Results for
Debt Disclosure for Officials in Government Act
S #5042 | Last Action: 12/17/2020Debt Disclosure for Officials in Government Act This bill requires the President, Vice President, and certain presidential appointees to disclose more detailed debt information, including with respect to the liabilities of private companies in which the individual or the individual's spouse or child is a beneficial owner.Big Oil Bailout Prevention Unlimited Liability Act of 2020
S #5081 | Last Action: 12/21/2020Big Oil Bailout Prevention Unlimited Liability Act of 2020 This bill revises requirements governing the liability of parties that are responsible for oil discharges from offshore facilities into navigable waters or adjoining shorelines. Under current law, responsible parties are liable for the total of all removal costs plus $75 million. The bill removes the cap of $75 million on liability and makes the responsible parties liable for all covered damages. Covered damages includes damages for (1) loss of natural resources, property, revenue, or profits; or (2) costs of providing increased public services during or after removal activities, such as fire protection.Pandemic Liability Protection Act
HR #7179 | Last Action: 6/11/2020Pandemic Liability Protection Act This bill exempts certain health care and food providers from liability for any act or omission relating to harm arising from exposure to, or infection by, the coronavirus (i.e., the virus that causes COVID-19) during the COVID-19 public health emergency. However, this prohibition does not apply with respect to acts or omissions that constitute willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or conscious and flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed.Coal Cleanup Taxpayer Protection Act of 2019
HR #4435 | Last Action: 9/20/2019Coal Cleanup Taxpayer Protection Act of 2019 This bill addresses bonding programs with regard to surface coal mining operations.. Specifically, the bill * prohibits the Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation Enforcement (OSMRE) and state regulatory authorities from accepting new self-bonds for coal reclamation, * requires any existing self-bonds or corporate bonds utilized for coal reclamation to be converted to surety or collateral bonds, * authorizes the OSMRE to approve state or federal alternative coal mining bond programs that result in no greater risk of financial liability to the federal government than a surety or collateral bond program, and * directs the OSMRE to issue rules establishing limitations on surety bonds to minimize the financial liability to the federal or state government.Corporate Transparency Act of 2019
S #1978 | Last Action: 6/26/2019Corporate Transparency Act of 2019 This bill requires certain new and existing small corporations and limited liability companies to disclose information about their beneficial owners. A beneficial owner is an individual who (1) exercises substantial control over a corporation or limited liability company, (2) owns 25% or more of the interest in a corporation or limited liability company, or (3) receives substantial economic benefits from the assets of a corporation or limited liability company. Specifically, if certain entities apply to form a corporation or limited liability company, they must file beneficial ownership information with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Furthermore, certain existing corporations and limited liability companies must file this information with FinCEN two years after the implementation of final regulations required under this bill. The bill imposes a civil penalty and authorizes criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term for up to three years, or both—for providing false or fraudulent beneficial ownership information or for willfully failing to provide complete or updated beneficial ownership information. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on: (1) the availability of beneficial ownership information for other legal entities (e.g., partnerships), and (2) the effectiveness of incorporation practices implemented under this bill.No Federal Funding to Benefit Sanctuary Cities Act
HR #1885 | Last Action: 5/3/2019No Federal Funding to Benefit Sanctuary Cities Act This bill prohibits a sanctuary jurisdiction from receiving federal financial assistance. The term "sanctuary jurisdiction" means a state or local government that prohibits or restricts (1) information sharing about an individual's immigration status, or (2) compliance with a lawfully issued detainer request or notification of release request. The bill authorizes a state or local government to comply with a detainer and limits the liability of a state or local government for complying with the detainer.SAFE TO WORK Act
HR #8832 | Last Action: 12/2/2020Safeguarding America's Frontline Employees To Offer Work Opportunities Required to Kickstart the Economy Act or the SAFE TO WORK Act This bill limits liability for injuries related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Generally, an individual alleging harm from exposure to coronavirus or related medical treatment occurring before October 1, 2024, may sue only under the causes of action created by this bill, with limited exceptions. However, the bill does not preempt any law that imposes stricter limits on liability or otherwise provides greater protections to defendants. An individual or entity engaged in business or other activities may be liable for injuries resulting from coronavirus exposure only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the defendant did not make reasonable efforts to comply with government standards and guidance, (2) the defendant's actions constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (3) actual exposure caused the plaintiff's injury. (The clear and convincing evidencestandard is a higher standard of proof than is typically required in a civil action.) Similarly, a health care provider may be liable for injuries connected to coronavirus-related services only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the provider's actions constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (2) such actions directly caused the injury. The bill also contains various coronavirus-related protections for defendants, including protections that (1) exempt an employer or operator of public accommodations that meets certain requirements from liability under certain federal laws, (2) impose limitations on coronavirus-related class action lawsuits, and (3) limit liability for certain injuries related to workplace coronavirus testing.SAFE TO WORK Act
S #4317 | Last Action: 7/27/2020Safeguarding America's Frontline Employees To Offer Work Opportunities Required to Kickstart the Economy Act or the SAFE TO WORK Act This bill limits liability for injuries related to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Generally, an individual alleging harm from exposure to coronavirus or related medical treatment occurring before October 1, 2024, may sue only under the causes of action created by this bill, with limited exceptions. However, the bill does not preempt any law that imposes stricter limits on liability or otherwise provides greater protections to defendants. An individual or entity engaged in business or other activities may be liable for injuries resulting from coronavirus exposure only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the defendant did not make reasonable efforts to comply with government standards and guidance, (2) the defendant's actions constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (3) actual exposure caused the plaintiff's injury. (The clear and convincing evidencestandard is a higher standard of proof than is typically required in a civil action.) Similarly, a health care provider may be liable for injuries connected to coronavirus-related services only if the plaintiff proves by clear and convincing evidence that (1) the provider's actions constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct, and (2) such actions directly caused the injury. The bill also contains various coronavirus-related protections for defendants, including protections that (1) exempt an employer or operator of public accommodations that meets certain requirements from liability under certain federal laws, (2) impose limitations on coronavirus-related class action lawsuits, and (3) limit liability for certain injuries related to workplace coronavirus testing.Ending Sanctuary Cities Act of 2019
HR #516 | Last Action: 1/11/2019Ending Sanctuary Cities Act of 2019 This bill makes state or local governments that violate immigration laws ineligible for federal financial assistance. A governmental entity shall be ineligible if it * violates federal law by prohibiting its officials from communicating with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about the immigration status of any individual, * restricts compliance with DHS detainer requests, or * has any laws or policies that violate immigration laws. A DHS detainer request is an order or request to a state or local government to (1) temporarily hold or transport an alien for transfer into federal custody, or (2) notify DHS before releasing an alien from custody. A government or law enforcement officer that complies with a DHS detainer request shall be acting under the color of federal authority, for the purposes of liability or immunity in a lawsuit filed by the detained individual. The bill makes it unlawful for a state or local government to discharge or discriminate against one of its law enforcement officers for complying with a DHS retainer request.Protecting Reopening Businesses Recovering from COVID–19 Act
S #3915 | Last Action: 6/8/2020Protecting Reopening Businesses Recovering from COVID-19 Act This bill exempts businesses and certain medical entities from liability for damages arising from or relating to an individual contracting COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Specifically, this exemption applies to businesses, including nonprofit organizations and educational institutions, and medical entities that provide health care services related to COVID-19. Such entities are exempt from liability if they operate consistent with state or federal guidelines or requirements related to reopening and follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and any other federal or state agency to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. However, this prohibition does not apply to acts that constitute gross negligence or actions brought by a government entity in a regulatory, supervisory, or enforcement capacity.Members of Congress Tax Liability and Garnishment Accountability Act of 2020
HR #6177 | Last Action: 3/10/2020Corporate Transparency Act of 2019
HR #2513 | Last Action: 10/22/2019This bill generally addresses the disclosure of corporate ownership and the prevention of money laundering and the financing of terrorism. DIVISION A--CORPORATE TRANSPARENCY ACT OF 2019 Corporate Transparency Act of 2019 This division requires certain new and existing small corporations and limited liability companies to disclose information about their beneficial owners. A beneficial owner is an individual who (1) exercises substantial control over a corporation or limited liability company, (2) owns 25% or more of the interest in a corporation or limited liability company, or (3) receives substantial economic benefits from the assets of a corporation or limited liability company. Specifically, if certain entities apply to form a corporation or limited liability company, they must file beneficial ownership information with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Furthermore, certain existing corporations and limited liability companies must file this information with FinCEN two years after the implementation of final regulations required under this division. The division imposes a civil penalty and authorizes criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term for up to three years, or both—for providing false or fraudulent beneficial ownership information or for willfully failing to provide complete or updated beneficial ownership information. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on (1) the availability of beneficial ownership information for other legal entities (e.g., partnerships), and (2) the effectiveness of incorporation practices implemented under this division. DIVISION B--COUNTER ACT OF 2019 Coordinating Oversight, Upgrading and Innovating Technology, and Examiner Reform Act of 2019 or the COUNTER Act of 2019 This division generally revises requirements related to anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism-financing laws. Among other things, the division * establishes new offices within financial regulatory agencies related to privacy and civil liberties; * creates programs within the Department of the Treasury to enable foreign and domestic outreach regarding these laws; * allows for increased information sharing between law enforcement, financial institutions, and financial regulators; and * revises whistleblower incentives related to actions brought by FinCEN. The division also increases penalties for violations of anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism-financing laws, requires antiquities dealers to comply with these laws, and requires the reporting of beneficial ownership information to FinCEN in certain commercial real estate transactions. Every five years, Treasury must update the threshold amounts for currency transaction reports to reflect inflation.Get Foreign Money Out of U.S. Elections Act
HR #746 | Last Action: 1/24/2019Get Foreign Money Out of U.S. Elections Act This bill bans campaign contributions and expenditures by corporations, limited liability corporations, and partnerships that are controlled, influenced, or owned by foreign nationals. The bill prohibits foreign nationals and such corporations, limited liability corporations, and partnerships from making disbursements to political committees that accept donations or contributions that do not comply with the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. Corporate political action committees may make contributions and expenditures only if they comply with limitations on the involvement of foreign nationals and such corporations, limited liability corporations, and partnerships.Fair Employment Protection Act of 2019
S #2287 | Last Action: 7/25/2019Fair Employment Protection Act of 2019 This bill sets forth employer liability standards to be applied in employee harassment claims under specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Revised Statutes, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991, employment discrimination laws relating to certain executive branch employees, and the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995. The bill declares that employers under such Acts are liable for the acts of any individual whose harassment of an employee created or continued an unlawful hostile work environment if, at the time of the harassment (1) such individual was authorized by that employer to undertake or recommend tangible employment actions affecting the employee or to direct the employee's daily work activities; or (2) the negligence of the employer led to the creation or continuation of that hostile work environment, otherwise modifying the liability standards provided by the Supreme Court inVance v. Ball State University, which limited the category of supervisors for whom an employer may be held vicariously liable to those individuals who have authority to take tangible employment actions.Fair Employment Protection Act of 2019
HR #4015 | Last Action: 7/25/2019Fair Employment Protection Act of 2019 This bill sets forth employer liability standards to be applied in employee harassment claims under specified provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Revised Statutes, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, the Government Employee Rights Act of 1991, employment discrimination laws relating to certain executive branch employees, and the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995. The bill declares that employers under such Acts are liable for the acts of any individual whose harassment of an employee created or continued an unlawful hostile work environment if, at the time of the harassment (1) such individual was authorized by that employer to undertake or recommend tangible employment actions affecting the employee or to direct the employee's daily work activities; or (2) the negligence of the employer led to the creation or continuation of that hostile work environment, otherwise modifying the liability standards provided by the Supreme Court inVance v. Ball State University, which limited the category of supervisors for whom an employer may be held vicariously liable to those individuals who have authority to take tangible employment actions.No TikTok on Government Devices Act
HR #6896 | Last Action: 5/15/2020No TikTok on Government Devices Act This bill prohibits federal employees from using the social media video application TikTok on government-issued devices. Specifically, the bill prohibits employees and officers of the United States, Members of Congress, congressional employees, and officers and employees of government corporations from downloading or using TikTok, or any successor application from the developer, on any device issued by the federal government or a government corporation, with the exception of specified activities (e.g., cybersecurity research).Infrastructure Expansion Act of 2020
HR #8222 | Last Action: 9/11/2020Infrastructure Expansion Act of 2020 This bill precludes absolute liability in any action against a property owner or contractor for projects that are federally owned or operated or are receiving federal financial assistance for infrastructure and transportation development for any injury associated with an elevation- or gravity-related risk occurring on those projects. In any such claim, a state shall apply a liability standard that considers the comparative negligence of the injured person, when such negligence is a proximate cause of an injury.Local Government Relief Act
S #3954 | Last Action: 6/11/2020Local Government Relief Act This bill requires states to pay by June 30, 2020, at least 45% of the amounts received from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to local governments that did not receive a direct payment from the fund. Such sums shall be distributed by a state upon receipt and on a pass-through basis without requiring any application from a unit of local government. If a state is unable to make distributions to units of local government in accordance with these requirements, the state shall submit a detailed report explaining why it is unable to meet such requirements.A bill to provide States, Tribal governments, and local governments with spending discretion for part of their Coronavirus Relief Fund payment.
S #3682 | Last Action: 5/11/2020This bill provides states, tribal governments, and local governments with added spending discretion for part of their Coronavirus Relief Fund payment. Currently, payments from the fund may only be used to cover certain costs that are necessary expenditures incurred due to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. The bill allows each state, tribal government, and unit of local government to use up to 25% of the amount paid to it for any purpose, including for expenditures to satisfy a nonfederal share requirement for any aid, assistance, grant, or other financial relief provided by the federal government.Government Bailout Prevention Act
S #2120 | Last Action: 7/15/2019Government Bailout Prevention Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to purchase or guarantee obligations of, issue lines of credit to, or provide grants to any state (defined to include the District of Columbia and any U.S. territory or possession), municipal, local, or county government that, on or after January 1, 2019, has defaulted on its obligations, is at risk of defaulting, or has filed for bankruptcy. The Department of the Treasury is prohibited from using general fund revenues or borrowed funds to purchase or guarantee any asset or obligation of any such state, municipal, local, or county government. Federal Reserve banks are prohibited from assisting such a state, municipal, local, or county government or other entity with taxing or bonding authority.Government Bailout Prevention Act
HR #4572 | Last Action: 9/27/2019Government Bailout Prevention Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to purchase or guarantee obligations of, issue lines of credit to, or provide grants to any state (defined to include the District of Columbia and any U.S. territory or possession), municipal, local, or county government that, on or after January 1, 2019, has defaulted on its obligations, is at risk of defaulting, or has filed for bankruptcy. The Department of the Treasury is prohibited from using general fund revenues or borrowed funds to purchase or guarantee any asset or obligation of any such state, municipal, local, or county government. Federal Reserve banks are prohibited from assisting such a state, municipal, local, or county government or other entity with taxing or bonding authority.Local Government Taxpayer Fairness Act
HR #8618 | Last Action: 10/16/2020Local Government Taxpayer Fairness Act This bill allows local governments to treat the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) of the Department of the Interior as a private landowner for purposes of local property taxation and to treat lands acquired by the USFWS that are within the jurisdiction of a local government as privately-owned lands.AI in Government Act of 2019
S #1363 | Last Action: 5/8/2019AI in Government Act of2019 This bill establishes the AI Center of Excellence within the General Services Administration to * advise and promote the efforts of the federal government in developing innovative uses of artificial intelligence (AI) to benefit the public, and * improve cohesion and competency in the use of AI. The Office of Management and Budget must issue a memorandum to federal agencies regarding AI governance approaches, to be followed by preparation and submission of governance plans by the agencies. In addition, the Office of Personnel Management must * identify key skills and competencies needed for positions related to AI; and * establish an occupational series, or revise an existing job series, to include positions the primary duties of which relate to AI.AI in Government Act of 2020
HR #2575 | Last Action: 12/19/2019AI in Government Act of2019 This bill establishes the AI Center of Excellence within the General Services Administration to * advise and promote the efforts of the federal government in developing innovative uses of artificial intelligence (AI) to benefit the public, and * improve cohesion and competency in the use of AI. The Office of Management and Budget must issue a memorandum to federal agencies regarding AI governance approaches, to be followed by preparation and submission of governance plans by the agencies. In addition, the Office of Personnel Management must * identify key skills and competencies needed for positions related to AI; and * establish an occupational series, or revise an existing job series, to include positions the primary duties of which relate to AI.Leave Local Government Alone Act of 2020
HR #8090 | Last Action: 8/22/2020Leave Local Government Alone Act of 2020 This bill prohibits states or local governments from recovering any Coronavirus Relief Funds paid to a local government.