Summary: Interagency Personnel Rotation Act of 2011 - Establishes a Committee on National Security Personnel (Committee) within the Executive Office of the President. Requires such Committee to issue a National Security Human Capital Strategy to develop the national security and homeland security personnel necessary to accomplish national security and homeland security objectives that require integration of personnel and activities from multiple executive branch agencies to maximize mission success and minimize cost. Requires the Committee to identify a National Security Interagency Community of Interest (ICI) for purposes of carrying out this Act and to provide for employees serving in an ICI position to be assigned on a rotational basis to another ICI position that is within a related agency or within an interagency body. Defines "ICI position" as a position whose duties primarily relate to national security or homeland security policy formulation or execution. Provides for a system of interagency rotational service by which employees with national security and homeland security expertise serve for a period of time in other agencies with a national security mission. Makes such interagency rotational service a requirement for selection to the Senior Executive Service. Requires employees serving in an ICI position to participate in orientation training and education on national security and homeland security strategy. Requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish a course for political appointees relating to the objectives, history, and functioning of the senior-level interagency process and strategies for ensuring maximum interagency cohesion and the accomplishment of national security and homeland security objectives in an efficient and effective manner.

interagency personnel rotation act establishes committee national security personnel committee executive_office president requires committee issue develop national security homeland security personnel necessary accomplish national security homeland security objectives require integration personnel activities multiple executive branch agencies maximize mission success minimize cost requires committee identify ici purposes carrying act provide employees serving ici position assigned rotational basis ici position related agency interagency body defines ici position position duties primarily relate national security homeland security policy formulation execution provides system interagency rotational service employees national security homeland security expertise serve period time agencies national security mission makes interagency rotational service requirement selection senior_executive_service requires employees serving ici position participate orientation training education national security homeland security strategy requires establish course political appointees relating objectives history functioning senior level interagency process strategies ensuring maximum interagency cohesion accomplishment national security homeland security objectives efficient effective manner


Summary: Transparency in Rule Making When Using Scientific Testing Act of 2011 - Requires the general notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal Register to include any scientific research of which the agency is aware and which is relevant to the rulemaking. Defines "scientific study" for purposes of the rulemaking process.

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


Summary: Access to Timely Information Act - Deems the submission of information by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of either the House of Representatives or the Senate in response to a request by the chairman or ranking member (or designee) of such Committees or of a subcommittee such Committees to be: (1) a covered disclosure of certain records maintained on individuals submitted without the written request or prior written consent of the individual to whom the record pertains; and (2) a permitted disclosure under regulations promulgated under specified provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, including certain authorized oversight activities. Directs the Secretary, when responding to a request for information by such a member other than a chairman, to also submit such information to the relevant House or Senate Committee chairman.

access timely information act deems submission information secretary veterans_affairs house_of_representatives senate response request chairman ranking member designee committees subcommittee committees covered disclosure certain records maintained individuals submitted written request prior written consent individual record pertains permitted disclosure regulations promulgated specified provisions health_insurance_portability_and_accountability_act including certain authorized oversight activities directs secretary responding request information member chairman submit information relevant house senate_committee chairman


Summary: Federal Grant Solicitations Improvement Act of 2011 - Requires the head of each federal agency to submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), not later than November 30 of each fiscal year, a forecast of all grant solicitations that such agency expects to issue for that fiscal year and to revise such forecast as required. Requires the Director to: (1) publish and update such forecast on a website available to the public, and (2) issue standards to ensure uniformity in the format and submission of such forecasts by agency heads. Requires such forecasts to include: (1) the scheduled dates for the issuance of the solicitation and application, the application submission deadline, and the deadline for agency review; (2) a link to a website where the solicitation and application are available to the public; (3) estimates of the average grant amount and the total number of grants to be made; (4) contact information for the agency awarding the grant; and (5) the expected date of notification of grant award decisions.

federal grant solicitations improvement act requires head federal agency submit director office_of_management_and_budget omb later november fiscal year forecast grant solicitations agency expects issue fiscal year revise forecast required requires director publish update forecast website available public issue standards ensure uniformity format submission forecasts agency heads requires forecasts include scheduled dates issuance solicitation application application submission deadline deadline agency review link website solicitation application available public estimates average grant total number grants contact information agency awarding grant expected date notification grant award decisions


Summary: Stop Wasting Archive Grants Act of 2011 - Repeals provisions creating the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and its grant-making authority. Rescinds unobligated funds made available to the Commission.

grants act repeals provisions creating grant making authority rescinds unobligated funds available commission


Summary: Transparency and Accountability in Government Act - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to authorize the Director of the Congressional Research Service (CRS), in response to a request made by a Member of Congress, to secure such information, data, estimates, and statistics directly from the various departments, agencies, and establishments of the executive branch and the regulatory agencies and commissions as the Director determines (with the approval of the Member making the request) to be necessary to carry out the request. Requires all such departments, agencies, establishments, and regulatory agencies and commissions to furnish the Director with all such available material (other than material the disclosure of which would be a violation of law).

transparency accountability government act amends legislative reorganization act authorize director congressional_research_service crs response request member congress secure information data estimates statistics directly departments agencies establishments executive branch regulatory agencies commissions director determines approval member making request necessary carry request requires departments agencies establishments regulatory agencies commissions furnish director available material material disclosure violation law


Summary: Federal Realignment and Closure Commission Act - Establishes the Federal Realignment and Closure Commission to assess the effectiveness and accountability of federal agency programs.  Requires the Commission to: (1) evaluate all agencies and programs to eliminate duplicative functions and wasteful or inefficient spending or mismanagement; and (2) recommend the realignment or elimination of agencies or programs that have completed their intended purpose, have become irrelevant, or have failed to meet their objectives.  Requires the President to: (1) transmit to the Commission and to Congress a report containing the President's approval or disapproval of the Commission's plan and recommendations, and (2) eliminate or realign all agencies and programs pursuant to the Commission's recommendations approved by the President unless Congress enacts a resolution disapproving such recommendations.

act establishes assess effectiveness accountability federal agency programs requires commission evaluate agencies programs eliminate duplicative functions wasteful inefficient spending mismanagement recommend realignment elimination agencies programs completed intended purpose irrelevant failed meet objectives requires president transmit commission congress report containing president approval disapproval commission plan recommendations eliminate realign agencies programs pursuant commission recommendations approved president congress enacts resolution disapproving recommendations


Summary: Regulation Moratorium and Jobs Preservation Act of 2011 - Prohibits any federal agency from taking any significant regulatory action until the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a monthly unemployment rate equal to or less than 7.7%.   Defines as "significant" any regulatory action that is likely to: (1) have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, small entities, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities; (2) create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with another agency's action; (3) materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) raise novel legal or policy issues. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition if the President notifies Congress that a waiver is necessary on the basis of national security or a national emergency.  Allows judicial review of all claims under this Act.

regulation moratorium jobs preservation act prohibits federal agency taking significant regulatory action bureau_of_labor_statistics bls reports monthly unemployment rate equal defines significant regulatory action likely annual effect economy million adversely affect economy productivity competition jobs environment public health safety small entities state local tribal governments communities create inconsistency interfere agency action materially alter budgetary impact entitlements grants user fees loan programs rights obligations recipients thereof raise novel legal policy issues authorizes president waive prohibition president notifies congress waiver necessary basis national security national emergency allows judicial review claims act


Summary: Unfunded Mandates Accountability Act of 2011 - Amends the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 to: (1) require regulatory impact analyses for rules that do not involve a legislative mandate and for final rules that do not have a prior notice of proposed rulemaking; (2) require federal agencies to prepare and publish in the Federal Register an initial and final regulatory impact analysis prior to promulgating any proposed or final rule that may have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or that may result in the expenditure of $100 million or more in any one year by state, local, and tribal governments; (3) require such agencies to identify and consider regulatory alternatives before promulgating any proposed or final rule and select the least costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome alternative; (4) define "cost" as the cost of compliance and any reasonably foreseeable indirect cost resulting from agency rulemaking; (5) exempt rules concerning monetary policy proposed or implemented by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Open Market Committee from provisions of such Act relating to regulatory accountability and reform, review of federal mandates, and judicial review; and (6) expand provisions relating to judicial review of regulatory impact analyses. Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require independent regulatory agencies to conduct regulatory impact analyses.

amends unfunded mandates reform act require regulatory impact analyses rules involve legislative mandate final rules prior notice proposed rulemaking require federal agencies prepare publish federal_register initial final regulatory impact analysis prior promulgating proposed final rule annual effect economy million result expenditure million year state local tribal governments require agencies identify consider regulatory alternatives promulgating proposed final rule select costly cost effective burdensome alternative define cost cost compliance reasonably foreseeable indirect cost resulting agency rulemaking exempt rules concerning monetary policy proposed implemented board_of_governors federal_reserve_system federal_open_market_committee provisions act relating regulatory accountability reform review federal mandates judicial review expand provisions relating judicial review regulatory impact analyses amends congressional_budget impoundment control act require independent regulatory agencies conduct regulatory impact analyses


Summary: Regulatory Accountability Act of 2011 - (Sec. 2) Defines "major rule" and "major guidance" for purposes of this Act as a rule or guidance that is likely to impose: (1) an annual cost on the economy of $100 million or more, adjusted annually for inflation; (2) a major increase in costs or prices; (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S. enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises; or (4) significant impacts on multiple sectors of the economy.  Defines "high-impact rule" as a rule that is likely to have an annual cost on the economy of $1 billion or more, adjusted annually for inflation. (Sec. 3) Revises procedures for rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) to require a federal agency, in the rulemaking process, to make all preliminary and final factual determinations based on evidence and to consider: (1) the legal authority under which a rule may be proposed, (2) the specific nature and significance of the problem the agency may address with a rule, (3) whether existing rules have created or contributed to the problem the agency may address with a rule and whether such rules may be amended or rescinded, (4) any reasonable alternatives for a new rule, and (5) the potential costs and benefits associated with potential alternative rules. Revises rulemaking notice requirements to require an agency to: (1) publish in the Federal Register advance notice of proposed rulemaking involving a major or high-impact rule that involves a novel legal or policy issue arising out of statutory mandates; (2) consult with the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) before issuing a proposed rule and after the issuance of an advance notice of proposed rulemaking; (3) provide interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process; (4) hold a hearing before the adoption of any high-impact rule; (5) expand requirements for the adoption of a final rule, including requiring that the agency adopt a rule only on the basis of the best evidence and at the least cost; and (6) grant any interested person the right to petition for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of a rule.  Specifies the minimum amount of information that must be included in an advance notice. Requires the Administrator to issue guidelines to promote coordination, simplification, and harmonization of agency rules during the rulemaking process Exempts from such revised procedures rulemakings that concern monetary policy proposed or implemented by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Open Market Committee. (Sec. 4) Imposes new requirements for issuing any major guidance or guidance that involves a novel legal or policy issue arising out of statutory mandates. Authorizes the Administrator to issue guidelines for agencies in issuing major guidance or other guidance. (Sec. 5) Provides for electronic access to transcripts of testimony and exhibits and other papers filed in a rulemaking proceeding. Requires the record of decision in a rulemaking proceeding to include information from a hearing under the Information Quality Act or on a high-impact rule. Requires an agency to grant a petition for a hearing in the case of a major rule, unless the agency reasonably determines that a hearing would not advance consideration of the rule or would unreasonably delay completion of the rulemaking. Exempts from this requirement rulemakings that concern monetary policy proposed or implemented by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Open Market Committee. (Sec. 6) Provides that an agency's denial of an Information Quality Act petition, or a failure to grant or deny such petition within 90 days, is reviewable by a court as a final action.  Allows immediate judicial review of interim rules, other than in cases involving national security interests, issued without compliance with the notice requirements of this Act. (Sec. 7) Revises standards for the scope of judicial review of agency rulemaking to prohibit a court from deferring to an agency's: (1) interpretation of a rule if the agency did not comply with APA requirements, (2) determination of the costs and benefits or other economic or risk assessment if the agency failed to conform to guidelines on such determinations and assessments established by the Administrator, (3) determinations made in the adoption of an interim rule, or (4) guidance. (Sec. 8) Defines "substantial evidence" for purposes of evaluating agency adjudications and for rulemaking under APA as such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion in light of the record considered as a whole, taking into account whatever in the record fairly detracts from the weight of the evidence relied upon by the agency to support its decision. (Sec. 9) Provides that the amendments made by this Act to specified provisions of federal law shall not apply to any rule makings pending or completed on the enactment date of this Act.

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


Summary: Directs the Secretaries of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) to jointly operate the Federal Recovery Coordination Program, a program that assists: (1) members of the Armed Forces with severe or catastrophic injuries or illnesses who are unlikely to return to active duty and will most likely be medically separated, and (2) members and veterans whose individual circumstances (illness, injury, mental health, etc.) are likely to cause difficulties in transitioning to civilian life. Requires the Secretaries to: (1) develop a plan to carry out the Program and submit such plan to the congressional defense and veterans committees, and (2) submit a subsequent report describing and evaluating plan implementation.

directs secretaries_of_defense dod veterans_affairs jointly operate program assists members armed_forces severe catastrophic injuries illnesses unlikely return active duty likely medically separated members veterans individual circumstances illness injury mental health etc likely cause difficulties transitioning civilian life requires secretaries develop plan carry program submit plan congressional defense veterans committees submit subsequent report describing evaluating plan implementation


Summary: Regulatory Sunset and Review Act of 2011 - Requires federal agencies to review their covered rules and modify, consolidate, or terminate such rules on a periodic basis. Defines "covered rule" to include a significant rule that is likely to result in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or any other rule designated by an agency for sunset review. Allows a person adversely affected by a rule that is not a significant rule to submit a petition for sunset review of such rule. Provides for sunset review of a rule upon the request of a congressional committee or a majority of the members of such committee. Requires the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to: (1) conduct an inventory of existing rules and deadlines for their sunset review; (2) prioritize rules for sunset review based on specified criteria, including the cost of the rule and the burden of reviewing it; (3) group related rules for simultaneous review; (4) provide guidance to agencies for conducting sunset reviews; and (5) provide feedback to agencies on sunset reviews and results. Requires a new significant rule to be reviewed: (1) within three years after taking effect, or (2) within seven years after taking effect if the rule is issued pursuant to negotiated rulemaking procedures or if compliance with the rule requires substantial capital investment. Requires each federal agency to designate a Regulatory Review Officer with responsibility for implementation of this Act. Provides for judicial review of a denial or delay in granting or denying a petition for sunset review of a rule.

regulatory sunset review act requires federal agencies review covered rules modify consolidate terminate rules periodic basis defines covered rule include significant rule likely result annual effect economy million rule designated agency sunset review allows person adversely affected rule significant rule submit petition sunset review rule provides sunset review rule request congressional committee majority members committee requires administrator office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs office_of_management_and_budget omb conduct inventory existing rules deadlines sunset review prioritize rules sunset review based specified criteria including cost rule burden reviewing group related rules simultaneous review provide guidance agencies conducting sunset reviews provide feedback agencies sunset reviews results requires new significant rule reviewed years taking effect seven years taking effect rule issued pursuant negotiated rulemaking procedures compliance rule requires substantial capital investment requires federal agency designate regulatory review officer responsibility implementation act provides judicial review denial delay granting denying petition sunset review rule


Summary: Cost of War Act of 2011 - Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to post on the DOD public website the cost to each taxpayer of each of the wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya.

cost war act requires secretary defense dod post dod public website cost taxpayer wars afghanistan iraq libya


Summary: Federal Advisory Committee Act Amendments of 2011 - Amends the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) to require appointments to federal agency advisory committees to be made without regard to political affiliation or activity, unless otherwise required by federal statute. Directs the head of an agency, prior to appointing members to an advisory committee, to give interested persons an opportunity to suggest potential committee members. Requires an individual appointed to an advisory committee who is not a full-time or permanent part-time officer or employee of the federal government to be designated as: (1) a special government employee if the individual is providing advice based on the individual's expertise or experience, or (2) a representative if the individual is representing the views of an entity outside of the federal government. Prohibits an agency from designating committee members as representatives to avoid subjecting them to federal ethics rules and requirements. Requires each agency head to ensure that advice and recommendations of an advisory committee that reports to the agency are the result of the advisory committee's judgment, independent from the agency. Provides that an individual who is not an officer or employee of the federal government shall be regarded as a member of an advisory committee if the individual regularly attends and participates in committee meetings as if the individual were a member, even if the individual does not have the right to vote or veto the advice or recommendations of the committee. Requires each agency head to make available on the agency's Internet site specified information about each of the agency's advisory committees and their activities and to designate an Advisory Committee Management Officer to be responsible for the establishment, management, and supervision of the agency's advisory committees. Requires the Comptroller General to review compliance by agencies with FACA.

federal advisory committee act amendments amends federal_advisory_committee act faca require appointments federal agency advisory committees regard political affiliation activity required federal statute directs head agency prior appointing members advisory committee interested persons opportunity suggest potential committee members requires individual appointed advisory committee time permanent time officer employee federal government designated special government employee individual providing advice based individual expertise experience representative individual representing views entity outside federal government prohibits agency designating committee members representatives avoid subjecting federal ethics rules requirements requires agency head ensure advice recommendations advisory committee reports agency result advisory committee judgment independent agency provides individual officer employee federal government shall regarded member advisory committee individual regularly attends participates committee meetings individual member individual right vote veto advice recommendations committee requires agency head available agency internet site specified information agency advisory committees activities designate responsible establishment management supervision agency advisory committees requires comptroller general review compliance agencies faca


Summary: Stop the Regulation Invasion Please Act of 2011 or STRIP Act of 2011 - Imposes a moratorium on federal agencies taking any regulatory rulemaking action beginning on the day after the enactment of this Act and ending on the later of the date that is: (1) 14 days after the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) publishes a report on a review of rules, or (2) 2 years after the enactment of this Act. Requires the OMB Director to: (1) conduct a review of each rule that became effective after October 1, 1991, and that is in effect as of the enactment date of this Act, and (2) report on the estimated total annual costs and benefits of each rule and recommend whether it should continue or how it should be reformed.  Repeals all such rules one year after the enactment of this Act unless specifically authorized by law and enacted after the date of enactment of this Act. Sets forth exceptions for certain rulemaking actions and rules, including those necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, for the enforcement of criminal laws, or to establish or enforce statutory rights against discrimination. Requires each federal agency head to designate a Regulatory Review Officer to testify before Congress on any request to prevent the repeal of a rule under this Act.

stop regulation invasion act strip act imposes moratorium federal agencies taking regulatory rulemaking action beginning day enactment act ending later date days director office_of_management_and_budget omb publishes report review rules years enactment act requires omb director conduct review rule effective october effect enactment date act report estimated total annual costs benefits rule recommend continue reformed repeals rules year enactment act specifically authorized law enacted date enactment act sets forth exceptions certain rulemaking actions rules including necessary imminent threat health safety emergency enforcement criminal laws establish enforce statutory rights discrimination requires federal agency head designate regulatory review officer testify congress request prevent repeal rule act


Summary: Job Creation and Regulatory Freeze Act of 2011 - Prohibits a federal agency from issuing a covered regulation for the period beginning 30 days after the enactment of this Act and ending January 20, 2013.  Defines a "covered regulation" as a final regulation that did not take effect before September 1, 2011, that directly or indirectly increases costs on businesses in a manner that will have an adverse effect on job creation, job retention, productivity, competitiveness, or the efficient functioning of the economy, and that is likely to: (1) have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) adversely affect in a material way the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities; (3) create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action by another agency; (4) materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients; or (5) raise novel legal or policy issues. Allows agency heads to exempt covered regulations that: (1) are necessary due to an imminent threat to human health or safety or any other emergency; (2) are necessary to enforce criminal laws, (3) foster private sector job creation; (4) encourage economic growth; (5) reduce regulatory burdens; (6) pertain to a military or foreign affairs function; or (7) are limited to interpreting, implementing, or administering the Internal Revenue Code.

job creation regulatory freeze act prohibits federal agency issuing covered regulation period beginning days enactment act ending january defines covered regulation final regulation effect september directly indirectly increases costs businesses manner adverse effect job creation job retention productivity competitiveness efficient functioning economy likely annual effect economy million adversely affect material way economy productivity competition jobs environment public health safety state local tribal governments communities create inconsistency interfere action agency materially alter budgetary impact entitlements grants user fees loan programs rights obligations recipients raise novel legal policy issues allows agency heads exempt covered regulations necessary imminent threat human health safety emergency necessary enforce criminal laws foster private sector job creation encourage economic growth reduce regulatory burdens pertain military foreign affairs function limited interpreting implementing administering internal revenue code


Summary: Regulatory Time-Out Act of 2011 - Prohibits covered regulations from being in effect or from taking effect during the period beginning on the enactment of this Act and ending on January 21, 2013 (time-out period). Prohibits publication of any general notice of a proposed rulemaking for what would be a covered regulation, and nullifies a rulemaking that was published but for which the comment period did not expire before enactment of this Act, during such period. Defines a "covered regulation" as a final regulation that did not take effect before September 1, 2011, that increases costs on businesses in a manner that will have an adverse effect on job creation, job retention, productivity, competitiveness, or the efficient functioning of the economy and that is likely to: (1) have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) adversely affect in a material way the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities; (3) create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action by another agency; (4) materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients; or (5) raise novel legal or policy issues. Exempts regulations that are required by law. Allows agency heads to exempt covered regulations that: (1) are necessary due to an imminent threat to human health or safety or any other emergency; (2) are necessary to enforce criminal laws, (3) foster private sector job creation; (4) encourage economic growth; (5) reduce regulatory burdens; (6) pertain to a military or foreign affairs function; or (7) are limited to interpreting, implementing, or administering the Internal Revenue Code.

regulatory time act prohibits covered regulations effect taking effect period beginning enactment act ending january time period prohibits publication general notice proposed rulemaking covered regulation nullifies rulemaking published comment period expire enactment act period defines covered regulation final regulation effect september increases costs businesses manner adverse effect job creation job retention productivity competitiveness efficient functioning economy likely annual effect economy million adversely affect material way economy productivity competition jobs environment public health safety state local tribal governments communities create inconsistency interfere action agency materially alter budgetary impact entitlements grants user fees loan programs rights obligations recipients raise novel legal policy issues exempts regulations required law allows agency heads exempt covered regulations necessary imminent threat human health safety emergency necessary enforce criminal laws foster private sector job creation encourage economic growth reduce regulatory burdens pertain military foreign affairs function limited interpreting implementing administering internal revenue code


Summary: Government Results Transparency Act - Requires the head of each federal agency to submit to the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board (RATB) all information concerning the agency's programs, priority goals, and results for publication online by RATB in its original format. Requires RATB to: (1) publish for each fiscal year the amount spent for each program identified by an agency and performance information for such program; (2) designate, by rule, common data elements (i.e., codes, identifiers, and fields) for information required to be reported by agencies; and (3) designate data reporting standards to govern agency reporting requirements.

government results transparency act requires head federal agency submit information concerning agency programs priority goals results publication online original format requires publish fiscal year spent program identified agency performance information program designate rule common data elements codes identifiers fields information required reported agencies designate data reporting standards govern agency reporting requirements


Summary: Federal Communications Commission Process Reform Act of 2012 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking unless it provides at least 30 days for comments and an additional period of at least 30 days for replies. Requires such notice to include: (1) an identification of a notice of inquiry, a prior notice of proposed rulemaking, or a notice on a petition for rulemaking issued by the FCC during the preceding three-year period of which such notice is a logical outgrowth or an identification of a court order during the preceding three-year period in response to which such notice is being issued; or (2) a finding that the proposed rule or amendment will not impose additional burdens on industry or consumers or that good cause exists that a notice of inquiry is impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. Requires further that such a notice include: (1) the specific language of the proposed rule or amendment, and (2) proposed performance measures in the case of proposals to create or substantially change a program activity. Defines "program activity" as a specific activity or project as listed in the program and financing schedules of the U.S. annual budget, including any annual collection or distribution or related series of collections or distributions by the FCC of at least $100 million. Prohibits the FCC, subject to exceptions, from adopting or amending a rule unless the specific language is a logical outgrowth of the language included in a notice of proposed rulemaking and such notice was issued during the three-year period preceding the adoption or amendment. Requires the FCC, before adopting or amending a rule that may have an economically significant impact, to: (1) analyze the specified market failure, actual consumer harm, burden of existing regulation, or failure of public institutions that warrants the rule or amendment; and (2) determine that the benefits justify its costs. Defines "economically significant impact" as an effect on the economy of at least $100 million annually or a material adverse effect on the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities. Prohibits the adoption or amendment of rules that create or substantially change a program activity unless the order contains appropriate performance measures. Directs the FCC to establish rules for: (1) FCC Commissioners' deliberations including procedures for initiating agenda items and approving orders; and (2) the publication of the status of open rulemakings and all proposed orders, decisions, reports, or actions on circulation for review. Establishes procedures and disclosure requirements for any closed meeting held by a bipartisan majority of Commissioners. Requires the FCC to establish deadlines for any FCC order, decision, report, or action. Prohibits the FCC, without providing an opportunity for public review, from relying on unpublished reports to Congress or ex parte FCC communications or filings under specified circumstances. Sets forth a good cause exception when publication or notice is impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. Directs the FCC to publish on its website and in other required formats: (1) each order, decision, report, or action within seven days of its adoption; and (2) an anticipated release schedule for all statistical reports and reports to Congress. Requires the FCC to notify Congress at specified time intervals when it fails to meet publication deadlines. Requires biannual reports to Congress on the FCC's performance in conducting its proceedings and meeting the deadlines established by this Act. Sets forth standards that restrict the FCC's authority to conditionally approve line and license transfers and other transactions. Requires any such conditional approval to be: (1) narrowly tailored to remedy a harm arising as a direct result of the specific transfer or transaction, and (2) within the FCC's jurisdiction apart from its authority to review the transaction. Prohibits the FCC from considering a voluntary commitment of a party to such transfer or transaction unless the FCC could adopt that commitment as a condition under such standards. Directs the FCC to provide on its website: (1) information regarding the FCC's budget, appropriations, and total number of full-time equivalent employees; and (2) the FCC's annual performance plan. Directs the FCC to complete actions necessary for the publication of required documents in the Federal Register within specified timeframes. Directs the FCC to present information about consumer complaints in a publicly available, searchable database on its website. Requires the FCC to inform the public about its performance and efficiency in meeting disclosure and other requirements under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), including by: (1) publishing on the FCC website its logs for managing FOIA requests and associated fees, (2) releasing decisions to grant or deny requests, and (3) presenting information about the number of FOIA requests received and granted or denied by the FCC in its annual budget estimates and annual performance and financial reports. (Sec. 3) Prohibits the FCC, in compiling its quarterly report with respect to informal consumer inquiries and complaints, from categorizing an inquiry or complaint under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 (places restrictions on telephone solicitations and automatic dialing systems) as a wireline or wireless inquiry or complaint unless a wireline or wireless carrier was the subject of the inquiry or complaint. (Sec. 4) Prohibits this Act from being construed to impede the FCC from acting in emergencies to ensure the availability of communications systems for state and local first responders and to alert the public to imminent dangerous weather conditions.

federal_communications_commission process reform act sec amends communications act prohibit federal_communications_commission fcc issuing notice proposed rulemaking provides days comments additional period days requires notice include identification notice inquiry prior notice proposed rulemaking notice petition rulemaking issued fcc preceding year period notice identification court order preceding year period response notice issued finding proposed rule amendment impose additional burdens industry consumers good cause exists notice inquiry impracticable unnecessary contrary public interest requires notice include specific language proposed rule amendment proposed performance measures case proposals create substantially change program activity defines program activity specific activity project listed program financing schedules annual budget including annual collection distribution related series collections distributions fcc million prohibits fcc subject exceptions adopting amending rule specific language language included notice proposed rulemaking notice issued year period preceding adoption amendment requires fcc adopting amending rule economically significant impact analyze specified market failure actual consumer harm burden existing regulation failure public institutions warrants rule amendment determine benefits justify costs defines economically significant impact effect economy million annually material adverse effect economy sector economy productivity competition jobs environment public health safety state local tribal governments communities prohibits adoption amendment rules create substantially change program activity order contains appropriate performance measures directs fcc establish rules fcc commissioners deliberations including procedures initiating agenda items approving orders publication status open rulemakings proposed orders decisions reports actions circulation review establishes procedures disclosure requirements closed meeting held bipartisan majority commissioners requires fcc establish deadlines fcc order decision report action prohibits fcc providing opportunity public review relying reports congress parte fcc communications filings specified circumstances sets forth good cause exception publication notice impracticable unnecessary contrary public interest directs fcc publish website required formats order decision report action seven days adoption anticipated release schedule statistical reports reports congress requires fcc notify congress specified time intervals fails meet publication deadlines requires biannual reports congress fcc performance conducting proceedings meeting deadlines established act sets forth standards restrict fcc authority conditionally approve line license transfers transactions requires conditional approval narrowly tailored remedy harm arising direct result specific transfer transaction fcc jurisdiction apart authority review transaction prohibits fcc considering voluntary commitment party transfer transaction fcc adopt commitment condition standards directs fcc provide website information fcc budget appropriations total number time equivalent employees fcc annual performance plan directs fcc complete actions necessary publication required documents federal_register specified timeframes directs fcc present information consumer complaints publicly available searchable database website requires fcc inform public performance efficiency meeting disclosure requirements freedom information act foia including publishing fcc website logs managing foia requests associated fees releasing decisions grant deny requests presenting information number foia requests received granted denied fcc annual budget estimates annual performance financial reports sec prohibits fcc compiling quarterly report respect informal consumer inquiries complaints inquiry complaint places restrictions telephone solicitations automatic dialing systems wireline wireless inquiry complaint wireline wireless carrier subject inquiry complaint sec prohibits act construed impede fcc acting emergencies ensure availability communications systems state local responders alert public imminent dangerous weather conditions


Summary: Federal Communications Commission Consolidated Reporting Act of 2012 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to publish on its website and submit to Congress a biennial report on the state of the communications marketplace assessing: (1) competition, including intermodal, facilities-based, and new and emergent services competition and addressing the provision of content, as well as communications using the Internet; (2) deployment of communications capabilities, including whether advanced telecommunications capability is being deployed to all Americans in a reasonable and timely fashion; and (3) whether laws, regulations, or regulatory practices pose a barrier to competitive entry or expansion of existing providers of communications services. Requires the FCC to: (1) compile a list of geographic areas that are not served by any provider of advanced telecommunications capability; and (2) consider market entry barriers for entrepreneurs and other small businesses in the communications marketplace in accordance with existing national policy favoring diversity of media voices, vigorous economic competition, technological advancement, and promotion of the public interest, convenience, and necessity. (Sec. 3) Repeals and consolidates various FCC reports including reports on satellite competition, international broadband, video programming, cable industry prices, small business entry barriers, commercial mobile radio, waivers from requirements prohibiting FCC employees from being financially interested in companies subject to FCC regulation, and several other existing reports under such Act.

federal_communications_commission consolidated reporting act sec amends communications act require federal_communications_commission fcc publish website submit congress biennial report state communications marketplace assessing competition including intermodal facilities based new emergent services competition addressing provision content communications internet deployment communications capabilities including advanced telecommunications capability deployed americans reasonable timely fashion laws regulations regulatory practices pose barrier competitive entry expansion existing providers communications services requires fcc compile list geographic areas served provider advanced telecommunications capability consider market entry barriers entrepreneurs small businesses communications marketplace accordance existing national policy favoring diversity media vigorous economic competition technological advancement promotion public interest convenience necessity sec repeals consolidates fcc reports including reports satellite competition international broadband video programming cable industry prices small business entry barriers commercial mobile radio waivers requirements prohibiting fcc employees financially interested companies subject fcc regulation existing reports act


Summary: Truth in Government Accounting Act of 2011 - Requires the head of each federal agency to prepare for a fiscal year and submit to the Comptroller General (GAO) three quarterly and one annual consolidated financial statement based on the fair-value accrual accounting method. Requires such statement to include all future certain liabilities and all contingent liabilities that can be reasonably estimated, all liabilities that may require future taxes for present liabilities, and other expenditures and liabilities. Requires the Comptroller General to publish all such statements on a website accessible by the public that allows a user to search agency accounts and activities by each office, bureau, and activity of an agency. Requires the Comptroller General to audit the consolidated financial statements prepared by each federal agency for each fiscal year. Requires the President's annual budget to include a summary of how the use of accrual accounting procedures would affect the estimated expenditures, appropriations, and receipts of the government in the fiscal year in which the budget is submitted. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to prepare all of the budgets submitted to the President according to both accrual accounting procedures and the cash basis accounting method. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to require the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to use current-year spending as the baseline for estimating future mandatory and discretionary changes in spending.

truth government accounting act requires head federal agency prepare fiscal year submit comptroller_general gao quarterly annual consolidated financial statement based fair value accrual accounting method requires statement include future certain liabilities contingent liabilities reasonably estimated liabilities require future taxes present liabilities expenditures liabilities requires comptroller general publish statements website accessible public allows user search agency accounts activities office bureau activity agency requires comptroller general audit consolidated financial statements prepared federal agency fiscal year requires president annual budget include summary use accrual accounting procedures affect estimated expenditures appropriations receipts government fiscal year budget submitted requires director office_of_management_and_budget omb prepare budgets submitted president according accrual accounting procedures cash basis accounting method amends balanced_budget emergency deficit control act require congressional_budget_office cbo use current year spending baseline estimating future mandatory discretionary changes spending


Summary: Regulatory Review Act of 2011 - Requires the head of each federal agency to conduct a periodic review (every 10 years) of any rule issued by such agency that is determined to be a major rule and that takes effect during the period beginning on January 1, 2011, to identify: (1) the costs and benefits of such rule, (2) each amendment to such rule that would accomplish the same statutory objectives but result in different costs and benefits, and (3) the costs and benefits of repealing the rule.  Requires the agency to publish the results of such review, submit a summary of the results to Congress, and make a final determination on whether the rule should be amended, continued in effect, or repealed, after providing an opportunity for comment by interested persons. Defines "major rule" as a rule that has resulted in or is likely to result in: (1) an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, federal, state, or local government agencies, or geographic regions; or (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic and export markets.

regulatory review act requires head federal agency conduct periodic review years rule issued agency determined major rule takes effect period beginning january identify costs benefits rule amendment rule accomplish statutory objectives result different costs benefits costs benefits repealing rule requires agency publish results review submit summary results congress final determination rule amended continued effect repealed providing opportunity comment interested persons defines major rule rule resulted likely result annual effect economy million major increase costs prices consumers individual industries federal state local government agencies geographic regions significant adverse effects competition employment investment productivity innovation ability enterprises compete foreign based enterprises domestic export markets


Summary: (Sec. 1) Establishes in the Department of the Interior: (1) an Under Secretary for Energy, Lands, and Minerals; (2) an Assistant Secretary of Ocean Energy and Safety; (3) an Assistant Secretary of Land and Minerals Management; (4) a Bureau of Ocean Energy (Bureau), with a comprehensive program of offshore mineral and renewable energy resources management; (5) an Ocean Energy Safety Service, administering safety and environmental enforcement activities related to offshore mineral and renewable energy resources on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS); and (6) an Office of Natural Resources Revenue (Office), with all functions, powers, and duties previously assigned to the Minerals Management Service regarding offshore royalty and revenue management. Prohibits Ocean Energy Safety Service personnel conducting permitting or inspections from either participating in a strike or asserting the right to strike. (Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of the Interior to: (1) establish and maintain a National Offshore Energy Health and Safety Academy as an agency of the Ocean Energy Safety Service to train newly hired and experienced offshore oil and gas inspectors in all aspects of health, safety, environmental, and operational inspections; and (2) develop and maintain adequate programs to provide for the continuing education of certain Department of the Interior personnel. (Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary to: (1) certify annually that all Department personnel having regular, direct official contact with government contractors, or conducting investigations, issuing permits, or overseeing energy programs, comply fully with federal employee ethics laws and regulations; (2) conduct a random drug testing program of such personnel, and (3) issue supplementary ethics and drug testing guidance for employees for which certification is required. (Sec. 6) Abolishes the Minerals Management Service. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to establish an Outer Continental Shelf Energy Safety Advisory Board to: (1) give independent scientific and technical advice on safe, responsible, and timely mineral and renewable energy exploration, development, and production activities; (2) review operations of the National Offshore Energy Health and Safety Academy; and (3) assess every five years, for the Secretary and certain congressional committees, offshore oil and gas well control technologies, practices, voluntary standards, and regulations. (Sec. 9) Requires the Under Secretary for Energy, Lands, and Minerals, in administering the programs and authorities under this Act, to implement a hiring preference for eligible veterans and disabled veterans.

sec establishes department_of_the_interior secretary energy lands minerals assistant secretary ocean_energy_and_safety assistant secretary land_and_minerals_management comprehensive program offshore mineral renewable energy resources management ocean_energy_safety_service administering safety environmental enforcement activities related offshore mineral renewable energy resources outer_continental_shelf ocs functions powers duties previously assigned minerals_management_service offshore royalty revenue management personnel conducting permitting inspections participating strike asserting right strike sec directs secretary interior establish maintain agency ocean_energy_safety_service train newly hired experienced offshore oil gas inspectors aspects health safety environmental operational inspections develop maintain adequate programs provide continuing education certain department_of_the_interior personnel sec requires secretary certify annually department personnel having regular direct official contact government contractors conducting investigations issuing permits overseeing energy programs comply fully federal employee ethics laws regulations conduct random drug testing program personnel issue supplementary ethics drug testing guidance employees certification required sec abolishes minerals_management_service sec directs secretary establish outer_continental_shelf_energy_safety_advisory_board independent scientific technical advice safe responsible timely mineral renewable energy exploration development production activities review operations assess years secretary certain congressional committees offshore oil gas control technologies practices voluntary standards regulations sec requires secretary energy lands minerals administering programs authorities act implement hiring preference eligible veterans disabled veterans


Summary: Pro-Growth Budgeting Act of 2012 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) to require the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to prepare for each major bill or resolution reported by any congressional committee (except the congressional appropriations committees), as a supplement to CBO cost estimates, a macroeconomic impact analysis of the budgetary effects of such legislation for the 10-fiscal year period beginning with the first fiscal year for which such estimate was prepared and each of the next three 10-fiscal year periods. Defines "major bill or resolution" as any bill or resolution whose budgetary effects, for any fiscal year in the period for which a CBO cost estimate is prepared, is estimated to be greater than .25% of the current projected U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) for that fiscal year. Requires the analysis to describe: (1) the potential economic impact of the bill or resolution on major economic variables, including real GDP, business investment, the capital stock, employment, interest rates, and labor supply; and (2) the potential fiscal effects of the measure, including any estimates of revenue increases or decreases resulting from changes in GDP. Requires the analysis (or a technical appendix to it) to specify the economic and econometric models used, sources of data, relevant data transformations, as well as any explanation necessary to make the models comprehensible to academic and public policy analysts. (Sec. 3) Amends CBA to require the CBO Director, after the President's budget submission and in addition to the baseline projections, to report a supplemental projection to the congressional budget committees, assuming extension of current tax policy for the fiscal year commencing on October 1 of that year, with a supplemental projection for the 10-fiscal year period beginning with that fiscal year, again assuming the extension of current tax policy. Defines "current tax policy" as the tax policy in statute as of December 31 of the current year, assuming: (1) the budgetary effects of measures extending the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 and the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003; (2) the continued application of the alternative minimum tax (AMT) as in effect for taxable years beginning in 2011, with a specified assumption for taxable years beginning after 2011; and (3) the budgetary effects of extending the estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax provisions of title III of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010. Requires CBO to report to such committees, on or before July 1 of each year, the Long-Term Budget Outlook for: (1) the fiscal year commencing on October 1 of that year, and (2) at least the ensuing 40 fiscal years.

budgeting act sec amends congressional_budget_act cba require congressional_budget_office cbo prepare major bill resolution reported congressional committee congressional appropriations committees supplement cbo cost estimates macroeconomic impact analysis budgetary effects legislation fiscal year period beginning fiscal year estimate prepared fiscal year periods defines major bill resolution bill resolution budgetary effects fiscal year period cbo cost estimate prepared estimated greater current projected gross domestic product gdp fiscal year requires analysis describe potential economic impact bill resolution major economic variables including real gdp business investment capital stock employment interest rates labor supply potential fiscal effects measure including estimates revenue increases decreases resulting changes gdp requires analysis technical appendix specify economic econometric models sources data relevant data explanation necessary models academic public policy analysts sec amends cba require cbo director president budget submission addition baseline projections report supplemental projection congressional budget committees assuming extension current tax policy fiscal year commencing october year supplemental projection fiscal year period beginning fiscal year assuming extension current tax policy defines current tax policy tax policy statute december current year assuming budgetary effects measures extending economic_growth_and_tax_relief_reconciliation_act jobs_and_growth_tax_relief_reconciliation_act continued application alternative minimum tax amt effect taxable years beginning specified assumption taxable years beginning budgetary effects extending estate gift generation skipping transfer tax provisions title iii tax relief unemployment insurance reauthorization job creation act requires cbo report committees july year fiscal year commencing october year ensuing fiscal years


Summary: Government Shutdown Prevention Act of 2011 - Makes specified provisional (automatic) continuing appropriations in the event that any regular appropriation bill for a fiscal year is not enacted before the beginning of such fiscal year, or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect. (Thus prevents a federal government shutdown.)

government shutdown prevention act makes specified provisional automatic continuing appropriations event regular appropriation bill fiscal year enacted beginning fiscal year joint resolution making continuing appropriations effect prevents federal government shutdown


Summary: Contingency Operations Oversight and Interagency Enhancement Act of 2011 - Establishes as an independent entity the United States Office for Contingency Operations (Office), which shall report to the Department of Defense (DOD) and the State Department. Transfers to the Office various authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of specified federal departments and agencies. Provides for an Office Director, Deputy Director, Associate Directors, and an Inspector General. Requires the Office, among other duties, to: (1) monitor political and economic instability worldwide in order to anticipate the need for mobilizing U.S. and international assistance for the stabilization and reconstruction of a foreign country or region that is at risk of, in, or in transition from, conflict or civil strife in the wake of violence or cataclysmic disaster; (2) develop contingency plans and procedures to mobilize and deploy civilian and military personnel to conduct appropriate foreign stabilization and reconstruction operations (operations); (3) execute, administer, and enforce laws, rules, and regulations relating to the preparation, coordination, and execution of operations; and (4) evaluate, and report to Congress on, the impact of operations. Gives the Director sole control over such operations. Requires the Director to: (1) coordinate with the Secretary of Defense and commanders of unified and specified combatant commands regarding Office plans for operations, and (2) prescribe a Contingency Federal Acquisition Regulation. Establishes the Stabilization and Reconstruction Fund. Outlines duties and responsibilities of the Inspector General of the Office, including special audit and investigative authority and reporting requirements. Transfers to the Inspector General all functions vested in the Offices of the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction and the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction. Expresses the sense of Congress that, to the extent possible, the Director and Office staff should partner with the country in which an operation is taking place, other foreign government partners, international organizations, and local nongovernmental organizations throughout the planning, implementation, and particularly during the transition stages of such operations, in order to facilitate long term capacity building and sustainability of initiatives.

contingency operations oversight interagency enhancement act establishes independent entity contingency operations office shall report department_of_defense dod state_department transfers office authorities functions personnel assets specified federal departments agencies provides office director deputy director inspector general requires office duties monitor political economic instability worldwide order anticipate need mobilizing international assistance stabilization reconstruction foreign country region risk transition conflict civil strife wake violence disaster develop contingency plans procedures mobilize deploy civilian military personnel conduct appropriate foreign stabilization reconstruction operations operations execute administer enforce laws rules regulations relating preparation coordination execution operations evaluate report congress impact operations gives director sole control operations requires director coordinate secretary defense commanders unified specified combatant commands office plans operations prescribe contingency federal acquisition regulation establishes outlines duties responsibilities including special audit investigative authority reporting requirements transfers inspector general functions vested iraq reconstruction special inspector general afghanistan_reconstruction expresses sense congress extent possible director office staff partner country operation taking place foreign government partners international organizations local nongovernmental organizations planning implementation particularly transition stages operations order facilitate long term capacity building sustainability initiatives


Summary: Requires the Governor of the Virgin Islands to appoint a Chief Financial Officer, with the advice and consent of the Legislature of the Virgin Islands, from a list required by this Act. States that if: (1) the Legislature has not confirmed a nominee within 90 days of receiving such list the Governor shall appoint a Chief Financial Officer on an acting basis until the Legislature consents to a Chief Financial Officer, (2) a Chief Financial Officer has not been appointed within 180 days after enactment of this Act the Virgin Islands Chief Financial Officer Search Commission shall appoint from such list an Acting Chief Financial Officer until a Chief Financial Officer is appointed, and (3) the Acting Chief Financial Officer serving in an acting capacity for 180 consecutive days shall become the Chief Financial Officer. Sets forth the Chief Financial Officer's duties. Directs the Board of Elections of the Virgin Islands, as part of the closest regularly scheduled, islands-wide election in the Virgin Islands to the expiration of the fourth year of the five-year term of the Chief Financial Officer, to hold a referendum to determine whether the position of Chief Financial Officer shall be made a permanent part of the executive branch of the government of the Virgin Islands. Establishes the Virgin Islands Chief Financial Officer Search Commission to recommend at least three candidates for the Chief Financial Officer position. Terminates the Commission upon the nomination and confirmation of the Chief Financial Officer.

requires governor virgin_islands appoint chief financial officer advice consent list required act states legislature confirmed nominee days receiving list governor shall appoint chief financial officer acting basis legislature consents chief financial officer chief financial officer appointed days enactment act virgin islands chief financial officer search commission shall appoint list acting chief financial officer chief financial officer appointed acting chief financial officer serving acting capacity consecutive days shall chief financial officer sets forth chief financial officer duties directs closest regularly scheduled islands wide election virgin_islands expiration fourth year year term chief financial officer hold referendum determine position chief financial officer shall permanent executive branch government virgin_islands establishes virgin_islands chief financial officer search commission recommend candidates chief financial officer position terminates commission nomination confirmation chief financial officer


Summary: Cost Recovery and Fair Value for Services Act of 2011 - Requires each federal agency's chief financial officer, by October 1 of each odd-numbered year beginning with October 1, 2011, to report to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on that officer's biennial review of agency charges for services and things of value that it provides and recommendations on revising those charges to reflect its costs in doing so. Requires such report to include: (1) with regard to such recommendations, an evaluation of whether each user is paying an equitable amount and of the user's ability to pay, the extent to which use of such program provides a public benefit, and the extent to which the program the fee is funding benefits the public and identifiable users; (2) the amount of the fee sufficient to cover the full cost of the service or thing of value; (3) whether the agency has timely and reliable cost data to determine such amount; (4) the extent to which the fee will fully or partially recover costs; (5) whether the fee structure should include exemptions or reduced fees; (6) whether the fee should be set as a percentage or as a fixed dollar amount; (7) how the fee will be structured to cover the intended share of the cost over time; and (8) whether fee collections are projected to change over time in relation to the cost of the service or thing of value. Requires the OMB Director, by December 1 of each such year, to compile and transmit such reports to specified congressional committees and to identify any recommendations with which the Director does not agree.

cost recovery fair value services act requires federal agency chief financial officer october odd numbered year beginning october report director office_of_management_and_budget omb officer biennial review agency charges services things value provides recommendations revising charges reflect costs requires report include regard recommendations evaluation user paying equitable user ability pay extent use program provides public benefit extent program fee funding benefits public identifiable users fee sufficient cover cost service thing value agency timely reliable cost data determine extent fee fully partially recover costs fee structure include exemptions reduced fees fee set percentage fixed dollar fee structured cover intended share cost time fee collections projected change time relation cost service thing value requires omb director december year compile transmit reports specified congressional committees identify recommendations director agree


Summary: Plain Regulations Act of 2012 - Requires the head of each executive agency to: (1) implement a program for using plain language in writing new and revised regulations, (2) certify to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that each proposed or final rule is in plain language, and (3) publish reports on agency compliance with plain language requirements on the agency's website. Requires the Director to: (1) develop and issue guidance to agencies for implementing plain language requirements, and (2) return proposed agency regulations that fail to meet such requirements to be redrafted and resubmitted for approval.

plain regulations act requires head executive agency implement program plain language writing new revised regulations certify director office_of_management_and_budget omb proposed final rule plain language publish reports agency compliance plain language requirements agency website requires director develop issue guidance agencies implementing plain language requirements return proposed agency regulations fail meet requirements resubmitted approval


Summary: Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2012 - (Sec. 2) States that the provisions of this Act shall apply to: (1) a consent decree or settlement agreement in an action to compel agency action alleged to be unlawfully withheld or unreasonably delayed that pertains to a regulatory action that affects the rights of private parties other than the plaintiff or the rights of state, local, or tribal governments brought under judicial review provisions of the U.S. Code or under any other statute authorizing such an action; and (2) any other consent decree or settlement agreement that requires agency action that pertains to a regulatory action that affects the rights of private parties other than the plaintiff or the rights of state, local, or tribal governments. Sets forth requirements with respect to actions to be resolved by a consent decree or settlement agreement under this Act, including requiring: (1) publication in a readily accessible manner (including electronically) of the complaint, the consent decree or settlement agreement, the statutory basis for the decree or agreement and its terms, and any award of attorneys' fees or costs; (2) an opportunity for affected parties to intervene in an action prior to the entry of a consent decree or settlement agreement; (3) referral to a mediation or alternative dispute resolution program after a motion to intervene is granted; (4) an opportunity for public comment on a proposed consent decree or settlement agreement before it is filed with a court; and (5) approval by the Attorney General of any proposed consent decree or settlement agreement in cases litigated by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Requires each agency to submit an annual report to Congress on the number, identity, and content of complaints, consent decrees, and settlement agreements for that year, including the statutory basis for each decree or agreement and its terms, and any awards of attorneys fees or costs in actions resolved by decrees or agreements. (Sec. 3) Requires a court to grant de novo review to any motion filed by an agency to modify a previously-entered consent decree if the basis of such motion is that the terms of the decree are no longer fully in the public interest due to the agency's obligations to fulfill other duties or due to changed facts and circumstances. (Sec. 4) Makes the provisions of this Act applicable to any covered consent decree or settlement agreement proposed to a court after the enactment of this Act.

sunshine regulatory decrees settlements act sec states provisions act shall apply consent decree settlement agreement action compel agency action alleged unlawfully withheld unreasonably delayed pertains regulatory action affects rights private parties plaintiff rights state local tribal governments brought judicial review provisions code statute authorizing action consent decree settlement agreement requires agency action pertains regulatory action affects rights private parties plaintiff rights state local tribal governments sets forth requirements respect actions resolved consent decree settlement agreement act including requiring publication readily accessible manner including electronically complaint consent decree settlement agreement statutory basis decree agreement terms award attorneys fees costs opportunity affected parties intervene action prior entry consent decree settlement agreement referral mediation alternative dispute resolution program motion intervene granted opportunity public comment proposed consent decree settlement agreement filed court approval attorney general proposed consent decree settlement agreement cases department_of_justice doj requires agency submit annual report congress number identity content complaints consent decrees settlement agreements year including statutory basis decree agreement terms awards attorneys fees costs actions resolved decrees agreements sec requires court grant novo review motion filed agency modify previously entered consent decree basis motion terms decree longer fully public interest agency obligations fulfill duties changed facts circumstances sec makes provisions act applicable covered consent decree settlement agreement proposed court enactment act


Summary: Federal Research Public Access Act of 2012 - Requires each federal agency with extramural research expenditures of over $100 million to develop a specified federal research public access policy that is consistent with, and that advances, the purposes of the agency. Makes each federal research public access policy applicable to: (1) researchers employed by the federal agency whose works remain in the public domain; and (2) researchers funded by the agency. Specifies exclusions.Requires the submission of annual reports by each federal agency on its federal research public access policy.

act requires federal agency extramural research expenditures million develop specified federal research public access policy consistent advances purposes agency makes federal research public access policy applicable researchers employed federal agency works remain public domain researchers funded agency specifies exclusions requires submission annual reports federal agency federal research public access policy


Summary: Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act of 2012 - (Sec. 3) Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to: (1) identify, annually, a list of high-priority federal programs for greater levels of oversight and review in which the highest dollar value or highest rate of improper payments occur or for which there is a higher risk of improper payments; (2) coordinate with agencies responsible for administering high-priority programs to establish annual targets and semi-annual or quarterly actions for reducing improper payments; and (3) provide guidance to agencies for improving estimates of improper payments. Requires federal agencies to report annually to their Inspectors General on any high-dollar improper payments identified. Requires OMB to make such reports available to the public on a central website. Requires the Inspectors General to: (1) review the assessment of the level of risk associated with agency programs and the quality of the improper payment estimates and agency methodologies in making such estimates, (2) review the oversight or financial controls to identify and prevent improper payments, and (3) submit recommendations to Congress for improving improper payment information and estimation methodology. (Sec. 5) Requires federal agencies to review prepayment and preaward procedures and available databases to determine program or award eligibility and prevent improper payments before releasing any federal funds. Includes among the databases that agencies shall review: (1) the Death Master File of the Social Security Administration (SSA), (2) the General Services Administration (GSA) Excluded Parties List System, (3) the Debt Check Database of the Department of the Treasury, (4) the Credit Alert System or Credit Alert Interactive Voice Response System of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and (5) the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities of the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Establishes the Do Not Pay Initiative, which shall include the use of the aforementioned databases and any other databases designated by OMB. Directs OMB to report annually on the operation of the Initiative, with an evaluation of whether the Initiative has reduced improper payments or awards, and provide the frequency of corrections or identification of incorrect database information. Requires OMB to establish a working system for prepayment and preaward review that includes the Do Not Pay Initiative. Requires each agency to review, not later than June 1, 2013, all of its payments and awards for all programs established through the working system. Authorizes agency heads and Inspectors General to enter into computer matching agreements to assist in the detection and prevention of improper payments. Requires OMB to issue guidance to agencies in implementing matching agreements and to establish procedures for correcting data in the Do Not Pay Initiative database. Requires the Attorney General to report on using data on the conviction and incarceration status of individuals to identify and prevent improper payments by federal agencies. Requires OMB to establish and report to Congress on a plan for improving the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of death data maintained by SSA. (Sec. 6) Directs OMB to determine current and historical rates and amounts of recovery of improper payments and targets for recovering improper payments, including specific information on amounts and payments recovered by recovery audit contractors.

improper_payments_elimination recovery improvement act sec requires director office_of_management_and_budget omb identify annually list high priority federal programs greater levels oversight review highest dollar value highest rate improper payments occur higher risk improper payments coordinate agencies responsible administering high priority programs establish annual targets semi annual quarterly actions reducing improper payments provide guidance agencies improving estimates improper payments requires federal agencies report annually inspectors general high dollar improper payments identified requires omb reports available public central website requires inspectors general review assessment level risk associated agency programs quality improper payment estimates agency methodologies making estimates review oversight financial controls identify prevent improper payments submit recommendations congress improving improper payment information estimation methodology sec requires federal agencies review prepayment procedures available databases determine program award eligibility prevent improper payments releasing federal funds includes databases agencies shall review death master file social_security_administration ssa general_services_administration gsa excluded parties list system debt check database department treasury department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud list excluded individuals entities office inspector general department health human services hhs establishes pay initiative shall include use aforementioned databases databases designated omb directs omb report annually operation initiative evaluation initiative reduced improper payments awards provide frequency corrections identification incorrect database information requires omb establish working system prepayment review includes pay initiative requires agency review later june payments awards programs established working system authorizes agency heads inspectors general enter computer matching agreements assist detection prevention improper payments requires omb issue guidance agencies implementing matching agreements establish procedures correcting data pay initiative database requires attorney general report data conviction incarceration status individuals identify prevent improper payments federal agencies requires omb establish report congress plan improving quality accuracy timeliness death data maintained ssa sec directs omb determine current historical rates amounts recovery improper payments targets recovering improper payments including specific information amounts payments recovered recovery audit contractors