Summary: Section 538 Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 regarding the Rural Housing Service-Rural Housing Insurance Fund Program Account. Repeals the declaration that, for applications received under the 2009 notice of funding availability, section 538 multi-family housing guaranteed loans funded under such Act shall not be subject to a guarantee fee and the interest on such loans may not be subsidized. Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to: (1) reduce the funding under such Act for section 538 multi-family housing guaranteed loans by up to $29.09 million; and (2) use such amounts as equivalent funds to subsidize the interest on such guaranteed loans for which applications are received under the 2009 notice of funding availability.

section improvement act amends omnibus appropriations act repeals declaration applications received notice funding availability section multi family housing guaranteed loans funded act shall subject guarantee fee interest loans subsidized authorizes secretary housing_and_urban_development hud reduce funding act section multi family housing guaranteed loans million use amounts equivalent funds subsidize interest guaranteed loans applications received notice funding availability


Summary: Rural Homeowners Protection Act of 2009 - Amends the Doug Bereuter Section 502 Single Family Housing Loan Guarantee Act and the Housing Act of 1949 to: (1) increase from 1% to 2% the guarantee fee on loans for housing and buildings on adequate farms; and (2) authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to guarantee a loan made to refinance one made by a private lender to an individual to acquire or construct a single-family residence located in a rural area. Requires the Secretary to charge a guarantee fee for refinancing such a loan at levels necessary, but no higher than needed, to allow such class of loans to be guaranteed without resulting in a need for an appropriation for a credit subsidy.

amends doug bereuter section single family housing loan guarantee act housing act increase guarantee fee loans housing buildings adequate farms authorize secretary agriculture guarantee loan refinance private lender individual acquire construct single family residence located rural area requires secretary charge guarantee fee refinancing loan levels necessary higher needed allow class loans guaranteed resulting need appropriation credit subsidy


Summary: Rural Housing Preservation Act of 2009 - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to require the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a preservation program to provide financial incentives and other assistance to owners of Section 515 rural multifamily housing projects through long-term use agreements entered into between the project owners and the Secretary. (A Section 515 project is one involving housing and related facilities for elderly persons and families or other persons and families of low income.) Authorizes the Secretary to give priority to applications for eligible projects located on tribal trust lands or other Indian areas, in colonias, or in other small, poor, low-income communities.Requires the Secretary to prepare and approve a long-term viability plan for each eligible project for which the owner requests to participate. Allows the Secretary, subject to certain conditions, to offer a project owner a financial restructuring plan, based on the long-term viability plan, and specified project preservation incentives.Specifies compliance requirements for rents for any eligible households residing in a dwelling unit in any preserved Section 515 project, including: (1) a disregard for certain earned income for residents; and (2) phase-in of rent increases.Establishes conditions that makes certain project owners ineligible to participate in the preservation program.Requires the Secretary to make rural preservation and rural tenant protection vouchers available to certain eligible households.Requires the Secretary to give priority, in entering into contracts involving financing for new construction of a Section 515 project, for projects located in eligible rural areas needing affordable low-income rental housing because of prepayment of Section 515 loans.

rural_housing_preservation_act amends housing act require secretary agriculture carry preservation program provide financial incentives assistance owners section rural multifamily housing projects long term use agreements entered project owners secretary section project involving housing related facilities elderly persons families persons families low income authorizes secretary priority applications eligible projects located tribal trust lands indian areas small poor low income communities requires secretary prepare approve long term viability plan eligible project owner requests participate allows secretary subject certain conditions offer project owner financial restructuring plan based long term viability plan specified project preservation incentives specifies compliance requirements rents eligible households residing dwelling unit preserved section project including disregard certain earned income residents phase rent increases establishes conditions makes certain project owners ineligible participate preservation program requires secretary rural preservation rural tenant protection vouchers available certain eligible households requires secretary priority entering contracts involving financing new construction section project projects located eligible rural areas needing affordable low income rental housing prepayment section loans


Summary: Rural Housing and Economic Development Improvement Act of 2009 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), through the Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development, to implement an assistance program to support innovative housing and economic development activities in rural areas by: (1) Indian tribes; (2) state housing finance agencies; (3) state community or economic development agencies; (4) local nonprofit organizations; and (5) community development corporations. Directs the Secretary to require, as a condition of initial or continuing assistance under this Act for any housing or economic development activity, that each member of a family so assisted (or of a family applying for such assistance) who is 18 years of age or older, or is the spouse of the head of household, has a valid Social Security number.

authorizes secretary housing_and_urban_development hud implement assistance program support innovative housing economic development activities rural areas indian tribes state housing finance agencies state community economic development agencies local nonprofit organizations community development corporations directs secretary require condition initial continuing assistance act housing economic development activity member family assisted family applying assistance years age older spouse head household valid social_security number


Summary: Rural Commuters Relief Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers who reside in a rural area of not more than 30,000 people a tax deduction for up to $100 of commuting costs in any month in which the cost of gasoline is at least $3 per gallon (high gasoline price month). Allows an increased deduction amount for carpooling expenses during a high gasoline price month. Allows individual taxpayers to claim such deduction whether or not they itemize their other deductions.

rural commuters relief_act amends internal revenue code allow individual taxpayers reside rural area people tax deduction commuting costs month cost gasoline gallon high gasoline price month allows increased deduction expenses high gasoline price month allows individual taxpayers claim deduction itemize deductions


Summary: Rural and Small Town Telework Tax Credit Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a tax credit for the cost of installing and maintaining qualified teleworking equipment (i.e., electronic and communications equipment used to eliminate the commute to and from traditional worksites). Limits the amount of such credit to the lesser of $1,000 for each teleworking employee or $50,000.

rural small town telework tax credit act amends internal revenue code allow employers tax credit cost installing maintaining qualified teleworking equipment electronic communications equipment eliminate commute traditional worksites limits credit lesser teleworking employee


Summary: Economic Stimulus for Rural Communities Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an employer to claim a work opportunity tax credit during the next five years for the hiring of employees who live in a rural area and perform services for such employer in a rural area.

economic stimulus rural communities act amends internal revenue code allow employer claim work opportunity tax credit years hiring employees live rural area perform services employer rural area


Summary: Commuter Aid and Relief for Suburbs Act of 2010 or the CARS Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers a deduction for a specified percentage of their qualified commuting expenses. Defines "qualified commuting expenses" as reasonable expenses paid or incurred for transportation (including public transportation and associated parking fees) between an individual's residence and place of employment.

commuter aid relief act cars act amends internal revenue code allow individual taxpayers deduction specified percentage qualified commuting expenses defines qualified commuting expenses reasonable expenses paid incurred transportation including public transportation associated parking fees individual residence place employment


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide for accelerated depreciation (i.e., 15-year recovery period) for nonresidential real property placed in service in a rural area.

amends internal revenue code provide accelerated depreciation year recovery period nonresidential real property placed service rural area


Summary: Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to repeal the national organic certification cost-share program.

amends farm_security rural investment act repeal national organic certification cost share program


Summary: Includes Bullock County, Alabama, within the definition of "Appalachian region" for purposes of provisions concerning Appalachian regional development.

includes alabama definition appalachian region purposes provisions concerning appalachian regional development


Summary: Rural Housing Preservation Act of 2010 - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to revise the requirements for consideration as rural areas with respect to assistance for farm housing. States that any area classified as "rural" or a "rural area" before October 1, 1990, and determined not to be "rural" or a "rural area" as a result of data received from or after the 1990, 2000, or 2010 (currently, only the 1990 or 2000) decennial census shall continue to be so classified until the receipt of data from the decennial census in the year 2020 (currently, 2010), if, as under current law, such area has a population of between 10,000 and 25,000, is rural in character, and has a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families.

rural_housing_preservation_act amends housing act revise requirements consideration rural areas respect assistance farm housing states area classified rural rural area october determined rural rural area result data received currently decennial census shall continue classified receipt data decennial census year currently current law area population rural character lack mortgage credit lower moderate income families


Summary: Rural Microbusiness Investment Credit Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit for 35% of new investment in a rural microbusiness. Imposes limits on such credit for businesses and individual taxpayers. Defines: (1) "rural microbusiness" as a trade or business that employs not more than 5 full-time employees in a taxable year and is carried on in a distressed rural area; and (2) "distressed rural area" as an area that has lost at least 5% of its population over the last 10 years or 10% of its population over the last 20 years, that has a median family income below 85 % of the national median family income, that has a poverty rate that exceeds 12.5%, or where average unemployment in the preceding year exceeds 125% of the national average.

amends internal revenue code allow business related tax credit new investment rural imposes limits credit businesses individual taxpayers defines rural trade business employs time employees taxable year carried distressed rural area distressed rural area area lost population years population years median family income national median family income poverty rate exceeds average unemployment preceding year exceeds national average


Summary: Rural Energy Communities Development Act of 2010 - Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to make water and waste facility loans to an eligible city, town, or incorporated area with a population of less than 20,000 that has, from January 1999 through December 2009, experienced energy sector job growth of not less than 20%. Makes such loans available for: (1) essential community facilities, including water conservation, waste disposal facilities, transportation facilities, and affordable housing; (2) land acquisition; (3) staff; and (4) comprehensive community or housing plan updates. Prohibits the Secretary from making or entering into a loan commitment after September 30, 2012. Directs the Secretary to waive income limitations for FY2011-FY2016 for certain: (1) rural housing loans, including Doug Bereuter single-family housing loan guarantees; (2) low- and moderate-income rural housing loans; and (3) multifamily rural rental housing loan guarantees.

authorizes secretary agriculture usda water waste facility loans eligible city town incorporated area population january december experienced energy sector job growth makes loans available essential community facilities including water conservation waste disposal facilities transportation facilities affordable housing land acquisition staff comprehensive community housing plan updates prohibits secretary making entering loan commitment september directs secretary waive income limitations fy2011 fy2016 certain rural housing loans including single family housing loan guarantees low- moderate income rural housing loans multifamily rural rental housing loan guarantees


Summary: Rural Law Enforcement Assistance Act of 2009 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize appropriations for FY2009-FY2013 for rural drug enforcement assistance.Amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to authorize appropriations for FY2009-FY2013 for training rural law enforcement officers in the investigation of drug trafficking and related crimes.

rural law enforcement assistance act amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act authorize appropriations fy2009 fy2013 rural drug enforcement assistance amends violent_crime_control_and_law_enforcement_act authorize appropriations fy2009 fy2013 training rural law enforcement officers investigation drug trafficking related crimes


Summary: Rural Revitalization Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow the issuance, through December 31, 2010, of tax-exempt facility bonds to finance qualified electric transmission facilities; and (2) extend issuance authority for qualified zone academy bonds and permit bond proceeds to be used for construction. Amends the Federal Power Act to revise the Secretary of Energy's authority to designate national interest electric transmission corridors. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer funds for: (1) electrification loans and loan guarantees; (2) Indian reservation roads and bridge and highway projects; (3) water projects; (4) utilities programs; (5) community facilities programs; (6) business enterprise grants and microenterprise assistance; (7) telemedicine and distance learning services; (8) public works and economic development; and (9) energy programs. Amends the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to direct the Secretary of Energy to make loan guarantees for renewable fuel pipelines. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer funds for the: (1) emergency food assistance program; (2) commodity supplemental food program; (3) emergency food program infrastructure grant program; and (4) supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children (WIC). Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to use specified Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds for the Doug Bereuter section 502 single family housing loan guarantee program. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer funds for National Health Service Corps programs. Amends the Social Security Act to extend: (1) increased payments for certain ground ambulance services; and (2) assistance for rural providers providing services in low population density areas. Amends the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, as amended by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, to extend the payment increase for certain rural home health services. Amends the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, as amended by the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Extension Act of 2007 and the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, to extend certain hospital reclassification authority.

rural revitalization act amends internal revenue code allow issuance december tax exempt facility bonds finance qualified electric transmission facilities extend issuance authority qualified zone academy bonds permit bond proceeds construction amends federal power act revise secretary energy authority designate national interest electric transmission corridors directs secretary treasury transfer funds electrification loans loan guarantees indian reservation roads bridge highway projects water projects utilities programs community facilities programs business enterprise grants microenterprise assistance telemedicine distance learning services public works economic development energy programs amends energy_independence_and_security_act direct secretary energy loan guarantees renewable fuel pipelines directs secretary treasury transfer funds emergency food assistance program commodity supplemental food program emergency food program infrastructure grant program supplemental nutrition program women infants children wic directs secretary agriculture use specified commodity_credit_corporation ccc funds section single family housing loan guarantee program directs secretary treasury transfer funds national_health_service_corps programs amends social security act extend increased payments certain ground ambulance services assistance rural providers providing services low population density areas amends medicare_prescription_drug improvement modernization act amended deficit reduction act extend payment increase certain rural home health services amends tax relief health care act amended medicare medicaid schip extension act medicare_improvements_for_patients_and_providers_act extend certain hospital reclassification authority


Summary: Rural Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2010 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to provide that if the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) applies a median income requirement to communities for determining community facilities programs and water, waste disposal, and wastewater program eligibility in a state where the state nonmetropolitan median income is at least 90% of the national average nonmetropolitan median income, the Secretary shall use an amount equal to 95% of the national average nonmetropolitan median income in applying the median income requirement for any community in such state. Terminates such authority on September 30, 2012.

rural infrastructure improvement act amends consolidated_farm rural development act provide secretary agriculture usda applies median income requirement communities determining community facilities programs water waste disposal wastewater program eligibility state state nonmetropolitan median income national average nonmetropolitan median income secretary shall use equal national average nonmetropolitan median income applying median income requirement community state terminates authority september


Summary: Adds the Tennessee counties of Hickman, Perry, and Wayne to the definition of "Appalachian region" for purposes of Appalachian regional development efforts.

adds tennessee counties hickman perry wayne definition appalachian region purposes appalachian regional development efforts


Summary: Corridor N Extension Act of 2011 - Designates as an addition to Corridor N of the Appalachian development highway system a 149-mile segment from Corridor M to Corridor T in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

designates addition appalachian development highway system mile segment corridor maryland pennsylvania


Summary: Amends part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to alter the percentage of school improvement funds that are reserved for outlying areas and Indian education. Reserves 0.5% of those funds for outlying areas and 0.75% for Indian education. (Currently, 1% of those funds are reserved for outlying areas and Indian education.)

amends title elementary secondary education act alter percentage school improvement funds reserved outlying areas indian education reserves funds outlying areas indian education currently funds reserved outlying areas indian education


Summary: Amends the Housing Act of 1949, with respect to financial assistance to farm owners through the Farmers Home Administration, to permit the Secretary of Agriculture to consider as rural or a rural area for farm housing purposes a place, town, village, or city with a population of 35,000 or less that demonstrates that it is experiencing economic distress from which such financial assistance would be of significant value in helping it recover. Cites as evidence of economic distress: (1) an unemployment rate higher than the national average, or (2) an average wage or home sale price lower than the national wage.

amends housing act respect financial assistance farm owners permit secretary agriculture consider rural rural area farm housing purposes place town village city population demonstrates experiencing economic distress financial assistance significant value helping recover cites evidence economic distress unemployment rate higher national average average wage home sale price lower national wage


Summary: Rural Microbusiness Investment Credit Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit for 35% of new investment in a rural microbusiness. Imposes limits on such credit for businesses and individual taxpayers. Defines: (1) "rural microbusiness" as a trade or business that employs not more than 5 full-time employees in a taxable year and is carried on, and physically located, in a distressed rural area; and (2) "distressed rural area" as an area that has lost at least 5% of its population over the last 10 years or 10% of its population over the last 20 years, that has a median family income below 85 % of the national median family income, that has a poverty rate that exceeds 12.5%, or where average unemployment in the preceding year exceeds 120% of the national average.

amends internal revenue code allow business related tax credit new investment rural imposes limits credit businesses individual taxpayers defines rural trade business employs time employees taxable year carried physically located distressed rural area distressed rural area area lost population years population years median family income national median family income poverty rate exceeds average unemployment preceding year exceeds national average


Summary: EDA Elimination Act of 2011 - Terminates the Economic Development Administration (EDA). Repeals the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965. Direct the Secretary of Commerce to take such actions as necessary and appropriate to conclude the outstanding affairs of the EDA, including dispositions of personnel, assets, and obligations.

eda elimination act terminates economic development administration eda repeals public_works_and_economic_development_act direct secretary commerce actions necessary appropriate conclude outstanding affairs eda including dispositions personnel assets obligations


Summary: Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to: (1) extend Medicare electronic health record incentives to eligible professionals practicing in rural health clinics, and (2) extend Medicare quality reporting incentives to such clinics.

amends title xviii medicare social security act extend medicare electronic health record incentives eligible professionals practicing rural health clinics extend medicare quality reporting incentives clinics


Summary: County Payments Reauthorization Act of 2011 - Amends the Secure Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 to establish, for FY2012 and each following fiscal year, an amount that is equal to 95% of the full funding amount used for the previous fiscal year to make secure payments to eligible states and counties that contain certain lands. Permits a resource advisory committee under the Act to propose using up to 10% of certain project funds of an eligible county for administrative expenses associated with that committee's operations. Keeps the annual percentage for FY2010-FY2011 in place under the merchantable timber contracting pilot program for the implementation of approved projects in participating counties involving the sale of merchantable timber using separate contracts through FY2016. Extends the Act's provisions through FY2016. Entitles counties or other eligible units of local government in which U.S.-owned entitlement land is located to certain payments under the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Program through FY2017.

county payments reauthorization act amends secure schools community self determination act establish fy2012 following fiscal year equal funding previous fiscal year secure payments eligible states counties contain certain lands permits resource advisory committee act propose certain project funds eligible county administrative expenses associated committee operations keeps annual percentage fy2010 fy2011 place merchantable timber contracting pilot program implementation approved projects participating counties involving sale merchantable timber separate contracts fy2016 extends act provisions fy2016 entitles counties eligible units local government entitlement land located certain payments payment lieu taxes pilt program fy2017


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the new markets tax credit, to expand criteria for the designation of a census track with a population of less than 2,000 as a low-income community for purposes of such credit to include consideration of the poverty rate, median family income, or unemployment rate in such community.

amends internal revenue code respect new markets tax credit expand criteria designation census track population low income community purposes credit include consideration poverty rate median family income unemployment rate community


Summary: Schools of the Future Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to award competitive three- to five-year grants to eligible partnerships to implement and evaluate the results of technology-based learning practices, strategies, tools, or courses at rural schools. Defines "eligible partnerships" as those composed of a school partner, a digital learning partner, and an evaluation partner. Describes a "school partner" as a local educational agency, charter school network, consortium of elementary or secondary schools, regional educational service provider, or consortium of such entities. Includes among the grant-funded technology-based learning practices, strategies, tools, or courses, those that: (1) personalize the learning experience, (2) aid and inform instruction, (3) meet the needs of students with specific educational needs, (4) help students develop 21st century skills, and (5) give students access to courses that would otherwise be unavailable to them. Requires each partnership's evaluation partner, after the third year of the grant, to evaluate the effect of the technology-based learning practices, strategies, tools, or courses on student achievement.

schools future act authorizes secretary education award competitive year grants eligible partnerships implement evaluate results technology based learning practices strategies tools courses rural schools defines eligible partnerships composed school partner digital learning partner evaluation partner describes school partner local educational agency charter school network consortium elementary secondary schools regional educational service provider consortium entities includes grant funded technology based learning practices strategies tools courses personalize learning experience aid inform instruction meet needs students specific educational needs help students develop 21st century skills students access courses unavailable requires partnership evaluation partner year grant evaluate effect technology based learning practices strategies tools courses student achievement


Summary: Rural Energy Improvement Act - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 regarding the Rural Energy for America Program to: (1) extend the Program through FY2017, (2) create a tiered loan and grant application process that reflects project costs, and (3) prohibit requiring a second meter for on-farm residential portions of rural projects connected to the energy grid.

rural investment act extend program fy2017 create tiered loan grant application process reflects project costs prohibit requiring second meter farm residential portions rural projects connected energy grid


Summary: Forest Products Fairness Act of 2012 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to include in the definition of "biobased product" forest products that meet biobased content requirements, notwithstanding the market share the product holds, the product's age, or whether the market for the product is new or emerging. Defines "forest product" as a product made from materials derived from the practice of forestry or the management of growing timber, including: (1) pulp, paper, paperboard, pellets, and wood products; and (2) any recycled products derived from forest materials.

forest products fairness act amends farm security rural investment act include definition biobased product forest products meet biobased content requirements notwithstanding market share product holds product age market product new emerging defines forest product product materials derived practice forestry management growing timber including pulp paper pellets wood products recycled products derived forest materials


Summary: Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to direct the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a process under which an incumbent service provider providing broadband service to a remote rural area may submit to the Secretary information regarding the broadband services the provider offers in the proposed service territory so that the Secretary may assess whether a submitted application meets appropriate eligibility requirements.

amends rural electrification act direct secretary agriculture usda establish process incumbent service provider providing broadband service remote rural area submit secretary information broadband services provider offers proposed service territory secretary assess submitted application meets appropriate eligibility requirements


Summary: Rural Housing Preservation Act of 2012 - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to extend the requirements for consideration as rural areas with respect to assistance for farm housing. Makes any area eligible for rural housing programs authorized under the Act on June 30, 2012, eligible for such programs through FY2013.

rural_housing_preservation_act amends housing act extend requirements consideration rural areas respect assistance farm housing makes area eligible rural housing programs authorized act june eligible programs fy2013


Summary: Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to suspend, during the period December 31, 2010-December 31, 2013, the prohibition on the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to guarantee an agricultural operating loan for any year after the 15th year that a loan or loan guarantee is made to the borrower.

amends consolidated_farm rural development act suspend period december december prohibition authority secretary agriculture usda guarantee agricultural operating loan year 15th year loan loan guarantee borrower


Summary: Rural Housing Preservation Act of 2011 - Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to revise the requirements for consideration as rural areas with respect to assistance for farm housing. States that any area classified as "rural" or a "rural area" before October 1, 1990, and determined not to be "rural" or a "rural area" as a result of data received from or after the 1990, 2000, or 2010 (currently, only the 1990 or 2000) decennial census shall continue to be so classified until the receipt of data from the decennial census in the year 2020 (currently, 2010), if, as under current law, such area has a population of between 10,000 and 25,000, is rural in character, and has a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families.

rural_housing_preservation_act amends housing act revise requirements consideration rural areas respect assistance farm housing states area classified rural rural area october determined rural rural area result data received currently decennial census shall continue classified receipt data decennial census year currently current law area population rural character lack mortgage credit lower moderate income families


Summary: Clean Transmission for Rural Communities Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) the issuance of clean renewable energy bonds to interconnect energy facilities to high-voltage transmission lines, and (2) the issuance of tax-exempt facility bonds to finance a qualified electric transmission facility. Defines "qualified electric transmission facility" as a state-owned electric transmission facility which operates primarily to interconnect one or more renewable energy facilities to a high-voltage transmission line.

amends internal revenue code allow issuance clean renewable energy bonds interconnect energy facilities high voltage transmission lines issuance tax exempt facility bonds finance qualified electric transmission facility defines qualified electric transmission facility state owned electric transmission facility operates primarily interconnect renewable energy facilities high voltage transmission line


Summary: Clean Energy Infrastructure for Rural Communities Act of 2011 - Amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to make electric loans for transmission facilities primarily for interconnecting renewable energy facilities to a high-voltage transmission line. Revokes the requirement that the rate of an electric loan for renewable energy be equal to the average tax-exempt municipal bond rate of similar maturities. Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to: (1) authorize the Secretary to make and insure loans to improve the economic and environmental climate by encouraging the development and construction of infrastructure to provide access to natural gas in rural communities, and (2) define "natural gas" as unmixed natural gas or any mixture of natural and artificial gas.

amends rural electrification act authorize secretary agriculture electric loans transmission facilities primarily renewable energy facilities high voltage transmission line revokes requirement rate electric loan renewable energy equal average tax exempt municipal bond rate similar maturities amends consolidated_farm rural development act authorize secretary insure loans improve economic environmental climate encouraging development construction infrastructure provide access natural gas rural communities define natural gas natural gas mixture natural artificial gas


Summary: EDA Elimination Act of 2011 - Terminates the Economic Development Administration (EDA). Repeals the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965. Direct the Secretary of Commerce to take such actions as necessary to conclude the outstanding affairs of the EDA, including dispositions of personnel, assets, and obligations.

eda elimination act terminates economic development administration eda repeals public_works_and_economic_development_act direct secretary commerce actions necessary conclude outstanding affairs eda including dispositions personnel assets obligations


Summary: Forest Products Fairness Act of 2012 - Amends the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to redefine "biobased product" as a commercial or industrial product (other than food or feed) that is composed, in whole or in significant part, of biological products, including renewable domestic agricultural materials and forestry materials, or an intermediate ingredient or feedstock. Includes within such definition forest products that meet biobased content requirements, notwithstanding market maturity. Defines "forest product" as a product made from materials derived from the practice of forestry or the management of growing timber, and includes: (1) pulp, paper, paperboard, pellets, and wood products; and (2) any recycled products derived from forest materials.

forest products fairness act amends farm security rural investment act redefine biobased product commercial industrial product food feed composed significant biological products including renewable domestic agricultural materials forestry materials intermediate ingredient feedstock includes definition forest products meet biobased content requirements notwithstanding market maturity defines forest product product materials derived practice forestry management growing timber includes pulp paper pellets wood products recycled products derived forest materials


Summary: Rural Educator and American Community Housing Act of 2012 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide grants, loan guarantees, or other financial mechanisms to eligible educators, medical providers, and public safety officers to carry out a qualified project in a qualified community. Defines a "qualified project" as: (1) the construction, modernization, renovation, or repair of qualified housing for such eligible individuals; (2) the payment of interest on bonds or other financing instruments (except refinancing instruments) issued for such activities; or (3) the repayment of a loan used for such construction and so forth, or to purchase or lease real property for qualified housing purposes. Defines a "qualified community" as any open country, or any place, town, village, or city that is not part of or associated with an urban area and that has a population between 2,500 to 10,000, and is not accessible by a motor vehicle. Authorizes the State Director of Rural Development for a state to evaluate for the Secretary any application for a qualified project in the state. Requires the Secretary to take the evaluation into consideration in determining whether to provide such assistance. Requires the Secretary to give priority to: (1) a state education agency (SEA) or local educational agency (LEA), (2) a state or local housing authority, (3) an Indian tribe or tribal organization, (4) a tribally designated housing entity, (5) a local government, or (6) a consortium of any such entities.

amends consolidated_farm rural development act authorize secretary housing_and_urban_development hud provide grants loan guarantees financial mechanisms eligible educators medical providers public safety officers carry qualified project qualified community defines qualified project construction modernization renovation repair qualified housing eligible individuals payment interest bonds financing instruments refinancing instruments issued activities repayment loan construction forth purchase lease real property qualified housing purposes defines qualified community open country place town village city associated urban area population accessible motor vehicle authorizes state director rural_development state evaluate secretary application qualified project state requires secretary evaluation consideration determining provide assistance requires secretary priority state education agency sea local educational agency lea state local housing authority indian tribe tribal organization tribally designated housing entity local government consortium entities


Summary: Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to extend certain requirements for consideration as a rural area with respect to assistance for farm housing. Declares that any area classified as "rural" or a "rural area" before October 1, 1990, and determined not to be one as a result of data received from or after the 2010 decennial census, and any area deemed to be a "rural area" for purposes of the Act under any other provision of law at any time between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2010, shall continue to be so classified until the receipt of data from the decennial census in the year 2020, if that area has a population of between 10,000 and 35,000 (currently, between 10,000 and 25,000), is rural in character, and has a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families.

amends housing act extend certain requirements consideration rural area respect assistance farm housing declares area classified rural rural area october determined result data received decennial census area deemed rural area purposes act provision law time january december shall continue classified receipt data decennial census year area population currently rural character lack mortgage credit lower moderate income families


Summary: Lyon County Economic Development and Conservation Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey to the city of Yerington, Nevada, identified federal land in Lyon and Mineral Counties. Designates identified federal land in Nevada managed by the Forest Service, to be known as the Wovoka Wilderness, as wilderness and as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Sets forth provisions for the management of the Wovoka Wilderness, including regarding livestock grazing, overflights, wildfire, insects, and diseases, water rights, and fish and wildlife.

secretary interior convey city yerington nevada identified federal land lyon designates identified federal land nevada managed forest_service known wilderness component national_wilderness_preservation_system sets forth provisions management including livestock grazing overflights wildfire insects diseases water rights fish wildlife


Summary:
Building Rural Communities Act - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to make grants to rural area-serving public bodies and private nonprofit corporations for technical assistance and training to: (1) assist communities in identifying and planning for community facility needs; (2) identify public and private financial resources; (3) prepare financial assistance applications and related documents; (4) improve management, including financial management; or (5) assist with other areas of need identified by the Secretary.

Gives priority to private nonprofit organizations that have experience in providing technical assistance and training to rural entities.

building rural communities act amends consolidated_farm rural development act authorize secretary agriculture usda grants rural area serving public bodies private nonprofit corporations technical assistance training assist communities identifying planning community facility needs identify public private financial resources prepare financial assistance applications related documents improve management including financial management assist areas need identified secretary gives priority private nonprofit organizations experience providing technical assistance training rural entities


Summary:
Rural Microbusiness Investment Credit Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit for 35% of new investment in a rural microbusiness. Imposes limits on such credit for businesses and individual taxpayers.

Defines: (1) "rural microbusiness" as a trade or business that employs not more than 5 full-time employees in a taxable year and is carried on, and physically located, in a distressed rural area; and (2) "distressed rural area" as an area that has lost at least 5% of its population over the last 10 years or 10% of its population over the last 20 years, that has a median family income below 85 % of the national median family income, that has a poverty rate that exceeds 12.5%, or where average unemployment in the preceding year exceeds 120% of the national average.

amends internal revenue code allow business related tax credit new investment rural imposes limits credit businesses individual taxpayers defines rural trade business employs time employees taxable year carried physically located distressed rural area distressed rural area area lost population years population years median family income national median family income poverty rate exceeds average unemployment preceding year exceeds national average


Summary:
Rural Educator and American Community Housing Act of 2013 - Amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide grants, loan guarantees, or other financial mechanisms to eligible educators, medical providers, and public safety officers to carry out a qualified project in a qualified community.

Defines a "qualified project" as: (1) the construction, modernization, renovation, or repair of qualified housing for such eligible individuals; (2) the payment of interest on bonds or other financing instruments (except refinancing instruments) issued for such activities; or (3) the repayment of a loan used for such construction and so forth, or to purchase or lease real property for qualified housing purposes.

Defines a "qualified community" as any open country, or any place, town, village, or city that is not part of or associated with an urban area and that has a population between 2,500 to 10,000, and is not accessible by a motor vehicle.

Authorizes the State Director of Rural Development for a state to evaluate for the Secretary any application for a qualified project in the state. Requires the Secretary to take the evaluation into consideration in determining whether to provide such assistance.

Requires the Secretary to give priority to: (1) a state education agency (SEA) or local educational agency (LEA), (2) a state or local housing authority, (3) an Indian tribe or tribal organization, (4) a tribally designated housing entity, (5) a local government, or (6) a consortium of any such entities.


Summary:
Amends the Housing Act of 1949 to extend certain requirements for consideration as a rural area with respect to assistance for farm housing.

 Declares that any area classified as "rural" or a "rural area" before October 1, 1990, and determined not to be one as a result of data received from or after the 2010 decennial census, and any area deemed to be a "rural area" for purposes of the Act under any other provision of law at any time between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2010, shall continue to be so classified until the receipt of data from the decennial census in the year 2020, if that area has a population of between 10,000 and 35,000 (currently, between 10,000 and 25,000), is rural in character, and has a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families.


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

Helping Expand Lending Practices in Rural Communities Act

(Sec. 2) Directs the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to establish an application process under which a person who lives or does business in a state may apply to have an area in the state identified as a rural area if it has not yet been so designated by the CFPB for purposes of federal consumer financial law.

 Prescribes criteria for the CFPB to consider when evaluating the application. Requires the CFPB to: (1) grant or deny the application within 90 days after the public comment period ends; and (2) publish the grant or denial in the Federal Register, including an explanation of the factors upon which the CFPB relied in making its determination.

Sunsets this Act two years after its enactment.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure helping expand lending practices rural communities act sec directs consumer_financial_protection_bureau cfpb establish application process person lives business state apply area state identified rural area designated cfpb purposes federal consumer financial law prescribes criteria cfpb consider evaluating application requires cfpb grant deny application days public comment period ends publish grant denial federal_register including explanation factors cfpb relied making determination sunsets act years enactment


Summary:
PILT and SRS Certainty Act

This bill appropriates funds to carry out the Payment in Lieu of Taxes Program for the first full fiscal year after the enactment of this Act and for each of the following four fiscal years. This Program compensates local governments for tax revenue lost due to tax-exempt federal lands within their boundaries.

The bill amends the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 to extend payment and project authorities for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Program for five years. This Program provides payments to states to compensate for the cost of providing services in tax-exempt federal lands within their jurisdiction.

pilt bill appropriates funds carry payment lieu taxes program fiscal year enactment act following fiscal years program compensates local governments tax revenue lost tax exempt federal lands boundaries bill amends secure_rural_schools community self determination act extend payment project authorities years program provides payments states compensate cost providing services tax exempt federal lands jurisdiction


Summary:
Rural Main Street Investment Credit Act of 2016

 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit for 35% of new investment in a rural microbusiness. There is a limit on such credit, for any rural microbusiness or any taxpayer, of $10,000 in a taxable year reduced by the amount allowed as a credit for all preceding taxable years.

A "rural microbusiness" is a trade or business that employs not more than five full-time employees in a taxable year and that is carried on, and physically located, in a distressed rural area. A "distressed rural area" as an area that has lost at least 5% of its population over the last 10 years or 10% of its population over the last 20 years, that has a median family income below 85 % of the national median family income, that has a poverty rate that exceeds 12.5%, or where average unemployment in the preceding year exceeds 120% of the national average.

bill amends internal_revenue_code allow business related tax credit new investment rural limit credit rural taxpayer taxable year reduced allowed credit preceding taxable years rural trade business employs time employees taxable year carried physically located distressed rural area distressed rural area area lost population years population years median family income national median family income poverty rate exceeds average unemployment preceding year exceeds national average


Summary:
Broadband Connections for Rural Opportunities Program Act of 2016 or the B-CROP Act of 2016

This bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to include grants in the Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that provides loans and loan guarantees for broadband telecommunications services in rural areas.

In making grants, loans, or loan guarantees under the program, USDA must give the highest priority to applicants that offer to provide broadband service to the greatest proportion of unserved rural households or rural households that do not have the minimum acceptable level of residential broadband service.

USDA must then give priority to projects to serve rural communities that:

 have a population of less than 10,000 permanent residents, are experiencing out-migration, have a high percentage of low-income residents, and are isolated from other significant population centers. A grant may not exceed 50% of the development cost of the project. USDA may increase the limit to 75% for projects that serve a remote or low-income area that does not have access to broadband service from any provider.

The bill sets forth reporting requirements for recipients of the grants, loans, or loan guarantees.

crop act bill amends rural electrification act include grants department_of_agriculture usda program provides loans loan guarantees broadband telecommunications services rural areas making grants loans loan guarantees program usda highest priority applicants offer provide broadband service greatest proportion unserved rural households rural households minimum acceptable level residential broadband service usda priority projects serve rural communities population permanent residents experiencing migration high percentage low income residents isolated significant population centers grant exceed development cost project usda increase limit projects serve remote low income area access broadband service provider bill sets forth reporting requirements recipients grants loans loan guarantees


Summary:
Appalachian Regional Development Amendments Act of 2015

This bill authorizes appropriations for the Appalachian Regional Commission for FY2016-FY2020, extends the termination date of the Appalachian Regional Development Program through the end of FY2020, and allots funding to enable the Commission to provide technical assistance, make grants, and enter into contracts in the Appalachian region to increase affordable access to broadband networks throughout Appalachia and for related projects and activities.

bill authorizes appropriations appalachian_regional_commission fy2016-fy2020 extends termination date end fy2020 allots funding enable commission provide technical assistance grants enter contracts appalachian region increase affordable access broadband networks related projects activities


Summary:
Capital for Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2016

 This bill amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to increase the amount of unpaid debt permitted per borrower under Department of Agriculture farm ownership and operating loans.

ranchers act bill amends consolidated_farm rural development act increase unpaid debt permitted borrower department_of_agriculture farm ownership operating loans


Summary:
Rebuilding and Renewing Rural America Act of 2016

This bill modifies: (1) tax and regulatory policies that affect certain rural communities, and (2) tax rules that apply to private foundations.

The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to program-related investments made by private foundations for a charitable purpose, to:

 modify the definition of and requirements for program-related investments; allow a declaratory judgment remedy to determine whether investments in any entity are program-related investments; expand reporting requirements for for-profit entities that receive program-related investments; and allow public inspection of petitions seeking a determination of program-related investment status and annual information returns. The bill also includes several tax provisions that apply to rural renewal communities, which are low-income communities that: (1) have a population of at least 200 people but not more than 25,000 people, and are not located in a metropolitan area which has a population of 200,000 or more; or (2) are entirely within an Indian reservation.

With respect to such communities, the bill:

 allows tax credits for a portion of the costs of reducing lead, radon, or asbestos hazards in rural commercial structures; expands the new markets tax credit; allows expensing of certain depreciable business assets; reduces payroll taxes; and allows tax-preferred rural renewal community business start-up savings accounts. Reducing Excessive Government in Rural America Act of 2016

Congress must consider legislation to reduce the regulatory cost to rural America by at least 10% over 10 years by repealing certain regulations. The legislation must be considered using expedited legislative procedures specified in the bill.

rebuilding renewing rural america act bill modifies tax regulatory policies affect certain rural communities tax rules apply private foundations bill amends internal_revenue_code respect program related investments private foundations charitable purpose modify definition requirements program related investments allow declaratory judgment remedy determine investments entity program related investments expand reporting requirements profit entities receive program related investments allow public inspection petitions seeking determination program related investment status annual information returns bill includes tax provisions apply rural renewal communities low income communities population people people located metropolitan area population entirely indian reservation respect communities bill allows tax credits portion costs reducing lead radon asbestos hazards rural commercial structures expands new markets tax credit allows expensing certain depreciable business assets reduces payroll taxes allows tax preferred rural renewal community business start savings accounts reducing excessive government rural america act congress consider legislation reduce regulatory cost rural america years repealing certain regulations legislation considered expedited legislative procedures specified bill


Summary: Homeowners' Insurance Availability Act of 2007 - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to implement a reinsurance coverage program available only through contracts for reinsurance coverage purchased at regional auctions. States that the purpose of the program is to improve: (1) the availability of homeowners' insurance for the purpose of facilitating the pooling, and spreading the risk, of catastrophic financial losses from disasters; and (2) the solvency of the homeowners' insurance markets. Prescribes implementation guidelines that include establishment: (1) in the Treasury of the Disaster Reinsurance Fund; and (2) of a National Commission on Catastrophe Risks and Insurance Loss Costs.

homeowners insurance availability act instructs secretary treasury implement reinsurance coverage program available contracts reinsurance coverage purchased regional auctions states purpose program improve availability homeowners insurance purpose facilitating pooling spreading risk catastrophic financial losses disasters solvency homeowners insurance markets prescribes implementation guidelines include establishment treasury loss costs


Summary: Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2007 - Title I: Nonadmitted Insurance - (Sec. 101) Prohibits any state other than the home state of an insured from requiring a premium tax payment for nonadmitted insurance. Authorizes states to enter into procedures to allocate among themselves the premium taxes paid to an insured's home state. Declares that Congress intends that each state adopt a nationwide or uniform procedure that provides for the reporting, payment, collection, and allocation of premium taxes for nonadmitted insurance. Allows an insured's home state to require surplus lines brokers and certain insureds to file annual tax allocation reports detailing the portion of the nonadmitted insurance premiums attributable to properties, risks, or exposures located in each state. (Sec. 102) Subjects nonadmitted insurance solely to the regulatory requirements of the insured's home state.Declares that only an insured's home state may require a surplus lines broker to be licensed to conduct nonadmitted insurance business with respect to such insured. (Sec. 103) Prohibits a state from collecting fees relating to licensure of a surplus lines broker unless it has a regulatory mechanism for participation in the national insurance producer database of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), or any other equivalent uniform national database.(Sec. 104) Prohibits a state from: (1) establishing eligibility criteria for nonadmitted insurers domiciled in a U.S. jurisdiction except in conformance with the Non-Admitted Insurance Model Act; or (2) prohibiting a surplus lines broker from placing nonadmitted insurance with, or procuring nonadmitted insurance from, a nonadmitted insurer domiciled outside the United States and listed on the NAIC International Insurers Department Quarterly Listing of Alien Insurers. (Sec. 105) Declares that, subject to certain conditions, a surplus lines broker seeking to procure or place nonadmitted insurance in a state for an exempt commercial purchaser shall not be required to satisfy any state requirement to make a due diligence search to determine whether the full amount or type of insurance sought can be obtained from admitted insurers. Requires waiver of a state due diligence search requirement if: (1) the broker procuring or placing the surplus lines insurance has disclosed to the exempt commercial purchaser that the insurance may or may not be available from the admitted market that may provide greater protection with more regulatory oversight; and (2) the exempt commercial purchaser has subsequently requested the broker in writing to procure or place such insurance from a nonadmitted insurer. (Sec. 106) Directs the Comptroller General to study the nonadmitted insurance market to determine the effect of this Act on its size and market share for providing coverage typically provided by the admitted insurance market. Requires a report to specified congressional committees on the findings of the study. Title II: Reinsurance - (Sec. 201) Prohibits a state from denying credit for reinsurance if the state of domicile of an insurer purchasing reinsurance (ceding insurer) recognizes credit for reinsurance for the insurer's ceded risk, and: (1) is either an NAIC-accredited state; or (2) has financial solvency requirements substantially similar to NAIC accreditation requirements. Preempts extraterritorial application to a ceding insurer of additional specified kinds of non-domiciliary state law, except those with respect to taxes or assessments on insurance companies or insurance income. (Sec. 202) Reserves to the state of domicile of a reinsurer sole responsibility for regulating the reinsurer's financial solvency, if the state is NAIC-accredited, or has financial solvency requirements substantially similar to NAIC accreditation requirements. Prohibits a non-domiciliary state from requiring a reinsurer to provide financial information other than that required to be filed with its NAIC-compliant domiciliary state.

nonadmitted reinsurance reform act title nonadmitted insurance sec prohibits state home state insured requiring premium tax payment nonadmitted insurance authorizes states enter procedures allocate premium taxes paid insured home state declares congress intends state adopt nationwide uniform procedure provides reporting payment collection allocation premium taxes nonadmitted insurance allows insured home state require surplus lines brokers certain insureds file annual tax allocation reports detailing portion nonadmitted insurance premiums attributable properties risks exposures located state sec subjects nonadmitted insurance solely regulatory requirements insured home state declares insured home state require surplus lines broker licensed conduct nonadmitted insurance business respect insured sec prohibits state collecting fees relating licensure surplus lines broker regulatory mechanism participation national insurance producer database national_association_of_insurance_commissioners naic equivalent uniform national prohibits state establishing eligibility criteria nonadmitted insurers domiciled jurisdiction conformance prohibiting surplus lines broker placing nonadmitted insurance procuring nonadmitted insurance nonadmitted insurer domiciled outside united_states listed alien insurers sec declares subject certain conditions surplus lines broker seeking procure place nonadmitted insurance state exempt commercial purchaser shall required satisfy state requirement diligence search determine type insurance sought obtained admitted insurers requires waiver state diligence search requirement broker procuring placing surplus lines insurance disclosed exempt commercial purchaser insurance available admitted market provide greater protection regulatory oversight exempt commercial purchaser subsequently requested broker writing procure place insurance nonadmitted insurer sec directs comptroller general study nonadmitted insurance market determine effect act size market share providing coverage typically provided admitted insurance market requires report specified congressional committees findings study title reinsurance sec prohibits state denying credit reinsurance state domicile insurer purchasing reinsurance ceding insurer recognizes credit reinsurance insurer ceded risk naic accredited state financial solvency requirements substantially similar naic accreditation requirements preempts extraterritorial application ceding insurer additional specified kinds non domiciliary state law respect taxes assessments insurance companies insurance income sec reserves state domicile reinsurer sole responsibility regulating reinsurer financial solvency state financial solvency requirements substantially similar naic accreditation requirements prohibits non domiciliary state requiring reinsurer provide financial information required filed naic compliant domiciliary state


Summary: Insurance Industry Competition Act of 2007 - Amends the McCarran-Ferguson Act to make the Federal Trade Commission Act, as it relates to areas other than unfair methods of competition, applicable to the business of insurance to the extent that such business is not regulated by state law. Authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue joint statements of their antitrust enforcement policies regarding joint activities in the business of insurance.

insurance industry competition act amends mccarran ferguson act federal_trade_commission_act relates areas unfair methods competition applicable business insurance extent business regulated state law authorizes department_of_justice doj federal_trade_commission ftc issue joint statements antitrust enforcement policies joint activities business insurance


Summary: Holocaust Insurance Accountability Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Requires insurers of Holocaust-era policies to: (1) respond within 90 days to written inquiries from eligible persons regarding such polices; (2) provide to such persons all information in the possession of such insurer regarding whether such person is a potential beneficiary; and (3) notify the Holocaust Claims Processing Office (HCPO) immediately in writing of the inquiry, with a copy of all acknowledgments and information provided to such eligible person. Terminates such requirement 10 years after enactment of this Act. Instructs the Secretary of State to: (1) seek to enter into an agreement with each European country with which no appropriate agreement exists to facilitate such response requirements; and (2) report annually to Congress on implementation of this Act. (Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to enter into an agreement with the HCPO to: (1) monitor compliance with requirements of this Act; (2) notify the Secretary of the identity of any insurer not complying with this Act within 30 days after the failure to comply; and (3) notify the certain congressional committees annually, including the Secretary and the Secretary of State, of the identity of each non-compliant insurer. Provides for the transfer of specified funds to the HCPO to implement its monitoring functions.(Sec. 5) Instructs the Secretary to assess a civil penalty of not less than $5,000 for each day that an insurer fails to comply with the requirements of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to seek to attach a lien on any payment from a U.S. domiciliary subsidiary of any insurer based outside the United States from which the Secretary is unable to collect a penalty. (Sec. 6) Sets forth a federal cause of action for any claim against an insurer arising out of or related to a covered policy. (Sec. 7) Expresses the sense of Congress that claimants have the right to opt out of new or ongoing class action proceedings relating to claims based on Holocaust-era insurance policies. (Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to instruct the U.S. Executive Director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to use the voice and vote of the United States to create and advocate the policies of the Bank to encourage Eastern European countries to engage in and pursue restitution programs in compliance with this Act.

holocaust insurance accountability act sec requires insurers holocaust era policies respond days written inquiries eligible persons provide persons information possession insurer person potential beneficiary notify immediately writing inquiry copy information provided eligible person terminates requirement years enactment act instructs secretary state seek enter agreement european country appropriate agreement exists facilitate response requirements report annually congress implementation act sec authorizes secretary treasury secretary enter agreement monitor compliance requirements act notify secretary identity insurer complying act days failure comply notify certain congressional committees annually including secretary secretary state identity non compliant insurer provides transfer specified funds implement monitoring instructs secretary assess civil penalty day insurer fails comply requirements act authorizes secretary seek attach lien payment domiciliary subsidiary insurer based outside united_states secretary unable collect penalty sec sets forth federal cause action claim insurer arising related covered policy sec expresses sense congress claimants right opt new ongoing class action proceedings relating claims based holocaust era insurance policies sec directs secretary instruct executive director european_bank_for_reconstruction_and_development use voice vote united_states create advocate policies bank encourage eastern european countries engage pursue restitution programs compliance act


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow affiliated life and non-life insurance companies to file consolidated tax returns. Allows: (1) a phasein, between 2007 and 2013, of the full application of losses of affiliated non-life insurance companies against the taxable income of an affiliated life insurance company; and (2) an automatic waiver of the five-year waiting period applicable to affiliated non-life insurance companies for offset of their losses against life insurance company income.

amends internal revenue code allow affiliated life non life insurance companies file consolidated tax returns allows application losses affiliated non life insurance companies taxable income affiliated life insurance company automatic waiver year waiting period applicable affiliated non life insurance companies offset losses life insurance company income


Summary: Retirement Security for Life Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an exclusion from gross income for 50 percent of the amount otherwise includible in gross income as guaranteed payments from certain annuity or life insurance contracts. Limits the amount of such exclusion to $20,000 in any taxable year. Provides for an inflation adjustment of the $20,000 limitation beginning in 2009.

retirement security life act amends internal revenue code allow exclusion gross income percent includible gross income guaranteed payments certain annuity life insurance contracts limits exclusion taxable year provides inflation adjustment limitation beginning


Summary: National Insurance Act of 2007 - Establishes in the Department of the Treasury an Office of National Insurance (ONI), headed by a Commissioner of National Insurance, with Divisions of Insurance Fraud and of Consumer Affairs, and an Office of the Ombudsman. Authorizes the Commissioner to supervise, regulate, and provide for registration of insurance self-regulatory organizations. Requires the Commissioner to supervise national insurers and national agencies, including chartering and licensing. Removes them, as well as federally licensed insurance producers, from state oversight of insurance business practices. Authorizes the Commissioner to provide for the organization, operation, and regulation of National Insurance Companies and National Insurance Agencies, including U.S. branches of non-U.S. Insurers. Requires national insurers to obtain a federal license. Provides for conversion of state insurers to national insurers or state insurance agencies to national agencies, and vice versa. Prescribes requirements for national life insurer product regulation, including mandatory election for either national or state participating policy procedures governing a national life insurer in mutual form. Sets forth requirements governing prompt corrective action. Authorizes the Commissioner to: (1) license insurers that are not national insurers to provide reinsurance; and (2) issue federal insurance producer licenses. Restricts specified state actions. Provides for: (1) mergers, consolidations, and acquisitions of national insurers and national agencies; and (2) conversion of stock life insurers to national life insurer in mutual form, and vice versa. Subjects national insurers and national agencies to state taxation. Prohibits states from preventing or restricting national insurers from engaging in specified insurance business practices. Requires registration with the Commissioner of national insurers that belong to an insurance holding company system. Authorizes the Commissioner to appoint the ONI as receiver for a national insurer for rehabilitation or liquidation. Requires national insurers to join guaranty associations in each state, which may levy assessments on them for purposes of insolvency protection. Establishes a National Insurance Guaranty Corporation to provide benefits to policyholders of a national life insurer under federal receivership. Sets forth requirements governing claims covered for policy holders of national property/casualty insurers. Applies federal antitrust laws to national insurers, national agencies, and federally licensed insurance producers. Exempts national insurers, national agencies, and federally licensed insurance producers from state regulation, except as expressly provided in this Act. Directs the Comptroller General to analyze and report to Congress on the overall competitiveness of the insurance sector in the United States.

establishes headed commissioner office_of_the_ombudsman authorizes commissioner supervise regulate provide registration insurance self regulatory organizations requires commissioner supervise national insurers national agencies including chartering licensing removes federally licensed insurance producers state oversight insurance business practices authorizes commissioner provide organization operation regulation including branches requires national insurers obtain federal license provides conversion state insurers national insurers state insurance agencies national agencies vice versa prescribes requirements national life insurer product regulation including mandatory election national state participating policy procedures governing national life insurer mutual form sets forth requirements governing prompt corrective action authorizes commissioner license insurers national insurers provide reinsurance issue federal insurance producer licenses restricts specified state actions provides mergers consolidations acquisitions national insurers national agencies conversion stock life insurers national life insurer mutual form vice versa subjects national insurers national agencies state taxation prohibits states preventing restricting national insurers engaging specified insurance business practices requires registration commissioner national insurers belong insurance holding company system authorizes commissioner appoint receiver national insurer rehabilitation liquidation requires national insurers join guaranty associations state levy assessments purposes insolvency protection establishes provide benefits policyholders national life insurer federal receivership sets forth requirements governing claims covered policy holders national property casualty insurers applies federal antitrust laws national insurers national agencies federally licensed insurance producers exempts national insurers national agencies federally licensed insurance producers state regulation expressly provided act directs comptroller general analyze report congress overall competitiveness insurance sector united_states


Summary: Increasing Insurance Coverage Options for Consumers Act of 2008 - Amends the Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986 to cover risk retention groups offering commercial property insurance. Applies the exemption of purchasing groups from state law to commercial property insurance. Terminates the inclusion in risk retention groups under the Act of any such group chartered, licensed, or authorized under the laws of Bermuda or the Cayman Islands. Prescribes general corporate governance standards for such groups, together with license or charter criteria regarding state examination authority and minimum requirements for safety and soundness. Prohibits a risk retention group from participating in an insurance insolvency guaranty association that includes participants other than risk retention groups. Revises procedures for: (1) submitting financial documents to state insurance commissioners; and (2) mandatory disclosures.Imposes a fiduciary duty upon the board of directors of a risk retention group to operate in the best interests of the group.Prohibits a state from issuing a cease-and-desist order to any risk retention group or purchasing group that is not chartered or licensed in such state, or otherwise attempt to regulate such group, except as specifically permitted under this Act.Redesignates the Liability Risk Retention Act as the Risk Retention Act.

amends liability risk retention act cover risk retention groups offering commercial property insurance applies exemption purchasing groups state law commercial property insurance terminates inclusion risk retention groups act group chartered licensed authorized laws bermuda prescribes general corporate governance standards groups license charter criteria state examination authority minimum requirements safety soundness prohibits risk retention group participating insurance insolvency guaranty association includes participants risk retention groups revises procedures submitting financial documents state insurance commissioners mandatory disclosures imposes fiduciary duty board directors risk retention group operate best interests group prohibits state issuing cease desist order risk retention group purchasing group chartered licensed state attempt regulate group specifically permitted act redesignates risk retention act


Summary: Insurance Information Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to advise the President and Congress on domestic and international policy issues regarding all lines of insurance except health insurance. Establishes within the Department of the Treasury the Office of Insurance Information, headed by a Deputy Assistant Secretary, to: (1) collect, analyze, and disseminate information and issue reports regarding all lines of insurance except health insurance; (2) establish federal policy on international insurance matters and ensure that state insurance laws are consistent with agreements between the United States and a foreign government or regulatory entity; and (3) advise the Secretary on major domestic and international insurance policy issues. Extends the authority of the Office to all lines of insurance except health insurance. Preempts inconsistent state law. Requires the head of the Office to report to specified congressional committees on the financial state and meaningful trends of the insurance industry. Establishes the Advisory Group to the Office of Insurance Information.

insurance information act directs secretary treasury advise president congress domestic international policy issues lines insurance health insurance establishes headed deputy assistant secretary collect analyze disseminate information issue reports lines insurance health insurance establish federal policy international insurance matters ensure state insurance laws consistent agreements united_states foreign government regulatory entity advise secretary major domestic international insurance policy issues extends authority office lines insurance health insurance preempts inconsistent state law requires head office report specified congressional committees financial state meaningful trends insurance industry establishes


Summary: Reinsurance International Solvency Standards Evaluation Board Act of 2008 - Establishes the Reinsurance International Solvency Standards Evaluation Board to evaluate reinsurance supervisory systems of the states and jurisdictions outside the United States to determine, on a uniform basis, whether such systems provide adequate capital and risk management standards and an acceptable level of prudential supervision over their domiciled reinsurers. Requires the Board to: (1) establish evaluation standards and procedures for requesting an evaluation; and (2) develop uniform standards to improve reinsurance regulation, particularly where a domestic or international consensus standard or conflict of law has emerged. Prohibits the domiciliary state of a ceding insurer, for the purpose of determining credit for reinsurance for the ceding insurer, from treating a certified reinsurer domiciled and in good standing in any other domestic or foreign jurisdiction differently from reinsurers domiciled and in good standing in such domiciliary state.

reinsurance international solvency standards evaluation board act establishes reinsurance international solvency standards evaluation board evaluate reinsurance supervisory systems states jurisdictions outside united_states determine uniform basis systems provide adequate capital risk management standards acceptable level prudential supervision domiciled requires board establish evaluation standards procedures requesting evaluation develop uniform standards improve reinsurance regulation particularly domestic international consensus standard conflict law prohibits domiciliary state ceding insurer purpose determining credit reinsurance ceding insurer treating certified reinsurer domiciled good standing domestic foreign jurisdiction domiciled good standing domiciliary state


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the eligibility of certain small insurance companies (other than life insurance companies) for the alternative corporate income tax by increasing the premium limitation used to determine such eligibility to $1.971 million (from $1.2 million), with an annual inflation adjustment to that increased amount after 2008.

amends internal revenue code expand eligibility certain small insurance companies life insurance companies alternative corporate income tax increasing premium limitation determine eligibility million million annual inflation adjustment increased


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny a tax deduction for excess reinsurance premiums with respect to U.S. risks paid to affiliated insurance companies that are not subject to U.S. taxation.

amends internal revenue code deny tax deduction excess reinsurance premiums respect risks paid affiliated insurance companies subject taxation


Summary: National Insurance Act of 2007 - Establishes in the Department of the Treasury an Office of National Insurance (ONI), headed by a Commissioner of National Insurance, with Divisions of Insurance Fraud and of Consumer Affairs, and an Office of the Ombudsman.Authorizes the Commissioner to supervise, regulate, and provide for registration of insurance self-regulatory organizations. Requires the Commissioner to supervise national insurers and national agencies, including chartering and licensing. Removes them, as well as federally licensed insurance producers, from state oversight of insurance business practices. Authorizes the Commissioner to provide for the organization, operation, and regulation of National Insurance Companies and National Insurance Agencies, including U.S. branches of non-U.S. Insurers. Requires national insurers to obtain a federal license. Provides for conversion of state insurers to national insurers or state insurance agencies to national agencies, and vice versa. Prescribes requirements for national life insurer product regulation, including mandatory election for either national or state participating policy procedures governing a national life insurer in mutual form. Sets forth requirements governing prompt corrective action. Authorizes the Commissioner to: (1) license insurers that are not national insurers to provide reinsurance; and (2) issue federal insurance producer licenses. Restricts specified state actions.Provides for: (1) mergers, consolidations, and acquisitions of national insurers and national agencies; and (2) conversion of stock life insurers to national life insurer in mutual form, and vice versa.Subjects national insurers and national agencies to state taxation.Prohibits states from preventing or restricting national insurers from engaging in specified insurance business practices.Requires registration with the Commissioner of national insurers that belong to an insurance holding company system. Authorizes the Commissioner to appoint the ONI as receiver for a national insurer for rehabilitation or liquidation. Requires national insurers to join guaranty associations in each state, which may levy assessments on them for purposes of insolvency protection.Establishes a National Insurance Guaranty Corporation to provide benefits to policyholders of a national life insurer under federal receivership. Sets forth requirements governing claims covered for policy holders of national property/casualty insurers. Applies federal antitrust laws to national insurers, national agencies, and federally licensed insurance producers. Exempts national insurers, national agencies, and federally licensed insurance producers from state regulation, except as expressly provided in this Act.

establishes headed commissioner office_of_the_ombudsman authorizes commissioner supervise regulate provide registration insurance self regulatory organizations requires commissioner supervise national insurers national agencies including chartering licensing removes federally licensed insurance producers state oversight insurance business practices authorizes commissioner provide organization operation regulation including branches requires national insurers obtain federal license provides conversion state insurers national insurers state insurance agencies national agencies vice versa prescribes requirements national life insurer product regulation including mandatory election national state participating policy procedures governing national life insurer mutual form sets forth requirements governing prompt corrective action authorizes commissioner license insurers national insurers provide reinsurance issue federal insurance producer licenses restricts specified state actions provides mergers consolidations acquisitions national insurers national agencies conversion stock life insurers national life insurer mutual form vice versa subjects national insurers national agencies state taxation prohibits states preventing restricting national insurers engaging specified insurance business practices requires registration commissioner national insurers belong insurance holding company system authorizes commissioner appoint receiver national insurer rehabilitation liquidation requires national insurers join guaranty associations state levy assessments purposes insolvency protection establishes provide benefits policyholders national life insurer federal receivership sets forth requirements governing claims covered policy holders national property casualty insurers applies federal antitrust laws national insurers national agencies federally licensed insurance producers exempts national insurers national agencies federally licensed insurance producers state regulation expressly provided act


Summary: Research Competitiveness Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) modify the tax credit for increasing research expenses to establish a standard 20% credit rate for research expenses exceeding 50% of average expenses over the preceding three year period; (2) establish a uniform 80% reimbursement rate for all contract research expenses (100% for basic research payments); (3) make such tax credit permanent; (4) allow a tax credit for equity investments in small business innovation companies; and (5) allow the issuance of tax exempt facility bonds for research park facilities used in connection with research and experimentation.Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) study and report to Congress on taxpayer compliance with the substantiation requirements for claiming the tax credit for increasing research activities; and (2) issue regulations on the application of private activity bond rules to the funding of federal research agreements.

research competitiveness act amends internal revenue code modify tax credit increasing research expenses establish standard credit rate research expenses exceeding average expenses preceding year period establish uniform reimbursement rate contract research expenses basic research payments tax credit permanent allow tax credit equity investments small business innovation companies allow issuance tax exempt facility bonds research park facilities connection research experimentation directs secretary treasury study report congress taxpayer compliance substantiation requirements claiming tax credit increasing research activities issue regulations application private activity bond rules funding federal research agreements


Summary: Veterans' Memorials, Boy Scouts, Public Seals, and Other Public Expressions of Religion Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Revised Statutes of the United States to limit the remedy, in a civil action against a state or local official for deprivation of civil rights, to injunctive and declaratory relief and deny attorneys' fees where the deprivation consists of a violation of a prohibition in the Constitution against the establishment of religion, including violations relating to: (1) religious words or imagery in veterans' memorials, public buildings, or official seals of states or their subdivisions; and (2) the chartering of Boy Scout units by states or their subdivisions and the Boy Scouts' using public buildings. Imposes the same limits regarding such an action against the United States or any U.S. agency or official acting in his or her official capacity.

Civil rights and liberties, minority issues

boy scouts public seals amends revised statutes united_states limit remedy civil action state local official deprivation civil rights injunctive declaratory relief deny attorneys fees deprivation consists violation prohibition constitution establishment religion including violations relating religious words imagery veterans memorials public buildings official seals states subdivisions chartering boy units states subdivisions public buildings imposes limits action united_states agency official acting official capacity


Summary: Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2007 - Prohibits any state other than the home state of an insured from requiring a premium tax payment for nonadmitted insurance. Authorizes states to enter into procedures to allocate among themselves the premium taxes paid to an insured's home state. Allows an insured's home state to require surplus lines brokers and certain insureds to file annually tax allocation reports detailing the portion of the nonadmitted insurance premiums attributable to properties, risks, or exposures located in each state. Declares that Congress intends that each state adopt a nationwide or uniform procedure that provides for the reporting, payment, collection, and allocation of premium taxes for nonadmitted insurance. Subjects nonadmitted insurance solely to the regulatory requirements of the insured's home state. Declares that only an insured's home state may require a surplus lines broker to be licensed to conduct nonadmitted insurance business with respect to such insured. Prohibits a state from collecting fees relating to licensure of a surplus lines broker unless it has a regulatory mechanism for participation in the national insurance producer database of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), or any other equivalent uniform national database. Prohibits a state from: (1) establishing eligibility criteria for nonadmitted insurers domiciled in a U.S. jurisdiction except in conformance with the Non-Admitted Insurance Model Act; or (2) prohibiting a surplus lines broker from placing nonadmitted insurance with, or procuring nonadmitted insurance from, a nonadmitted insurer domiciled outside the United States and listed on the NAIC International Insurers Department Quarterly Listing of Alien Insurers. Prohibits a state from denying credit for reinsurance if the state of domicile of an insurer purchasing reinsurance recognizes credit for reinsurance for the insurer's ceded risk and: (1) is either an NAIC-accredited state; or (2) has financial solvency requirements substantially similar to NAIC accreditation requirements. Reserves to the state of domicile of a reinsurer sole responsibility for regulating the reinsurer's financial solvency if the state is NAIC-accredited, or has financial solvency requirements substantially similar to NAIC accreditation requirements. Prohibits a state from requiring a reinsurer to provide financial information other than that required to file with its NAIC-compliant domiciliary state.

nonadmitted reinsurance reform act prohibits state home state insured requiring premium tax payment nonadmitted insurance authorizes states enter procedures allocate premium taxes paid insured home state allows insured home state require surplus lines brokers certain insureds file annually tax allocation reports detailing portion nonadmitted insurance premiums attributable properties risks exposures located state declares congress intends state adopt nationwide uniform procedure provides reporting payment collection allocation premium taxes nonadmitted insurance subjects nonadmitted insurance solely regulatory requirements insured home state declares insured home state require surplus lines broker licensed conduct nonadmitted insurance business respect insured prohibits state collecting fees relating licensure surplus lines broker regulatory mechanism participation national insurance producer database national_association_of_insurance_commissioners naic equivalent uniform national database prohibits state establishing eligibility criteria nonadmitted insurers domiciled jurisdiction conformance prohibiting surplus lines broker placing nonadmitted insurance procuring nonadmitted insurance nonadmitted insurer domiciled outside united_states listed alien insurers prohibits state denying credit reinsurance state domicile insurer purchasing reinsurance recognizes credit reinsurance insurer ceded risk naic accredited state financial solvency requirements substantially similar naic accreditation requirements reserves state domicile reinsurer sole responsibility regulating reinsurer financial solvency state financial solvency requirements substantially similar naic accreditation requirements prohibits state requiring reinsurer provide financial information required file naic compliant domiciliary state


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the eligibility of certain small insurance companies (other than life insurance companies) for the alternative corporate income tax by increasing the premium limitation used to determine such eligibility to $1.971 million (from $1.2 million), with an annual inflation adjustment to that increased amount after 2007.


Summary: Flood Insurance Disclosure Act of 2007 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to require insurers to disclose, in writing, to purchasers of a homeowner's or renter's insurance policy: (1) that such policy does not include certain flood insurance coverage; (2) that such person may be eligible to purchase such coverage; and (3) the telephone number and Internet address to contact the National Flood Insurance Program in order to obtain such coverage.

disclosure act amends national_flood_insurance_act require insurers disclose writing purchasers homeowner insurance policy policy include certain flood insurance coverage person eligible purchase coverage telephone number internet address contact national_flood_insurance_program order obtain coverage