual basis best practices relating permitting process including stakeholder engagement coordination federal non federal governmental entities information collection transparency training chief environmental review permitting officer agency shall act advisor agency council members matters related environmental review authorizations provide technical support analyze agency environmental review authorization processes policies authorities review develop training programs agency staff office_of_management_and_budget shall designate federal agency provide administrative support staff executive director sec section allows initiation covered project project sponsor notice executive director facilitating agency agency receiving notice project sponsor executive director shall maintain online database known permitting dashboard track status federal environmental reviews authorizations covered projects shall specific entry project dashboard facilitating lead agency establish plan coordinate public agency participation completion required federal environmental review authorization project establish permitting timetable includes deadlines action federal environmental review authorization required project executive director shall disputes relating permitting timetables facilitating lead agencies shall provide expeditious process project sponsors consult cooperating participating agency sec section grants consent congress contiguous states enter interstate compact establishing regional infrastructure development agencies facilitate authorization review covered projects sec section requires agencies complete environmental reviews required nepa covered projects timely coordinated environmentally responsible manner sec section directs federal agencies statutory authority authorize state issue administer permit program initiate national process determine best practices developed council generally applicable state permitting processes sec section limits period challenges authorization covered project years date publication federal_register final decision shorter period specified federal law sec section requires executive director report annually congress year period progress accomplished act previous fiscal year report shall assess performance participating agency lead agency sec section authorizes specified agencies public notice opportunity comment issue regulations establishing fee structure reimbursing united_states reasonable costs incurred conducting environmental reviews authorizations covered projects fees shall deposited use executive director solely administer implement enforce act regulations ensure use fees impact impartial decision making respect environmental reviews authorizations sec act applicable covered project notice initiation filed application request federal authorization pending federal agency days enactment act


Summary:
Taxpayer Transparency Act of 2015

Requires each communication funded by a federal agency for advertising or educational purposes to clearly state: (1) in the case of a printed communication, including mass mailings, signs, and billboards, that the communication is printed and published at taxpayer expense; and (2) in the case of a communication transmitted through radio, television, or the Internet, that the communication is produced and disseminated at taxpayer expense.

Requires any such printed communication, including e-mails, to be of sufficient size to be clearly readable, to be set apart from the other contents of the communication, and to be printed with a reasonable degree of color contrast between the background and the printed statement. Exempts from such requirements: (1) information in or relating to a solicitation for offers for a federal contract or applications or submissions of a bid or proposal for a federal grant or other means of funding under a federal program; and (2) advertisements for employment opportunities, not including advertising materials developed for use in recruiting and retaining personnel for the Armed Forces.

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


Summary:
Taxpayers Right-To-Know Act

(Sec. 2) Revises requirements for providing information about federal programs to increase taxpayer understanding of the cost and performance of such programs. Defines "program," for purposes of this Act, as an organized set of activities by one or more agencies directed toward a common purpose or goal.

Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to include on its website a program inventory that identifies each program of the federal government for which there is more than $1 million in annual budget authority, which shall include: (1) any activity that is commonly referred to as a program by a federal agency in communications with Congress, including any activity identified as a program in a budget request; (2) any activity that is commonly referred to as a program by a federal agency in communications with the public, including each program for which financial awards are made on a competitive basis; and (3) any activity specifically referenced in law as a program after June 30, 2018.

Requires, for each program identified in such inventory:

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

(Sec. 3) Requires OMB, not later than June 30, 2017, to: (1) prescribe guidance for implementing this Act, and (2) issue guidance to assist agencies in identifying how the program activities used in budget or appropriations accounts correspond with programs identified in the program inventory required by this Act.

Authorizes OMB: (1) to issue guidance to agencies on how to more closely align programs in the program inventory for purposes of the budget submission of the President to Congress, and (2) after providing notification to Congress, to exempt from the requirements of this Act agencies that are not required to have a chief financial officer and that have less than $10 million in budget authority.

Requires the amendments made by this Act to be implemented not later than June 30, 2018, but allows OMB to extend such deadline by not more than one year based on an analysis of the costs of implementation.

taxpayers right know act sec revises requirements providing information federal programs increase taxpayer understanding cost performance programs defines program purposes act organized set activities agencies directed common purpose goal requires office_of_management_and_budget omb include website program inventory identifies program federal government million annual budget authority shall include activity commonly referred program federal agency communications congress including activity identified program budget request activity commonly referred program federal agency communications public including program financial awards competitive basis activity specifically referenced law program june requires program identified inventory identification program activities aggregated disaggregated consolidated identifying programs funding program activities current fiscal year previous fiscal years maximum extent practicable funding program pro rata share program activities aggregated disaggregated consolidated identifying programs identification statutes authorize program major regulations specific program description estimate number individuals served program beneficiaries received financial assistance program description federal employees administer program individuals salary paid federal government grant contract cooperative agreement form financial award assistance links evaluation assessment program performance reviews agency inspector general government_accountability_office released preceding years financial information program required reported federal_funding_accountability transparency act requires omb end fiscal year archive preserve information included program inventory relating fiscal year later february fiscal year publish public website total undisbursed grant funding remaining grant accounts period availability grantee expired sec requires omb later june prescribe guidance implementing act issue guidance assist agencies identifying program activities budget appropriations accounts correspond programs identified program inventory required act authorizes omb issue guidance agencies closely align programs program inventory purposes budget submission president congress providing notification congress exempt requirements act agencies required chief financial officer million budget authority requires amendments act implemented later june allows omb extend deadline year based analysis costs implementation


Summary:
Responsible Use of Taxpayer Dollars for Portraits Act of 2015

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

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

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

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

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


Summary:
Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2015

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

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

Requires an agency seeking to enter a covered consent decree or settlement agreement to publish such decree or agreement in the Federal Register and online not later than 60 days before it is filed with the court. Provides for public comment and public hearings on such decree or agreement.

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

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

sunshine regulatory decrees settlements act defines covered civil action civil action seeking compel agency action alleging agency unlawfully withholding unreasonably delaying agency action relating regulatory action affect rights private persons person bringing action state local tribal government defines covered consent decree covered settlement agreement consent decree settlement agreement entered covered civil action consent decree settlement agreement requires agency action relating regulatory action affects rights persons governments requires agency covered civil action brought publish notice intent sue complaint readily accessible manner including making notice complaint available online later days receiving service notice complaint requires agency seeking enter covered consent decree settlement agreement publish decree agreement federal_register online later days filed court provides public comment public hearings decree agreement requires attorney general agency head agency litigating matter independently certify court attorney general agency head approves proposed covered consent decree includes terms convert nondiscretionary duty discretionary authority agency propose promulgate revise amend regulations commit agency expend funds appropriated budgeted seek particular appropriation budget authorization divest agency discretion committed statute constitution afford relief court enter authority proposed covered settlement agreement includes terms provide remedy failure agency comply terms agreement civil action resolved agreement interfere authority agency revise amend issue rules commit agency expend funds appropriated budgeted exercise particular way discretion committed agency statute constitution requires court grant novo review covered consent decree settlement agreement agency files motion modify decree agreement basis terms longer fully public interest agency obligations fulfill duties changed facts circumstances


Summary:
Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2015

This bill modifies the rule making requirements and procedures of federal agencies (excluding Congress, U.S. courts, U.S. territories and possession, and the District of Columbia) under the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA). The definition of "rule" under RFA is expanded to include all agency rules, except for rules that pertain to the protection of the rights of, or benefits for, veterans or rules of particular (and not general) applicability relating to rates, wages, and other financial indicators. Under a new definition of "economic impact," agencies are required to consider any direct economic effect of a proposed rule on small entities and any indirect economic effect on small entities that is reasonably foreseeable and that results from such rule.

Under the bill, agencies are required to modify their rulemaking procedures to:

 include within initial and final regulatory flexibility analyses a detailed statement of information relating to a proposed rule; include in the agency regulatory flexibility agenda a description of the sector of the North American Industrial Classification System that is affected by a proposed agency rule that is likely to have a significant economic impact of a substantial number of small entities; require each initial regulatory flexibility analysis to contain detailed information about a proposed rule, including an estimate of the additional cumulative economic impact of the proposed rule on small entities, any disproportionate economic impact on small entities, and any impairment of the ability of small entities to have access to credit; eliminate waivers or delays of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis; modify the procedures for participation of small entities in the promulgation of a proposed rule and the review panel advocacy process; and publish a plan for the periodic review of existing rules and new rules that have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities to determine whether such rules should be continued, changed, or rescinded. Judicial review of an agency final rule for compliance with RFA requirements is allowed after the publication of such rule, instead of after completion of the rulemaking process.

The Small Business Act is amended to authorize the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make small business size standard determinations for all purposes other than for the purposes of such Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.

SBREFA is amended to require agencies, in preparing small entity compliance guides, to solicit input from affected small entities or associations of small entities.

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

small business regulatory flexibility improvements act bill modifies rule making requirements procedures federal agencies excluding congress courts territories possession district_of_columbia regulatory flexibility act rfa small_business_regulatory_enforcement fairness act definition rule rfa expanded include agency rules rules pertain protection rights benefits veterans rules particular general applicability relating rates wages financial indicators new definition economic impact agencies required consider direct economic effect proposed rule small entities indirect economic effect small entities reasonably foreseeable results rule bill agencies required modify rulemaking procedures include initial final regulatory flexibility analyses detailed statement information relating proposed rule include agency regulatory flexibility agenda description sector north_american_industrial_classification_system affected proposed agency rule likely significant economic impact substantial number small entities require initial regulatory flexibility analysis contain detailed information proposed rule including estimate additional cumulative economic impact proposed rule small entities disproportionate economic impact small entities impairment ability small entities access credit eliminate waivers delays initial regulatory flexibility analysis modify procedures participation small entities promulgation proposed rule review panel advocacy process publish plan periodic review existing rules new rules significant impact substantial number small entities determine rules continued changed rescinded judicial review agency final rule compliance rfa requirements allowed publication rule instead completion rulemaking process small business act amended authorize chief counsel advocacy small_business_administration sba small business size standard determinations purposes purposes act small_business_investment_act amended require agencies preparing small entity compliance guides solicit input affected small entities associations small entities comptroller general complete publish study examines sba chief counsel advocacy capacity resources carry duties act


Summary:
Domestic Reduction In Vehicle Expenditure and Lowering Emissions from State Sources Act of 2015 or the DRIVE LESS Act

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

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

domestic reduction vehicle expenditure lowering emissions state sources act drive act requires director office_of_management_and_budget determine total number civilian vehicles purchased leased executive agency fy2010 total dollar obligated executive agency purchase lease civilian vehicles fy2010 total dollar prohibits executive agency obligating reduced dollar fy2010 purchase lease civilian vehicles fy2016-fy2020 exempts purchase procurement vehicle determined president essential reasons national security directs administrator general_services ensure agencies share excess unused vehicles temporary long term use


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on July 28, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Federal Improper Payments Coordination Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Amends the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act of 2012 to extend the availability of the Do Not Pay Initiative to states, any contractor, subcontractor, or agent of a state, and the judicial and legislative branches of the United States. Authorizes the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue guidance for establishing privacy and other requirements for incorporation into Do Not Pay Initiative access agreements with states and judicial and legislative branches.

(Sec. 3) Modifies such Act to require each federal agency to review the death records maintained by the Social Security Administration (SSA) (currently, the Death Master File of SSA).

Directs the Departments of Defense and State to establish a procedure for submitting information on the deaths of individuals to federal agencies promptly and on a regular basis.

Requires the OMB and the heads of other relevant governmental entities to issue guidance on the implementation of the Do Not Pay Initiative to the Department of the Treasury and each agency and component of an agency: (1) that operates or maintains a database of information; or (2) for which the OMB determines improved data matching would be relevant, necessary, or beneficial.

(Sec. 4) Directs Treasury to submit a report to Congress that describes: (1) data analytics performed as part of the Do Not Pay Business Center operated by Treasury, (2) metrics used in determining whether analytic and investigatory efforts have reduced improper payments or awards, and (3) the target dates for implementing the data analytics operations.

measure amended passed senate july summary version repeated sec amends improper_payments_elimination recovery improvement act extend availability pay initiative states contractor subcontractor agent state judicial legislative branches united_states authorizes office_of_management_and_budget omb issue guidance establishing privacy requirements incorporation pay initiative access agreements states judicial legislative branches sec modifies act require federal agency review death records maintained social_security_administration ssa currently death master file ssa directs departments defense state establish procedure submitting information deaths individuals federal agencies promptly regular basis requires omb heads relevant governmental entities issue guidance implementation pay initiative department_of_the_treasury agency component agency operates maintains database information omb determines improved data matching relevant necessary beneficial sec directs treasury submit report congress describes data analytics performed operated treasury metrics determining analytic investigatory efforts reduced improper payments awards target dates implementing data analytics operations


Summary:
Regulatory Improvement Act of 2015

Establishes in the legislative branch the Regulatory Improvement Commission.

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

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

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

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


Summary:
Expedited Consideration of Cuts, Consolidations, and Savings Act of 2015

This bill amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to establish expedited procedures for congressional consideration of legislation to carry out recommendations included in the Office of Management and Budget's annual Cuts, Consolidations, and Savings report. The report lists proposals included in the President's budget to cut, consolidate, or otherwise produce savings from mandatory and discretionary spending programs. The authority provided by this bill terminates on the date of the sine die adjournment of Congress during 2018.

expedited consideration cuts consolidations bill amends congressional_budget impoundment control act establish expedited procedures congressional consideration legislation carry recommendations included office_of_management_and_budget annual savings report report lists proposals included president budget cut consolidate produce savings mandatory discretionary spending programs authority provided bill terminates date die congress


Summary:
NTIS Elimination Act

Repeals the National Technical Information Act of 1988, which provided for establishment of the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), effective one year after the enactment of this Act.

Directs the Secretary of Commerce, the Archivist of the United States, and the Comptroller General to consult with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to determine if any NTIS activity or function is critical to the national economy and is not being carried out by any other federal government agency, instrumentality, or contractor. Authorizes the the Secretary to transfer responsibility for any such activity or function to another office within Commerce. Directs the Secretary, before one year after enactment of this Act, to certify that all other NTIS operations have been terminated.

Defines as "critical to the national economy" an activity or function that promotes U.S. economic growth by providing access to information that stimulates innovation and discovery.

Authorizes Commerce to continue to maintain a permanent repository of nonclassified scientific, technical, and engineering information, which shall be publicly available and searchable in a format useful to American industry, business, libraries, and research institutions. Requires all federal entities to send electronic copies of all nonclassified scientific, technical, and engineering reports and information to Commerce for inclusion in the repository.

Directs the Department of the Treasury to transfer all unexpended balances in the NTIS Revolving Fund to Commerce to be expended solely for the maintenance of the repository and to dissolve the Fund.

ntis elimination act repeals national technical information act provided establishment ntis effective year enactment act directs secretary commerce archivist united_states comptroller_general consult director office_of_management_and_budget determine ntis activity function critical national economy carried federal government agency instrumentality contractor authorizes secretary transfer responsibility activity function office commerce directs secretary year enactment act certify ntis operations terminated defines critical national economy activity function promotes economic growth providing access information innovation discovery authorizes commerce continue maintain permanent repository scientific technical engineering information shall publicly available searchable format useful american industry business libraries research institutions requires federal entities send electronic copies scientific technical engineering reports information commerce inclusion repository directs department_of_the_treasury transfer unexpended balances expended solely maintenance repository dissolve fund


Summary:
Regulatory Examination Vital for Improving and Evaluating Working Solutions Act of 2015 or the REVIEWS Act

This bill makes existing rules of a federal agency (i.e. each authority of the federal government, except the Congress, U.S. courts, the governments of U.S. territories or possessions, and the government of the District of Columbia) inoperative 10 years after promulgation, but allows extensions for additional periods of not more than 10 years if the agency promulgates the expiring rule in compliance with the notice and comment requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act.

The bill expands the definition of "final agency action" for purposes of judicial review to include interpretative rules, general statements of policy, and rules of agency organization, procedure or practice issued by an agency.

The bill grants exclusive jurisdiction to the federal courts of appeal (except for the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit) to review all rules of an agency that cease to be effective under this Act and that the agency continues to enforce.

regulatory examination vital improving evaluating working solutions act reviews act bill makes existing rules federal agency authority federal government congress courts governments territories possessions government district_of_columbia inoperative years promulgation allows extensions additional periods years agency promulgates expiring rule compliance notice comment requirements administrative procedure act bill expands definition final agency action purposes judicial review include interpretative rules general statements policy rules agency organization procedure practice issued agency bill grants exclusive jurisdiction federal courts appeal review rules agency cease effective act agency continues enforce


Summary:
This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to report on and make public the outcomes of specified green building programs administered by DOE and listed in the Government Accountability Office's "2012 Annual Report: Opportunities to Reduce Duplication, Overlap and Fragmentation, Achieve Savings, and Enhance Revenue."

DOE must conduct an analysis of whether any of the programs should be eliminated or consolidated and report on methods to improve the programs.

By January 1, 2016, DOE must identify which programs were specifically authorized by Congress and which are carried out solely under DOE's discretionary authority.

bill requires department_of_energy doe report public outcomes specified green building programs administered doe listed government_accountability_office annual report opportunities reduce duplication overlap fragmentation achieve savings enhance revenue doe conduct analysis programs eliminated consolidated report methods improve programs january doe identify programs specifically authorized congress carried solely doe discretionary authority


Summary:
Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act of 2015

 (Sec. 2) This bill establishes in the executive branch a Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking. The Commission shall conduct a comprehensive study of the data inventory, data infrastructure, and statistical protocols related to federal policymaking and the agencies responsible for maintaining that data to:

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

The bill directs the Commission to evaluate:

 what administrative data and survey data are relevant for program evaluation and federal policymaking and should be included in a potential clearinghouse; which survey data such administrative data may be linked to, in addition to linkages across administrative data series; the legal and administrative barriers to including or linking these data series; what data-sharing infrastructure should be used to facilitate data merging and access for research purposes; how a clearinghouse could be self-funded; which types of researchers, officials, and institutions should have access to data and what their qualifications should be; what limitations should be placed on the use of data provided; how to protect information and ensure individual privacy and confidentiality; how data and results of research can be used to inform program administrators and policymakers to improve program design; and what incentives may facilitate interagency sharing of information to improve programmatic effectiveness and enhance data accuracy and comprehensiveness. The Commission must submit to the President and Congress a detailed statement of its findings and conclusions, together with its recommendations for legislation or administrative actions, within 15 months of the date a majority of the Commission members are appointed.

(Sec. 6) The agencies identified as "Principal Statistical Agencies" in the the Office of Management and Budget report entitled "Statistical Programs of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2015" shall provide specified funds for carrying out the activities of the Commission.

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

act sec bill establishes executive branch commission shall conduct comprehensive study data inventory data infrastructure statistical protocols related federal policymaking agencies responsible maintaining data determine optimal arrangement administrative data federal programs tax expenditures survey data related statistical data series integrated available facilitate program evaluation continuous improvement policy relevant research cost benefit analyses qualified researchers institutions recommendations data infrastructure statistical protocols modified best fulfill objectives recommendations best incorporate outcomes measurement randomized controlled trials rigorous impact analysis program design commission consider clearinghouse program survey data established create clearinghouse bill directs commission evaluate administrative data survey data relevant program evaluation federal policymaking included potential clearinghouse survey data administrative data linked addition linkages administrative data series legal administrative barriers including linking data series data sharing infrastructure facilitate data merging access research purposes clearinghouse self funded types researchers officials institutions access data qualifications limitations placed use data provided protect information ensure individual privacy confidentiality data results research inform program administrators policymakers improve program design incentives facilitate interagency sharing information improve programmatic effectiveness enhance data accuracy commission submit president congress detailed statement findings conclusions recommendations legislation administrative actions months date majority commission members appointed sec agencies identified principal statistical agencies office_of_management_and_budget report entitled statistical programs united_states_government fiscal year shall provide specified funds carrying activities commission sec commission shall terminate later months enactment act


Summary:
Restoring the 10th Amendment Act

Authorizes a designated state official to submit to the head of a federal agency proposing a rule, during the period when the proposed rule is open for public comment, a legal brief challenging the constitutionality of the rule under the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution.

Directs the agency head: (1) to notify the designated official of each state within 15 days after such a brief was submitted; (2) to post prominently on the front page of the agency's website a link to the brief; and (3) within 15 days after posting such link, to certify in writing that such rulemaking does not violate the Tenth Amendment and post the certification prominently on the agency's website next to the briefs pertaining to the rule, unless the agency determines not to finalize such proposed rule.

Authorizes a designated state official, at any time after an agency head posts such a certification, to commence a civil action against the agency on the grounds that the rule violates the Tenth Amendment. Permits such state official, in addition to any other venue or jurisdiction provided by law, to bring such action in the U.S. district court for the district in which the official's place of business is located.

Directs the appropriate U.S. court of appeals, upon the filing of a notice by a designated state official, to grant expedited review of a decision by the district court in such an action.

restoring 10th amendment act authorizes designated state official submit head federal agency proposing rule period proposed rule open public comment legal brief challenging constitutionality rule tenth amendment constitution directs agency head notify designated official state days brief submitted post prominently page agency website link brief days posting link certify writing rulemaking violate tenth amendment post certification prominently agency website briefs pertaining rule agency determines finalize proposed rule authorizes designated state official time agency head posts certification commence civil action agency grounds rule violates tenth amendment permits state official addition venue jurisdiction provided law bring action district court district official place business located directs appropriate court appeals filing notice designated state official grant expedited review decision district court action


Summary:
Regulatory Review and Sunset Act of 2015

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

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

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

Sets forth review deadlines for existing and new significant rules.

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

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

Terminates this Act 10 years after its enactment.

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


Summary:
Stopping Improper Payments to Deceased People Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Benefits) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to direct the Social Security Administration (SSA) to pay state or local governments for transcribing and transmitting to the SSA information on death records.

The SSA shall make cooperative arrangements with federal and state agencies for use of SSA information on all deceased individuals by federal or state agencies providing federally funded benefits or administering a federal program for such benefits.

The SSA shall make similar arrangements for the use of such information by federal agencies to:

 operate the Do Not Pay working system (which uses specified federal agency databases to reduce improper payments or awards); ensure proper payments under a federal program, including federally funded benefits; conduct federal policing agency prevention activities, detection activities, crime investigation, or apprehension of alleged offenders; and carry out tax administration or debt collection duties. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) shall analyze potential alternative sources of death data maintained by non-federal sources.

(Sec. 3) The Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act of 2012 is amended to require the OMB to:

 issue guidance to agencies that operate or maintain a database of information relating to beneficiaries, annuity recipients, or other purposes specified in Sec. 3 for which improved data matching with databases relating to an individual's death would be relevant and necessary; develop a plan to assist state and local agencies, Indian Tribes, and tribal organizations to provide death information electronically to the federal government; and submit to Congress a plan to improve state, local, and tribal data matching with the federal government on the death of federally funded benefit recipients. (Sec. 4) The SSA shall submit a plan to improve the accuracy and completeness of death data (including data on individuals who are neither eligible for nor receiving OASDI or title XVI [Supplemental Security Income] benefits).

The plan shall include:

 a procedure for identifying, and verifying information about, individuals who are still alive and are older than the oldest known living person; improved policies and procedures for identifying and correcting erroneous records, especially about dead individuals listed as alive and living individuals listed as dead; improved policies and procedures for identifying and correcting errors in Numerical Identification System records; a process for employing statistical analysis of SSA death data to determine an estimate of the number of erroneous records; and recommendations for legislation. (Sec. 5) The SSA shall report to Congress on: (1) all SSA information systems containing sensitive information; and (2) the measures the SSA is taking to secure and protect these systems.

stopping improper payments deceased people act sec bill amends title old age survivors disability_insurance benefits oasdi social security act ssact direct social_security_administration ssa pay state local governments transmitting ssa information death records ssa shall cooperative arrangements federal state agencies use ssa information deceased individuals federal state agencies providing federally funded benefits administering federal program benefits ssa shall similar arrangements use information federal agencies operate pay working system uses specified federal agency databases reduce improper payments awards ensure proper payments federal program including federally funded benefits conduct federal policing agency prevention activities detection activities crime investigation apprehension alleged offenders carry tax administration debt collection duties office_of_management_and_budget omb shall analyze potential alternative sources death data maintained non federal sources sec improper_payments_elimination recovery improvement act amended require omb issue guidance agencies operate maintain database information relating beneficiaries annuity recipients purposes specified sec improved data matching databases relating individual death relevant necessary develop plan assist state local agencies indian tribes tribal organizations provide death information electronically federal government submit congress plan improve state local tribal data matching federal government death federally funded benefit recipients sec ssa shall submit plan improve accuracy completeness death data including data individuals eligible receiving oasdi title xvi supplemental security income benefits plan shall include procedure identifying verifying information individuals alive older known living person improved policies procedures identifying correcting erroneous records especially dead individuals listed alive living individuals listed dead improved policies procedures identifying correcting errors records process employing statistical analysis ssa death data determine estimate number erroneous records recommendations legislation sec ssa shall report congress ssa information systems containing sensitive information measures ssa taking secure protect systems