3.0.0 6427 2023-01-11T13:33:57Z 2023-01-11T13:33:57Z House HR 2016-12-02 114 [Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 173 (Friday, December 2, 2016)]From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]By Mr. GARRETT:H.R. 6427.Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuantto the following:Article I, Section 8, Clauses 1 (``The Congress shall havePower To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises,to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense andgeneral Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Impostsand Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States''),3 (``To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among theseveral States, and with the Indian Tribes''), and 18 (``Tomake all Laws which shall be necessary and proper forcarrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all otherPowers vested by this Constitution in the Government of theUnited States, or in any Department or Officer thereof').[Page H7144]]]> hsba00 Financial Services Committee House Standing Referred to 2016-12-02T14:00:52Z Fair Investment Opportunities for Professional Experts Act 114 2187 HR 2016-02-02 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Related bill CRS SEC Small Business Advocate Act of 2016 114 3784 HR 2016-12-16 Became Public Law No: 114-284. Related bill CRS Small Business Capital Formation Enhancement Act 114 4168 HR 2016-02-03 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 361. Related bill CRS Fix Crowdfunding Act 114 4855 HR 2016-07-06 Received in the Senate. Related bill CRS Supporting America's Innovators Act of 2016 114 4854 HR 2016-07-06 Received in the Senate. Related bill CRS Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2017 114 5485 HR 2016-07-12 Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 557. Related bill CRS U.S. Territories Investor Protection Act of 2016 114 5322 HR 2016-07-12 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Related bill CRS Financial CHOICE Act of 2016 114 5983 HR 2016-12-20 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 693. Related bill CRS SEC Small Business Advocate Act of 2016 114 2867 S 2016-06-14 Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held. Related bill CRS Crowdfunding Enhancement Act 114 3453 S 2016-09-28 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6238; text of measure as introduced: CR S6238) Related bill CRS U.S. Territories Investor Protection Act of 2016 114 3467 S 2016-09-29 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Related bill CRS 2016-12-06 Senate Received in the Senate. IntroReferral 2016-12-05 19:02:38 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. Floor H38310 2 House floor actions 2016-12-05 19:02:37 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 391 - 2 (Roll no. 602). (text: CR H7152-7154) Floor H37300 2 House floor actions 602 https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2016/roll602.xml House 114 2016-12-06T00:02:37Z 2 2016-12-05 19:02:37 Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 391 - 2 (Roll no. 602).(text: CR H7152-7154) Floor 8000 9 Library of Congress 602 https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2016/roll602.xml House 114 2016-12-06T00:02:37Z 2 2016-12-05 18:52:56 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7176-7177) Floor H30000 2 House floor actions 2016-12-05 17:14:14 At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed. Floor H37220 2 House floor actions 2016-12-05 16:54:28 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6427. Floor H8D000 2 House floor actions 2016-12-05 16:54:23 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7152-7156) Floor H30000 2 House floor actions 2016-12-05 16:54:12 Mr. Garrett moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. Floor H30300 2 House floor actions 2016-12-02 Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services. IntroReferral H11100 2 House floor actions hsba00 Financial Services Committee 2016-12-02 Introduced in House IntroReferral Intro-H 9 Library of Congress 2016-12-02 Introduced in House IntroReferral 1000 9 Library of Congress G000548 Rep. Garrett, Scott [R-NJ-5] Scott Garrett R NJ 5 N N000182 Rep. Neugebauer, Randy [R-TX-19] Randy Neugebauer R TX 19 2016-12-02 True D000614 Rep. Duffy, Sean P. [R-WI-7] Sean Duffy R WI P. 7 2016-12-02 True C001083 Rep. Carney, John C., Jr. [D-DE-At Large] John Carney D DE C. 0 2016-12-02 True V000081 Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7] NYDIA VELAZQUEZ D NY M. 7 2016-12-02 True M001156 Rep. McHenry, Patrick T. [R-NC-10] Patrick McHenry R NC 10 2016-12-02 True H001058 Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-2] Bill Huizenga R MI 2 2016-12-02 True P000611 Rep. Poliquin, Bruce [R-ME-2] Bruce Poliquin R ME 2 2016-12-02 True S001183 Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-6] David Schweikert R AZ 6 2016-12-02 True H001060 Rep. Hurt, Robert [R-VA-5] Robert Hurt R VA 5 2016-12-02 True L000569 Rep. Luetkemeyer, Blaine [R-MO-3] Blaine Luetkemeyer R MO 3 2016-12-02 True Finance and Financial Sector Finance and Financial Sector 00 2016-12-02 Introduced in House 2016-12-07T17:50:48Z Creating Financial Prosperity for Businesses and Investors Act

This bill amends the Small Business Investment Incentive Act of 1980 to require the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to issue a public statement, and disclose any actions it intends to take, each time its annual government-business forum submits findings or recommendations regarding the current status of problems and programs relating to small business capital formation.

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is amended to establish within the SEC an Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation and a Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee.

The Investment Company Act of 1940 is amended to increase from 100 to 250 the limit on the number of people who may own securities in certain venture capital funds (with no more than $10 million in invested capital, adjusted annually for inflation) before the issuer is required to register as an investment company.

The bill allows a crowdfunding issuer to sell shares through a crowdfunding vehicle (a company that aggregates small individual contributions into a single investment in the issuer) that meets certain requirements and revises conditions upon which the SEC exempts securities issued in crowdfunding transactions from SEC registration requirements.

The Securities Act of 1933 is amended to add to the definition of accredited investor certain categories of natural persons whose net worth or income exceeds specified levels, who are licensed or registered as brokers or investment advisors, or whose verified education or job experience qualifies as professional knowledge for a particular investment.

The Investment Company Act of 1940 is amended to repeal the exemption from its coverage of investment companies created under the laws of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or any other U.S. possession.

]]> 81 2016-12-05 Passed House without amendment 2016-12-07T17:51:23Z (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Creating Financial Prosperity for Businesses and Investors Act

TITLE I--SMALL BUSINESS CAPITAL FORMATION ENHANCEMENT

(Sec. 101) This bill amends the Small Business Investment Incentive Act of 1980 to require the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to issue a public statement, and disclose any actions it intends to take, each time its annual government-business forum submits findings or recommendations regarding the current status of problems and programs relating to small business capital formation.

TITLE II--SEC SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCATE

(Sec. 201) This title amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to establish within the SEC an Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation and a Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee.

The Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation shall:

  • assist small businesses and small business investors in resolving significant problems they may have with the SEC or with self-regulatory organizations;
  • identify areas in which such businesses and investors would benefit from changes in SEC regulations or the rules of such organizations;
  • identify problems that small businesses have with securing access to capital, including any unique challenges to minority-owned and women-owned small businesses;
  • analyze the potential impact on such businesses and investors of proposed SEC regulations and proposed rules that are likely to have a significant economic impact on small businesses and small business capital formation;
  • conduct outreach to such businesses and investors to solicit views on relevant capital formation issues;
  • propose to the SEC changes in its regulations or orders, and propose to Congress legislative, administrative, or personnel changes, to mitigate problems identified and to promote the interests of such businesses and investors;
  • consult with the Investor Advocate on such proposals and advise the Investor Advocate on small business-related issues;
  • submit annual reports on its activities to specified congressional committees; and
  • be responsible for planning, organizing, and executing the annual government-business forum on small business capital formation.

The Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee shall provide the SEC with advice on SEC rules, regulations, and policies regarding its mission of protecting investors, maintaining fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitating capital formation, as they relate to:

  • capital raising by emerging, privately held small businesses and publicly traded companies with less than $250 million in public market capitalization through securities offerings;
  • trading in the securities of such businesses and companies; and
  • public reporting and corporate governance requirements of such businesses and companies.

The SEC shall assess the committee's recommendations and disclose any action it intends to take with respect to such recommendations.

TITLE III--SUPPORTING AMERICA'S INNOVATORS

(Sec. 301) This title amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to increase from 100 to 250 the limit on the number of people who may own securities in certain venture capital funds before the issuer is required to register as an investment company.

Under current law, an issuer is exempt from requirements to register as an investment company if its outstanding securities (other than short-term paper) are beneficially owned by not more than 100 persons and it is not making a public offering. The bill revises this exemption to allow a special category of venture capital funds (with no more than $10 million in invested capital, adjusted annually for inflation) to remain exempt from these registration requirements until they have more than 250 persons who own their securities.

TITLE IV--FIX CROWDFUNDING

(Sec. 401) This title amends the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 to allow crowdfunding issuers to sell shares through a special purpose entity known as a crowdfunding vehicle, and exempt them from registering as investment companies, if their crowdfunding vehicle is a company that:

  • has purposes limited to acquiring, holding, and disposing securities issued by a single company in one or more transactions and made pursuant to crowdfunding exemption transaction requirements;
  • issues only one class of securities;
  • receives no compensation for such acquisition, holding, or disposition of securities;
  • is a co-issuer with the company whose securities it holds; and
  • meets specified requirements related to disclosure obligations and the use of investment advisers.

(Crowdfunding is a method of capital formation in which groups of people pool money, typically composed of small individual contributions, and often via Internet platforms, either to invest in a company or to support an effort by others to accomplish a specific goal.)

(Sec. 402) The bill amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to revise the conditions upon which the SEC shall exempt securities issued in crowdfunding transactions from SEC registration requirements.

Under current law, holders of crowdfunded shares do not count toward the shareholder threshold beyond which an issuer is required to register its securities with the SEC, provided that the issuer: (1) is current in its annual reporting obligations, (2) retains the services of a registered transfer agent, and (3) has less than $25 million in assets. The bill maintains this exemption but removes and replaces the conditions upon which it applies. Specifically, holders of crowdfunded shares shall not count toward the shareholder threshold if the issuer has: (1) a public float of less than $75 million, and (2) annual revenues of less than $50 million.

TITLE V--FAIR INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFESSIONAL EXPERTS

(Sec. 501) This title amends the Securities Act of 1933 to qualify as accredited investors four categories of natural persons:

  • whose individual net worth, or joint net worth with his or her spouse, exceeds $1 million (adjusted every five years for inflation);
  • whose individual income exceeded $200,000 in each of the two most recent years, or whose joint income with spouse exceeded $300,000 in each of those years, and has a reasonable expectation of reaching the same income level in the current year;
  • who are currently licensed or registered as a broker or investment adviser by the SEC, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) (or an equivalent self-regulatory organization), or a state division responsible for licensing or registration of individuals in connection with securities activities; or
  • whose demonstrable education or job experience qualifies as professional knowledge of a subject related to a particular investment, and whose education or job experience is verified by the FINRA or an equivalent self-regulatory organization.

For purposes of the first category of net worth qualifications, a person's net worth shall exclude:

  • the person's primary residence; and
  • as a liability any indebtedness secured by the primary residence, up to the estimated fair market value of the residence at the time of the sale of securities.

Indebtedness secured by the person's primary residence in excess of the residence's estimated fair market value at the time of the sale of securities, however, shall be included in net worth as a liability.

TITLE VI--U.S. TERRITORIES INVESTOR PROTECTION

(Sec. 601) This title amends the Investment Company Act of 1940 to repeal the exemption from its coverage of investment companies created under the laws of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, or any other U.S. possession.

]]> Creating Financial Prosperity for Businesses and Investors Act Display Title Creating Financial Prosperity for Businesses and Investors Act Official Title as Introduced To improve the operation of United States capital markets, and for other purposes. Introduced in House IH Short Titles as Introduced Creating Financial Prosperity for Businesses and Investors Act Short Titles as Passed House Creating Financial Prosperity for Businesses and Investors Act H House Received in Senate 2016-12-06T05:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-114hr6427rds/xml/BILLS-114hr6427rds.xml Engrossed in House 2016-12-05T05:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-114hr6427eh/xml/BILLS-114hr6427eh.xml Introduced in House 2016-12-02T05:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-114hr6427ih/xml/BILLS-114hr6427ih.xml 2016-12-06 Received in the Senate. text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress This file contains bill summaries and statuses for federal legislation. A bill summary describes the most significant provisions of a piece of legislation and details the effects the legislative text may have on current law and federal programs. Bill summaries are authored by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress. As stated in Public Law 91-510 (2 USC 166 (d)(6)), one of the duties of CRS is "to prepare summaries and digests of bills and resolutions of a public general nature introduced in the Senate or House of Representatives". For more information, refer to the User Guide that accompanies this file.