You might have seen my diary yesterday, When has Clinton ever challenged. In it, I looked at all the legislation she sponsored (not co-sponsored, not amendments or resolutions, just sponsored) in her 8 years in the Senate, searching for bills related to Wall Street or the environment. I did it in response to repeated comments she never did anything against Wall Street's interests and that she only started paying attention to the environment in response to Sanders' challenge.
I think I disproved that, but then something interesting happened, and that led me to thinking to myself, "why not do it for Sanders, too? Facts should not be limited by who I favor." To see why I did it, and the results, please drop below the in flagrante delecto treble clefs.
What got my attention was this comment:
What do you think this will accomplish (0+ / 0-)
Researching the policies that Clinton pushed and using them as a backstop against criticisms is a wasted defensive posture. The people who claim Clinton did nothing will never be convinced, it's the nature of the beast. This will no doubt embolden the folks who support Sanders (and snipe at Clinton) feeling that they are now under the gun. They will go and do research on his Federal political career and no doubt since he has been a politician much longer it will blow your examples out of the water. This is back and forth pissing at it's worst. It doesn't stop unless these types of things stop. Instead of throwing the gauntlet down to prove something, it might have been better to change the tone to...Clinton has a good record on environment, or banking regulation. Using it to counter act what some (very few) have claimed just furthers the nitpicking. This is getting old on both sides.
by customgreen on Sat Aug 01, 2015 at 06:49:24 AM EDT
It struck me as more than a bit ridiculous, the idea that listing what Clinton actually sponsored would be "back and forth pissing." I suggested that if somebody wanted to do it, I'd actually be interested in reading it and would not consider it "pissing." I was also prodded to see what Sanders' much longer record did look like. So I did.
In his years in the the Congress (both House and Senate), Sanders sponsored 317 bills (Hillary sponsored 361, so they're rather comparable, though Sanders was there a lot longer - so much for the "blow your examples out of the water" theory,eh?).
I searched them the same way I searched Clinton's. I used search terms bank, credit, mortgage, environment, oil, coal, air, and I perused the whole list. I then included bills that were on point to the issues. For example, the Rebuild America Act of 2015 went to the banking committee, so the word "bank" came up, but that doesn't address Wall Street or the environment. The goal isn't to list every bill (you can look at them yourself HERE), it is to compare the two in response to the comments I discussed above. This is what I found:
ECONOMY
S.1206 — 114th Congress (2015-2016)
Too Big To Fail, Too Big To Exist Act
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 05/06/2015)
Too Big to Fail, Too Big to Exist Act
This bill directs the Financial Stability Oversight Council to compile and submit to the Secretary of the Treasury a list of entities that the Council deems Too Big To Fail (List), including U.S. bank holding companies the Financial Stability Board has identified as systemically important banks.
The Secretary of the Treasury shall: (1) submit the List to Congress and the President, and (2) break up entities on the List so that their failure would no longer cause a catastrophic effect upon the U.S. or global economy without a taxpayer bailout.
Any entity on the List may not use or have access to advances from any Federal Reserve credit facility, the Federal Reserve discount window, or any program or facility made available under the Federal Reserve Act, including asset purchases, temporary or bridge loans, government investments in debt or equity, or capital injections from any federal institution.
No insured depository institution on the List, nor any entity that owns one, may use insured deposit amounts to fund:
any activity relating to hedging that is not directly related to commercial banking activity at the insured bank,
any use of derivatives for speculative purposes,
any activity related to the dealing of derivatives, or
any other form of speculative activity specified by regulators.
Nor may any entity on the List conduct such activities in a manner that either: (1) puts insured deposits at risk, or (2) creates a risk of loss to the Deposit Insurance Fund.
S.2411 — 113th Congress (2013-2014)
United States Employee Ownership Bank Act
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 06/02/2014)
(COMMENT - This one is kind of interesting. It seems Sanders and Clinton are both in support of the concept of more employee ownership in their employers' businesses)
United States Employee Ownership Bank Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the United States Employee Ownership Bank to foster increased employee ownership and greater employee participation in company decisionmaking throughout the United States.
Authorizes the Bank to make loans to employees, on a direct or guaranteed basis (which may be subordinated to the interests of all other creditors), to purchase a company through an employee stock ownership plan or eligible worker-owned cooperative which is at least 51% employee owned, or will become so as a result of Bank assistance.
Authorizes the Bank also to allow: (1) a company that is less than 51% employee owned to become at least 51% employee owned; and (2) allow a company that is already at least 51% employee owned to increase the level of employee ownership, expand operations, and increase or preserve employment.
Amends the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act to require the employer, if it orders a plant or facility closing in connection with the termination of its operations there, to offer its employees an opportunity to purchase that plant or facility through an employee stock ownership plan or an eligible worker-owned cooperative that is at least 51% employee owned.
Exempts from such requirement an employer that orders a plant closing if the employer: (1) will retain the plant assets to continue or begin a business within the United States; or (2) intends to continue the business conducted at such plant at another plant within the United States.
Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to authorize the appropriate federal financial supervisory agency, in assessing and taking into account the record of a financial institution during an examination, to consider capital investments, loans, loan participation, technical assistance, financial advice, grants, and other ventures undertaken by the institution to support or enable employees to establish employee stock ownership plans or eligible worker-owned cooperatives that are at least 51% employee-owned.
S.1018 — 113th Congress (2013-2014)
Federal Reserve Independence Act
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 05/22/2013)
(COMMENT - This is a pretty cool bill. I like it.)
Federal Reserve Independence Act - Amends the Federal Reserve Act regarding class A membership on the board of directors of a Federal Reserve Bank to require the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve Board) to designate members from among persons who are not employed in any capacity by a stockholding bank.
Requires the Federal Reserve Board to designate the class B members of such board of directors (class B members represent the public).
Prohibits employees of any Federal Reserve Board-regulated entity from serving on the board of directors of any Reserve Bank.
Prohibits any employee of the Federal Reserve System or any board member of a Reserve Bank from owning stock or investing in any company regulated by the Federal Reserve Board.
Directs the Comptroller General to report annually to Congress to ensure implementation of this Act.
S.685 — 113th Congress (2013-2014)
Too Big to Fail, Too Big to Exist Act
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 04/09/2013)
Too Big to Fail, Too Big to Exist Act - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) submit to Congress, within 90 days after enactment of this Act, a list of all commercial banks, investment banks, hedge funds, and insurance companies that the Secretary believes are too big to fail ("Too Big To Fail List"), including, but not limited to, any U.S. bank holding companies identified by the Financial Stability Board as systemically important banks; and (2) break up entities on the list so that their failure would no longer cause a catastrophic effect on the U.S. or global economy without a taxpayer bailout.
S.471 — 113th Congress (2013-2014)
Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2013
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 03/06/2013)
Fair Access to Credit Scores Act of 2013 - Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to require certain consumer reporting agencies to disclose, without charge, as part of a consumer's free annual disclosure upon request, a current credit score generated using the scoring methodology most frequently used to generate scores sold to creditors, including information regarding other risk scores or predictors in the consumer's file.
Requires the agencies also to furnish such other consumer information as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) considers appropriate with respect to consumer financial education, including where the consumer's credit score falls with respect to a range of possible credit scores, and the general factors contributing to the credit scores of consumers.
Requires such agencies, upon consumer request for either a credit score or a risk score, to supply any such score in the consumer's file at the agency.
Requires the agencies to maintain credit scores or other risk scores or predictors in the consumer's file for at least one year after the data is generated.
Directs the CFPB to develop regulations establishing a mandatory format for consumer file disclosures.
S.3419 — 112th Congress (2011-2012)
United States Employee Ownership Bank Act
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 07/23/2012)
United States Employee Ownership Bank Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the United States Employee Ownership Bank to foster increased employee ownership and greater employee participation in company decisionmaking throughout the United States.
Authorizes the Bank to make loans to employees, on a direct or guaranteed basis (which may be subordinated to the interests of all other creditors), to purchase a company through an employee stock ownership plan or eligible worker-owned cooperative which is at least 51% employee owned, or will become so as a result of Bank assistance.
Authorizes the Bank also to allow: (1) a company that is less than 51% employee owned to become at least 51% employee owned; and (2) allow a company that is already at least 51% employee owned to increase the level of employee ownership, expand operations, and increase or preserve employment.
Amends the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act to require the employer, if it orders a plant or facility closing in connection with the termination of its operations there, to offer its employees an opportunity to purchase that plant or facility through an employee stock ownership plan or an eligible worker-owned cooperative that is at least 51% employee owned.
Exempts from such requirement an employer that orders a plant closing if the employer: (1) will retain the plant assets to continue or begin a business within the United States; or (2) intends to continue the business conducted at such plant at another plant within the United States.
Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to authorize the appropriate federal financial supervisory agency, in assessing and taking into account the record of a financial institution during an examination, to consider capital investments, loans, loan participation, technical assistance, financial advice, grants, and other ventures undertaken by the institution to support or enable employees to establish employee stock ownership plans or eligible worker-owned cooperatives that are at least 51% employee-owned.
S.3219 — 112th Congress (2011-2012)
Federal Reserve Independence Act
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 05/22/2012)
Federal Reserve Independence Act - Amends the Federal Reserve Act regarding class A membership on the board of directors of a Federal Reserve Bank to require the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve Board) to designate members from among persons who are not employed in any capacity by a stockholding bank.
Requires the Federal Reserve Board to designate the class B members of such board of directors (class B members represent the public).
Prohibits employees of any Federal Reserve Board-regulated entity from serving on the board of directors of any Reserve Bank.
Prohibits any employee of the Federal Reserve System or any board member of a Reserve Bank from owning stock or investing in any company regulated by the Federal Reserve Board.
Directs the Comptroller General to report annually to Congress to ensure implementation of this Act.
S.2914 — 111th Congress (2009-2010)
United States Employee Ownership Bank Act
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 12/18/2009)
United States Employee Ownership Bank Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the United States Employee Ownership Bank to foster increased employee ownership and greater employee participation in company decision making throughout the United States.
Authorizes the Bank to make loans, on a direct or guaranteed basis, and which may be subordinated to the interests of all other creditors, to employees to purchase a company through an employee stock ownership plan or eligible worker-owned cooperative which is at least 51% employee owned, or will become so as a result of Bank assistance.
Authorizes the bank also to allow: (1) a company that is less than 51% employee owned to become at least 51% employee owned; and (2) allow a company that is already at least 51% employee owned to increase the level of employee ownership, expand operations, and increase or preserve employment.
Amends the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act to require the employer, if it orders a plant or facility closing in connection with the termination of its operations there, to offer its employees an opportunity to purchase such plant or facility through an employee stock ownership plan or an eligible worker-owned cooperative that is at least 51% employee owned.
Exempts from such requirement an employer that orders a plant closing: (1) but will retain the plant assets to continue or begin a business within the United States; or (2) intends to continue the business conducted at such plant at another plant within the United States.
Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to authorize the appropriate federal financial supervisory agency, in assessing and taking into account the record of a financial institution during an examination, to consider capital investments, loans, loan participation, technical assistance, financial advice, grants, and other ventures undertaken by the institution to support or enable employees to establish employee stock ownership plans or eligible worker-owned cooperatives that are at least 51% employee-owned.
S.2746 — 111th Congress (2009-2010)
Too Big to Fail, Too Big to Exist Act
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 11/05/2009)
Too Big to Fail, Too Big to Exist Act - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) submit to Congress, within 90 days after enactment of this Act, a list of all commercial banks, investment banks, hedge funds, and insurance companies that the Secretary believes are too big to fail (" Too Big To Fail List"); and (2) break up entities included on such list so that their failure would no longer cause a catastrophic effect on the United States or global economy without a taxpayer bailout.
S.604 — 111th Congress (2009-2010)
Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 03/16/2009)
(COMMENT - audit the Fed? That's a little, umm, Paulite, isn't it? Just struck me as a bit odd.)
Federal Reserve Sunshine Act of 2009 - Repeals the authority of the Comptroller General to carry out an onsite examination of an open insured bank or bank holding company only if the appropriate federal regulatory agency has consented in writing. (Retains the authority of the Comptroller General to audit a federal agency.)
Directs the Comptroller General to complete, before the end of 2010, an audit of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and of the federal reserve banks, followed by a detailed report to Congress.
S.582 — 111th Congress (2009-2010)
Interest Rate Reduction Act
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 03/12/2009)
(COMMENT - Great bill. We need a national usury law. State legislatures are far too cozy with the payday lenders and other bottom-feeders.)
Interest Rate Reduction Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit the annual percentage rate of interest (APR) applicable to any extension of credit to a consumer from exceeding 15% on unpaid balances, inclusive of all finance charges.
Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to establish an APR ceiling exceeding the 15% annual rate for periods not to exceed 18 months, upon a determination that: (1) money market interest rates have risen over the preceding six-month period; and (2) prevailing interest rate levels threaten the safety and soundness of individual lenders, as evidenced by adverse trends in liquidity, capital, earnings, and growth.
Declares the interest rate limitation inapplicable to an extension of credit by an insured credit union.
Subjects a creditor who violates this Act to a civil penalty.
S.513 — 111th Congress (2009-2010)
Federal Reserve Transparency Act
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 03/03/2009)
Federal Reserve Transparency Act - Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to publish on its website, with respect to all loans and other financial assistance it has provided since March 24, 2008: (1) the identity of each business, individual, or entity to which the Board has provided such assistance; (2) the type of financial assistance provided; (3) its value or amount; (4) the date on which it was provided; (5) the specific terms of any repayment expected, including the repayment time period, interest charges, collateral, limitations on executive compensation or dividends, and other material terms; and (6) the specific rationale for providing assistance in each instance.
Requires the Board to update such information at least once every 30 days.
S.400 — 111th Congress (2009-2010)
Financial Crisis Investigation Act of 2009
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 02/09/2009)
Financial Crisis Investigation Act of 2009 - Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) to direct the Oversight Panel of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to: (1) investigate all causes, domestic and global, of the current financial and economic crisis in the United States, including the collapse of major financial and commercial firms and the deterioration of the credit and housing markets; (2) investigate the role in the financial and economic crisis, if any, of specified governmental and private sector entities; (3) review the nation's existing financial regulatory structure from top to bottom, and its contribution to the stability or instability of financial markets; (4) review all aspects of financial regulation; and (5) refer to federal and state law enforcement officials any person that the Oversight Panel finds may have violated federal law in relation to such crisis.
Requires the Oversight Panel to report its findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the President and Congress.
S.3693 — 110th Congress (2007-2008)
Stop the Greed on Wall Street Act
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 11/19/2008)
(COMMENT - Great title! It's a bit silly and was a protest bill, but sometimes that's what a legislator does.)
Stop the Greed on Wall Street Act - Amends the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 to limit the amount of aggregate annual compensation for employees and executives of financial institutions assisted under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to the salary of the President of the United States.
S.1982 — 110th Congress (2007-2008)
United States Employee Ownership Bank Act
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 08/02/2007)
United States Employee Ownership Bank Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the United States Employee Ownership Bank to foster increased employee ownership and greater employee participation in company decisionmaking throughout the United States.
Requires the Bank to make: (1) loans (subordinated to the interests of all other creditors) and loan guarantees to employees to purchase a business through an employee stock ownership plan or eligible worker-owned cooperative; and (2) grants to states and nonprofit and cooperative organizations with experience in developing employee-owned businesses and worker-owned cooperatives to provide education, outreach, and technical assistance to such employee business efforts.
Requires the Bank to insure such loans or loan guarantees against nonrepayment of the outstanding loan balance.
H.R.2969 — 108th Congress (2003-2004)
United States Employee Ownership Bank Act
Sponsor: Rep. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT-At Large] (Introduced 07/25/2003)
United States Employee Ownership Bank Act - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the United States Employee Ownership Bank in order to foster increased employee ownership and participation in company decision-making
throughout the United States.
Lists among the Bank's duties providing loans to enable employees to purchase a business through an employee stock ownership plan or eligible worker-owned cooperative that is at least 51 percent employee-owned.
States that such loans are subordinated to the interests of all other creditors, loan guarantees, and technical assistance programs.
Amends the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 to provide that in assessing and taking into account the record of a financial institution, the appropriate Federal financial supervisory agency may consider as a factor capital investments, loans, loan participation, technical assistance, financial advice, grants, and other ventures undertaken by the institution to support or enable manufacturing employees to establish employee stock ownership plans or eligible worker owned cooperatives that are at least 51 percent employee-owned plans or cooperatives.
H.R.3494 — 106th Congress (1999-2000)
State and Local Automated Teller Machine Regulation Protection Act of 1999
Sponsor: Rep. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT-At Large] (Introduced 11/18/1999)
State and Local Automated Teller Machine Regulation Protection Act of 1999 - States that no provision of Federal law shall be construed as preempting any State or local law (or authorizing any Federal banking agency to preempt any such law) which prohibits or limits the imposition of electronic fund transfer fees upon a consumer by certain electronic terminal operators utilizing a communication network to effect a transaction with the financial institution holding such consumer's account.
H.R.3229 — 106th Congress (1999-2000)
Electronic Fund Transfer Fees Act of 1999
Sponsor: Rep. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT-At Large] (Introduced 11/04/1999)
(COMMENT - Frankly, I don't get this one. It's not a limit on fees, it's a complete prohibition. Does he want to do away with non-bank ATM machines?)
Electronic Fund Transfer Fees Act of 1999 - Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to prohibit the operator of the electronic terminal at which an electronic fund transfer is initiated from imposing a fee upon any such electronic fund transfer which: (1) is initiated by a consumer from an electronic terminal operated by a person other than the financial institution holding such consumer's account; and (2) utilizes a national or regional communication network to execute the transaction between such person and the financial institution holding such consumer's account.
H.R.795 — 105th Congress (1997-1998)
Electronic Fund Transfer Fees Act of 1997
Sponsor: Rep. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT-At Large] (Introduced 02/13/1997)
Electronic Fund Transfer Fees Act of 1997 - Amends the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to prohibit the operator of the electronic terminal at which an electronic fund transfer is initiated from imposing a fee upon any such electronic fund transfer which: (1) is initiated by a consumer from an electronic terminal operated by a person other than the financial institution holding such consumer's account; and (2) utilizes a national or regional communication network to execute the transaction between such person and the financial institution holding such consumer's account.
H.R.2534 — 104th Congress (1995-1996)
Corporate Responsibility Act of 1995
Sponsor: Rep. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT-At Large] (Introduced 10/25/1995)
Corporate Responsibility Act of 1995 - Title I: Tax Subsidy Reform - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate the foreign tax credit. Allows the deduction of foreign taxes for which the credit is made unallowable by this Act.
(Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations regarding allocation of income and deductions which use a formulaic approach to clearly reflect income of multinational corporations.
(Sec.104) Treats the gain or loss of a nonresident alien individual or foreign corporation that is a ten-percent shareholder in a domestic corporation upon disposition of such a corporation's stock as if the taxpayer were engaged during the taxable year in a trade or business within the United States and as if such gain or loss were attributable to a permanent U.S. trade or business establishment. Treats such gain or loss as from sources within the United States, notwithstanding source rules for personal property sales. Imposes a 26-percent minimum tax on nonresident alien individuals. Treats as stock, for purposes of these provisions, options or other rights to acquire a domestic corporation's stock, conversion features of debt instruments, and other interests in a domestic corporation other than those solely as a creditor. Treats as a dividend attributable to a domestic corporation's stock any gain which would be subject to tax but for a treaty and which results from a distribution in liquidation or redemption. Provides for the withholding of tax on such dispositions. Penalizes, and treats as tax evasion, the failure to pay the tax established by this Act where amounts were not deducted and withheld.
Excepts such gain from the branch profits tax imposed on foreign corporations. Requires notice to the Secretary upon distributions by a U.S. person to a foreign person in redemption of stock or complete liquidation of a subsidiary.
(Sec. 105) Removes the exemption of ten-percent shareholders from the tax on interest of nonresident alien individuals received from portfolio debt investments. Redefines portfolio interest as only interest paid on obligations issued by governmental entities.
(Sec. 106) Terminates, effective with taxable years beginning January 1, 1996, the exclusion of foreign earned income and the housing cost amounts of U.S. citizens or residents living abroad.
(Sec. 107) Terminates, effective with taxable years beginning January 1, 1996, the exclusion from gross income of exempt foreign trade income of foreign sales corporations.
(Sec. 108) Revises rules for the determination of the income of controlled foreign corporations. Repeals provisions which reduce the controlled foreign corporation income of export trade corporations.
(Sec. 109) Allows the Secretary to extend for an additional three years the limitation period for assessment of a foreign-related deficiency if the deficiency cannot be accurately assessed before the expiration of the usual three-year period because of delay or other taxpayer actions which prevented timely assessment of the deficiency. Defines a foreign-related deficiency as one: (1) of a 25-percent foreign-owned domestic corporation to the extent the deficiency is attributable to a transaction with a related party who is a foreign person; and (2) of a foreign corporation with respect to the tax on income for foreign corporations connected with U.S. business or the branch profits tax.
Title II: Agricultural and Grazing Subsidies - Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to decrease the $250,000 payment limitation under the farm commodity programs to $50,000.
(Sec. 202) Repeals Title III (export enhancement program) of the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978.
(Sec. 203) Eliminates tobacco price support and production adjustment programs.
(Sec. 204) Amends the Agricultural Trade Act of 1978 to repeal provisions for the market promotion program.
(Sec. 205) Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to establish, beginning with the grazing season which commences on March 1, 1996, an annual domestic livestock grazing fee equal to fair market value with respect to certain National Forest lands where domestic livestock grazing is permitted under applicable law.
Title III: Aerospace and High-Technology Industry Subsidies - Terminates Federal assistance for Sematech.
(Sec. 302) Terminates Federal assistance under defense technology reinvestment programs.
(Sec. 303) Terminates funding for the space station program. Title IV: National Parks Concession Reform - Repeals the Concessions Policy Act of 1965.
(Sec. 405) Provides for a competitive selection process with respect to the provision of public accommodations, services, and facilities within the National Park System. Directs the Secretary to promulgate appropriate regulations establishing such process.
(Sec. 406) Provides for the setting of franchise fees.
(Sec. 407) Limits a concessions contract entered into pursuant to this Act for a term not to exceed ten years.
(Sec. 408) Prohibits the transfer of a concessions contract without prior notification to, and approval of, the Secretary.
(Sec. 409) Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) structures and facilities within a park; (2) recordkeeping; and (3) lease requirements.
Title V: Miscellaneous Industry Subsidies - Requires sales of petroleum from the naval petroleum reserves to be made to the highest bidder at not less than the prevailing market price.
(Sec. 502) Terminates the Tokamak Physics Experiment program of the Department of Energy.
(Sec. 503) Amends the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 by eliminating funding for highway demonstration projects.
(Sec. 504) Amends the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act by increasing from $1.5 million to $3 million the limit on amounts collected as fees from gaming activities to fund the National Indian Gaming Commission.
(Sec. 505 Reduces from $75 billion to $37.5 billion the aggregate loan, guarantee, and insurance authority of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Requires the Bank to charge and collect a fee (based on credit risk and not less than a fee that would be charged for a similar arms-length transaction in the private sector) for the provision of a guarantee, insurance, extension of credit, or for its participation in an extension of credit.
(Sec. 506) Abolishes the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and transfers its functions relating to obligations effective on October 1, 1995, to the Department of State. Terminates all such remaining obligations when they expire.
(Sec. 507) Terminates funding of nuclear weapons activities of the Department of Energy described under specified headings in Title III of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 1995.
(Sec. 508) Terminates funding for carrying out fossil and nuclear energy research and development for any fiscal year after FY 1997.
(Sec. 509) Amends the Arms Export Control Act to provide for recoupment of nonrecurring costs for certain sales of major defense equipment. Excludes from recoupment the sale of major defense equipment that is at least 90 percent paid for from funds transferred under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 or from funds made available on a grant or other nonrepayable basis under such Act. Amends the Arms Export Control Act to eliminate the authority to reduce or waive charges for costs in foreign military sales for NATO member countries and certain other countries.
Title VI: Effective Dates - Sets forth effective date provisions.
H.R.1629 — 104th Congress (1995-1996)
Come Home, Corporate America, Act of 1995
Sponsor: Rep. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT-At Large] (Introduced 05/12/1995)
Come Home, Corporate America, Act of 1995 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate the foreign tax credit. Allows the deduction of foreign taxes for which the credit is made unallowable by this Act.
(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations regarding allocation of income and deductions which use a formulaic approach to clearly reflect income of multinational corporations.
(Sec. 4) Treats the gain or loss of a nonresident alien individual or foreign corporation that is a ten-percent shareholder in a domestic corporation upon disposition of such a corporation's stock as if the taxpayer were engaged during the taxable year in a trade or business within the United States and as if such gain or loss were attributable to a permanent U.S. trade or business establishment. Treats such gain or loss as from sources within the United States, notwithstanding source rules for personal property sales. Imposes a 26-percent minimum tax on nonresident alien individuals. Treats as stock, for purposes of these provisions, options or other rights to acquire a domestic corporation's stock, conversion features of debt instruments, and other interests in a domestic corporation other than those solely as a creditor. Treats as a dividend attributable to a domestic corporation's stock any gain which would be subject to tax but for a treaty and which results from a distribution in liquidation or redemption. Provides for the withholding of tax on such dispositions. Penalizes, and treats as tax evasion, the failure to pay the tax established by this Act where amounts were not deducted and withheld.
Excepts such gain from the branch profits tax imposed on foreign corporations. Requires notice to the Secretary upon distributions by a U.S. person to a foreign person in redemption of stock or complete liquidation of a subsidiary.
(Sec. 5) Removes the exemption of ten-percent shareholders from the tax on interest of nonresident alien individuals received from portfolio debt investments. Redefines portfolio interest as only interest paid on obligations issued by governmental entities.
(Sec. 6) Terminates, effective with taxable years beginning January 1, 1996, the exclusion of foreign earned income and the housing cost amounts of U.S. citizens or residents living abroad.
(Sec. 7) Terminates, effective with taxable years beginning January 1, 1996, the exclusion from gross income of exempt foreign trade income of foreign sales corporations.
(Sec. 8) Revises rules for the determination of the income of controlled foreign corporations. Repeals provisions which reduce the controlled foreign corporation income of export trade corporations.
(Sec. 9) Allows the Secretary to extend for an additional three years the limitation period for assessment of a foreign-related deficiency if the deficiency cannot be accurately assessed before the expiration of the usual three-year period because of delay or other taxpayer actions which prevented timely assessment of the deficiency. Defines a foreign-related deficiency as one: (1) of a 25-percent foreign-owned domestic corporation to the extent the deficiency is attributable to a transaction with a related party who is a foreign person; and (2) of a foreign corporation with respect to the tax on income for foreign corporations connected with U.S. business or the branch profits tax.
(Sec. 10) Reduces from $75 billion to $37.5 billion the aggregate loan, guarantee, and insurance authority of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Requires the Bank to charge and collect a fee (based on credit risk and not less than a fee that would be charged for a similar arms-length transaction in the private sector) for the provision of a guarantee, insurance, extension of credit, or for its participation in an extension of credit.
(Sec. 11) Abolishes the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and transfers its functions relating to obligations effective on October 1, 1995, to the Department of State. Terminates all such remaining obligations when they expire.
H.R.363 — 104th Congress (1995-1996)
Liveable Wage Act of 1995
Sponsor: Rep. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT-At Large] (Introduced 01/04/1995)
(COMMENT - a bill to index the minimum wage to the cost of living. And all the way back in '95. Nice job Bernie.)
Liveable Wage Act of 1995 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to: (1) increase the minimum wage to $5.50 an hour beginning in 1996; and (2) provide that the minimum wage rate will be increased by indexing to the cost of living, in the same manner as benefits are indexed under specified provisions of the Social Security Act, for 1997 and thereafter.
H.R.5126 — 103rd Congress (1993-1994)
Workplace Democracy Act of 1992
Sponsor: Rep. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT-At Large] (Introduced 09/28/1994)
Workplace Democracy Act of 1992 (sic) - Applies the provisions of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to U.S. companies and their subsidiaries operating in any country signatory to a Free Trade Agreement. Gives workers of such companies and subsidiaries the right to file unfair labor practice complaints against the U.S. parent company under this Act and under the laws of the signatory country.
Title I: General Provisions Regarding Rights of Employees and Enforcement Authority of the National Labor Relations Board - Amends the NLRA to give a union the option of sending a contract dispute to compulsory and binding arbitration, if by 45 days after certification a collective bargaining agreement has not been reached.
(Sec. 102) Repeals specified prohibitions against strikes, boycotts, and hot cargo agreements.
(Sec. 103) Repeals specified provisions relating to determinations of bargaining units by the National Labor Relations Board (the Board), including conditions relating to professional and non-professional employees, craft units, and guards.
(Sec. 104) Directs the Board to promulgate rules which plainly define the characteristics of employee units appropriate for collective bargaining groups, including employee groups who have a community of interests. Requires the Board, upon receipt of a majority of signed union recognition cards of employees in an appropriate bargaining unit (as determined by the workers within such Board guidelines), to certify the labor organizations designated as the exclusive representatives of all employees in such unit.
(Sec. 105) Revises provisions relating to enforcement and the authority of the Board in the prevention of unfair labor practices, including provisions relating to taking of testimony and to Board findings and orders.
Adds to remedies for unfair labor practices making employees whole for the loss of economic benefits resulting from specified violations, as well as providing other remedial relief.
Requires the Board to: (1) use its injunctive power upon determining that an employer has willfully violated unfair labor practice prohibitions; and (2) assess minimum civil penalties against employers for each willful violation of the NLRA.
Requires an employer upon issuance of a complaint alleging an unfair labor practice, to reinstate a discharged employee pending adjudication and final review of such complaint.
Allows any person who suffers financial injury by reason of a violation of a specified unfair labor practice prohibition to bring a civil action for treble damages. Makes a final judgment or decree of the Board to the effect that a defendant has committed such a violation prima facie evidence in any such action.
(Sec. 106) Repeals provisions which allow a State or Territory to prohibit union security agreements (which require union membership as a condition of employment).
Title II: General Provisions Regarding Rights of Employees and Enforcement Authority for the National Labor Relations Board - Sets forth provisions relating to the rights and obligations of public employees, and establishes procedures governing employer-employee relations in the special context of public employment.
(Sec. 202) Creates the National Public Employment Relations Commission (the Commission).
(Sec. 203) Sets forth the rights of public employees, including the rights to form, join, or assist employee organizations and to bargain collectively with employers. Sets forth the rights of public employee organizations.
(Sec. 204) Sets forth provisions relating to: (1) public employee representatives and collective bargaining units; (2) impasses in collective bargaining over terms and conditions of employment and other related matters; (3) disputes over the interpretation or application of agreements; (4) public employees' and their unions' right to strike, and conditions under which a restraining order or temporary or permanent injunction may be granted in a case involving such a strike; (5) impasse procedures for firefighters and public safety officers; (6) a prohibition against strikes, work stoppages, slowdowns, or withholding of service by firefighters or public safety officers or their unions; (7) unlawful acts by employers or employee organizations and exclusive representatives of public employees; (8) Commission prevention of such unlawful acts; and (9) State authority to adopt rules that give public employees additional rights.
Title III: General Provisions Regarding Pension Plans - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require joint trusteeship of single-employer pension plans, with equal representation of the interests of the employer or employers maintaining the plan and of the interests of the participants and their beneficiaries. Directs the Secretary of Labor to prescribe regulations relating to such requirement.
H.R.3492 — 109th Congress (2005-2006)
Consumer Credit Card Protection Act of 2005
Sponsor: Rep. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT-At Large] (Introduced 07/27/2005)
Consumer Credit Card Protection Act of 2005 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit a creditor from using adverse information concerning a consumer as the basis for increasing any annual percentage rate of interest applicable to a credit card account of the consumer under an open end consumer credit plan, or to remove or increase any introductory annual percentage rate of interest applicable to such account, for reasons other than actions or omissions of the consumer that are directly related to such account (universal default).
Expands mandatory disclosures governing an open end consumer credit plan to include clear and conspicuous minimum payment terms with respect to the outstanding balance on the account, including prescribed details expressed in tabular format and in close proximity.
Requires a creditor to furnish advance notice as a prerequisite to increasing rates or imposing fees on a consumer credit card account.
H.R.1619 — 109th Congress (2005-2006)
Loan Shark Prevention Act
Sponsor: Rep. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT-At Large] (Introduced 04/13/2005)
Loan Shark Prevention Act - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to set a cap upon: (1) the annual percentage rate applicable to any extension of credit; and (2) the amount of any fee or charge that a creditor may impose under the terms of a credit transaction.
Amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit a credit card issuer from using negative information contained in a consumer report to increase the annual percentage rate applicable to a credit card account, or to remove or increase any introductory annual percentage rate of interest applicable to such account, for reasons other than actions or omissions of the card holder that are directly related to such account.
ENVIRONMENT
H.R.5186 — 102nd Congress (1991-1992)
To provide financing incentives to promote energy efficiency in residential buildings, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT-At Large] (Introduced 05/14/1992)
Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act with respect to energy efficient mortgages. Directs the Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development and of Veterans Affairs to establish jointly an energy efficient mortgage pilot program to promote the purchase of new and existing energy efficient residential buildings and the installation of cost-effective improvements in existing residential buildings. Authorizes appropriations.
H.R.5131 — 102nd Congress (1991-1992)
To amend the Solid Waste Disposal Act to regulate the manufacture, collection, and disposal of batteries.
Sponsor: Rep. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT-At Large] (Introduced 05/11/1992)
Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit the placement in mixed municipal solid waste of a battery containing added mercury, silver, lead, nickel, cadmium, or zinc.
Requires users to return all batteries subject to such prohibition to the supplier that provided the battery or to a collection facility designated by the battery manufacturer.
Requires manufacturers of such batteries to: (1) ensure that a system for the proper collection, transportation, segregation by type, and processing of waste batteries exists for purchasers; and (2) clearly inform each purchaser of the prohibition on disposal of waste batteries and of the availability of such system. Directs manufacturers, to ensure that such a system exists, to identify a collection chain through which batteries should be returned to the manufacturer or to designated collection sites.
Requires manufacturers of button cell batteries that are to be sold at retail in interstate commerce to ensure that such batteries are clearly identifiable as to the type of electrode used in such batteries.
Prohibits the retail sale or distribution for sale of alkaline manganese batteries containing more than .30 percent of mercury by weight and after January 1, 1994, .025 percent mercury by weight. Bars the sale of batteries containing any added mercury effective January 1, 1996. Authorizes the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to exempt specific types of batteries from such prohibitions if there are no substitutes available.
Prohibits, after January 1, 1994: (1) the retail sale or distribution for sale of button cell alkaline manganese batteries that contain more than 25 milligrams of mercury; and (2) the retail sale of button batteries containing added mercury unless they contain fewer than 25 milligrams of mercury.
Prohibits the retail sale or distribution for sale in any State of a rechargeable battery consumer product unless: (1) the battery can be easily removed by the consumer or is contained in a battery pack that is separate from the product and can be easily removed; and (2) the product, the battery, and the package are labeled in a manner that is clearly visible, indicate that the battery must be recycled or disposed of properly, and are marked with specified recycling symbols. Authorizes exemptions from such prohibition if: (1) the product cannot be reasonably designed to comply with such requirements; (2) the redesign of the product would result in danger to public health or safety; or (3) the battery poses no unreasonable hazard when placed in and processed or disposed of as part of mixed municipal solid waste. Limits exemptions to two-year periods and permits only one renewal.
Prohibits the knowing disposal, after July 1, 1993, of any lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, or other rechargeable battery in landfills, incinerators, or municipal solid waste composting facilities. Authorizes the Administrator to suspend such prohibition, as it applies to the operator of a solid waste management facility, upon finding that insufficient markets exist and alternate uses are not available.
S.1713 — 114th Congress (2015-2016)
Low-Income Solar Act
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 07/07/2015)
A summary is in progress.
S.878 — 114th Congress (2015-2016)
A bill to establish a State residential building energy efficiency upgrades loan pilot program.
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 03/26/2015)
A summary is in progress.
S.2901 — 113th Congress (2013-2014)
10 Million Solar Roofs Act of 2014
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 09/18/2014)
(COMMENT - It's a start, but Clinton's plan is for half a billion solar panels by 2027. Curiously, a lot of people here said that was inevitable and so not really a plan, but it appears to be far more ambition than this Sanders bill. Just a personal observation.)
10 Million Solar Roofs Act of 2014 - Requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a program to provide rebates for the purchase and installation of photovoltaic systems with the goal to install 10 million systems with a cumulative capacity of at least 60,000 megawatts over the next ten years.
Includes within the photovoltaic system solar panels, roof support structures, inverters (to convert the current output from a solar panel into a frequency that can be fed into the electrical grid), an energy storage system if it is integrated with the system, and any other hardware necessary for the installation of a system.
S.1200 — 113th Congress (2013-2014)
Residential Energy Savings Act of 2013
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 06/20/2013)
Residential Energy Savings Act of 2013 - Amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to establish a voluntary loan program to provide support to states, U.S. territories, and Indian tribal governments (eligible entities) in establishing or expanding programs that provide to residential property owners or tenants financing for energy efficiency upgrades of residential buildings.
Authorizes assistance provided by eligible entities to be in the form of a: (1) revolving loan fund; (2) credit enhancement structure designed to mitigate the effects of default; or (3) program that adopts other approaches for providing financing for upgrades producing significant energy efficiency gains, produces a high-leverage ratio of non-federal funds, and incorporates measures for making the loan repayment system for recipients of financing consumer-friendly.
Requires the Secretary to establish a performance incentive providing a repayment discount in an amount equal to no more than the value of the interest accrued on the loan provided, based on performance as evaluated in accordance with specified factors.
Makes an authorization of appropriations under this Act effective for a fiscal year only to the extent and in the amounts provided in advance in appropriations Acts.
S.329 — 113th Congress (2013-2014)
Sustainable Energy Act
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 02/14/2013)
Sustainable Energy Act - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal the authority of the Secretary of the Interior to reduce or eliminate royalty payments for oil and natural gas leases in the Outer Continental Shelf.
Amends the Mineral Leasing Act to increase minimum royalty payments for coal, oil, and natural gas leases.
Repeals the program for ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas and other petroleum resource exploration and production.
Amends the Oil Pollution Act to eliminate the limitation on liability for offshore facilities and pipeline operators for oil spills.
Rescinds all unobligated balances made available to the World Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the Export-Import Bank, the Advanced Research Projects Agency in the Department of Defense (DOD), and other international financing entities to carry out any project that supports coal, oil, or natural gas.
Terminates the Office of Fossil Energy Research and Development in the Department of Energy (DOE) and the authority to carry out any of its programs.
Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to eliminate from the categories of projects eligible for loan guarantees for innovative technologies: (1) projects involving advanced fossil energy technology, and (2) and crude oil refineries.
Prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from making loans under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to carry out projects that will use coal, oil, or natural gas.
Prohibits the use of Department of Transportation (DOT) funds to award any grant or other direct assistance to any rail or port project that transports coal, oil, or natural gas.
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) limit or repeal provisions allowing tax incentives for investment in fossil fuels; (2) extend, through 2020, tax incentives for the production of electricity from renewable resources and the energy tax credit for alternative energy sources; and (3) extend, for a five-year period, allocations of the advanced energy project tax credit.
Increases the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund financing rate.
Imposes a 13% tax on the removal price of any taxable crude oil or natural gas from the Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico.
Designates the Powder River Basin in southeast Montana and northeast Wyoming as a coal producing region.
Eliminates accelerated depreciation for property that is receiving a subsidy for fossil fuel production.
S.332 — 113th Congress (2013-2014)
Climate Protection Act of 2013
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 02/14/2013)
(COMMENT - Sanders' staff isn't worth a damn at writing summaries. They're supposed to SUMMARIZE, not reiterate.)
Climate Protection Act of 2013 - Amends the Clean Air Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to impose: (1) a carbon pollution fee on any manufacturer, producer, or importer of a carbon polluting substance; and (2) a carbon equivalency fee on imports of carbon pollution-intensive goods.
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer 50% of the amounts received each fiscal year as a result of the carbon equivalency fee to the Administrator and to the Secretary of Transportation (DOT). Requires the Administrator to use such amounts to: (1) provide amounts to state and local programs that assist communities in adapting to climate change, improving the resiliency of critical infrastructure, and protecting environmental quality and wildlife; and (2) meet international commitments made by the United States to assist with climate change adaptation. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to use such amounts to provide financial support: (1) to state and local programs that assist communities in improving the resiliency of critical infrastructure, and (2) for projects that provide preferential parking for carpools.
Authorizes appropriations to the Administrator in an amount equal to a specified portion of the amounts received as a result of the carbon pollution fee to provide a monthly residential environmental rebate to legal U.S. residents. Requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations to establish an Office of Environmental Rebate Advocate to assist households with accessing and using the residential environmental rebate program.
Establishes the Pollution Reduction Trust Fund to be used to facilitate the implementation of the carbon pollution reduction program.
Directs the Administrator to establish the Sustainable Technologies Finance Program to provide financial assistance for projects that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to repeal the exemption from restrictions on underground injection of fluids or propping agents granted to hydraulic fracturing operations relating to oil and gas production activities under such Act.
Requires state underground injection programs to direct a person conducting hydraulic fracturing operations to disclose: (1) before the commencement of such operations, the chemicals intended for use in underground injections; and (2) after the end of such operations, the chemicals actually used.
Requires the applicable person using hydraulic fracturing, when a medical emergency exists and the proprietary chemical formula of a chemical used in such hydraulic fracturing is necessary for medical treatment, to disclose such formula or the specific chemical identity of a trade secret chemical to the state, the Administrator, or the treating physician or nurse upon request, regardless of the existence of a written statement of need or a confidentiality agreement. Authorizes such person to require the execution of such statement and agreement as soon as practicable.
Directs the Administrator to prescribe an underground injection control program for a state, if the Administrator disapproves a state's program. Repeals provisions concerning optional demonstrations to the Administrator by states that show the effectiveness of such state programs relating to oil or natural gas.
Authorizes civil penalties for violations of underground injection requirements.
Requires the Administrator to: (1) report on the quantity of fugitive methane emissions resulting from any leak in natural gas infrastructure, and (2) enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to report on the quantity of U.S. GHG emissions not covered by a program under this Act and recommendations for programs to reduce such emissions.
Expresses the sense of Congress that the United States should carry out activities to ensure that, by January 1, 2050, the total quantity of GHG emissions released in the United States is reduced by not less than 80% of the emissions released during 2005.
S.1108 — 112th Congress (2011-2012)
10 Million Solar Roofs Act of 2011
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 05/26/2011)
10 Million Solar Roofs Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to: (1) establish a program to provide competitive grants and/or challenge grants to local governments that have adopted best practices for solar permitting for properties located in the United States, (2) provide voluntary certification and recognition for such governments, and (3) implement specified criteria for awarding such grants.
Authorizes the use of funds for competitive grants for: (1) training and the development of materials and tools for making the local permitting process for solar energy systems more standardized, efficient, and less expensive; and (2) solar energy system deployment projects or programs to pilot new permitting strategies or processes. Authorizes the use of funds for challenge grants for: (1) solar energy system deployment projects, and (2) programs to pilot new permitting strategies or processes.
Requires the Secretary to rescind grant funds provided to any grant recipient that receives funds based on a commitment to adopt best practices for solar permitting but that is unable to implement the steps necessary to adopt such practices.
Makes each eligible entity receiving funds responsible for a matching amount not to exceed 50% of the funds provided.
Sets goals of: (1) installing distributed solar energy systems on not fewer than 10 million properties located in the United States by December 31, 2020; and (2) achieving cost reductions in the price of solar energy by such date, consistent with DOE's SunShot Initiative.
Requires the Secretary to report on: (1) additional recommendations that the Secretary determines to be necessary to achieve such goals, and (2) the progress of grant recipients in implementing and maintaining best practices for solar permitting.
Authorizes appropriations for FY2012-FY2016.
S.3923 — 111th Congress (2009-2010)
Let the States Innovate on Sustainable Energy Act of 2010
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 09/29/2010)
(COMMENT - Sometimes Bernie gets a little too States' Rightsy for my blood.)
Let the States Innovate on Sustainable Energy Act of 2010 - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to allow a state legislature or regulatory authority to set the rates for a sale of electric energy by a facility generating electric energy from renewable energy sources pursuant to a state-approved production incentive program under which the facility voluntarily sells electric energy and an electric utility is required to purchase such energy at a specified rate.
S.3460 — 111th Congress (2009-2010)
10 Million Solar Roofs Act of 2010
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 06/07/2010)
10 Million Solar Roofs Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to establish a program under which the Secretary shall provide competitive grants to states, Indian tribes, and local governments to provide rebates, loans, or other incentives to eligible participants for the purchase and installation of solar energy systems for properties located in the United States.
Requires the Secretary to implement criteria for awarding such grants that: (1) provides the maximum leverage of federal funds; (2) provides for the maximum deployment of solar energy; (3) ensures that grants are awarded to a diversity of geographic locations and recipients with different population sizes; (4) provides no less than 2% of the funds available to Indian tribes and consortia of Indian tribes; and (5) provides a preference for grant recipients that have established and maintained, or that agree to commit to establish and maintain, standards and policies to overcome barriers to distributed generation (including interconnection and net metering).
Authorizes the use of funds received to expand or establish a solar rebate program, a solar loan program, a solar performance-based incentive program, or another solar incentive program, solar deployment program or project, or innovative solar financing program as determined by the Secretary. Requires a grant recipient to: (1) certify that funds will be used to supplement, expand, or create new programs and to deploy an increased quantity of solar energy systems; and (2) submit to the Secretary an implementation plan that contains projections for solar energy systems deployment, data regarding the number of eligible participants that are assisted under existing applicable state and local programs, and projections for additional solar energy system deployment and the number of additional eligible participants covered.
Authorizes the Secretary to specify the type and capacity of solar energy system and type of deployment or incentive program for which the grant funds are made available. Makes each eligible entity receiving funds responsible for 20% of the amount of the provided funds.
Provides that a participant who receives a rebate under this Act shall not be eligible for a rebate for expenditures for installation of a renewable energy system in connection with a dwelling unit or small business under the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
Limits the aggregate value of the grants, rebates, and tax credits provided to an eligible participant to 50% of the cost to the purchaser of the purchase and installation.
Sets a goal of installing distributed solar energy systems on not fewer than 10 million properties located in the United States by December 31, 2021. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on recommendations in achieving such goal.
Authorizes appropriations for FY2012-FY2021.
S.3433 — 111th Congress (2009-2010)
Clean Coasts and Efficient Cars Act of 2010
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 05/27/2010)
Clean Coasts and Efficient Cars Act of 2010 - Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from issuing a lease or permit for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in: (1) the Pacific and Atlantic Regions of the outer Continental Shelf; or (2) certain areas in the Gulf of Mexico.
Replaces current fuel economy standards for automobiles for model years 2021 through 2030 with new standards for model years 2017 through 2030. Requires the Secretary of Transportation to prescribe an average fuel economy standard for passenger and non-passenger automobiles for each model year beginning with model year 2017 to achieve a combined fuel economy average for model year 2030 of at least 55 miles per gallon for the total fleet of passenger and non-passenger automobiles manufactured for sale in the United States for that model year (excluding light-duty vehicles that draw motive power from a battery with a capacity larger than 4 kilowatt-hours).
Directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the Administrator of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), to ensure continued progress in significantly improving motor vehicle fuel efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by setting motor vehicle emission and fuel economy standards for model year 2017 and subsequent model years that reflect the greatest emission reductions and fuel efficiency improvement achievable through the application of technology that will be available for the model year to which the standards apply, considering the costs associated with the application of technology and other appropriate factors.
S.3362 — 111th Congress (2009-2010)
Sustainable Schools Pollution Reduction Act of 2010
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 05/13/2010)
Sustainable Schools Pollution Reduction Act of 2010 - Amends the Clean Air Act to establish within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a sustainable schools pollution reduction program, under which the EPA Administrator shall provide competitive grants for each of FY2011-FY2015 to public elementary or secondary schools or a school district that encompasses such schools for use in implementing effective technologies to reduce air pollutants, including greenhouse gas emissions. Requires the Administrator to: (1) provide criteria for selection for grants under the program; (2) submit to Congress a report evaluating the implementation of the program; (3) ensure that at least one grant is awarded to an eligible school in each state; (4) allocate at least 2% of the total annual amount made available to carry out this Act among Indian tribes; and (5) ensure geographical diversity among grant awardees and ensure that grant awardees reflect a variety of schools sizes.
S.2993 — 111th Congress (2009-2010)
10 Million Solar Roofs and 10 Million Gallons of Solar Water Heating Act of 2010
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 02/04/2010)
10 Million Solar Roofs and 10 Million Gallons of Solar Water Heating Act of 2010 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to provide rebates for the purchase and installation of solar photovoltaic systems and solar water heating systems for residential and commercial properties in order to install over 10 years at least : (1) an additional 10 million solar systems with a cumulative capacity of at least 30,000 megawatts; and (2) an additional 200,000 solar water heating systems with a cumulative capacity of 10 million gallons. Establishes rebate eligibility criteria and the amount of rebates.
S.1721 — 111th Congress (2009-2010)
Transportation Low Emissions Energy Plan 2020 Act
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 09/25/2009)
Transportation Low Emissions Energy Plan 2020 Act - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT), in coordination with the Secretary of Energy (DOE) and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to establish a stakeholder-driven process to develop a national transportation low emissions energy plan.
Requires such plan to: (1) project the near- and long-term need for and location of electric drive vehicle refueling infrastructure at strategic locations across all major national highways, roads, and corridors; (2) identify infrastructure and standardization needs for electricity providers, infrastructure providers, vehicle manufacturers, and electricity purchasers; (3) establish a goal of achieving strategic deployment of electric vehicle infrastructure by 2020; (4) prioritize the development of standardized public charge access ports with wireless or smart card billing capability and level I and level II charge port systems (that charge an electric vehicle over a period of 8 to 14 hours and 4 to 8 hours, respectively) that will meet the energy requirements of the majority of plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles; (5) examine the feasibility of level III charge port systems that can charge over a period of 10 to 20 minutes; and (6) focus on infrastructure that provides consumers with the lowest cost while providing convenient charge system access.
Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) designate within DOT a LEEP coordinator to oversee Plan development and the implementation of regional pilot projects; and (2) establish four pilot projects to demonstrate electric drive vehicles and infrastructure in rural locations and in commercial use.
S.1621 — 111th Congress (2009-2010)
Thermal Energy Efficiency Act of 2009
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 08/06/2009)
Thermal Energy Efficiency Act of 2009 - Establishes in the Treasury a Thermal Energy Efficiency Fund. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) allocate to the Fund 2% of the quantity of emission allowances established for any of calendar years 2012-2050 under any program for the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions that is established by federal law; (2) auction all of the emission allowances allocated to the Fund for a calendar year; and (3) deposit all proceeds of such auctions into the Fund.
Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE), for each calendar year during which such a program is in effect, to use amounts in the Fund to make competitive grants to eligible entities (including state and local governments, commercial or industrial entities, and federal agencies) to carry out qualifying district energy, combined heat and power, or recoverable waste energy projects.
Establishes as a goal of the United States to meet 20% or more of total U.S. electrical power capacity through combined heat and power by calendar year 2030.
S.1246 — 111th Congress (2009-2010)
Home Energy Retrofit Finance Program Act
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 06/11/2009)
Home Energy Retrofit Finance Program Act - Directs the Secretary to Energy (DOE) to: (1) provide Home Energy Retrofit Finance Program grants to states to establish or expand revolving finance funds to support financing for energy efficiency measures and renewable energy improvements to existing homes and residential buildings; and (2) conduct and report to Congress on an evaluation of such Program.
S.3224 — 110th Congress (2007-2008)
10 Million-Solar Roofs Act of 2008
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 07/07/2008)
10 Million-Solar Roofs Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Energy to establish a program to provide rebates (for each watt of installed capacity) to eligible individuals or entities for the purchase and installation of photovoltaic systems, over a 10-year period, of at least an additional 10 million solar systems in the United States with a cumulative capacity of at least 30,000 megawatts.
Provides eligibility requirements for homeowners, businesses, nonprofit entities, and state and local governments. Sets minimum Energy Star or equivalent ratings that must be achieved by the buildings for which the photovoltaic system is installed.
Limits the total amount of a rebate to 50 percent of the purchase and installation cost of the system.
H.R.5761 — 109th Congress (2005-2006)
Spent Nuclear Fuel Control and Accounting Act of 2006
Sponsor: Rep. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT-At Large] (Introduced 07/11/2006)
Spent Nuclear Fuel Control and Accounting Act of 2006 - Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to promulgate regulations requiring: (1) each civilian nuclear power reactor to report a detailed record of each individual spent fuel rod, and each fragment of a spent fuel rod, that results from the loading or dismantling of a fuel assembly; and (2) annual inspections to determine the compliance of the civilian nuclear power reactor with NRC regulations relating to the material control and accounting of spent nuclear fuel.
Requires the NRC to develop and make available to each civilian nuclear power reactor guidance that describes: (1) best management practices for storing individual fuel rods and fragments; and (2) suitable annual inventory practices.
Directs the NRC to develop an electronic data management and waste tracking system to: (1) store and access the records of each civilian nuclear power reactor; and (2) track the location of spent nuclear fuel, including individual rods and fragments.
Instructs the NRC to: (1) develop a detailed manifest form for the onsite transportation of spent fuel that indicates whether the package containing the spent fuel contains individual rods or fragments; and (2) promulgate regulations requiring each civilian nuclear power reactor to provide the NRC a complete detailed manifest form to identify and track any spent fuel rod or rod fragment transported within the reactor's premises.
Directs the NRC to identify any spent fuel rod or rod fragment transported outside the premises of the civilian nuclear power reactor through use of manifests used by the Department of Transportation.
H.R.4420 — 109th Congress (2005-2006)
To repeal tax subsidies enacted by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 for oil and gas, to repeal certain other oil and gas subsidies in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and to use the proceeds to carry...
Sponsor: Rep. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT-At Large] (Introduced 11/18/2005)
Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to repeal tax provisions that allow: (1) a taxpayer election to expense 50% of the cost of crude oil refinery property with a specified production capacity placed in service before January 1, 2008; and (2) the amortization of geological and geophysical expenditures for the exploration for, or development of, oil or gas within the United States over a 24-month period.
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal: (1) enhanced oil recovery credits; (2) credit for production of low sulphur diesel fuel; (3) credit for producing fuel from a nonconventional source; (4) the deduction for capital costs incurred in complying with Environmental Protection Agency sulfur regulations; and (5) the deduction of expenses for intangible drilling and development costs for oil wells, gas wells, and geothermal wells.
Appropriates specified amounts to: (1) the Secretary of Health and Human Services for allotment of emergency funds for low-income home energy assistance, and (2) the Secretary of Energy to carry out weatherization assistance.
H.R.3274 — 107th Congress (2001-2002)
Comprehensive Energy Conservation Act for the 21st Century
Sponsor: Rep. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT-At Large] (Introduced 11/09/2001)
Comprehensive Energy Conservation Act for the 21st Century - Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981, the Energy Conservation and Production Act, and the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to provide increased funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, weatherization assistance, and State energy grants, respectively.
Increases funding for the Energy Star program. Raises average fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles and light trucks.
Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to set forth a Federal renewable portfolio standard that requires every retail electric supplier to submit Renewable Energy Credits to the Secretary of Energy according to prescribed annual percentages of the total electric energy sold by the supplier to electric consumers during the calendar year.
Amends Federal transportation law to mandate: (1) certain tire rating standards; and (2) a national tire fuel efficiency program.
Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow credits against the income tax for specified percentages of: (1) purchases of Energy Star products; and (2) the purchase of fuel-efficient American-made passenger vehicles.
Imposes an excise tax upon the windfall profit on sale of any electricity, fuel oil, natural gas, coal, or other taxable product. Establishes the Windfall Profits Fund as the depository for such tax.
Establishes the Reasonable Profits Board to make profit determinations relating to windfall profit on the sale of electricity, fuel oil, natural gas, coal, and products thereof.
H.R.1252 — 107th Congress (2001-2002)
Arsenic Reduction in Drinking Water Act
Sponsor: Rep. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT-At Large] (Introduced 03/27/2001)
Arsenic Reduction in Drinking Water Act - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the maximum contaminant level for arsenic in drinking water to be: (1) ten parts per billion effective October 1, 2003; and (2) three parts per billion effective October 1, 2006.
Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to make grants to public water systems serving fewer than 10,000 people to assist such systems in meeting the drinking water standards for arsenic.
CONCLUSION
It's a solid record.
Both candidates have excellent records, and I'll vote for, and support, whichever one wins the nomination.
Please let me know if I missed anything.
Cheers!