AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES for AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

Advocated against IRS proposed rules to restrict political activity by 501(c)(4) tax-exempt groups, and potentially extend the same rules to trade associations and unions.

Contacted: Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); SENATE; Justice, Dept of (DOJ); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Telecommunications TEC

Tracking new proposed rules on net neutrality that could potentially allow companies to pay broadband providers for faster lanes to deliver content to consumers.

Contacted: Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); SENATE; Justice, Dept of (DOJ); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Copyright/Patent/Trademark CPT

Tracking the Department of Justice's decision to review consent decrees with ASCAP and BMI, the nations two largest performing rights societies that license and collect fees for the use of copyrighted music. Interest is in application of rules to associations and other trade show organizers who are responsible for licensing the music used at the meetings, conventions and exhibitions they organize.

Contacted: Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); SENATE; Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Health Issues HCR

Continued to track implementation of the Affordable Care Act, including enrollment in federal and state health insurance exchanges and provisions impacting associations as employers.

Contacted: Federal Communications Commission (FCC); SENATE; Justice, Dept of (DOJ); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Postal POS

Tracked legislation to reform the U.S. Postal Service's business model (S. 1486), with intent on preserving favorable postal rates for nonprofit mailers.

Contacted: SENATE; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Bills named: S. 1486 (113th)

Budget/Appropriations BUD

Advocated against restrictions on the ability of government employees to attend outside conferences. Specifically worked on S. 1347, co-sponsored by Sen. Coburn and Sen. Heitkamp, which has not yet advanced out of Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Contacted: Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); SENATE; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Bills named: S. 1347 (113th)

Insurance INS

Advocated as part of a coalition in favor of legislation to reauthorize the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), which expires at the end of 2014 (S. 2244/H.R. 508)

Contacted: Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Federal Communications Commission (FCC); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); SENATE

Bills named: H.R. 508 (113th), S. 2244 (113th)

Travel/Tourism TOU

Advocated as part of a coalition in favor of policies that encourage international travel to U.S.-based meetings and conferences.

Contacted: Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Justice, Dept of (DOJ); Office of Management & Budget (OMB); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; Federal Communications Commission (FCC)