Category «Legislation»

CRS – Federal Reserve: Legislation in the 114th Congress

Federal Reserve: Legislation in the 114th Congress, Marc Labonte, Specialist in Macroeconomic Policy. May 19, 2016. “The Federal Reserve (Fed) is the subject of legislation being considered in the 114th Congress. These bills contain wide-ranging provisions that can be grouped into four broad categories: Changes to Fed governance. Some proposals would change the Fed’s institutional …

Subjects: Congress, Economy, Financial System, Government Documents, Legal Research, Legislation

Free Seminar – What Happens When Laws Become Open Data?

Center for Data Innovation – “Since President Obama’s first day in office, open data has been a major priority for the administration, and the United States has established itself as a world leader in open data. But until recently, legislative data—information about legislative activities, including bills and their status, lawmaker votes, committee meetings, public communications …

Subjects: E-Government, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Internet, Knowledge Management, Legal Research, Legislation, Libraries

CBO Report – H.R. 3713, Sentencing Reform Act of 2015

“H.R. 3713 would amend federal law to change the prison sentences associated with certain offenses. Based on information provided by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Sentencing Commission (USSC), CBO estimates that implementing the legislation would reduce the cost of incarcerating offenders and would lead to a reduction in discretionary costs to DOJ …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Courts, Economy, Government Documents, Legal Research, Legislation

The Second Symposium on Ending Too Big to Fail

“The Minneapolis Fed’s #EndingTBTF initiative will explore various proposals from expert researchers and incorporate input from a wide range of thought leaders, culminating in an actionable plan to end TBTF, which will be released by the end of the year….” Presentations and videos posted by speakers are available here.

Subjects: Congress, Economy, Financial System, Government Documents, Knowledge Management, Legal Research, Legislation

Agencies Invite Comment on Proposed Rule to Prohibit Incentive-Based Pay that Encourages Inappropriate Risk-Taking in Financial Institutions

“Six federal agencies are inviting public comment on a proposed rule to prohibit incentive-based compensation arrangements that encourage inappropriate risks at covered financial institutions. The deadline for comments on the proposed rule, which was submitted for publication in the Federal Register, is July 22, 2016. Section 956 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer …

Subjects: Economy, Financial System, Government Documents, Legal Research, Legislation

California’s Legislature Wants to Copyright All Government Works

Via Ernesto Falcon – EFF: “AB 2880 will give state and local governments dramatic powers to chill speech, stifle open government, and harm the public domain. The California Assembly Committee on Judiciary recently approved a bill (AB 2880) to grant local and state governments’ copyright authority along with other intellectual property rights. At its core, …

Subjects: Censorship, Civil Liberties, Copyright, Free Speech, Government Documents, Internet, Knowledge Management, Legal Research, Legislation, Libraries

Transportation Security: Issues for the 114th Congress

CRS report – Transportation Security: Issues for the 114th Congress. Bart Elias, Specialist in Aviation Policy; David Randall Peterman, Analyst in Transportation Policy; John Frittelli, Specialist in Transportation Policy. May 9, 2016. “The nation’s air, land, and marine transportation systems are designed for accessibility and efficiency, two characteristics that make them highly vulnerable to terrorist …

Subjects: Congress, Economy, Government Documents, Legal Research, Legislation, Transportation

National Defense Authorization Act for FY2017 and Low Energy Nuclear Reactions

Via the New Energy Times, Excerpt from May 4, 2016, Report of the Committee on Armed Services House of Representatives on HR 4909 Together With Additional Views see Congress Directs Secretary of Defense to Provide LENR Briefing as follows: “The committee is aware of recent positive developments in developing low-energy nuclear reactions (LENR), which produce …

Subjects: Congress, Defense, Economy, Energy, Environmental Law, Financial System, Government Documents, Legal Research, Legislation

New FTC Business Guidance for Employment Background Screening Companies Helps With FCRA Compliance

“The Federal Trade Commission has created new guidance for businesses aimed at giving employment background screening companies information on how to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The guidance helps companies understand when their work defines them as a consumer reporting agency under the FCRA. Consumer reporting agencies must meet a number of …

Subjects: Economy, Financial System, Government Documents, Legal Research, Legislation, Privacy

15 Facts About Our National Mammal: The American Bison

Big Day for Animals on beSpacific! Did you know that President Obama has declared the American Bison as our national mammal? Yes indeed he did. “On May 9, 2016, President Obama signed the National Bison Legacy Act into law, officially making the American bison the national mammal of the United States. This majestic animal joins …

Subjects: Environmental Law, Government Documents, Knowledge Management, Legislation

Delivery Drones: Coming to the Sky Near You?

CRS Reports & Analysis Legal Sidebar – Delivery Drones: Coming to the Sky Near You? – 05/06/2016: “Can you prevent a drone from flying over your house to deliver a package to your neighbor? Until now, that question has been of purely theoretical interest. However, the Senate recently passed a bill that could significantly change …

Subjects: Congress, E-Commerce, Government Documents, Legal Research, Legislation, Privacy, Transportation

DOJ Files Complaint Against the State of North Carolina to Stop Discrimination Against Transgender Individuals

“Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch announced [May 9, 2016] that the Justice Department has filed a complaint against the state of North Carolina, the University of North Carolina (UNC) and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS) alleging that they are discriminating against transgender individuals in violation of federal law as a result of …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Government Documents, Legal Research, Legislation