Summary:
Stop Online Booking Scams Act of 2016

This bill amends the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act (ROSCA) to prohibit a third party online hotel reservation seller (an online seller that is not affiliated with the person who owns the hotel or provides the hotel services or accommodations) from charging a consumer's credit card, debit card, bank account, or other financial account for any good or service sold in an Internet transaction, unless the seller discloses all material terms of the transaction.

Before the conclusion of the transaction, the seller must describe, and disclose the cost of, the offered good or service.

The seller must also disclose, in a manner that is continuously visible to the consumer throughout the transaction process, the fact that it is not affiliated with the person who: (1) owns the hotel, or (2) provides the hotel services or accommodations.

States may bring actions in federal courts to obtain damages, restitution, compensation, or other relief for ROSCA violations. (Currently, states may bring such actions for only injunctive relief.)

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) must publish on its website an assessment of: (1) consumers' capacity to understand which company they are transacting with during online hotel reservation shopping, (2) consumer harm from such uncertainty, and (3) whether any practice by a third party online hotel reservation seller violates ROSCA.

The bill expresses the sense of Congress that the FTC should revise its website to make it easier for consumers and businesses to report complaints of deceptive practices with online booking of hotel reservations.

stop online booking scams act bill amends confidence act prohibit party online hotel reservation seller online seller affiliated person owns hotel provides hotel services accommodations charging consumer credit card debit card bank account financial account good service sold internet transaction seller discloses material terms transaction conclusion transaction seller describe disclose cost offered good service seller disclose manner continuously visible consumer transaction process fact affiliated person owns hotel provides hotel services accommodations states bring actions federal courts obtain damages restitution compensation relief violations currently states bring actions injunctive relief federal_trade_commission ftc publish website assessment consumers capacity understand company online hotel reservation shopping consumer harm uncertainty practice party online hotel reservation seller violates bill expresses sense congress ftc revise website consumers businesses report complaints deceptive practices online booking hotel reservations


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

Consumer Review Fairness Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill makes a provision of a form contract void from the inception if it: (1) prohibits or restricts an individual who is a party to such a contract from engaging in written, oral, or pictorial reviews, or other similar performance assessments or analyses of, including by electronic means, the goods, services, or conduct of a person that is also a party to the contract; (2) imposes penalties or fees against individuals who engage in such communications; or (3) transfers or requires the individual to transfer intellectual property rights in review or feedback content (with the exception of a nonexclusive license to use the content) in any otherwise lawful communications about such person or the goods or services provided by such person. A "form contract" is a contract with standardized terms: (1) used by a person in the course of selling or leasing the person's goods or services, and (2) imposed on an individual without a meaningful opportunity to negotiate the standardized terms. The definition excludes an employer-employee or independent contractor contract.

The standards under which provisions of a form contract are considered void under this bill shall not be construed to affect:

 legal duties of confidentiality; civil actions for defamation, libel, or slander; or a party's right to establish terms and conditions for the creation of photographs or video of such party's property when those photographs or video are created by an employee or independent contractor of a commercial entity and are solely intended to be used for commercial purposes by that entity. Such standards also shall not be construed to affect any party's right to remove or refuse to display publicly on an Internet website or webpage owned, operated, or controlled by such party content that: (1) contains the personal information or likeness of another person or is libelous, harassing, abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, inappropriate with respect to race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, or other intrinsic characteristic; (2) is unrelated to the goods or services offered by or available at such party's website; or (3) is clearly false or misleading.

A provision shall not be considered void under this bill to the extent that it prohibits disclosure or submission of, or reserves the right of a person or business that hosts online consumer reviews or comments to remove, certain: (1) trade secrets or commercial or financial information; (2) personnel and medical files; (3) law enforcement records; (4) content that is unlawful or that a party has a right to remove or refuse to display; or (5) computer viruses or other potentially damaging computer code, processes, applications, or files.

A person is prohibited from offering form contracts containing a provision that is considered void under this bill.

Enforcement authority is provided to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and states.

The FTC must provide businesses with nonbinding best practices for compliance.

Nothing in this bill shall be construed to limit, impair, or supersede the Federal Trade Commission Act or any other federal law.

measure amended reported house september summary version repeated consumer review fairness act sec bill makes provision form contract void inception prohibits restricts individual party contract engaging written oral reviews similar performance assessments analyses including electronic means goods services conduct person party contract imposes penalties fees individuals engage communications transfers requires individual transfer intellectual property rights review feedback content exception nonexclusive license use content lawful communications person goods services provided person form contract contract standardized terms person course selling leasing person goods services imposed individual meaningful opportunity negotiate standardized terms definition excludes employer employee independent contractor contract standards provisions form contract considered void bill shall construed affect legal duties confidentiality civil actions defamation libel slander party right establish terms conditions creation photographs video party property photographs video created employee independent contractor commercial entity solely intended commercial purposes entity standards shall construed affect party right remove refuse display publicly internet website webpage owned operated controlled party content contains personal information person harassing abusive obscene sexually explicit inappropriate respect race gender sexuality ethnicity characteristic unrelated goods services offered available party website clearly false misleading provision shall considered void bill extent prohibits disclosure submission reserves right person business hosts online consumer reviews comments remove certain trade secrets commercial financial information personnel medical files law enforcement records content unlawful party right remove refuse display computer viruses potentially damaging computer code processes applications files person prohibited offering form contracts containing provision considered void bill enforcement authority provided federal_trade_commission ftc states ftc provide businesses nonbinding best practices compliance bill shall construed limit impair supersede federal_trade_commission_act federal law


Summary:
Cleaning Product Right to Know Act of 2016

This bill requires cleaning products to bear a label with, and requires manufacturers to include on their websites, a list of all of the product's ingredients (including individual ingredients in dyes, fragrances, and preservatives) in descending order of predominance by weight, except that ingredients that constitute less than 1% of the product can be listed at the end in any order. Product websites must include: (1) the CAS Registry Number of each ingredient, and (2) an explanation of each ingredient's purpose.

A product that is not in conformity with the labeling and website listing requirements shall be treated as a misbranded hazardous substance under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act.

A person may petition the Consumer Product Safety Commission to investigate claims that a product does not satisfy these requirements.

cleaning product right know act bill requires cleaning products bear label requires manufacturers include websites list product ingredients including individual ingredients dyes descending order weight ingredients constitute product listed end order product websites include cas registry number ingredient explanation ingredient purpose product conformity labeling website listing requirements shall treated misbranded hazardous substance federal_hazardous_substances_act person petition consumer_product_safety_commission investigate claims product satisfy requirements


Summary:
Bereaved Consumer's Bill of Rights Act of 2016

 This bill directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe rules prohibiting unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the provision of funeral goods or services. The rules must: (1) require price information to be disclosed clearly and conspicuously; (2) prohibit misrepresentations or the provision of goods or services being conditioned upon the purchase of other goods or services from the provider; (3) require presale disclosures and contracts to be written clearly, stating the merchandise, services, and prices and disclosing any penalties for canceling or transferring a contract; (4) require cemeteries to provide consumers all written rules and regulations of the cemetery and all material terms and conditions of purchase; and (5) require cemeteries to retain all records in existence on the date of enactment of this bill and accurately record and retain records of interments, inurnments, or entombments.

Cemeteries subject to the FTC's rules shall include those organized or operated by states, political subdivisions, or tax-exempt organizations. But the bill excludes cemeteries organized, operated, managed, and owned by a religious organization and that are not affiliated with a for-profit provider offering funeral goods and services for sale to the public. The FTC and states are provided authority to enforce against violations.

consumer bill rights act bill directs federal_trade_commission ftc prescribe rules prohibiting unfair deceptive acts practices provision funeral goods services rules require price information disclosed clearly conspicuously prohibit misrepresentations provision goods services conditioned purchase goods services provider require disclosures contracts written clearly stating merchandise services prices disclosing penalties canceling transferring contract require cemeteries provide consumers written rules regulations cemetery material terms conditions purchase require cemeteries retain records existence date enactment bill accurately record retain records cemeteries subject ftc rules shall include organized operated states political subdivisions tax exempt organizations bill excludes cemeteries organized operated managed owned religious organization affiliated profit provider offering funeral goods services sale public ftc states provided authority enforce violations


Summary:
Anti-Pyramid Promotional Scheme Act of 2016

 This bill prohibits the establishment, operation, or promotion of a pyramid promotional scheme, which is defined as a plan or operation by which a person gives consideration (money or other thing of value) to a participant in the scheme for the right to receive compensation derived primarily from the participant's introduction of another person into the plan or operation rather than from the sale of products to ultimate users.

The bill grants enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission and requires violations to be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

scheme act bill prohibits establishment operation promotion pyramid promotional scheme defined plan operation person gives consideration money thing value participant scheme right receive compensation derived primarily participant introduction person plan operation sale products ultimate users bill grants enforcement authority federal_trade_commission requires violations treated unfair deceptive acts practices federal_trade_commission_act


Summary:
Clarifying Legality and Enforcement Action Reasoning Act of 2016 or the CLEAR Act of 2016

This bill amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to require the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to submit an annual report to Congress about its investigations concerning unfair or deceptive acts or practices, or unfair methods of competition, in or affecting commerce. The reports must detail:

 the number of such investigations the FTC has commenced and the disposition of investigations that concluded with official agency action; and the number of investigations the FTC has closed with no official agency action, along with a description that indicates the legal analysis supporting the FTC's decision not to continue such investigations, and the industry sectors of the entities subject to each such investigation. The bill prohibits the FTC from identifying a person who is the subject of an investigation in its description of an investigation that closed with no official agency action.

clarifying legality enforcement action reasoning act clear act bill amends federal_trade_commission_act require federal_trade_commission ftc submit annual report congress investigations concerning unfair deceptive acts practices unfair methods competition affecting commerce reports detail number investigations ftc commenced disposition investigations concluded official agency action number investigations ftc closed official agency action description indicates legal analysis supporting ftc decision continue investigations industry sectors entities subject investigation bill prohibits ftc identifying person subject investigation description investigation closed official agency action


Summary:
Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth Act or the STURDY Act

 This bill requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to promulgate a final consumer product safety standard for free-standing clothing storage units (furniture items referred to as, or that may contain, a chest, door chest, chest of drawers, dresser, or bureau) to protect children from tip-over-related death or injury, unless the CPSC determines that a voluntary ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) International standard adequately protects children and is likely to be complied with by furniture manufacturers.

If an ASTM standard meets the CPSC's requirements, the standard shall be treated as a consumer product safety rule.

stop tip unstable youth act act bill requires consumer_product_safety_commission cpsc promulgate final consumer product safety standard free standing clothing storage units furniture items referred contain chest door chest chest bureau protect children tip related death injury cpsc determines voluntary astm standard adequately protects children likely complied furniture manufacturers astm standard meets cpsc requirements standard shall treated consumer product safety rule


Summary: This bill: (1) repeals provisions of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 that amended the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to authorize the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to prescribe regulations governing interchange transaction fees for electronic debit transactions, and (2) restores the law amended by such provisions as if they had not been enacted.

bill repeals provisions consumer_financial_protection_act amended electronic fund transfer act authorize consumer_financial_protection_bureau prescribe regulations governing interchange transaction fees electronic debit transactions restores law amended provisions enacted


Summary: This bill amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to require the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to verify the accuracy of information in its consumer complaint database before making it available to the public.

bill amends consumer_financial_protection_act require consumer_financial_protection_bureau verify accuracy information consumer complaint database making available public


Summary:
Protect Consumers from Phony Phone Charges Act of 2016

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to complete a rulemaking proceeding relating to the placing of unauthorized charges on a consumer's telephone bill (commonly referred to as "cramming"). The FCC must consider whether to issue a rule that requires blocking the placement of third-party charges on a consumer's wireline, wireless, or bundled services telephone bill under the criteria it relied upon when it entered into a consent decree relating to cramming with mobile voice and data service providers.

bill requires federal_communications_commission fcc complete rulemaking proceeding relating placing unauthorized charges consumer telephone bill commonly referred fcc consider issue rule requires blocking placement party charges consumer wireline wireless bundled services telephone bill criteria relied entered consent decree relating mobile voice data service providers


Summary:
Pink Tax Repeal Act

This bill prohibits the sale of substantially similar services or consumer products from the same manufacturer if they are priced differently based on the gender of the individuals to whom the products are marketed or intended or for whom the services are marketed, performed, or offered.

A difference in coloring among consumer products shall not be construed as a substantial difference.

Violations shall be treated as unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

The Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general are authorized to enforce against such violations.

tax repeal act bill prohibits sale substantially similar services consumer products manufacturer priced based gender individuals products marketed intended services marketed performed offered difference coloring consumer products shall construed substantial difference violations shall treated unfair deceptive act practice federal_trade_commission_act federal_trade_commission state attorneys general authorized enforce violations


Summary:
Portable Fuel Container Safety Act of 2016

This bill requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to promulgate a final rule relating to flame mitigation devices in portable fuel containers for flammable liquid fuels that sufficiently reduces the risk of injuries associated with the tendency of vapors igniting when the container is near an open flame or other ignition source. A "portable fuel container" is defined as a receptacle for flammable liquids (including any spout, retrofit spout, cap, and other closure mechanism and component of such receptacle) that foreseeably will be used by consumers and is manufactured or imported for use in the United States.

The rule must be treated as a consumer product safety rule promulgated under the Consumer Product Safety Act.

portable fuel container safety act bill requires consumer_product_safety_commission promulgate final rule relating flame mitigation devices portable fuel containers flammable liquid fuels sufficiently reduces risk injuries associated container near open flame ignition source portable fuel container defined flammable liquids including retrofit cap closure mechanism component consumers manufactured imported use united_states rule treated consumer product safety rule promulgated consumer product safety act


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on December 10, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill requires any nicotine provided in a liquid nicotine container sold, offered for sale, manufactured for sale, distributed in commerce, or imported into the United States to be packaged in accordance with the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC's) standards and testing procedures for special packaging that is difficult for children under five years of age to open or to obtain harmful contents from. The requirement must be treated as a standard for the special packaging of a household substance under the Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970.

"Liquid nicotine container" is defined to: (1) include a package from which nicotine in a solution or other form is accessible through normal and foreseeable use by a consumer and that is used to hold soluble nicotine in any concentration; and (2) exclude a sealed, pre-filled, and disposable container of nicotine in a solution or other form in which such container is inserted directly into an electronic cigarette, electronic nicotine delivery system, or other similar product, if the nicotine in the container is inaccessible through customary or reasonably foreseeable handling or use, including reasonably foreseeable ingestion or other contact by children.

The bill applies to any form of chemical nicotine, including any salt or complex, regardless of whether the chemical is naturally or synthetically derived.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must consult with the CPSC if HHS maintains, enforces, imposes, or continues in effect any packaging requirement for liquid nicotine containers, including a child-resistant packaging requirement.

measure amended passed senate december summary version repeated child nicotine poisoning prevention act sec bill requires nicotine provided liquid nicotine container sold offered sale manufactured sale distributed commerce imported united_states packaged accordance consumer_product_safety_commission cpsc standards testing procedures special packaging difficult children years age open obtain harmful contents requirement treated standard special packaging household substance poison_prevention_packaging_act liquid nicotine container defined include package nicotine solution form accessible normal foreseeable use consumer hold nicotine concentration exclude sealed pre filled disposable container nicotine solution form container directly electronic cigarette electronic nicotine delivery system similar product nicotine container inaccessible customary reasonably foreseeable handling use including reasonably foreseeable ingestion contact children bill applies form chemical nicotine including salt complex regardless chemical naturally derived department_of_health_and_human_services hhs consult cpsc hhs maintains enforces imposes continues effect packaging requirement liquid nicotine containers including child resistant packaging requirement


Summary:
Hunting, Fishing, and Recreational Shooting Protection Act

This bill exempts components of firearms and ammunition and sport fishing equipment and its components (such as lead sinkers) from regulations on chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act.

hunting fishing bill exempts components firearms ammunition sport fishing equipment components lead regulations chemical substances toxic_substances_control_act


Summary:
Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection-Inspector General Reform Act of 2015 or CFPB-IG Act of 2015

 Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to repeal the authority of the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to appoint the Inspector General of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Requires the CFPB Inspector General to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

general reform_act amends inspector general act repeal authority chairman board_of_governors federal_reserve_system appoint inspector general consumer financial protection bureau cfpb requires cfpb inspector general appointed president advice consent senate


Summary:
Detergent Poisoning And Child Safety Act of 2015 or the Detergent PACS Act of 2015

Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish safety standards for liquid detergent packets to protect children who are younger than five years of age from injury or illness.

 Directs the CPSC to establish such standards by promulgating a rule or adopting voluntary ASTM International standards.

Provides for any final rule that is promulgated to include: (1) requirements for special packaging and warning labels, (2) standards to make the color and design of packets less attractive to children, and (3) liquid composition standards to make the consequences of exposure less severe.

Requires the rule or standards to be treated as consumer product safety standards under the Consumer Product Safety Act.

detergent poisoning child safety act detergent pacs act requires consumer product safety commission cpsc establish safety standards liquid detergent packets protect children younger years age injury illness directs cpsc establish standards promulgating rule adopting voluntary astm_international standards provides final rule promulgated include requirements special packaging warning labels standards color design packets children liquid composition standards consequences exposure severe requires rule standards treated consumer product safety standards consumer product safety act


Summary:
Empowering Student Borrowers Act

Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to establish, maintain, and periodically update best practices for institutions of higher education in: (1) teaching financial literacy skills, and (2) providing students with useful and necessary information to assist them in making financial decisions related to student borrowing.

Requires those practices to include:

 methods to ensure that students have a clear sense of their total borrowing obligations; the most effective ways to engage students in financial literacy education; information on how to target different student populations, including part-time students, first-time students, and other nontraditional students; and ways to clearly communicate the importance of graduating on a student's ability to repay student loans.

empowering student borrowers act amends higher education act direct secretary education establish maintain periodically update best practices institutions higher education teaching financial literacy skills providing students useful necessary information assist making financial decisions related student borrowing requires practices include methods ensure students clear sense total borrowing obligations effective ways engage students financial literacy education information target different student populations including time students time students nontraditional students ways clearly communicate importance graduating student ability repay student loans


Summary:
Personal Care Products Safety Act

This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require cosmetics companies to register their facilities with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and to submit to the FDA cosmetic ingredient statements that include the amounts of a cosmetic's ingredients. Companies must pay a facility registration fee based on their annual gross sales of cosmetics. The collected fees can only be used for cosmetic safety activities.

If the FDA determines that a cosmetic has a reasonable probability of causing serious adverse health consequences, it may prohibit the cosmetic's distribution by suspending the cosmetic ingredient statement. If other cosmetics from the same facility may be affected, the FDA may prohibit distribution from the facility by suspending the facility's registration.

The FDA must review the safety of at least five cosmetic ingredients each year, and it may establish conditions for safe use of an ingredient, including a limit on the amount of the ingredient or a requirement for a warning label. A cosmetic cannot be sold if it contains an ingredient that is not safe, not safe under the recommended conditions of use, or not safe in the amount present in the cosmetic.

Cosmetics companies are required to report to the FDA any serious adverse health event associated with their cosmetics.

The FDA must:

 develop and implement cosmetic manufacturing standards that are consistent with existing national and international standards, be allowed to inspect a company's cosmetic safety records, recall a cosmetic that is likely to cause serious adverse health consequences, and encourage cosmetic safety testing practices that minimize the use of animals.

bill amends cosmetic act require cosmetics companies register facilities food_and_drug_administration fda submit fda cosmetic ingredient statements include amounts cosmetic ingredients companies pay facility registration fee based annual gross sales cosmetics collected fees cosmetic safety activities fda determines cosmetic reasonable probability causing adverse health consequences prohibit cosmetic distribution suspending cosmetic ingredient statement cosmetics facility affected fda prohibit distribution facility suspending facility registration fda review safety cosmetic ingredients year establish conditions safe use ingredient including limit ingredient requirement warning label cosmetic sold contains ingredient safe safe recommended conditions use safe present cosmetic cosmetics companies required report fda adverse health event associated cosmetics fda develop implement cosmetic manufacturing standards consistent existing national international standards allowed inspect company cosmetic safety records recall cosmetic likely cause adverse health consequences encourage cosmetic safety testing practices minimize use animals


Summary:
FIX Credit Reporting Errors Act or the FIX Act

 Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act with respect to the procedures followed by consumer reporting agencies when a consumer disputes the completeness or accuracy of information contained in the consumer's credit report.

Requires consumer reporting agencies to: (1) expand the dispute notification furnished to any person who provided disputed information to include all documentation provided by the consumer, and (2) consider such consumer documentation when conducting reinvestigations of disputed information.

Directs a consumer reporting agency that operates as reseller, if it receives notice from a consumer of a dispute concerning a report that the reseller produced but the reseller determines that the information is not incomplete or inaccurate as a result of an act or omission of the reseller, to convey the notice of the dispute, together with all relevant information and documentation provided by the consumer, to each consumer reporting agency that provided the reseller with the information that is the subject of the dispute.

fix act amends fair credit reporting act respect procedures followed consumer reporting agencies consumer disputes completeness accuracy information contained consumer credit report requires consumer reporting agencies expand dispute notification furnished person provided disputed information include documentation provided consumer consider consumer documentation conducting reinvestigations disputed information directs consumer reporting agency operates reseller receives notice consumer dispute concerning report reseller produced reseller determines information incomplete inaccurate result act omission reseller convey notice dispute relevant information documentation provided consumer consumer reporting agency provided reseller information subject dispute


Summary:
Nicholas and Zachary Burt Memorial Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2015

(Sec. 4) This bill directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish a grant program to provide assistance to states or tribal organizations that require compliant carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in dwelling units.

A "compliant carbon monoxide alarm" is an alarm that complies with: (1) the Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms of the American National Standards Institute and UL (ANSI/UL 2034) or a successor standard, and (2) the Standard for Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors of the American National Standards Institute and UL (ANSI/UL 2075) or a successor standard.

 In selecting grant recipients, the CPSC must give favorable consideration to states or tribal organizations that: (1) require compliant alarms in specified facilities with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages, including educational facilities, childcare facilities, health care facilities, adult dependent care facilities, government buildings, restaurants, theaters, lodging establishments, or dwelling units; and (2) have strategies to protect vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, or low-income households.

States or tribal organizations receiving grants may use such funds to: (1) purchase and install such alarms in dwelling units of low-income families or elderly persons, childcare facilities, public schools, senior centers, or student dwelling units owned by public universities; (2) train state, tribal, or local fire code enforcement officials regarding compliance and installation; or (3) educate the public about the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The CPSC must report to Congress regarding the implementation of such grant program.

nicholas memorial carbon monoxide poisoning prevention act sec bill directs consumer_product_safety_commission cpsc establish grant program provide assistance states tribal organizations require compliant carbon monoxide alarms installed dwelling units compliant carbon monoxide alarm alarm complies standard single multiple station carbon monoxide alarms american_national_standards_institute ansi successor standard standard gas successor standard selecting grant recipients cpsc favorable consideration states tribal organizations require compliant alarms specified facilities fuel burning appliances attached including educational facilities childcare facilities health care facilities adult dependent care facilities government buildings restaurants theaters lodging establishments dwelling units strategies protect vulnerable populations children elderly low income households states tribal organizations receiving grants use funds purchase install alarms dwelling units low income families elderly persons childcare facilities public schools senior centers student dwelling units owned public universities train state tribal local fire code enforcement officials compliance installation educate public risk carbon monoxide poisoning cpsc report congress implementation grant program


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on July 9, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

E-Warranty Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) Amends the Magnuson-Moss Warranty--Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act to require the Federal Trade Commission to revise its rules to allow manufacturers to satisfy requirements concerning the availability of written warranties on consumer products by making the terms accessible in a digital format on the manufacturer's Internet website. Requires the product, packaging, or product manual in the case of a warranty provided on a website in such manner to display to the consumer: (1) the website where the warranty terms can be obtained; and (2) a phone number, postal address, or other reasonable non-Internet based means of contacting the manufacturer to obtain and review such terms.

Prohibits such Internet website warranties from satisfying any requirement that a warranty be made available prior to sale in a retail location, by catalog, or through door-to-door sales, unless the seller makes the warranty available, through electronic or other means, at the location of the sale before the purchase.

measure amended passed senate july summary version repeated warranty act sec amends magnuson warranty federal trade commission improvement act require federal_trade_commission revise rules allow manufacturers satisfy requirements concerning availability written warranties consumer products making terms accessible digital format manufacturer internet website requires product packaging product manual case warranty provided website manner display consumer website warranty terms obtained phone number postal address reasonable non internet based means contacting manufacturer obtain review terms prohibits internet website warranties satisfying requirement warranty available prior sale retail location catalog door door sales seller makes warranty available electronic means location sale purchase


Summary:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Accountability Act of 2015

This bill amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to change the source of funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) from Federal Reserve System transfers to annual appropriations. Under current law, the transfers from the Federal Reserve System permit the CFPB to be funded outside of the annual congressional appropriations process.

consumer_financial_protection_bureau accountability act bill amends consumer_financial_protection_act change source funding consumer_financial_protection_bureau cfpb federal_reserve_system transfers annual appropriations current law transfers federal_reserve_system permit cfpb funded outside annual congressional appropriations process


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

Seniors Fraud Prevention Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to establish an office within the Bureau of Consumer Protection to advise the FTC on the prevention of fraud targeting seniors and to assist the FTC in monitoring the market for mail, television, Internet, telemarketing, and recorded message telephone call (robocall) fraud targeting seniors.

The office must: (1) disseminate to seniors and their families and caregivers information on the most common fraud schemes, including methods of reporting complaints either to the FTC's national toll-free telephone number or to the FTC's Consumer Sentinel Network, where complaints become immediately available to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, state attorneys general, and other appropriate law enforcement agencies; (2) provide, in response to a specific request about a particular entity or individual, publicly available information regarding the FTC's enforcement action; and (3) maintain a website as a resource for information on fraud targeting seniors.

The FTC must establish procedures through such office to: (1) log and acknowledge the receipt of complaints by individuals who believe they have been a victim of such fraud in the Consumer Sentinel Network and to make such complaints immediately available to federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities; and (2) provide individuals with information on such fraud as well as the most common schemes.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure seniors fraud prevention act sec bill directs federal_trade_commission ftc establish office advise ftc prevention fraud targeting seniors assist ftc monitoring market mail television internet telemarketing recorded message telephone robocall fraud targeting seniors office disseminate seniors families caregivers information common fraud schemes including methods reporting complaints ftc national toll free telephone number ftc complaints immediately available federal_bureau_of_investigation state attorneys general appropriate law enforcement agencies provide response specific request particular entity individual publicly available information ftc enforcement action maintain website resource information fraud targeting seniors ftc establish procedures office log acknowledge receipt complaints individuals believe victim fraud complaints immediately available federal state local law enforcement authorities provide individuals information fraud common schemes


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

Reinforcing American-Made Products Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to require the Federal Trade Commission's regulation of the labeling of products as "Made in the U.S.A." or "Made in America" to supersede any state laws regarding the extent to which a product is introduced, delivered, sold, advertised, or offered for sale in interstate or foreign commerce with such a label in order to represent that the product was in whole or substantial part of domestic origin.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure reinforcing american products act sec bill amends violent_crime_control_and_law_enforcement_act require federal_trade_commission regulation labeling products america supersede state laws extent product introduced delivered sold advertised offered sale interstate foreign commerce label order represent product substantial domestic origin


Summary:
Military Consumer Protection Act

This bill amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act to extend Consumer Financial Protection Bureau oversight and protection to provisions under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act concerning:

 future financial transactions, excluding insurance; default judgments, excluding child custody proceedings; interest rates on pre-service debts; evictions; purchase or lease installment contracts; mortgages and trusts; motor vehicle leases; telephone service contracts; and waiver of rights pursuant to a written agreement, excluding bailments.

military consumer protection act bill amends consumer_financial_protection_act extend consumer_financial_protection_bureau oversight protection provisions servicemembers civil relief act concerning future financial transactions excluding insurance default judgments excluding child custody proceedings interest rates pre service debts purchase lease installment contracts mortgages trusts motor vehicle leases telephone service contracts waiver rights pursuant written agreement excluding


Summary:
Repeal CFPB Act

Repeals the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010, which established the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

Revives or restores the provisions of law amended by such Act as if it had not been enacted.

repeal cfpb act repeals consumer financial protection act established bureau_of_consumer_financial_protection revives restores provisions law amended act enacted


Summary:
Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Advisory Board Enhancement Act

 This bill amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to require the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to establish: (1) a Small Business Advisory Board to advise and consult with the CFPB in the exercise of its functions under the federal consumer financial laws regarding financial products or services provided for use by consumers primarily for personal, family, or household purposes and to provide information on emerging practices of small businesses that provide such products or services; and (2) a Credit Union Advisory Council and a Community Bank Advisory Council to advise and consult with the CFPB on consumer financial products or services that impact credit unions and community banks, respectively.

enhancement act bill amends consumer_financial_protection_act require director consumer_financial_protection_bureau cfpb establish advise consult cfpb exercise functions federal consumer financial laws financial products services provided use consumers primarily personal family household purposes provide information emerging practices small businesses provide products services advise consult cfpb consumer financial products services impact credit unions community banks respectively


Summary:
Children and Firefighters Protection Act of 2015

Prohibits manufacturers, distributors, or retailers from selling, manufacturing for sale, distributing in commerce, or importing into the United States any children's product or upholstered furniture that contains a flame retardant exceeding a specified amount of the total chemical content by weight for any part of the product or furniture. Specifies flame retardants that are subject to such prohibitions.

Requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to appoint a chronic hazard advisory panel to study the effects on human health of all chemical flame retardants as used in such products or upholstered furniture.

Directs the CPSC, after receiving a report from the advisory panel evaluating the full range of such retardants, to promulgate a final rule specifying retardants that are not already listed in this Act that may cause substantial personal injury or illness. Makes such CPSC-specified retardants subject to the prohibitions of this Act.

prohibits manufacturers distributors retailers selling manufacturing sale distributing commerce importing united_states children product furniture contains flame retardant exceeding specified total chemical content weight product furniture specifies flame subject prohibitions requires consumer product safety commission cpsc appoint chronic hazard advisory panel study effects human health chemical flame products furniture directs cpsc receiving report advisory panel evaluating range promulgate final rule specifying listed act cause substantial personal injury illness makes cpsc specified subject prohibitions act


Summary:
Consumer Review Freedom Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill makes a provision of a form contract void from the inception if it: (1) prohibits or restricts an individual who is a party to such a contract from engaging in written, oral, or pictorial reviews, or other similar performance assessments or analyses of, including by electronic means, the goods, services, or conduct of a person that is also a party to the contract; (2) imposes penalties or fees against individuals who engage in such communications; or (3) transfers or requires the individual to transfer intellectual property rights in review or feedback content (with the exception of a nonexclusive license to use the content) in any otherwise lawful communications about such person or the goods or services provided by such person.

A "form contract" is a contract with standardized terms: (1) used by a person in the course of selling or leasing the person's goods or services, and (2) imposed on an individual without a meaningful opportunity to negotiate the standardized terms. The definition excludes an employer-employee or independent contractor contract.

The standards under which provisions of a form contract are considered void under this Act shall not be construed to affect:

 legal duties of confidentiality; civil actions for defamation, libel, or slander; or a party's right to establish terms and conditions for the creation of photographs or video of such party's property when those photographs or video are created by an employee or independent contractor of a commercial entity and are solely intended to be used for commercial purposes by that entity. Such standards also shall not be construed to affect any party's right to remove or refuse to display publicly on an Internet website or webpage owned, operated, or controlled by such party content that: (1) contains the personal information or likeness of another person or is libelous, harassing, abusive, obscene, vulgar, sexually explicit, inappropriate with respect to race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, or other intrinsic characteristic; (2) is unrelated to the goods or services offered by or available at such party's website; or (3) is clearly false or misleading.

A provision shall not be considered void under this Act to the extent that it prohibits disclosure or submission of, or reserves the right of a person or business that hosts online consumer reviews or comments to remove, certain: (1) trade secrets or commercial or financial information; (2) personnel and medical files; (3) law enforcement records; (4) content that is unlawful or that a party has a right to remove or refuse to display; or (5) computer viruses or other potentially damaging computer code, processes, applications, or files.

A person is prohibited from offering form contracts containing a provision that is considered void under this Act.

Enforcement authority is provided to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and states.

The FTC must provide businesses with nonbinding best practices for compliance.

consumer review freedom act sec bill makes provision form contract void inception prohibits restricts individual party contract engaging written oral reviews similar performance assessments analyses including electronic means goods services conduct person party contract imposes penalties fees individuals engage communications transfers requires individual transfer intellectual property rights review feedback content exception nonexclusive license use content lawful communications person goods services provided person form contract contract standardized terms person course selling leasing person goods services imposed individual meaningful opportunity negotiate standardized terms definition excludes employer employee independent contractor contract standards provisions form contract considered void act shall construed affect legal duties confidentiality civil actions defamation libel slander party right establish terms conditions creation photographs video party property photographs video created employee independent contractor commercial entity solely intended commercial purposes entity standards shall construed affect party right remove refuse display publicly internet website webpage owned operated controlled party content contains personal information person harassing abusive obscene sexually explicit inappropriate respect race gender sexuality ethnicity characteristic unrelated goods services offered available party website clearly false misleading provision shall considered void act extent prohibits disclosure submission reserves right person business hosts online consumer reviews comments remove certain trade secrets commercial financial information personnel medical files law enforcement records content unlawful party right remove refuse display computer viruses potentially damaging computer code processes applications files person prohibited offering form contracts containing provision considered void act enforcement authority provided federal_trade_commission ftc states ftc provide businesses nonbinding best practices compliance


Summary:
Tallying of the Actual Liabilities Act of 2015 or the TOTAL Act of 2015

This bill prohibits a retailer under the jurisdiction of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from selling a product or service through an Internet website without presenting the total transaction amount it expects to collect from the potential purchaser (including all fees, taxes, and shipping and handling charges) before the person commits to the purchase.

The bill sets forth authority for: (1) the FTC to enforce a violation of this Act as an unfair or deceptive act or practice, and (2) states to bring civil actions on behalf of residents threatened or adversely affected by such a violation.

actual liabilities act total act bill prohibits retailer jurisdiction federal_trade_commission ftc selling product service internet website presenting total transaction expects collect potential purchaser including fees taxes shipping handling charges person commits purchase bill sets forth authority ftc enforce violation act unfair deceptive act practice states bring civil actions behalf residents threatened adversely affected violation


Summary:
Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act of 2016 or the SAVERS Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the tax on prohibited transactions: (1) the provision of investment advice by a fiduciary to a pension plan, plan participant, or beneficiary which is a best interest recommendation; and (2) any transaction, including a contract for service, between an investment provider and the advice recipient if no more than reasonable compensation is paid for such investment advice and certain disclosures are made with respect to the cost of such advice.

For purposes of this bill, "investment advice" is a recommendation that relates to: (1) the advisability of acquiring, holding, disposing, or exchanging any moneys or other property of a pension plan (or Individual Retirement Account) by the plan, plan participants, or plan beneficiaries, including any recommendation regarding whether to take a distribution of benefits from the plan or any recommendation relating to a rollover or distribution from such plan; (2) the management of moneys or other property of the plan, including recommendations relating to the management of plan assets to be rolled over or otherwise distributed from the plan; or (3) the advisability of retaining or ceasing to retain a person who would receive a fee or other compensation for providing investment advice. Investment advice must be rendered pursuant to either: (1) a written acknowledgment that the person is a fiduciary with respect to the provision of the recommendation; or (2) a mutual agreement, arrangement, or understanding that may include limitations on scope, timing, and responsibility to provide ongoing monitoring or advice services.

The bill defines "best interest recommendation" as a recommendation: (1) for which no more than reasonable compensation is paid; (2) that is provided by a person acting with the care, skill, prudence, and diligence under the prevailing circumstances that a prudent person would exercise based on information obtained from an advice recipient; and (3) where the person giving such advice places the interests of the plan or advice recipient above the person's interests. A best interest recommendation may include a recommendation that is based on a limited range of investment options or may result in variable compensation to the person providing the recommendation.

The bill prohibits the Department of Labor from amending any rules or administrative positions regarding investment advice promulgated under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), the prohibited transaction provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, or other Labor regulations, and no such rules or administrative positions promulgated prior to the enactment date of this Act, but not effective on January 1, 2015, may become effective unless a bill or joint resolution specifically approving such rules or positions is enacted not later than 60 days after the enactment of this Act.

strengthening access valuable education retirement support act savers act bill amends internal_revenue_code exempt tax prohibited transactions provision investment advice fiduciary pension plan plan participant beneficiary best interest recommendation transaction including contract service investment provider advice recipient reasonable compensation paid investment advice certain disclosures respect cost advice purposes bill investment advice recommendation relates advisability acquiring holding disposing exchanging moneys property pension plan individual retirement account plan plan participants plan beneficiaries including recommendation distribution benefits plan recommendation relating rollover distribution plan management moneys property plan including recommendations relating management plan assets rolled distributed plan advisability retaining ceasing retain person receive fee compensation providing investment advice investment advice rendered pursuant written acknowledgment person fiduciary respect provision recommendation mutual agreement arrangement understanding include limitations scope timing responsibility provide ongoing monitoring advice services bill defines best interest recommendation recommendation reasonable compensation paid provided person acting care skill diligence prevailing circumstances prudent person exercise based information obtained advice recipient person giving advice places interests plan advice recipient person interests best interest recommendation include recommendation based limited range investment options result variable compensation person providing recommendation bill prohibits department_of_labor amending rules administrative positions investment advice promulgated employee retirement income security act erisa prohibited transaction provisions internal_revenue_code labor regulations rules administrative positions promulgated prior enactment date act effective january effective bill joint resolution specifically approving rules positions enacted later days enactment act


Summary:
Truth in Hotel Advertising Act of 2016

This bill prohibits certain entities that are subject to the enforcement authority of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from advertising a rate for a hotel room that does not include all required fees other than taxes and fees imposed by a government.

Violations are to be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

The bill sets forth authority for the FTC and states to enforce against such violations.

truth hotel advertising act bill prohibits certain entities subject enforcement authority federal_trade_commission ftc advertising rate hotel room include required fees taxes fees imposed government violations treated unfair deceptive acts practices federal_trade_commission_act bill sets forth authority ftc states enforce violations


Summary:
Support Startup Businesses Act of 2016

This bill amends the Small Business Act to authorize a small business concern receiving a Phase II award (grants of up to $1 million, for up to 2 years, to facilitate expansion of Phase I startup results) under the Small Business Innovation Research program, for FY2017-FY2019, to use up to 5% of the Phase II award for commercialization-related services, including market validation, intellectual property protection, business model development, market research, and other reasonable services that support market entry.

These services may be performed directly by the small business concern or obtained from a public or private nonprofit organization, a state agency, or another state-funded entity that facilitates or accelerates the commercialization of technologies or assists in the creation and growth of private enterprises that are commercializing technology.

support startup businesses act bill amends small_business_act authorize small business concern receiving phase award grants million years facilitate expansion phase startup results small_business_innovation_research program use phase award commercialization related services including market validation intellectual property protection business model development market research reasonable services support market entry services performed directly small business concern obtained public private nonprofit organization state agency state funded entity facilitates accelerates commercialization technologies assists creation growth private enterprises commercializing technology


Summary:
Contact Lens Consumer Health Protection Act of 2016

This bill amends the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act to require contact lens sellers to provide a toll-free telephone number and email address that prescribers can use to ask questions about a seller's prescription verification request.

Under current law, a prescription is considered verified if the prescriber fails to communicate with the seller within eight business hours after receiving the seller-provided verification information. The bill requires the prescription to be considered unverified until the seller obtains affirmative confirmation of the accuracy of the prescription from the prescriber in cases where a prescriber communicates a question or concern about the accuracy or verification of the prescription to a seller through the toll-free telephone service or email address before the end of that eight-hour period.

The bill removes the Federal Trade Commission's authority to adjust the eight-hour period.

If a prescriber communicates a question or concern about the accuracy of a prescription before the deadline: (1) the seller shall not fill the prescription, and (2) the prescriber shall provide the seller with an accurate prescription.

Sellers must offer prescribers different communication methods that the prescribers may select as their preferred method for verification requests.

The bill allows a seller to alter a prescription only if: (1) a private label contact lens is included on the prescription and the same contact lens is manufactured by the same company and sold under multiple labels to individual providers; and (2) the seller fills the prescription with a contact lens of exactly the same material, design, and power as manufactured by that company under another label.

Sellers must maintain a database of the issuance and expiration dates of each prescription they receive. The bill prohibits advertisements representing that a contact lens prescription may be filled after the prescription expires.

Sellers violating certain prescriber verification requirements are subject to increased penalties of up to $40,000 per violation. Such requirements apply to all contact lens sales in the United States, notwithstanding where the seller is located.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must examine the potentially adverse effects of seller violations on consumers.

contact lens consumer health protection act bill amends fairness contact lens consumers act require contact lens sellers provide toll free telephone number email address prescribers use ask questions seller prescription verification request current law prescription considered verified prescriber fails communicate seller business hours receiving seller provided verification information bill requires prescription considered unverified seller obtains affirmative confirmation accuracy prescription prescriber cases prescriber communicates question concern accuracy verification prescription seller toll free telephone service email address end hour period bill removes federal_trade_commission authority adjust hour period prescriber communicates question concern accuracy prescription deadline seller shall fill prescription prescriber shall provide seller accurate prescription sellers offer prescribers different communication methods prescribers select preferred method verification requests bill allows seller alter prescription private label contact lens included prescription contact lens manufactured company sold multiple labels individual providers seller fills prescription contact lens exactly material design power manufactured company label sellers maintain database issuance expiration dates prescription receive bill prohibits advertisements representing contact lens prescription filled prescription expires sellers violating certain prescriber verification requirements subject increased penalties violation requirements apply contact lens sales united_states notwithstanding seller located centers_for_disease_control_and_prevention examine potentially adverse effects seller violations consumers


Summary:
Botnet Prevention Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to expand prohibited conduct and increase criminal penalties with respect to cybercrime involving damage to computer networks.

prevention act bill amends federal criminal code expand prohibited conduct increase criminal penalties respect cybercrime involving damage computer networks


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

Small Business Cyber Security Improvements Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make grants to small business development centers (SBDCs) in furtherance of a Small Business Development Center Cyber Strategy to be developed by the SBA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) submits a report that reviews the cybersecurity resources of federal agencies aimed at assisting small businesses.

SBDCs shall provide access to external cyber security specialists to counsel small businesses. (Sec. 3) DHS and other federal agencies coordinating with DHS may assist SBDCs, through the dissemination of cyber security risk information and other homeland security information, to help small businesses in developing such cyber security infrastructure, threat awareness, and employee training programs.

(Sec. 4) The GAO's cyber resources report must include: (1) an accounting, description, and assessment of the utilization of federal agency programs that provide cybersecurity assistance to small businesses; and (2) an assessment of whether the resources are duplicative of other programs or accessible to small businesses.

The SBA and DHS must include in their SBDC cyber strategy:

 plans for incorporating SBDCs into cyber programs to assist small businesses; counsel and assistance to improve small businesses' cyber security infrastructure, threat awareness, and training programs for employees, including agreements with Information Sharing and Analysis Centers to gain awareness of actionable threat information that may be beneficial to small businesses; and an analysis of how SBDCs can leverage federal agency programs and develop partnerships to improve cyber support services to small businesses. The SBA's and DHS's strategy must be developed in consultation with entities representing SBDC concerns and submitted to Congress.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure small business cyber security improvements act sec bill amends small_business_act authorize small_business_administration sba grants small business development centers sbdcs furtherance developed sba department_of_homeland_security dhs government_accountability_office gao submits report reviews cybersecurity resources federal agencies aimed assisting small businesses sbdcs shall provide access external cyber security specialists counsel small businesses sec dhs federal agencies coordinating dhs assist sbdcs dissemination cyber security risk information homeland security information help small businesses developing cyber security infrastructure threat awareness employee training programs sec gao cyber resources report include accounting description assessment utilization federal agency programs provide cybersecurity assistance small businesses assessment resources duplicative programs accessible small businesses sba dhs include sbdc cyber strategy plans incorporating sbdcs cyber programs assist small businesses counsel assistance improve small businesses cyber security infrastructure threat awareness training programs employees including agreements information sharing gain awareness actionable threat information beneficial small businesses analysis sbdcs leverage federal agency programs develop partnerships improve cyber support services small businesses sba dhs strategy developed consultation entities representing sbdc concerns submitted congress


Summary:
Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth Act or the STURDY Act

 This bill requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to promulgate a final consumer product safety standard for free-standing clothing storage units (furniture items referred to as, or that may contain, a chest, door chest, chest of drawers, dresser, or bureau) to protect children from tip-over-related death or injury, unless the CPSC determines that a voluntary ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) International standard adequately protects children and is likely to be complied with by furniture manufacturers.

If an ASTM standard meets the CPSC's requirements, the standard shall be treated as a consumer product safety rule.

stop tip unstable youth act act bill requires consumer_product_safety_commission cpsc promulgate final consumer product safety standard free standing clothing storage units furniture items referred contain chest door chest chest bureau protect children tip related death injury cpsc determines voluntary astm standard adequately protects children likely complied furniture manufacturers astm standard meets cpsc requirements standard shall treated consumer product safety rule


Summary:
Consumer Financial Protection Board Act of 2016

This bill amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 by requiring the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to be managed by a board of directors instead of a director and deputy director.

bill amends consumer_financial_protection_act requiring consumer_financial_protection_bureau managed board directors instead director deputy director


Summary:
Small Business Bill of Rights

This bill modifies tax provisions, regulatory requirements, and legal procedures that affect small businesses.

Bringing Business Back Act of 2016

The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax exclusion for certain income attributable to real property in areas that meet criteria regarding unemployment, poverty, or other signs of distress.

The bill temporarily reduces the capital gains tax on certain small business stock, increases the deduction for start-up expenditures, and exempts small businesses from tax increases.

Federal agencies must review existing and proposed regulations that affect small businesses using specified criteria. Certain new small business regulations must expire after seven years, unless they are renewed.

Death Tax Repeal Act of 2016

The bill repeals the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes and makes permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and the lifetime gift tax exemption. It also extends or makes permanent several tax credits and deductions related to energy efficiency.

With respect to the legal process, the bill establishes requirements and limitations for lawsuits arising from health care liability claims regarding health care goods or services or any medical product affecting interstate commerce.

The bill amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to permit verifications under the E-Verify program to be provided by telephone.

The bill amends the Small Business Act to modify policies regarding goals for participation of small businesses in procurement contracts and the bundling of contracts.

It also establishes criminal penalties for making false statements regarding status as a small business concern or compliance with the Small Business Act to obtain, retain, or complete a federal contract.

small business bill rights bill modifies tax provisions regulatory requirements legal procedures affect small businesses bringing business act bill amends internal_revenue_code allow tax exclusion certain income attributable real property areas meet criteria unemployment poverty signs distress bill temporarily reduces capital gains tax certain small business stock increases deduction start expenditures exempts small businesses tax increases federal agencies review existing proposed regulations affect small businesses specified criteria certain new small business regulations expire seven years renewed death tax repeal act bill repeals estate generation skipping transfer taxes makes permanent maximum gift tax rate lifetime gift tax exemption extends makes permanent tax credits deductions related energy efficiency respect legal process bill establishes requirements limitations lawsuits arising health care liability claims health care goods services medical product affecting interstate commerce bill amends illegal immigration reform immigrant responsibility act permit verify program provided telephone bill amends small_business_act modify policies goals participation small businesses procurement contracts bundling contracts establishes criminal penalties making false statements status small business concern compliance small_business_act obtain retain complete federal contract


Summary:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Accountability Act of 2016

This bill amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to change the source of funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) from Federal Reserve System transfers to annual appropriations. Under current law, the transfers from the Federal Reserve System permit the CFPB to be funded outside of the annual appropriations process.

consumer_financial_protection_bureau accountability act bill amends consumer_financial_protection_act change source funding consumer_financial_protection_bureau cfpb federal_reserve_system transfers annual appropriations current law transfers federal_reserve_system permit cfpb funded outside annual appropriations process


Summary:
Stop Online Booking Scams Act of 2016

This bill prohibits third party online hotel reservation sellers from charging a consumer's credit card or financial accounts in an Internet transaction for a hotel unless they disclose: (1) a description of the offered good or service, the cost, and other material terms before the conclusion of the transaction; (2) that the third party seller is not affiliated with the person who owns or provides the hotel services or accommodations and is not an exhibition organizer, a meeting planner, or the official housing bureau for an event at the hotel; and (3) the brand identity of the third party both online and over the phone.

The bill provides authority to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and states to enforce against violations.

The bill also expresses the sense of Congress that the FTC should revise its website to make it easier for consumers and businesses to report complaints of deceptive practices with respect to online booking of hotel reservations.

stop online booking scams act bill prohibits party online hotel reservation sellers charging consumer credit card financial accounts internet transaction hotel disclose description offered good service cost material terms conclusion transaction party seller affiliated person owns provides hotel services accommodations exhibition organizer meeting planner official housing bureau event hotel brand identity party online phone bill provides authority federal_trade_commission ftc states enforce violations bill expresses sense congress ftc revise website consumers businesses report complaints deceptive practices respect online booking hotel reservations


Summary: Peace Stamp for the Peace Corps Act - Directs the U.S. Postal Service to issue a semipostal (a postage stamp sold at a premium in order to help provide funding for certain causes) to benefit the Peace Corps.

peace stamp issue semipostal postage stamp sold premium order help provide funding certain causes benefit peace_corps


Summary: Identification Integrity Act of 2007 - Prohibits federal agencies from accepting for any official purpose an identification document for an individual issued by a foreign government. Creates an exception for foreign passports authorized by federal law to be accepted for a specific official purpose.

identification integrity act prohibits federal agencies accepting official purpose identification document individual issued foreign government creates exception foreign passports authorized federal law accepted specific official purpose


Summary: This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Amends the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 to reauthorize the United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy through October 1, 2009.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated amends foreign affairs reform reauthorize public diplomacy october


Summary: Protecting American Commerce and Travel Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to conduct a pilot program to determine if a state driver's license may be enhanced to satisfy requirements of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA) for land and sea travel only. Amends IRTPA to direct the Secretary to establish a process to permit a U.S. citizen who does not possess a passport to reenter the United States at a U.S. land border. Provides that a U.S. citizen under 17 years shall not be required to present a passport when returning or traveling to the United States from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the Caribbean at specified ports of entry. Authorizes the Secretary to consider expanding the special rule for certain minors aged 17 or 18 traveling between the United States and Canada as part of an authorized, supervised school trip. Directs the Secretary to issue to U.S. citizen applicants a passport card. Requires the card to be designed to provide a platform on which expedited traveler programs (such as NEXUS, NEXUS AIR, SENTRI, FAST, and Registered Traveler) can be added. Directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary to develop a public communications plan.Directs the Secretary to: (1) merge the FAST and NEXUS programs; and (2) conduct a cost-benefit analysis regarding the use of identification cards.

travel act directs secretary homeland_security secretary conduct pilot program determine state driver license enhanced satisfy requirements intelligence_reform_and_terrorism_prevention_act land sea travel amends direct secretary establish process permit citizen possess passport reenter united_states land border provides citizen years shall required present passport returning traveling united_states canada mexico bermuda caribbean specified ports entry authorizes secretary consider expanding special rule certain minors aged traveling united_states canada authorized supervised school trip directs secretary issue citizen applicants passport card requires card designed provide platform expedited traveler programs nexus sentri fast added directs secretary state secretary develop public communications plan directs secretary merge fast nexus programs conduct cost benefit analysis use identification cards


Summary: Joshua Haglund Justice and Peace Act of 2007 - Urges the Secretary of State to express to Armenian officials the serious concern and strong desire of Congress to achieve justice in the unresolved murder of Joshua Haglund, a Minnesota resident who was teaching English in Armenia. Calls on Armenia to continue pursuing, in cooperation with U.S. officials, the investigation into his death, and to use all appropriate means to achieve justice in the case. Authorizes appropriations to the Secretary of Education to fund the Joshua Haglund Memorial Peace Scholarship Fund at the University of Minnesota, which will finance study abroad scholarships and diversity training to further Joshua Haglund's vision of compassion, peace, and community service.

peace act urges secretary state express officials concern strong desire congress achieve justice unresolved murder minnesota resident teaching english armenia calls armenia continue pursuing cooperation officials investigation death use appropriate means achieve justice case authorizes appropriations secretary education fund joshua memorial peace scholarship fund finance study abroad scholarships diversity training vision peace community service


Summary: Public Diplomacy Resource Centers Act of 2008 - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to direct the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy to provide for the establishment of new, and maintenance of existing, libraries and resource centers at or in connection with U.S. diplomatic or consular missions. Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) ensure that such libraries and resource centers are open to the general public to the greatest extent practicable, subject to security considerations; and (2) schedule public showings of American films that showcase American culture, society, values, and history. Directs the Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy to report to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations respecting the functions and effectiveness of such libraries and resource centers. Authorizes appropriations.

act amends state_department basic authorities act direct secretary public diplomacy provide establishment new maintenance existing libraries resource centers connection diplomatic consular missions directs secretary state ensure libraries resource centers open general public greatest extent practicable subject security considerations schedule public american films american culture society values history directs report house_committee_on_foreign_affairs senate_committee_on_foreign_relations respecting functions effectiveness libraries resource centers authorizes appropriations


Summary: Passport and Travel Cost Reimbursement Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of State to refund to a U.S. citizen, upon refund application: (1) passport processing fees for a passport applied for in 2007 if processing took 12 or more weeks for a regular application or three or more weeks for an expedited application; and (2) international air travel costs (economy or comparable, minus any airline refund) for U.S.-departing flights missed as a result of such processing delays. Authorizes the Secretary to provide additional assistance for an extraordinary hardship. Prohibits the Secretary and the Secretary of Homeland Security from implementing a specified plan for a single implementation date for sea and land borders until they have certified to Congress that Department of State passport agencies are able to process passport applications with minimal disruption.

passport travel cost reimbursement act directs secretary state refund citizen refund application passport processing fees passport applied processing took weeks regular application weeks expedited application international air travel costs economy comparable minus airline refund flights missed result processing delays authorizes secretary provide additional assistance extraordinary hardship prohibits secretary secretary homeland_security implementing specified plan single implementation date sea land borders certified passport agencies able process passport applications minimal disruption


Summary: Library of Congress Public Diplomacy Collection Act of 2007 - Directs the Librarian of Congress to create a collection of materials of various media, print, audio, and visual for public use in Department of State libraries and resource centers to provide insight into U.S. culture, principles and values, law and civics, and democracy. Includes in such collection a separate collection of U.S. films (Johnny Grant Film Series) to be made available for public viewing in host countries. Authorizes appropriations.

library directs librarian congress create collection materials media print audio visual public use department_of_state libraries resource centers provide culture principles values law civics democracy includes collection separate collection films available public viewing host countries authorizes appropriations


Summary: Department of State Crisis Response Act of 2007 - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to extend Department of State authority to employ civil service or Foreign Service annuitants through October 1, 2010. Eliminates the requirement that such authority be used to facilitate assignment to Afghanistan or Iraq or to fill positions vacated because of assignments to such countries.

department_of_state crisis response act amends state_department basic authorities act extend department_of_state authority employ civil service foreign_service annuitants october eliminates requirement authority facilitate assignment afghanistan iraq fill positions vacated assignments countries


Summary: Foreign Service Overseas Pay Equity Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to provide that Foreign Service officers designated class 1 or below stationed outside the continental United States and not in a non-foreign area receive locality-based comparability payments that would be paid to a member if his or her official duty station were in Washington, DC. Phases in such adjustment pay. Makes conforming amendments to the Foreign Service Retirement and Disability Fund and to the Foreign Service Pension System. (Sec. 3) Amends the death gratuity computation payable to surviving dependents of Foreign Service officers who die from injuries sustained in the performance of duty abroad to provide for payments at level II of the Executive Schedule at the time of death, except that for employees compensated under local compensation plans the amount shall be equal to the greater of one year's salary at the time of death or one year's salary at the highest step of the highest grade on the local compensation plan from which the employee was being paid at the time of death.

foreign service overseas pay equity act sec amends foreign service act provide foreign_service officers designated class stationed outside continental united_states non foreign area receive locality based comparability payments paid member official duty station phases adjustment pay makes conforming amendments sec amends death gratuity computation payable surviving dependents foreign_service officers die injuries sustained performance duty abroad provide payments level executive schedule time death employees compensated local compensation plans shall equal greater year salary time death year salary highest step highest grade local compensation plan employee paid time death


Summary: Foreign Service Global Compensation Act of 2007 - Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to revise the Foreign Service compensation system, including: (1) transition to a performance-based system; and (2) uniform compensation for worldwide service. Sets forth the rate of basic salary payable to a Foreign Service employee at the time of death for death gratuity compensation purposes.

amends foreign service act revise foreign service compensation system including transition performance based system uniform compensation worldwide service sets forth rate basic salary payable foreign_service employee time death death gratuity compensation purposes


Summary: Establishes in the Treasury a fund for the Peace Corps to provide separation payments for host country resident personal services contractors of the Peace Corps. Makes fund amounts beginning in FY2007 available without fiscal year limitation for such payments.

establishes treasury fund peace_corps provide separation payments host country resident personal services contractors peace_corps makes fund amounts beginning fy2007 available fiscal year limitation payments


Summary: Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to permit rest and recuperation travel for Foreign Service members and family members to U.S. territories, including American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Specifies that required leave based upon continuous service abroad may be taken in the United States or its territories, including American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. (Current law refers to the United States, its territories and possessions, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.)

amends foreign service act permit rest recuperation travel foreign_service members family members territories including american_samoa commonwealth_of_puerto_rico guam commonwealth northern mariana islands specifies required leave based continuous service abroad taken united_states territories including american_samoa commonwealth_of_puerto_rico guam commonwealth northern mariana islands current law refers united_states territories possessions commonwealth_of_puerto_rico


Summary: Global Service Fellowship Program Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of State to establish and administer a Global Service Fellowship Program to fund fellowships to promote international volunteering opportunities as a means of building bridges across cultures, addressing critical human needs, and promoting mutual understanding. Sets forth Program provisions. Authorizes appropriations.

directs secretary state establish administer fund fellowships promote international volunteering opportunities means building bridges cultures addressing critical human needs promoting mutual understanding sets forth program provisions authorizes appropriations


Summary: Peace Corps Volunteers Tax Improvement Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer election to suspend the five-year ownership and use requirements for the tax exclusion of gain from the sale of a principal residence during any period in which such taxpayer (or spouse) is serving outside the United States as a Peace Corps employee or volunteer.Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Director of the Peace Corps, to publish guidance on allowable tax deductions related to Peace Corps service.

amends internal revenue code allow taxpayer election suspend year ownership use requirements tax exclusion gain sale principal residence period taxpayer spouse serving outside united_states peace_corps employee volunteer directs secretary treasury consultation director peace_corps publish guidance allowable tax deductions related peace_corps service


Summary: Directs the President to impose specified travel and other related restrictions on heads of state of countries that are state sponsors of terrorism who are attending U.N. events in New York City. Authorizes the President to waive such restrictions if in the national interest.

directs president impose specified travel related restrictions heads state countries state sponsors terrorism attending events new_york_city authorizes president waive restrictions national interest


Summary: Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the Peace Corps Act to: (1) authorize appropriations through FY2012; and (2) increase the readjustment allowance for returning Peace Corps volunteers.

amends peace corps act authorize appropriations fy2012 increase readjustment allowance returning peace_corps volunteers


Summary: Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the U.S. government must set the highest standards to protect U.S. passport privacy and security; and (2) the Department of State must safeguard U.S. passport security. Directs the Secretary of State: (1) when establishing the requirements for physical and security components of U.S. passports and passport cards, to include only such electronic components as are currently manufactured in the United States, or can be manufactured in the United States; and (2) to ensure that all assembly of U.S. passports occurs only within U.S. borders and personalization of permanent U.S. passports occurs only under the direct supervision of U.S. government employees.

expresses sense congress government set highest standards protect passport privacy security department_of_state safeguard passport security directs secretary state establishing requirements physical security components passports passport cards include electronic components currently manufactured united_states manufactured united_states ensure assembly passports occurs borders permanent passports occurs direct supervision government employees


Summary: Limiting the Intrusive Miles of International Terrorist Sponsors Act of 2008 or LIMITS Act of 2008 - Directs the President to restrict to the designated area the travel of officials and representatives of countries that are designated as state sponsors of terrorism who are visiting the U.N. headquarters complex in connection with official business. Authorizes presidential waiver of such restriction upon submission of a report to Congress explaining why it is in the national interest to do so. Excludes from such restriction: (1) direct travel to and from John F. Kennedy International Airport or LaGuardia Airport to the designated area in connection with meetings at the U.N. headquarters complex; (2) land travel to and from any lodgings or other hotel accommodations in which an official or representative is staying if such lodging or other hotel accommodation is within the designated area; and (3) travel to and from New York University medical center or Bellevue Hospital Center for emergency medical care. Defines: (1) "designated area"; (2) "state sponsor of terrorism"; and (3) "United Nations headquarters complex."

limiting intrusive miles international terrorist sponsors act limits act directs president restrict designated area travel officials representatives countries designated state sponsors terrorism visiting headquarters complex connection official business authorizes presidential waiver restriction submission report congress explaining national interest excludes restriction direct travel international airport laguardia airport designated area connection meetings headquarters complex land travel hotel accommodations official representative staying lodging hotel accommodation designated area travel medical center emergency medical care defines designated area state sponsor terrorism united_nations headquarters complex


Summary: International Documentary Exchange Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Secretary of State to make grants to U.S. nongovernmental organizations that use independently produced documentary films to promote better understanding of the United States abroad and better understanding of global perspectives and other countries in the United States.

authorizes secretary state grants nongovernmental organizations use independently produced documentary films promote better understanding united_states abroad better understanding global perspectives countries united_states


Summary: Ambassadors Qualification Act of 2008 - Amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to specify certain qualifications to be eligible to serve as an ambassador or an ambassador at large.

qualification act amends foreign service act specify certain qualifications eligible serve ambassador ambassador large


Summary: United States Broadcasting Reorganization Act of 2008 - Amends the U.S. International Broadcasting Act of 1994 to establish the United States International Broadcasting Agency, which shall be headed by the Board of Governors of the United States International Broadcasting Agency, to carry out various international broadcasting activities of the United States (thereby eliminating the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the International Broadcasting Bureau). Sets forth: (1) Agency authorities and functions; and (2) transition provisions. Directs the Board to establish an Office of the Ombudsman to be a liaison between both the audience and employees and employees and management of the broadcasting entities under Board control.

amends establish shall headed board_of_governors carry international broadcasting activities united_states eliminating broadcasting_board_of_governors sets forth agency authorities functions transition provisions directs board establish office_of_the_ombudsman liaison audience employees employees management broadcasting entities board control


Summary: Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Improvement Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of State to adjudicate U.S. passport applications in an individualized, evidence-based manner. Requires the passport application adjudicatory process to be based on an assessment of individual circumstances and evidence. Prohibits an applicant's race, ethnicity, or ancestry from being taken into account in the passport application adjudicatory process. Requires: (1) an applicant to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the applicant is a U.S. citizen or national; (2) the preponderance of the evidence standard to be applied in a uniform and consistent manner to all passport applications; and (3) any determination that an applicant has not met the burden of proving U.S. citizenship or nationality by a preponderance of the evidence to be made in writing, state the reasons for the determination, and be provided to the applicant in a timely manner. States that a birth certificate signed by a person authorized under state law to sign such a document, or a previously-issued U.S. passport, shall constitute prima facie evidence of U.S. citizenship or nationality and, absent individualized evidence that a birth did not take place in the United States, shall satisfy the preponderance of the evidence standard.

initiative improvement act directs secretary state adjudicate passport applications individualized evidence based manner requires passport application adjudicatory process based assessment individual circumstances evidence prohibits applicant race ethnicity taken account passport application adjudicatory process requires applicant establish preponderance evidence applicant citizen national preponderance evidence standard applied uniform consistent manner passport applications determination applicant met burden proving citizenship nationality preponderance evidence writing state reasons determination provided applicant timely manner states birth certificate signed person authorized state law sign document previously issued passport shall constitute prima facie evidence citizenship nationality absent individualized evidence birth place united_states shall satisfy preponderance evidence standard