Summary:
United States Secret Service Accountability and Improvement Act of 2014 - Establishes in the legislative branch an independent advisory panel to: (1) examine the efficiency and effectiveness of the leadership structure, protocols, training, tools, and capabilities of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) mission to protect national leaders, visiting heads of state and government, designated sites, and special events of national significance; and (2) make recommendations to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the United States Secret Service.

Directs the panel to assess the current leadership structure, protocols, training, tools, and capabilities of the Service, including assessing:

 the unity of effort between the divisions of the Service, law enforcement agencies, and other components of DHS related to the protective and investigative missions; the impact of Service personnel culture on its effectiveness and efficiency; the impact any leadership or security deficiencies have on the threat from acts of terrorism or other security incidents; identification of all security breaches at locations under Service protection in the past five years; the extent to which current resources provide for accomplishing its mission, and the effectiveness of communications and dissemination of homeland security information within the Service and with other law enforcement entities in routine and emergency situations. Sets forth reporting requirements, including requiring the final report to identify lessons learned regarding Service leadership issues and to include recommendations for improving efficiency and effectiveness, improving unity of effort, eliminating barriers to effective communications, identifying and mitigating culture issues that detract from its mission, and mitigating risks based on past security breaches.

establishes legislative branch independent advisory panel examine efficiency effectiveness leadership structure protocols training tools capabilities department_of_homeland_security dhs mission protect national leaders visiting heads state government designated sites special events national significance recommendations improve overall efficiency effectiveness united_states_secret_service directs panel assess current leadership structure protocols training tools capabilities service including assessing unity effort divisions service law enforcement agencies components dhs related protective investigative missions impact service personnel culture effectiveness efficiency impact leadership security deficiencies threat acts terrorism security incidents identification security breaches locations service protection past years extent current resources provide accomplishing mission effectiveness communications dissemination homeland security information service law enforcement entities routine emergency situations sets forth reporting requirements including requiring final report identify lessons learned service leadership issues include recommendations improving efficiency effectiveness improving unity effort eliminating barriers effective communications identifying mitigating culture issues mission mitigating risks based past security breaches


Summary:
Report the Costs Act - Requires the annual reports of federal agency chief financial officers to include the cost of multilingual services provided or performed by federal agencies, including the cost of hiring interpreters and producing materials in a language other than English.

Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to: (1) include in its financial status management reports a Multilingual Services Expense Report, and (2) issue guidance for agency chief financial officers in compiling reports on the cost of multilingual services.

report costs act requires annual reports federal agency chief financial officers include cost multilingual services provided performed federal agencies including cost hiring interpreters producing materials language english requires office_of_management_and_budget omb include financial status management reports issue guidance agency chief financial officers compiling reports cost multilingual services


Summary:
Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act of 2014 - Establishes in the executive branch a Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking. Directs the Commission to conduct a comprehensive study of the data inventory, data infrastructure, and statistical protocols related to federal policymaking and the statistical and programmatic agencies responsible for maintaining that data to:

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

Terminates the Commission not later than 18 months after enactment of this Act.

act establishes executive branch directs commission conduct comprehensive study data inventory data infrastructure statistical protocols related federal policymaking statistical programmatic agencies responsible maintaining data determine optimal arrangement administrative data federal programs tax expenditures related data series integrated available facilitate program evaluation policy relevant research cost benefit analyses qualified researchers institutions recommendations data infrastructure protocols modified best fulfill objectives recommendations best incorporate outcomes measurement randomized controlled trials rigorous impact analysis program design requires commission consider create clearinghouse program survey data later months enactment act


Summary:
Realign and Eliminate Duplicative Unnecessary Costly Excess in Government Act of 2014 or the REDUCE Government Act - Establishes the Federal Realignment and Closure Commission, which shall: (1) establish a systematic method for assessing the effectiveness and accountability of agency programs, excluding Department of Defense (DOD) programs; (2) divide the programs into three approximately equal budgetary groupings; (3) assess the effectiveness and accountability of all programs within a grouping in each of 2015, 2017, and 2019; and (4) by June 30 of each such year, submit a plan with recommendations of the agencies and programs that should be realigned or eliminated within the grouping assessed.

Requires the Commission to recommend: (1) the realignment of agencies or programs that are performing the same essential function that can be consolidated or streamlined into a single agency or program; and (2) the elimination of agencies or programs that have completed their intended purpose, have become irrelevant, or have failed to meet their objectives.  Authorizes the Commission to recommend the realignment or elimination of any agency or program that has wasted federal funds by: (1) spending funds on items outside its authorized mission, (2) mismanaging resources and personnel, or (3) using such funds for personal benefit or the benefit of a special interest group.

Requires the President: (1) by August 15 of each such year, to transmit a report containing the President's approval or disapproval of the Commission's plan and recommendations; (2) to transmit a copy of an approved plan and recommendations to Congress; and (3) to eliminate or realign  agencies and programs pursuant to such recommendations unless Congress enacts a resolution disapproving them.

Requires funds saved by implementation of such plan to be used for deficit reduction.

realign eliminate duplicative unnecessary costly excess government act reduce government act establishes shall establish systematic method assessing effectiveness accountability agency programs excluding department_of_defense dod programs divide programs approximately equal budgetary groupings assess effectiveness accountability programs grouping june year submit plan recommendations agencies programs realigned eliminated grouping assessed requires commission recommend realignment agencies programs performing essential function consolidated streamlined single agency program elimination agencies programs completed intended purpose irrelevant failed meet objectives authorizes commission recommend realignment elimination agency program wasted federal funds spending funds items outside authorized mission resources personnel funds personal benefit benefit special interest group requires president august year transmit report containing president approval disapproval commission plan recommendations transmit copy approved plan recommendations congress eliminate realign agencies programs pursuant recommendations congress enacts resolution disapproving requires funds saved implementation plan deficit reduction


Summary: Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act of 2014 - Requires the general notice of proposed rule making by a federal agency to include the Internet address of a plain-language summary, not exceeding 100 words, of the proposed rule, which shall be posted on the regulations.gov website.

providing accountability transparency act requires general notice proposed rule making federal agency include internet address plain language summary exceeding words proposed rule shall posted website


Summary:
Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act - Title I: Management of Information Technology within Federal Government - (Sec. 101) Requires the heads of the following agencies to ensure that their respective chief information officers (CIOs) have a significant role in information technology (IT) decisions, including annual and multi-year planning, programming, budgeting, execution, reporting, management, governance, and oversight functions:

 Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Commerce, Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Education, Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of the Interior, Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Labor, Department of State, Department of Transportation (DOT), Department of the Treasury, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), General Services Administration (GSA), National Science Foundation (NSF), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Small Business Administration (SBA), Social Security Administration, and military departments (Departments of the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force). Requires the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB's) annual information technology capital planning guidance to require such CIOs (excluding the military departments) to: (1) approve their agency's IT budget requests, (2) certify that IT investments adequately implement incremental development, and (3) ensure that all requested IT positions meet ongoing requirements.

Prohibits such agencies (including the military departments) from contracting for IT and requesting the reprogramming of IT funds without their CIO's review and approval. Allows agencies to approve contracts through an agency governance process if the CIO is included as a full participant.

Permits CIOs to delegate contract approval duties for OMB-defined non-major IT investments to an individual who reports directly to the CIO.

Requires CIOs (excluding the military departments) to approve the appointment of any other employee who functions in the capacity of a CIO for any component organization within the agency.

(Sec. 102) Sets forth requirements concerning OMB's risk management program for major IT investments.

Requires the OMB Director to make publicly available the cost, schedule, and performance data for each IT investment designated as major within specified agencies. Permits the Director to waive public availability requirements in the interest of national security.

 Requires CIOs and investment program managers of specified agencies to certify at least quarterly the accuracy and risks associated with such investments. Directs such CIOs to categorize the investment level of risk using specified cost and schedule risk rating factors.

Directs the OMB's Office of Electronic Government (commonly referred to as the Office of E-Government and Information Technology) to: (1) review each major IT investment that, for four consecutive quarters, receives a high risk rating; and (2) communicate to Congress the causes of the high risk level and the probability of future success.

Requires the Director, if an investment is still rated as high risk on the date that is one year after the completion of such review, to deny any request for additional development, modernization, or enhancement funding for such investment until the CIO certifies that: (1) the root causes have been addressed, and (2) there is sufficient capability to deliver the remaining planned increments within the planned cost and schedule.

Requires the OMB to expand an existing report to Congress concerning net program performance benefits resulting from major capital investments (made by executive agencies for information systems) to include an analysis of the trends reflected in performance risk data.

Terminates the provisions of this section five years after enactment of this Act.

(Sec. 103) Directs the GSA to develop a strategic sourcing initiative to enhance government-wide acquisition, shared use, and dissemination of software, as well as compliance with end user license agreements. Requires the GSA to allow the purchase of a license agreement that is available for use by all executive agencies as one user.

Title II: Portfolio Review and Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative - (Sec. 201) Requires the OMB, for the five-year period after enactment of this Act, to implement a process for agencies to review their IT investment portfolios to reduce duplication and waste, consolidate acquisition and management functions, and increase cost savings. Directs specified CIOs to review such portfolios annually and requires the Office of Electronic Government to report to Congress quarterly regarding cost savings and reductions in duplicative investments identified by such reviews.

(Sec. 202) Directs specified agencies to submit annually to the Administrator for the Office of E-Government and Information Technology (referred to above as the Office of Electronic Government): (1) a comprehensive inventory of data centers owned, operated, or maintained by or on behalf of the agency; and (2) a multi-year strategy to consolidate and optimize inventoried data centers. Requires such strategies to include performance metrics, timelines, and year-by-year calculations of investment and cost savings to measure progress toward meeting goals of the Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative (FDCCI) described in the OMB Memorandum on the Federal Data Center Consolidation Initiative, dated February 26, 2010.

Directs CIOs to update the Administrator quarterly regarding the progress of agencies implementing such strategies.

Requires the Administrator to: (1) establish requirements that agencies must meet to comply with such inventories and strategies, (2) make information regarding agencies' progress available to the public, (3) update annually the cumulative cost savings realized through implementation of the FDCCI, and (4) establish metrics applicable to the consolidation and optimization of data centers government-wide.

Directs the Administrator to develop, and make publicly available, a goal, broken down by year, for the amount of planned cost savings and optimization improvements achieved through the FDCCI. Requires the Administrator to submit such goal to Congress with an assessment broken down by agency.

Requires the Administrator, each year after the goal is made publicly available, to compare reported cost savings of each agency to goal projections.

Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to publish an annual report reviewing the quality and completeness of agency asset inventories and strategies.

Permits the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to waive the applicability to any element of the intelligence community of any provision of this section if the waiver is in the interest of national security. Requires the DNI to notify Congress of the reasons for any waiver.

Repeals this section on October 1, 2018.

reform act title management information technology sec requires heads following agencies ensure respective chief information officers significant role information technology decisions including annual multi year planning programming budgeting execution reporting management governance oversight functions department_of_agriculture usda department_of_commerce department_of_defense dod department_of_education department_of_energy doe department_of_health_and_human_services hhs department_of_homeland_security dhs department_of_housing_and_urban_development hud doj department_of_labor department_of_state department_of_transportation dot department_of_the_treasury department_of_veterans_affairs environmental_protection_agency epa national_aeronautics_and_space_administration nasa international_development usaid general_services_administration gsa national_science_foundation nsf nuclear_regulatory_commission nrc office_of_personnel_management opm small_business_administration sba social_security_administration military departments navy air_force requires office_of_management_and_budget omb annual information technology capital planning guidance require excluding military departments approve agency budget requests certify investments adequately implement incremental development ensure requested positions meet ongoing requirements prohibits agencies including military departments contracting requesting reprogramming funds cio review approval allows agencies approve contracts agency governance process cio included participant permits delegate contract approval duties omb defined non major investments individual reports directly cio requires excluding military departments approve appointment employee functions capacity cio component organization agency sec sets forth requirements concerning omb risk management program major investments requires omb director publicly available cost schedule performance data investment designated major specified agencies permits director waive public availability requirements interest national security requires investment program managers specified agencies certify quarterly accuracy risks associated investments directs categorize investment level risk specified cost schedule risk rating factors directs omb office_of_electronic_government commonly referred review major investment consecutive quarters receives high risk rating communicate congress causes high risk level probability future success requires director investment rated high risk date year completion review deny request additional development modernization enhancement funding investment cio certifies root causes addressed sufficient capability deliver remaining planned increments planned cost schedule requires omb expand existing report congress concerning net program performance benefits resulting major capital investments executive agencies information systems include analysis trends reflected performance risk data terminates provisions section years enactment act sec directs gsa develop strategic sourcing initiative enhance government wide acquisition shared use dissemination software compliance end user license agreements requires gsa allow purchase license agreement available use executive agencies user title portfolio review sec requires omb year period enactment act implement process agencies review investment portfolios reduce duplication waste consolidate acquisition management functions increase cost savings directs specified review portfolios annually requires office_of_electronic_government report congress quarterly cost savings reductions duplicative investments identified reviews sec directs specified agencies submit annually administrator referred office_of_electronic_government comprehensive inventory data centers owned operated maintained behalf agency multi year strategy consolidate optimize inventoried data centers requires strategies include performance metrics timelines year year calculations investment cost savings measure progress meeting goals described omb memorandum dated february directs update administrator quarterly progress agencies implementing strategies requires administrator establish requirements agencies meet comply inventories strategies information agencies progress available public update annually cumulative cost savings realized implementation establish metrics applicable consolidation optimization data centers government wide directs administrator develop publicly available goal broken year planned cost savings optimization improvements achieved requires administrator submit goal congress assessment broken agency requires administrator year goal publicly available compare reported cost savings agency goal projections directs comptroller general gao publish annual report reviewing quality completeness agency asset inventories strategies permits director national_intelligence dni waive applicability element intelligence community provision section waiver interest national security requires dni notify congress reasons waiver repeals section october


Summary:
Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2013 or the REINS Act - States that the purpose of this Act is to increase accountability for and transparency in the federal regulatory process.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Summary:
Regulatory Responsibility for our Economy Act of 2013 - Sets forth general requirements for the federal regulatory system, including the protection of public health, welfare, safety, and the environment, the promotion of predictability in the regulatory process, and the consideration of benefits and costs of regulations.

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

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

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


Summary: Establishes the Senate Committee to Reduce Government Waste to: (1) research, review, and study federal programs that are underperforming or nonessential; (2) determine which ones should be modified or eliminated; and (3) recommend to the Senate actions designed to modify or eliminate them, including legislation.

establishes senate_committee reduce government waste research review study federal programs underperforming nonessential determine ones modified eliminated recommend senate actions designed modify eliminate including legislation


Summary:
Fair Access to Science and Technology Research Act of 2013 - Requires each federal agency with extramural research expenditures of over $100 million to develop a federal research public access policy, following common procedures for the collection and depositing of research papers, that is consistent with, and that advances, the purposes of the agency.

Makes each federal research public access policy applicable to: (1) researchers employed by the federal agency whose works remain in the public domain, and (2) researchers funded by the agency. Specifies exclusions.

Requires each federal agency to submit an annual report on its federal research public access policy to specified congressional committees.

research act requires federal agency extramural research expenditures million develop federal research public access policy following common procedures collection depositing research papers consistent advances purposes agency makes federal research public access policy applicable researchers employed federal agency works remain public domain researchers funded agency specifies exclusions requires federal agency submit annual report federal research public access policy specified congressional committees


Summary:
Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to determine: (1) the number of civilian vehicles purchased and leased by each executive agency in FY2010, (2) the total dollar amount obligated by each executive agency to purchase and to lease civilian vehicles in FY2010, and (3) the amount that would be 20% less than such total dollar amount. Prohibits each executive agency from obligating more than the reduced dollar amount for FY2010 to purchase and lease civilian vehicles in each of FY2013-FY2017. Exempts the purchase or procurement of any vehicle determined by the President to be essential for reasons of national security.

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

requires director office_of_management_and_budget omb determine number civilian vehicles purchased leased executive agency fy2010 total dollar obligated executive agency purchase lease civilian vehicles fy2010 total dollar prohibits executive agency obligating reduced dollar fy2010 purchase lease civilian vehicles fy2013 fy2017 exempts purchase procurement vehicle determined president essential reasons national security directs administrator general_services gsa ensure agencies share excess unused vehicles temporary long term use


Summary:
Financial Regulatory Responsibility Act of 2013 - Prohibits a federal financial regulatory agency from issuing notices of proposed or final rulemakings unless specified analyses have been included in them.

Prohibits an agency from publishing a notice of final rulemaking if it determines that the quantified costs are greater than the quantified benefits.

Requires an agency to make available on its public website sufficient information about the data, methodologies, and assumptions underlying its analyses so that its analytical results are capable of being substantially reproduced.

Requires the chief economist of an agency, within five years after publication in the Federal Register of a notice of final rulemaking, to report to certain congressional committees on the economic impact of the subject regulation, including its direct and indirect costs and benefits.

Requires each federal agency to develop, report to certain congressional committees, and post on its public website a plan to modify, streamline, expand, or repeal existing regulations so as to make the agency's regulatory program more effective or less burdensome in achieving its regulatory objectives.

Authorizes judicial review for a person adversely affected or aggrieved by a regulation.

Establishes the Chief Economists Council to report to certain congressional committees on activities of the financial regulatory agencies.

Requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to report separately to certain congressional committees their plans for subjecting to the requirements of this Act the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board, and registered national securities associations on the one hand, and registered futures associations on the other.

financial regulatory responsibility act prohibits federal financial regulatory agency issuing notices proposed final rulemakings specified analyses included prohibits agency publishing notice final rulemaking determines costs greater benefits requires agency available public website sufficient information data methodologies assumptions underlying analyses analytical results capable substantially requires chief economist agency years publication federal_register notice final rulemaking report certain congressional committees economic impact subject regulation including direct indirect costs benefits requires federal agency develop report certain congressional committees post public website plan modify streamline expand repeal existing regulations agency regulatory program effective burdensome achieving regulatory objectives authorizes judicial review person adversely affected aggrieved regulation establishes chief council report certain congressional committees activities financial regulatory agencies requires securities_and_exchange_commission sec commodity_futures_trading_commission cftc report separately certain congressional committees plans subjecting requirements act public_company_accounting_oversight_board municipal_securities_rulemaking_board registered national securities associations hand registered futures associations


Summary: Declares that if, by 45 days after a state Bureau of Land Management (BLM) office has submitted a Federal Register notice to the Washington, DC, office of the BLM for review by the Department of the Interior, the review has not been completed: (1) the notice shall consider to be approved, and (2) the state BLM office shall immediately forward the notice to the Federal Register for publication.

declares days state bureau_of_land_management blm office submitted federal_register notice washington office blm review department_of_the_interior review completed notice shall consider approved state blm office shall immediately forward notice federal_register publication


Summary: Requires the Secretary of Commerce, in conducting any survey relating to the Census, to include in instructions for completing any such survey that participation in the survey is optional, except that survey respondents must provide their names, contract information, the date of response, and the number of people living or staying at the same addresses where the respondents reside. Prohibits any person participating in a survey from being fined or otherwise compelled to answer questions in connection with the survey (except for the basic questions permitted by this Act).

requires secretary commerce conducting survey relating census include instructions completing survey participation survey optional survey respondents provide names contract information date response number people living staying addresses respondents reside prohibits person participating survey fined compelled answer questions connection survey basic questions permitted act


Summary: Regulation Costs to America Act - Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to: (1) conduct an annual study of the total costs of federal regulations; and (2) report to Congress on the findings, including an estimate of the total annual costs of federal regulations by agency.

regulation costs america act directs comptroller general gao conduct annual study total costs federal regulations report congress findings including estimate total annual costs federal regulations agency


Summary:
Capital Construction Fund Penalty Relief Act - Permits any person who entered into a capital construction fund agreement (an agreement to provide replacement vessels, additional vessels, or reconstructed vessels) with respect to certain vessels operated in the fisheries of the United States to make an election to terminate the capital construction fund established under such agreement.

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prescribe requirements regarding the effect of such an election, including the distribution and taxation of such funds, on individuals and entities.

penalty relief act permits person entered capital construction fund agreement agreement provide replacement vessels additional vessels reconstructed vessels respect certain vessels operated fisheries united_states election terminate capital construction fund established agreement amends internal revenue code prescribe requirements effect election including distribution taxation funds individuals entities


Summary:
Accountability for Veterans Act of 2013 - Requires that, whenever the head of the Department of Defense (DOD), the Social Security Administration, or the National Archives and Records Administration (agency head) receives a request from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) for information necessary to adjudicate a veterans' benefit claim, the agency head shall, within 30 days, either: (1) furnish such information; or (2) submit an explanation for not being able to furnish such information, as well as an estimate of when the agency head will be able to furnish such information. Provides for the continuous resubmission of, and required response to, requests not acted upon within the original or estimated period. Requires the Secretary to notify the appropriate claimant of each request made and explanation and estimate received.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) keep records of the information requested and the time it takes to receive responses, and (2) submit semiannually to the congressional veterans committees a summary of such records.

accountability veterans act requires head department_of_defense dod social_security_administration national_archives_and_records_administration agency head receives request secretary veterans_affairs information necessary adjudicate veterans benefit claim agency head shall days furnish information submit explanation able furnish information estimate agency head able furnish information provides continuous required response requests acted original estimated period requires secretary notify appropriate claimant request explanation estimate received directs secretary records information requested time takes receive responses submit semiannually congressional veterans committees summary records


Summary:
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: (1) the rights of private persons other than the person bringing the action; or (2) a state, local, or tribal government. Defines a "covered consent decree" or a "covered settlement agreement" as: (1) a consent decree or settlement agreement entered into a covered civil action, and (2) any other consent decree or settlement agreement that requires agency action relating to such a regulatory action that affects the rights of such persons or governments.

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

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

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

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

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


Summary:
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 Chief Performance 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 Performance Improvement Officer for each agency to collect information from customers of the agency regarding the quality of customer service provided; and (3) the Director to include agency achievements in meeting such standards and customer service performance measures in each required update on agency performance.

Requires: (1) the Director to establish a two-year Service Improvement Unit Pilot Program to provide assistance to agencies that do not meet such government-wide standards, and (2) 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 regarding its employees who are retiring and pending applications for retirement benefits, (2) establish a timetable for completion of OPM's retirement systems modernization project and a deadline by which all federal payroll processing entities will electronically transmit all personnel data to OPM, and (3) include in each annual budget request a statement on OPM's progress in completing such project and resources needed to implement it.

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 chief performance officer executive agency establish customer service standards accordance government wide standards shall included agency performance plans performance improvement officer agency collect information customers agency quality customer service provided director include agency achievements meeting standards customer service performance measures required update agency performance requires director establish year service improvement unit pilot program provide assistance agencies meet government wide 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 retirement systems modernization project deadline federal payroll processing entities electronically transmit personnel data opm include annual budget request statement opm progress completing project resources needed implement


Summary:
Directs the Comptroller General (GAO), beginning on or before December 31, 2013, and annually thereafter for the following five years, to prepare a report to aid Congress in monitoring and measuring the effects of a series of reforms by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) intended to promote the availability and affordability of broadband service throughout the United States.

Requires such report to include measurements, statistics, and metrics with respect to:

 the implementation progress on the reforms adopted in the FCC's Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted on October 27, 2011; any effects of such reforms on retail end-user rates for local voice telephony, interconnected VoIP (voice over Internet Protocol), long distance voice, mobile wireless voice, bundles of voice telephony or VoIP, fixed broadband Internet access, and mobile broadband Internet access services; any disparities or trends with respect to the relative average (such as per consumer) retail rates charged for each service to residential and business consumers located in rural and urban areas as well as between incumbent local exchange carriers subject to price cap regulation and those subject to rate-of-return regulation; any effects on average fixed and mobile broadband Internet access speeds available to residential and business consumers as well as speed disparities between rural and urban areas; any effects on the magnitude and pace of investments in broadband-capable networks in rural areas, including investments financed by the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Utilities Service under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, and investment disparities between rural and urban areas; any disparities or trends with respect to the magnitude and pace of investments in broadband-capable networks in areas served by carriers subject to price cap regulation and areas served by carriers subject to rate-of-return regulation; any effects on adoption of broadband Internet access services by end users; and any effects on state universal service funds or initiatives, including carrier-of-last-resort requirements.

directs comptroller_general gao beginning december annually following years prepare report aid congress monitoring measuring effects series reforms federal_communications_commission fcc intended promote availability affordability broadband service united_states requires report include measurements statistics metrics respect implementation progress reforms adopted fcc report order notice proposed rulemaking adopted october effects reforms retail end user rates local voice telephony interconnected voip voice internet protocol long distance voice mobile wireless voice bundles voice telephony voip fixed broadband internet access mobile broadband internet access services disparities trends respect relative average consumer retail rates charged service residential business consumers located rural urban areas incumbent local exchange carriers subject price cap regulation subject rate return regulation effects average fixed mobile broadband internet access available residential business consumers speed disparities rural urban areas effects magnitude pace investments broadband capable networks rural areas including investments financed department_of_agriculture usda rural_utilities_service rural electrification act investment disparities rural urban areas disparities trends respect magnitude pace investments broadband capable networks areas served carriers subject price cap regulation areas served carriers subject rate return regulation effects adoption broadband internet access services end users effects state universal service funds initiatives including carrier resort requirements


Summary:
Restoring Integrity to our Government Act - Prohibits a proposed significant regulatory action from being finalized unless it includes the reasons why the agency proposing it determined that it is a significant regulatory action.

Defines "significant regulatory action" as any regulatory action likely to result in a regulation that may: (1) have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities; (2) create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency; (3) materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligation of recipients thereof; (4) add to the national debt; or (5) raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in this Act.

restoring integrity government act prohibits proposed significant regulatory action finalized includes reasons agency proposing determined significant regulatory action defines significant regulatory action regulatory action likely result regulation annual effect economy million adversely affect material way economy sector economy productivity competition jobs environment public health safety state local tribal governments communities create inconsistency interfere action taken planned agency materially alter budgetary impact entitlements grants user fees loan programs rights obligation recipients thereof add national debt raise novel legal policy issues arising legal mandates president priorities principles set forth act


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on September 17, 2013. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Organization of American States Revitalization and Reform Act of 2013 - States that it is U.S. policy to: (1) promote democracy, the rule of law, and human rights in the Western Hemisphere; and (2) support the practices and principles expressed in the Charter of the Organization of American States, the American Declaration on the Rights and Duties of Man, the Inter-American Democratic Charter, and other fundamental instruments of democracy.

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Organization of American States (OAS) should be the primary multi-lateral diplomatic entity for regional dispute resolution and promotion of democratic governance; (2) the Summit of the Americas process should be formally and more effectively integrated into the work of the OAS, the Inter-American Development Bank, and other Members of the Joint Summit Working Group; (3) the OAS has historically accepted too many member state mandates creating unclear priorities and loss of institutional focus; and (4) it is in the interest of the United States and the OAS and its member states to move toward an assessed fee structure that assures financial sustainability and establishes, within five years, that no member state pays more than 50% of the organization's assessed fees.

Directs the Secretary of State to submit to Congress a multiyear strategy that: (1) leads to such assessed fee structure, (2) identifies a path toward the adoption of necessary reforms that prioritize the core competencies of the OAS, (3) outlines a results-based budgeting process to prioritize current and future mandates and transparent hiring and promotion practices, and (4) reflects the inputs and coordination from other executive branch agencies.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) carry out diplomatic engagement to build support for reforms and budgetary burden sharing among OAS member states and observers, and (2) promote donor coordination among OAS member states.

measure amended passed house september summary version repeated reform act 2013_-_states policy promote democracy rule law human rights western_hemisphere support practices principles expressed charter organization_of_american_states american declaration rights duties man inter american democratic charter fundamental instruments democracy expresses sense congress organization_of_american_states oas primary multi lateral diplomatic entity regional dispute resolution promotion democratic governance summit americas process formally effectively integrated work oas inter-american_development_bank members oas historically accepted member state mandates creating priorities loss institutional focus interest united_states oas member states assessed fee structure assures financial sustainability establishes years member state pays organization assessed fees directs secretary state submit congress multiyear strategy leads assessed fee structure identifies path adoption necessary reforms prioritize core competencies oas outlines results based budgeting process prioritize current future mandates transparent hiring promotion practices reflects inputs coordination executive branch agencies directs secretary carry diplomatic engagement build support reforms budgetary burden sharing oas member states observers promote donor coordination oas member states


Summary:
Plain Writing Act for Regulations of 2013 - Requires the head of each executive agency to: (1) implement a program for using plain writing in drafting agency regulations, (2) designate a senior official to oversee the implementation of plain writing requirements, (3) certify to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that each agency rule has been reviewed for compliance with such requirements, and (4) publish annual reports on agency compliance with such requirements on the agency's website.

Requires: (1) the Director of OMB to develop and issue guidance to agencies for implementing plain writing requirements and publish certifications of agency compliance with such requirements on the OMB's website, and (2) the Comptroller General (GAO) to report to Congress on the extent to which regulations are using plain writing and the impact of plain writing requirements on the rulemaking process.

Prohibits judicial review of compliance or noncompliance with any provision of this Act.

plain writing act regulations requires head executive agency implement program plain writing agency regulations designate senior official oversee implementation plain writing requirements certify director office_of_management_and_budget omb agency rule reviewed compliance requirements publish annual reports agency compliance requirements agency website requires director omb develop issue guidance agencies implementing plain writing requirements publish certifications agency compliance requirements omb website comptroller general gao report congress extent regulations plain writing impact plain writing requirements rulemaking process prohibits judicial review compliance noncompliance provision act


Summary:
Establishes the Office of the Inspector General (IG) of the Senate.

Requires the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate to appoint the first IG.

Limits the IG to an initial five-year term and two additional terms if reappointed.

Requires the IG to: (1) audit and investigate Senate programs and operations; (2) review legislation and regulations relating to Senate programs and operations, and make recommendations concerning their impact on the economy and efficiency in the administration of such programs and operations or the prevention and detection of fraud and abuse in them; and (3) keep the Committee on Rules and Administration and the Committee on Appropriations informed concerning fraud and other serious problems, abuses, and deficiencies relating to such administration and recommend corrective action.

Requires the Office to establish a publicly available website for posting its reports and audits, including a direct homepage link for individuals to report fraud, waste, and abuse without being required to disclose personally identifying information.

senate requires majority minority leaders senate appoint limits initial year term additional terms reappointed requires audit investigate senate programs operations review legislation regulations relating senate programs operations recommendations concerning impact economy efficiency administration programs operations prevention detection fraud abuse informed concerning fraud problems abuses deficiencies relating administration recommend corrective action requires office establish publicly available website posting reports audits including direct homepage link individuals report fraud waste abuse required disclose personally identifying information


Summary:
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 should be mindful of the potential impact upon the U.S. ability to attract foreign direct investment when evaluating proposed legislation; (3) it is a top national priority to enhance U.S. 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; (4) maintaining the U.S. commitment to open investment policy encourages other countries to do the same and enables the United States to open new markets abroad for U.S. companies and their products; and (5) U.S. policies regarding foreign direct investment should reflect national security interests and should not disadvantage domestic investors or companies.

 Directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct an interagency review of the U.S. global competitiveness in attracting foreign direct investment and report to Congress recommendations for making the United States more competitive in attracting foreign direct investment without undermining fundamental domestic labor, consumer, or environmental protections.

american jobs act expresses sense congress ability attract foreign direct investment directly linked long term economic prosperity global competitiveness security potential impact ability attract foreign direct investment evaluating proposed legislation national priority enhance 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 directs secretary commerce conduct interagency review global competitiveness attracting foreign direct investment report congress recommendations making united_states competitive attracting foreign direct investment undermining fundamental domestic labor consumer environmental protections


Summary:
Regulatory Accountability Act of 2013 - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to revise requirements for federal agency rulemaking by requiring agencies, in making a rule, to consider: (1) the legal authority under which a rule may be proposed, including whether rulemaking is required by statute or is within the discretion of the agency; (2) the nature and significance of the problem the agency intends to address; (3) whether existing federal laws or rules have created or contributed to the problem; (4) reasonable alternatives for a new rule; and (5) for any major rule or high-impact rule (generally defined as rules having an annual cost on the economy of $100 million or $1 billion or more, respectively), the potential costs and benefits associated with potential alternative rules.

Requires agencies that initiate a rulemaking that may result in a major rule or a high-impact rule to: (1) establish an electronic docket for that rulemaking, which may have a physical counterpart; and (2) publish a notice of initiation of rulemaking in the Federal Register.

Requires agencies issuing a rule to notify the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register which shall include: (1) a text of the proposed rule; (2) a summary of rulemaking considerations; and (3) for any major rule or high-impact rule, a preliminary determination that the benefits of the proposed rule justify its costs and a discussion of the costs and benefits of alternatives to the rule. Provides similar notice requirements when an agency adopts a final rule.

Expands agency requirements for allowing opportunities for public comment. Sets forth requirements for providing public hearings for high-impact and major rules and for petitioning for the issuance, amendment, or repeal of a rule. Requires agencies, in a rulemaking for a major rule or high-impact rule, to adopt the least costly rule considered that meets relevant statutory objectives.

Requires the Administrator to establish and update guidelines for the assessment of: (1) the costs and benefits of proposed and final rules, and (2) other economic issues and risk assessments that are relevant to rulemaking.

Revises the scope of judicial review to prohibit review of a determination of whether a rule is a major rule and to establish a substantial evidence standard for affirming agency rulemaking decisions.

Sets forth criteria for issuing major guidance (agency guidance that is likely to lead to an annual cost on the economy of $100 million or more, a major increase in cost or prices, or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or ability to compete).

regulatory accountability act amends administrative procedure act revise requirements federal agency rulemaking requiring agencies making rule consider legal authority rule proposed including rulemaking required statute discretion agency nature significance problem agency intends address existing federal laws rules created contributed problem reasonable alternatives new rule major rule high impact rule generally defined rules having annual cost economy million billion respectively potential costs benefits associated potential alternative rules requires agencies initiate rulemaking result major rule high impact rule establish electronic docket rulemaking physical counterpart publish notice initiation rulemaking federal_register requires agencies issuing rule notify administrator office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs office_of_management_and_budget omb publish notice proposed rulemaking federal_register shall include text proposed rule summary rulemaking considerations major rule high impact rule preliminary determination benefits proposed rule justify costs discussion costs benefits alternatives rule provides similar notice requirements agency adopts final rule expands agency requirements allowing opportunities public comment sets forth requirements providing public hearings high impact major rules petitioning issuance amendment repeal rule requires agencies rulemaking major rule high impact rule adopt costly rule considered meets relevant statutory objectives requires administrator establish update guidelines assessment costs benefits proposed final rules economic issues risk assessments relevant rulemaking revises scope judicial review prohibit review determination rule major rule establish substantial evidence standard agency rulemaking decisions sets forth criteria issuing major guidance agency guidance likely lead annual cost economy million major increase cost prices significant adverse effects competition employment investment productivity innovation ability compete


Summary: Protect America's Cities from Government Blacklist Act of 2013 - Prohibits a federal agency from establishing or implementing a policy that discourages or prohibits the selection of a location for travel, an event, a meeting, or a conference because the location is perceived to be a resort or vacation destination.

protect_america cities government act prohibits federal agency establishing implementing policy discourages prohibits selection location travel event meeting conference location perceived resort vacation destination


Summary:
Reengaging Americans in Serious Education by Uniting Programs Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to award competitive, renewable, five-year grants to eligible partnerships to assist them in providing disconnected youth with the support needed to: (1) attain a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent; (2) attain a postsecondary credential, including those offered by institutions of higher education, industry groups, or registered apprenticeship programs; and (3) secure and succeed in a family-supporting career.

Requires each eligible partnership to consist of entities or individuals qualified to represent the community assisted, including: (1) the head of the local government, (2) a local educational agency, (3) a local workforce system, (4) a representative from certain state and local service agencies serving young people, (5) an institution of higher education, (6) a representative of a community-based organization, (7) a representative from business or industry, (8) a representative with expertise in labor management relations, and (9) a disconnected youth and his or her caregivers.

Requires grantees to award subgrants and contracts to community-based organizations and other entities for the provision of a comprehensive array of coordinated services to disconnected youth that include workforce preparation, education support, and youth support services.

Directs the Secretary to award planning grants to eligible partnerships to enable them to submit competitive applications for grants to support disconnected youth.

Establishes an accountability system for measuring the performance of each grantee against specified interim, transitional, and long-term indicators of success.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) award a grant or contract to an entity outside the Department of Labor for an evaluation of grant-assisted activities; (2) disseminate best practices that emerge from the partnership grant program; and (3) provide training, technical assistance, and professional development for organizations serving disconnected youth, including organizations that do not receive funding under this Act.

americans education uniting programs act directs secretary labor award competitive renewable year grants eligible partnerships assist providing disconnected youth support needed attain secondary school diploma recognized equivalent attain postsecondary credential including offered institutions higher education industry groups registered apprenticeship programs secure succeed family supporting career requires eligible partnership consist entities individuals qualified represent community assisted including head local government local educational agency local workforce system representative certain state local service agencies serving young people institution higher education representative community based organization representative business industry representative expertise labor management relations disconnected youth caregivers requires grantees award subgrants contracts community based organizations entities provision comprehensive array coordinated services disconnected youth include workforce preparation education support youth support services directs secretary award planning grants eligible partnerships enable submit competitive applications grants support disconnected youth establishes accountability system measuring performance grantee specified interim transitional long term indicators success directs secretary award grant contract entity outside department_of_labor evaluation grant assisted activities disseminate best practices emerge partnership grant program provide training technical assistance professional development organizations serving disconnected youth including organizations receive funding act


Summary:
Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act of 2013 - Authorizes the President to require an independent regulatory agency to: (1) comply, to the extent permitted by law, with regulatory analysis requirements applicable to other federal agencies; (2) publish and provide the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs with an assessment of the costs and benefits of a proposed or final economically significant rule (i.e., a rule that is likely to have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more and is likely to adversely affect sectors of the economy in a material way) and an assessment of costs and benefits of alternatives to the rule; and (3) submit to the Administrator for review any proposed or final economically significant rule.

Prohibits judicial review of the compliance or noncompliance of an independent regulatory agency with the requirements of this Act.

analysis act authorizes president require independent regulatory agency comply extent permitted law regulatory analysis requirements applicable federal agencies publish provide administrator office_of_information_and_regulatory_affairs assessment costs benefits proposed final economically significant rule rule likely annual effect economy million likely adversely affect sectors economy material way assessment costs benefits alternatives rule submit administrator review proposed final economically significant rule prohibits judicial review compliance noncompliance independent regulatory agency 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:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on September 25, 2013. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Security Clearance Oversight and Reform Enhancement 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 functions financed by the fund. Requires OPM to include in its budget an estimate by the OPM Inspector General of the amount required to pay the reasonable expenses (not to exceed .33% of total budgetary authority) to audit, investigate, and perform other oversight activities related to the revolving fund.

measure amended reported senate september summary version repeated security clearance oversight reform enhancement act authorizes funding cost audits investigations oversight activities conducted opm revolving fund functions financed fund requires opm include budget estimate required pay reasonable expenses exceed total budgetary authority audit investigate perform oversight activities related revolving fund


Summary:
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.

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 of 2013 - Establishes the Government Transformation Commission as an independent commission. Directs the Commission to:

 make specific and actionable recommendations to congressional committees for legislative changes, including opportunities to increase efficiency and reduce government costs, proposals to reduce government expenditures and indebtedness and improve personnel management, and proposals to make the federal government more economical, efficient, and effective; make recommendations to the President for the elimination, consolidation, or improvement of federal programs and for reinvestment and opportunities for innovation in federal agencies; provide advice and recommendations to federal agencies to make programs more economical, efficient, and effective, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to improve and report on agency performance plans, and to Congress, OMB, and federal agencies on the design and implementation of significant new federal programs; provide a mechanism whereby federal employees, citizens, and other interested parties can offer ideas and recommendations for reviewing and improving federal programs; conduct research into best organization practices and government reform efforts and provide a repository for such information; develop and maintain criteria and a schedule for assessing federal agencies and programs; assess program evaluations; maintain the privacy and security of any data used by the Commission; and support requests made under the Freedom of Information Act. Requires the Commission to make interim and annual reports on its activities to the President and Congress.

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

Terminates the Commission seven years after the enactment of this Act.

government transformation act establishes government transformation commission independent commission directs commission specific actionable recommendations congressional committees legislative changes including opportunities increase efficiency reduce government costs proposals reduce government expenditures indebtedness improve personnel management proposals federal government economical efficient effective recommendations president elimination consolidation improvement federal programs reinvestment opportunities innovation federal agencies provide advice recommendations federal agencies programs economical efficient effective office_of_management_and_budget omb improve report agency performance plans congress omb federal agencies design implementation significant new federal programs provide mechanism federal employees citizens interested parties offer ideas recommendations reviewing improving federal programs conduct research best organization practices government reform efforts provide repository information develop maintain criteria schedule assessing federal agencies programs assess program evaluations maintain privacy security data commission support requests freedom information act requires commission interim annual reports activities president congress provides expedited congressional consideration legislation implement recommendations commission seven years enactment act


Summary:
Conference Accountability Act of 2014 - Prohibits a federal agency from paying the travel expenses for more than 50 employees stationed in the United States to attend any conference (defined as a meeting, retreat, seminar, symposium, or event that involves attendee travel) occurring outside the United States, unless the Deputy Secretary and the Chief Financial Officer of the agency submits to Congress before the conference a written certification that attendance for such employees is in the national interest.

Requires each agency to post on its public website, for five years, quarterly reports, in a searchable electronic format, on each conference that was held during the preceding three months for which the agency paid more than $50,000. Requires each report to include:

 the itemized expenses paid by the agency, including travel expenses, the cost of scouting for and selecting the location of the conference, and any agency expenditures to otherwise support the conference; the primary sponsor, location, and dates of the conference; for conferences for which the agency was the primary sponsor, a statement that justifies the location selected, demonstrates the cost efficiency of the location, and provides a cost benefit analysis of holding a conference as opposed to conducting a teleconference or other means of remote communication; an explanation of how the conference advanced the mission of the agency; the pay grade of any federal employee or other individual whose travel expenses or other conference expenses were paid by the agency; the total number of individuals whose travel expenses or other conference expenses were paid by the agency; detailed information on any presentation made by a federal employee at the conference; and information on any financial support or other assistance from a foundation or other non-federal source used to pay or defray the costs of the conference, with a certification that such assistance posed no conflict of interest. Exempts from such reporting requirement: (1) information on travel or conference expenses involving military combat, the training or deployment of members of the Armed Forces, or other similar expenses; or (2) scientific or medical research presented by a federal employee at a conference that was previously unpublished.

Authorizes an agency head to exclude information, expenses, and materials from a report on its conferences only if the agency head determines that the inclusion of such information would undermine national security, international diplomacy, health and safety inspections, law enforcement, or site visits required for oversight or investigatory purposes.

Prohibits any agency from paying more than $500,000 to support a single conference unless the head of the agency and its Chief Financial Officer submits to Congress, before the conference, a written certification that the conference is in the national interest. Requires such certification to include: (1) an estimate of the total cost of the conference, (2) the dates of the conference, (3) an estimate of the number of full-time agency employees attending the conference, (4) any costs associated with planning for the conference, and (5) an explanation of how the conference advances the mission of the agency.

Prohibits an agency from establishing or implementing a policy that discourages or prohibits the selection of a location for travel, an event, a meeting, or a conference because the location is perceived to be a resort or vacation destination.

conference accountability act prohibits federal agency paying travel expenses employees stationed united_states attend conference defined meeting retreat seminar event involves travel occurring outside united_states deputy secretary chief financial officer agency submits congress conference written certification attendance employees national interest requires agency post public website years quarterly reports searchable electronic format conference held preceding months agency paid requires report include itemized expenses paid agency including travel expenses cost selecting location conference agency expenditures support conference primary sponsor location dates conference conferences agency primary sponsor statement justifies location selected demonstrates cost efficiency location provides cost benefit analysis holding conference opposed conducting means remote communication explanation conference advanced mission agency pay grade federal employee individual travel expenses conference expenses paid agency total number individuals travel expenses conference expenses paid agency detailed information presentation federal employee conference information financial support assistance foundation non federal source pay defray costs conference certification assistance posed conflict interest exempts reporting requirement information travel conference expenses involving military combat training deployment members armed_forces similar expenses scientific medical research presented federal employee conference previously authorizes agency head exclude information expenses materials report conferences agency head determines inclusion information undermine national security international diplomacy health safety inspections law enforcement site visits required oversight investigatory purposes prohibits agency paying support single conference head agency chief financial officer submits congress conference written certification conference national interest requires certification include estimate total cost conference dates conference estimate number time agency employees attending conference costs associated planning conference explanation conference advances mission agency prohibits agency establishing implementing policy discourages prohibits selection location travel event meeting conference location perceived resort vacation destination


Summary:
Improper Payments Agency Cooperation Enhancement Act of 2014 - (Sec. 2) Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance Benefits) of the Social Security Act to direct the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) to: (1) provide information on all deceased individuals that is furnished to or maintained by the Commissioner, subject to appropriate safeguards against unauthorized use or disclosure, to federal or state agencies providing benefits or administering a federal program; and (2) provide for the use of such information by federal agencies to operate the Do Not Pay working system and to carry out tax administration or debt collection duties.

Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to analyze and report to Congress on potential alternative sources of death data maintained by non-federal sources.

(Sec. 3) Requires the Secretaries of State and Defense, in coordination with the SSA Commissioner, to establish a procedure for submitting to the Commissioner information on the deaths of individuals.

Requires the OMB Director to: (1) issue guidance to agencies that operate or maintain a database of information relating to beneficiaries, annuity recipients, or other purposes for which improved data matching with databases would be relevant and necessary; (2) develop a plan to assist states and local agencies, and Indian tribes and organizations, to provide information, in an electronic format, to the federal government on the deaths of individuals; and (3) submit to Congress a plan to improve data matching with the federal government on the death of individuals who are benefit recipients and to submit an annual report on the implementation of such requirements.

(Sec. 4) Extends the availability of the Do Not Pay Initiative to the legislative and judicial branches and to the states.

(Sec. 5) Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to report to Congress on: (1) data analytics performed as part of the Do Not Pay Initiative to prevent and recover improper and duplicative payments, and (2) the metrics used in determining whether analytic and investigatory efforts have helped to reduce improper payments or awards.

enhancement act sec amends title old age survivors disability_insurance benefits social security act direct commissioner social_security_administration ssa provide information deceased individuals furnished maintained commissioner subject appropriate safeguards unauthorized use disclosure federal state agencies providing benefits administering federal program provide use information federal agencies operate pay working system carry tax administration debt collection duties requires director office_of_management_and_budget omb analyze report congress potential alternative sources death data maintained non federal sources sec requires secretaries state defense coordination ssa commissioner establish procedure submitting commissioner information deaths individuals requires omb director issue guidance agencies operate maintain database information relating beneficiaries annuity recipients purposes improved data matching databases relevant necessary develop plan assist states local agencies indian tribes organizations provide information electronic format federal government deaths individuals submit congress plan improve data matching federal government death individuals benefit recipients submit annual report implementation requirements sec extends availability pay initiative legislative judicial branches states sec requires secretary treasury report congress data analytics performed pay initiative prevent recover improper duplicative payments metrics determining analytic investigatory efforts reduce improper payments awards


Summary:
Energy Consumers Relief Act of 2013 - Prohibits the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from promulgating a final rule that regulates any aspect of the production, supply, distribution, or use of energy (or that provides for such regulation by state or local governments) and that is estimated by the Administrator or the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to impose aggregate costs of more than $1 billion if the Secretary of Energy (DOE) determines that the rule will result in significant adverse effects to the economy.

Requires the Administrator, for each such rule, to submit a report that contains: (1) an estimate of the total costs and benefits of the rule, (2) an estimate of the increases in energy prices that may result from implementation or enforcement of the rule, and (3) a detailed description of the employment effects that may result from implementation or enforcement of the rule.

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

energy consumers relief act prohibits administrator environmental_protection_agency epa promulgating final rule regulates aspect production supply distribution use energy provides regulation state local governments estimated administrator director office_of_management_and_budget omb impose aggregate costs billion secretary energy doe determines rule result significant adverse effects economy requires administrator rule submit report contains estimate total costs benefits rule estimate increases energy prices result implementation enforcement rule detailed description employment effects result implementation enforcement rule requires secretary prepare independent analysis determine rule cause increase energy prices consumers impact fuel diversity nation electricity generation portfolio electric reliability adverse effect energy supply distribution use making determination determine rule result significant adverse effects economy publish determination federal_register


Summary:
Citizen Empowerment Act - Requires any executive agency employee who is conducting an in-person or a telephonic interview, audit, investigation, inspection, or other official interaction with an individual relating to a possible violation of federal law that could result in the imposition of civil or criminal fines or penalties or the collection of unpaid tax to allow such individual to make an audio recording of the interaction. Permits the employee conducting the interaction to record it if the employee: (1) informs the individual of the recording prior to or at the initiation of the interaction, and (2) provides the individual with a transcript of the recording at such individual's expense.

Requires the employee conducting an initial in-person or telephonic interview or other interaction to provide to the individual a verbal or written notice of such individual's rights.

Exempts from the application of this Act any in-person or telephonic interview or other interaction that: (1) is likely to include the discussion of classified material or information that would endanger public safety if released publicly; or (2) if released, would endanger an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by a federal law enforcement officer.

citizen empowerment act requires executive agency employee conducting person telephonic interview audit investigation inspection official interaction individual relating possible violation federal law result imposition civil criminal fines penalties collection unpaid tax allow individual audio recording interaction permits employee conducting interaction record employee informs individual recording prior initiation interaction provides individual transcript recording individual expense requires employee conducting initial person telephonic interview interaction provide individual verbal written notice individual rights exempts application act person telephonic interview interaction likely include discussion classified material information endanger public safety released publicly released endanger ongoing criminal investigation conducted federal law enforcement officer


Summary: Regulatory Improvement Act of 2013 - Establishes in the legislative branch the Regulatory Improvement Commission. Requires the Commission to evaluate and provide recommendations and proposed legislation for modification, consolidation, or repeal of regulations that have been finalized not later than 10 years before the establishment of the Commission and have not been amended after being finalized (covered regulations) for the purpose of reducing compliance costs, encouraging growth and innovation, improving competitiveness, and protecting public safety. Sets forth reporting requirements for the Commission and procedures for congressional consideration of Commission reports and recommendations and proposed legislation.

regulatory improvement act establishes legislative branch requires commission evaluate provide recommendations proposed legislation modification consolidation repeal regulations finalized later years establishment commission amended finalized covered regulations purpose reducing compliance costs encouraging growth innovation improving competitiveness protecting public safety sets forth reporting requirements commission procedures congressional consideration commission reports recommendations proposed legislation