State Trade Coordination Act

Global Trade Expansion: SBE Council continues to support expanding trade accords with nations to open markets for entrepreneurs and the U.S. business sector. SBE Council is monitoring and supporting efforts to accelerate the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and supports a new U.S.-EU trade accord. We are also supporting strong intellectual property (IP) provisions in these agreeements. SBE Council continues to advocate for streamlined and less costly processes for small businesses that operate in global markets, whether that be importing or exporting. Specific pieces of legislation SBE Council is supporting include: State Trade Coordination Act (H.R. 1926); Trade for Small Business and Jobs Act (H.R. 1916); Export Coordination Act (H.R. 1909). SBE Council also supports giving President Obama "trade promotion authority" and supports the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act (HR 3830, S.1900). Affordable Energy: SBE Council continues to support greater exploration and development of domestic energy resources, as well as construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. SBE Council opposes proposals and efforts to restrict liquefied natural gas exports, and is active supporting legislative efforts to expedite approval of Keystone and applications for LNG permits. Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) and Health Care Reform: SBE Council continues to advocate and comment on the proposed rules and regulations of Health and Human Services (HHS), and educate about potential problems with implementation of the law (ie: health care exchanges, mandates, etc.) that will raise costs and increase complexity for entrepreneurs. SBE Council supports repealing key provisions in the Affordable Care Act like the employer mandate, ACA tax increases (medical devices, individual tax hikes, the health insurance tax), individual mandate and restrictions placed on HSAs. During this period, we supported house passage of HR 2575, Save American Workers Act. Regulatory Reform: SBE Council continues to support reforms to improve transparency and accountability of the regulatory system for small businesses. Specific legislation includes: Regulatory Sunset and Review Act (HR309); National Regulatory Budget Act (S.2153); Sunshine and Regulatory Decrees and Settlement Act (HR 1493, S.714); Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act (HR 899); Achieving Less Excess in Regulation and Regulatory Transparency Act (HR 2804); All Economic Regulations are Transparent Act (HR 2804); Consumer Financial Freedom and Washington Accountability Act (HR 3193); Secret Science Reform Act (HR 4012 - also testified before U.S. House on this issue/legislation). SBE Council is also active on citing concerns about President Obama's Climate Action Plan, EPA's forthcoming Ozone and Power Plant rules. SBE Council testified before the U.S. House on the draft Promoting New Manufacturing Act. SBE Council provided testimony to SBA Omsbudman for Regulation on barriers to markets - apecifically energy markets through LNG export restrictions and the lengthy permitting process. Tax Reform and Relief: SBE Council continues to advocate for fundamental reform of the tax system, providing input to U.S. House and Senate members on specific proposals and principles for reform. We continue to comment and provid feedback on House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp's plan. SBE Council continues to push for lower tax rates for entrepreneurs (individual rates) and corporate entities, encouraging U.S. startup activity, elimination of capital gains and death taxes, simplicity, making permanent certain important features. Specifically during this period we supported House passage of: Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act (HR 4874); American Research and Competitiveness Act (HR 4438); American Small Business Tax Relief Act (HR 4457); Modify and Make Permanent Bonus Depreciation (HR 4718).

Client expense: $55,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, President of the U.S., SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA)

H.R. 624, Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act H.R. 845, Saving High-Tech Innovators from Egregious Legal Disputes (SHIELD) Act H.R. 1020 / S. 489, Low Value Shipment Regulatory Modernization Act of 2013 H.R. 1276, Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act H.R. 1354, Jobs Originated through Launching Travel Act of 2013 H.R. 1409, Export Promotion Reform Act H.R. 1812, Partner with Korea Act H.R. 1926, State Trade Coordination Act H.R. 2548, Electrify Africa Act of 2013 H.R. 2708, To amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to modify temporarily certain rates of duty, and for other purposes H.R. 2709, To extend the Generalized System of Preferences H.R. 3830 / S. 1900, Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act of 2014 H.R. 4800, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 H.R. 4950, Protecting American Jobs and Exports Act S. 660, Innovation Through Trade Act S. 662, Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Reauthorization Act of 2013 S. 718, Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act of 2013 S. 884, Deter Cyber Theft Act S. 1114, Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act of 2013 Fiscal Year 2014 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act Legislation similar to H.R. 496, Trade Enforcement Act of 2009 Legislation similar to H.R. 4095, Online Pharmacy Safety Act of 2012 Legislation similar to H.R. 4216, Foreign Counterfeit Prevention Act of 2012 Legislation similar to H.R. 6654, Foreign Counterfeit Prevention Act of 2012 Legislation similar to S. 2002, Online Pharmacy Safety Act of 2012 Various issues relating to Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement; Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA); Trade in Services Agreement (TISA); Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, including Japans entry into the TPP negotiations; Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP); Russia Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR); U.S.-Central Asia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA); Trade Promotion Authority (TPA); Trade Transformation Agenda; Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA); implementation of Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-618), as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 and the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (the "Special 301 Report"); African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA); National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security Implementation Update; International Telecommunications Union; Transatlantic Economic Council; World Health Organization (WHO); World Intellectual Property Organization; World Trade Organization (WTO); Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator and the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center; USPTO IP Attache Program; China's IPR; industrial policies and cybersecurity issues; IP issues related to Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, India, Japan, Mexico, and Russia; IP issues related to internet counterfeiting and piracy; IP issues related to trade secret theft; IP issues related to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC); IP issues related to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); U.S.- Argentina economic relations; U.S.- Bangladesh economic relations; U.S.- Brazil economic relations; U.S.- China economic relations; U.S.- Egypt economic and commercial relations; U.S.- Japan economic relations; U.S.- Jordan economic and commercial relations; U.S.- Korea economic relations; U.S.- Mexico economic relations; U.S.- Pakistan economic relations; U.S. - Russia economic relations; U.S. sanctions on Burma; Ukraine related sanctions; embargo on Cuba; U.S. - Canada Beyond the Border Initiative; U.S. - Mexico 21st Century Border Vision; U.S. trade relations with the Middle East and North Africa; U.S. - Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC); trade dispute with Mexico regarding Cross-Border Trucking Program; trade policy consideration with regard to cross-border data flows; bilateral investment treaty negotiations with China; bilateral investment treaty negotiations with India; The Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB); Generalized System of Preferences (GSP); international affairs budget; International Monetary Fund (IMF) quota reform; funding for the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), including the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF); Export-Import Bank of the United States; export controls reform; promoting transatlantic investment, trade and regulatory cooperation; international concerns in the areas of antitrust, standards and investment; advancing international regulatory cooperation; implementation of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (P.L. 111-203), G-20 obligations on Financial Service Reforms; the expanded use of software asset management by the Federal Government and its contractors; Air Cargo Advance Screening Pilot; patent linkage and regulatory data protection; plain packaging; sugar program reform

H.R. 3 Northern Route Approval Act of 2013 Bill to expedite approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 25 Fair Tax Act of 2013 Legislation to abolish the Internal Revenue Service and enact a national retail sales tax. NSBA supports.H.R. 30 Small Business Investment enhancement and Tax Relief Act - Establishes an early-stage investment program to provide equity financing to support early-stage businesses and provide a small business investment tax credit of 20%. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 168 Business Freedom of Commerce Act Bill would allow a small business operating in the United States to elect to be exempt from any federal rule or regulation issued on or after Jan. 20, 2009, among other things. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 309 Regulatory Sunset and Review Act Bill requires federal agencies (either by someone who has been adversely affected or via a Congressional committee) to review their covered rules and modify, consolidate, or terminate such rules on a periodic basis. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 367 Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2013 Bill would require Congressional approval for major regulations. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 375 Made in America Manufacturing Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretaries of Commerce and Labor to establish a program for the joint award of incentive grants to a state or a regional partnership to support the U.S. manufacturing industry, among other things. NSBA supports. H.R. 400 Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Assistance Act Bill establishes a Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Fund to ensure that U.S. clean energy technology firms have the information and assistance they need to be competitive and to create clean energy technology sector jobs, among other things. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 407 Clean Vehicles Incentive Act of 2013 Bill allows certain businesses located in areas designated as nonattainment areas under the Clean Air Act a general business tax credit for the cost of certain clean-fuel vehicle property and the use of clean-burning fuel. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 596 Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to each establishes a wind and solar leasing pilot program and establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund for use in regions impacted by the development of wind or solar energy on public lands. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 624 Cyber Intelligence and Sharing Protection Act of 2013 Bill seeks to help foster voluntary cyber threat information sharing between the private sector and the federal government, while at the same time hope to ensure certain privacy and civil liberties protections. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 684 Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 Bill would allow states to require that Internet retailers located outside their borders collect sales taxes on purchases by their residents. Businesses with less than $1 million in annual online sales would be exempt, and the sponsors have estimated that fewer than 1,000 businesses would be required to collect sales taxes. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 688 Credit Union Small Business Jobs Creation Act of 2013 - Increases the credit union member business lending limit from 12.25 percent to 27.5 percent, among other things. NSBA supports. H.R. 701 Bill amends a provision of the Securities Act of 1933 to direct the Securities and Exchange Commission to add a particular class of securities to those exempted under the Act and to provide a deadline for doing so. NSBA supports. H.R. 756 - Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2013 Bill seeks to improve information sharing between the private sector and the federal government and continue much-needed cybersecurity research and development programs. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 763 The Jobs and Premium Protection Act Bill will act to amend the PPACA to repeal provisions imposing an annual fee on health insurance providers. NSBA supports. H.R. 776 Security in Bonding Act of 2013 Bill would provide easier access to surety bonds for small construction firms to improve participation in the federal marketplace. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 803 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Bill seeks to modernize and improve existing federal workforce development programs and ensure businesses find the skilled employees they need to compete and create jobs in the U.S. NSBA supports. H.R. 967 Advancing Americas Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2013 Bill seeks to foster information sharing between the private sector and the federal government and develop a strategic plan for information sharing and cybersecurity research and development within various relevant federal agencies. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1002 Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2013 Provides consumers with free access to their credit scores along with free access to their credit reports once each year. NSBA supports. H.R. 1062 SEC Regulatory Accountability Act Bill requires the SEC to undertake an enhanced cost-benefit analysis before adopting any new regulations. NSBA supports.H.R. 1072 Freedom from Government Competition Act - Requires each executive or military department or independent establishment to obtain all goods and services necessary for or beneficial to the accomplishment of its authorized functions by procurement from private sources, with certain exceptions. NSBA supports. H.R. 1127 Rebuild American Manufacturing Act of 2013 Bill directs President to develop a comprehensive national manufacturing strategy. NSBA supports. H.R. 1138 Small Business Clean Energy Financing Act of 2013 Bill would establish a new loan guarantee program within the U.S. Small Business Administration for clean technology companies. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1219 Gulf Fisheries Fairness Act Bill would increase state water boundaries to 120 feet or 9 nautical miles (whichever is greater) and gives states greater control over their reef fisheries to open up more waters for commercial and recreational fishermen. NSBA supports. H.R. 1240 - Commercial Real Estate and Economic Development (CREED) Act of 2013, which will extend for five years the low-interest refinancing provisions under the Local Development Business Program of the Small Business Administration (SBA). NSBA supports. H.R. 1321 Small Business Paperwork Relief Act Bill would suspend civil fines for first-time paperwork violations by small business concerns unless there is potential for serious harm to the public interest and other relevant conditions. NSBA supports. H.R. 1332 American Jobs Matter Act of 2013 Bill to allow contracting officers to consider information regarding domestic employment before awarded a federal contract. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1557 Plain Writing Act for Regulations for 2013 Bill requires all new or substantially revised federal regulations to be written in clear, concise and easy to understand, or plain language. NSBA supports. H.R. 1616 - Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act - Bill would promote energy savings in residential and commercial buildings and industry, and for other purposes. NSBA supports. H.R. 1772 The Legal Workforce Act Bill would make the use of E-Verify mandatory for new hires and impose severe employer penalties. NSBA opposes. H.R. 1773 The Agricultural Guestworker Act Bill would create a simplified and expanded agricultural guest worker program. NSBA supports. H.R. 1909 Export Coordination Act of 2013 Bill would establish stronger congressional oversight and coordination of trade assistance across 20 agencies. NSBA supports. H.R. 1916 TRADE (Transparent Rules Allow Direct Exporting) for Small Businesses and Jobs Act Bill is directed at helping SMEs stay current on changing foreign regulations. It requires Commerce (via MAC) to publish changes in tariff/non-tariff and technical barriers on export.gov or a successor website. NSBA supports. H.R. 1926 State Trade Coordination Act of 2013 Bill would establish the framework to ensure that federal and state trade agencies work in unison to assist their local exporters. NSBA supports. H.R. 2122 Regulatory Accountability Act of 2013 Bill to reform the process by which federal agencies analysis and formulate new regulations and guidance documents. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2131 The Supplying Knowledge Based Immigrants and Lifting Levels of STEM Visas Act Bill would allocate green cards to foreign graduates of U.S. universities with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, increase H-1B visas, repeal the employment-based per-country cap, establish a new entrepreneur visa program and strengthen the investor visa program. NSBA supports. H.R. 2232 Make Every Small Business Count Act of 2013 Bill would allow prime contractors covered by a subcontracting plan under a single contract with a federal agency to receive credit against such a plan for using small business subcontractors and any level of subcontracting. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2263 Export-Import Bank Termination Act Bill to abolish the Export-Import Bank of the United States three years after enactment of this Act. NSBA opposes. H.R. 2274 Small Business Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales and Brokerage Simplification Act of 2013 Bill would allow merger and acquisition brokers who perform services in connection with the transfer of ownership of smaller privately held companies to register with the SEC by filing an electronic notice. NSBA supports. H.R. 2419 Small Business Credit Card Act of 2013 Bill further protects small-business owners credit cards from unfair and deceptive practices of credit card companies. NSBA supports. H.R. 2429 Death Tax Repeal Act of 2013 Bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and (2) make permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and a $5 million lifetime gift tax exemption. Provides for an inflation adjustment to such exemption amount. NSBA supports.H.R. 2452 Womens Procurement Program Equalization Act of 2013 Bill would standardize sole source contracts for women-owed small business helping to place them on equal footing as other similarly situated small businesses with respect to the SBAs procurement programs. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2542 Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2013 Bill amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act to ensure complete analysis of potential impacts on small entities of federal rules. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2582 PATENT Jobs Act Bill exempts USPTO from Presidential Sequestration Order issued on March 1, 2013. NSBA supports. H.R. 2593 Cost-Benefit and Regulatory Transparency Enhancement Act of 2013 Bill requires reports on the results of and methods used to calculate any cost-benefit or regulatory impact analysis. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2751 Commonsense Construction Contracting Act of 2013 Bill would prohibit reverse auction methods from being used in the case of any contract for the procurement of design and construction services if the contract is suitable for award to a small business, or if the award is made under other relevant SBA provisions. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2882 Improving Opportunities for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses Act of 2013 Bill amends the Small Business Act to allow, under certain conditions, the surviving spouse of a service-disabled veteran to be treated as if the surviving spouse were that veteran for the purpose of maintaining the business's status, among other provisions. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 3169 IRS Rulemaking Fairness Act of 2013 Expands requirements relating to review of federal agency actions that have a significant economic impact on small entities (e.g., small organizations and businesses) to include rulemaking by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 3826 Electricity Security and Affordability Act Bill proposes reasonable alternatives to EPAs proposed rule regulating carbon pollution from new and soon to be released rule regarding existing power plants. NSBA supports. H.R. 3830 Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act of 2014 Bill will restore the presidents authority to negotiate trade deals by including strict requirements for Congressional consultations and access to information . NSBA supports. H.R. 4093 Greater Opportunities for Small Business Act of 2014 Bill would increase the small business prime contracting goal to 25% and the small business subcontracting goal to 40%. NSBA supports. H.R. 4094 Contracting Data and Bundling Accountability Act of 2014 Bill would improve the gathering and transparency of contract bundling data to enhance accountability and small business contracting opportunities. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 4121 Small Business Development Centers Improvements Act of 2014 Bill would provide improvements to Small Business Development Centers by, among other things, repealing certain provisions prohibiting grant awards for marketing and advertising services, improves data collection efforts, and allowing SBDCs to collect fees and other income from partnerships and co-sponsorships. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 4429 Permanent Active Financing Exception Act of 2014 Bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow the deferral of tax on certain income earned in foreign companies when calculating taxable income. NSBA supports. H.R. 4438 American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2014 Bill amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to simplify and make permanent the research credit. NSBA supports. H.R. 4453 S Corporation Permanent Tax Relief Act of 2014 -- To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make permanent the reduced recognition period for built-in gains of S corporations. NSBA supports. H.R. 4454 Permanent S Corporation Charitable Contributions Act of 2014 -- Bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent a rule that expired at the end of 2013 that defines how a shareholder in an S corporation adjusts the basis of that S corporation stock to account for that corporations contributions of property to charity. NSBA supports. H.R. 4457 - America's Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2014 - The legislation would make permanent section 179 expensing and allow businesses to deduct up to $500,000 annually in expenses incurred buying machinery, equipment, computer software, and similar items. NSBA supports. H.R. 4464 - Permanent CFC Look-Through Act of 2014 - Bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the "look-through rule" that applied to the taxable years of foreign corporations beginning after Dec. 31, 2005 and before Jan. 1, 2014. This treatment would be permanently effective for taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2013. NSBA supports. H.R. 4718 - Bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the additional 50% depreciation allowance (bonus depreciation) for qualified property placed in service after Dec.31, 2013 and modifies the definition of "qualified property" to include qualified retail improvement property. NSBA supports. S. 15 Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2013 - Bill would require Congressional approval for major regulations. NSBA is monitoring. S. 17 Energy Production and Project Delivery Act Bill would promote an all-of-the-above energy policy by opening up more areas to leasing, expediting energy projects, and preventing regulation of CO2 under the CAA. NSBA is monitoring.S. 21 Cybersecurity and American Cyber Competitiveness Act of 2013 Sense of Congress bill to highlight the need for improved coordination and collaboration between the private sector and the federal government regarding cyber threat and cyber-attack information, and the need to incorporate certain privacy and civil liberties protections in any future cybersecurity-related legislation. NSBA is monitoring. S. 63 Made in America Manufacturing Act - Directs the Secretaries of Commerce and Labor to establish a program for the joint award of incentive grants to a state or a regional partnership to support the U.S. manufacturing industry. NSBA supports. S. 169 I-Squared Act Bill increase H-1B visa cap and establishes an economic demand model to determine future increases or decreases in cap, eliminates per country numerical limitation for employment-based visas, exempts certain categories of persons from employment-based green card cap (i.e. students w/ advanced degree in STEM field), increases fees on H-1B applications which will be used towards STEM education and training. NSBA is monitoring. S. 189 Startup Visa Act Creates a new visa category for immigrant entrepreneurs. NSBA is monitoring. S. 192 Expedited LNG for America Allies Act of 2013 Bill would expedite the approval process for LNG exports to allies of America. NSBA is monitoring. S. 196 Assuring Contracting Equity Act of 2013 Increases govt wide contracting goal for small biz from 23% to 25 percent and requires federal agencies to consult with SBA to determine standards for procurement officers to follow re: past compliance of potential contractors with small business subcontracting goals. NSBA supports. S. 279 - Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to each establishes a wind and solar leasing pilot program and establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund for use in regions impacted by the development of wind or solar energy on public lands. NSBA is monitoring. S. 289 Commercial Real Estate and Economic Development (CREED) Act of 2013, which will extend for five years the low-interest refinancing provisions under the Local Development Business Program of the Small Business Administration (SBA). NSBA supports. S. 310 Startup Act 3.0 - This bill seeks to provide capital gains and income tax incentives to incentivize entrepreneurs and facilitate the growth of new start-ups, creates a new STEM visa for up to foreign students and establishes a new category of visas for immigrant entrepreneurs. NSBA supports. S. 320 Closing Regulatory Loopholes Act of 2013 Bill would require Congressional review over federal agency guidance documents and major guidance documents prior to implementation. NSBA supports. S. 418 Do-Not-Track Online Act of 2013 Bill would require the promulgating of regulations to address the collection and use of personal information obtained via the tracking of online activity. NSBA is monitoring. S. 450 Financial Regulatory Responsibility Act of 2013 Bill requires enhanced cost-benefit analysis and justification for certain regulations proposed by federal banking, securities, commodities, and housing regulators. NSBA supports. S. 471 Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2013 - Provides consumers with free access to their credit scores along with free access to their credit reports once each year. NSBA supports. S. 537 Communicating Lending Activity Reports from the Small Business Administration Act (CLEAR SBA) Act - require the SBA Administrator make publically available on the SBA website certain information regarding lenders making covered loans to small firms. NSBA is monitoring. S. 544 Rebuild American Manufacturing Act of 2013 - Bill directs President to develop a comprehensive national manufacturing strategy. NSBA supports. S. 603 The Jobs and Premium Protection Act The legislation would repeal the annual fee on health insurance providers enacted by the PPACA. NSBA supports. S. 718 Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act of 2013 -- Directs the President to establish a comprehensive U.S. strategy for public and private investment, trade, and development in Africa that focuses on: (1) increasing exports of U.S. goods and services to Africa by 200% in real dollar value within 10 years, (2) promoting the alignment of U.S. commercial interests with development priorities in Africa, (3) improving the competitiveness of U.S. businesses in Africa, (4) encouraging a greater understanding among U.S. business and financial communities of the opportunities Africa holds for U.S. exports, and (5) fostering partnership opportunities between U.S. and African SMEs. NSBA supports. S. 743 Marketplace Fairness Act Bill would allow states to require that Internet retailers located outside their borders collect sales taxes on purchases by their residents. Businesses with less than $1 million in annual online sales would be exempt, and the sponsors have estimated that fewer than 1,000 businesses would be required to collect sales taxes. NSBA is monitoring. S. 749 15-Year Depreciation bill A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the 15-year recovery period for qualified leasehold improvement property, qualified restaurant property, and qualified retail improvement property. NSBA supports.S. 786 Restoring Honesty for our Economy Act Bill to require agencies to quantify costs associated with proposed economically significant regulations. NSBA is monitoring. S. 787 Restoring Integrity to our Government Act Bill to require agencies to set forth reasons for determining that a proposed regulatory action is significant. NSBA is monitoring. S. 807 Plain Writing Act for Regulations for 2013 - Bill requires all new or substantially revised federal regulations to be written in clear, concise and easy to understand, or plain language. NSBA supports. S. 884 Deter Cyber Theft Act Bill requires the Director of National Intelligence to develop a watch list and a priority watch list of foreign countries that engage in economic or industrial espionage in cyberspace regarding U.S. trade secrets or other proprietary information. NSBA is monitoring. S. 1009 Chemical Safety Improvement Act Bill to reauthorize and modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act. NSBA is monitoring. S. 1029 Regulatory Accountability Act of 2013 - Bill to reform the process by which federal agencies analysis and formulate new regulations and guidance documents. NSBA is monitoring. S. 1102 Export-Import Bank Termination Act -- Bill to abolish the Export-Import Bank of the United States three years after enactment of this Act. NSBA opposes. S.1179 Small Business Export Growth Act of 2013 Bill will further lower barriers to exporting for small businesses by improving federal export assistance programs. NSBA supports. S. 1183 Death Tax Repeal Act of 2013 Bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and (2) make permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and a $5 million lifetime gift tax exemption. Provides for an inflation adjustment to such exemption amount. NSBA supports. S. 1342 Small Business Investment Promotion Act Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the expensing allowance for depreciable business property, to make permanent: (1) the increased $200,000 expensing allowance for such property, (2) the increased $800,000 threshold amount for such property over which the expensing allowance is reduced. NSBA supports. S. 1353 Cybersecurity Act of 2013 Bill would implement and codify certain aspects of the Presidents Cybersecurity Executive Order, among other things. NSBA supports. S. 1392 Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013 - Bill would promote energy savings in residential and commercial buildings and industry, and for other purposes. NSBA supports. S. 1498 Small Business Tax Fairness Act legislation that will provide targeted tax relief to small businesses. NSBA supports. S. 1720 Patent Transparency and Improvements Act of 2013 Bill seeks to address the purported increase in patent litigation by introducing certain reforms to deter bad actors from brining patent infringement actions or sending demand letters. NSBA is monitoring. S. 1900 Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act of 2014 Bill will restore the presidents authority to negotiate trade deals by including strict requirements for Congressional consultations and access to information . NSBA supports. S. 1905 Electricity Security and Affordability Act Bill proposes reasonable alternatives to EPAs proposed rule regulating carbon pollution from new and soon to be released rule regarding existing power plants. NSBA supports. S. 2049 Transparency in Assertion of Patents Act Bill would seek to address and curb the practice of sending bad faith demand letters. NSBA is monitoring. S. 2146 Patent Fee Integrity Act Bill would allow the USPTO to keep all the user fees paid by inventors and businesses. NSBA supports. S. 2223 Minimum Wage Fairness Act Bill would increase the federal minimum wage from its current $7.25 per hour to $10.10 per hour over two years, and index the rate to inflation. The measure also includes language to extend increased Section 179 expensing, up to $500,000 for eligible purchases including computer software and qualified real estate, through 2016. NSBA is monitoring. S. 2260 Expiring Provisions Improvement Reform and Efficiency (EXPIRE) Act Bill would reinstate and extend certain expired and expiring tax provisions through Dec. 31, 2015; most of the provisions expired on Dec. 31, 2013, and would be retroactively reinstated, but a few are scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2014. NSBA supports. S. 2262 Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act -- Bill would promote and facilitate the development and deployment of new energy efficiency technologies and adoption of more efficient processes. NSBA supports. S. 2486 Restoring Overtime Pay for Working Americans Act Bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to establish salary thresh-olds for and limitations on executive, administrative, and professional employees and address highly compensated employees, for purposes of the requirements for exemption from the Federal minimum wage and maximum hour provisions. NSBA is monitoring.

H.Con.Res. 25 House Budget Resolution Calls for an estimated $4.6 trillion in federal spending cuts (based on current policy) from 2014-2023 and provides for no additional tax revenue. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 3 Northern Route Approval Act of 2013 Bill to expedite approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. NSBA is monitoring.H.R. 25 Fair Tax Act of 2013 Legislation to abolish the Internal Revenue Service and enact a national retail sales tax. NSBA supports. H.R. 30 Small Business Investment enhancement and Tax Relief Act - Establishes an early-stage investment program to provide equity financing to support early-stage businesses and provide a small business investment tax credit of 20%. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 168 Business Freedom of Commerce Act Bill would allow a small business operating in the United States to elect to be exempt from any federal rule or regulation issued on or after January 20, 2009, among other things. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 309 Regulatory Sunset and Review Act Bill requires federal agencies (either by someone who has been adversely affected or via a Congressional committee) to review their covered rules and modify, consolidate, or terminate such rules on a periodic basis. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 367 Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2013 Bill would require Congressional approval for major regulations. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 375 Made in America Manufacturing Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretaries of Commerce and Labor to establish a program for the joint award of incentive grants to a state or a regional partnership to support the U.S. manufacturing industry, among other things. NSBA supports. H.R. 400 Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Assistance Act Bill establishes a Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Fund to ensure that U.S. clean energy technology firms have the information and assistance they need to be competitive and to create clean energy technology sector jobs, among other things. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 407 Clean Vehicles Incentive Act of 2013 Bill allows certain businesses located in areas designated as nonattainment areas under the Clean Air Act a general business tax credit for the cost of certain clean-fuel vehicle property and the use of clean-burning fuel. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 596 Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to each establishes a wind and solar leasing pilot program and establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund for use in regions impacted by the development of wind or solar energy on public lands. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 624 Cyber Intelligence and Sharing Protection Act of 2013 Bill seeks to help foster voluntary cyber threat information sharing between the private sector and the federal government, while at the same time hope to ensure certain privacy and civil liberties protections. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 684 Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 Bill would allow states to require that Internet retailers located outside their borders collect sales taxes on purchases by their residents. Businesses with less than $1 million in annual online sales would be exempt, and the sponsors have estimated that fewer than 1,000 businesses would be required to collect sales taxes. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 688 Credit Union Small Business Jobs Creation Act of 2013 - Increases the credit union member business lending limit from 12.25 percent to 27.5 percent, among other things. NSBA supports. H.R. 701 Bill amends a provision of the Securities Act of 1933 to direct the Securities and Exchange Commission to add a particular class of securities to those exempted under the Act and to provide a deadline for doing so. NSBA supports. H.R. 756 - Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2013 Bill seeks to improve information sharing between the private sector and the federal government and continue much-needed cybersecurity research and development programs. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 763 The Jobs and Premium Protection Act Bill will act to amend the PPACA to repeal provisions imposing an annual fee on health insurance providers. NSBA supports. H.R. 776 Security in Bonding Act of 2013 Bill would provide easier access to surety bonds for small construction firms to improve participation in the federal marketplace. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 967 Advancing Americas Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2013 Bill seeks to foster information sharing between the private sector and the federal government and develop a strategic plan for information sharing and cybersecurity research and development within various relevant federal agencies. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1002 Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2013 Provides consumers with free access to their credit scores along with free access to their credit reports once each year. NSBA supports. H.R. 1062 SEC Regulatory Accountability Act Bill requires the SEC to undertake an enhanced cost-benefit analysis before adopting any new regulations. NSBA supports. H.R. 1072 Freedom from Government Competition Act - Requires each executive or military department or independent establishment to obtain all goods and services necessary for or beneficial to the accomplishment of its authorized functions by procurement from private sources, with certain exceptions. NSBA supports. H.R. 1127 Rebuild American Manufacturing Act of 2013 Bill directs President to develop a comprehensive national manufacturing strategy. NSBA supports.H.R. 1138 Small Business Clean Energy Financing Act of 2013 Bill would establish a new loan guarantee program within the U.S. Small Business Administration for clean technology companies. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1219 Gulf Fisheries Fairness Act Bill would increase state water boundaries to 120 feet or 9 nautical miles (whichever is greater) and gives states greater control over their reef fisheries to open up more waters for commercial and recreational fishermen. NSBA supports. H.R. 1240 - Commercial Real Estate and Economic Development (CREED) Act of 2013, which will extend for five years the low-interest refinancing provisions under the Local Development Business Program of the Small Business Administration (SBA). NSBA supports. H.R. 1321 Small Business Paperwork Relief Act Bill would suspend civil fines for first-time paperwork violations by small business concerns unless there is potential for serious harm to the public interest and other relevant conditions. NSBA supports. H.R. 1332 American Jobs Matter Act of 2013 Bill to allow contracting officers to consider information regarding domestic employment before awarded a federal contract. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1557 Plain Writing Act for Regulations for 2013 Bill requires all new or substantially revised federal regulations to be written in clear, concise and easy to understand, or plain language. NSBA supports. H.R. 1616 - Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act - Bill would promote energy savings in residential and commercial buildings and industry, and for other purposes. NSBA supports. H.R. 1772 The Legal Workforce Act Bill would make the use of E-Verify mandatory for new hires and impose severe employer penalties. NSBA opposes. H.R. 1773 The Agricultural Guestworker Act Bill would create a simplified and expanded agricultural guest worker program. NSBA supports. H.R. 1909 Export Coordination Act of 2013 Bill would establish stronger congressional oversight and coordination of trade assistance across 20 agencies. NSBA supports. H.R. 1916 TRADE (Transparent Rules Allow Direct Exporting) for Small Businesses and Jobs Act Bill is directed at helping SMEs stay current on changing foreign regulations. It requires Commerce (via MAC) to publish changes in tariff/non-tariff and technical barriers on export.gov or a successor website. NSBA supports. H.R. 1926 State Trade Coordination Act of 2013 Bill would establish the framework to ensure that federal and state trade agencies work in unison to assist their local exporters. NSBA supports. H.R. 2122 Regulatory Accountability Act of 2013 Bill to reform the process by which federal agencies analysis and formulate new regulations and guidance documents. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2131 The Supplying Knowledge Based Immigrants and Lifting Levels of STEM Visas Act Bill would allocate green cards to foreign graduates of U.S. universities with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, increase H-1B visas, repeal the employment-based per-country cap, establish a new entrepreneur visa program and strengthen the investor visa program. NSBA supports. H.R. 2232 Make Every Small Business Count Act of 2013 Bill would allow prime contractors covered by a subcontracting plan under a single contract with a federal agency to receive credit against such a plan for using small business subcontractors and any level of subcontracting. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2263 Export-Import Bank Termination Act Bill to abolish the Export-Import Bank of the United States three years after enactment of this Act. NSBA opposes. H.R. 2274 Small Business Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales and Brokerage Simplification Act of 2013 Bill would allow merger and acquisition brokers who perform services in connection with the transfer of ownership of smaller privately held companies to register with the SEC by filing an electronic notice. NSBA supports. H.R. 2429 - Death Tax Repeal Act of 2013 - Bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and (2) make permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and a $5 million lifetime gift tax exemption. Provides for an inflation adjustment to such exemption amount. NSBA supports. H.R. 2452 - Women's Procurement Program Equalization Act of 2013 - Bill would standardize sole source contracts for women-owed small business helping to place them on equal footing as other similarly situated small businesses with respect to the SBA's procurement programs. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2542 - Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2013 - Bill amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act to ensure complete analysis of potential impacts on small entities of federal rules. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2582 PATENT Jobs Act Bill exempts USPTO from Presidential Sequestration Order issued on March 1, 2013. NSBA supports. H.R. 2593 Cost-Benefit and Regulatory Transparency Enhancement Act of 2013 Bill requires reports on the results of and methods used to calculate any cost-benefit or regulatory impact analysis. NSBA is monitoring.H.R. 2751 Commonsense Construction Contracting Act of 2013 Bill would prohibit reverse auction methods from being used in the case of any contract for the procurement of design and construction services if the contract is suitable for award to a small business, or if the award is made under other relevant SBA provisions. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2882 Improving Opportunities for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses Act of 2013 Bill amends the Small Business Act to allow, under certain conditions, the surviving spouse of a service-disabled veteran to be treated as if the surviving spouse were that veteran for the purpose of maintaining the business's status, among other provisions. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 3169 IRS Rulemaking Fairness Act of 2013 Expands requirements relating to review of federal agency actions that have a significant economic impact on small entities (e.g., small organizations and businesses) to include rulemaking by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 3826 Electricity Security and Affordability Act Bill proposes reasonable alternatives to EPAs proposed rule regulating carbon pollution from new and soon to be released rule regarding existing power plants. NSBA supports. H.R. 3830 Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act of 2014 Bill will restore the presidents authority to negotiate trade deals by including strict requirements for Congressional consultations and access to information . NSBA supports. H.R. 4093 Greater Opportunities for Small Business Act of 2014 Bill would increase the small business prime contracting goal to 25% and the small business subcontracting goal to 40%. NSBA supports. H.R. 4094 Contracting Data and Bundling Accountability Act of 2014 Bill would improve the gathering and transparency of contract bundling data to enhance accountability and small business contracting opportunities. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 4121 Small Business Development Centers Improvements Act of 2014 Bill would provide improvements to Small Business Development Centers by, among other things, repealing certain provisions prohibiting grant awards for marketing and advertising services, improves data collection efforts, and allowing SBDCs to collect fees and other income from partnerships and co-sponsorships. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 4438 American Research and Competitiveness Act of 2014 Bill amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to simplify and make permanent the research credit. NSBA supports. H.R. 4457 Americas Small Business Tax Relief Act of 2014 The legislation would make permanent section 179 expensing and allow businesses to deduct up to $500,000 annually in expenses incurred buying machinery, equipment, computer software, and similar items. NSBA supports. S. 15 Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2013 - Bill would require Congressional approval for major regulations. NSBA is monitoring. S. 17 Energy Production and Project Delivery Act Bill would promote an all-of-the-above energy policy by opening up more areas to leasing, expediting energy projects, and preventing regulation of CO2 under the CAA. NSBA is monitoring. S. 21 Cybersecurity and American Cyber Competitiveness Act of 2013 Sense of Congress bill to highlight the need for improved coordination and collaboration between the private sector and the federal government regarding cyber threat and cyber-attack information, and the need to incorporate certain privacy and civil liberties protections in any future cybersecurity-related legislation. NSBA is monitoring. S. 63 Made in America Manufacturing Act - Directs the Secretaries of Commerce and Labor to establish a program for the joint award of incentive grants to a state or a regional partnership to support the U.S. manufacturing industry. NSBA supports. S. 169 I-Squared Act Bill increase H-1B visa cap and establishes an economic demand model to determine future increases or decreases in cap, eliminates per country numerical limitation for employment-based visas, exempts certain categories of persons from employment-based green card cap (i.e. students w/ advanced degree in STEM field), increases fees on H-1B applications which will be used towards STEM education and training. NSBA is monitoring. S. 189 Startup Visa Act Creates a new visa category for immigrant entrepreneurs. NSBA is monitoring. S. 192 Expedited LNG for America Allies Act of 2013 Bill would expedite the approval process for LNG exports to allies of America. NSBA is monitoring. S. 196 Assuring Contracting Equity Act of 2013 Increases govt wide contracting goal for small biz from 23% to 25 percent and requires federal agencies to consult with SBA to determine standards for procurement officers to follow re: past compliance of potential contractors with small business subcontracting goals. NSBA supports. S. 279 - Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to each establishes a wind and solar leasing pilot program and establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund for use in regions impacted by the development of wind or solar energy on public lands. NSBA is monitoring. S. 289 Commercial Real Estate and Economic Development (CREED) Act of 2013, which will extend for five years the low-interest refinancing provisions under the Local Development Business Program of the Small Business Administration (SBA). NSBA supports.S. 310 Startup Act 3.0 - This bill seeks to provide capital gains and income tax incentives to incentivize entrepreneurs and facilitate the growth of new start-ups, creates a new STEM visa for up to foreign students and establishes a new category of visas for immigrant entrepreneurs. NSBA supports. S. 320 Closing Regulatory Loopholes Act of 2013 Bill would require Congressional review over federal agency guidance documents and major guidance documents prior to implementation. NSBA supports. S. 418 Do-Not-Track Online Act of 2013 Bill would require the promulgating of regulations to address the collection and use of personal information obtained via the tracking of online activity. NSBA is monitoring. S. 450 Financial Regulatory Responsibility Act of 2013 Bill requires enhanced cost-benefit analysis and justification for certain regulations proposed by federal banking, securities, commodities, and housing regulators. NSBA supports. S. 471 Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2013 - Provides consumers with free access to their credit scores along with free access to their credit reports once each year. NSBA supports. S. 537 Communicating Lending Activity Reports from the Small Business Administration Act (CLEAR SBA) Act - require the SBA Administrator make publically available on the SBA website certain information regarding lenders making covered loans to small firms. NSBA is monitoring. S. 540 Temporary Debt Limit Extension Act Measure suspends the current statutory limit on federal borrowing for one year, through March 15, 2015, which would allow the government to borrow whatever it needs through that time to fully finance government operations. NSBA supports. S. 544 Rebuild American Manufacturing Act of 2013 - Bill directs President to develop a comprehensive national manufacturing strategy. NSBA supports. S. 601 Water Resources Development Act Bill to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources and to authorize the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the U.S. NSBA is monitoring. S. 603 The Jobs and Premium Protection Act The legislation would repeal the annual fee on health insurance providers enacted by the PPACA. NSBA supports. S. 718 Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act of 2013 -- Directs the President to establish a comprehensive U.S. strategy for public and private investment, trade, and development in Africa that focuses on: (1) increasing exports of U.S. goods and services to Africa by 200% in real dollar value within 10 years, (2) promoting the alignment of U.S. commercial interests with development priorities in Africa, (3) improving the competitiveness of U.S. businesses in Africa, (4) encouraging a greater understanding among U.S. business and financial communities of the opportunities Africa holds for U.S. exports, and (5) fostering partnership opportunities between U.S. and African small- and medium-sized enterprises. NSBA supports. S. 743 Marketplace Fairness Act Bill would allow states to require that Internet retailers located outside their borders collect sales taxes on purchases by their residents. Businesses with less than $1 million in annual online sales would be exempt, and the sponsors have estimated that fewer than 1,000 businesses would be required to collect sales taxes. NSBA is monitoring. S. 749 15-Year Depreciation bill A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the 15-year recovery period for qualified leasehold improvement property, qualified restaurant property, and qualified retail improvement property. NSBA supports. S. 786 Restoring Honesty for our Economy Act Bill to require agencies to quantify costs associated with proposed economically significant regulations. NSBA is monitoring. S. 787 Restoring Integrity to our Government Act Bill to require agencies to set forth reasons for determining that a proposed regulatory action is significant. NSBA is monitoring. S. 807 Plain Writing Act for Regulations for 2013 - Bill requires all new or substantially revised federal regulations to be written in clear, concise and easy to understand, or plain language. NSBA supports. S. 884 Deter Cyber Theft Act Bill requires the Director of National Intelligence to develop a watch list and a priority watch list of foreign countries that engage in economic or industrial espionage in cyberspace regarding U.S. trade secrets or other proprietary information. NSBA is monitoring. S. 1009 Chemical Safety Improvement Act Bill to reauthorize and modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act. NSBA is monitoring. S. 1029 - Regulatory Accountability Act of 2013 - Bill to reform the process by which federal agencies analysis and formulate new regulations and guidance documents. NSBA is monitoring. S. 1102 Export-Import Bank Termination Act -- Bill to abolish the Export-Import Bank of the United States three years after enactment of this Act. NSBA opposes.S.1179 Small Business Export Growth Act of 2013 Bill will further lower barriers to exporting for small businesses by improving federal export assistance programs. NSBA supports. S. 1183 Death Tax Repeal Act of 2013 Bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and (2) make permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and a $5 million lifetime gift tax exemption. Provides for an inflation adjustment to such exemption amount. NSBA supports. S. 1342 Small Business Investment Promotion Act Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the expensing allowance for depreciable business property, to make permanent: (1) the increased $200,000 expensing allowance for such property, (2) the increased $800,000 threshold amount for such property over which the expensing allowance is reduced. NSBA supports. S. 1353 Cybersecurity Act of 2013 Bill would implement and codify certain aspects of the Presidents Cybersecurity Executive Order, among other things. NSBA supports. S. 1392 Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013 - Bill would promote energy savings in residential and commercial buildings and industry, and for other purposes. NSBA supports. S. 1498 Small Business Tax Fairness Act legislation that will provide targeted tax relief to small businesses. NSBA supports. S. 1720 Patent Transparency and Improvements Act of 2013 Bill seeks to address the purported increase in patent litigation by introducing certain reforms to deter bad actors from brining patent infringement actions or sending demand letters. NSBA is monitoring. S. 1900 Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act of 2014 Bill will restore the presidents authority to negotiate trade deals by including strict requirements for Congressional consultations and access to information . NSBA supports. S. 1905 Electricity Security and Affordability Act Bill proposes reasonable alternatives to EPAs proposed rule regulating carbon pollution from new and soon to be released rule regarding existing power plants. NSBA supports. S. 2049 Transparency in Assertion of Patents Act Bill would seek to address and curb the practice of sending bad faith demand letters. NSBA is monitoring. S. 2146 Patent Fee Integrity Act Bill would allow the USPTO to keep all the user fees paid by inventors and businesses. NSBA supports. Reforming Federal Procurement of IT (REP-IT) Act Draft bill would create a new White House IT Office and a federal chief technology officer to provide oversight and help streamline the federal IT procurement process. NSBA is monitoring White House Conference on Small Business National Conference to develop a comprehensive, long-term small business agenda. NSBA supports. Patent Litigation Reform Discussion Draft Bill seeks to address the perceived increase in patent litigation through various reform measures. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Proposed Rule re: Title 3 of the JOBS Act Crowdfunding. NSBA filed comments. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Proposed Rule re: Title 3 of the JOBS Act Crowdfunding. NSBA is monitoring. America COMPETES Act Reauthorization Bill would provide federal funding for research in STEM fields. NSBA is monitoring. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Proposed Carbon Pollution Standard for Existing Power Plants. NSBA is monitoring.

Jumpstart Our Business Startup Act (JOBS Act): SBE Council continues to push for full implementation of the law (signed by President Obama on April 5, 2012) by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), such as Title III (crowdfunding regs) that align with the intent of Congress and President Obama. SBE Council filed comments on proposed regulations regarding Title III, and responds to inquiries from Congress about the progress of rulemakings.Tax Reform and Relief: SBE Council continues to advocate for fundamental reform of the tax system, providing input to U.S. House and Senate members on specific proposals and principles for reform. Specifically we have commented and provided feedback on House Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp's plan. SBE Council continues to push for lower tax rates for entrepreneurs (individual rates) and corporate entities, encouraging U.S. startup activity, elimination of capital gains and death taxes, simplicity, making permanent certain important features (like Section 179 expensing and business expensing) and pointing out various legitimate business expenses that should remain deductible (i.e.: interest on debt), and against LIFO repeal. SBE Council continues to advocate for small business friendly tax reform working with our members and with coalition partners. SBE Council is pushing for a two-year extension of 2013 expiring tax provisions as a bridge to tax system overhaul. Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) and Health Care Reform: SBE Council continues to advocate and comment on the proposed rules and regulations of Health and Human Services (HHS), and educate about potential problems with implementation of the law (ie: health care exchanges, mandates, etc.) that will raise costs and increase complexity for entrepreneurs. SBE Council supports repealing key provisions in the Affordable Care Act like the employer mandate, ACA tax increases (medical devices, individual tax hikes, the health insurance tax) and restrictions placed on HSAs. Specific legislation SBE Council is supporting includes: Medical FSA Improvement Act (H.R. 1634); H.R. 45 - legislation to repeal ACA (supported passage); American Jobs Protection Act, (H.R. 903), (S. 399); Save American Workers Act (HR 2575 - suported passage); Special IG for Monitoring the ACA (HR 4158); Suspending the Individual Mandate Penalty (H.R. 4118- supported House passage); and legislation to lift the cap on HSAs in the ACA (passed and signed by President Obama). Regulatory Reform: SBE Council continues to support reforms to improve transparency and accountability of the regulatory system for small businesses. Specific legislation includes: National Regulatory Budget Act (S.2153); Sunshine and Regulatory Decrees and Settlement Act (HR 1493, S.714); Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act (HR 899); Achieving Less Excess in Regulation and Regulatory Transparency Act (HR 2804); All Economic Regulations are Transparent Act (HR 2804); Consumer Financial Freedom and Washington Accountability Act (HR 3193); Secret Science Reform Act (HR 4012 - also testified before U.S. House on this issue/legislation). SBE Council is also active on citing concerns and providing written testimony to Congress on President Obama's Climate Action Plan, EPA's forthcoming Ozone and Power Plant rules. SBE Council also provided comments in support of EPA's proposal to reduce the ethanol blend for renewable fuel standards. Immigration Reform: SBE Council continues to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform specifically focusing on increasing high-tech, high-skill visas and adding low-skill and entrepreneur visas. We continue to oppose e-verify for small employers, and to express concern with e-verify and other general provisions in the Senate-passed bill (S.744) that burden small businesses or make it costly and impractical to utilize visas for business workforce needs. Affordable Energy: SBE Council continues to support greater exploration and development of domestic energy resources, as well as construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. SBE Council opposes proposals and efforts to restrict liquefied natural gas exports, and is active support legislative effort to expedite approval of Keystone and applications for LNG permits. Specific legislation SBE Council supports, includes: Electricity Security and Affordability Act (HR 3826, S.1905); Preventing Government Waste and Protecting Coal Mining Jobs in America Act (HR 2824); Responsibly & Professionally Invigorating Development Act (HR 2641). SBE Council also opposes tax increases on the energy sector that will hurt small businesses in the industry and raise prices for small business consumers. Global Trade Expansion: SBE Council continues to support expanding trade accords with nations to open markets for entrepreneurs and the U.S. business sector. SBE Council is monitoring and supporting efforts to accelerate the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and supports a new U.S.-EU trade accord. We are also supporting strong intellectual property (IP) provisions in these agreeements. SBE Council continues to advocate for streamlined and less costly processes for small businesses that operate in global markets, whether that be importing or exporting. Specific pieces of legislation SBE Council is supporting include: State Trade Coordination Act (H.R. 1926); Trade for Small Business and Jobs Act (H.R. 1916); Export Coordination Act (H.R. 1909). SBE Council also supports giving President Obama "trade promotion authority" and supports the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act (HR 3830, S.1900).Telecommunications, Technology & IP: SBE Council continues to urge the federal government to release additional spectrum to accommodate the explosion in mobile device and wireless usage. With respect to auctions, SBE Council believes an open, market-based auction will yield better results for the private sector, small businesses, the federal government (in terms of revenues), investment and job creation. SBE Council also supports efforts to accelerate our nation to next generation high-speed internet protocol (IP) broadband networks and continues to voice our support to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for moving forward quickly on their plan. SBE Council is supporting efforts to "remake" and "retool" the mission of the FCC to ensure it regulates based on 21st century technologies and the rapid change in innovation and in the economy. Government Reform & Efficiency, Protection of Taxpayer Resources, Free Speech in America: SBE Council continues to support legislative initiatives that work to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal government and how it uses tax dollars. Specific legislation includes: FOIA Oversight and Implementation Act (HR 1211- supported House passage); Taxpayer Transparency Act (HR 3308 - supported House passage, S.1921); Taxpayer Right to Know Act (H.R. S.2113); Taxpayer Transparency and Efficiency Audit Act (H.R. 2530); Protecting Taxpayers from Intrusive IRS Requests Act (H.R. 2531). SBE Council also submitted comments to the IRS about proposed 501c4 rules and legislation that would slow agency rulemaking on this specific issue - Stop Targeting of Political Belief by the IRS Act (H.R. 3865, S.2011). Capital Access: Specific legislative measures include: Small Business Capital Access and Jobs Protection Act (H.R. 1105) and a bill that would ease SEC red tape, and lower costs for purchasing or selling a business (H.R. 2274 - supported House passage, S. 1923).

H.R. 624, Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act H.R. 845, Saving High-Tech Innovators from Egregious Legal Disputes (SHIELD) Act H.R. 1020 / S. 489, Low Value Shipment Regulatory Modernization Act of 2013 H.R. 1276, Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act H.R. 1354, Jobs Originated through Launching Travel Act of 2013 H.R. 1409, Export Promotion Reform Act H.R. 1812, Partner with Korea Act H.R. 1926, State Trade Coordination Act H.R. 1947, Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 H.R. 2548, Electrify Africa Act of 2013 H.R. 2708, To amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to modify temporarily certain rates of duty, and for other purposes H.R. 2709, To extend the Generalized System of Preferences H.R. 3830 / S. 1900, Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act of 2014 S. 660, Innovation Through Trade Act S. 662, Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Reauthorization Act of 2013 S. 718, Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act of 2013 S. 884, Deter Cyber Theft Act S. 1114, Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act of 2013 Fiscal Year 2014 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act Legislation similar to H.R. 496, Trade Enforcement Act of 2009 Legislation similar to H.R. 4095, Online Pharmacy Safety Act of 2012 Legislation similar to H.R. 4216, Foreign Counterfeit Prevention Act of 2012 Legislation similar to H.R. 6654, Foreign Counterfeit Prevention Act of 2012 Legislation similar to S. 2002, Online Pharmacy Safety Act of 2012 Various issues relating to Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement; Free Trade Agreement with the European Union; Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA); Trade in Services Agreement (TISA); Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), including Japans entry into the TPP negotiations; Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP); Russia Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR); U.S.-Central Asia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA); Trade Promotion Authority (TPA); Trade Transformation Agenda; Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA); trade policy consideration with regard to cross-border data flows; implementation of the Triman measure (French Decree FRA/153); implementation of Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-618), as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 and the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (the "Special 301 Report"); African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA); National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security Implementation Update; International Telecommunications Union; Transatlantic Economic Council; World Health Organization (WHO); World Intellectual Property Organization; World Trade Organization (WTO); Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator and the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center; USPTO IP Attache Program; China's IPR; IP issues related to Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, India, Japan, Mexico, and Russia; IP issues related to internet counterfeiting and piracy; IP issues related to trade secret theft; IP issues related to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC); IP issues related to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); U.S.- Argentina economic relations; U.S.- Bangladesh economic relations; U.S.- Brazil economic relations; U.S.- China economic relations; U.S.- Egypt economic and commercial relations; U.S.- Japan economic relations; U.S.- Jordan economic and commercial relations; U.S.- Korea economic relations; U.S.- Mexico economic relations; U.S.- Pakistan economic relations; U.S. - Russia economic relations; U.S. - India commercial and trade relationship; U.S. sanctions on Burma; U.S. - Canada Beyond the Border Initiative; U.S. - Mexico 21st Century Border Vision; U.S. trade relations with the Middle East and North Africa; trade dispute with Mexico regarding Cross-Border Trucking Program; bilateral investment treaty negotiations with China; bilateral investment treaty negotiations with India; The Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB); Generalized System of Preferences (GSP); international affairs budget; funding for the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), including the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF); Export-Import Bank of the United States; export controls reform; promoting transatlantic investment, trade and regulatory cooperation; international concerns in the areas of antitrust, standards and investment; advancing international regulatory cooperation; implementation of Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (P.L. 111-203), G-20 obligations on Financial Service Reforms; industrial policies and cyber security issues; the expanded use of software asset management by the Federal Government and its contractors; Air Cargo Advance Screening Pilot; patent linkage and regulatory data protection; plain packaging; immigration; jobs and growth Additional agencies contacted: Food & Drug Administration (FDA) National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) Trade & Development Agency (TDA)

H.Con.Res. 25 House Budget Resolution Calls for an estimated $4.6 trillion in federal spending cuts (based on current policy) from 2014-2023 and provides for no additional tax revenue. NSBA is monitoring.H.J.Res. 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill woould fund federal agencies at an annualized rate of more than $986 billion, the same level as for fiscal year (FY) 2013, but would also leave in place another round of automatic spending cuts known as sequestration, set to take effect in January 2014. NSBA supports. H.J.Res. 89 Excepted Employees' Pay Continuing Appropriations Resolution Makes appropriations for FY2014 to pay the salaries and related expenses of federal employees who work during the period beginning October 1, 2013, and ending December 15, 2013. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 3 Northern Route Approval Act of 2013 Bill to expedite approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 25 Fair Tax Act of 2013 Legislation to abolish the Internal Revenue Service and enact a national retail sales tax. NSBA supports. H.R. 30 Small Business Investment Enhancement and Tax Relief Act - Establishes an early-stage investment program to provide equity financing to support early-stage businesses and provide a small business investment tax credit of 20%. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 168 Business Freedom of Commerce Act Bill would allow a small business operating in the United States to elect to be exempt from any federal rule or regulation issued on or after January 20, 2009, among other things. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 309 Regulatory Sunset and Review Act Bill requires federal agencies (either by someone who has been adversely affected or via a Congressional committee) to review their covered rules and modify, consolidate, or terminate such rules on a periodic basis. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 367 Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2013 Bill would require Congressional approval for major regulations. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 375 Made in America Manufacturing Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretaries of Commerce and Labor to establish a program for the joint award of incentive grants to a state or a regional partnership to support the U.S. manufacturing industry, among other things. NSBA supports. H.R. 400 Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Assistance Act Bill establishes a Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Fund to ensure that U.S. clean energy technology firms have the information and assistance they need to be competitive and to create clean energy technology sector jobs, among other things. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 407 Clean Vehicles Incentive Act of 2013 Bill allows certain businesses located in areas designated as nonattainment areas under the Clean Air Act a general business tax credit for the cost of certain clean-fuel vehicle property and the use of clean-burning fuel. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 596 Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to each establishes a wind and solar leasing pilot program and establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund for use in regions impacted by the development of wind or solar energy on public lands. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 624 Cyber Intelligence and Sharing Protection Act of 2013 Bill seeks to help foster voluntary cyber threat information sharing between the private sector and the federal government, while at the same time hope to ensure certain privacy and civil liberties protections. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 684 Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 Bill would allow states to require that Internet retailers located outside their borders collect sales taxes on purchases by their residents. Businesses with less than $1 million in annual online sales would be exempt, and the sponsors have estimated that fewer than 1,000 businesses would be required to collect sales taxes. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 688 Credit Union Small Business Jobs Creation Act of 2013 - Increases the credit union member business lending limit from 12.25 percent to 27.5 percent, among other things. NSBA supports. H.R. 701 Bill amends a provision of the Securities Act of 1933 to direct the Securities and Exchange Commission to add a particular class of securities to those exempted under the Act and to provide a deadline for doing so. NSBA supports. H.R. 756 - Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2013 Bill seeks to improve information sharing between the private sector and the federal government and continue much-needed cybersecurity research and development programs. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 763 The Jobs and Premium Protection Act Bill will act to amend the PPACA to repeal provisions imposing an annual fee on health insurance providers. NSBA supports. H.R. 967 Advancing Americas Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2013 Bill seeks to foster information sharing between the private sector and the federal government and develop a strategic plan for information sharing and cybersecurity research and development within various relevant federal agencies. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1002 Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2013 Provides consumers with free access to their credit scores along with free access to their credit reports once each year. NSBA supports. H.R. 1062 SEC Regulatory Accountability Act Bill requires the SEC to undertake an enhanced cost-benefit analysis before adopting any new regulations. NSBA supports.H.R. 1072 Freedom from Government Competition Act - Requires each executive or military department or independent establishment to obtain all goods and services necessary for or beneficial to the accomplishment of its authorized functions by procurement from private sources, with certain exceptions. NSBA supports. H.R. 1120 Preventing Greater Uncertainty in Labor-Management Relations Act Bill would prohibit the National Labor Relations Board from taking any action that requires a quorum of the members of the Board until such time as Board constituting a quorum shall have been confirmed by the Senate. NSBA supports. H.R. 1127 Rebuild American Manufacturing Act of 2013 Bill directs President to develop a comprehensive national manufacturing strategy. NSBA supports. H.R. 1138 Small Business Clean Energy Financing Act of 2013 Bill would establish a new loan guarantee program within the U.S. Small Business Administration for clean technology companies. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1219 Gulf Fisheries Fairness Act Bill would increase state water boundaries to 120 feet or 9 nautical miles (whichever is greater) and gives states greater control over their reef fisheries to open up more waters for commercial and recreational fishermen. NSBA supports. H.R. 1240 - Commercial Real Estate and Economic Development (CREED) Act of 2013, which will extend for five years the low-interest refinancing provisions under the Local Development Business Program of the Small Business Administration (SBA). NSBA supports. H.R. 1321 Small Business Paperwork Relief Act Bill would suspend civil fines for first-time paperwork violations by small business concerns unless there is potential for serious harm to the public interest and other relevant conditions. NSBA supports. H.R. 1332 American Jobs Matter Act of 2013 Bill to allow contracting officers to consider information regarding domestic employment before awarded a federal contract. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1406 Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013 Bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to authorize private employers to provide compensatory time off to private employees at a rate of 1 1/2 hours per hour of employment for which overtime compensation is required. NSBA supports. H.R. 1557 Plain Writing Act for Regulations for 2013 Bill requires all new or substantially revised federal regulations to be written in clear, concise and easy to understand, or plain language. NSBA supports. H.R. 1772 The Legal Workforce Act Bill would make the use of E-Verify mandatory for new hires and impose severe employer penalties. NSBA opposes. H.R. 1773 The Agricultural Guestworker Act Bill would create a simplified and expanded agricultural guest worker program. NSBA supports. H.R. 1909 Export Coordination Act of 2013 Bill would establish stronger congressional oversight and coordination of trade assistance across 20 agencies. NSBA supports. H.R. 1916 TRADE (Transparent Rules Allow Direct Exporting) for Small Businesses and Jobs Act Bill is directed at helping SMEs stay current on changing foreign regulations. It requires Commerce (via MAC) to publish changes in tariff/non-tariff and technical barriers on export.gov or a successor website. NSBA supports. H.R. 1926 State Trade Coordination Act of 2013 Bill would establish the framework to ensure that federal and state trade agencies work in unison to assist their local exporters. NSBA supports. H.R. 2122 Regulatory Accountability Act of 2013 Bill to reform the process by which federal agencies analysis and formulate new regulations and guidance documents. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2131 The Supplying Knowledge Based Immigrants and Lifting Levels of STEM Visas Act Bill would allocate green cards to foreign graduates of U.S. universities with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, increase H-1B visas, repeal the employment-based per-country cap, establish a new entrepreneur visa program and strengthen the investor visa program. NSBA supports. H.R. 2232 - Make Every Small Business Count Act of 2013 - Bill would allow prime contractors covered by a subcontracting plan under a single contract with a federal agency to receive credit against such a plan for using small business subcontractors and any level of subcontracting. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2263 - Export-Import Bank Termination Act - Bill to abolish the Export-Import Bank of the United States three years after enactment of this Act. NSBA opposes. H.R. 2274 - Small Business Mergers, Acquisitions, Sales and Brokerage Simplification Act of 2013 - Bill would allow merger and acquisition brokers who perform services in connection with the transfer of ownership of smaller privately held companies to register with the SEC by filing an electronic notice. NSBA supports. H.R. 2429 Death Tax Repeal Act of 2013 Bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and (2) make permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and a $5 million lifetime gift tax exemption. Provides for an inflation adjustment to such exemption amount. NSBA supports.H.R. 2542 Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2013 Bill amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act to ensure complete analysis of potential impacts on small entities of federal rules. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2582 PATENT Jobs Act Bill exempts USPTO from Presidential Sequestration Order issued on March 1, 2013. NSBA supports. H.R. 2593 Cost-Benefit and Regulatory Transparency Enhancement Act of 2013 Bill requires reports on the results of and methods used to calculate any cost-benefit or regulatory impact analysis. NSBA is monitoring. H.R.2775 Continuing Appropriations Act 2014 The final version of the bill makes continuing appropriations through January 15, 2014, thus ending the government shutdown, and increases the debt limit through February 7, 2014. NSBA supports. H.R. 3169 IRS Rulemaking Fairness Act of 2013 Expands requirements relating to review of federal agency actions that have a significant economic impact on small entities (e.g., small organizations and businesses) to include rulemaking by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). NSBA is monitoring. H.R 3273 Deficit Reduction and Economic Growth Working Group Act Would create a bipartisan group of House and Senate lawmakers to seek an agreement on spending issues, including possible changes to mandatory programs, and increases in the debt limit. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 3826 Electricity Security and Affordability Act Bill proposes reasonable alternatives to EPAs proposed rule regulating carbon pollution from new and soon to be released rule regarding existing power plants. NSBA supports. S.Con.Res. 8 Senate Budget Resolution calls for $1.85 trillion in deficit reduction over 10 years split evenly between new tax revenue and spending cuts. NSBA is monitoring. S. 15 Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2013 - Bill would require Congressional approval for major regulations. NSBA is monitoring. S. 17 Energy Production and Project Delivery Act Bill would promote an all-of-the-above energy policy by opening up more areas to leasing, expediting energy projects, and preventing regulation of CO2 under the CAA. NSBA is monitoring. S. 21 Cybersecurity and American Cyber Competitiveness Act of 2013 Sense of Congress bill to highlight the need for improved coordination and collaboration between the private sector and the federal government regarding cyber threat and cyber-attack information, and the need to incorporate certain privacy and civil liberties protections in any future cybersecurity-related legislation. NSBA is monitoring. S. 63 Made in America Manufacturing Act - Directs the Secretaries of Commerce and Labor to establish a program for the joint award of incentive grants to a state or a regional partnership to support the U.S. manufacturing industry. NSBA supports. S. 169 I-Squared Act Bill increase H-1B visa cap and establishes an economic demand model to determine future increases or decreases in cap, eliminates per country numerical limitation for employment-based visas, exempts certain categories of persons from employment-based green card cap (i.e. students w/ advanced degree in STEM field), increases fees on H-1B applications which will be used towards STEM education and training. NSBA is monitoring. S. 189 Startup Visa Act Creates a new visa category for immigrant entrepreneurs. NSBA is monitoring. S. 192 Expedited LNG for America Allies Act of 2013 Bill would expedite the approval process for LNG exports to allies of America. NSBA is monitoring. S. 196 Assuring Contracting Equity Act of 2013 Increases govt wide contracting goal for small biz from 23% to 25 percent and requires federal agencies to consult with SBA to determine standards for procurement officers to follow re: past compliance of potential contractors with small business subcontracting goals. NSBA supports. S. 279 - Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to each establishes a wind and solar leasing pilot program and establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund for use in regions impacted by the development of wind or solar energy on public lands. NSBA is monitoring. S. 289 Commercial Real Estate and Economic Development (CREED) Act of 2013, which will extend for five years the low-interest refinancing provisions under the Local Development Business Program of the Small Business Administration (SBA). NSBA supports. S. 310 Startup Act 3.0 - This bill seeks to provide capital gains and income tax incentives to incentivize entrepreneurs and facilitate the growth of new start-ups, creates a new STEM visa for up to foreign students and establishes a new category of visas for immigrant entrepreneurs. NSBA supports. S. 320 Closing Regulatory Loopholes Act of 2013 Bill would require Congressional review over federal agency guidance documents and major guidance documents prior to implementation. NSBA supports. S. 418 Do-Not-Track Online Act of 2013 Bill would require the promulgating of regulations to address the collection and use of personal information obtained via the tracking of online activity. NSBA is monitoring. S. 450 Financial Regulatory Responsibility Act of 2013 Bill requires enhanced cost-benefit analysis and justification for certain regulations proposed by federal banking, securities, commodities, and housing regulators. NSBA supports.S. 471 Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2013 - Provides consumers with free access to their credit scores along with free access to their credit reports once each year. NSBA supports. S. 537 Communicating Lending Activity Reports from the Small Business Administration Act (CLEAR SBA) Act - require the SBA Administrator make publically available on the SBA website certain information regarding lenders making covered loans to small firms. NSBA is monitoring. S. 544 Rebuild American Manufacturing Act of 2013 - Bill directs President to develop a comprehensive national manufacturing strategy. NSBA supports. S. 601 Water Resources Development Act Bill to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources and to authorize the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the U.S. NSBA is monitoring. S. 603 The Jobs and Premium Protection Act The legislation would repeal the annual fee on health insurance providers enacted by the PPACA. NSBA supports. S. 718 Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act of 2013 -- Directs the President to establish a comprehensive U.S. strategy for public and private investment, trade, and development in Africa that focuses on: (1) increasing exports of U.S. goods and services to Africa by 200% in real dollar value within 10 years, (2) promoting the alignment of U.S. commercial interests with development priorities in Africa, (3) improving the competitiveness of U.S. businesses in Africa, (4) encouraging a greater understanding among U.S. business and financial communities of the opportunities Africa holds for U.S. exports, and (5) fostering partnership opportunities between U.S. and African small- and medium-sized enterprises. NSBA supports. S. 743 Marketplace Fairness Act Bill would allow states to require that Internet retailers located outside their borders collect sales taxes on purchases by their residents. Businesses with less than $1 million in annual online sales would be exempt, and the sponsors have estimated that fewer than 1,000 businesses would be required to collect sales taxes. NSBA is monitoring. S. 749 15-Year Depreciation bill A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the 15-year recovery period for qualified leasehold improvement property, qualified restaurant property, and qualified retail improvement property. NSBA supports. S. 761 Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013 - Bill would promote energy savings in residential and commercial buildings and industry, and for other purposes. NSBA supports. S. 786 Restoring Honesty for our Economy Act Bill to require agencies to quantify costs associated with proposed economically significant regulations. NSBA is monitoring. S. 787 Restoring Integrity to our Government Act Bill to require agencies to set forth reasons for determining that a proposed regulatory action is significant. NSBA is monitoring. S. 807 Plain Writing Act for Regulations for 2013 - Bill requires all new or substantially revised federal regulations to be written in clear, concise and easy to understand, or plain language. NSBA supports. S. 884 Deter Cyber Theft Act Bill requires the Director of National Intelligence to develop a watch list and a priority watch list of foreign countries that engage in economic or industrial espionage in cyberspace regarding U.S. trade secrets or other proprietary information. NSBA is monitoring. S. 1009 Chemical Safety Improvement Act Bill to reauthorize and modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act. NSBA is monitoring. S. 1029 Regulatory Accountability Act of 2013 - Bill to reform the process by which federal agencies analysis and formulate new regulations and guidance documents. NSBA is monitoring. S. 1102 Export-Import Bank Termination Act -- Bill to abolish the Export-Import Bank of the United States three years after enactment of this Act. NSBA opposes. S.1179 Small Business Export Growth Act of 2013 Bill will further lower barriers to exporting for small businesses by improving federal export assistance programs. NSBA supports. S. 1183 Death Tax Repeal Act of 2013 Bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and (2) make permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and a $5 million lifetime gift tax exemption. Provides for an inflation adjustment to such exemption amount. NSBA supports. S. 1342 Small Business Investment Promotion Act Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the expensing allowance for depreciable business property, to make permanent: (1) the increased $200,000 expensing allowance for such property, (2) the increased $800,000 threshold amount for such property over which the expensing allowance is reduced. NSBA supports. vS. 1353 Cybersecurity Act of 2013 Bill would implement and codify certain aspects of the Presidents Cybersecurity Executive Order, among other things. NSBA supports. S. 1498 Small Business Tax Fairness Act legislation that will provide targeted tax relief to small businesses. NSBA supports. S. 1720 Patent Transparency and Improvements Act of 2013 Bill seeks to address the purported increase in patent litigation by introducing certain reforms to deter bad actors from brining patent infringement actions or sending demand letters. NSBA is monitoring. S. 1905 Electricity Security and Affordability Act Bill proposes reasonable alternatives to EPAs proposed rule regulating carbon pollution from new and soon to be released rule regarding existing power plants. NSBA supports. White House Conference on Small Business National Conference to develop a comprehensive, long-term small business agenda. NSBA supports. Patent Litigation Reform Discussion Draft Bill seeks to address the perceived increase in patent litigation through various reform measures. House and Senate Minimum Wage Legislation NSBA opposes an increase in minimum wage. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Proposed Rule re: Title 3 of the JOBS Act Crowdfunding. NSBA is planning on filing comments. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Proposed Rule re: Title 3 of the JOBS Act Crowdfunding. NSBA is monitoring. America COMPETES Act Reauthorization Bill would provide federal funding for research in STEM fields. NSBA is monitoring. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Proposed Carbon Pollution Standard for New Power Plants. NSBA is monitoring. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Proposed Carbon Pollution Standard for Existing Power Plants. NSBA is monitoring.

H.R. 624, Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act H.R. 845, Saving High-Tech Innovators from Egregious Legal Disputes (SHIELD) Act H.R. 1020 / S. 489, Low Value Shipment Regulatory Modernization Act of 2013 H.R. 1276, Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act H.R. 1354, Jobs Originated through Launching Travel Act of 2013 H.R. 1409, Export Promotion Reform Act H.R. 1926, State Trade Coordination Act H.R. 1947, Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 H.R. 2548, Electrify Africa Act of 2013 H.R. 2708, To amend the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to modify temporarily certain rates of duty, and for other purposes H.R. 2709, To extend the Generalized System of Preferences S. 660, Innovation Through Trade Act S. 662, Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Reauthorization Act of 2013 S. 718, Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act of 2013 S. 884, Deter Cyber Theft Act S. 1114, Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act of 2013 Fiscal Year 2014 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act Legislation similar to H.R. 496, Trade Enforcement Act of 2009 Legislation similar to H.R. 4095, Online Pharmacy Safety Act of 2012 Legislation similar to H.R. 4216, Foreign Counterfeit Prevention Act of 2012 Legislation similar to H.R. 6654, Foreign Counterfeit Prevention Act of 2012 Legislation similar to S. 2002, Online Pharmacy Safety Act of 2012 Various issues relating to Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement; Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP); Russia Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR); Free Trade Agreement with the European Union; Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement; U.S.-Central Asia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA); Trade in Services Agreement (TISA); Trade Promotion Authority (TPA); Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA); Japans entry into the TPP negotiations; Trade Transformation Agenda; Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA); trade policy consideration with regard to cross-border data flows; U.S. trade relations with the Middle East and North Africa; implementation of Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-618), as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 and the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (the "Special 301 Report"); National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security Implementation Update; World Intellectual Property Organization; World Trade Organization (WTO); World Health Organization (WHO); International Telecommunications Union; Transatlantic Economic Council; China's IPR; IP issues related to Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Europe, India, Japan, Mexico, and Russia; IP issues related to internet counterfeiting and piracy; IP issues related to trade secret theft; Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator and the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center; IP issues related to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC); IP issues related to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); USPTO IP Attache Program; patent linkage and regulatory data protection; U.S.- Argentina economic relations; U.S.- Brazil economic relations; U.S.- Bangladesh economic relations; U.S.- China economic relations; U.S.- Egypt economic and commercial relations; U.S.- Japan economic relations; U.S.- Jordan economic and commercial relations; U.S.- Korea economic relations; U.S.- Mexico economic relations; U.S.- Pakistan economic relations; U.S. - Russia economic relations; U.S. - India commercial and trade relationship; U.S. sanctions on Burma; U.S. - Mexico 21st Century Border Vision; U.S. - Canada Beyond the Border Initiative; Air Cargo Advance Screening Pilot; trade dispute with Mexico regarding Cross-Border Trucking Program; bilateral investment treaty negotiations with China; bilateral investment treaty negotiations with India; The Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB); Generalized System of Preferences (GSP); African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA); international affairs budget; funding for the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), including the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF); Export-Import Bank reauthorization; export controls reform; industrial policies and cyber security issues; promoting transatlantic investment, trade and regulatory cooperation; international concerns in the areas of antitrust, standards and investment; advancing international regulatory cooperation; G-20 obligations on Financial Service Reforms (Dodd Frank implementation); the expanded use of software asset management by the Federal Government and its contractors; plain packaging; immigration; jobs and growth Additional agencies contacted: Trade & Development Agency (TDA) Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

H.J.Res. 59 Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 Bill would fund federal agencies at an annualized rate of more than $986 billion, the same level as for fiscal year (FY) 2013, but would also leave in place another round of automatic spending cuts known as sequestration, set to take effect in January 2014. NSBA supports.H.R. 3 Northern Route Approval Act of 2013 Bill to expedite approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 25 Fair Tax Act of 2013 Legislation to abolish the Internal Revenue Service and enact a national retail sales tax. NSBA supports. H.R. 30 Small Business Investment enhancement and Tax Relief Act - Establishes an early-stage investment program to provide equity financing to support early-stage businesses and provide a small business investment tax credit of 20%. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 168 Business Freedom of Commerce Act Bill would allow a small business operating in the United States to elect to be exempt from any federal rule or regulation issued on or after January 20, 2009, among other things. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 309 Regulatory Sunset and Review Act Bill requires federal agencies (either by someone who has been adversely affected or via a Congressional committee) to review their covered rules and modify, consolidate, or terminate such rules on a periodic basis. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 367 Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2013 Bill would require Congressional approval for major regulations. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 375 Made in America Manufacturing Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretaries of Commerce and Labor to establish a program for the joint award of incentive grants to a state or a regional partnership to support the U.S. manufacturing industry, among other things. NSBA supports. H.R. 400 Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Assistance Act Bill establishes a Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Fund to ensure that U.S. clean energy technology firms have the information and assistance they need to be competitive and to create clean energy technology sector jobs, among other things. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 407 Clean Vehicles Incentive Act of 2013 Bill allows certain businesses located in areas designated as nonattainment areas under the Clean Air Act a general business tax credit for the cost of certain clean-fuel vehicle property and the use of clean-burning fuel. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 596 Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to each establishes a wind and solar leasing pilot program and establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund for use in regions impacted by the development of wind or solar energy on public lands. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 624 Cyber Intelligence and Sharing Protection Act of 2013 Bill seeks to help foster voluntary cyber threat information sharing between the private sector and the federal government, while at the same time hope to ensure certain privacy and civil liberties protections. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 684 Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 Bill would allow states to require that Internet retailers located outside their borders collect sales taxes on purchases by their residents. Businesses with less than $1 million in annual online sales would be exempt, and the sponsors have estimated that fewer than 1,000 businesses would be required to collect sales taxes. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 688 Credit Union Small Business Jobs Creation Act of 2013 - Increases the credit union member business lending limit from 12.25 percent to 27.5 percent, among other things. NSBA supports. H.R. 701 Bill amends a provision of the Securities Act of 1933 to direct the Securities and Exchange Commission to add a particular class of securities to those exempted under the Act and to provide a deadline for doing so. NSBA supports. H.R. 756 - Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2013 Bill seeks to improve information sharing between the private sector and the federal government and continue much-needed cybersecurity research and development programs. NSBA is monitoring.H.R. 763 The Jobs and Premium Protection Act Bill will act to amend the PPACA to repeal provisions imposing an annual fee on health insurance providers. NSBA supports. H.R. 967 Advancing Americas Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2013 Bill seeks to foster information sharing between the private sector and the federal government and develop a strategic plan for information sharing and cybersecurity research and development within various relevant federal agencies. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1002 Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2013 Provides consumers with free access to their credit scores along with free access to their credit reports once each year. NSBA supports. H.R. 1062 SEC Regulatory Accountability Act Bill requires the SEC to undertake an enhanced cost-benefit analysis before adopting any new regulations. NSBA supports. H.R. 1072 Freedom from Government Competition Act - Requires each executive or military department or independent establishment to obtain all goods and services necessary for or beneficial to the accomplishment of its authorized functions by procurement from private sources, with certain exceptions. NSBA supports. H.R. 1120 Preventing Greater Uncertainty in Labor-Management Relations Act Bill would prohibit the National Labor Relations Board from taking any action that requires a quorum of the members of the Board until such time as Board constituting a quorum shall have been confirmed by the Senate. NSBA supports. H.R. 1127 Rebuild American Manufacturing Act of 2013 Bill directs President to develop a comprehensive national manufacturing strategy. NSBA supports. H.R. 1138 Small Business Clean Energy Financing Act of 2013 Bill would establish a new loan guarantee program within the U.S. Small Business Administration for clean technology companies. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1219 Gulf Fisheries Fairness Act Bill would increase state water boundaries to 120 feet or 9 nautical miles (whichever is greater) and gives states greater control over their reef fisheries to open up more waters for commercial and recreational fishermen. NSBA supports. H.R. 1240 - Commercial Real Estate and Economic Development (CREED) Act of 2013, which will extend for five years the low-interest refinancing provisions under the Local Development Business Program of the Small Business Administration (SBA). NSBA supports. H.R. 1321 Small Business Paperwork Relief Act Bill would suspend civil fines for first-time paperwork violations by small business concerns unless there is potential for serious harm to the public interest and other relevant conditions. NSBA supports. H.R. 1332 American Jobs Matter Act of 2013 Bill to allow contracting officers to consider information regarding domestic employment before awarded a federal contract. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1406 Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013 Bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to authorize private employers to provide compensatory time off to private employees at a rate of 1 1/2 hours per hour of employment for which overtime compensation is required. NSBA supports. H.R. 1557 Plain Writing Act for Regulations for 2013 Bill requires all new or substantially revised federal regulations to be written in clear, concise and easy to understand, or plain language. NSBA supports. H.R. 1772 The Legal Workforce Act Bill would make the use of E-Verify mandatory for new hires and impose severe employer penalties. NSBA opposes. H.R. 1773 The Agricultural Guestworker Act Bill would create a simplified and expanded agricultural guest worker program. NSBA supports.H.R. 1909 Export Coordination Act of 2013 Bill would establish stronger congressional oversight and coordination of trade assistance across 20 agencies. NSBA supports. H.R. 1916 TRADE (Transparent Rules Allow Direct Exporting) for Small Businesses and Jobs Act Bill is directed at helping SMEs stay current on changing foreign regulations. It requires Commerce (via MAC) to publish changes in tariff/non-tariff and technical barriers on export.gov or a successor website. NSBA supports. H.R. 1926 State Trade Coordination Act of 2013 Bill would establish the framework to ensure that federal and state trade agencies work in unison to assist their local exporters. NSBA supports. H.R. 2122 Regulatory Accountability Act of 2013 Bill to reform the process by which federal agencies analysis and formulate new regulations and guidance documents. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2131 The Supplying Knowledge Based Immigrants and Lifting Levels of STEM Visas Act Bill would allocate green cards to foreign graduates of U.S. universities with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, increase H-1B visas, repeal the employment-based per-country cap, establish a new entrepreneur visa program and strengthen the investor visa program. NSBA supports. H.R. 2232 Make Every Small Business Count Act of 2013 Bill would allow prime contractors covered by a subcontracting plan under a single contract with a federal agency to receive credit against such a plan for using small business subcontractors and any level of subcontracting. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2263 Export-Import Bank Termination Act Bill to abolish the Export-Import Bank of the United States three years after enactment of this Act. NSBA opposes. H.R. 2429 Death Tax Repeal Act of 2013 Bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and (2) make permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and a $5 million lifetime gift tax exemption. Provides for an inflation adjustment to such exemption amount. NSBA supports. H.R. 2542 Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2013 Bill amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act to ensure complete analysis of potential impacts on small entities of federal rules. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2582 PATENT Jobs Act Bill exempts USPTO from Presidential Sequestration Order issued on March 1, 2013. NSBA supports. H.R. 2593 Cost-Benefit and Regulatory Transparency Enhancement Act of 2013 Bill requires reports on the results of and methods used to calculate any cost-benefit or regulatory impact analysis. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 3169 IRS Rulemaking Fairness Act of 2013 Expands requirements relating to review of federal agency actions that have a significant economic impact on small entities (e.g., small organizations and businesses) to include rulemaking by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). NSBA is monitoring. S. 15 Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2013 - Bill would require Congressional approval for major regulations. NSBA is monitoring. S. 17 Energy Production and Project Delivery Act Bill would promote an all-of-the-above energy policy by opening up more areas to leasing, expediting energy projects, and preventing regulation of CO2 under the CAA. NSBA is monitoring. S. 21 Cybersecurity and American Cyber Competitiveness Act of 2013 Sense of Congress bill to highlight the need for improved coordination and collaboration between the private sector and the federal government regarding cyber threat and cyber-attack information, and the need to incorporate certain privacy and civil liberties protections in any future cybersecurity-related legislation. NSBA is monitoring. S. 63 Made in America Manufacturing Act - Directs the Secretaries of Commerce and Labor to establish a program for the joint award of incentive grants to a state or a regional partnership to support the U.S. manufacturing industry. NSBA supports. S. 169 I-Squared Act Bill increase H-1B visa cap and establishes an economic demand model to determine future increases or decreases in cap, eliminates per country numerical limitation for employment-based visas, exempts certain categories of persons from employment-based green card cap (i.e. students w/ advanced degree in STEM field), increases fees on H-1B applications which will be used towards STEM education and training. NSBA is monitoring. S. 189 Startup Visa Act Creates a new visa category for immigrant entrepreneurs. NSBA is monitoring. S. 192 Expedited LNG for America Allies Act of 2013 Bill would expedite the approval process for LNG exports to allies of America. NSBA is monitoring. S. 196 Assuring Contracting Equity Act of 2013 Increases govt wide contracting goal for small biz from 23% to 25 percent and requires federal agencies to consult with SBA to determine standards for procurement officers to follow re: past compliance of potential contractors with small business subcontracting goals. NSBA supports.S. 279 - Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to each establishes a wind and solar leasing pilot program and establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund for use in regions impacted by the development of wind or solar energy on public lands. NSBA is monitoring. S. 289 Commercial Real Estate and Economic Development (CREED) Act of 2013, which will extend for five years the low-interest refinancing provisions under the Local Development Business Program of the Small Business Administration (SBA). NSBA supports. S. 310 Startup Act 3.0 - This bill seeks to provide capital gains and income tax incentives to incentivize entrepreneurs and facilitate the growth of new start-ups, creates a new STEM visa for up to foreign students and establishes a new category of visas for immigrant entrepreneurs. NSBA supports. S. 320 Closing Regulatory Loopholes Act of 2013 Bill would require Congressional review over federal agency guidance documents and major guidance documents prior to implementation. NSBA supports. S. 418 Do-Not-Track Online Act of 2013 Bill would require the promulgating of regulations to address the collection and use of personal information obtained via the tracking of online activity. NSBA is monitoring. S. 450 Financial Regulatory Responsibility Act of 2013 Bill requires enhanced cost-benefit analysis and justification for certain regulations proposed by federal banking, securities, commodities, and housing regulators. NSBA supports. S. 471 Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2013 - Provides consumers with free access to their credit scores along with free access to their credit reports once each year. NSBA supports. S. 537 Communicating Lending Activity Reports from the Small Business Administration Act (CLEAR SBA) Act - require the SBA Administrator make publically available on the SBA website certain information regarding lenders making covered loans to small firms. NSBA is monitoring. S. 544 Rebuild American Manufacturing Act of 2013 - Bill directs President to develop a comprehensive national manufacturing strategy. NSBA supports. S. 601 Water Resources Development Act Bill to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources and to authorize the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the U.S. NSBA is monitoring. S. 603 The Jobs and Premium Protection Act The legislation would repeal the annual fee on health insurance providers enacted by the PPACA. NSBA supports. S. 718 Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act of 2013 -- Directs the President to establish a comprehensive U.S. strategy for public and private investment, trade, and development in Africa that focuses on: (1) increasing exports of U.S. goods and services to Africa by 200% in real dollar value within 10 years, (2) promoting the alignment of U.S. commercial interests with development priorities in Africa, (3) improving the competitiveness of U.S. businesses in Africa, (4) encouraging a greater understanding among U.S. business and financial communities of the opportunities Africa holds for U.S. exports, and (5) fostering partnership opportunities between U.S. and African small- and medium-sized enterprises. NSBA supports. S. 743 Marketplace Fairness Act Bill would allow states to require that Internet retailers located outside their borders collect sales taxes on purchases by their residents. Businesses with less than $1 million in annual online sales would be exempt, and the sponsors have estimated that fewer than 1,000 businesses would be required to collect sales taxes. NSBA is monitoring. S. 744 Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Bill would comprehensively reform immigration system and impose mandatory E-Verify. NSBA supports some provisions and opposes other provisions. S. 749 15-Year Depreciation bill A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the 15-year recovery period for qualified leasehold improvement property, qualified restaurant property, and qualified retail improvement property. NSBA supports. S. 761 Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013 - Bill would promote energy savings in residential and commercial buildings and industry, and for other purposes. NSBA supports. S. 786 Restoring Honesty for our Economy Act Bill to require agencies to quantify costs associated with proposed economically significant regulations. NSBA is monitoring S. 787 Restoring Integrity to our Government Act Bill to require agencies to set forth reasons for determining that a proposed regulatory action is significant. NSBA is monitoring. S. 807 Plain Writing Act for Regulations for 2013 - Bill requires all new or substantially revised federal regulations to be written in clear, concise and easy to understand, or plain language. NSBA supports. S. 884 Deter Cyber Theft Act Bill requires the Director of National Intelligence to develop a watch list and a priority watch list of foreign countries that engage in economic or industrial espionage in cyberspace regarding U.S. trade secrets or other proprietary information. NSBA is monitoring.S. 1009 Chemical Safety Improvement Act Bill to reauthorize and modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act. NSBA is monitoring. S. 1029 Regulatory Accountability Act of 2013 - Bill to reform the process by which federal agencies analysis and formulate new regulations and guidance documents. NSBA is monitoring. S. 1102 Export-Import Bank Termination Act -- Bill to abolish the Export-Import Bank of the United States three years after enactment of this Act. NSBA opposes. S.1179 Small Business Export Growth Act of 2013 Bill will further lower barriers to exporting for small businesses by improving federal export assistance programs. NSBA supports. S. 1183 - Death Tax Repeal Act of 2013 - Bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and (2) make permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and a $5 million lifetime gift tax exemption. Provides for an inflation adjustment to such exemption amount. NSBA supports. S. 1342 Small Business Investment Promotion Act Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the expensing allowance for depreciable business property, to make permanent: (1) the increased $200,000 expensing allowance for such property, (2) the increased $800,000 threshold amount for such property over which the expensing allowance is reduced. NSBA supports. S. 1353 Cybersecurity Act of 2013 Bill would implement and codify certain aspects of the Presidents Cybersecurity Executive Order, among other things. NSBA supports. White House Conference on Small Business National Conference to develop a comprehensive, long-term small business agenda. NSBA supports. Patent Litigation Reform Discussion Draft Bill seeks to address the perceived increase in patent litigation through various reform measures. House and Senate Minimum Wage Legislation NSBA opposes an increase in minimum wage. House and Senate National Regulatory Budget NSBA supports implementation of a national regulatory budget. House and Senate NSBA supports repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. EEOC - NSBA opposes efforts to treat educational attainment requirements as discrimination. NSBA opposes efforts to limit employer criminal background screening. U.S. Commission on Civil Rights NSBA opposes efforts to limit employer criminal background screening. SEC NSBA supports reasonable regulations implementing the JOBS Act (in particular relating to general solicitation, crowdfunding, Regulation A and emerging growth companies). NSBA supports safe harbor from registration as broker-dealers for finders and business brokers. NSBA opposed increases in the accredited investor thresholds. DOL, HHS, IRS NSBA opposes efforts to restrict employer provided health care benefit self-insurance with stop loss. DOL NSBA opposes proposed rule under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act that would require employers to report on consultants assisting with speech-writing, public relations advice, labor campaigns, web sites, emails or other materials for employer communication to employees or the public, no matter how minor or indirect the relation to any labor dispute. In addition, modification of personnel policies and practices fall under the persuader activities list. Therefore, arrangements with and the content of the work by attorneys, insurance agents, HR consultants, pension consultants, accountants or financial advisers who review benefits packages or other personnel practices would be reportable. HHS Federally Facilitated Exchanges. NSBA supports health insurance exchanges and is seeking rapid implementation and adequate guidance. NSBA supports allowing any QHP that meets all certification standards to sell insurance on the exchanges. HHS SHOPS. NSBA supports immediate implementation of SHOPs in the health insurance exchanges. HHS Age Rating Bands. NSBA supports transition relief on age rating bands. IRS Health care FSAs. NSBA supports elimination of the so-called use-it or lose-it rule. NSBA also supports revision of the uniform coverage rule if the use-it or lose-it rule is changed. IRS Shared Responsibility for Employers Regarding Health Coverage. NSBA supports the affordability safe harbors and deferral of employer penalties. NLRB NSBA opposes micro collective bargaining units, accelerated union elections and aspects of NLRB social media policies. OPM - Multi-State Plan Program. NSBA supports immediate implementation of SHOPs in the MSPP.

Fairness for American Families Act (HR 2668) - Supported House passage of 1 year delay of individual mandate in ACA; Forty Hours is Full Time Act (S 1188) - Support legislation to fix ACA to reflect 40 hours is full time; H.R. 2995 - Support this legislation to repeal the statutory cap in dedeuctibles for health plans in small group market; Startup Act 3.0 (HR 714) - support; Regulatory Accountability Act (S 1020, HR 2122)- support; Government Contracting Neutrality Act (S 109, HR 436)Jumpstart Our Business Startup Act (JOBS Act): SBE Council continues to push for full implementation of the law (signed by President Obama on April 5, 2012) by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), such as Title III (crowdfunding regs) that align with the intent of Congress and President Obama. SBE Council met with SEC to help provide input for the November 2013 Annual Small Business Capital Formation conference. Tax Reform: SBE Council continues to advocate for fundamental reform of the tax system, providing input to the working groups on tax reform in the U.S. House and members of the Senate spearheading the effort. Specifically we have provided comments and continue to push for lower tax rates for entrepreneurs (indiviudal rates) and corporate entities, encouraging U.S. startup activity, elimination of capital gains and death taxes, simplicity, making permanent certain important features (like Section 179 expensing and business expensing) and pointing out various legitimate business expenses that should remain deductible (i.e.: interest on debt), and against LIFO repeal. SBE Council continues to advocate for small business friendly tax reform working with our members and with coalition partners. Tax Increases: SBE Council continues to oppose tax increases on entrepreneurs, investment and industries and sectors that result in higher costs for small businesses. For example, SBE Council opposes increased energy taxes as proposed in President Obamas previous and current budgets. SBE Council will oppose tax increases on capital gains, carried interest and other provisions that deter investment and capital formation. Immigration Reform: SBE Council continues to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform specifically focusing on increasing high-tech, high-skill visas and adding low-skill and entrepreneur visas. We continue to oppose e-verify for small employers, and to express concern with e-verify and other general provisions in the Senate-passed bill (S.744) that burden small businesses or make it costly and impractical to utilize visas for business workforce needs. Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare): SBE Council continues to advocate and comment on proposed rules and regulations to Health and Human Services (HHS), and educate about potential problems with implementation of the law (ie: health care exchanges, mandates, etc.) that do not serve the interests of entrepreneurs. In addition to legislation cited at the beginning of this report that SBE Council has endorsed or supported through votes in Congress, SBE Council also supports repealing key provisions in the Affordable Care Act like the employer mandate, ACA tax increases (medical devices, individual tax hikes, the health insurance tax) and restrictions placed on HSAs. Specific legislation SBE Council is supporting includes: Medical FSA Improvement Act (H.R. 1634); H.R. 45 - legislation to repeal ACA; American Jobs Protection Act, (H.R. 903), (S. 399). Global Trade: SBE Council continues to support expanding trade accords with nations to open markets for entrepreneurs and the U.S. business sector. SBE Council is monitoring and supporting efforts to accelerate the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and supports a new U.S.-EU trade accord. SBE Council continues to advocate for streamlined and less costly processes for small businesses that operate in global markets, whether that be importing or exporting. Specific pieces of legislation SBE Council is supporting include: State Trade Coordination Act (H.R. 1926); Trade for Small Business and Jobs Act (H.R. 1916); Export Coordination Act (H.R. 1909). Affordable Energy: SBE Council continues to support greater exploration and development of domestic energy resources, as well as construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. SBE Council opposes proposals and efforts to restrict liquefied natural gas exports. Telecommunications, Technology & IP: SBE Council continues to call for the federal government to release additional spectrum to accommodate the explosion in mobile device and wireless usage. With respect to auctions, SBE Council believes an open, market-based auction will yield better results for the private sector, small businesses, the federal government (in terms of revenues), investment and job creation. SBE Council also supports efforts to accelerate our nation to next generation high-speed internet protocol (IP) broadband networks and continues to voice our support to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). SBE Council continues to advocate for strong IP enforcement and tools to protect small businesses from such theft both domestically and internationally. SBE Council distributed our new IP book (Unleashing Small Business Through IP) to key Mebers of Congress on Capitol Hill. Free Speech: Follow the Money Act (S.791) - SBE Council opposes the legislation.

H.R. 624, Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act H.R. 845, Saving High-Tech Innovators from Egregious Legal Disputes (SHIELD) Act H.R. 1020 / S. 489, Low Value Shipment Regulatory Modernization Act of 2013 H.R. 1276, Currency Reform for Fair Trade Act H.R. 1354, Jobs Originated through Launching Travel Act of 2013 H.R. 1409, Export Promotion Reform Act H.R. 1926, State Trade Coordination Act H.R. 1947, Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 S. 660, Innovation Through Trade Act S. 662, Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Reauthorization Act of 2013 S. 884, Deter Cyber Theft Act S. 954, The Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013 S. 1114, Currency Exchange Rate Oversight Reform Act of 2013 Fiscal Year 2014 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act Legislation similar to H.R. 496, Trade Enforcement Act of 2009 Legislation similar to H.R. 4095, Online Pharmacy Safety Act of 2012 Legislation similar to H.R. 4216, Foreign Counterfeit Prevention Act of 2012 Legislation similar to H.R. 6654, Foreign Counterfeit Prevention Act of 2012 Legislation similar to S. 2002, Online Pharmacy Safety Act of 2012 Various issues relating to Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement; immigration; jobs and growth; Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP); Russia Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR); Free Trade Agreement with the European Union; Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement; U.S.-Central Asia Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA); Trade in Services Agreement (TISA); Trade Promotion Authority (TPA); Japans entry into the TPP negotiations; trade policy consideration with regard to cross-border data flows; U.S. trade relations with the Middle East and North Africa; the World Intellectual Property Organization; Doha Round of World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations; the World Trade Organization (WTO), Trade Facilitation Agreement; the World Health Organization; the International Telecommunications Union; the Transatlantic Economic Council; China's IPR; IP issues related to Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Japan, Russia, Europe, and Mexico; IP issues related to internet counterfeiting and piracy; IP issues related to trade secret theft; the Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator and the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center; IP issues related to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC); IP issues related to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); the USPTO IP Attache Program; patent linkage and regulatory data protection; U.S.- Argentina economic relations; U.S.- Brazil economic relations; U.S.- Bangladesh economic relations; U.S.- China economic relations; U.S.- Egypt economic and commercial relations; U.S.- Japan economic relations; U.S.- Jordan economic and commercial relations; U.S.- Korea economic relations; U.S.- Mexico economic relations; U.S.- Pakistan economic relations; U.S. - Russia economic relations; U.S. - India commercial and trade relationship; U.S. sanctions on Burma; U.S. - Mexico 21st Century Border Vision; U.S. - Canada Beyond the Border Initiative; Air Cargo Advance Screening Pilot; Trade Transformation Agenda; trade dispute with Mexico regarding Cross-Border Trucking Program; bilateral investment treaty negotiations with China; bilateral investment treaty negotiations with India; implementation of Section 182 of the Trade Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-618), as amended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 and the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (the "Special 301 Report"); The Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB); Generalized System of Preferences (GSP); Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA); African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA); international affairs budget; funding for the Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), including the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF); export controls reform; industrial policies and cyber security issues; promoting Transatlantic investment, trade and regulatory cooperation; international concerns in the areas of antitrust, standards and investment; advancing International Regulatory Cooperation; G-20 obligations on Financial Service Reforms (Dodd Frank implementation); the expanded use of software asset management by the Federal Government and its contractors; plain packaging; National Strategy for Global Supply Chain Security Implementation Update Additional agencies contacted: Department of Justice Federal Trade Commission

H.R. 3 Northern Route Approval Act of 2013 Bill to expedite approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. NSBA is monitoring.H.R. 8 Job Protection and Recession Prevention Act of 2012 Bill would extend for an additional year, through 2013, the Bush-era tax reductions originally enacted in 2001 and 2003, and set to expire at the end of this year. NSBA supports. H.R. 25 Fair Tax Act of 2013 Legislation to abolish the Internal Revenue Service and enact a national retail sales tax. NSBA supports. H.R. 30 Small Business Investment enhancement and Tax Relief Act - Establishes an early-stage investment program to provide equity financing to support early-stage businesses and provide a small business investment tax credit of 20%. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 168 Business Freedom of Commerce Act Bill would allow a small business operating in the United States to elect to be exempt from any federal rule or regulation issued on or after January 20, 2009, among other things. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 309 Regulatory Sunset and Review Act Bill requires federal agencies (either by someone who has been adversely affected or via a Congressional committee) to review their covered rules and modify, consolidate, or terminate such rules on a periodic basis. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 367 Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2013 Bill would require Congressional approval for major regulations. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 375 Made in America Manufacturing Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretaries of Commerce and Labor to establish a program for the joint award of incentive grants to a state or a regional partnership to support the U.S. manufacturing industry, among other things. NSBA supports. H.R. 400 Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Assistance Act Bill establishes a Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Fund to ensure that U.S. clean energy technology firms have the information and assistance they need to be competitive and to create clean energy technology sector jobs, among other things. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 407 Clean Vehicles Incentive Act of 2013 Bill allows certain businesses located in areas designated as nonattainment areas under the Clean Air Act a general business tax credit for the cost of certain clean-fuel vehicle property and the use of clean-burning fuel. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 596 Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to each establishes a wind and solar leasing pilot program and establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund for use in regions impacted by the development of wind or solar energy on public lands. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 624 Cyber Intelligence and Sharing Protection Act of 2013 Bill seeks to help foster voluntary cyber threat information sharing between the private sector and the federal government, while at the same time hope to ensure certain privacy and civil liberties protections. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 684 Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013 Bill would allow states to require that Internet retailers located outside their borders collect sales taxes on purchases by their residents. Businesses with less than $1 million in annual online sales would be exempt, and the sponsors have estimated that fewer than 1,000 businesses would be required to collect sales taxes. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 688 Credit Union Small Business Jobs Creation Act of 2013 - Increases the credit union member business lending limit from 12.25 percent to 27.5 percent, among other things. NSBA supports. H.R. 701 Bill amends a provision of the Securities Act of 1933 to direct the Securities and Exchange Commission to add a particular class of securities to those exempted under the Act and to provide a deadline for doing so. NSBA supports.H.R. 756 - Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2013 Bill seeks to improve information sharing between the private sector and the federal government and continue much-needed cybersecurity research and development programs. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 763 The Jobs and Premium Protection Act Bill will act to amend the PPACA to repeal provisions imposing an annual fee on health insurance providers. NSBA supports. H.R. 933 Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2013 Includes appropriations bills for Defense and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs and an extension of the current CR for all other federal agencies. The bill caps 2013 spending at $984 billion, down approximately $59 billion from 2012. The bill does, however, build in some flexibility for military programs to deal with the sequester. NSBA supports. H.R. 967 Advancing Americas Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Act of 2013 Bill seeks to foster information sharing between the private sector and the federal government and develop a strategic plan for information sharing and cybersecurity research and development within various relevant federal agencies. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1002 Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2013 Provides consumers with free access to their credit scores along with free access to their credit reports once each year. NSBA supports. H.R. 1062 SEC Regulatory Accountability Act Bill requires the SEC to undertake an enhanced cost-benefit analysis before adopting any new regulations. NSBA supports. H.R. 1072 Freedom from Government Competition Act - Requires each executive or military department or independent establishment to obtain all goods and services necessary for or beneficial to the accomplishment of its authorized functions by procurement from private sources, with certain exceptions. NSBA supports. H.R. 1120 Preventing Greater Uncertainty in Labor-Management Relations Act Bill would prohibit the National Labor Relations Board from taking any action that requires a quorum of the members of the Board until such time as Board constituting a quorum shall have been confirmed by the Senate. NSBA supports. H.R. 1127 Rebuild American Manufacturing Act of 2013 Bill directs President to develop a comprehensive national manufacturing strategy. NSBA supports. H.R. 1138 Small Business Clean Energy Financing Act of 2013 Bill would establish a new loan guarantee program within the U.S. Small Business Administration for clean technology companies. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1219 Gulf Fisheries Fairness Act Bill would increase state water boundaries to 120 feet or 9 nautical miles (whichever is greater) and gives states greater control over their reef fisheries to open up more waters for commercial and recreational fishermen. NSBA supports. H.R. 1240 - Commercial Real Estate and Economic Development (CREED) Act of 2013, which will extend for five years the low-interest refinancing provisions under the Local Development Business Program of the Small Business Administration. NSBA supports. H.R. 1321 Small Business Paperwork Relief Act Bill would suspend civil fines for first-time paperwork violations by small business concerns unless there is potential for serious harm to the public interest and other relevant conditions. NSBA supports. H.R. 1332 American Jobs Matter Act of 2013 Bill to allow contracting officers to consider information regarding domestic employment before awarded a federal contract. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 1406 Working Families Flexibility Act of 2013 Bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to authorize private employers to provide compensatory time off to private employees at a rate of 1 1/2 hours per hour of employment for which overtime compensation is required. NSBA supports.H.R. 1557 Plain Writing Act for Regulations for 2013 Bill requires all new or substantially revised federal regulations to be written in clear, concise and easy to understand, or plain language. NSBA supports. H.R. 1772 The Legal Workforce Act Bill would make the use of E-Verify mandatory for new hires and impose severe employer penalties. NSBA opposes. H.R. 1773 The Agricultural Guestworker Act Bill would create a simplified and expanded agricultural guest worker program. NSBA supports. H.R. 1909 Export Coordination Act of 2013 Bill would establish stronger congressional oversight and coordination of trade assistance across 20 agencies. NSBA supports. H.R. 1916 TRADE (Transparent Rules Allow Direct Exporting) for Small Businesses and Jobs Act Bill is directed at helping SMEs stay current on changing foreign regulations. It requires Commerce (via MAC) to publish changes in tariff/non-tariff and technical barriers on export.gov or a successor website. NSBA supports. H.R. 1926 State Trade Coordination Act of 2013 Bill would establish the framework to ensure that federal and state trade agencies work in unison to assist their local exporters. NSBA supports. H.R. 2122 Regulatory Accountability Act of 2013 Bill to reform the process by which federal agencies analysis and formulate new regulations and guidance documents. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2131 The Supplying Knowledge Based Immigrants and Lifting Levels of STEM Visas Act Bill would allocate green cards to foreign graduates of U.S. universities with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, increase H-1B visas, repeal the employment-based per-country cap, establish a new entrepreneur visa program and strengthen the investor visa program. NSBA supports. H.R. 2232 Make Every Small Business Count Act of 2013 Bill would allow prime contractors covered by a subcontracting plan under a single contract with a federal agency to receive credit against such a plan for using small business subcontractors and any level of subcontracting. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2429 Death Tax Repeal Act of 2013 Bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and (2) make permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and a $5 million lifetime gift tax exemption. Provides for an inflation adjustment to such exemption amount. NSBA supports. H.R. 2542 Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2013 Bill amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act to ensure complete analysis of potential impacts on small entities of federal rules. NSBA is monitoring. H.R. 2593 Cost-Benefit and Regulatory Transparency Enhancement Act of 2013 Bill requires reports on the results of and methods used to calculate any cost-benefit or regulatory impact analysis. NSBA is monitoring. S. 15 Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2013 - Bill would require Congressional approval for major regulations. NSBA is monitoring. S. 17 Energy Production and Project Delivery Act Bill would promote an all-of-the-above energy policy by opening up more areas to leasing, expediting energy projects, and preventing regulation of CO2 under the CAA. NSBA is monitoring. S. 21 Cybersecurity and American Cyber Competitiveness Act of 2013 Sense of Congress bill to highlight the need for improved coordination and collaboration between the private sector and the federal government regarding cyber threat and cyber-attack information, and the need to incorporate certain privacy and civil liberties protections in any future cybersecurity-related legislation. NSBA is monitoring.S. 63 Made in America Manufacturing Act - Directs the Secretaries of Commerce and Labor to establish a program for the joint award of incentive grants to a state or a regional partnership to support the U.S. manufacturing industry. NSBA supports. S. 169 I-Squared Act Bill increase H-1B visa cap and establishes an economic demand model to determine future increases or decreases in cap, eliminates per country numerical limitation for employment-based visas, exempts certain categories of persons from employment-based green card cap (i.e. students w/ advanced degree in STEM field), increases fees on H-1B applications which will be used towards STEM education and training. NSBA is monitoring. S. 189 Startup Visa Act Creates a new visa category for immigrant entrepreneurs. NSBA is monitoring. S. 192 Expedited LNG for America Allies Act of 2013 Bill would expedite the approval process for LNG exports to allies of America. NSBA is monitoring. S. 196 Assuring Contracting Equity Act of 2013 Increases govt wide contracting goal for small biz from 23% to 25 percent and requires federal agencies to consult with SBA to determine standards for procurement officers to follow re: past compliance of potential contractors with small business subcontracting goals. NSBA supports. S. 279 - Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act of 2013 - Requires the Secretary of Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to each establishes a wind and solar leasing pilot program and establishes the Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund for use in regions impacted by the development of wind or solar energy on public lands. NSBA is monitoring. S. 289 Commercial Real Estate and Economic Development (CREED) Act of 2013, which will extend for five years the low-interest refinancing provisions under the Local Development Business Program of the Small Business Administration (SBA). NSBA supports. S. 310 Startup Act 3.0 - This bill seeks to provide capital gains and income tax incentives to incentivize entrepreneurs and facilitate the growth of new start-ups, creates a new STEM visa for up to foreign students and establishes a new category of visas for immigrant entrepreneurs. NSBA supports. S. 320 Closing Regulatory Loopholes Act of 2013 Bill would require Congressional review over federal agency guidance documents and major guidance documents prior to implementation. NSBA supports. S. 418 Do-Not-Track Online Act of 2013 Bill would require the promulgating of regulations to address the collection and use of personal information obtained via the tracking of online activity. NSBA is monitoring. S. 450 Financial Regulatory Responsibility Act of 2013 Bill requires enhanced cost-benefit analysis and justification for certain regulations proposed by federal banking, securities, commodities, and housing regulators. NSBA supports. S. 471 Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2013 - Provides consumers with free access to their credit scores along with free access to their credit reports once each year. NSBA supports. S. 537 Communicating Lending Activity Reports from the Small Business Administration Act (CLEAR SBA) Act - require the SBA Administrator make publically available on the SBA website certain information regarding lenders making covered loans to small firms. NSBA is monitoring. S. 544 Rebuild American Manufacturing Act of 2013 - Bill directs President to develop a comprehensive national manufacturing strategy. NSBA supports. S. 601 Water Resources Development Act Bill to provide for the conservation and development of water and related resources and to authorize the Army to construct various projects for improvements to rivers and harbors of the U.S. NSBA is monitoring. S. 603 The Jobs and Premium Protection Act The legislation would repeal the annual fee on health insurance providers enacted by the PPACA. NSBA supports. S. 718 Increasing American Jobs Through Greater Exports to Africa Act of 2013 -- Directs the President to establish a comprehensive U.S. strategy for public and private investment, trade, and development in Africa that focuses on: (1) increasing exports of U.S. goods and services to Africa by 200% in real dollar value within 10 years and fostering partnership opportunities between U.S. and African small- and medium-sized enterprises. NSBA supports. S. 743 Marketplace Fairness Act Bill would allow states to require that Internet retailers located outside their borders collect sales taxes on purchases by their residents. Businesses with less than $1 million in annual online sales would be exempt, and the sponsors have estimated that fewer than 1,000 businesses would be required to collect sales taxes. NSBA is monitoring. S. 744 Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act Bill would comprehensively reform immigration system and impose mandatory E-Verify. NSBA supports some provisions and opposes other provisions. S. 749 15-Year Depreciation bill A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the 15-year recovery period for qualified leasehold improvement property, qualified restaurant property, and qualified retail improvement property. NSBA supports.S. 761 Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013 - Bill would promote energy savings in residential and commercial buildings and industry, and for other purposes. NSBA supports. S. 786 Restoring Honesty for our Economy Act Bill to require agencies to quantify costs associated with proposed economically significant regulations. NSBA is monitoring S. 787 Restoring Integrity to our Government Act Bill to require agencies to set forth reasons for determining that a proposed regulatory action is significant. NSBA is monitoring. S. 807 Plain Writing Act for Regulations for 2013 - Bill requires all new or substantially revised federal regulations to be written in clear, concise and easy to understand, or plain language. NSBA supports. S. 884 Deter Cyber Theft Act Bill requires the Director of National Intelligence to develop a watch list and a priority watch list of foreign countries that engage in economic or industrial espionage in cyberspace regarding U.S. trade secrets or other proprietary information. NSBA is monitoring. S. 1009 Chemical Safety Improvement Act Bill to reauthorize and modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act. NSBA is monitoring. S. 1029 Regulatory Accountability Act of 2013 - Bill to reform the process by which federal agencies analysis and formulate new regulations and guidance documents. NSBA is monitoring. S. 1102 Export-Import Bank Termination Act -- Bill to abolish the Export-Import Bank of the United States three years after enactment of this Act. NSBA opposes. S.1179 Small Business Export Growth Act of 2013 Bill will further lower barriers to exporting for small businesses by improving federal export assistance programs. NSBA supports. S. 1183 Death Tax Repeal Act of 2013 Bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, and (2) make permanent the maximum 35% gift tax rate and a $5 million lifetime gift tax exemption. Provides for an inflation adjustment to such exemption amount. NSBA supports. White House Conference on Small Business National Conference to develop a comprehensive, long-term small business agenda. NSBA supports. Patent Litigation Reform Discussion Draft Bill seeks to address the perceived increase in patent litigation through various reform measures. House and Senate Minimum Wage Legislation NSBA opposes an increase in minimum wage. House and Senate National Regulatory Budget NSBA supports implementation of a national regulatory budget. EEOC - NSBA opposes efforts to treat educational attainment requirements as discrimination. NSBA opposes efforts to limit employer criminal background screening. U.S. Commission on Civil Rights NSBA opposes efforts to limit employer criminal background screening. SEC NSBA supports reasonable regulations implementing the JOBS Act (in particular relating to general solicitation, crowdfunding, Regulation A and emerging growth companies). NSBA supports safe harbor from registration as broker-dealers for finders and business brokers. NSBA opposed increases in the accredited investor thresholds. DOL, HHS, IRS NSBA opposes efforts to restrict employer provided health care benefit self-insurance with stop loss. DOL NSBA opposes proposed rule under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act that would require employers to report on consultants assisting with speech-writing, public relations advice, labor campaigns, web sites, emails or other materials for employer communication to employees or the public, no matter how minor or indirect the relation to any labor dispute. In addition, modification of personnel policies and practices fall under the persuader activities list. Therefore, arrangements with and the content of the work by attorneys, insurance agents, HR consultants, pension consultants, accountants or financial advisers who review benefits packages or other personnel practices would be reportable. HHS Federally Facilitated Exchanges. NSBA supports health insurance exchanges and is seeking rapid implementation and adequate guidance. NSBA supports allowing any QHP that meets all certification standards to sell insurance on the exchanges. HHS SHOPS. NSBA supports immediate implementation of SHOPs in the health insurance exchanges. HHS Age Rating Bands. NSBA supports transition relief on age rating bands. IRS Health care FSAs. NSBA supports elimination of the so-called use-it or lose-it rule. NSBA also supports revision of the uniform coverage rule if the use-it or lose-it rule is changed. IRS Shared Responsibility for Employers Regarding Health Coverage. NSBA supports the affordability safe harbors and deferral of employer penalties. OPM Multi-State Plan Program. NSBA supports immediate implementation of SHOPs in the MSPP.

Startup Act 3.0, (S.310), (HR 714) SBE Council supports Government Contracting Neutrality Act, S.109, HR 436 SBE Council supports Regulatory Accountability Act (S.1029), (H.R. 2122) - SBE Council supports Working Families Flexibility Act (H.R. 1406) - SBE Council supported House passage.Jumpstart Our Business Startup Act (JOBS Act): SBE Council continues to push for full implementation of the law (signed by President Obama on April 5, 2012) by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and advocate for rules that align with the intent of Congress and President Obama. SBE Council continues to meet with members of Congress on implementation and testified before the House on the SECs progress to date. Tax Reform: SBE Council continues to advocate for fundamental reform of the tax system, providing input to the working groups on tax reform in the U.S. House. Specifically we have provided comments and verbal presentations focusing on lower tax rates for entrepreneurs and corporate entities, encouraging U.S. startup activity, elimination of capital gains and death taxes, simplicity, making permanent certain important features, like Section 179 expensing and business expensing, and pointing out various legitimate business expenses that should remain deductible (i.e.: interest on debt), and against LIFO repeal. We have also expressed support for tax reform efforts on the Senate side led by Senators Max Baucus and Orrin Hatch. Tax Increases: SBE Council continues to oppose tax increases on entrepreneurs, investment and industries and sectors that would merely pass on the tax increases in the form of higher costs for small businesses. For example, we are opposing increased energy taxes as proposed in President Obamas previous and current budgets. We will oppose tax increases on capital gains, entrepreneurs, carried interest and other measures that deter investment and capital formation. Immigration Reform: SBE Council continues to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform specifically focusing on increasing high-tech, high-skill visas and adding low-skill and entrepreneur visas. We continue to oppose e-verify for small employers, and expressed concern about e-verify in S.744. With respect to S.744, SBE Council efforsts have focused on improving the legislation to make it more effective for small businesses. Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare): SBE Council continues to advocate and comment on proposed rules and regulations to Health and Human Services (HHS), including the employer and individual mandates, essential benefits, saving Health Savings Accounts, workable state exchanges that provide small businesses with a choice in affordable coverage, SHOP program and repealing key provisions in the Affordable Care Act like the employer mandate, individual mandate, tax increases in the ACA (medical devices, individual tax hikes, increases on insurance companies) and restrictions placed on HSAs. Specific legislation SBE Council is supporting include: Medical FSA Improvement Act (H.R. 1634); H.R. 45 - legislation to repeal ACA; American Jobs Protection Act, (H.R. 903), (S. 399). Global Trade: SBE Council continues to support expanding trade accords with nations to open more markets for entrepreneurs. SBE Council is monitoring and supporting efforts to accelerate the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and support a new U.S.-EU trade accord. SBE Council continues to advocate for streamlined and less costly processes for small businesses that operate in global markets, whether that be importing or exporting. Specific pieces of legislation SBE Council is supporting include: State Trade Coordination Act (H.R. 1926); Trade for Small Business and Jobs Act (H.R. 1916); Export Coordination Act (H.R. 1909). Affordable Energy: SBE Council continues to support greater exploration and development of domestic energy resources, as well as construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. SBE Council supported House passage of the Northern Route Approval Act (H.R. 3). In addition, we have opposed proposals and efforts to restrict liquefied natural gas exports. Telecommunications, Technology & IP: SBE Council continues to call for the federal government to release additional spectrum to accommodate the explosion in mobile device and wireless usage. SBE Council also supports efforts to accelerate our nation to next generation high-speed internet protocol (IP) broadband networks and continue to voice our support to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). SBE Council continues to advocate for strong IP enforcement and tools to protect small businesses from such theft both domestically and internationally. SBE Council is encouraging U.S. officials to use tools in current trade agreements to strengthen IP rights for U.S. small businesses. Free Speech: Follow the Money Act (S.791) - SBE Council opposes the legislation.