News release: “In 1996, while debating the intricacies of a bill that would massively overhaul the telecommunications laws of the United States, two astute Congressmen introduced an amendment that would allow the Internet to flourish. The amendment – which would become Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA 230) – stated that “No provider… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Legislation
Secrecy News Posts New CRS Reports on the Budget Process
Basic Federal Budgeting Terminology, November 26, 2012 Overview of the Authorization-Appropriations Process, November 26, 2012 Baselines and Scorekeeping in the Federal Budget Process, November 26, 2012 Budget Reconciliation Legislation: Development and Consideration, November 26, 2012 Entitlements and Appropriated Entitlements in the Federal Budget Process, November 26, 2012 Legislative Procedures for Adjusting the Public Debt Limit:… Continue Reading
HHS Guidance Regarding Methods for De-identification of Protected Health Information
Guidance Regarding Methods for De-identification of Protected Health Information in Accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act(HIPAA) Privacy Rule “This page provides guidance about methods and approaches to achieve de-identification in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule. The guidance explains and answers questions regarding the… Continue Reading
Federal Laws Relating to Cybersecurity: Discussion of Proposed Revisions
CRS – Federal Laws Relating to Cybersecurity: Discussion of Proposed Revisions. Eric A. Fischer, Senior Specialist in Science and Technology, November 9, 2012 “For more than a decade, various experts have expressed increasing concerns about cybersecurity, in light of the growing frequency, impact, and sophistication of attacks on information systems in the United States and… Continue Reading
Kaiser – After The Election: A Consumer's Guide To The Health Law
Mary Agnes Carey and Jenny Gold: “Now that President Barack Obama has won a second term, the Affordable Care Act is back on a fast track. Some analysts argue that there could be modifications to reduce federal spending as part of a broader deficit deal; for now, this is just speculation. What is clear is… Continue Reading
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act: Title VII, Derivatives
CRS – The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act: Title VII, Derivatives,November 6, 2012 “The Dodd-Frank Act (P.L. 111-203) sought to remake the OTC market in the image of the regulated futures exchanges. Crucial reforms include a requirement that swap contracts be cleared through a central counterparty regulated by one or more federal… Continue Reading
Climate Change and Existing Law: A Survey of Legal Issues Past, Present, and Future
CRS – Climate Change and Existing Law: A Survey of Legal Issues Past, Present, and Future, Robert Meltz, Legislative Attorney, October 25, 2012 This report surveys existing law for legal issues that have arisen, or may arise in the future, on account of climate change and government responses thereto. At the threshold of many climate-change-related… Continue Reading
Paper – U.S. Regulation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions
U.S. Regulation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Philip A.Wallach. October 26, 2012. Governance Studies at Brookings. “Significant congressional efforts to address climate change have failed, and the issue has received almost no attention on the 2012 campaign trail. In spite of these facts, federal regulations designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mitigate climate change… Continue Reading
FDA Meningitis Investigation Continues
“FDA is advising medical professionals not to use products from a New England company being investigated in connection with a multistate meningitis outbreak.” “[October 26, 2012] the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a copy of the FDA Form 483 issued to the New England Compounding Center (NECC). The FDA observed and has since confirmed… Continue Reading
Librarians are educating voters on issues and referendums in Washington state
Christina Ortiz: “After watching the U.S. Presidential debates, it’s clear the country could really use a non-combative way to discuss issues and disseminate information. Sites like Procon.org do this for national issues, ranging from legalizing marijuana to illegal immigration, but sometimes the most heated political discussions happen on the local scene. Instead of relying on… Continue Reading
Annual Report of the CFPB Student Loan Ombudsman
Annual Report of the CFPB Student Loan Ombudsman, October 16, 2012: “The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act established an ombudsman within the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Pursuant to the Act, the ombudsman shall prepare an annual report and make appropriate recommendations to the Secretary of the Treasury, the Director of the Consumer… Continue Reading
New GAO Report – Rural Water Infrastructure
Rural Water Infrastructure – Additional Coordination Can Help Avoid Potentially Duplicative Application Requirements, GAO-13-111, Oct 16, 2012 “Many rural communities with populations of 10,000 or less face challenges in financing the costs of replacing or upgrading aging and obsolete drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. EPA and USDA oversee the three largest federally funded drinking water… Continue Reading
