Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on April 15, 2013. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Government Accountability Office Improvement Act - Authorizes the Comptroller General to: (1) obtain federal agency records required to discharge his or her duties (including audit, evaluation, and investigative duties), including through bringing civil actions under this Act, (2) make and retain copies of agency records, and (3) administer oaths when investigating fraud or federal employee misconduct.

States that no provision of the Social Security Act or the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act shall be construed to limit, amend, or supersede the Comptroller General's authority to obtain any information, inspect, or copy any record under this Act.

Requires the Comptroller General to prescribe policies and procedures to protect from public disclosure proprietary or trade secret information obtained pursuant to the authority of the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to: (1) alter or amend the prohibitions against the disclosure of trade secret or other sensitive information prohibited by federal and other applicable laws; or (2) affect the applicability of this Act, including the protections against unauthorized disclosure to obtained information.

Requires agency statements on actions taken or planned in response to Comptroller General recommendations to be submitted to the congressional committees with jurisdiction over the pertinent agency program or activity and to GAO.

measure amended passed house april summary version repeated government_accountability_office improvement act authorizes comptroller general obtain federal agency records required discharge duties including audit evaluation investigative duties including bringing civil actions act retain copies agency records administer oaths investigating fraud federal employee misconduct states provision social security act cosmetic act shall construed limit amend supersede comptroller_general authority obtain information inspect copy record act requires comptroller general prescribe policies procedures protect public disclosure proprietary trade secret information obtained pursuant authority government_accountability_office gao declares act shall construed alter amend prohibitions disclosure trade secret sensitive information prohibited federal applicable laws affect applicability act including protections unauthorized disclosure obtained information requires agency statements actions taken planned response comptroller_general recommendations submitted congressional committees jurisdiction pertinent agency program activity gao


Summary:
Federal Information Security Amendments Act of 2013 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA) to reestablish the oversight authority of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) with respect to agency information and security policies and practices.

Extends the security requirements of federal agencies to include responsibilities for: (1) complying with computer standards developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); (2) ensuring complementary and uniform standards for information systems and national security systems; (3) ensuring that information security management processes are integrated with budget processes; (4) securing facilities for classified information; (5) maintaining sufficient personnel with security clearances; and (6) ensuring that information security performance indicators are included in the annual performance evaluations of all managers, senior managers, senior executive service personnel, and political appointees.

Directs senior agency officials, with a frequency sufficient to support risk-based security decisions, to: (1) test and evaluate information security controls and techniques, and (2) conduct threat assessments by monitoring information systems and identifying potential system vulnerabilities. (Current law requires only periodic testing and evaluation.)

Defines "information system" as a discrete set of information resources organized for the collection, processing, maintenance, use, sharing, dissemination, or disposition of information. Includes in such definition: (1) computers and computer networks; (2) ancillary equipment; (3) software, firmware, and related procedures; (4) support services; and (5) related resources and services.

Directs agencies to determine information security levels in accordance with information security classifications and standards promulgated under the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act.

Directs agencies to collaborate with OMB and appropriate public and private sector security operations centers on security incidents that extend beyond the control of an agency. Requires that security incidents be reported, through an automated and continuous monitoring capability, when possible, to the federal information security incident center (the incident center), appropriate security operations centers, and agency Inspector General.

Directs agencies to conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration tests commensurate with the risk posed to agency information systems.

Requires each agency to delegate to its Chief Information Officer the authority and primary responsibility for developing, implementing, and overseeing an agencywide information security (AIS) program.

Directs agencies to implement an OMB-approved AIS program that is consistent with components across and within agencies. Requires that such program include automated and continuous monitoring, when possible, to: (1) mitigate risks associated with security incidents before substantial damage is done; and (2) notify and consult with the incident center, appropriate security operations response centers, law enforcement agencies, Inspectors General, and other entities or as directed by the President.

Directs the OMB Director to review and approve information security policies and procedures to ensure that the incident center has the capability to detect, correlate, and respond to incidents that impair the security of multiple agencies' information systems. Requires the capability, where practicable, to be continuous and technically automated.

(Sec. 4) Specifies that no additional funds are authorized for agencies to carry out their responsibilities under this Act. Requires agencies to carry out such responsibilities using amounts otherwise authorized or appropriated.

sec amends federal_information_security_management_act reestablish oversight authority director office_of_management_and_budget omb respect agency information security policies practices extends security requirements federal agencies include responsibilities complying computer standards developed national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist ensuring complementary uniform standards information systems national security systems ensuring information security management processes integrated budget processes securing facilities classified information maintaining sufficient personnel security clearances ensuring information security performance indicators included annual performance evaluations managers senior managers senior executive service personnel political appointees directs senior agency officials frequency sufficient support risk based security decisions test evaluate information security controls techniques conduct threat assessments monitoring information systems identifying potential system vulnerabilities current law requires periodic testing evaluation defines information system discrete set information resources organized collection processing maintenance use sharing dissemination disposition information includes definition computers computer networks ancillary equipment software related procedures support services related resources services directs agencies determine information security levels accordance information security classifications standards promulgated national_institute_of_standards_and_technology_act directs agencies collaborate omb appropriate public private sector security operations centers security incidents extend control agency requires security incidents reported automated continuous monitoring capability possible federal information security incident center incident center appropriate security operations centers agency inspector general directs agencies conduct vulnerability assessments penetration tests commensurate risk posed agency information systems requires agency delegate chief information officer authority primary responsibility developing implementing overseeing agencywide information security ais program directs agencies implement omb approved ais program consistent components agencies requires program include automated continuous monitoring possible mitigate risks associated security incidents substantial damage notify consult incident center appropriate security operations response centers law enforcement agencies inspectors_general entities directed president directs omb director review approve information security policies procedures ensure incident center capability detect respond incidents impair security multiple agencies information systems requires capability practicable continuous technically automated sec specifies additional funds authorized agencies carry responsibilities act requires agencies carry responsibilities amounts authorized appropriated


Summary:
Small Business Deposit Relief Act of 2013 - Limits criminal penalties for violations of reporting requirements imposed on financial institutions concerning domestic transactions for the payment, receipt, or transfer of U.S. coins or currency or other monetary instruments where the violation: (1) was not made while also violating another federal law, and (2) was a first offense under such transaction provisions.

Limits the amount of property forfeiture and monetary penalties imposed with respect to a monetary instrument transaction where the violation was not made while also violating another federal law.

small business deposit relief act limits criminal penalties violations reporting requirements imposed financial institutions concerning domestic transactions payment receipt transfer coins currency monetary instruments violation violating federal law offense transaction provisions limits property forfeiture monetary penalties imposed respect monetary instrument transaction violation violating federal law


Summary:
Electronic Message Preservation Act - (Sec. 2) Requires the Archivist of the United States to promulgate regulations governing federal agency preservation of electronic messages that are federal records and to periodically review and amend such regulations as necessary. Requires such regulations to: (1) require the electronic capture, management, and preservation of such electronic records in accordance with the Federal Records Act; (2) require such records to be retrievable through electronic searches; (3) establish mandatory minimum functional requirements for electronic records management systems and a process to certify federal agency compliance with such requirements; (4) include timelines for federal agency compliance; and (5) include requirements for the capture, management, and preservation of other electronic records. Defines "electronic records management system" as software designed to manage electronic records, including by categorizing and locating records, ensuring that records are retained as long as necessary, identifying records that are due for disposition, and ensuring the storage, retrieval, and disposition of records.

Requires: (1) the head of each federal agency, not later than four years after the enactment of this Act, to submit to the Archivist a report on agency compliance with regulations promulgated under this Act; and (2) the Archivist to report to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (the congressional oversight committees) on such compliance.

Prohibits an officer or employee of an executive agency from creating or sending a record using a non-official electronic messaging account unless such officer or employee: (1) copies an official electronic messaging account of the officer or employee in the original creation or transmission of the record, or (2) forwards a complete copy of the record to such an official account within five days after the original creation or transmission of the record.

(Sec. 3) Requires the Archivist to: (1) establish standards for the management of electronic presidential records during a President's term of office, including records management controls necessary for the capture, management, and preservation of electronic messages and for ensuring that electronic messages are readily accessible for retrieval through electronic searches; (2) certify annually whether electronic records management controls established by the President meet the requirements of the Presidential Records Act; and (3) report annually to the congressional oversight committees on the status of such certification.

Requires the Archivist, one year after the conclusion of a President's term of office, to submit to the congressional oversight committees a report on: (1) the volume and format of electronic presidential records deposited into that President's archival depository, and (2) whether the electronic records management controls of that President meet requirements under this Act.

Prohibits an officer or employee of an executive agency from creating or sending a presidential record using a non-official electronic messaging account unless such officer or employee: (1) copies an official electronic messaging account in the original creation or transmission of the record, or (2) forwards a complete copy of the record to such an account within five days.

electronic message preservation act sec requires archivist united_states promulgate regulations governing federal agency preservation electronic messages federal records periodically review amend regulations necessary requires regulations require electronic capture management preservation electronic records accordance require records retrievable electronic searches establish mandatory minimum functional requirements electronic records management systems process certify federal agency compliance requirements include timelines federal agency compliance include requirements capture management preservation electronic records defines electronic records management system software designed manage electronic records including locating records ensuring records retained long necessary identifying records disposition ensuring storage retrieval disposition records requires head federal agency later years enactment act submit archivist report agency compliance regulations promulgated act archivist report house_committee_on_oversight_and_government_reform senate_committee_on_homeland_security governmental_affairs congressional oversight committees compliance prohibits officer employee executive agency creating sending record non official electronic messaging account officer employee copies official electronic messaging account officer employee original creation transmission record forwards complete copy record official account days original creation transmission record sec requires archivist establish standards management electronic presidential records president term office including records management controls necessary capture management preservation electronic messages ensuring electronic messages readily accessible retrieval electronic searches certify annually electronic records management controls established president meet requirements presidential_records_act report annually congressional oversight committees status certification requires archivist year conclusion president term office submit congressional oversight committees report volume format electronic presidential records deposited president archival depository electronic records management controls president meet requirements act prohibits officer employee executive agency creating sending presidential record non official electronic messaging account officer employee copies official electronic messaging account original creation transmission record forwards complete copy record account days


Summary:
True Cost of War Act of 2013 - Directs the President, with contributions from the Secretary of Defense (DOD), the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), to provide Congress with an estimate of the long-term costs of Operation New Dawn (the successor contingency operation to Operation Iraqi Freedom) and Operation Enduring Freedom based on current contingency operation and withdrawal plans, that takes into account expected force levels and the expected length of time that members of the Armed Forces will be deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Requires the President, in preparing such report, to make estimates and projections through at least FY2023, and to take into account specified cost factors.

true cost war act directs president contributions secretary defense dod secretary state secretary veterans_affairs provide congress estimate long term costs operation new dawn successor contingency operation operation iraqi freedom operation enduring freedom based current contingency operation withdrawal plans takes account expected force levels expected length time members armed_forces deployed support operation enduring freedom requires president preparing report estimates projections fy2023 account specified cost factors


Summary:
Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act - Requires the Public Printer to establish and maintain a website accessible by the public for obtaining electronic copies of all congressionally mandated reports in one place.

Requires each federal agency to provide the Public Printer with electronic copies of its congressionally mandated reports for publication on the website. Prohibits an agency head from changing or removing a report published on the website, except for technical changes, without the express, written consent of the chairman of each congressional committee to which the report is submitted.

Exempts information or records that are exempt from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) from publication on the website. Requires each agency head to redact from congressionally mandated reports any information that may not be publicly released under FOIA before submission for publication on the website.

act requires public printer establish maintain website accessible public obtaining electronic copies congressionally mandated reports place requires federal agency provide public printer electronic copies congressionally mandated reports publication website prohibits agency head changing removing report published website technical changes express written consent chairman congressional committee report submitted exempts information records exempt public disclosure freedom information act foia publication website requires agency head redact congressionally mandated reports information publicly released foia submission publication website


Summary:
Taxpayers Right-To-Know Act - (Sec. 2) Sets forth additional information relating to a federal program that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is required to include on its website and update at least annually, including: (1) the total administrative cost of the program and the expenditures for services for the program for the previous fiscal year; (2) an estimate of the number of clients served by the program and beneficiaries who received assistance under the program for the previous fiscal year; (3) an estimate, for the previous fiscal year, of the number of full-time federal employees who administer the program and the number of full-time employees whose salary is paid in part or in full by the federal government through a grant or contract or other form of financial assistance; (4) an identification of the specific statute that authorizes the program and whether such authorization is expired; (5) any finding of duplication or overlap; and (6) any program performance reviews for such program.

Requires the OMB Director, not later than February 1 of each fiscal year, to publish on the OMB website the total amount of undisbursed grant funding remaining in grant accounts for which the period of availability to the grantee has expired.

(Sec. 3) Amends the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 to require the Comptroller General (GAO) to maintain and provide regular annual updates to a publicly available website that tracks the status of agency responses to recommendations by the Comptroller General for identifying duplicative government programs.

(Sec. 4) Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to require the disclosure of classified information.

(Sec. 5) Requires the OMB Director to implement this Act not later than one year after its enactment. Prohibits the authorization of additional funds to carry out the requirements of this Act.

taxpayers right know act sec sets forth additional information relating federal program office_of_management_and_budget omb required include website update annually including total administrative cost program expenditures services program previous fiscal year estimate number clients served program beneficiaries received assistance program previous fiscal year estimate previous fiscal year number time federal employees administer program number time employees salary paid federal government grant contract form financial assistance identification specific statute authorizes program authorization expired finding duplication overlap program performance reviews program requires omb director later february fiscal year publish omb website total undisbursed grant funding remaining grant accounts period availability grantee expired sec amends statutory pay act require comptroller general gao maintain provide regular annual updates publicly available website tracks status agency responses recommendations comptroller_general identifying duplicative government programs sec declares act shall construed require disclosure classified information sec requires omb director implement act later year enactment prohibits authorization additional funds carry requirements act


Summary: Fiscal Instruction for a Vibrant Economy Act or FIVE Act - Requires, for FY2013, within 30 days after enactment of this Act, and for FY2014 and each subsequent fiscal year, within 30 days after the President's budget submission to Congress, each federal department and agency to report to the congressional appropriations committees an operating budget that reflects a 5% reduction from the amount requested for it in the President's most recent budget submission.

fiscal instruction economy act act requires fy2013 days enactment act fy2014 subsequent fiscal year days president budget submission congress federal department agency report congressional appropriations committees operating budget reflects reduction requested president recent budget submission


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

Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2013 - Defines a "covered civil action" as a civil action seeking to compel agency action and alleging that an agency is unlawfully withholding or unreasonably delaying an agency action relating to a regulatory action that would affect the rights of: (1) private persons other than the person bringing the action; or (2) a state, local, or tribal government. Defines a "covered consent decree" or a "covered settlement agreement" as: (1) a consent decree or settlement agreement entered into a covered civil action, and (2) any other consent decree or settlement agreement that requires agency action relating to a regulatory action that affects the rights of private persons other than the person bringing the action, or a state, local, or tribal government.

Requires an agency against which a covered civil action is brought to publish the notice of intent to sue and the complaint in a readily accessible manner, including by making such notice and complaint available online not later than 15 days after receiving service of such notice or complaint. Requires a court, in considering a motion to intervene in a covered civil action, to presume that the interests of the intervenor would not be adequately represented by the existing parties to the action and to consider the relationship of an intervenor that is a state, local, or tribal government to the defendant in such action.

Requires parties to a covered civil action to participate in mediation or alternative dispute resolution when attempting to settle an action and to include intervenors in such mediation or dispute resolution efforts.

Requires an agency seeking to enter a covered consent decree or settlement agreement to publish in the Federal Register and online, not later than 60 days after such decree or agreement is filed with a court: (1) the decree or agreement; and (2) a statement providing the statutory basis for the covered consent decree or settlement agreement and a description of the terms of such decree or agreement, including whether it provides for attorney fees. Requires such agency to accept public comments on a proposed consent decree or settlement agreement during the 60-day period.

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

Requires a court, in considering a proposed consent decree or settlement agreement, to: (1) presume, subject to rebuttal, that it is proper to allow amicus participation by any person who filed public comments or participated in a public hearing on a covered consent decree or settlement agreement; and (2) allow sufficient time and procedures for agency compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), other applicable statutes, and any executive orders that govern rulemaking, unless contrary to the public interest.

Requires each agency to submit an annual report to Congress on its covered civil actions and consent decrees or settlement agreements.

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

Makes this Act effective upon enactment and applicable to any covered civil action filed, or any covered consent decree or settlement agreement proposed, on or after the enactment of this Act.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sunshine regulatory decrees settlements act defines covered civil action civil action seeking compel agency action alleging agency unlawfully withholding unreasonably delaying agency action relating regulatory action affect rights private persons person bringing action state local tribal government defines covered consent decree covered settlement agreement consent decree settlement agreement entered covered civil action consent decree settlement agreement requires agency action relating regulatory action affects rights private persons person bringing action state local tribal government requires agency covered civil action brought publish notice intent sue complaint readily accessible manner including making notice complaint available online later days receiving service notice complaint requires court considering motion intervene covered civil action presume interests adequately represented existing parties action consider relationship state local tribal government defendant action requires parties covered civil action participate mediation alternative dispute resolution attempting settle action include mediation dispute resolution efforts requires agency seeking enter covered consent decree settlement agreement publish federal_register online later days decree agreement filed court decree agreement statement providing statutory basis covered consent decree settlement agreement description terms decree agreement including provides attorney fees requires agency accept public comments proposed consent decree settlement agreement day period requires attorney general agency head agency litigating matter independently certify court attorney general agency head approves proposed covered consent decree includes terms convert nondiscretionary duty discretionary authority agency propose promulgate revise amend regulations commit agency expend funds appropriated budgeted seek particular appropriation budget authorization divest agency discretion committed statute constitution afford relief court enter authority proposed covered settlement agreement includes terms provide remedy failure agency comply terms agreement civil action resolved agreement interfere authority agency revise amend issue rules commit agency expend funds appropriated budgeted exercise particular way discretion committed agency statute constitution requires court considering proposed consent decree settlement agreement presume subject rebuttal proper allow amicus participation person filed public comments participated public hearing covered consent decree settlement agreement allow sufficient time procedures agency compliance administrative procedure act apa applicable statutes executive orders govern rulemaking contrary public interest requires agency submit annual report congress covered civil actions consent decrees settlement agreements requires court grant novo review covered consent decree settlement agreement agency files motion modify decree agreement basis terms longer fully public interest agency obligations fulfill duties changed facts circumstances makes act effective enactment applicable covered civil action filed covered consent decree settlement agreement proposed enactment act


Summary:
Plain Regulations Act of 2013 - Requires the head of each executive agency to: (1) implement a program for using plain language in writing new and revised regulations, and (2) certify to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that each proposed or final rule is in plain language.

Requires the Director to: (1) publish agency certifications of compliance with plain language requirements on OMB's website, and (2) return proposed agency regulations that fail to meet such requirements to be redrafted and resubmitted for approval.

Denies jurisdiction to any court to review compliance or noncompliance with any provision of this Act.

plain regulations act requires head executive agency implement program plain language writing new revised regulations certify director office_of_management_and_budget omb proposed final rule plain language requires director publish agency certifications compliance plain language requirements omb website return proposed agency regulations fail meet requirements resubmitted approval denies jurisdiction court review compliance noncompliance provision act


Summary:
Government Customer Service Improvement Act of 2013 - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to develop government-wide standards for customer service delivery, which shall be included in the Federal Government Performance Plan. Requires such standards to include: (1) government-wide goals for continuous service improvements and efforts to modernize service delivery; and (2) government-wide target response times for telephone calls, electronic mail, mail, benefit processing, and payments.

Directs: (1) the Performance Improvement Officer for each executive agency to establish customer service standards in accordance with such government-wide standards, which shall be included in agency performance plans; (2) the Director of OMB to establish a Customer Service Feedback Pilot Program which shall include participation by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and two additional agencies to collect information from agency customers on the quality of customer service provided; and (3) the Director to include agency achievements in meeting customer service performance standards in each required update on agency performance.

Requires: (1) compliance with customer service standards developed under this Act to be included in agency employee appraisal systems, (2) the Director of OMB to establish a two-year Service Improvement Unit Pilot Program to provide assistance to agencies that do not meet such government-wide customer service standards, and (3) the Administrator of General Services (GSA) to provide administrative and other support to implement such Program.

Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to: (1) submit to Congress and the Comptroller General (GAO) and issue publicly every month a report on information submitted by each federal agency about its employees who are retiring and pending applications for retirement benefits, (2) establish a timetable for completion of OPM's customer-focused retirement processing system and a deadline by which all federal payroll processing entities will electronically transmit all personnel data to OPM, and (3) include in each OPM annual budget request a statement on progress in completing its customer-focused retirement processing system.

government customer service improvement act requires director office_of_management_and_budget omb develop government wide standards customer service delivery shall included requires standards include government wide goals continuous service improvements efforts modernize service delivery government wide target response times telephone calls electronic mail mail benefit processing payments directs performance improvement officer executive agency establish customer service standards accordance government wide standards shall included agency performance plans director omb establish customer service feedback pilot program shall include participation internal_revenue_service irs additional agencies collect information agency customers quality customer service provided director include agency achievements meeting customer service performance standards required update agency performance requires compliance customer service standards developed act included agency employee appraisal systems director omb establish year service improvement unit pilot program provide assistance agencies meet government wide customer service standards administrator general_services gsa provide administrative support implement program requires director submit congress comptroller_general gao issue publicly month report information submitted federal agency employees retiring pending applications retirement benefits establish timetable completion opm customer focused retirement processing system deadline federal payroll processing entities electronically transmit personnel data opm include opm annual budget request statement progress completing customer focused retirement processing system


Summary: Closing Long-Empty Accounts Now Act of 2013 or the CLEAN Act - Directs the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency to submit a report that: (1) lists each U.S. government bank account that has a zero balance for 180 days or more, and (2) recommends which of such accounts should be immediately closed. Requires the appropriate agency to close each such account recommended for closure not later than seven days after the report is submitted.

act clean act directs council inspectors general integrity efficiency submit report lists government bank account zero balance days recommends accounts immediately closed requires appropriate agency close account recommended closure later seven days report submitted


Summary: Protecting Resort Cities from Discrimination Act of 2013 - Prohibits a federal agency from establishing or implementing an internal policy that discourages or prohibits the selection of a travel, event, meeting, or conference location because it is perceived to be a resort or vacation destination.

discrimination act prohibits federal agency establishing implementing internal policy discourages prohibits selection travel event meeting conference location perceived resort vacation destination


Summary:
Sunset Wasteful Executive Expenditures and Programs Act of 2013 - Requires the Comptroller General (GAO): (1) each year, beginning in 2014, to review three executive departments to identify agencies and programs that perform similar or related functions and that no longer serve a public need; (2) to review every executive department at least once every five years; and (3) each year, beginning on February 1, 2015, to report to Congress on the results of the reviews of executive departments carried out during the preceding year with recommendations for abolishing agencies and programs that perform similar or related functions and no longer serve a public need.

Abolishes by December 31 of each year, beginning with 2015, the three executive departments reviewed by the Comptroller General during the preceding year. Requires the President to direct procedures for the winding down of the operations of each abolished department. Allows Congress to authorize the continued existence of an executive department scheduled for abolishment.

Sets forth the process for congressional consideration of the Comptroller General's report, including an expedited procedure for consideration of resulting legislation to be known as a wasteful expenditures bill.

programs act requires comptroller general gao year beginning review executive departments identify agencies programs perform similar related functions longer serve public need review executive department years year beginning february report congress results reviews executive departments carried preceding year recommendations abolishing agencies programs perform similar related functions longer serve public need abolishes december year beginning executive departments reviewed comptroller_general preceding year requires president direct procedures winding operations abolished department allows congress authorize continued existence executive department scheduled abolishment sets forth process congressional consideration comptroller_general report including expedited procedure consideration resulting legislation known wasteful expenditures bill


Summary:
Growth to Excellence Act of 2013 - Amends part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to allow states to measure student progress toward academic achievement standards using adaptive assessments that are computerized, aligned with grade-level academic content standards, and measure student growth above and below grade level.

Allows states, upon the Secretary of Education's approval, to adopt an alternative accountability model requiring their local educational agencies (LEAs) and public elementary and secondary schools to achieve adequate student growth toward college and career readiness standards.

Requires such states to: (1) adopt college and career ready academic content standards; (2) adopt college and career ready assessments that measure annual student growth in mathematics and reading or the language arts; (3) measure secondary school graduation rates; (4) assess at least two additional specified indicators of students' college or career readiness; and (5) provide a comprehensive system of accountability for schools that do not meet annual progress targets, which shall categorize schools based on student performance, include supports and consequences based on such categorization, and provide incentives for schools that consistently exceed such targets.

Requires an alternative accountability model to establish annual progress targets for each school that: (1) aim to reduce by half, in less than six years, the difference between the percentage of students (overall and in specified student subgroups) at the top performing schools who meet the college and career readiness standards or make adequate student growth, and the percentage of such students at each school that is not a top performing school; (2) ensure that students are making adequate yearly growth to be college and career ready by the end of the 2019-2020 school year; or (3) are calculated in another manner, but result in ambitious and achievable targets for students overall and in specified student subgroups.

Requires annual progress targets for secondary schools that: (1) aim to reduce by half, in less than six years, the difference between the percentage of students (overall and in specified student subgroups) who graduate and 90%; or (2) establish another single graduation rate goal for each specified student subgroup that is ambitious and achievable.

Requires states using an alternative accountability model to establish a system of categorization and related interventions and rewards that groups LEAs based on their schools' and students' annual progress toward such targets.

Describes what shall be considered adequate student growth toward college and career readiness standards.

growth excellence act amends title elementary secondary education act allow states measure student progress academic achievement standards adaptive assessments computerized aligned grade level academic content standards measure student growth grade level allows states secretary education approval adopt alternative accountability model requiring local educational agencies leas public elementary secondary schools achieve adequate student growth college career readiness standards requires states adopt college career ready academic content standards adopt college career ready assessments measure annual student growth mathematics reading language arts measure secondary school graduation rates assess additional specified indicators students college career readiness provide comprehensive system accountability schools meet annual progress targets shall categorize schools based student performance include supports consequences based categorization provide incentives schools consistently exceed targets requires alternative accountability model establish annual progress targets school aim reduce half years difference percentage students overall specified student subgroups performing schools meet college career readiness standards adequate student growth percentage students school performing school ensure students making adequate yearly growth college career ready end school year calculated manner result ambitious achievable targets students overall specified student subgroups requires annual progress targets secondary schools aim reduce half years difference percentage students overall specified student subgroups graduate establish single graduation rate goal specified student subgroup ambitious achievable requires states alternative accountability model establish system categorization related interventions rewards groups leas based schools students annual progress targets describes shall considered adequate student growth college career readiness standards


Summary:
Savings, Accountability, Value, and Efficiency Act or the SAVE Act - Requires within six months after the enactment of this Act and every two years thereafter: (1) the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to develop and publish a national strategy for managing excess and underutilized federal real property; and (2) the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) to develop and implement a plan to improve the Federal Real Property Profile that ensures the data collected is complete, accurate, and consistent.

Requires the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy to issue guidance to federal agencies for reinvigorating the role of the competition advocate.

Requires OMB to issue government-wide savings goals for the strategic sourcing of goods and services by executive agencies.

Requires agency chief information officers to report to OMB on agency efforts to identify and eliminate potentially duplicative information technology investment.

Requires the Federal Chief Information Officer to develop and implement the Federal Data Center Optimization Initiative to optimize the usage and efficiency of federal data centers. Requires OMB to issue recommendations for reducing or consolidating the number of federal data centers by at least 40% by the end of FY2018 and by at least 80% by the end of FY2023.

Rescinds unobligated budget authority for the Department of Energy (DOE) Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program.

Amends title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to submit to Congress a report on efforts to finalize plans and schedules for fully implementing and expanding the use of the Integrated Data Repository and on actions taken to plan, schedule, and conduct training on the One Program Integrity System.

Amends the USEC Privatization Act to expand the definition of "uranium" for purposes of transfers and sales to include depleted uranium and any byproduct of uranium processing.

Requires OMB to develop a strategy to assess the collective results of federal funding for the reduction of mobile source diesel emissions and to identify and eliminate any unnecessary duplication, overlap, and fragmentation of such activities.

Repeals a provision of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 establishing an inspection and grading program for catfish and other species of farm-raised fish or shellfish.

savings accountability value efficiency_act months enactment act years director office_of_management_and_budget omb develop publish national strategy managing excess underutilized federal real property administrator general_services_administration gsa develop implement plan improve federal_real_property_profile ensures data collected complete accurate consistent requires administrator federal procurement policy issue guidance federal agencies role competition advocate requires omb issue government wide savings goals strategic sourcing goods services executive agencies requires agency chief information officers report omb agency efforts identify eliminate potentially duplicative information technology investment requires federal chief information officer develop implement optimize usage efficiency federal data centers requires omb issue recommendations reducing consolidating number federal data centers end fy2018 end fy2023 rescinds unobligated budget authority department_of_energy doe advanced_technology_vehicles_manufacturing_loan_program amends title general provisions social security act require secretary health_and_human_services hhs submit congress report efforts finalize plans schedules fully implementing expanding use actions taken plan schedule conduct training program integrity system amends usec privatization act expand definition uranium purposes transfers sales include depleted uranium byproduct uranium processing requires omb develop strategy assess collective results federal funding reduction mobile source diesel emissions identify eliminate unnecessary duplication overlap fragmentation activities repeals provision energy act establishing inspection grading program catfish species farm raised fish shellfish


Summary: No Regulations, No Pay Act of 2013 - Requires the basic pay of any federal agency official who is responsible for the issuance of regulations to be held in escrow and not paid to such official if such official fails to issue such regulations by the date specified by law. Allows the basic pay of such official to be released when such official issues the required regulations or ceases to serve in the office that issues such regulations.

regulations pay act requires basic pay federal agency official responsible issuance regulations held escrow paid official official fails issue regulations date specified law allows basic pay official released official issues required regulations ceases serve office issues regulations


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on September 9, 2013. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2013 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) U.S. ability to attract foreign direct investment is directly linked to U.S. long-term economic prosperity, global competitiveness, and security; (2) it is a top national priority to enhance U.S. global competitiveness, prosperity, and security by removing unnecessary barriers to foreign direct investment and the U.S. jobs it creates and promoting policies to ensure the United States remains the premier global destination in which to invest, hire, innovate, and manufacture products; (3) maintaining the U.S. commitment to open investment policy encourages other countries to reciprocate and enables the United States to open new markets abroad for U.S. companies and their products; (4) U.S. policies regarding foreign direct investment should reflect national security interests and should not disadvantage domestic investors or companies; and (5) U.S. efforts to attract foreign direct investment should be consistent with efforts to maintain and improve the U.S. standard of living.

 Directs the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Federal Interagency Investment Working Group and the heads of other relevant federal agencies, to conduct an interagency review of the U.S. global competitiveness in attracting foreign direct investment and report to Congress recommendations for increasing that U.S. global competitiveness without weakening labor, consumer, financial, or environmental protections.

measure amended passed house september summary version repeated american jobs act expresses sense congress ability attract foreign direct investment directly linked long term economic prosperity global competitiveness security national priority enhance global competitiveness prosperity security removing unnecessary barriers foreign direct investment jobs creates promoting policies ensure united_states remains premier global destination invest hire innovate manufacture products maintaining commitment open investment policy encourages countries enables united_states open new markets abroad companies products policies foreign direct investment reflect national security interests disadvantage domestic investors companies efforts attract foreign direct investment consistent efforts maintain improve standard living directs secretary commerce coordination heads relevant federal agencies conduct interagency review global competitiveness attracting foreign direct investment report congress recommendations increasing global competitiveness labor consumer financial environmental protections


Summary:
Demanding Accountability for Veterans Act of 2014 - (Sec. 3) Requires the Inspector General (IG) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), upon determining that the VA Secretary has not appropriately responded to an IG report that recommends actions to be taken by the Secretary to address a VA public health or safety issue, to notify the Secretary and the congressional veterans committees of such failure.

Requires the Secretary: (1) within 15 days after such notification, to submit to the IG a list of the names of each responsible VA manager and the matter for which the manager is responsible; (2) within 7 days after such submission, to notify each such manager of the covered issue; (3) to direct such manager to resolve the issue; (4) to provide the manager with appropriate counseling and a mitigation plan for resolving the issue; and (5) to ensure that a manager's performance review includes an evaluation of actions taken with respect to such issue.

Prohibits the Secretary from paying a bonus or award to any manager whose issue remains unresolved.

(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary, for the three years beginning on October 1, 2014, to transfer a veteran who is eligible for VA nursing home care to a medical foster home if: (1) the veteran requests that transfer, (2) the home meets the VA's standards, and (3) the transfer is made pursuant to a contract or agreement between the VA and the medical foster home.

Requires a veteran so transferred to agree, as a condition of such transfer, to accept VA home health services.

Defines a "medical foster home" as a home designed to provide non-institutional, long-term, supportive care for veterans who are unable to live independently and prefer a family setting.

(Sec. 5) Prohibits the Secretary from making a per diem payment to a public or nonprofit private entity for the provision of housing or housing services to homeless veterans unless such entity submits to the Secretary an annual certification that the building proposed for such housing or services is in compliance with codes relevant to the operations and level of care provided, licensing requirements, fire and safety requirements, and any other local requirements regarding the condition of the facility and the operation of the entity providing such housing or services.

Directs the Secretary to include, in a currently required annual report on assistance to homeless veterans, an evaluation of the safety and accessibility of such facilities.

(Sec. 6) Extends, through October 1, 2018, the current rates for fees on housing loans guaranteed by the VA, excluding the rates for fees on subsequent loans.

(Sec. 7) Extends through through May 31, 2017, the Secretary's authority to obtain veterans' income verification information from the Commissioner of Social Security or the Secretary of the Treasury.

demanding accountability veterans act sec requires inspector general department_of_veterans_affairs determining secretary appropriately responded report recommends actions taken secretary address public health safety issue notify secretary congressional veterans committees failure requires secretary days notification submit list names responsible manager matter manager responsible days submission notify manager covered issue direct manager resolve issue provide manager appropriate counseling mitigation plan resolving issue ensure manager performance review includes evaluation actions taken respect issue prohibits secretary paying bonus award manager issue remains unresolved sec authorizes secretary years beginning october transfer veteran eligible nursing home care medical foster home veteran requests transfer home meets standards transfer pursuant contract agreement medical foster home requires veteran transferred agree condition transfer accept home health services defines medical foster home home designed provide non institutional long term supportive care veterans unable live independently family setting sec prohibits secretary making diem payment public nonprofit private entity provision housing housing services homeless veterans entity submits secretary annual certification building proposed housing services compliance codes relevant operations level care provided licensing requirements fire safety requirements local requirements condition facility operation entity providing housing services directs secretary include currently required annual report assistance homeless veterans evaluation safety accessibility facilities sec extends october current rates fees housing loans guaranteed excluding rates fees subsequent loans sec extends secretary authority obtain veterans income verification information commissioner_of_social_security secretary treasury


Summary:
One Subject at a Time Act - Requires: (1) each bill or joint resolution to embrace no more than one subject, and (2) the subject to be clearly and descriptively expressed in the measure's title.

Prohibits an appropriations bill from containing any general legislation or change of existing law requirement, if its subject is not germane to the subject of such bill.

Declares void: (1) an entire Act or joint resolution if its title addresses two or more unrelated subjects, (2) provisions in legislation not clearly and descriptively expressed in the measure's title, (3) appropriation provisions in legislation outside the relevant subcommittee's jurisdiction, and (4) provisions of appropriation bills not germane to their subject matter.

Grants aggrieved persons and Members of Congress the right to bring an action against the United States to seek appropriate relief, including an injunction against the enforcement of any law the passage of which did not conform to this Act.

subject time act requires bill joint resolution subject subject clearly expressed measure title prohibits appropriations bill containing general legislation change existing law requirement subject subject bill declares void entire act joint resolution title addresses unrelated subjects provisions legislation clearly expressed measure title appropriation provisions legislation outside relevant subcommittee jurisdiction provisions appropriation bills subject matter grants aggrieved persons members congress right bring action united_states seek appropriate relief including injunction enforcement law passage conform act


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

Regulatory Accountability Act of 2013 - (Sec. 2) Defines "major rule" and "major guidance" for purposes of this Act as a rule or guidance that the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) determines is likely to impose: (1) an annual cost on the economy of $100 million or more, adjusted annually for inflation; (2) a major increase in costs or prices; (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S. enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises; or (4) significant impacts on multiple sectors of the economy.  Defines "high-impact rule" as a rule that the Administrator determines is likely to have an annual cost on the economy of $1 billion or more, adjusted annually for inflation.

(Sec. 3) Revises procedures for rule making under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) to require a federal agency, in the rule making process, to make all preliminary and final factual determinations based on evidence and to consider: (1) the legal authority under which a rule may be proposed, (2) the specific nature and significance of the problem the agency may address with a rule, (3) whether existing rules have created or contributed to the problem the agency may address with a rule and whether such rules may be amended or rescinded, (4) any reasonable alternatives for a new rule, and (5) the potential costs and benefits associated with potential alternative rules.

Revises rule making notice requirements to require an agency to:

 publish in the Federal Register advance notice of proposed rule making involving a major or high-impact rule or a rule that involves a novel legal or policy issue arising out of statutory mandates; consult with the Administrator before issuing a proposed rule and after the issuance of an advance notice of proposed rule making; provide interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making process; hold a hearing before the adoption of any high-impact rule; expand requirements for the adoption of a final rule, including requiring that the agency adopt a rule only on the basis of the best evidence and at the least cost; and grant any interested person the right to petition for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of a rule.  Specifies the minimum amount of information that must be included in an advance notice of a proposed rule making.

Requires the Administrator to issue guidelines to promote coordination, simplification, and harmonization of agency rules during the rule making process.

Exempts from such revised procedures rule makings that concern monetary policy proposed or implemented by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Open Market Committee.

(Sec. 4) Imposes new requirements for issuing any major guidance or guidance that involves a novel legal or policy issue arising out of statutory mandates. Authorizes the Administrator to issue guidelines for agencies in issuing major guidance or other guidance.

(Sec. 5) Provides for electronic access to transcripts of testimony and exhibits and other papers filed in a rule making proceeding.

Requires the record of decision in a rule making proceeding to include information from a hearing under the Information Quality Act or on a high-impact rule.

Requires an agency to grant a petition for a hearing in the case of a major rule, unless the agency reasonably determines that a hearing would not advance consideration of the rule or would unreasonably delay completion of the rule making. Exempts from this requirement rule makings that concern monetary policy proposed or implemented by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or the Federal Open Market Committee.

(Sec. 6) Provides that an agency's denial of an Information Quality Act petition, or a failure to grant or deny such petition within 90 days, is reviewable by a court as a final action.  Allows immediate judicial review of interim rules, other than in cases involving national security interests, issued without compliance with the notice requirements of this Act.

(Sec. 7) Revises standards for the scope of judicial review of agency rule making to prohibit a court from deferring to an agency's: (1) interpretation of a rule if the agency did not comply with APA requirements, (2) determination of the costs and benefits or other economic or risk assessment if the agency failed to conform to guidelines on such determinations and assessments established by the Administrator, (3) determinations made in the adoption of an interim rule, or (4) guidance.

(Sec. 8) Defines "substantial evidence" for purposes of evaluating agency adjudications and for rule making under APA as such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion in light of the record considered as a whole, taking into account whatever in the record fairly detracts from the weight of the evidence relied upon by the agency to support its decision.

(Sec. 9) Provides that the amendments made by this Act to specified provisions of federal law shall not apply to any rule makings pending or completed on the enactment date of this Act.

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


Summary: Sunshine on Government Act of 2013 - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in consultation with the Executive Chair of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, to create a separate website with a distinct URL, apart from the OMB website about the reports issued by each Office of Inspector General.  Requires such website to include: (1) a general description of the role of the Office of Inspector General, (2) a description of the types of reports issued by the Office of Inspector General, (3) a list of each federal agency that has an Office of Inspector General, and (4) a link to a website containing Inspector General reports.

sunshine government act requires director office_of_management_and_budget omb consultation council_of_inspectors_general_on_integrity_and_efficiency create separate website distinct apart omb website reports issued office_of_inspector_general requires website include general description role description types reports issued office_of_inspector_general list federal agency office_of_inspector_general link website containing inspector general reports


Summary:
Spending Reduction Act - Requires the head of each executive agency to submit to the President and Congress a report on the implementation of recommendations made by specified Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports on reducing duplication in government programs, achieving savings, and enhancing revenue.

Requires: (1) such agency reports to include recommendations by the agency heads for actions that should be taken as a result of such GAO reports; and (2) agency heads to begin implementation of such recommendations in order to eliminate, consolidate, streamline, or better coordinate government programs and agencies with duplicative, overlapping, or fragmented missions identified in the GAO reports, unless Congress enacts a joint resolution disapproving them.

spending reduction act requires head executive agency submit president congress report implementation recommendations specified government_accountability_office gao reports reducing duplication government programs achieving savings enhancing revenue requires agency reports include recommendations agency heads actions taken result gao reports agency heads begin implementation recommendations order eliminate consolidate streamline better coordinate government programs agencies duplicative overlapping missions identified gao reports congress enacts joint resolution disapproving


Summary:
Protecting Adoption and Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Act of 2013 - Amends part B (Child and Family Services) of title IV of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish and maintain an automated National Responsible Father Registry.

Requires the Registry to: (1) contain specified kinds of information sufficient to identify a possible father, and (2) provide a mechanism for men to register such identifying information directly with the Registry.

Limits access to Registry information to eligible parties, including: (1) public and licensed private adoption or child placement agencies, (2) licensed attorneys representing a party in a planned or pending adoption or in the termination of rights of one or more possible fathers, (3) state agencies or entities responsible for the placement of children, and (4) state courts.

Directs the Secretary to establish a nationwide campaign designed to inform possible fathers, unwed mothers, possible adoptive parents, and eligible parties of the National Registry, the advantages of possible fathers registering either in the National Registry or State Responsible Father Registries, or both, the rights and responsibilities of such parties with regard to a proceeding, and the role of such Registries in a proceeding.

Directs the Secretary to use all reasonable efforts to encourage states to enter into agreements to establish automated State Responsible Father Registries and centers that make registration forms easily accessible to possible fathers.

Authorizes the Secretary to make a grant to a state to establish a State Registry or modify an existing one to meet the requirements of this Act.

protecting_adoption_and_promoting_responsible_fatherhood_act amends child family services title social security act direct secretary health_and_human_services hhs establish maintain automated national responsible father registry requires registry contain specified kinds information sufficient identify possible father provide mechanism men register identifying information directly registry limits access registry information eligible parties including public licensed private adoption child placement agencies licensed attorneys representing party planned pending adoption termination rights possible fathers state agencies entities responsible placement children state courts directs secretary establish nationwide campaign designed inform possible fathers unwed mothers possible adoptive parents eligible parties national_registry advantages possible fathers registering national_registry_or_state_responsible_father_registries rights responsibilities parties regard proceeding role registries proceeding directs secretary use reasonable efforts encourage states enter agreements establish automated state responsible father registries centers registration forms easily accessible possible fathers authorizes secretary grant state establish state registry modify existing meet requirements act


Summary:
Duplication Elimination Act of 2013 - Requires the President, within 90 days after publication of the annual Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on duplication, consolidation, and elimination of duplicative government programs, to send Congress a proposed joint resolution accompanied by a special message specifying:

 any recommendations outlined in the GAO report that are excluded from the proposed joint resolution; in detail why they were excluded; and the outlined GAO recommendations included in the proposed joint resolution. Limits the proposed joint resolution to one that: (1) makes legislative changes needed to carry out the recommendations contained in the GAO report for a year that the President did not exclude, and (2) requires that any savings attributable to the legislative changes be transferred to the General Fund of the Treasury and be used to reduce the deficit.

Sets forth procedures for expedited congressional consideration of the proposed joint resolution.

duplication elimination act requires president days publication annual government_accountability_office gao report duplication consolidation elimination duplicative government programs send congress proposed joint resolution accompanied special message specifying recommendations outlined gao report excluded proposed joint resolution detail excluded outlined gao recommendations included proposed joint resolution limits proposed joint resolution makes legislative changes needed carry recommendations contained gao report year president exclude requires savings attributable legislative changes transferred general_fund treasury reduce deficit sets forth procedures expedited congressional consideration proposed joint resolution


Summary:
Improving All Government Efficiency Act of 2013 or the IMAGE Act of 2013 - Directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to coordinate with the heads of relevant federal departments or agencies to: (1) use available administrative authority to eliminate, consolidate, or streamline programs and agencies with duplicative and overlapping missions as identified in specified Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports released in 2011, 2012, and 2013; (2) identify and report to Congress any legislative changes required to further eliminate, consolidate, or streamline duplicative or overlapping programs and agencies; (3) determine the total cost savings from such activities; and (4) rescind from amounts made available to such departments and agencies the total estimated cost savings.

Requires the Director to report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations listing the accounts reduced by the rescission required by this Act and the amounts rescinded from each such account.

Imposes a monetary penalty on any department or agency that does not meet the requirements of this Act before September 30, 2013.

improving government efficiency act image act directs director office_of_management_and_budget omb coordinate heads relevant federal departments agencies use available administrative authority eliminate consolidate streamline programs agencies duplicative overlapping missions identified specified government_accountability_office gao reports released identify report congress legislative changes required eliminate consolidate streamline duplicative overlapping programs agencies determine total cost savings activities rescind amounts available departments agencies total estimated cost savings requires director report house senate_committees appropriations listing accounts reduced rescission required act amounts rescinded account imposes monetary penalty department agency meet requirements act september


Summary:
Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2013 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) to: (1) revise the definition of "rule" under such Act to exclude a rule pertaining to the protection of the rights of and benefits for veterans or a rule of particular (and not general) applicability relating to rates, wages, and other financial indicators; and (2) define "economic impact" with respect to a proposed or final rule as any direct economic effect on small entities from such rule and any indirect economic effect on small entities that is reasonably foreseeable and that results from such rule. Includes tribal organizations within the definition of "small governmental jurisdictions" for purposes of such Act.

Requires initial and final regulatory flexibility analyses to: (1) describe alternatives to a proposed rule that minimize any adverse significant economic impact or maximize the beneficial significant economic impact on small entities, and (2) include revisions or amendments to a land management plan developed by the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior under specified Acts.

Expands the applicability of RFA to interpretive rules involving internal revenue laws that impose a recordkeeping requirement, without regard to whether such requirement is imposed by statute or regulation.

Defines "small organization" for purposes of RFA.

(Sec. 3) Requires each federal agency to include in its regulatory flexibility agenda a brief description of the sector of the North American Industrial Classification System that is affected by a proposed agency rule that is likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

(Sec. 4) Requires a detailed statement in an initial regulatory flexibility analysis to include: (1) an estimate of the additional cumulative economic impact of the proposed rule on small entities, and (2) a description of any disproportionate economic impact on small entities or a specific class of such entities.

Requires an agency, in developing an initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis, to provide: (1) a quantifiable or numerical description of the effects of a proposed or final rule and alternatives to such rule, or (2) a more general descriptive statement and a detailed statement explaining why quantification is not practicable or reliable.

(Sec. 5) Repeals provisions allowing a waiver or delay of the completion of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis. Requires the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to issue rules governing federal agency compliance with RFA requirements. Authorizes the Chief Counsel to modify or amend such rules, to intervene in agency adjudication relating to such rules, and to inform an agency of the impact of its rulemaking on small entities.

(Sec. 6) Revises requirements for agency notification of the SBA Chief Counsel for Advocacy prior to the publication of any proposed rule. Requires agencies to provide the Chief Counsel with: (1) all materials prepared or utilized in making the proposed rule, and (2) information on the potential adverse and beneficial economic impacts of the proposed rule on small entities.

(Sec. 7) Modifies requirements for the periodic review of agency rules affecting small entities to require publication of a plan for review and placement of such plan on the agency website not later than 180 days after the enactment of this Act.

(Sec. 8) Provides for judicial review of an agency final rule for compliance with RFA requirements after publication of such rule.

(Sec. 9) Amends the federal judicial code to grant exclusive jurisdiction to the U.S. Courts of Appeals to review all final rules promulgated by the SBA Chief Counsel for Advocacy governing agency compliance with the RFA.

(Sec. 10) Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the SBA Chief Counsel for Advocacy to specify detailed definitions or standards by which a business may be determined to be a small business (size standard) for purposes of all enactments other than the Small Business Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (for which only the Administrator is authorized to specify small business size standards). Allows a party seeking judicial review of a rule that includes a definition or size standard approved by the Chief Counsel for Advocacy to join the Chief Counsel as a party in an action for such review.

(Sec. 12) Amends the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 to require federal agencies, in developing small entity compliance guides, to solicit input from affected small entities or associations of small entities.

(Sec. 13) Requires the Comptroller General, not later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act, to complete and publish a study that examines whether the SBA Chief Counsel for Advocacy has the capacity and resources to carry out the duties of Chief Counsel under this Act.

regulatory flexibility improvements act sec amends regulatory flexibility act rfa revise definition rule act exclude rule pertaining protection rights benefits veterans rule particular general applicability relating rates wages financial indicators define economic impact respect proposed final rule direct economic effect small entities rule indirect economic effect small entities reasonably foreseeable results rule includes tribal organizations definition small governmental jurisdictions purposes act requires initial final regulatory flexibility analyses describe alternatives proposed rule minimize adverse significant economic impact maximize beneficial significant economic impact small entities include revisions amendments land management plan developed secretary agriculture secretary interior specified acts expands applicability rfa interpretive rules involving internal revenue laws impose recordkeeping requirement regard requirement imposed statute regulation defines small organization purposes rfa sec requires federal agency include regulatory flexibility agenda brief description sector north_american_industrial_classification_system affected proposed agency rule likely significant economic impact substantial number small entities sec requires detailed statement initial regulatory flexibility analysis include estimate additional cumulative economic impact proposed rule small entities description disproportionate economic impact small entities specific class entities requires agency developing initial final regulatory flexibility analysis provide quantifiable numerical description effects proposed final rule alternatives rule general descriptive statement detailed statement explaining quantification practicable reliable sec repeals provisions allowing waiver delay completion initial regulatory flexibility analysis requires chief counsel advocacy small_business_administration sba issue rules governing federal agency compliance rfa requirements authorizes chief counsel modify amend rules intervene agency adjudication relating rules inform agency impact rulemaking small entities sec revises requirements agency notification sba chief counsel advocacy prior publication proposed rule requires agencies provide chief counsel materials prepared utilized making proposed rule information potential adverse beneficial economic impacts proposed rule small entities sec modifies requirements periodic review agency rules affecting small entities require publication plan review placement plan agency website later days enactment act sec judicial review agency final rule compliance rfa requirements publication rule sec amends federal judicial code grant exclusive jurisdiction review final rules promulgated sba chief counsel advocacy governing agency compliance rfa sec amends small_business_act authorize sba chief counsel advocacy specify detailed definitions standards business determined small business size standard purposes enactments small business act small_business_investment_act administrator authorized specify small business size standards allows party seeking judicial review rule includes definition size standard approved chief counsel advocacy join chief counsel party action review sec amends small_business_regulatory_enforcement fairness act require federal agencies developing small entity compliance guides solicit input affected small entities associations small entities sec requires comptroller general later days enactment act complete publish study examines sba chief counsel advocacy capacity resources carry duties chief counsel act


Summary: Cost-Benefit and Regulatory Transparency Enhancement Act of 2013 - Requires the head of a federal agency, after completing any cost-benefit or regulatory impact analysis used to promulgate rules or guidelines or to determine administrative actions, to: (1) submit to relevant congressional committees a report on the result of and methods used to calculate the cost-benefit or regulatory impact analysis, and (2) publish such report in the Federal Register.

cost benefit regulatory transparency enhancement act requires head federal agency completing cost benefit regulatory impact analysis promulgate rules guidelines determine administrative actions submit relevant congressional committees report result methods calculate cost benefit regulatory impact analysis publish report federal_register


Summary: Stay in Place, Cut the Waste Act of 2013 - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to: (1) review and report on the extent to which federal agencies have reduced travel expenses by the use of video conferencing pursuant to Executive Order 13589 and OMB Memorandum 12-12-12; (2) develop a plan for fiscal years beginning with FY2017 to use video conferencing to achieve the lesser of a 50% reduction in federal agency travel expenses below FY2013 levels, or the greatest reduction in such expenses that the Director considers feasible; and (3) rescind amounts made available for travel expenses that are proposed for reduction under this Act.

stay place cut waste act requires director office_of_management_and_budget omb review report extent federal agencies reduced travel expenses use video conferencing pursuant executive order omb memorandum develop plan fiscal years beginning fy2017 use video conferencing achieve lesser reduction federal agency travel expenses fy2013 levels greatest reduction expenses director considers feasible rescind amounts available travel expenses proposed reduction act


Summary:
FCC "ABCs" Act of 2013 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in the case of a proposed or final rule (including a proposed or final amendment to an existing rule) that may have an economically significant impact, to include in the notice a cost-benefit analysis demonstrating that the benefits outweigh the costs, recognizing that some benefits and costs are difficult to quantify.

Defines "economically significant impact" as an effect on the economy of at least $100 million annually or a material adverse effect on the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities.

Prohibits any appropriations for the express purpose of carrying out such analysis and notice requirements.

Directs the FCC to presume, absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, that: (1) forbearance requirements are met when determining whether to forbear from applying any regulation or provision under such Act to a telecommunications carrier, service, or class; and (2) regulations considered in each biennial regulatory review are no longer necessary in the public interest as the result of meaningful economic competition between providers of telecommunications service.

fcc act amends communications act direct federal_communications_commission fcc case proposed final rule including proposed final amendment existing rule economically significant impact include notice cost benefit analysis demonstrating benefits outweigh costs recognizing benefits costs difficult quantify defines economically significant impact effect economy million annually material adverse effect economy sector economy productivity competition jobs environment public health safety state local tribal governments communities prohibits appropriations express purpose carrying analysis notice requirements directs fcc presume absent clear convincing evidence contrary forbearance requirements met determining applying regulation provision act telecommunications carrier service class regulations considered biennial regulatory review longer necessary public interest result meaningful economic competition providers telecommunications service


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

Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2013 - Amends the sanctions provisions in Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to require the court to impose an appropriate sanction on any attorney, law firm, or party that has violated, or is responsible for the violation of, the rule with regard to representations to the court. Requires any sanction to compensate parties injured by the conduct in question.

Removes a provision that prohibits filing a motion for sanctions if the challenged paper, claim, defense, contention, or denial is withdrawn or appropriately corrected within 21 days after service or within another time the court sets.

Authorizes the court to impose additional sanctions, including striking the pleadings, dismissing the suit, nonmonetary directives, or penalty payments if warranted for effective deterrence.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated lawsuit abuse reduction act amends sanctions provisions rule federal_rules_of_civil_procedure require court impose appropriate sanction attorney law firm party violated responsible violation rule regard representations court requires sanction compensate parties injured conduct question removes provision prohibits filing motion sanctions challenged paper claim defense contention denial withdrawn appropriately corrected days service time court sets authorizes court impose additional sanctions including striking pleadings dismissing suit nonmonetary directives penalty payments warranted effective deterrence


Summary:
Government Transformation Act - Establishes the Commission on Government Transformation. Directs the Commission to: (1) review work done by governmental and non-governmental entities and conduct research on the organizational practices, operations, and reform efforts of federal agencies; (2) analyze organizational practices and management challenges of federal agencies; (3) assess federal programs for economy, efficiency, and effectiveness and identify best practices; (4) upon request, provide information on Commission activities to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), other federal agency heads, and the Office of Inspector General of each federal agency; and (5) serve as a repository for best practices for federal agencies. Requires the Commission to make interim and annual reports on its activities to the President and Congress and make such reports available to the public.

Provides for expedited congressional consideration of legislation to implement recommendations of the Commission.

government transformation act establishes commission government transformation directs commission review work governmental non governmental entities conduct research organizational practices operations reform efforts federal agencies analyze organizational practices management challenges federal agencies assess federal programs economy efficiency effectiveness identify best practices request provide information commission activities government_accountability_office gao congressional_budget_office cbo office_of_management_and_budget omb federal agency heads office_of_inspector_general federal agency serve repository best practices federal agencies requires commission interim annual reports activities president congress reports available public provides expedited congressional consideration legislation implement recommendations commission


Summary: Requires the head of a federal agency who is hosting a conference or sending an agency employee to a conference to submit to Congress, not later than 30 days before the conference, a report that includes: (1) an itemized statement of the cost of attending the conference, (2) the total cost to the agency hosting the conference, (3) the names of keynote speakers, (4) a list of conference attendees, (5) the location of the conference, (6) a summary of the purposes and goals of the conference, and (7) a conference itinerary. Defines "conference" as a meeting, retreat, seminar, symposium, training, or other event that involves travel for 50 or more attendees.

requires head federal agency hosting conference sending agency employee conference submit congress later days conference report includes itemized statement cost attending conference total cost agency hosting conference names speakers list conference attendees location conference summary purposes goals conference conference itinerary defines conference meeting retreat seminar training event involves travel attendees


Summary:
Stop Paying Something for Nothing Act of 2013 - Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), by March 31 of each year, to report to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House and Senate Budget Committees on: (1) each grant account exceeding three months past the grant end date; and (2) the total unexpended balance, the amount of obligated but unexpended funds, and the amount of unobligated funds in each such account for each agency. Requires the report to be made public on the OMB website.

Requires rescission and return to the Tresury general fund, on the date of the report's submittal, of any unobligated amounts in an expired grant account not listed in the report.

Requires the head of the relevant agency, within four months after a grant account is published on the OMB website, to close that grant account in the Payment Management System if the final report required by OMB Circular No. A-110 was filed more than 36 months before such date. Rescinds the unobligated amounts in such grant account and requires their return to the general fund.

Requires an agency to close any grant account in the System that has no unexpended balance remaining for the previous six months and, by June 15 of each year, report to the Chairs and Ranking Members on each closed account.

Authorizes OMB to prevent the closure of an account only after submitting to the Chairs and Ranking Members a report describing the reason for not closing the account.

stop paying act requires director office_of_management_and_budget omb march year report chairs ranking members house senate_budget_committees grant account exceeding months past grant end date total unexpended balance obligated unexpended funds unobligated funds account agency requires report public omb website requires rescission return general fund date report submittal unobligated amounts expired grant account listed report requires head relevant agency months grant account published omb website close grant account final report required filed months date rescinds unobligated amounts grant account requires return general fund requires agency close grant account system unexpended balance remaining previous months june year report chairs ranking members closed account authorizes omb prevent closure account submitting chairs ranking members report describing reason closing account


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

OPM IG Act - Authorizes funding for the cost of audits, investigations, and oversight activities conducted by the Inspector General of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) of the OPM revolving fund and activities financed by the fund. Requires OPM to include in its budget submission an estimate by the Inspector General of the amount required to pay the expenses to audit, investigate, and provide other oversight activities with respect to the revolving fund.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated opm act authorizes funding cost audits investigations oversight activities conducted opm revolving fund activities financed fund requires opm include budget submission estimate inspector_general required pay expenses audit investigate provide oversight activities respect revolving fund


Summary: Fair and Independent Redistricting (Fair) Act - Directs the Election Assistance Commission to: (1) publish a report containing best practice recommendations that states may use in establishing and operating independent commissions to develop congressional redistricting plans, and (2) ensure that the report is available to the public online.

fair fair act directs election_assistance_commission publish report containing best practice recommendations states use establishing operating independent commissions develop congressional redistricting plans ensure report available public online


Summary: One In, Two Out Act - Prohibits a federal agency from: (1) issuing a new rule unless such agency has repealed two or more existing rules that impose a cost or responsibility on a nongovernmental person or state or local government and that are, to the extent practicable, related to the new rule; or (2) issuing a major rule (generally, a rule that has an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more) unless such agency has repealed two or more rules that are related to such major rule and the cost of the new major rule is less than or equal to the cost of the rules being repealed. Requires any rule that is repealed to be published in the Federal Register.

act prohibits federal agency issuing new rule agency repealed existing rules impose cost responsibility nongovernmental person state local government extent practicable related new rule issuing major rule generally rule annual effect economy million agency repealed rules related major rule cost new major rule equal cost rules repealed requires rule repealed published federal_register