[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 192 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 192

 To provide greater transparency with respect to lobbying activities, 
                        and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 4, 2007

Mr. McCain (for himself, Mr. Lieberman, Ms. Collins, and Mr. Feingold) 
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the 
        Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To provide greater transparency with respect to lobbying activities, 
                        and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Lobbying, Ethics, 
and Earmarks Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
                 TITLE I--ENHANCING LOBBYING DISCLOSURE

Sec. 101. Quarterly filing of lobbying disclosure reports.
Sec. 102. Electronic filing of lobbying disclosure reports.
Sec. 103. Public database of lobbying disclosure information.
Sec. 104. Disclosure by registered lobbyists of all past executive and 
                            congressional employment.
Sec. 105. Disclosure of lobbyist contributions and payments.
Sec. 106. Increased penalty for failure to comply with lobbying 
                            disclosure requirements.
                  TITLE II--SLOWING THE REVOLVING DOOR

Sec. 201. Post employment restrictions.
Sec. 202. Additional employment rights.
Sec. 203. Public disclosure by Members of Congress of employment 
                            negotiations.
Sec. 204. Elimination of certain privileges for former Members, Senate 
                            officers, and Speakers of the House who are 
                            lobbyists or seek financial gain.
  TITLE III--CURBING EXCESSES IN PRIVATELY FUNDED TRAVEL AND LOBBYIST 
                                 GIFTS

Sec. 301. Requirement of full payment and disclosure of charter 
                            flights.
Sec. 302. Increased disclosure of travel by Members.
Sec. 303. Guidelines respecting travel expenses.
Sec. 304. Valuation of tickets to sporting and entertainment events.
Sec. 305. Ban on gifts from lobbyists.
              TITLE IV--SENATE OFFICE OF PUBLIC INTEGRITY

Sec. 401. Establishment of Senate Office of Public Integrity.
Sec. 402. Director.
Sec. 403. Duties and powers of the office.
Sec. 404. Investigations and interaction with the Senate Select 
                            Committee on Ethics.
Sec. 405. Procedural rules.
Sec. 406. SOPI employees under the Congressional Accountability Act.
Sec. 407. Effective date.
               TITLE V--OVERSIGHT OF ETHICS AND LOBBYING

Sec. 501. Comptroller General review and semiannual reports.
Sec. 502. Mandatory Senate ethics training for Members and staff.
                  TITLE VI--CONGRESSIONAL TRANSPARENCY

Sec. 601. Reform of consideration of appropriations bills in the 
                            Senate.
Sec. 602. Prohibition on obligation of funds for appropriations 
                            earmarks included only in congressional 
                            reports.
Sec. 603. Consideration of conference reports.
Sec. 604. Disclosure.
Sec. 605. Requirement of notice of intent to proceed.

                 TITLE I--ENHANCING LOBBYING DISCLOSURE

SEC. 101. QUARTERLY FILING OF LOBBYING DISCLOSURE REPORTS.

    (a) Quarterly Filing Required.--Section 5 of the Lobbying 
Disclosure Act of 1995 (in this title referred to as the ``Act'') (2 
U.S.C. 1604) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``Semiannual'' and inserting 
                ``Quarterly'';
                    (B) by striking ``the semiannual period'' and all 
                that follows through ``July of each year'' and insert 
                ``the quarterly period beginning on the first days of 
                January, April, July, and October of each year''; and
                    (C) by striking ``such semiannual period'' and 
                insert ``such quarterly period''; and
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``semiannual report'' and inserting 
                ``quarterly report'';
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``semiannual 
                filing period'' and inserting ``quarterly period'';
                    (C) in paragraph (3), by striking ``semiannual 
                period'' and inserting ``quarterly period''; and
                    (D) in paragraph (4), by striking ``semiannual 
                filing period'' and inserting ``quarterly period''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Definition.--Section 3(10) of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1602) 
        is amended by striking ``six month period'' and inserting 
        ``three-month period''.
            (2) Registration.--Section 4 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1603) is 
        amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(3)(A), by striking 
                ``semiannual period'' and inserting ``quarterly 
                period''; and
                    (B) in subsection (b)(3)(A), by striking 
                ``semiannual period'' and inserting ``quarterly 
                period''.
            (3) Enforcement.--Section 6(6) of the Act (2 U.S.C. 
        1605(6)) is amended by striking ``semiannual period'' and 
        inserting ``quarterly period''.
            (4) Estimates.--Section 15 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1610) is 
        amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``semiannual 
                period'' and inserting ``quarterly period''; and
                    (B) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``semiannual 
                period'' and inserting ``quarterly period''.
            (5) Dollar amounts.--
                    (A) Registration.--Section 4 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 
                1603) is amended--
                            (i) in subsection (a)(3)(A)(i), by striking 
                        ``$5,000'' and inserting ``$2,500'';
                            (ii) in subsection (a)(3)(A)(ii), by 
                        striking ``$20,000'' and inserting ``$10,000'';
                            (iii) in subsection (b)(3)(A), by striking 
                        ``$10,000'' and inserting ``$5,000''; and
                            (iv) in subsection (b)(4), by striking 
                        ``$10,000'' and inserting ``$5,000''.
                    (B) Reports.--Section 5 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1604) 
                is amended--
                            (i) in subsection (c)(1), by striking 
                        ``$10,000'' and ``$20,000'' and inserting 
                        ``$5,000'' and ``$10,000'', respectively; and
                            (ii) in subsection (c)(2), by striking 
                        ``$10,000'' both places such term appears and 
                        inserting ``$5,000''.

SEC. 102. ELECTRONIC FILING OF LOBBYING DISCLOSURE REPORTS.

    Section 5 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1604) is amended by adding at the 
end the following:
    ``(d) Electronic Filing Required.--A report required to be filed 
under this section shall be filed in electronic form, in addition to 
any other form that may be required by the Secretary of the Senate or 
the Clerk of the House of Representatives.''.

SEC. 103. PUBLIC DATABASE OF LOBBYING DISCLOSURE INFORMATION.

    (a) Database Required.--Section 6 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1605) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period and inserting 
        ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(9) maintain, and make available to the public over the 
        Internet, without a fee or other access charge, in a 
        searchable, sortable, and downloadable manner, an electronic 
        database that--
                    ``(A) includes the information contained in 
                registrations and reports filed under this Act;
                    ``(B) directly links the information it contains to 
                the information disclosed in reports filed with the 
                Federal Election Commission under section 304 of the 
                Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 434); 
                and
                    ``(C) is searchable and sortable, at a minimum, by 
                each of the categories of information described in 
                section 4(b) or 5(b).''.
    (b) Availability of Reports.--Section 6(4) of the Act is amended by 
inserting before the semicolon the following: ``and, in the case of a 
report filed in electronic form pursuant to section 5(d), shall make 
such report available for public inspection over the Internet not more 
than 48 hours after the report is filed''.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out paragraph (9) 
of section 6 of the Act, as added by subsection (a).

SEC. 104. DISCLOSURE BY REGISTERED LOBBYISTS OF ALL PAST EXECUTIVE AND 
              CONGRESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT.

    Section 4(b)(6) of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1603) is amended by striking 
``or a covered legislative branch official'' and all that follows 
through ``as a lobbyist on behalf of the client,'' and inserting ``or a 
covered legislative branch official,''.

SEC. 105. DISCLOSURE OF LOBBYIST CONTRIBUTIONS AND PAYMENTS.

    Section 5(b) of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1604(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
            (2) in paragraph (5), by striking the period and inserting 
        a semicolon; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) for each registrant (and for any political committee, 
        as defined in 301(4) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 
        1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(4)), affiliated with such registrant), and 
        for each employee listed as a lobbyist by a registrant under 
        paragraph (2)(C)--
                    ``(A) the name of each Federal candidate or 
                officeholder, leadership PAC, or political party 
                committee, to whom a contribution was made, and the 
                date and amount of such contribution; and
                    ``(B) the name of each Federal candidate or 
                officeholder, or a leadership PAC of such candidate or 
                officeholder, or political party committee for whom a 
                fundraising event was hosted, cohosted, or otherwise 
                sponsored, the date and location of the event, and the 
                total amount raised by the event;
            ``(7) the name of each covered legislative branch official 
        or covered executive branch official for whom the registrant or 
        employee listed as a lobbyist provided, or directed or arranged 
        to be provided, any payment or reimbursements for travel and 
        related expenses in connection with the duties of such covered 
        official, including for each such official--
                    ``(A) an itemization of the payments or 
                reimbursements provided to finance the travel and 
                related expenses and to whom the payments or 
                reimbursements were made, including any payment or 
                reimbursement made with the express or implied 
                understanding or agreement that such funds will be used 
                for travel and related expenses;
                    ``(B) the purpose and final itinerary of the trip, 
                including a description of all meetings, tours, events, 
                and outings attended;
                    ``(C) the names of any registrant or individual 
                employed by the registrant who traveled on any such 
                trip;
                    ``(D) the identity of official or listed sponsor of 
                travel; and
                    ``(E) the identity of any person or entity, other 
                than the listed sponsor of the travel, which directly 
                or indirectly provided for payment of travel and 
                related expenses at the request or suggestion of the 
                registrant or the employee; and
            ``(8) the date, recipient, and amount of funds contributed 
        or disbursed by, or arranged by, a registrant or employee 
        listed as a lobbyist--
                    ``(A) to pay the costs of an event to honor or 
                recognize a covered legislative branch official or 
                covered executive branch official;
                    ``(B) to, or on behalf of, an entity that is named 
                for a covered legislative branch official or covered 
                executive branch official, or to a person or entity in 
                recognition of such official;
                    ``(C) to an entity established, financed, 
                maintained, or controlled by a covered legislative 
                branch official or covered executive branch official, 
                or an entity designated by such official; or
                    ``(D) to pay the costs of a meeting, retreat, 
                conference, or other similar event held by, or for the 
                benefit of, 1 or more covered legislative branch 
                officials or covered executive branch officials;
        except that this paragraph shall not apply to any payment or 
        reimbursement made from funds required to be reported under 
        section 304 of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 
        U.S.C. 434).
For purposes of paragraph (9), the term `gift' means a gratuity, favor, 
discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, forbearance, or other item 
having monetary value. The term includes gifts of services, training, 
transportation, lodging, and meals, whether provided in-kind, by 
purchase of a ticket, payment in advance, or reimbursement after the 
expense has been incurred.''.

SEC. 106. INCREASED PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH LOBBYING 
              DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS.

    Section 7 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1606) is amended by striking 
``$50,000'' and inserting ``$100,000''.

                  TITLE II--SLOWING THE REVOLVING DOOR

SEC. 201. POST EMPLOYMENT RESTRICTIONS.

    (a) In General.--Paragraph 9 of rule XXXVII of the Standing Rules 
of the Senate is amended by--
            (1) designating the first sentence as subparagraph (a);
            (2) designating the second sentence as subparagraph (b); 
        and
            (3) adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) If an employee on the staff of a Member or on the staff of a 
committee whose rate of pay is equal to or greater than 75 percent of 
the rate of pay of a Member and employed at such rate for more than 60 
days in a calendar year, upon leaving that position, becomes a 
registered lobbyist under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, or is 
employed or retained by such a registered lobbyist for the purpose of 
influencing legislation, such employee may not lobby any Member, 
officer, or employee of the Senate for a period of 1 year after leaving 
that position.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect 60 days after 
the date of enactment of this title.

SEC. 202. ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 104 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450i) is amended by striking 
subsection (j) and inserting the following:
    ``(j) Additional Employment Rights.--
            ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding sections 205 and 207 of 
        title 18, United States Code, an officer or employee of the 
        United States assigned to an Indian tribe under section 3372 of 
        title 5, United States Code, or section 2072 of the Revised 
        Statutes (25 U.S.C. 48), or an individual that was formerly an 
        officer or employee of the United States and who is an employee 
        of an Indian tribe employed to perform services pursuant to 
        self-governance contracts or compacts under this Act that the 
        individual formerly performed for the United States, may 
        communicate with and appear before any department, agency, 
        court, or commission on behalf of the Indian tribe with respect 
        to any matter relating to the contract or compact, including 
        any matter in which the United States is a party or has a 
        direct and substantial interest.
            ``(2) Notification of involvement in pending matter.--An 
        officer, employee, or former officer or employee described in 
        paragraph (1) shall submit to the head of each appropriate 
        department, agency, court, or commission, in writing, a 
        notification of any personal and substantial involvement the 
        officer, employee, or former officer or employee had as an 
        officer or employee of the United States with respect to the 
        pending matter.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The effective date of the amendment made by 
this section shall be the date that is 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 203. PUBLIC DISCLOSURE BY MEMBERS OF CONGRESS OF EMPLOYMENT 
              NEGOTIATIONS.

    (a) House of Representatives.--The Code of Official Conduct set 
forth in rule XXIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives is 
amended by redesignating clause 14 as clause 15 and by inserting after 
clause 13 the following new clause:
    ``14. A Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner shall file with 
the Clerk of the House of Representatives for public disclosure, a 
statement that he or she is negotiating or has any arrangement 
concerning prospective employment if a conflict of interest or the 
appearance of a conflict of interest may exist. Such statement shall be 
made within 3 days after the commencement of such negotiation or 
arrangement.''.
    (b) Senate.--Rule XXXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``13. A Member shall file with the Secretary of the Senate, for 
public disclosure, a statement that he or she is negotiating or has any 
arrangement concerning prospective employment if a conflict of interest 
or the appearance of a conflict of interest may exist. Such statement 
shall be made within 3 days after the commencement of such negotiation 
or arrangement.''.

SEC. 204. ELIMINATION OF CERTAIN PRIVILEGES FOR FORMER MEMBERS, SENATE 
              OFFICERS, AND SPEAKERS OF THE HOUSE WHO ARE LOBBYISTS OR 
              SEEK FINANCIAL GAIN.

    Rule XXIII of the Standing Rules of the Senate is amended by--
            (1) inserting ``1.'' before ``Other'';
            (2) inserting after ``Ex-Senators and Senators elect'' the 
        following: ``, except as provided in paragraph 2'';
            (3) inserting after ``Ex-Secretaries and ex-Sergeants at 
        Arms of the Senate'' the following: ``, except as provided in 
        paragraph 2'';
            (4) inserting after ``Ex-Speakers of the House of 
        Representatives'' the following: ``, except as provided in 
        paragraph 2''; and
            (5) adding at the end the following:
    ``2. (a) The floor privilege provided in paragraph 1 shall not 
apply to an individual covered by this paragraph who is--
            ``(1) a registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign 
        principal; or
            ``(2) is in the employ of or represents any party or 
        organization for the purpose of influencing, directly, or 
        indirectly, the passage, defeat, or amendment of any 
        legislative proposal.
    ``(b) The Committee on Rules and Administration may promulgate 
regulations to allow individuals covered by this paragraph floor 
privileges for ceremonial functions and events designated by the 
majority leader and the minority leader.
    ``(c) The Committee on Rules and Administration shall promulgate 
regulations to prevent individuals covered by this paragraph from 
making use of Senate or House of Representatives gymnasium facilities.
    ``(d) The Committee on Rules and Administration shall promulgate 
regulations to prevent individuals covered by this paragraph from 
making use of Senate or House of Representatives reserved parking 
facilities.''.

  TITLE III--CURBING EXCESSES IN PRIVATELY FUNDED TRAVEL AND LOBBYIST 
                                 GIFTS

SEC. 301. REQUIREMENT OF FULL PAYMENT AND DISCLOSURE OF CHARTER 
              FLIGHTS.

    (a) House of Representatives.--
            (1) In general.--Clause 5(a)(3)(A) of rule XXV of the 
        Standing Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by--
                    (A) inserting ``(1)'' after ``(A)''; and
                    (B) adding at the end the following:
            ``(2) Market value for a flight on an airplane that is not 
        licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate for 
        compensation or hire shall be the fair market value of a 
        charter flight. The Committee on Standards of Official Conduct 
        shall make public information received under this subparagraph 
        as soon as possible after it is received.''.
            (2) Disclosure.--Clause 5 of rule XXV of the Standing Rules 
        of the House of Representatives is amended by adding at the end 
        the following:
    ``(g) A Member, officer, or employee who takes a flight described 
in paragraph (a)(3)(A)(2) shall, with respect to the flight, file a 
report with the Clerk of the House of Representatives for public 
disclosure within 10 days after the flight--
            ``(1) the date of the flight;
            ``(2) the destination of the flight;
            ``(3) who else was on the flight, other than those 
        operating the plane; and
            ``(4) the purpose of the trip.''.
    (b) Senate.--
            (1) In general.--Paragraph 1(c)(1) of rule XXXV of the 
        Standing Rules of the Senate is amended by--
                    (A) inserting ``(A)'' after ``(1)''; and
                    (B) adding at the end the following:
            ``(B) Market value for a flight on an airplane that is not 
        licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate for 
        compensation or hire shall be the fair market value of a 
        charter flight. The Select Committee on Ethics shall make 
        public information received under this subparagraph as soon as 
        possible after it is received.''.
            (2) Disclosure.--Paragraph 1 of rule XXXV of the Standing 
        Rules of the Senate is amended by adding at the end the 
        following:
    ``(h) A Member, officer, or employee who takes a flight described 
in subparagraph (c)(1)(B) shall, with respect to the flight, file a 
report with the Secretary of the Senate for public disclosure within 10 
days after the flight--
            ``(1) the date of the flight;
            ``(2) the destination of the flight;
            ``(3) who else was on the flight, other than those 
        operating the plane; and
            ``(4) the purpose of the trip.''.
    (c) Candidates.--Subparagraph (B) of section 301(8) of the Federal 
Election Campaign Act of 1971 (2 U.S.C. 431(8)(B)) is amended by--
            (1) in clause (xiii), striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in clause (xiv), by striking the period and inserting 
        ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following :
                            ``(xv) any travel expense for a flight on 
                        an airplane that is not licensed by the Federal 
                        Aviation Administration to operate for 
                        compensation or hire, but only if the candidate 
                        or the candidate's authorized committee or 
                        other political committee pays within 7 days 
                        after the date of the flight to the owner, 
                        lessee, or other person who provides the use of 
                        the airplane an amount not less than the normal 
                        and usual charter fare or rental charge for a 
                        comparable commercial airplane of appropriate 
                        size.''.

SEC. 302. INCREASED DISCLOSURE OF TRAVEL BY MEMBERS.

    (a) House of Representatives.--Clause 5(b)(1)(A)(ii) of rule XXV of 
the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by--
            (1) inserting ``a detailed description and itemization of 
        each of'' before ``the expenses''; and
            (2) inserting ``, including a description of all meetings, 
        tours, events, and outings attended during such travel'' before 
        the period at the end thereof.
    (b) Senate.--Paragraph 2(c) of rule XXXV of the Standing Rules of 
the Senate is amended--
            (1) in subclause (5), by striking ``and'' after the 
        semicolon;
            (2) by redesignating subclause (6) as subclause (7); and
            (3) by adding after subclause (5) the following:
            ``(6) a detailed description and itemization of all 
        meetings, tours, events, and outings attended during such 
        travel; and''.

SEC. 303. GUIDELINES RESPECTING TRAVEL EXPENSES.

    (a) House of Representatives.--Clause 5(f) of rule XXV of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives is amended by inserting ``(1)'' after 
``(f)'' and by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
    ``(2) Within 90 days after the date of adoption of this 
subparagraph and at annual intervals thereafter, the Committee on 
Standards of Official Conduct shall develop and revise, as necessary, 
guidelines on what constitutes `reasonable expenses' or `reasonable 
expenditures' for purposes of paragraph (b)(4). In developing and 
revising the guidelines, the committee shall take into account the 
maximum per diem rates for official Government travel published 
annually by the General Services Administration, the Department of 
State, and the Department of Defense.''.
    (b) Senate.--Rule XXXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) Not later than 90 days after the date of adoption of 
        this paragraph and at annual intervals thereafter, the Select 
        Committee on Ethics shall develop and revise, as necessary, 
        guidelines on what constitutes `reasonable expenses' or 
        `reasonable expenditures' for purposes of this rule. In 
        developing and revising the guidelines, the committee shall 
        take into account the maximum per diem rates for official 
        Government travel published annually by the General Services 
        Administration, the Department of State, and the Department of 
        Defense.''.

SEC. 304. VALUATION OF TICKETS TO SPORTING AND ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS.

    (a) In General.--For a covered executive branch official, a gift of 
a ticket to a sporting or entertainment event shall be valued at the 
face value of the ticket, provided that in the case of a ticket without 
a face value, the ticket shall be valued at the highest cost of a 
ticket with a face value for the event.
    (b) Senate.--Paragraph 1(b)(1) of rule XXXV of the Standing Rules 
of the Senate is amended by--
            (1) inserting ``(A)'' after ``(1)''; and
            (2) adding at the end the following:
                    ``(B) A gift of a ticket to a sporting or 
                entertainment event shall be valued at the face value 
                of the ticket, provided that in the case of a ticket 
                without a face value, the ticket shall be valued at the 
                highest cost of a ticket with a face value for the 
                event.''.
    (c) House.--Clause 5(a)(2)(A) of rule XXV of the Standing Rules of 
the House of Representatives is amended by--
            (1) inserting ``(i)'' after ``(A)''; and
            (2) adding at the end the following:
                            ``(ii) A gift of a ticket to a sporting or 
                        entertainment event shall be valued at the face 
                        value of the ticket, provided that in the case 
                        of a ticket without a face value, the ticket 
                        shall be valued at the highest cost of a ticket 
                        with a face value for the event.''.

SEC. 305. BAN ON GIFTS FROM LOBBYISTS.

    Rule XXXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate is amended by--
            (1) in paragraph 1(a)(1), by--
                    (A) inserting ``(A)'' after ``(2)''; and
                    (B) adding at the end the following:
    ``(B) This clause shall not apply to a gift from any person or 
entity required to register pursuant to section 4(a) of the Lobbying 
Disclosure Act, or any individual or entity identified as a lobbyist or 
a client in a registration or disclosure statement filed under such 
Act.''; and
            (2) in paragraph 1, by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) For purposes of this paragraph, a gift of a ticket to a 
sporting or entertainment event shall be valued at the face value 
printed on the ticket, provided that in the case of a ticket without a 
face value, or in the case of a ticket to a sky box, club seat or other 
premium seat, the ticket shall be valued at the highest cost of a 
ticket with a face value for the event.''.

              TITLE IV--SENATE OFFICE OF PUBLIC INTEGRITY

SEC. 401. ESTABLISHMENT OF SENATE OFFICE OF PUBLIC INTEGRITY.

    There is established, as an office within the Senate, the Senate 
Office of Public Integrity (referred to in this title as the 
``Office'').

SEC. 402. DIRECTOR.

    (a) Appointment of Director.--
            (1) In general.--The Office shall be headed by a Director 
        who shall be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the 
        Senate upon the joint recommendation of the majority leader of 
        the Senate and the minority leader of the Senate. The selection 
        and appointment of the Director shall be without regard to 
        political affiliation and made solely on the basis of fitness 
        to perform the duties of the Office.
            (2) Qualifications.--The Director shall possess 
        demonstrated integrity, independence, and public credibility 
        and shall have training or experience in law enforcement, the 
        judiciary, civil or criminal litigation, or as a member of a 
        Federal, State, or local ethics enforcement agency.
    (b) Vacancy.--A vacancy in the directorship shall be filled in the 
manner in which the original appointment was made.
    (c) Term of Office.--The Director shall serve for a term of 5 years 
and may be reappointed.
    (d) Removal.--
            (1) Authority.--The Director may be removed by the 
        President Pro Tempore of the Senate upon the joint 
        recommendation of the Senate majority and minority leaders 
        for--
                    (A) disability that substantially prevents the 
                Director from carrying out the duties of the Director;
                    (B) inefficiency;
                    (C) neglect of duty; or
                    (D) malfeasance, including a felony or conduct 
                involving moral turpitude.
            (2) Statement of reasons.--In removing the Director, a 
        statement of the reasons for removal shall be provided in 
        writing to the Director.
    (e) Compensation.--The Director shall be compensated at the annual 
rate of basic pay prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule 
under section 5316 of title 5, United States Code.

SEC. 403. DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE OFFICE.

    (a) Duties.--The Office is authorized--
            (1) to investigate any alleged violation by a Member, 
        officer, or employee of the Senate, of any rule or other 
        standard of conduct applicable to the conduct of such Member, 
        officer, or employee under applicable Senate rules in the 
        performance of his duties or the discharge of his 
        responsibilities;
            (2) to present a case of probable ethics violations to the 
        Select Committee on Ethics of the Senate;
            (3) to make recommendations to the Select Committee on 
        Ethics of the Senate that it report to the appropriate Federal 
        or State authorities any substantial evidence of a violation by 
        a Member, officer, or employee of the Senate of any law 
        applicable to the performance of his duties or the discharge of 
        his responsibilities, which may have been disclosed in an 
        investigation by the Office; and
            (4) subject to review by the Select Committee on Ethics to 
        approve, or deny approval, of trips as provided for in 
        paragraph 2(f) of rule XXXV of the Standing Rules of the 
        Senate.
    (b) Powers.--
            (1) Obtaining information.--Upon request of the Office, the 
        head of any agency or instrumentality of the Government shall 
        furnish information deemed necessary by the Director to enable 
        the Office to carry out its duties.
            (2) Referrals to the department of justice.--Whenever the 
        Director has reason to believe that a violation of law may have 
        occurred, he shall refer that matter to the Select Committee on 
        Ethics with a recommendation as to whether the matter should be 
        referred to the Department of Justice or other appropriate 
        authority for investigation or other action.

SEC. 404. INVESTIGATIONS AND INTERACTION WITH THE SENATE SELECT 
              COMMITTEE ON ETHICS.

    (a) Initiation of Enforcement Matters.--
            (1) In general.--An investigation may be initiated by the 
        filing of a complaint with the Office by a Member of Congress 
        or an outside complainant, or by the Office on its own 
        initiative, based on any information in its possession. The 
        Director shall not accept a complaint concerning a Member of 
        Congress within 60 days of an election involving such Member.
            (2) Filed complaint.--
                    (A) Timing.--In the case of a complaint that is 
                filed, the Director shall within 30 days make an 
                initial determination as to whether the complaint 
                should be dismissed or whether there are sufficient 
                grounds to conduct an investigation. The subject of the 
                complaint shall be provided by the Director with an 
                opportunity during the 30-day period to challenge the 
                complaint.
                    (B) Dismissal.--The Director may dismiss a 
                complaint if the Director determines--
                            (i) the complaint fails to state a 
                        violation;
                            (ii) there is a lack of credible evidence 
                        of a violation; or
                            (iii) the violation is inadvertent, 
                        technical, or otherwise of a de minimis nature.
                    (C) Referral.--In any case where the Director 
                decides to dismiss a complaint, the Director may refer 
                the case to the Select Committee on Ethics of the 
                Senate under paragraph (3) to determine if the 
                complaint is frivolous.
            (3) Frivolous complaints.--If the Select Committee on 
        Ethics of the Senate determines that a complaint is frivolous, 
        the committee may notify the Director not to accept any future 
        complaint filed by that same person and the complainant may be 
        required to pay for the costs of the Office resulting from such 
        complaint. The Director may refer the matter to the Department 
        of Justice to collect such costs.
            (4) Preliminary determination.--For any investigation 
        conducted by the Office at its own initiative, the Director 
        shall make a preliminary determination of whether there are 
        sufficient grounds to conduct an investigation. Before making 
        that determination, the subject of the investigation shall be 
        provided by the Director with an opportunity to submit 
        information to the Director that there are not sufficient 
        grounds to conduct an investigation.
            (5) Notice to committee.--Whenever the Director determines 
        that there are sufficient grounds to conduct an investigation--
                    (A) the Director shall notify the Select Committee 
                on Ethics of the Senate of this determination; and
                    (B) the committee may overrule the determination of 
                the Director if, not later than 10 legislative days 
                after notification under subparagraph (A)--
                            (i) the committee by an affirmative, roll 
                        call vote of \2/3\ of the full committee votes 
                        to overrule the determination of the Director;
                            (ii) the committee issues a public report 
                        on the matter; and
                            (iii) the vote of each member of the 
                        committee on such roll call vote is included in 
                        the report.
    (b) Conducting Investigations.--
            (1) In general.--If the Director determines that there are 
        sufficient grounds to conduct an investigation and his 
        determination is not overruled under subsection (a)(5), the 
        Director shall conduct an investigation to determine if 
        probable cause exists that a violation occurred.
            (2) Authority.--As part of an investigation, the Director 
        may--
                    (A) administer oaths;
                    (B) issue subpoenas;
                    (C) compel the attendance of witnesses and the 
                production of papers, books, accounts, documents, and 
                testimony; and
                    (D) himself, or by delegation to Office staff, take 
                the deposition of witnesses.
            (3) Refusal to obey.--If a person disobeys or refuses to 
        comply with a subpoena, or if a witness refuses to testify to a 
        matter, he may be held in contempt of Congress.
            (4) Enforcement.--If the Director determines that the 
        Director is limited in the Director's ability to obtain 
        documents, testimony, and other information needed as part of 
        an investigation because of potential constitutional, 
        statutory, or rules restrictions, or due to lack of compliance, 
        the Director may refer the matter to the Select Committee on 
        Ethics of the Senate for consideration and appropriate action 
        by the committee. The committee shall promptly act on a request 
        under this paragraph.
    (c) Presentation of Case to Senate Select Committee on Ethics.--
            (1) Notice to committees.--If the Director determines, upon 
        conclusion of an investigation, that probable cause exists that 
        an ethics violation has occurred, the Director shall notify the 
        Select Committee on Ethics of the Senate of this determination.
            (2) Committee decision.--The Select Committee on Ethics may 
        overrule the determination of the Director if, not later than 
        30 legislative days after notification under paragraph (1)--
                    (A) the committee by an affirmative, roll call vote 
                of \2/3\ of the full committee votes to overrule the 
                determination of the Director;
                    (B) the committee issues a public report on the 
                matter; and
                    (C) the vote of each member of the committee on 
                such roll call vote is included in the report.
            (3) Determination and ruling.--
                    (A) Referral.--If the Director determines there is 
                probable cause that an ethics violation has occurred 
                and the Director's determination is not overruled, the 
                Director shall present the case and evidence to the 
                Select Committee on Ethics of the Senate to hear and 
                make a determination pursuant to its rules.
                    (B) Final decision.--The Select Committee on Ethics 
                shall vote upon whether the individual who is the 
                subject of the investigation has violated any rules or 
                other standards of conduct applicable to that 
                individual in his official capacity. Such votes shall 
                be a roll call vote of the full committee, a quorum 
                being present. The committee shall issue a public 
                report which shall include the vote of each member of 
                the committee on such roll call vote.
    (d) Sanctions.--Whenever the Select Committee on Ethics of the 
Senate finds that an ethics violation has occurred, the Director shall 
recommend appropriate sanctions to the committee and whether a matter 
should be referred to the Department of Justice for investigation.

SEC. 405. PROCEDURAL RULES.

    (a) Prohibition of Certain Investigations.--No investigation shall 
be undertaken by the Office of any alleged violation of a law, rule, 
regulation, or standard of conduct not in effect at the time of the 
alleged violation.
    (b) Disclosure.--Information or testimony received, or the contents 
of a complaint or the fact of its filing, or recommendations made by 
the Director to the committee, may be publicly disclosed by the 
Director or by the staff of the Office only if authorized by the Select 
Committee on Ethics of the Senate.

SEC. 406. SOPI EMPLOYEES UNDER THE CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT.

    Section 101 of the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (2 
U.S.C. 3) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``or'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (I), by striking the period and 
                inserting ``; or''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(J) the Office of Public Integrity.''; and
            (2) in paragraph (9), by striking ``and the Office of 
        Technology Assessment'' and inserting ``the Office of 
        Technology Assessment, and the Senate Office of Public 
        Integrity''.

SEC. 407. EFFECTIVE DATE.

    This title shall take effect on January 1, 2008.

               TITLE V--OVERSIGHT OF ETHICS AND LOBBYING

SEC. 501. COMPTROLLER GENERAL REVIEW AND SEMIANNUAL REPORTS.

    (a) Ongoing Review Required.--The Comptroller General shall review 
on an ongoing basis the activities carried out by the Secretary of the 
Senate and Clerk of the House of Representatives under section 6 of the 
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1605). The review shall 
emphasize--
            (1) the effectiveness of those activities in securing the 
        compliance by lobbyists with the requirements of that Act; and
            (2) whether the Secretary and the Clerk have the resources 
        and authorities needed for effective oversight and enforcement 
        of that Act.
    (b) Semiannual Reports.--Twice yearly, not later than January 1 and 
not later than July 1 of each year, the Comptroller General shall 
submit to Congress a report on the review required by subsection (a). 
The report shall include the Comptroller General's assessment of the 
matters required to be emphasized by that subsection and any 
recommendations of the Comptroller General to--
            (1) improve the compliance by lobbyists with the 
        requirements of that Act; and
            (2) provide the Secretary and the Clerk with the resources 
        and authorities needed for effective oversight and enforcement 
        of that Act.

SEC. 502. MANDATORY SENATE ETHICS TRAINING FOR MEMBERS AND STAFF.

    (a) Training Program.--The Select Committee on Ethics shall conduct 
ongoing ethics training and awareness programs for Members of the 
Senate and Senate staff.
    (b) Requirements.--The ethics training program conducted by the 
Select Committee on Ethics shall be completed by--
            (1) new Senators or staff not later than 60 days after 
        commencing service or employment; and
            (2) Senators and Senate staff serving or employed on the 
        date of enactment of this Act not later than 120 days after the 
        date of enactment of this Act.

                  TITLE VI--CONGRESSIONAL TRANSPARENCY

SEC. 601. REFORM OF CONSIDERATION OF APPROPRIATIONS BILLS IN THE 
              SENATE.

    (a) In General.--Rule XVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``9. (a) On a point of order made by any Senator:
            ``(1) No new or general legislation nor any unauthorized 
        appropriation may be included in any general appropriation 
        bill.
            ``(2) No amendment may be received to any general 
        appropriation bill the effect of which will be to add an 
        unauthorized appropriation to the bill.
            ``(3) No unauthorized appropriation may be included in any 
        amendment between the Houses, or any amendment thereto, in 
        relation to a general appropriation bill.
    ``(b)(1) If a point of order under subparagraph (a)(1) against a 
Senate bill or amendment is sustained--
            ``(A) the new or general legislation or unauthorized 
        appropriation shall be struck from the bill or amendment; and
            ``(B) any modification of total amounts appropriated 
        necessary to reflect the deletion of the matter struck from the 
        bill or amendment, as directed by the chairman of the Committee 
        on the Budget, shall be made and the allocation of 
        discretionary budgetary resources allocated under section 
        302(a)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 
        633(a)(2)) shall be reduced accordingly.
    ``(2) If a point of order under subparagraph (a)(1) against an Act 
of the House of Representatives is sustained when the Senate is not 
considering an amendment in the nature of a substitute, then an 
amendment to the House bill is deemed to have been adopted that--
            ``(A) strikes the new or general legislation or 
        unauthorized appropriation from the bill; and
            ``(B) modifies, if necessary and as directed by the 
        chairman of the Committee on the Budget, the total amounts 
        appropriated by the bill to reflect the deletion of the matter 
        struck from the bill and reduces the allocation of 
        discretionary budgetary resources allocated under section 
        302(a)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 
        633(a)(2)) accordingly.
    ``(c) If the point of order against an amendment under subparagraph 
(a)(2) is sustained, then the amendment shall be out of order and may 
not be considered.
    ``(d)(1) If a point of order under subparagraph (a)(3) against a 
Senate amendment is sustained, then--
            ``(A) the unauthorized appropriation shall be struck from 
        the amendment;
            ``(B) any modification of total amounts appropriated, as 
        directed by the chairman of the Committee on the Budget, 
        necessary to reflect the deletion of the matter struck from the 
        amendment shall be made and the allocation of discretionary 
        budgetary resources allocated under section 302(a)(2) of the 
        Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(a)(2)) shall be 
        reduced accordingly; and
            ``(C) after all other points of order under this paragraph 
        have been disposed of, the Senate shall proceed to consider the 
        amendment as so modified.
    ``(2) If a point of order under subparagraph (a)(3) against a House 
of Representatives amendment is sustained, then--
            ``(A) an amendment to the House amendment is deemed to have 
        been adopted that--
                    ``(i) strikes the new or general legislation or 
                unauthorized appropriation from the House amendment; 
                and
                    ``(ii) modifies, if necessary and as directed by 
                the chairman of the Committee on the Budget, the total 
                amounts appropriated by the bill to reflect the 
                deletion of the matter struck from the House amendment 
                and reduces the allocation of discretionary budgetary 
                resources allocated under section 302(a)(2) of the 
                Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(a)(2)) 
                accordingly; and
            ``(B) after all other points of order under this paragraph 
        have been disposed of, the Senate shall proceed to consider the 
        question of whether to concur with further amendment.
    ``(e) The disposition of a point of order made under any other 
paragraph of this rule, or under any other Standing Rule of the Senate, 
that is not sustained, or is waived, does not preclude, or affect, a 
point of order made under subparagraph (a) with respect to the same 
matter.
    ``(f) A point of order under subparagraph (a) may be waived only by 
a motion agreed to by the affirmative vote of three-fifths of the 
Senators duly chosen and sworn. If an appeal is taken from the ruling 
of the Presiding Officer with respect to such a point of order, the 
ruling of the Presiding Officer shall be sustained absent an 
affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn.
    ``(g) Notwithstanding any other rule of the Senate, it shall be in 
order for a Senator to raise a single point of order that several 
provisions of a general appropriation bill or an amendment between the 
Houses on a general appropriation bill violate subparagraph (a). The 
Presiding Officer may sustain the point of order as to some or all of 
the provisions against which the Senator raised the point of order. If 
the Presiding Officer so sustains the point of order as to some or all 
of the provisions against which the Senator raised the point of order, 
then only those provisions against which the Presiding Officer sustains 
the point of order shall be deemed stricken pursuant to this paragraph. 
Before the Presiding Officer rules on such a point of order, any 
Senator may move to waive such a point of order, in accordance with 
subparagraph (f), as it applies to some or all of the provisions 
against which the point of order was raised. Such a motion to waive is 
amendable in accordance with the rules and precedents of the Senate. 
After the Presiding Officer rules on such a point of order, any Senator 
may appeal the ruling of the Presiding Officer on such a point of order 
as it applies to some or all of the provisions on which the Presiding 
Officer ruled.
    ``(h) For purposes of this paragraph:
            ``(1) The term `new or general legislation' has the meaning 
        given that term when it is used in paragraph 2 of this rule.
            ``(2) The term `new matter' means matter not committed to 
        conference by either House of Congress.
            ``(3)(A) The term `unauthorized appropriation' means an 
        appropriation--
                    ``(i) not specifically authorized by law or Treaty 
                stipulation (unless the appropriation has been 
                specifically authorized by an Act or resolution 
                previously passed by the Senate during the same session 
                or proposed in pursuance of an estimate submitted in 
                accordance with law); or
                    ``(ii) the amount of which exceeds the amount 
                specifically authorized by law or Treaty stipulation 
                (or specifically authorized by an Act or resolution 
                previously passed by the Senate during the same session 
                or proposed in pursuance of an estimate submitted in 
                accordance with law) to be appropriated.
            ``(B) An appropriation is not specifically authorized if it 
        is restricted or directed to, or authorized to be obligated or 
        expended for the benefit of, an identifiable person, program, 
        project, entity, or jurisdiction by earmarking or other 
        specification, whether by name or description, in a manner that 
        is so restricted, directed, or authorized that it applies only 
        to a single identifiable person, program, project, entity, or 
        jurisdiction, unless the identifiable person, program, project, 
        entity, or jurisdiction to which the restriction, direction, or 
        authorization applies is described or otherwise clearly 
        identified in a law or Treaty stipulation (or an Act or 
        resolution previously passed by the Senate during the same 
        session or in the estimate submitted in accordance with law) 
        that specifically provides for the restriction, direction, or 
        authorization of appropriation for such person, program, 
        project, entity, or jurisdiction.
            ``10. (a) On a point of order made by any Senator, no new 
        or general legislation, nor any unauthorized appropriation, new 
        matter, or nongermane matter may be included in any conference 
        report on a general appropriation bill.
    ``(b) If the point of order against a conference report under 
subparagraph (a) is sustained--
            ``(1) the new or general legislation, unauthorized 
        appropriation, new matter, or nongermane matter in such 
        conference report shall be deemed to have been struck;
            ``(2) any modification of total amounts appropriated, as 
        directed by the chairman of the Committee on the Budget, 
        necessary to reflect the deletion of the matter struck shall be 
        deemed to have been made and the allocation of discretionary 
        budgetary resources allocated under section 302(a)(2) of the 
        Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(a)(2)) shall be 
        deemed to be reduced accordingly;
            ``(3) when all other points of order under this paragraph 
        have been disposed of--
                    ``(A) the Senate shall proceed to consider the 
                question of whether the Senate should recede from its 
                amendment to the House bill, or its disagreement to the 
                amendment of the House, and concur with a further 
                amendment, which further amendment shall consist of 
                only that portion of the conference report not deemed 
                to have been struck (together with any modification of 
                total amounts appropriated and reduction in the 
                allocation of discretionary budgetary resources 
                allocated under section 302(a)(2) of the Congressional 
                Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(a)(2)) deemed to have 
                been made);
                    ``(B) the question shall be debatable; and
                    ``(C) no further amendment shall be in order; and
            ``(4) if the Senate agrees to the amendment, then the bill 
        and the Senate amendment thereto shall be returned to the House 
        for its concurrence in the amendment of the Senate.
    ``(c) The disposition of a point of order made under any other 
paragraph of this rule, or under any other Standing Rule of the Senate, 
that is not sustained, or is waived, does not preclude, or affect, a 
point of order made under subparagraph (a) with respect to the same 
matter.
    ``(d) A point of order under subparagraph (a) may be waived only by 
a motion agreed to by the affirmative vote of three-fifths of the 
Senators duly chosen and sworn. If an appeal is taken from the ruling 
of the Presiding Officer with respect to such a point of order, the 
ruling of the Presiding Officer shall be sustained absent an 
affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn.
    ``(e) Notwithstanding any other rule of the Senate, it shall be in 
order for a Senator to raise a single point of order that several 
provisions of a conference report on a general appropriation bill 
violate subparagraph (a). The Presiding Officer may sustain the point 
of order as to some or all of the provisions against which the Senator 
raised the point of order. If the Presiding Officer so sustains the 
point of order as to some or all of the provisions against which the 
Senator raised the point of order, then only those provisions against 
which the Presiding Officer sustains the point of order shall be deemed 
stricken pursuant to this paragraph. Before the Presiding Officer rules 
on such a point of order, any Senator may move to waive such a point of 
order, in accordance with subparagraph (d), as it applies to some or 
all of the provisions against which the point of order was raised. Such 
a motion to waive is amendable in accordance with the rules and 
precedents of the Senate. After the Presiding Officer rules on such a 
point of order, any Senator may appeal the ruling of the Presiding 
Officer on such a point of order as it applies to some or all of the 
provisions on which the Presiding Officer ruled.
    ``(f) For purposes of this paragraph:
            ``(1) The terms `new or general legislation', `new matter', 
        and `unauthorized appropriation' have the same meaning as in 
        paragraph 9.
            ``(2) The term `nongermane matter' has the same meaning as 
        in rule XXII and under the precedents attendant thereto, as of 
        the beginning of the 110th Congress.''.
    (b) Prohibition on Obligation of Funds for Appropriations Earmarks 
Included Only in Congressional Reports.--
            (1) In general.--No Federal agency may obligate any funds 
        made available in an appropriation Act to implement an earmark 
        that is included in a congressional report accompanying the 
        appropriation Act, unless the earmark is also included in the 
        appropriation Act.
            (2) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection:
                    (A) The term ``assistance'' includes an award, 
                grant, loan, loan guarantee, contract, or other 
                expenditure.
                    (B) The term ``congressional report'' means a 
                report of the Committee on Appropriations of the House 
                of Representatives or the Senate, or a joint 
                explanatory statement of a committee of conference.
                    (C) The term ``earmark'' means a provision that 
                specifies the identity of an entity to receive 
                assistance and the amount of the assistance.
                    (D) The term ``entity'' includes a State or 
                locality.
            (3) Effective date.--This subsection shall apply to 
        appropriation Acts enacted after December 31, 2007.
    (c) Lobbying on Behalf of Recipients of Federal Funds.--The 
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 is amended by adding after section 5 
the following:

``SEC. 5A. REPORTS BY RECIPIENTS OF FEDERAL FUNDS.

    ``(a) In General.--A recipient of Federal funds shall file a report 
as required by section 5(a) containing--
            ``(1) the name of any lobbyist registered under this Act to 
        whom the recipient paid money to lobby on behalf of the Federal 
        funding received by the recipient; and
            ``(2) the amount of money paid as described in paragraph 
        (1).
    ``(b) Definition.--In this section, the term `recipient of Federal 
funds' means the recipient of Federal funds constituting an award, 
grant, or loan.''.

SEC. 602. PROHIBITION ON OBLIGATION OF FUNDS FOR APPROPRIATIONS 
              EARMARKS INCLUDED ONLY IN CONGRESSIONAL REPORTS.

    (a) In General.--No Federal agency may obligate any funds made 
available in an appropriation Act to implement an earmark that is 
included in a congressional report accompanying the appropriation Act, 
unless the earmark is also included in the appropriation Act.
    (b) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
            (1) The term ``assistance'' includes an award, grant, loan, 
        loan guarantee, contract, or other expenditure.
            (2) The term ``congressional report'' means a report of the 
        Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives or 
        the Senate, or a joint explanatory statement of a committee of 
        conference.
            (3) The term ``earmark'' means a provision that specifies 
        the identity of an entity to receive assistance and the amount 
        of the assistance.
            (4) The term ``entity'' includes a State or locality.
    (c) Effective Date.--This section shall apply to appropriation Acts 
enacted after December 31, 2007.

SEC. 603. CONSIDERATION OF CONFERENCE REPORTS.

    (a) In General.--
            (1) Rule.--Rule XXVIII of the Standing Rules of the Senate 
        is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``7. (a) It shall not be in order to consider a conference report 
which includes matter not committed to the conferees by either House.
    ``(b) It shall not be in order to consider a conference report 
unless such report is available to all Members and made available to 
the general public by means of the Internet for at least 48 hours 
before its consideration.''.
            (2) Effective date.--This subsection shall take effect 60 
        days after the date of enactment of this title.
    (b) Implementation.--Not later than 60 days after the date of 
enactment of this title, the Secretary of the Senate, in consultation 
with the Clerk of the House of Representatives, the Government Printing 
Office, and the Committee on Rules and Administration, shall develop a 
website capable of complying with the requirements of paragraph 7 of 
rule XXVIII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, as added by subsection 
(b).

SEC. 604. DISCLOSURE.

    (a) Unauthorized Appropriations.--Rule XVI of the Standing Rules of 
the Senate is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``10. No appropriation bill or amendment between the Houses which 
includes unauthorized appropriations (as identified by paragraph 1(j)) 
shall be considered unless such bill is accompanied by a report that 
provides a detailed listing of--
            ``(1) all unauthorized appropriation in such bill;
            ``(2) an identification of the member or members who 
        proposed the unauthorized appropriation; and
            ``(3) an explanation of the essential governmental purpose 
        for the unauthorized appropriation.''.
    (b) Earmark Disclosure, Sponsor, and Purpose.--Paragraph 4 of rule 
XXVIII of the Standing Rules of the Senate is amended by--
            (1) inserting ``(a)'' after ``4.''; and
            (2) adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) No conference report which includes unauthorized 
appropriations (as defined by paragraph 1(j) of rule XVI) shall be 
considered unless such conference report is accompanied by a joint 
statement that provides a detailed listing of--
            ``(1) all unauthorized appropriations in such conference 
        report;
            ``(2) an identification of the member or members who 
        proposed the unauthorized appropriation; and
            ``(3) an explanation of the essential governmental purpose 
        for the unauthorized appropriation.''.

SEC. 605. REQUIREMENT OF NOTICE OF INTENT TO PROCEED.

    (a) In General.--The majority and minority leaders of the Senate or 
their designees shall recognize a notice of intent of a Senator who is 
a member of their caucus to object to proceeding to a measure or matter 
only if the Senator--
            (1) submits the notice of intent in writing to the 
        appropriate leader or their designee; and
            (2) within 3 session days after the submission under 
        paragraph (1), submits for inclusion in the Congressional 
        Record and in the applicable calendar section described in 
        subsection (b) the following notice:
    ``I, Senator __, intend to object to proceeding to __, dated __.''.
    (b) Calendar.--The Secretary of the Senate shall establish for both 
the Senate Calendar of Business and the Senate Executive Calendar a 
separate section entitled ``Notices of Intent to Object to 
Proceeding''. Each section shall include the name of each Senator 
filing a notice under subsection (a)(2), the measure or matter covered 
by the calendar that the Senator objects to, and the date the objection 
was filed.
    (c) Removal.--A Senator may have an item with respect to the 
Senator removed from a calendar to which it was added under subsection 
(b) by submitting for inclusion in the Congressional Record the 
following notice:
    ``I, Senator __, do not object to proceeding to __, dated __.''.
                                 <all>