Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016
Legislative Progress
Momentum (last 30 days)
0
score
0 actions · 0 new cosponsors · 0 votes
Speed vs cohort
82pct
106d open
vs 6,526 other HR bills in the 114th — cohort avg 56d
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016 (Sec. 2) This bill prohibits a federal agency (excluding the Federal Election Commission, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the U.S. Postal Service) from proposing or finalizing any midnight rule unless the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) of the Office of Management and Budget finds that it will not result in: (1) an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices; (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete internationally; or (4) a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses. The bill defines "midnight rule" as an agency statement of general applicability and future effect that is issued during the moratorium period, that is intended to have the force and effect of law, and that is designed to: (1) implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy; or (2) describe the procedure or practice requirements of an agency. The "moratorium period" begins on the day after the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in every fourth year succeeding a presidential election and extends through January 20 of the following year in which a President is not serving a consecutive term. (Sec. 3) Such prohibition shall not apply to any deadline for, relating to, or involving any midnight rule that: (1) was established before the beginning of the moratorium period, and (2) is required to occur during the moratorium period. (Sec. 4) The bill exempts any midnight rule that the President determines is necessary: (1) because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, (2) to enforce criminal laws, (3) to protect U.S. national security, or (4) to implement an international trade agreement. The moratorium does not apply to a midnight rule if the OIRA finds that such rule is limited to repealing an existing rule and certifies such finding in writing.
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Filing registrants (15)
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 480.
Committee on the Judiciary discharged.
Committee on the Judiciary discharged.
Reported by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 114-618, Part I.
Congress.gov source codes: 5000, H12200
Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial And Antitrust Law.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 20 - 17.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Congress.gov source codes: H11100, H11100-A
Introduced in House
Congress.gov source codes: 1000, Intro-H
Bills with similar content found using semantic analysis.
Sources: Congress.gov
2016 · fourth_quarter · Small Business
H.R. 8 - North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015 Legislation seeks to promote energy efficiency inside the federal government and improve the security of energy-related infrastructure primarily by expanding the Department of Energys authorities. NSBA supports H.R. 9 - Innovation Act Reforms the patent system and introduces measures that would make it more difficult for small businesses to defend their patents. NSBA opposes H.R. 25 - The Fair Tax Act To promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the states. NSBA supports H.R. 1105 - Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015 Bill would repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, as well as cut the top gift tax rate. NSBA supports H.R. 1155 - Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome (SCRUB) Act of 2015 This bill would create a special commission to review and repeal regulatory requirements which could be removed without significant impact to the regulations overall effectiveness. NSBA supports H.R. 1732 - Regulatory Protection Act of 2015 The legislation would require the EPA to rewrite the waters of the U.S. rule. NSBA supports H.R. 2045 - TROL Act Legislation would allow the FTC to go after patent trolls which often target small business patent holders. NSBA supports H.R. 2775 - The Remote Transactions Parity Act of 2015 The bill allows states that meet simplification requirements to require remote sellers to collect taxes due on items purchased by consumers in those states. NSBA is monitoring H.R. 2911 - Small Business Healthcare Relief Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow an employer with fewer than 50 employees that does not offer group health insurance coverage to establish a health reimbursement arrangement. NSBA supports H.R. 3326 - Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2015 Creates a right of action in federal court for trade secrets violations and creates mechanisms to prevent the release of trade secret information. NSBA supports H.R. 4341 - Defending Americas Small Contractors Act of 2016 The bill introduces a number of reforms to increase transparency and the ability of small businesses to compete in the federal marketplace. NSBA supports H.R. 4377 - American Business Competitiveness Act The bill cuts the corporate income tax to 25 percent; limits the top tax rate on non-corporate business income to 25 percent; allows businesses to deduct investment costs when they occur (full expensing); eliminates most business tax credits and many deductions; and moves to a territorial tax system like most developed nations. NSBA is monitoring H.R. 4612 - Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016 Legislation would prevent agencies from proposing or finalizing regulations from the day after elections to the day of the next presidential inauguration. NSBA supports H.R. 4638 - Main Street Growth Act The legislation seeks to make small business offerings more attractive to investors by creating venture exchanges which will bring together buyers and sellers for of venture securities. NSBA supports H.R. 4773 - Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act Legislation would nullify the Department of Labors overtime exemption rule and would require DOL to perform an economic analysis of how changes to overtime regulations will impact nonprofits, small businesses, and employers in other vulnerable industry sectors before issuing a new rule. NSBA supports H.R. 4783 - Commercializing on Small Business Innovation Act of 2016 Legislation would reauthorize the SBIR/STTR programs through 2022. NSBA supports H.R. 4831 - S-Corp Bill Legislation would amend the tax code to clarify that shareholders in an S-Corp. who acquired their shares through crowdfunding would not count against the 100 shareholder cap. NSBA supports H.R. 4850 - Micro Offering Safe Harbor Act Measure would create an exemption from registration requirements under the Securities Act for certain small securities offerings. NSBA supports H.R. 4852 - the Private Placement Improvement Act Would require the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to amend the requirements for Regulation D offerings. It would also direct the SEC to revise rules regarding 506 offerings of a private fund to characterize as an accredited investor a knowledgeable employee of that private fund or the funds investment advisor. NSBA is monitoring H.R. 5076 - Main Street Fairness Act Establishes that businesses that file their taxes as pass-through income-sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs and S corporations-will never pay a higher tax rate than their larger counterparts. NSBA supports H.R. 5156 - Small Business Credit Card Act of 2016 Legislation would further protect small-business owners credit cards from unfair and deceptive practices of credit card companies. NSBA supports H.R. 5813 - Overtime Reform and Enhancement Act Will initiate a reasonable three-year phase-in of the Department of Labors new overtime rule. NSBA supports H.J. Res. 71 - Clean Power Plan - Congressional Review Act This resolution would invoke the Congressional Review Act and roll back the Clean Power Plan regulations promulgated by the EPA to cut carbon emissions. NSBA Supports H.J. Res. 72 - Clean Power Plan - Congressional Review Act This resolution would invoke the Congressional Review Act and roll back the Clean Power Plan regulations promulgated by the EPA to cut carbon emissions. NSBA supports H.J.Res. 95 A resolution under the Congressional Review Act to protect workers, students, nonprofit organizations, and small-business owners from the consequences of the Department of Labors controversial overtime rule. NSBA supports S. 155 - the Fair Tax Act To promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the states. NSBA supports S. 632 - STRONG Patent Act The bill introduces modest patent reforms that would afford small businesses greater protections for their patents. NSBA supports S.698 - Marketplace Fairness Act of 2015 The bill would require eCommerce sellers who gross over $1million in remote (out-of-state) sales per year to collect sales tax from buyers in all 45 states (plus D.C.) that impose a sales tax. NSBA is monitoring S. 1137 - PATENT Act Reforms the patent system and introduces measures that would make it more difficult for small businesses to defend their patents. NSBA opposes S. 1140 - Federal Water Quality Protection Act The legislation would require the EPA to rewrite the waters of the U.S. rule. NSBA supports S. 1584 - Renewable Fuel Standard Repeal Act The bill would remove the renewable fuel standard. NSBA is monitoring S. 1607 - Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act of 2015 Creates a procedure whereby the president can require independent regulatory agencies to comply with the same rulemaking requirements that other agencies do. NSBA supports S. 1683 - Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome (SCRUB) Act of 2015 This bill would create a special commission to review and repeal regulatory requirements which could be removed without significant impact to the regulations overall effectiveness. NSBA supports S. 1697 - Small Business Healthcare Relief Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow an employer with fewer than 50 employees that does not offer group health insurance coverage to establish a health reimbursement arrangement. NSBA supports S. 2006 - Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015 Legislation amends the APA to require that regulating agencies do more thorough examinations of the costs and benefits of promulgating regulations. NSBA supports S. 2012 - Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 Measure would make a number of changes impacting the security and the reliability of the energy grid. NSBA supports S. 2582 - Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016 The bill would prevent agencies from proposing or finalizing regulations from the day after elections to the day of the next presidential inauguration. NSBA supports S. 2696 - Protect Small Business Jobs Act of 2016 Would create a six month grace period for first time regulations violations by small businesses which do not place anyone in imminent danger. NSBA supports S. 2707 - Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act Legislation would nullify the Department of Labors overtime exemption rule and would require DOL to perform an economic analysis of how changes to overtime regulations will impact nonprofits, small businesses, and employers in other vulnerable industry sectors before issuing a new rule. NSBA supports S. 2724 - Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2016 Legislation would effectively eliminate Chevron Deference when courts review agency actions. NSBA supports S. 2733 - Venue Equity and Non-Uniformity Elimination Act of 2016 This legislation will make changes to existing venue requirements in patent infringement litigation. NSBA opposes S. 2792 - Rapid Innovation Fund Enhancement Act of 2016 Legislation would reform the RIF program to ensure small businesses are always able to participate. NSBA supports S. 2793 - SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2016 The legislation would permanently reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The programs are currently set to expire in 2017. NSBA supports S. 2812 - SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2016 Legislation would permanently reauthorize the SBIR and STTR programs. NSBA supports S. 2847 - Prove It Act Legislation would allow the Chief Counsel of Advocacy to challenge an agency certification of no significant impact on small businesses under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. NSBA is monitoring S. 2898 - the Small Business National Security Innovation Act of 2016 Legislation would allow SBIR and STTR small businesses to more easily contract to do follow-on work. NSBA supports S. 3464 - the Overtime Reform and Review Act Bill would phase in the new salary overtime threshold over five years, and would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a report during the rules first year to assess its economic effects. NSBA supports S.J.Res.34 A resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) that would block implementation of the administrations overtime rule. NSBA supports
Client expense: $32,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank), Federal Reserve System, Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Intl Trade Administration (ITA), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2016 · fourth_quarter · Consumer Issues/Safety/Products
All legislation, including budget views, appropriations bills and riders, concerning authority of CFTC or SEC to enforce or write regulations under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, including HR4768, the Separation of Powers Restoration Act; HR4612 and sections of HR4361 concerning the Midnight Rules Relief Act; S2355, the Credit Access and Inclusion Act; HR5424, the Investment Advisors Modernization Act; HR5226, the Regulatory Integrity Act; HR3468, The Review Act; HR5063, the Stop Settlement Funds Act and any similar riders proposed to Appropriations Bills such as HR5485/SB3067, Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Acts for 2017. File comments to CFPB on Docket 2016-0020 on forced arbitration.
Client expense: $20,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2016 · fourth_quarter · Banking
CFPB (The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection is an arm of Federal Reserve System) all its regulations, activities and practices including payday lending, forced arbitration, credit reporting, debt collection, consumer complaint handling, enforcement, consumer education; Legislation; HR 2896, Taking Account of Institutions with Low Operation Risk Act of 2015; H.R. 766, the Financial Institution Customer Protection Act of 2015; All legislation concerning budget views or appropriations, including concerning riders on independent funding, structure and authority of CFPB (Financial Services and General Government Appropriations (HR5485/S2663); riders on transportation safety and airline fee disclosure. All legislation concerning amendments to Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, including authority of agencies to enforce laws to protect consumers, taxpayers. H.R.4781 - FDIC Accountability Act of 2016; HR 1265, Bureau Advisory Commission Transparency Act; HR 1263, Consumer Financial Protection Safety and Soundness Improvement Act of 2015; HR 1262, Consumer Right to Financial Privacy Act of 2015; HR 1264, CFPB Pay Fairness Act of 2015; HR 1261, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Accountability Act of 2015; HR 1413/S477, Firearms Manufacturers and Dealers Protection Act of 2015 (FDIC Operation Choke Point); H.R. 766 and S2790, the Financial Institution Customer Protection Act of 2015. HR 5510, to weaken FTC; HR 4768 Separation of Powers Restoration Act; other riders and amendments to weaken independent agency authority to enact regulations. HR4172 Full file credit reporting; HR5282 Fair Credit Reporting Act amendments. Department of Education Gainful Employment rule. including HR4768, the Separation of Powers Restoration Act; HR4612 and sections of HR4361 concerning the Midnight Rules Relief Act; S2355, the Credit Access and Inclusion Act; HR5424, the Investment Advisors Modernization Act; HR5226, the Regulatory Integrity Act; HR3468, The Review Act; HR5063, the Stop Settlement Funds Act and any similar riders proposed to Appropriations Bills such as HR5485/SB3067, Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Acts for 2017. File comments to CFPB on Docket 2016-0020 on forced arbitration; file comment to CFPB on announcement of Debt Collection rulemaking SBREFA process; meet with CFPB on consumer complaint database, payday lending and other matters. File comment to financial and bank regulators on status of completion of rulemaking on Dodd-Frank Section 956, Executive Compensation.
2016 · fourth_quarter · Clean Air and Water (quality)
Issues related to the health impacts of air pollution including the following legislation: H.R.1388, Clean Air, Strong Economies Act; S.751, CASE Act; S.2012, North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2016; H.R.8, North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015; H.R.1030, Secret Science Reform Act of 2015; H.R.1320, Commonsense Legislative Exceptional Events Reforms Act of 2015; H.R.1327, ORDEAL Act of 2015; H.R.1759, ALERT Act of 2015; H.R.4768, Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2016; H.R.4775, Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2016; H.R.5538, Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017; H.R.3438, REVIEW Act of 2016; H.R.5668, Transparency and Honesty in Energy Regulations Act of 2016; H.R.5226 Regulatory Integrity Act; H.R.4612, Midnight Rules Relief Act; H.R.5926 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017; H.R.5913 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2016; S.543, EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2015; S.544, Secret Science Reform Act of 2015; S.638, Commonsense Legislative Exceptional Events Reforms Act of 2015; S.640, ORDEAL Act of 2015; S.2072, A bill to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program under which the Administrator shall defer the designation of an area as a nonattainment area for purposes of the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard if the area achieves and maintains certain standards under a voluntary early action compact plan.; S.2194, Clean Cookstoves and Fuels Support Act; S. 3068, Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017; S. 3040, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017; S.2816 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2016; S.2012 North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2016; S.3483 Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2016; H.R.5982 Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2016; HR 2028 Further Continuing and Security Assistance Appropriations Act, 2017; Issues related to air pollution and health; issues related to climate change and health; issues related to air pollution from vehicles and fuels; issues related to air pollution from power plants and other stationary sources; issues related to the President's Budget; issues related to the Budget Control Act; issues related to appropriations; issues related to regulatory reforms.
2016 · fourth_quarter · Small Business
House Bills H.R. 712, the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act - support. H.R. 1671, Government Neutrality in Contracting Act - support. H.R. 4612, the Midnight Rule Relief Act - support. H.R. 3624, the Fraudulent Joinder Prevention Act - support. H.R. 4293, the Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act - support. H.R. 4294, the Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act - support. Amendment included in Section 913 of S 1269 - oppose. H.R. 3765, The ADA Education and Reform Act of 2015 - support. H.R. 4773, the Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act - support. H.R. 5447 (H.R. 2911), the Small Business Healthcare Relief Act - support. H.J. Res. 87, a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval in response to the controversial persuader rule issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) - support. Section 110 to the FY2017 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - support. Perry Amendment to H.R. 4974, ensuring fair and open competition for federal construction contracts funded by the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs (MilCon/VA) Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2017 - support. FY2017 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. H.R. 5210, PADME ACT - Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment Act - support. H.R. 6094, the Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act - support. H.R. 3438, the Require Evaluation before Implementing Executive Wishlists (REVIEW) Act of 2016 - support. H.R. 5523, the Clyde-Hirsch-Sowers RESPECT Act - support. H.R. 5813, the Overtime Reform and Enhancement Act - support. Regulatory Accountability Act - support. H.R.5076 - The Main Street Fairness Act - support. H.R. 3765, the ADA Education and Reform Act - support. Section 18001 of HR 34 the 21st Century Cures Act - support. Senate Bills S. 2582, the Midnight Rule Relief Act - support. S. 2225, the Save our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act - support. S. 2707, the Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act - support. S. 2847Prove It Act of 2016 - support. Hoeven Amendent to amendment to the FY2017 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - support. S. 2736, the Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment Act of 2016 - support. S. 71, Government Neutrality in Contracting Act - support. S. 2844, the fiscal year (FY) 2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (T-HUD) appropriations bill. S. 3060 / S. 1697, the Small Business Healthcare Relief Act - support. S. 2736, PADME ACT - Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment Act - support. S. 3464, the Overtime Reform and Review Act - support. S. 3462, the Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act - support. S. 3446, the ADA Education and Reform Act - support. Section 18001 of HR 34 the 21st Century Cures Act - support. Comments December 19, 2016 - Department of the Interior - Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Traders with Indians Docket ID: BIA-2016-0007, 81 Fed. Reg. (December 9, 2016) November 22, 2016 - U.S. Department of Labor - RIN 1210-AB63 - Annual Reporting and Disclosure; Proposed Revision of Annual Information Return/Reports November 2, 2016 - Department of the Treasury - Docket No. IRS REG-163113- 02, RIN 1545-BB71; Comments of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) on the Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Services Proposed Regulations on Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping Transfer Taxes; Restrictions on Liquidation of an Interest October 28, 2016 - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - Docket IDs NHTSA-2016-0087; FMCSA-2014-0083 - Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations; Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation; Speed Limiting Devices; Proposed Rule Other Issues Tax Reform Joint employer standard PN1258 - Merrick Garland nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court Estate tax Speed Limiter Nominations for Secretaries of the Treasury, Health and Human Services, and Labor, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
| Referred to |
| February 25, 2016 |
| Oversight and Accountability Committee | House | Referred to | February 25, 2016 |
| Republican |
| MI |
| Cynthia M. Lummis | Republican | WY |
| Dave Brat | Republican | VA |
| David Rouzer | Republican | NC |
| Doug LaMalfa | Republican | CA |
| Earl L. "Buddy" Carter | Republican | GA |
| Glenn Grothman | Republican | WI |
| Jeb Hensarling | Republican | TX |
| Jody B. Hice | Republican | GA |
| John J. Duncan, Jr. | Republican | TN |
| Kevin Cramer | Republican | ND |
| Lamar Smith | Republican | TX |
| Lou Barletta | Republican | PA |
| Lynn Jenkins | Republican | KS |
| Mark Walker | Republican | NC |
| Markwayne Mullin | Republican | OK |
| Martha McSally | Republican | AZ |
| Mick Mulvaney | Republican | SC |
| Mike Bishop | Republican | MI |
| Paul A. Gosar | Republican | AZ |
| Reid J. Ribble | Republican | WI |
| Rod Blum | Republican | IA |
| Ron DeSantis | Republican | FL |
| Steve Chabot | Republican | OH |
| Steve King | Republican | IA |
| Steven M. Palazzo | Republican | MS |
Client expense: $20,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Education, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
Client expense: $50,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Navy, Dept of, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
Client expense: $975,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Interior, Dept of (DOI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of
2016 · fourth_quarter · Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice
S.178/H.R.296/H.R.181, Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, in support of reducing Human Trafficking through strengthening federal laws; S.713/H.R.1340, International Violence Against Women Act, in support for promoting resources to prevent and respond to violence against women worldwide; S.2506, Restoring Statutory Rights and Interests of the States Act of 2016, in support of protecting workers rights and ensuring equal access to the courts; H.R. 5578, Survivors' Bill of Rights Act of 2016, in support of protecting the rights of victims of sexual assault; H.R. 4612, Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016, in opposition to a moratorium on new proposed or final major regulations during the final months of the Presidential administration; S. 224/H.R. 5332, Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2016, in support of women's participation in conflict prevention negotiations; in support of gender neutral titles for positions on federal boards; in support of ending the backlog of judicial nominees; in support of including provisions to address school climate in gun control legislation.
Client expense: $55,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Education, Dept of, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Vice President of the U.S., White House Office
2016 · fourth_quarter · Government Issues
H.R. 22 - Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act (DRIVE Act) H.R. 22 - Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 (FAST Act) H.R. 50 - the Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act of 2015 H.R. 185 - Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015 H.R. 348 - Responsibility and Professionally Invigorating Development Act (RAPID Act) H.R. 399 - Secure Our Borders First Act H.R. 427 - Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2015 (REINS Act) H.R. 445 - Transparency in Rule Making Act H.R. 527 - the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2015 (SBRFIA) H.R. 585 - ESA Consent Decrees and Settlements H.R. 712 - Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2015 H.R. 758 - Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act H.R.1155 - Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act of 2015 (SCRUB Act of 2015) H.R. 1407 - Regulatory Improvement Act H.R. 1487 - American Energy Renaissance Act of 2015 (only the judicial review part) H.R. 1732 - Regulatory Integrity Protection Act H.R. 1759 - ALERT Act H.R. 2029 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 and amendments H.R. 2647 - Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015 (only the judicial review, EAJA, and bonding sections) H.R. 3279 - Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act HR 3353 - Clean Water Citizen Suits HR 3438 - REVIEW Act H. R. 3763 - Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 (STRR Act) H.R. 4768 - Separation of Powers Act of 2016 (SOPA Act) H.R. 4612 Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016 H.R. 5063 Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016 and Gosar Amendment No. 5 H.R. 2304 the Securing Participation, Engagement and Knowledge Freedom by Reducing Egregious Efforcts Act of 2015 (SPEAK FREE Act) H.R. 5226 - Regulatory Integrity Act of 2016 H.R. 5982 Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2016 S. 1 - Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act (amendment #155) S. 280 - Federal Permitting Improvement Act S. 293 - ESA Consent Decrees and Settlements S. 378 - Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2015 S. 544 - Secret Science Reform Act S. 708 - Regulatory Improvement Act S. 1607 - Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act S. 1647-Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act (DRIVE Act) S. 1817 - Smarter Regs Act S. 1818 - Principled Rulemaking Act S. 1820 - Early Participation in Regulations Act S. 1927 - High Impact Rules S. 1944 - RED Tape Act S. 2506 - Restoring Statutory Rights Act of 2016 S.2997 - Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act of 2016 Criminal Justice Reform Package Rulemakings: CEQ, Revised Draft NEPA Guidance on Consideration of the Effects of Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions at 79 Fed. Reg. 77,801 (Dec. 24, 2014) CEQ, Finalized NEPA Guidance on Consideration of the Effects of Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions at 81 Fed. Reg. 51866 (Aug. 2, 2016) Draft U.S. DOI Environmental Justice Strategic Plan 2016-2020 EPA, Environmental Justice Action Agenda 2016-2020 (EJ 2020)
Client expense: $77,176 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Interior, Dept of (DOI), Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Budget/Appropriations
- HR 5845 - Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2017 - FY 2017 Senate Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill - H.R.4612 Midnight Rules Relief Act - FCC Appropriations/Continuing Resolution - FCC Commissioner Rosenworcel Nomination
Client expense: Not reported · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Government Issues
General lobbying with regard to proposed revisions to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Federal Rules of Evidence. General lobbying with regard to clarifying state and federal court jurisdiction in certain cases. General lobbying with regard to altering the requirement of complete diversity. S. 401/H.R. 758 (Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2015); amends Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to make sanctions mandatory. Lobbying with regard to federal judicial selection generally, including the Supreme Court of the United States, and with specific regard to the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Merrick Garland. H.R. 2304 (SPEAK FREE Act of 2015); Amends the federal judicial code to allow a person against whom a lawsuit is asserted to file a special motion to dismiss claims referred to as strategic lawsuits against public participation ("SLAPP suits") that arise from an oral or written statement or other expression, or conduct in furtherance of such expression, by the defendant in connection with an official proceeding or about a matter of public concern. H.R. 5111 (Consumer Review Fairness Act); prohibits the use of certain clauses in form contracts that restrict the ability of a consumer to communicate regarding the goods or services offered in interstate commerce that were the subject of the contract. H.R. 2110/S. 2044 (Consumer Review Freedom Act); prohibits the use of certain clauses in form contracts that restrict the ability of a consumer to communicate regarding the goods or services that were the subject of the contract. H.R. 384/H.R. 3279 (Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act); amends titles 5 and 28, United States Code, to require annual reports to Congress on, and the maintenance of databases on, awards of fees and other expenses to prevailing parties in certain administrative proceedings and court cases to which the United States is a party. H.R. 2336/S.__ (Sunshine in Litigation Act); amends Chapter 111 of Title 28, United States Code, relating to protective orders, sealing of cases, disclosures of discovery information in civil actions, and for other purposes. H.R. 2110/S. 2044 (Consumer Review Freedom Act); prohibits contracts that prohibit consumers from making certain public comments on businesses. General lobbying with regard to regulatory reform issues. H.R. 185 (Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015); amends the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), which is the law that governs how federal agencies propose and establish regulations. S. 226/ H.R. 427 (REINS Act); provides that major rules of the executive branch shall have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law. S. 543/H.R. 1029 (EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2015); amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to revise the process of selecting members of the Science Advisory Board, guidelines for participation in Board advisory activities, and terms of office. H.R. 1927 (Fairness in Class Action Litigation Act of 2015); amends the federal judicial code to prohibit federal courts from certifying any proposed class unless the party seeking to maintain a class action affirmatively demonstrates through admissible evidentiary proof that each proposed class member suffered an injury of the same type and extent as the injury of the named class representatives. S. 1113; amends title 28, United States Code, to remand certain civil actions transferred by the judicial panel on multidistrict litigation. H.R. 1579 (ALERT Act of 2015); amends title 5, united States Code, to provide for the publication, by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, of information relating to rulemakings H.R. 2648/S. 1109 (Truth in Settlements Act of 2015); requires adequate information regarding the tax treatment of payments under settlement agreements entered into by Federal agencies. General lobbying with regard to settlement disclosures. S. 1607 (Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act of 2015); authorizes the President to require an independent regulatory agency to: (1) comply, to the extent permitted by law, with regulatory analysis requirements applicable to other federal agencies; (2) publish and provide the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs with an assessment of the costs and benefits of a proposed or final economically significant rule and an assessment of costs and benefits of alternatives to the rule; and (3) submit to the Office for review any proposed or final economically significant rule. S. 708 (Regulatory Improvement Act of 2015); Requires the Commission to evaluate and make recommendations and propose legislation for modification, consolidation, or repeal of regulations that have been finalized not later than 10 years before the establishment of the Commission (covered regulations) for the purpose of reducing compliance costs, encouraging growth and innovation, improving competitiveness, and protecting public safety. S. 1820 (Early Participation in Regulations Act); requires agencies to publish an advance notice of proposed rule making for major rules. S. 1818 (Principled Rulemaking Act); amends title 5, United States Code, to reform the rule making process of agencies. S. 1817 (Smarter Regs Act of 2015); implements retrospective review of major rules. H.R. 3624 (Fraudulent Joinder Prevention Act of 2015); amends title 28, United States Code, to prevent fraudulent joinder. Lobbying with regard to factoring and structured settlements. H.R. 712 (Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act); creates new requirements for civil actions seeking to compel agency actions. H.R. 1155 (SCRUB Act); creates new requirements for agencies when making a new rule, creates a regulatory oversight commission. S. 2006 (Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015); reforms the process by which Federal agencies analyze and formulate new regulations and guidance documents. H.R. 4768 (Separation of Powers Restoration Act); modifies the scope of judicial review of agency actions to authorize courts reviewing agency actions to decide de novo all relevant questions of law, including the interpretation of constitutional and statutory provisions and rules. H.R. 4612 (Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016); prohibits some federal agencies from proposing or finalizing any midnight rule unless the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs finds that such a rule will not result in: (1) an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices; (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete internationally; or (4) a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses. H.R. 5063 (Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016); prohibits government officials from entering into a settlement agreement resolving a civil action on behalf of the United States, or from enforcing such a settlement agreement, if that agreement requires a donation to be made to any person by any party (other than the United States) to such agreement. S. 3446/H.R. 3765 (ADA Education and Reform Act of 2015); amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to promote compliance through education, to clarify the requirements for demand letters, to provide for a notice and cure period before the commencement of a private civil action. H.R. 241 (ADA Compliance for Customer Entry to Stores and Services (ACCESS) Act of 2015); amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit an aggrieved person from commencing a civil action for discrimination based on the failure to remove a structural barrier to entry into an existing public accommodation unless the owner or operator of such accommodation: (1) is provided a written notice specific enough to identify such barrier; and (2) has, within specified time periods, either failed to provide the aggrieved person with a written description outlining improvements that will be made to remove such barrier or provided such description and failed to remove such barrier. H.R. 4719 (Correcting Obstructions to Mediate, Prevent, and Limit Inaccessibility (COMPLI) Act); amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit persons aggrieved by certain public accommodation violations from commencing a civil action for discrimination unless they: (1) provide the owner or operator of the accommodation with a written notice that is specific enough to identify the violation; (2) specify in the notice that the owner or operator has 90 days to remove or correct the violation before an action will be brought; and (3) refrain from sending demand letters, requests for settlement, or other communications to the owner or operator during such 90-day period. General lobbying with respect to diversity jurisdiction and potential changes to the jurisdiction rules. S. 3155/H.R. 889 (Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act); to amend chapter 97 of title 28, United States Code, to clarify the exception to foreign sovereign immunity set forth in section 1605(a)(3) of such title) S. 2763/H.R. 6130 (Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016); to provide the victims of Holocaust-era persecution and their heirs a fair opportunity to recover works of art confiscated or misappropriated by the Nazis.
Client expense: $1,150,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Education, Dept of, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Vice President of the United States, SENATE
2016 · fourth_quarter · Government Issues
S.2582/H.R.4612 - Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016; Issues related to reforming the regulatory process; S.2724/H.R.4768 - Separation of Powers Act of 2016
Client expense: $630,978 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE
2016 · third_quarter · Small Business
H.R. 8 - North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015 Legislation seeks to promote energy efficiency inside the federal government and improve the security of energy-related infrastructure primarily by expanding the Department of Energys authorities. NSBA supports H.R. 9 - Innovation Act Reforms the patent system and introduces measures that would make it more difficult for small businesses to defend their patents. NSBA opposes H.R. 25 - The Fair Tax Act To promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the states. NSBA supports H.R. 1105 - Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015 Bill would repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, as well as cut the top gift tax rate. NSBA supports H.R. 1155 - Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome (SCRUB) Act of 2015 This bill would create a special commission to review and repeal regulatory requirements which could be removed without significant impact to the regulations overall effectiveness. NSBA supports H.R. 1732 - Regulatory Protection Act of 2015 The legislation would require the EPA to rewrite the waters of the U.S. rule. NSBA supports H.R. 2028 - FY 2017 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill The legislation would appropriate over $37 billion to federal programs across the agencies, an increase of $355 million over 2016 levels. However, the spending increases are largely attributed to defense-related programs, while nondefense programs, including those at the Army Corps of Engineers, received cuts. NSBA supported amendments to the bill. H.R. 2045 - TROL Act Legislation would allow the FTC to go after patent trolls which often target small business patent holders. NSBA supports H.R. 2187 - The Fair Investment Opportunities for Professional Experts Act Requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to rewrite the accredited investor definition and would codify the current financial thresholds so that they may not be raised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) except by statute. NSBA supports H.R. 2775 - The Remote Transactions Parity Act of 2015 The bill allows states that meet simplification requirements to require remote sellers to collect taxes due on items purchased by consumers in those states. NSBA is monitoring H.R. 2911 - Small Business Healthcare Relief Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow an employer with fewer than 50 employees that does not offer group health insurance coverage to establish a health reimbursement arrangement. NSBA supports H.R. 3326 - Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2015 Creates a right of action in federal court for trade secrets violations and creates mechanisms to prevent the release of trade secret information. NSBA supports H.R. 3784 - The SEC Small Business Advocate Act of 2016 This bill would establish an Office of the Small Business Advocate within the SEC to advocate on behalf of small businesses and to be a resource for small businesses. NSBA supports H.R. 4168 - Small Business Capital Formation Enhancement Act The measure will require the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to respond to recommendations made during the annual Government-Business Forum on Small Business Capital Formation. NSBA supports H.R. 4341 - Defending Americas Small Contractors Act of 2016 The bill introduces a number of reforms to increase transparency and the ability of small businesses to compete in the federal marketplace. NSBA supports H.R. 4377 - American Business Competitiveness Act The bill cuts the corporate income tax to 25 percent; limits the top tax rate on non-corporate business income to 25 percent; allows businesses to deduct investment costs when they occur (full expensing); eliminates most business tax credits and many deductions; and moves to a territorial tax system like most developed nations. NSBA is monitoring H.R. 4612 - Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016 Legislation would prevent agencies from proposing or finalizing regulations from the day after elections to the day of the next presidential inauguration. NSBA supports H.R. 4638 - Main Street Growth Act The legislation seeks to make small business offerings more attractive to investors by creating venture exchanges which will bring together buyers and sellers for of venture securities. NSBA supports H.R. 4768 - Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2016 Legislation would effectively eliminate Chevron Deference when courts review agency actions. NSBA supports H.R. 4773 - Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act Legislation would nullify the Department of Labors overtime exemption rule and would require DOL to perform an economic analysis of how changes to overtime regulations will impact nonprofits, small businesses, and employers in other vulnerable industry sectors before issuing a new rule. NSBA supports H.R. 4783 - Commercializing on Small Business Innovation Act of 2016 Legislation would reauthorize the SBIR/STTR programs through 2022. NSBA supports H.R. 4831 - S-Corp Bill Legislation would amend the tax code to clarify that shareholders in an S-Corp. who acquired their shares through crowdfunding would not count against the 100 shareholder cap. NSBA supports H.R. 4850 - Micro Offering Safe Harbor Act Measure would create an exemption from registration requirements under the Securities Act for certain small securities offerings. NSBA supports H.R. 4852 - the Private Placement Improvement Act Would require the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to amend the requirements for Regulation D offerings. It would also direct the SEC to revise rules regarding 506 offerings of a private fund to characterize as an accredited investor a knowledgeable employee of that private fund or the funds investment advisor. NSBA is monitoring H.R. 4854 - Supporting Americas Innovators Act Legislation would amend the Investment Company Act of 1940 to expand the investor limitation for qualifying venture capital funds under an exemption from the definition of an investment company. NSBA is monitoring H.R. 4855 - Fix Crowdfunding Act Measure would amend the crowdfunding provisions included in the Jobs Act and would increase the crowdfunding limit from $1 million to $5 million. NSBA is monitoring H.R. 4909 - FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act H.R. 4909 authorizes $610 billion in spending for the DOD and also makes a number of changes to the procurement process for small firms. NSBA supports H.R. 5064 - the Improving Small Business Cyber Security Act of 2016 Will allow Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) to assist small businesses in developing or enhancing their cyber-security infrastructure, cyber threat awareness, and cyber training programs for employees. NSBA supports H.R. 5076 - Main Street Fairness Act Establishes that businesses that file their taxes as pass-through income-sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs and S corporations-will never pay a higher tax rate than their larger counterparts. NSBA supports H.R. 5156 - Small Business Credit Card Act of 2016 Legislation would further protect small-business owners credit cards from unfair and deceptive practices of credit card companies. NSBA supports H.R. 5813 - Overtime Reform and Enhancement Act Will initiate a reasonable three-year phase-in of the Department of Labors new overtime rule. NSBA supports H.R. 6094 - Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act Bill would delay by six months the Department of Labors (DOLs) overtime rule, which is set to take effect in December 2016 to June 2017. NSBA supports H.J. Res. 71 - Clean Power Plan - Congressional Review Act This resolution would invoke the Congressional Review Act and roll back the Clean Power Plan regulations promulgated by the EPA to cut carbon emissions. NSBA Supports H.J. Res. 72 - Clean Power Plan - Congressional Review Act This resolution would invoke the Congressional Review Act and roll back the Clean Power Plan regulations promulgated by the EPA to cut carbon emissions. NSBA supports H.J.Res. 95 A resolution under the Congressional Review Act to protect workers, students, nonprofit organizations, and small-business owners from the consequences of the Department of Labors controversial overtime rule. NSBA supports S. 155 - the Fair Tax Act To promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the states. NSBA supports S. 632 - STRONG Patent Act The bill introduces modest patent reforms that would afford small businesses greater protections for their patents. NSBA supports S.698 - Marketplace Fairness Act of 2015 The bill would require eCommerce sellers who gross over $1million in remote (out-of-state) sales per year to collect sales tax from buyers in all 45 states (plus D.C.) that impose a sales tax. NSBA is monitoring S. 1137 - PATENT Act Reforms the patent system and introduces measures that would make it more difficult for small businesses to defend their patents. NSBA opposes S. 1140 - Federal Water Quality Protection Act The legislation would require the EPA to rewrite the waters of the U.S. rule. NSBA supports S. 1584 - Renewable Fuel Standard Repeal Act The bill would remove the renewable fuel standard. NSBA is monitoring S. 1607 - Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act of 2015 Creates a procedure whereby the president can require independent regulatory agencies to comply with the same rulemaking requirements that other agencies do. NSBA supports S. 1683 - Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome (SCRUB) Act of 2015 This bill would create a special commission to review and repeal regulatory requirements which could be removed without significant impact to the regulations overall effectiveness. NSBA supports S. 1697 - Small Business Healthcare Relief Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow an employer with fewer than 50 employees that does not offer group health insurance coverage to establish a health reimbursement arrangement. NSBA supports S. 1890 - Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2015 Creates a right of action in federal court for trade secrets violations and creates mechanisms to prevent the release of trade secret information. NSBA supports S. 2006 - Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015 Legislation amends the APA to require that regulating agencies do more thorough examinations of the costs and benefits of promulgating regulations. NSBA supports S. 2012 - Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 Measure would make a number of changes impacting the security and the reliability of the energy grid. NSBA supports S. 2582 - Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016 The bill would prevent agencies from proposing or finalizing regulations from the day after elections to the day of the next presidential inauguration. NSBA supports S. 2696 - Protect Small Business Jobs Act of 2016 Would create a six month grace period for first time regulations violations by small businesses which do not place anyone in imminent danger. NSBA supports S. 2707 - Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act Legislation would nullify the Department of Labors overtime exemption rule and would require DOL to perform an economic analysis of how changes to overtime regulations will impact nonprofits, small businesses, and employers in other vulnerable industry sectors before issuing a new rule. NSBA supports S. 2724 - Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2016 Legislation would effectively eliminate Chevron Deference when courts review agency actions. NSBA supports S. 2733 - Venue Equity and Non-Uniformity Elimination Act of 2016 This legislation will make changes to existing venue requirements in patent infringement litigation. NSBA opposes S. 2792 - Rapid Innovation Fund Enhancement Act of 2016 Legislation would reform the RIF program to ensure small businesses are always able to participate. NSBA supports S. 2793 - SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2016 The legislation would permanently reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The programs are currently set to expire in 2017. NSBA supports S. 2812 - SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2016 Legislation would permanently reauthorize the SBIR and STTR programs. NSBA supports S. 2847 - Prove It Act Legislation would allow the Chief Counsel of Advocacy to challenge an agency certification of no significant impact on small businesses under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. NSBA is monitoring S. 2898 - the Small Business National Security Innovation Act of 2016 Legislation would allow SBIR and STTR small businesses to more easily contract to do follow-on work. NSBA supports S. 3464 - the Overtime Reform and Review Act Bill would phase in the new salary overtime threshold over five years, and would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a report during the rules first year to assess its economic effects. NSBA supports S.J. Res. 22 - WOTUS Congressional Review Act Resolution This resolution would invoke the Congressional Review Act and roll back the WOTUS rule which EPA finalized in May 2015. NSBA supports S.J.Res.34 A resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) that would block implementation of the administrations overtime rule. NSBA supports
Client expense: $34,500 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank), Federal Reserve System, Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Intl Trade Administration (ITA), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2016 · third_quarter · Consumer Issues/Safety/Products
NETWORK supports implementation of Section 1504 of the Dodd-Frank Act to protect consumers from fraudulent bank abuses. NETWORK supports efforts by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to crackdown on fraudulent payday lenders and to seek greater protections for all Americans. NETWORK opposes The Financial Choice Act which would severely weaken the Dodd-Frank Act NETWORK opposes H.R. 3438, the Require Evaluation Before Implementing Executive Wishlists Act because it will weaken consumer protection. NETWORK opposes H.R. 5226, the Regulatory Integrity Act, because it will undermine agencies' ability to engage and inform the public on important science based rulemaking. NETWORK opposes H.R. 4612, the Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016 because it would provide a blanket moratorium on any newly proposed or final regulation of this or future presidential administrations.
Client expense: $95,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, State, Dept of (DOS), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2016 · third_quarter · Clean Air and Water (quality)
Issues related to the health impacts of air pollution including the following legislation: H.R.1388, Clean Air, Strong Economies Act; S.751, CASE Act; S.2012, North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2016; H.R.8, North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015; H.R.1030, Secret Science Reform Act of 2015; H.R.1320, Commonsense Legislative Exceptional Events Reforms Act of 2015; H.R.1327, ORDEAL Act of 2015; H.R.1759, ALERT Act of 2015; H.R.4768, Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2016; H.R.4775, Ozone Standards Implementation Act of 2016; H.R.5538, Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017; H.R.3438, REVIEW Act of 2016; H.R.5668, Transparency and Honesty in Energy Regulations Act of 2016; H.R.5226 Regulatory Integrity Act; H.R.4612, Midnight Rules Relief Act; H.R.5926 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017; H.R.5913 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2016; S.543, EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2015; S.544, Secret Science Reform Act of 2015; S.638, Commonsense Legislative Exceptional Events Reforms Act of 2015; S.640, ORDEAL Act of 2015; S.2072, A bill to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a program under which the Administrator shall defer the designation of an area as a nonattainment area for purposes of the 8-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard if the area achieves and maintains certain standards under a voluntary early action compact plan.; S.2194, Clean Cookstoves and Fuels Support Act; S. 3068, Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017; S. 3040, Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017; S.2816 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2016; HR.5325 Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act; Issues related to air pollution and health; issues related to climate change and health; issues related to air pollution from vehicles and fuels; issues related to air pollution from power plants and other stationary sources; issues related to the President's Budget; issues related to the Budget Control Act; issues related to appropriations; issues related to regulatory reforms.
Client expense: $50,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Navy, Dept of, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2016 · third_quarter · Law Enforcement/Crime/Criminal Justice
S.178/H.R.296/H.R.181, Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act, in support of reducing Human Trafficking through strengthening federal laws; S.713/H.R.1340, International Violence Against Women Act, in support for promoting resources to prevent and respond to violence against women worldwide; S.2506, Restoring Statutory Rights and Interests of the States Act of 2016, in support of protecting workers rights and ensuring equal access to the courts; H.R. 5578, Survivors' Bill of Rights Act of 2016, in support of protecting the rights of victims of sexual assault; H.R. 4612, Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016, in opposition to a moratorium on new proposed or final major regulations during the final months of the Presidential administration; in support of ending the backlog of judicial nominees; in support of including provisions to address school climate in gun control legislation.
Client expense: $25,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Education, Dept of, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), SENATE, Vice President of the U.S., White House Office
2016 · third_quarter · Government Issues
Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016 (H.R.4612); Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2016 (H.R.4768); Regulatory Integrity Act of 2016 (H.R.5226); REVIEW Act of 2016 (H.R.3438)
Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, White House Office
2016 · third_quarter · Government Issues
H.R. 22 - Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act (DRIVE Act) H.R. 22 - Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 (FAST Act) H.R. 50 - the Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act of 2015 H.R. 185 - Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015 H.R. 348 - Responsibility and Professionally Invigorating Development Act (RAPID Act) H.R. 399 - Secure Our Borders First Act H.R. 427 - Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2015 (REINS Act) H.R. 445 - Transparency in Rule Making Act H.R. 527 - the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2015 (SBRFIA) H.R. 585 - ESA Consent Decrees and Settlements H.R. 712 - Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2015 H.R. 758 - Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act H.R.1155 - Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act of 2015 (SCRUB Act of 2015) H.R. 1407 - Regulatory Improvement Act H.R. 1487 - American Energy Renaissance Act of 2015 (only the judicial review part) H.R. 1732 - Regulatory Integrity Protection Act H.R. 1759 - ALERT Act H.R. 2029 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 and amendments H.R. 2647 - Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015 (only the judicial review, EAJA, and bonding sections) H.R. 3279 - Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act HR 3353 - Clean Water Citizen Suits HR 3438 - REVIEW Act H. R. 3763 - Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 (STRR Act) H.R. 4768 - Separation of Powers Act of 2016 (SOPA Act) H.R. 4612 Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016 H.R. 5063 Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016 and Gosar Amendment No. 5 H.R. 2304 the Securing Participation, Engagement and Knowledge Freedom by Reducing Egregious Efforcts Act of 2015 (SPEAK FREE Act) H.R. 5226 - Regulatory Integrity Act of 2016 H.R. 5982 Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2016 S. 1 - Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act (amendment #155) S. 280 - Federal Permitting Improvement Act S. 293 - ESA Consent Decrees and Settlements S. 378 - Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2015 S. 544 - Secret Science Reform Act S. 708 - Regulatory Improvement Act S. 1607 - Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act S. 1647-Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act (DRIVE Act) S. 1817 - Smarter Regs Act S. 1818 - Principled Rulemaking Act S. 1820 - Early Participation in Regulations Act S. 1927 - High Impact Rules S. 1944 - RED Tape Act S. 2506 - Restoring Statutory Rights Act of 2016 S.2997 - Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act of 2016 Criminal Justice Reform Package Rulemakings: CEQ, Revised Draft NEPA Guidance on Consideration of the Effects of Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions at 79 Fed. Reg. 77,801 (Dec. 24, 2014) CEQ, Finalized NEPA Guidance on Consideration of the Effects of Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions at 81 Fed. Reg. 51866 (Aug. 2, 2016) Draft U.S. DOI Environmental Justice Strategic Plan 2016-2020 Environmental Justice Action Agenda 2016-2020 (EJ 2020)
Client expense: $79,453 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Interior, Dept of (DOI), Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), SENATE
2016 · third_quarter · Government Issues
General lobbying with regard to proposed revisions to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Federal Rules of Evidence. General lobbying with regard to clarifying state and federal court jurisdiction in certain cases. S. 401/H.R. 758 (Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2015); amends Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to make sanctions mandatory. Lobbying with regard to federal judicial selection generally, including the Supreme Court of the United States, and with specific regard to the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Merrick Garland. H.R. 2304 (SPEAK FREE Act of 2015); Amends the federal judicial code to allow a person against whom a lawsuit is asserted to file a special motion to dismiss claims referred to as strategic lawsuits against public participation ("SLAPP suits") that arise from an oral or written statement or other expression, or conduct in furtherance of such expression, by the defendant in connection with an official proceeding or about a matter of public concern. H.R. 5111 (Consumer Review Fairness Act); prohibits the use of certain clauses in form contracts that restrict the ability of a consumer to communicate regarding the goods or services offered in interstate commerce that were the subject of the contract. H.R. 2110/S. 2044 (Consumer Review Freedom Act); prohibits the use of certain clauses in form contracts that restrict the ability of a consumer to communicate regarding the goods or services that were the subject of the contract. H.R. 384/H.R. 3279 (Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act); amends titles 5 and 28, United States Code, to require annual reports to Congress on, and the maintenance of databases on, awards of fees and other expenses to prevailing parties in certain administrative proceedings and court cases to which the United States is a party. H.R. 2336/S.__ (Sunshine in Litigation Act); amends Chapter 111 of Title 28, United States Code, relating to protective orders, sealing of cases, disclosures of discovery information in civil actions, and for other purposes. H.R. 2110/S. 2044 (Consumer Review Freedom Act); prohibits contracts that prohibit consumers from making certain public comments on businesses. H.R. 185 (Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015); amends the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), which is the law that governs how federal agencies propose and establish regulations. S. 226/ H.R. 427 (REINS Act); provides that major rules of the executive branch shall have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law. S. 543/H.R. 1029 (EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2015); amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to revise the process of selecting members of the Science Advisory Board, guidelines for participation in Board advisory activities, and terms of office. H.R. 1927 (Fairness in Class Action Litigation Act of 2015); amends the federal judicial code to prohibit federal courts from certifying any proposed class unless the party seeking to maintain a class action affirmatively demonstrates through admissible evidentiary proof that each proposed class member suffered an injury of the same type and extent as the injury of the named class representatives. S. 1113; amends title 28, United States Code, to remand certain civil actions transferred by the judicial panel on multidistrict litigation. H.R. 1579 (ALERT Act of 2015); amends title 5, united States Code, to provide for the publication, by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, of information relating to rulemakings H.R. 2648/S. 1109 (Truth in Settlements Act of 2015); requires adequate information regarding the tax treatment of payments under settlement agreements entered into by Federal agencies. General lobbying with regard to settlement disclosures. S. 1607 (Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act of 2015); authorizes the President to require an independent regulatory agency to: (1) comply, to the extent permitted by law, with regulatory analysis requirements applicable to other federal agencies; (2) publish and provide the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs with an assessment of the costs and benefits of a proposed or final economically significant rule and an assessment of costs and benefits of alternatives to the rule; and (3) submit to the Office for review any proposed or final economically significant rule. S. 708 (Regulatory Improvement Act of 2015); Requires the Commission to evaluate and make recommendations and propose legislation for modification, consolidation, or repeal of regulations that have been finalized not later than 10 years before the establishment of the Commission (covered regulations) for the purpose of reducing compliance costs, encouraging growth and innovation, improving competitiveness, and protecting public safety. S. 1820 (Early Participation in Regulations Act); requires agencies to publish an advance notice of proposed rule making for major rules. S. 1818 (Principled Rulemaking Act); amends title 5, United States Code, to reform the rule making process of agencies. S. 1817 (Smarter Regs Act of 2015); implements retrospective review of major rules. H.R. 3624 (Fraudulent Joinder Prevention Act of 2015); amends title 28, United States Code, to prevent fraudulent joinder. Lobbying with regard to factoring and structured settlements. H.R. 712 (Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act); creates new requirements for civil actions seeking to compel agency actions. H.R. 1155 (SCRUB Act); creates new requirements for agencies when making a new rule, creates a regulatory oversight commission. S. 2006 (Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015); reforms the process by which Federal agencies analyze and formulate new regulations and guidance documents. H.R. 4768 (Separation of Powers Restoration Act); modifies the scope of judicial review of agency actions to authorize courts reviewing agency actions to decide de novo all relevant questions of law, including the interpretation of constitutional and statutory provisions and rules. H.R. 4612 (Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016); prohibits some federal agencies from proposing or finalizing any midnight rule unless the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs finds that such a rule will not result in: (1) an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices; (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete internationally; or (4) a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses. H.R. 5063 (Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016); prohibits government officials from entering into a settlement agreement resolving a civil action on behalf of the United States, or from enforcing such a settlement agreement, if that agreement requires a donation to be made to any person by any party (other than the United States) to such agreement. S. 3446/H.R. 3765 (ADA Education and Reform Act of 2015); amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to promote compliance through education, to clarify the requirements for demand letters, to provide for a notice and cure period before the commencement of a private civil action. H.R. 241 (ADA Compliance for Customer Entry to Stores and Services (ACCESS) Act of 2015); amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit an aggrieved person from commencing a civil action for discrimination based on the failure to remove a structural barrier to entry into an existing public accommodation unless the owner or operator of such accommodation: (1) is provided a written notice specific enough to identify such barrier; and (2) has, within specified time periods, either failed to provide the aggrieved person with a written description outlining improvements that will be made to remove such barrier or provided such description and failed to remove such barrier. H.R. 4719 (Correcting Obstructions to Mediate, Prevent, and Limit Inaccessibility (COMPLI) Act); amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit persons aggrieved by certain public accommodation violations from commencing a civil action for discrimination unless they: (1) provide the owner or operator of the accommodation with a written notice that is specific enough to identify the violation; (2) specify in the notice that the owner or operator has 90 days to remove or correct the violation before an action will be brought; and (3) refrain from sending demand letters, requests for settlement, or other communications to the owner or operator during such 90-day period. General lobbying with respect to diversity jurisdiction and potential changes to the jurisdiction rules. S. 3155/H.R. 889 (Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act); to amend chapter 97 of title 28, United States Code, to clarify the exception to foreign sovereign immunity set forth in section 1605(a)(3) of such title) S. 2763/H.R. 6130 (Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016); to provide the victims of Holocaust-era persecution and their heirs a fair opportunity to recover works of art confiscated or misappropriated by the Nazis.
Client expense: $1,750,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Education, Dept of, Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Vice President of the United States, SENATE
2016 · third_quarter · Consumer Issues/Safety/Products
All legislation, including budget views, appropriations bills and riders, concerning authority of CFTC or SEC to enforce or write regulations under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, including HR4768, the Separation of Powers Restoration Act; HR4612 and sections of HR4361 concerning the Midnight Rules Relief Act; S2355, the Credit Access and Inclusion Act; HR5424, the Investment Advisors Modernization Act; HR5226, the Regulatory Integrity Act; HR3468, The Review Act; HR5063, the Stop Settlement Funds Act and any similar riders proposed to Appropriations Bills such as HR5485/SB3067, Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Acts for 2017. File comments to CFPB on Docket 2016-0020 on forced arbitration; file comment to CFPB on announcement of Debt Collection rulemaking SBREFA process; meet with CFPB on consumer complaint database, payday lending and other matters. File comment to financial and bank regulators on status of completion of rulemaking on Dodd-Frank Section 956, Executive Compensation.
Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Education, Dept of, Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2016 · third_quarter · Banking
CFPB (The Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection is an arm of Federal Reserve System) all its regulations, activities and practices including payday lending, forced arbitration, credit reporting, debt collection, consumer complaint handling, enforcement, consumer education; Legislation; H.R. 650, the Preserving Access to Manufactured Housing Act; HR 2896, Taking Account of Institutions with Low Operation Risk Act of 2015; H.R. 766, the Financial Institution Customer Protection Act of 2015; All legislation concerning budget views or appropriations, including concerning riders on independent funding, structure and authority of CFPB (Financial Services and General Government Appropriations (HR5485/S2663); riders on transportation safety and airline fee disclosure. All legislation concerning amendments to Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, including authority of agencies to enforce laws to protect consumers, taxpayers. Department of Education rules on student loan borrowers; H.R.4781 - FDIC Accountability Act of 2016; HR 1265, Bureau Advisory Commission Transparency Act; HR 1263, Consumer Financial Protection Safety and Soundness Improvement Act of 2015; HR 1262, Consumer Right to Financial Privacy Act of 2015; HR 1264, CFPB Pay Fairness Act of 2015; HR 1261, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Accountability Act of 2015; HR 1413/S477, Firearms Manufacturers and Dealers Protection Act of 2015 (FDIC Operation Choke Point); H.R. 766 and S2790, the Financial Institution Customer Protection Act of 2015. HR 5510, to weaken FTC; HR 4768 Separation of Powers Restoration Act; other riders and amendments to weaken independent agency authority to enact regulations. HR4172 Full file credit reporting; HR5282 Fair Credit Reporting Act amendments. Department of Education Gainful Employment rule. including HR4768, the Separation of Powers Restoration Act; HR4612 and sections of HR4361 concerning the Midnight Rules Relief Act; S2355, the Credit Access and Inclusion Act; HR5424, the Investment Advisors Modernization Act; HR5226, the Regulatory Integrity Act; HR3468, The Review Act; HR5063, the Stop Settlement Funds Act and any similar riders proposed to Appropriations Bills such as HR5485/SB3067, Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Acts for 2017. File comments to CFPB on Docket 2016-0020 on forced arbitration; file comment to CFPB on announcement of Debt Collection rulemaking SBREFA process; meet with CFPB on consumer complaint database, payday lending and other matters. File comment to financial and bank regulators on status of completion of rulemaking on Dodd-Frank Section 956, Executive Compensation.
Client expense: $10,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Education, Dept of, Executive Office of the President (EOP), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Federal Reserve System, Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), State, Dept of (DOS), Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
2016 · third_quarter · Small Business
House Bills H.R. 712, the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act - support. H.R. 1671, Government Neutrality in Contracting Act - support. H.R. 4612, the Midnight Rule Relief Act - support. H.R. 3624, the Fraudulent Joinder Prevention Act - support. H.R. 4293, the Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act - support. H.R. 4294, the Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act - support. H.R. 3433, the Protecting Orderly and Responsible Transit of Shipments (PORTS) Act - support. Amendment included in Section 913 of S 1269 - oppose. H.R. 3765, The ADA Education and Reform Act of 2015 - support. H.R. 4773, the Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act - support. H.R. 5447 (H.R. 2911), the Small Business Healthcare Relief Act - support. H. J. Res. 87, a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval in response to the controversial persuader rule issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) - support. Section 110 to the FY2017 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - support. Perry Amendment to H.R. 4974, ensuring fair and open competition for federal construction contracts funded by the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs (MilCon/VA) Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2017 - support. FY2017 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. H.R. 5210, PADME ACT - Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment Act - support. H.R. 6094, the Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act - support. H.R. 3438, the Require Evaluation before Implementing Executive Wishlists (REVIEW) Act of 2016 - support. H.R. 5523, the Clyde-Hirsch-Sowers RESPECT Act - support. H.R. 5813, the Overtime Reform and Enhancement Act - support. Senate Bills S. 2582, the Midnight Rule Relief Act - support. S. 1519, the Protecting Orderly and Responsible Transit of Shipments (PORTS) Act - support. S. 2225, the Save our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act - support. S. 2707, the Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act - support. Prove It Act of 2016 - support. Hoeven Amendent to amendment to the FY2017 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - support. S. 2736, the Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment Act of 2016 - support. S. 71, Government Neutrality in Contracting Act - support. S. 2844, the fiscal year (FY) 2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (T-HUD) appropriations bill. S. 3060 / S. 1697, the Small Business Healthcare Relief Act - support. S. 2736, PADME ACT - Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment Act - support. S. 3464, the Overtime Reform and Review Act - support. S. 3462, the Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act - support. The ADA Education and Reform Act - support. Hearings Walter Carpenter testified before the Subcommittee on Human Resources Committee on Ways and Means on Unemployment Insurance: An Overview of the Challenges and Strengths of Todays System. September 7, 2016 Comments August 31, 2016 - Docket ID EPA-HQ-OPPT-2016-0126 - Section 610 Review of Lead-Based Paint Activities; Training and Certification for Renovation and Remodeling Section 402(c)(3) August 4, 2016 - Department of Treasury, IRS - RIN 1545-BB71. Estate, Gift, and Generation-skipping Transfer Taxes; Restrictions on Liquidation of an Interest. Other Issues Joint employer standard PN1258 - Merrick Garland nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court Estate tax
Client expense: $860,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of
2016 · third_quarter · Government Issues
S.2582/H.R.4612 - Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016; Issues related to reforming the regulatory process; S.2724/H.R.4768 - Separation of Powers Act of 2016
Client expense: $210,826 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE
2016 · third_quarter · Government Issues
Support H.R. 3438, the Require Evaluation before Implementing Executive Wishlists Act Support H.R. 4612, the Midnight Rule Relief Act Support S. 708, the Regulatory Improvement Act Support S. 1607, the Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act Support S. 1817, the Smarter Regs Act Support S. 1818, the Principled Rulemaking Act Support S. 1820, the Early Participation in Regulations Act Support S. 2006, the Regulatory Accountability Act Oppose GSA RIN: 9000-AM81 Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces
Client expense: $150,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), General Services Administration (GSA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of
2016 · second_quarter · Small Business
H.R. 8 - North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015 Legislation seeks to promote energy efficiency inside the federal government and improve the security of energy-related infrastructure primarily by expanding the Department of Energys authorities. NSBA supports H.R. 9 - Innovation Act Reforms the patent system and introduces measures that would make it more difficult for small businesses to defend their patents. NSBA opposes H.R. 25 - The Fair Tax Act To promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the states. NSBA supports H.R. 1105 - Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015 Bill would repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, as well as cut the top gift tax rate. NSBA supports H.R. 1155 - Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome (SCRUB) Act of 2015 This bill would create a special commission to review and repeal regulatory requirements which could be removed without significant impact to the regulations overall effectiveness. NSBA supports H.R. 1732 - Regulatory Protection Act of 2015 The legislation would require the EPA to rewrite the waters of the U.S. rule. NSBA supports H.R. 2028 - FY 2017 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill The legislation would appropriate over $37 billion to federal programs across the agencies, an increase of $355 million over 2016 levels. However, the spending increases are largely attributed to defense-related programs, while nondefense programs, including those at the Army Corps of Engineers, received cuts. NSBA supported amendments to the bill. H.R. 2045 - TROL Act Legislation would allow the FTC to go after patent trolls which often target small business patent holders. NSBA supports H.R. 2187 - The Fair Investment Opportunities for Professional Experts Act Requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to rewrite the accredited investor definition and would codify the current financial thresholds so that they may not be raised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) except by statute. NSBA supports H.R. 2775 - The Remote Transactions Parity Act of 2015 The bill allows states that meet simplification requirements to require remote sellers to collect taxes due on items purchased by consumers in those states. NSBA is monitoring H.R. 2911 - Small Business Healthcare Relief Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow an employer with fewer than 50 employees that does not offer group health insurance coverage to establish a health reimbursement arrangement. NSBA supports H.R. 3326 - Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2015 Creates a right of action in federal court for trade secrets violations and creates mechanisms to prevent the release of trade secret information. NSBA supports H.R. 3784 - The SEC Small Business Advocate Act of 2016 This bill would establish an Office of the Small Business Advocate within the SEC to advocate on behalf of small businesses and to be a resource for small businesses. NSBA supports H.R. 4168 - Small Business Capital Formation Enhancement Act The measure will require the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to respond to recommendations made during the annual Government-Business Forum on Small Business Capital Formation. NSBA supports H.R. 4341 - Defending Americas Small Contractors Act of 2016 The bill introduces a number of reforms to increase transparency and the ability of small businesses to compete in the federal marketplace. NSBA supports H.R. 4377 - American Business Competitiveness Act The bill cuts the corporate income tax to 25 percent; limits the top tax rate on non-corporate business income to 25 percent; allows businesses to deduct investment costs when they occur (full expensing); eliminates most business tax credits and many deductions; and moves to a territorial tax system like most developed nations. NSBA is monitoring H.R. 4612 - Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016 Legislation would prevent agencies from proposing or finalizing regulations from the day after elections to the day of the next presidential inauguration. NSBA supports H.R. 4638 - Main Street Growth Act The legislation seeks to make small business offerings more attractive to investors by creating venture exchanges which will bring together buyers and sellers for of venture securities. NSBA supports H.R. 4768 - Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2016 Legislation would effectively eliminate Chevron Deference when courts review agency actions. NSBA supports H.R. 4773 - Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act Legislation would nullify the Department of Labors overtime exemption rule and would require DOL to perform an economic analysis of how changes to overtime regulations will impact nonprofits, small businesses, and employers in other vulnerable industry sectors before issuing a new rule. NSBA supports H.R. 4783 - Commercializing on Small Business Innovation Act of 2016 Legislation would reauthorize the SBIR/STTR programs through 2022. NSBA supports H.R. 4831 - S-Corp Bill Legislation would amend the tax code to clarify that shareholders in an S-Corp. who acquired their shares through crowdfunding would not count against the 100 shareholder cap. NSBA supports H.R. 4850 - Micro Offering Safe Harbor Act Measure would create an exemption from registration requirements under the Securities Act for certain small securities offerings. NSBA supports H.R. 4852 - the Private Placement Improvement Act Would require the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to amend the requirements for Regulation D offerings. It would also direct the SEC to revise rules regarding 506 offerings of a private fund to characterize as an accredited investor a knowledgeable employee of that private fund or the funds investment advisor. NSBA is monitoring H.R. 4854 - Supporting Americas Innovators Act Legislation would amend the Investment Company Act of 1940 to expand the investor limitation for qualifying venture capital funds under an exemption from the definition of an investment company. NSBA is monitoring H.R. 4855 - Fix Crowdfunding Act Measure would amend the crowdfunding provisions included in the Jobs Act and would increase the crowdfunding limit from $1 million to $5 million. NSBA is monitoring H.R. 4909 - FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act H.R. 4909 authorizes $610 billion in spending for the DOD and also makes a number of changes to the procurement process for small firms. NSBA supports H.R. 5076 - Main Street Fairness Act Establishes that businesses that file their taxes as pass-through income-sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs and S corporations-will never pay a higher tax rate than their larger counterparts. NSBA supports H.R. 5156 - Small Business Credit Card Act of 2016 Legislation would further protect small-business owners credit cards from unfair and deceptive practices of credit card companies. NSBA supports H.J. Res. 71 - Clean Power Plan - Congressional Review Act This resolution would invoke the Congressional Review Act and roll back the Clean Power Plan regulations promulgated by the EPA to cut carbon emissions. NSBA Supports H.J. Res. 72 - Clean Power Plan - Congressional Review Act This resolution would invoke the Congressional Review Act and roll back the Clean Power Plan regulations promulgated by the EPA to cut carbon emissions. NSBA supports H.J.Res. 95 A resolution under the Congressional Review Act to protect workers, students, nonprofit organizations, and small-business owners from the consequences of the Department of Labors controversial overtime rule. NSBA supports S. 155 - the Fair Tax Act To promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the states. NSBA supports S. 632 - STRONG Patent Act The bill introduces modest patent reforms that would afford small businesses greater protections for their patents. NSBA supports S.698 - Marketplace Fairness Act of 2015 The bill would require eCommerce sellers who gross over $1million in remote (out-of-state) sales per year to collect sales tax from buyers in all 45 states (plus D.C.) that impose a sales tax. NSBA is monitoring S. 1137 - PATENT Act Reforms the patent system and introduces measures that would make it more difficult for small businesses to defend their patents. NSBA opposes S. 1140 - Federal Water Quality Protection Act The legislation would require the EPA to rewrite the waters of the U.S. rule. NSBA supports S. 1584 - Renewable Fuel Standard Repeal Act The bill would remove the renewable fuel standard. NSBA is monitoring S. 1607 - Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act of 2015 Creates a procedure whereby the president can require independent regulatory agencies to comply with the same rulemaking requirements that other agencies do. NSBA supports S. 1683 - Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome (SCRUB) Act of 2015 This bill would create a special commission to review and repeal regulatory requirements which could be removed without significant impact to the regulations overall effectiveness. NSBA supports S. 1697 - Small Business Healthcare Relief Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow an employer with fewer than 50 employees that does not offer group health insurance coverage to establish a health reimbursement arrangement. NSBA supports S. 1890 - Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2015 Creates a right of action in federal court for trade secrets violations and creates mechanisms to prevent the release of trade secret information. NSBA supports S. 2006 - Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015 Legislation amends the APA to require that regulating agencies do more thorough examinations of the costs and benefits of promulgating regulations. NSBA supports S. 2012 - Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 Measure would make a number of changes impacting the security and the reliability of the energy grid. NSBA supports S. 2582 - Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016 The bill would prevent agencies from proposing or finalizing regulations from the day after elections to the day of the next presidential inauguration. NSBA supports S. 2696 - Protect Small Business Jobs Act of 2016 Would create a six month grace period for first time regulations violations by small businesses which do not place anyone in imminent danger. NSBA supports S. 2707 - Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act Legislation would nullify the Department of Labors overtime exemption rule and would require DOL to perform an economic analysis of how changes to overtime regulations will impact nonprofits, small businesses, and employers in other vulnerable industry sectors before issuing a new rule. NSBA supports S. 2724 - Separation of Powers Restoration Act of 2016 Legislation would effectively eliminate Chevron Deference when courts review agency actions. NSBA supports S. 2733 - Venue Equity and Non-Uniformity Elimination Act of 2016 This legislation will make changes to existing venue requirements in patent infringement litigation. NSBA opposes S. 2792 - Rapid Innovation Fund Enhancement Act of 2016 Legislation would reform the RIF program to ensure small businesses are always able to participate. NSBA supports S. 2793 - SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2016 The legislation would permanently reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The programs are currently set to expire in 2017. NSBA supports S. 2812 - SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2016 Legislation would permanently reauthorize the SBIR and STTR programs. NSBA supports S. 2847 - Prove It Act Legislation would allow the Chief Counsel of Advocacy to challenge an agency certification of no significant impact on small businesses under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. NSBA is monitoring S. 2898 - the Small Business National Security Innovation Act of 2016 Legislation would allow SBIR and STTR small businesses to more easily contract to do follow-on work. NSBA supports S.J. Res. 22 - WOTUS Congressional Review Act Resolution This resolution would invoke the Congressional Review Act and roll back the WOTUS rule which EPA finalized in May 2015. NSBA supports S.J.Res.34 A resolution under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) that would block implementation of the administrations overtime rule. NSBA supports
Client expense: $43,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank), Federal Reserve System, Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Intl Trade Administration (ITA), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2016 · second_quarter · Government Issues
H.R. 22 - Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act (DRIVE Act) H.R. 22 - Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 (FAST Act) H.R. 50 - the Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act of 2015 H.R. 185 - Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015 H.R. 348 - Responsibility and Professionally Invigorating Development Act (RAPID Act) H.R. 399 - Secure Our Borders First Act H.R. 427 - Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2015 (REINS Act) H.R. 445 - Transparency in Rule Making Act H.R. 527 - the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2015 (SBRFIA) H.R. 585 - ESA Consent Decrees and Settlements H.R. 712 - Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2015 H.R. 758 - Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act H.R.1155 - Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act of 2015 (SCRUB Act of 2015) H.R. 1407 - Regulatory Improvement Act H.R. 1487 - American Energy Renaissance Act of 2015 (only the judicial review part) H.R. 1732 - Regulatory Integrity Protection Act H.R. 1759 - ALERT Act H.R. 2029 - Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 and amendments H.R. 2647 - Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015 (only the judicial review, EAJA, and bonding sections) H.R. 3279 - Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act HR 3353 - Clean Water Citizen Suits HR 3438 - REVIEW Act H. R. 3763 - Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015 (STRR Act) H.R. 4768 - Separation of Powers Act of 2016 (SOPA Act) H.R. 4612 Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016 H.R. 5063 Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016 H.R. 2304 the Securing Participation, Engagement and Knowledge Freedom by Reducing Egregious Efforcts Act of 2015 (SPEAK FREE Act) S. 1 - Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act (amendment #155) S. 280 - Federal Permitting Improvement Act S. 293 - ESA Consent Decrees and Settlements S. 378 - Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2015 S. 544 - Secret Science Reform Act S. 708 - Regulatory Improvement Act S. 1607 - Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act S. 1647-Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy Act (DRIVE Act) S. 1817 - Smarter Regs Act S. 1818 - Principled Rulemaking Act S. 1820 - Early Participation in Regulations Act S. 1927 - High Impact Rules S. 1944 - RED Tape Act S. 2506 - Restoring Statutory Rights Act of 2016 S.2997 - Securing Access to Networks in Disasters Act of 2016 Criminal Justice Reform Package Rulemakings: CEQ, Revised Draft NEPA Guidance on Consideration of the Effects of Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Emissions at 79 Fed. Reg. 77,801 (Dec. 24, 2014) Draft U.S. DOI Environmental Justice Strategic Plan 2016-2020 Environmental Justice Action Agenda 2016-2020 (EJ 2020)
Client expense: $127,981 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Interior, Dept of (DOI), Natl Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Surface Mining Reclamation & Enforcement, SENATE, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), U.S. Forest Service
2016 · second_quarter · Government Issues
Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices Uniformity Act (H.R. 5112); The Midnight Rule Relief Act (H.R. 4612 / S. 2582); The All Economic Regulations are Transparent (ALERT) Act of 2015 (H.R. 1759); Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Accountability Act (H.R. 1261); CFPB Dual Mandate and Economic Analysis Act (H.R.5211); Reforming CFPB Indirect Auto Financing Guidance Act (S.2663); Financial Institutions Consumer Protection Act of 2016 (S. 2790)
Client expense: $30,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE
2016 · second_quarter · Government Issues
S.2582/H.R.4612 - Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016; Issues related to reforming the regulatory process; S.2724/H.R.4768 - Separation of Powers Act of 2016
Client expense: $876,049 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE
2016 · second_quarter · Small Business
House Bills H.R. 712, the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act - support. H.R. 1671, Government Neutrality in Contracting Act - support. S.J. Res. 22, a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval in response to the problematic Waters of the United States rule - support. H.R. 4612, the Midnight Rule Relief Act - support. H.R. 3624, the Fraudulent Joinder Prevention Act - support. H.R. 4293, the Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act - support. H.R. 4294, the Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act - support. H.R. 3433, the Protecting Orderly and Responsible Transit of Shipments (PORTS) Act - support. Amendment included in Section 913 of S 1269 - oppose. H.R. 3765, The ADA Education and Reform Act of 2015 - support. H.R. 4773, the Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act - support. H.R. 5447 (H.R. 2911), the Small Business Healthcare Relief Act - support. H. J. Res. 87, a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval in response to the controversial persuader rule issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) - support. Section 110 to the FY2017 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - support. Perry Amendment to H.R. 4974, ensuring fair and open competition for federal construction contracts funded by the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs (MilCon/VA) Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2017 - support. FY2017 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. H.R. 5210, PADME ACT - Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment Act - support. Senate Bills S. 2582, the Midnight Rule Relief Act - support. S. 1519, the Protecting Orderly and Responsible Transit of Shipments (PORTS) Act - support. S. 2225, the Save our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act - support. Amendment included in Section 913 of S 1269 - oppose. S. 2707, the Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act - support. Prove It Act of 2016 - support. Hoeven Amendent to amendment to the FY2017 Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - support. S. 2736, the Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment Act of 2016 - support. S. 71, Government Neutrality in Contracting Act - support. S. 2844, the fiscal year (FY) 2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (T-HUD) appropriations bill. S. 3060 / S. 1697, the Small Business Healthcare Relief Act - support. S. 2736, PADME ACT - Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment Act - support. Hearings Karen Harned, House Small Business Committee on Regulation: The Hidden Small Business Tax. April 14, 2016. Elizabeth Milito, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Hearing on: Drowning in Regulations: The Waters of the U.S. Rule and the Case for Reforming the RFA April 27, 2016. Kevin Kuhlman, Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee on the Small Business Struggle under Obamacare. May 18 2016. Albert Macre, House Committee on Small Business on Damaging Repercussions: DOLs Overtime Rule, Small Employers, and their Employees June 23, 2016. Joe Grossbauer, Joint Economic Committee on Is Our Complex Code Too Taxing on the Economy? April 20, 2016. Tom Kunkel, Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee on the Small Business Struggle Under Obamacare, May 18, 2016. Comments April 8, 2016, RIN 1235-AA13 - Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors, Wage and Hour Division, DOL. Other Issues Joint employer standard PN1258 - Merrick Garland nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court
Client expense: $878,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of
2016 · second_quarter · Government Issues
Support H.R. 4612, the Midnight Rule Relief Act Support S. 708, the Regulatory Improvement Act Support S. 1607, the Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act Support S. 1817, the Smarter Regs Act Support S. 1818, the Principled Rulemaking Act Support S. 1820, the Early Participation in Regulations Act Support S. 2006, the Regulatory Accountability Act
Client expense: $150,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), SENATE
2016 · second_quarter · Government Issues
General lobbying with regard to proposed revisions to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Federal Rules of Evidence. General lobbying with regard to clarifying state and federal court jurisdiction in certain cases. S. 401/H.R. 758 (Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2015); amends Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to make sanctions mandatory. Lobbying with regard to federal judicial selection generally, including the Supreme Court of the United States, and with specific regard to the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Merrick Garland. H.R. 2304 (SPEAK FREE Act of 2015); Amends the federal judicial code to allow a person against whom a lawsuit is asserted to file a special motion to dismiss claims referred to as strategic lawsuits against public participation ("SLAPP suits") that arise from an oral or written statement or other expression, or conduct in furtherance of such expression, by the defendant in connection with an official proceeding or about a matter of public concern. H.R. 5111 (Consumer Review Fairness Act); prohibits the use of certain clauses in form contracts that restrict the ability of a consumer to communicate regarding the goods or services offered in interstate commerce that were the subject of the contract. H.R. 2110/S. 2044 (Consumer Review Freedom Act); prohibits the use of certain clauses in form contracts that restrict the ability of a consumer to communicate regarding the goods or services that were the subject of the contract. H.R. 384/H.R. 3279 (Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act); amends titles 5 and 28, United States Code, to require annual reports to Congress on, and the maintenance of databases on, awards of fees and other expenses to prevailing parties in certain administrative proceedings and court cases to which the United States is a party. H.R. 2336/S.__ (Sunshine in Litigation Act); amends Chapter 111 of Title 28, United States Code, relating to protective orders, sealing of cases, disclosures of discovery information in civil actions, and for other purposes. H.R. 2110/S. 2044 (Consumer Review Freedom Act); prohibits contracts that prohibit consumers from making certain public comments on businesses. H.R. 185 (Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015); amends the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), which is the law that governs how federal agencies propose and establish regulations. S. 226/ H.R. 427 (REINS Act); provides that major rules of the executive branch shall have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law. S 543/H.R. 1029 (EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2015); amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to revise the process of selecting members of the Science Advisory Board, guidelines for participation in Board advisory activities, and terms of office. H.R. 1927 (Fairness in Class Action Litigation Act of 2015); amends the federal judicial code to prohibit federal courts from certifying any proposed class unless the party seeking to maintain a class action affirmatively demonstrates through admissible evidentiary proof that each proposed class member suffered an injury of the same type and extent as the injury of the named class representatives. S. 1113; amends title 28, United States Code, to remand certain civil actions transferred by the judicial panel on multidistrict litigation. H.R. 1579 (ALERT Act of 2015); amends title 5, united States Code, to provide for the publication, by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, of information relating to rulemakings H.R. 2648/S. 1109 (Truth in Settlements Act of 2015); requires adequate information regarding the tax treatment of payments under settlement agreements entered into by Federal agencies. General lobbying with regard to settlement disclosures. S. 1607 (Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act of 2015); authorizes the President to require an independent regulatory agency to: (1) comply, to the extent permitted by law, with regulatory analysis requirements applicable to other federal agencies; (2) publish and provide the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs with an assessment of the costs and benefits of a proposed or final economically significant rule and an assessment of costs and benefits of alternatives to the rule; and (3) submit to the Office for review any proposed or final economically significant rule. S. 708 (Regulatory Improvement Act of 2015); Requires the Commission to evaluate and make recommendations and propose legislation for modification, consolidation, or repeal of regulations that have been finalized not later than 10 years before the establishment of the Commission (covered regulations) for the purpose of reducing compliance costs, encouraging growth and innovation, improving competitiveness, and protecting public safety. S. 1820 (Early Participation in Regulations Act); requires agencies to publish an advance notice of proposed rule making for major rules. S. 1818 (Principled Rulemaking Act); amends title 5, United States Code, to reform the rule making process of agencies. S. 1817 (Smarter Regs Act of 2015); implements retrospective review of major rules. H.R. 3624 (Fraudulent Joinder Prevention Act of 2015); amends title 28, United States Code, to prevent fraudulent joinder. Lobbying with regard to factoring and structured settlements. H.R. 712 (Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act); creates new requirements for civil actions seeking to compel agency actions. H.R. 1155 (SCRUB Act); creates new requirements for agencies when making a new rule, creates a regulatory oversight commission. S. 2006 (Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015); reforms the process by which Federal agencies analyze and formulate new regulations and guidance documents. H.R. 4768 (Separation of Powers Restoration Act); modifies the scope of judicial review of agency actions to authorize courts reviewing agency actions to decide de novo all relevant questions of law, including the interpretation of constitutional and statutory provisions and rules. H.R. 4612 (Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016); prohibits some federal agencies from proposing or finalizing any midnight rule unless the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs finds that such a rule will not result in: (1) an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices; (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete internationally; or (4) a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses. H.R. 5063 (Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2016); prohibits government officials from entering into a settlement agreement resolving a civil action on behalf of the United States, or from enforcing such a settlement agreement, if that agreement requires a donation to be made to any person by any party (other than the United States) to such agreement. H.R. 3765 (ADA Education and Reform Act of 2015); amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to promote compliance through education, to clarify the requirements for demand letters, to provide for a notice and cure period before the commencement of a private civil action. H.R. 241 (ADA Compliance for Customer Entry to Stores and Services (ACCESS) Act of 2015); amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit an aggrieved person from commencing a civil action for discrimination based on the failure to remove a structural barrier to entry into an existing public accommodation unless the owner or operator of such accommodation: (1) is provided a written notice specific enough to identify such barrier; and (2) has, within specified time periods, either failed to provide the aggrieved person with a written description outlining improvements that will be made to remove such barrier or provided such description and failed to remove such barrier. H.R. 4719 (Correcting Obstructions to Mediate, Prevent, and Limit Inaccessibility (COMPLI) Act); amends the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to prohibit persons aggrieved by certain public accommodation violations from commencing a civil action for discrimination unless they: (1) provide the owner or operator of the accommodation with a written notice that is specific enough to identify the violation; (2) specify in the notice that the owner or operator has 90 days to remove or correct the violation before an action will be brought; and (3) refrain from sending demand letters, requests for settlement, or other communications to the owner or operator during such 90-day period.
Client expense: $1,500,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Transportation, Dept of (DOT), Vice President of the U.S.
2016 · first_quarter · Small Business
H.R. 8 - North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act of 2015 Legislation seeks to promote energy efficiency inside the federal government and improve the security of energy-related infrastructure primarily by expanding the Department of Energys authorities. NSBA supports H.R. 9 - Innovation Act Reforms the patent system and introduces measures that would make it more difficult for small businesses to defend their patents. NSBA opposes H.R. 25 - The Fair Tax Act To promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the states. NSBA supports H.R. 644 - the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act The legislation authorizes the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and improves the flow of legitimate trade by modernizing the automated import and export system. NSBA supports H.R. 703 - Renewable Fuel Standard Elimination Act Would remove the renewable fuel standard. NSBA is monitoring H.R. 1105 - Death Tax Repeal Act of 2015 Bill would repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, as well as cut the top gift tax rate. NSBA supports H.R. 1155 - Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome (SCRUB) Act of 2015 This bill would create a special commission to review and repeal regulatory requirements which could be removed without significant impact to the regulations overall effectiveness. NSBA supports H.R. 1732 - Regulatory Protection Act of 2015 The legislation would require the EPA to rewrite the waters of the U.S. rule. NSBA supports H.R. 2045 - TROL Act Allows the FTC to go after patent trolls which often target small business patent holders. NSBA supports H.R. 2187 - The Fair Investment Opportunities for Professional Experts Act Requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to rewrite the accredited investor definition and would codify the current financial thresholds so that they may not be raised by the SEC except by statute. NSBA supports H.R. 2775 - the Remote Transactions Parity Act of 2015 The bill allows states that meet simplification requirements to require remote sellers to collect taxes due on items purchased by consumers in those states. NSBA is monitoring H.R. 2911 - Small Business Healthcare Relief Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow an employer with fewer than 50 employees that does not offer group health insurance coverage to establish a health reimbursement arrangement. NSBA supports H.R. 3326 - Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2015 Creates a right of action in federal court for trade secrets violations and creates mechanisms to prevent the release of trade secret information. NSBA supports H.R. 3784 - The SEC Small Business Advocate Act of 2016 This bill would establish an Office of the Small Business Advocate within SEC to advocate on behalf of small businesses and to be a resource for small businesses. NSBA supports H.R. 4168 - Small Business Capital Formation Enhancement Act Will require the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to respond to recommendations made during the annual Government-Business Forum on Small Business Capital Formation. NSBA supports H.R. 4341 - Defending Americas Small Contractors Act of 2016 Introduces a number of reforms to increase transparency and the ability of small businesses to compete in the federal marketplace. NSBA supports H.R. 4377 - American Business Competitiveness Act The bill cuts the corporate income tax to 25 percent; limits the top tax rate on non-corporate business income to 25 percent; allows businesses to deduct investment costs when they occur (full expensing); eliminates most business tax credits and many deductions; and moves to a territorial tax system like most developed nations. NSBA is monitoring H.R. 4498 - Helping Angels Lead our Startups (HALOS) Act The measure is designed to make it easier for businesses to notify potential investors of their offerings as well as provide a statutory definition for angel investor group. NSBA supports H.R. 4612 - Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016 Would prevent agencies from proposing or finalizing regulations from the day after elections to the day of the next presidential inauguration. NSBA supports H.R. 4638 - Main Street Growth Act The legislation seeks to make small business offerings more attractive to investors by creating venture exchanges which will bring together buyers and sellers for of venture securities. NSBA supports H.R. 4783 - Commercializing on Small Business Innovation Act of 2016 Legislation would reauthorize the SBIR/STTR programs through 2022. NSBA supports H.R. 4831 - S-Corp Bill Would amend the tax code to clarify that shareholders in an S-Corp. who acquired their shares through crowdfunding would not count against the 100 shareholder cap. NSBA supports H.R. 4850 - Micro Offering Safe Harbor Act Would create an exemption from registration requirements under the Securities Act for certain small securities offerings. NSBA supports H.J. Res. 71 - Clean Power Plan - Congressional Review Act This resolution would invoke the Congressional Review Act and roll back the Clean Power Plan regulations promulgated by the EPA to cut carbon emissions. NSBA Supports H.J. Res. 72 - Clean Power Plan - Congressional Review Act This resolution would invoke the Congressional Review Act and roll back the Clean Power Plan regulations promulgated by the EPA to cut carbon emissions. NSBA supports S. 155 - the Fair Tax Act To promote freedom, fairness, and economic opportunity by repealing the income tax and other taxes, abolishing the Internal Revenue Service, and enacting a national sales tax to be administered primarily by the states. NSBA supports S. 632 - STRONG Patent Act Introduces modest patent reforms that would afford small businesses greater protections for their patents. NSBA supports S.698 - Marketplace Fairness Act of 2015 The bill would require eCommerce sellers who gross over $1million in remote (out-of-state) sales per year to collect sales tax from buyers in all 45 states (plus D.C.) that impose a sales tax. NSBA is monitoring S. 1137 - PATENT Act Reforms the patent system and introduces measures that would make it more difficult for small businesses to defend their patents. NSBA opposes S. 1140 - Federal Water Quality Protection Act The legislation would require the EPA to rewrite the waters of the U.S. rule. NSBA supports S. 1584 - Renewable Fuel Standard Repeal Act Would remove the renewable fuel standard. NSBA is monitoring S. 1607 - Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act of 2015 Creates a procedure whereby the president can require independent regulatory agencies to comply with the same rulemaking requirements that other agencies do. NSBA supports S. 1683 - Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome (SCRUB) Act of 2015 This bill would create a special commission to review and repeal regulatory requirements which could be removed without significant impact to the regulations overall effectiveness. NSBA supports S. 1697 - Small Business Healthcare Relief Act This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to allow an employer with fewer than 50 employees that does not offer group health insurance coverage to establish a health reimbursement arrangement. NSBA supports S. 1890 - Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2015 Creates a right of action in federal court for trade secrets violations and creates mechanisms to prevent the release of trade secret information. NSBA supports S. 2006 - Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015 Amends the APA to require that regulating agencies do more thorough examinations of the costs and benefits of promulgating regulations. NSBA supports S. 2012 - Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 Would make a number of changes impacting the security and the reliability of the energy grid. NSBA supports S. 2582 - Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016 Would prevent agencies from proposing or finalizing regulations from the day after elections to the day of the next presidential inauguration. NSBA supports S. 2696 - Protect Small Business Jobs Act of 2016 Would create a six month grace period for first time regulations violations by small business which do not place anyone in imminent danger. NSBA supports S. 2733 - Venue Equity and Non-Uniformity Elimination Act of 2016 This legislation will make changes to existing venue requirements in patent infringement litigation. NSBA opposes S.J. Res. 22 - WOTUS Congressional Review Act Resolution This resolution would invoke the Congressional Review Act and roll back the WOTUS rule which EPA finalized in May 2015. NSBA supports S.Con. Res. 25 This expressed the sense of Congress that no deal reached during the Paris climate change conference would have force in the U.S. unless it was approved by Congress. NSBA is monitoring.
Client expense: $37,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Commerce, Dept of (DOC), Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank), Federal Reserve System, Government Accountability Office (GAO), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Intl Trade Administration (ITA), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Small Business Administration (SBA), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), White House Office
2016 · first_quarter · Government Issues
HR 4612 - all sections dealing with slowing down regulations at end of term; HR 712 - court access and settlement decrees provisions; HR 1155 - regulatory reform provisions; regulatory reform issues: cost/benefit analysis, regulatory lookback, regulatory cut-go budget.
Client expense: $239,076 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, SENATE, White House Office
2016 · first_quarter · Government Issues
General lobbying with regard to proposed revisions to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Federal Rules of Evidence. General lobbying with regard to clarifying state and federal court jurisdiction in certain cases. S. 401/H.R. 758 (Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2015); amends Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to make sanctions mandatory. Lobbying with regard to federal judicial selection generally, including the Supreme Court of the United States, and with specific regard to the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Merrick Garland. H.R. 2304 (SPEAK FREE Act of 2015); Amends the federal judicial code to allow a person against whom a lawsuit is asserted to file a special motion to dismiss claims referred to as strategic lawsuits against public participation ("SLAPP suits") that arise from an oral or written statement or other expression, or conduct in furtherance of such expression, by the defendant in connection with an official proceeding or about a matter of public concern. H.R. 384/H.R. 3279 (Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act); amends titles 5 and 28, United States Code, to require annual reports to Congress on, and the maintenance of databases on, awards of fees and other expenses to prevailing parties in certain administrative proceedings and court cases to which the United States is a party. H.R. 2336/S.__ (Sunshine in Litigation Act); amends Chapter 111 of Title 28, United States Code, relating to protective orders, sealing of cases, disclosures of discovery information in civil actions, and for other purposes. H.R. 2110/S. 2044 (Consumer Review Freedom Act); prohibits contracts that prohibit consumers from making certain public comments on businesses. H.R. 185 (Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015); amends the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), which is the law that governs how federal agencies propose and establish regulations. S. 226/ H.R. 427 (REINS Act); provides that major rules of the executive branch shall have no force or effect unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law. S 543/H.R. 1029 (EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act of 2015); amends the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act of 1978 to revise the process of selecting members of the Science Advisory Board, guidelines for participation in Board advisory activities, and terms of office. H.R. 1927 (Fairness in Class Action Litigation Act of 2015); amends the federal judicial code to prohibit federal courts from certifying any proposed class unless the party seeking to maintain a class action affirmatively demonstrates through admissible evidentiary proof that each proposed class member suffered an injury of the same type and extent as the injury of the named class representatives. S. 1113; amends title 28, United States Code, to remand certain civil actions transferred by the judicial panel on multidistrict litigation. H.R. 1579 (ALERT Act of 2015); amends title 5, united States Code, to provide for the publication, by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, of information relating to rulemakings H.R. 2648/S. 1109 (Truth in Settlements Act of 2015); requires adequate information regarding the tax treatment of payments under settlement agreements entered into by Federal agencies. General lobbying with regard to settlement disclosures. S. 1607 (Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act of 2015); authorizes the President to require an independent regulatory agency to: (1) comply, to the extent permitted by law, with regulatory analysis requirements applicable to other federal agencies; (2) publish and provide the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs with an assessment of the costs and benefits of a proposed or final economically significant rule and an assessment of costs and benefits of alternatives to the rule; and (3) submit to the Office for review any proposed or final economically significant rule. S. 708 (Regulatory Improvement Act of 2015); Requires the Commission to evaluate and make recommendations and propose legislation for modification, consolidation, or repeal of regulations that have been finalized not later than 10 years before the establishment of the Commission (covered regulations) for the purpose of reducing compliance costs, encouraging growth and innovation, improving competitiveness, and protecting public safety. S. 1820 (Early Participation in Regulations Act); requires agencies to publish an advance notice of proposed rule making for major rules. S. 1818 (Principled Rulemaking Act); amends title 5, United States Code, to reform the rule making process of agencies. S. 1817 (Smarter Regs Act of 2015); implements retrospective review of major rules. H.R. 3624 (Fraudulent Joinder Prevention Act of 2015); amends title 28, United States Code, to prevent fraudulent joinder. Lobbying with regard to factoring and structured settlements. H.R. 712 (Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act); creates new requirements for civil actions seeking to compel agency actions. H.R. 1155 (SCRUB Act); creates new requirements for agencies when making a new rule, creates a regulatory oversight commission. S. 2006 (Regulatory Accountability Act of 2015); reforms the process by which Federal agencies analyze and formulate new regulations and guidance documents. H.R. 4768 (Separation of Powers Restoration Act); modifies the scope of judicial review of agency actions to authorize courts reviewing agency actions to decide de novo all relevant questions of law, including the interpretation of constitutional and statutory provisions and rules. H.R. 4612 (Midnight Rule Relief Act of 2016); prohibits some federal agencies from proposing or finalizing any midnight rule unless the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs finds that such a rule will not result in: (1) an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices; (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete internationally; or (4) a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses.
Client expense: $1,380,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Education, Dept of, Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Vice President of the United States, SENATE, Vice President of the U.S.
2016 · first_quarter · Small Business
Access to Capital and Capital Formation: H.R. 4168, Small Business Access to Capital Enhancement Act: Supported House passage, voiced support for legislation in Senate. H.R. 1675, Capital Markets Improvements Act: Supported House passage. H.R. 4498, Helping Angels Lead Our Startups Act (HALOS Act): Advocated for and supported committee passage on legislation. H.R. 4638, Main Street Growth Act: Advocated for and supported committee passage. Tax Reform and Relief: Tax Reform: Advocated for broad-based tax reform focused on lowering rates for small business/individual and corporate taxpayers, full expensing, closing loopholes, and simplifying the tax system. Death Tax Repeal: Advocated for the Senate to act on House-passed repeal legislation (H.R. 1105). Trade and Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement: Trade Facilitation and Enforcement Act of 2015 Conference Report (H.R. 644): Supported Senate passage of the legislation, which included the Internet Tax Freedom Forever Act. Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement: Educated members of Congress and policymakers about TPPs content, specifically its small business provisions and responded to general myths about the agreement. Regulation and Regulatory Reform: Regulatory Reform: Continued to support action for broad-based regulatory reform and activity related to advancing such, including the formation of the Senate Regulations Caucus, support for the National Regulatory Budget Act of 2014, the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS Act), a Regulatory Cost Budget and legislation as detailed below: Regulatory Improvement Act of 2015 (H.R. 1407, S. 708): Support this bill to develop a commission to identify outdated and duplicative regulations. Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act (S. 1607): Support this bill to require agencies to publish cost-benefit analysis, private sector impact of rules and more information on regulations they intend to publish. H.R. 712, Sunshine and Regulatory Decrees and Settlement Act: Supported House passage. H.R. 2017, Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act: Supported House passage. H.R. 4612, S.2582, Midnight Rule Relief Act: Voiced support for legislation and committee passage in the House. H.R. 4596, Small Business Broadband Deployment Act: Supported House passage. Resolution of Disapproval on EPA's Waters Rule: Supported House passage. H.R. 1155: Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act (SCRUB Act): Supported House passage. Specific Regulations and Comments Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): Advocated for keeping the standard as is, rather than increasing due to the economic and environmental damage caused by the ethanol mandate. Also support RFS repeal. EPAs New Ozone Standard: Voiced concern about the new standard, and continue to educate the public and policymakers about its impact on small businesses, local economies, workers and various sectors, especially as it relates to implementation and the complexity of "background ozone." Submitted Comments to EPA on "background ozone" DOLs Proposed Fiduciary Regulation: Continue to educate Congress about the harm the proposed rule would have for small businesses trying to provide retirement accounts for their employees. Met with OMB to discuss concerns about final DOL proposal. DOLs Proposed Overtime Regulations: Continue to educate Congress about the harm the proposed rule would have for the workplace, employees and small businesses. Joint Employer Standard: Continued to support legislation (H.R. 3459 and S. 2015) that would modify the NLRBs decision on the standard, which disproportionately harms small businesses and franchises. Legal Reform: H.R. 1927, Fairness in Class Action Litigation Act: Supported House passage. Healthcare Reform: Small Business Healthcare Relief Act (H.R. 2911, S.1698): Continue to support House and Senate passage of this bill to fix Health Reimbursement Account contributions that have been made illegal in the Affordable Care Act. S.2499 and H.R. 4469, Health Savings Act of 2016: Voiced support for the bills in House and Senate. Government Procurement: H.R. 1671, Voiced support for Government Neutrality in Contracting Act Government Accountability and Reform: H.R. 598, Taxpayers Right-to-Know Act: Supported House passage. H.R. 653, FOIA Oversight and Implementation Act: Supported House passage. S.2232, Federal Reserve Transparency Act: Voiced support for legislation. H.R. 3442, Debt Management and Fiscal Responsibility Act: Supported House passage. Affordable Energy and Reform: Energy Policy Modernization Act: Voiced support of the bill in U.S. Senate. H.R. 3797, Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment Act (SENSE Act): Supported House passage. DOE Comments on LNG: Supported the department's findings on the economic impact of liquified natural gas (LNG) exports. Oil Tax in President's Budget: Expressed concerns about the $10 per barrel proposed tax. Intellectual Property: S.1890 Defend Trade Secrets Act: Voiced support for legislation and Senate passage. H.R. 1283, Songwriters Equity Act: Voiced support for the legislation.
Client expense: $80,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Energy, Dept of, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Small Business Administration (SBA), White House Office
2016 · first_quarter · Small Business
House Bills H.R. 712, the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act - support. H.R. 1671, Government Neutrality in Contracting Act - support. S.J. Res. 22, a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval in response to the problematic Waters of the United States rule - support. H.R. 4612, the Midnight Rule Relief Act - support. H.R. 3624, the Fraudulent Joinder Prevention Act - support. H.R. 4293, the Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act - support. H.R. 4294, the Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act - support. H.R. 3433, the Protecting Orderly and Responsible Transit of Shipments (PORTS) Act - support. Amendment included in Section 913 of S 1269 - oppose. H.R. 3765, The ADA Education and Reform Act of 2015 - support. H.R. 4773, the Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act - support. H.R. 2911, the Small Business Healthcare Relief Act - support. Senate Bills S. 2582, the Midnight Rule Relief Act - support. S. 1519, the Protecting Orderly and Responsible Transit of Shipments (PORTS) Act - support. S. 2225, the Save our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act - support. Amendment included in Section 913 of S 1269 - oppose. S. 2707, the Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act - support. Hearings Holly Wade testified before the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access on Lip Service but Little Else: Failure of the Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credit on March 22, 2016. Comments Docket ID OSHA-2015-0018 - Memorandum to Open Docket for Comments on OSHA Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of Labor. February 9, 2016. Agency/Docket Number: 3046-0007/Document Number: 2016-01544. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. March 31, 2016. Other Issues Joint employer standard PN1258 - Merrick Garland nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court Overtime Rule WOTUS
Client expense: $854,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of
2016 · first_quarter · Government Issues
Support H.R. 4612, the Midnight Rule Relief Act Support S. 708, the Regulatory Improvement Act Support S. 1607, the Independent Agency Regulatory Analysis Act Support S. 1817, the Smarter Regs Act Support S. 1818, the Principled Rulemaking Act Support S. 1820, the Early Participation in Regulations Act Support S. 2006, the Regulatory Accountability Act
Client expense: $150,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), SENATE
2016 · first_quarter · Small Business
House Bills H.R. 712, the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act - support. H.R. 1671, Government Neutrality in Contracting Act - support. S.J. Res. 22, a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval in response to the problematic Waters of the United States rule - support. H.R. 4612, the Midnight Rule Relief Act - support. H.R. 3624, the Fraudulent Joinder Prevention Act - support. H.R. 4293, the Affordable Retirement Advice Protection Act - support. H.R. 4294, the Strengthening Access to Valuable Education and Retirement Support Act - support. H.R. 3433, the Protecting Orderly and Responsible Transit of Shipments (PORTS) Act - support. Amendment included in Section 913 of S 1269 - oppose. H.R. 3765, The ADA Education and Reform Act of 2015 - support. H.R. 4773, the Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act - support. H.R. 2911, the Small Business Healthcare Relief Act - support. Senate Bills S. 2582, the Midnight Rule Relief Act - support. S. 1519, the Protecting Orderly and Responsible Transit of Shipments (PORTS) Act - support. S. 2225, the Save our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act - support. Amendment included in Section 913 of S 1269 - oppose. S. 2707, the Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act - support. Hearings Holly Wade testified before the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access on Lip Service but Little Else: Failure of the Small Business Health Insurance Tax Credit on March 22, 2016. Comments Docket ID OSHA-2015-0018 - Memorandum to Open Docket for Comments on OSHA Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Department of Labor. February 9, 2016. Agency/Docket Number: 3046-0007/Document Number: 2016-01544. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. March 31, 2016. Other Issues Joint employer standard PN1258 - Merrick Garland nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court Overtime Rule WOTUS
Client expense: $854,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Executive Office of the President (EOP), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), SENATE, Treasury, Dept of
2016 · first_quarter · Consumer Issues/Safety/Products
HR 1155-SCRUB Act of 2016, HR 712-Sunshine for Regulations and Regulatory Decrees and Settlement act of 2016, Regulatory reform, S 708-Regulatory improvement act of 2015, S 1607-Independent agency regulatory analysis act of 2015, S 1817-Smarter Regulations Act of 2015, S 1818-Principled rulemaking act of 2015, S 1820 Early participation in regulations act of 2015, HR 4612-Midnight rule relief act of 2016, stopping anti-regulatory legislation, HR 1927-Fairness in class action litigation and furthering asbestos claims transparency act of 2016 (FACT act), Education arbitration bill, Product safety, FCC Robocall meeting, HR 3624-Fraudulent Joinder Prevention act of 2016,
Client expense: $60,000 · Firm income: Not reported
Government targets: Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Education, Dept of, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Labor, Dept of (DOL), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of