|
LOBBYING REPORT |
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (Section 5) - All Filers Are Required to Complete This Page
2. Address
Address1 | 525 SOUTH VIRGIL AVENUE |
Address2 | |
City | LOS ANGELES |
State | CA |
Zip Code | 90020 |
Country | USA |
3. Principal place of business (if different than line 2)
City | |
State | |
Zip Code | |
Country | |
|
5. Senate ID# 7691-12
|
||||||||
|
6. House ID# 332870000
|
TYPE OF REPORT | 8. Year | 2008 |
Q1 (1/1 - 3/31) | Q2 (4/1 - 6/30) | Q3 (7/1 - 9/30) | Q4 (10/1 - 12/31) |
9. Check if this filing amends a previously filed version of this report
10. Check if this is a Termination Report | Termination Date | |
11. No Lobbying Issue Activity |
INCOME OR EXPENSES - YOU MUST complete either Line 12 or Line 13 | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12. Lobbying | 13. Organizations | ||||||||
INCOME relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period was: | EXPENSE relating to lobbying activities for this reporting period were: | ||||||||
|
|
||||||||
|
|
||||||||
Provide a good faith estimate, rounded to the nearest $10,000, of all lobbying related income for the client (including all payments to the registrant by any other entity for lobbying activities on behalf of the client). | 14. REPORTING Check box to indicate expense accounting method. See instructions for description of options. | ||||||||
Method A.
Reporting amounts using LDA definitions only
Method B. Reporting amounts under section 6033(b)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code Method C. Reporting amounts under section 162(e) of the Internal Revenue Code |
Signature | Digitally Signed By: MATTHEW ROBERTS, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER |
Date | 07/17/2008 |
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code BNK
16. Specific lobbying issues
H.R. 3609 - Emergency Home Ownership and Mortgage Equity Protection Act of 2007 - Amends federal bankruptcy law governing a chapter 13 debtor to prohibit the holder of a claim in bankruptcy which is secured by debtor's principal residence from adding fees, costs, or charges while the case is pending, and removes the prohibition against modification of the rights of a holder of a claim secured only by an interest in real property that is the debtor's principal residence.
S. 2133 - Home Owners' Mortgage and Equity Savings Act, or the HOMES Act - Amends federal bankruptcy law governing mortgage loans to authorize modification of a mortgage agreed to in writing by a debtor meeting specified requirements and the holder of a claim secured by an interest in real property initiated before September 26, 2007, that is the debtor's principal residence. Allows the principal amount of such a mortgage loan to be lowered to the fair market value, if less than such amount, of the real property securing the loan at the time of the submission of the debtor's plan for the payment of debts. Permits waiver of otherwise applicable early repayment or prepayment penalties. Permits, also, prohibition of, delay in, or voiding of any adjustments to the rate of interest in the case of an adjustable rate mortgage.
S. 2136 - Helping Families Save Their Homes in Bankruptcy Act of 2007 - Amends federal bankruptcy law to permit a bankruptcy plan to: (1) modify a loan secured by the principal residence (mortgage) of a chapter 13 debtor (individual with regular income); and (2) provide for payment of such loan at a fixed annual percentage rate of interest, over a 30-year period.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
MATTHEW |
ROBERTS |
|
|
|
JEFFREY |
KELLER |
|
|
19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code CSP
16. Specific lobbying issues
S. 101 - Universal Service for Americans Act or USA Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require each communications service provider to contribute to support universal service and defines the basic rules for net neutrality.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
MATTHEW |
ROBERTS |
|
|
|
JEFFREY |
KELLER |
|
|
19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code FIN
16. Specific lobbying issues
H.R. 111 - Community Choice in Real Estate Act - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to prohibit the Federal Reserve System and the Secretary of the Treasury from determining that real estate brokerage activity or real estate management activity is financial in nature.
H.R. 698 - Industrial Bank Holding Company Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) to apply the bank share or asset acquisition requirements of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to any company that is or would become an industrial bank holding company.
H.R. 2061 - Predatory Mortgage Lending Practices Reduction Act - Amends the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 to prohibit any person, in connection with a subprime federally related mortgage loan, from providing mortgage lending services or mortgage brokerage services unless such person is certified by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as having been adequately trained with regard to subprime lending.
S. 413 - Community Choice in Real Estate Act - Amends the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to prohibit the Federal Reserve System and the Secretary of the Treasury from determining that real estate brokerage activity or real estate management activity is financial in nature.
S. 1100 - Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 to establish in lieu of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), an independent Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Agency, headed by a Director, which shall have authority over: the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Finance Facility, the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac).
S. 1356 - Industrial Bank Holding Company Act of 2007 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) to apply the bank share or asset acquisition requirements of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 to any company that is or would become an industrial bank holding company.
Comment letter sent to OFHEO concerning their agreement with Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and the Attorney Generals's Office of New York concerning appriasal standards. C.A.R. beleives that this agreement sidestepped the proper and legal routes for the GSEs to enact new rules and has one state drafting federal changes.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Treasury - Dept of, Federal Reserve System, Housing & Urban Development - Dept of (HUD)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
MATTHEW |
ROBERTS |
|
|
|
JEFFREY |
KELLER |
|
|
19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code HOU
16. Specific lobbying issues
H.R. 3915 - Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act of 2007 - Title I: Residential Mortgage Loan Origination - Subtitle A: Licensing System for Residential Mortgage Loan Originators - Encourages the states, through the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators, to establish a Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLSR) for the residential mortgage industry.
H.R. 1427 - Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2007 - Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (Act) to establish, in place of the present Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight, a Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). Requires loan limit adjustments for high-cost areas to: (1) the lesser of 150% of the foregoing limitation for a particular size residence; or (2) the amount equal to the median price in such area for such size residence. Applies such an adjustment only with respect to mortgages on which are based securities issued and sold by the corporation involved. Requires the Director to establish and manage an affordable housing fund to provide formula grants to increase homeownership for extremely low-and very low-income families.
H.R. 1852 - Expanding American Homeownership Act of 2007 - Amends the National Housing Act to: (1) modify requirements governing the maximum principal loan obligation; (2) extend the mortgage term; and (3) revise requirements for cash downpayment by the mortgagor in the eligibility criteria for mortgage insurance, including mortgage insurance premiums for zero- and lower-downpayment borrowers who obtain a mortgage secured by a one- to four-family dwelling. Also includes and increase in FHA loan limits.
H.R. 2895 - National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007 - Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to establish in the Treasury the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund (Fund). Declares that: (1) the Fund shall consist of certain amounts of the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation transferred to the Fund under specified law, including Federal Housing Administration (FHA) savings; and (2) all assistance provided from the Fund shall be considered to be federal financial assistance.
H.R. 3221 - Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2008 Includes GSE and FHA reform, including: increases the conforming loan limit, prohibits the maximum principal loan obligation from exceeding 100% of the appraised value of the property, increases from 3% to 3.5% of the appraised value of a property the mortgagor's required cash (or equivalent) investment (downpayment), prohibits any funds for such cash investment from: (1) the seller or any other person or entity benefiting financially from the transaction (seller-funded downpayment assistance); or (2) any third party or entity reimbursed by any of such parties, tax provisions, and extends through 2009 the tax credit for residential energy efficiency improvements. Also includes an FHA Rescue Plan which would allow for lenders to write down loans to 85% of their appraised value but then those loans would be purchased and insured under FHA.
H.R. 5818 - Neighborhood Stabilization Act of 2008 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make grants and loans to qualified states, metropolitan cities, and urban counties, in accordance with HUD-approved plans, to carry out eligible housing stimulus activities.
S. 1299 - Borrower's Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to deem a mortgage broker, in the case of a home mortgage loan, to have a fiduciary relationship with the consumer. Subjects each such mortgage broker to all federal and state requirements for fiduciaries.
S. 2338 - FHA Modernization Act of 2007 (Building American Homeownership Act of 2007) - Amends the National Housing Act to: (1) modify requirements for the maximum principal loan obligation, changing one element in the formula from 95% to 100% of the median one-family house price in the area; and (2) limit the principal loan obligation to 100% of the appraised value of the property. Amends the National Housing Act to revise eligibility criteria for cash down payment for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance. Reduces such payment from the current 3% to 1.5% of the appraised value of the property.
S. 2595 - The Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 would require licensing for loan originators on a national level as well as state level.
Hope for Homeowners Act of 2008 - The HOPE for Homeowners Act of 2008" creates a new program within FHA to back FHA-insured mortgages to distressed borrowers. The program is built on five principles: 1. Long-term Affordability. 2. No investor or lender bailout. 3. No windfall for borrowers. 4. Voluntary Participation. 5. Restore confidence, liquidity, and transparency.
Federal Housing Finance Regulatory Reform Act (FHA Housing Stabilization & Homeownership Retention Act)- Program would permit FHA to provide [up to $300 billion] in new guarantees that would help to refinance at-risk borrowers into viable mortgages. When the borrower sells the home or refinances the loan, the borrower will pay from any profits the higher of (1) an ongoing exit fee equal to 3 percent of the original FHA loan balance; or (2) a declining percentage of any profits (e.g., from 100 percent in year one to 20 percent in year five and 0 thereafter). After year five only the 3 percent exit fee will apply.
HUD RESPA Proposal - C.A.R. is opposing this specific RESPA Reform proposal because of concerns that it goes beyond the original scope of the proposal, the timing of the provisions, and targeted comments that seem to be directed at specific at volume discounts, average cost pricing, price tolerances, a new definition of "required use", and a new "closing script" which must be read aloud at closing.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Housing & Urban Development - Dept of (HUD)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
MATTHEW |
ROBERTS |
|
|
|
JEFFREY |
KELLER |
|
|
19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code INS
16. Specific lobbying issues
H.R. 91 - Homeowners Insurance Protection Act of 2007 - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish the National Commission on Catastrophe Preparation and Protection to advise the Secretary regarding estimated loss costs associated with contracts for reinsurance coverage.
H.R. 3121 - Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on: (1) the flood insurance coverage status of pre-FIRM properties; and (2) assess the impact, effectiveness, and feasibility of amending the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 regarding properties subject to the mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement for a natural 100-year floodplain, and possible extension of such requirement to properties securing nonfederally related loans.
H.R. 3959 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (Act) to provide for phased-in actuarial premium rates for recently purchased pre-FIRM single family properties used as a principal residence and purchased for at least $600,000. C.A.R. opposes H.R. 3959.
H.R. 5918 - SHOP Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate an office within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to administer a health insurance program for small businesses and self-employed individuals to purchase health insurance coverage meeting certain requirements.
S 2284 - Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007 - (Sec. 4) Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (Act) to extend the national flood insurance program (Program) though FY2013.
S. 2795 - SHOP Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate an office within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to administer a health insurance program for small businesses and self-employed individuals to purchase health insurance coverage meeting certain requirements.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Treasury - Dept of
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
MATTHEW |
ROBERTS |
|
|
|
JEFFREY |
KELLER |
|
|
19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code RES
16. Specific lobbying issues
H.R. 926 - Strengthening the Ownership of Private Property Act of 2007 or STOPP Act of 2007 - Prohibits federal financial assistance under defined federal economic development programs to a state or local government entity that uses the power of eminent domain to take property from a private entity and transfer ownership to another private entity.
S. 2223 - Habitat and Land Conservation Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax incentives for habitat conservation and restoration. Makes permanent the special rule allowing an enhanced tax deduction for individual and corporate charitable contributions of capital gain real property for conservation purposes. Allows certain landowners whose property contains the habitat of an endangered or threatened species and who enter into a habitat protection agreement a tax credit for costs and property losses relating to habitat protection easements and restoration. Places limits on the amount of such credit for each of calendar years 2008 through 2012. Directs the Comptroller General of the United States to study and report to Congress on the effectiveness of such credit. Allows a tax deduction for expenditures related to endangered species recovery plans approved under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Extends through 2010 the taxpayer election to expense (deduct in the current taxable year) expenditures made for environmental remediation (i.e., abatement or control of hazardous substances at contaminated sites).
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Treasury - Dept of
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
MATTHEW |
ROBERTS |
|
|
|
JEFFREY |
KELLER |
|
|
19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code TAX
16. Specific lobbying issues
H.R. 1677 - Taxpayer Protection Act of 2007 - Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to tax administration and taxpayer protections including an alternative procedure for furnishing a non-foreign affidavit in connection with the sale of a U.S. real property interest.
H.R. 1813 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax deduction for mortgage insurance premiums.
H.R. 1850 - Housing America's Workforce Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a business tax credit for up to 50 percent of the qualified housing expenses paid for the benefit of their employees. Defines "qualified housing expenses" to include homeownership assistance and rental assistance. Limits the amount of such credit to the lesser of $10,000 or six percent of an employee's home purchase price, or up to $2,000 for rental assistance. Excludes from employee gross income the value of employer-paid housing assistance.
H.R. 2014 - Leasehold Improvement Depreciation Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the accelerated depreciation of qualified leasehold improvement property (i.e., a 15-year recovery period); and (2) modify the rule for determining the adjustment to earnings and profits for depreciation of such property.
H.R. 2419 - Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007 - includes a provision that would catagorize what is considered a "like-kind" exchange under IRS section 1031. It would prohibit as like-kind the exchange of improved property for non-improved farm land.
H.R. 2834 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat as ordinary income income received by a partner from an investment services partnership interest; also known as carried interest.
H.R. 3221 - Housing bill which includes a $7000 tax rebate for homeowners who purchase a foreclosed home as well as a provision that allows for carryback losses in taxes, includes a FIRPTA fix that would allow escrow to hold documents, and allows for the use of mortgage bonds to refinance qualified subprime loans.
H.R. 3997 - Defenders of Freedom Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax benefits and incentives for military personnel, makes permanent the exemption from the first-time homebuyer rule for veterans using mortgage revenue bonds to purchase a residence, increases the issuance limits on mortgage revenue bonds for veterans in Alaska, Oregon, and Wisconsin to $100 million after 2009, and revises the definition of "qualified veteran" for mortgage bond financing eligibility purposes to eliminate the pre-1977 active duty requirement and to reduce the eligibility period to 25 years.
H.R. 5643 - First-Time Homebuyers' Tax Credit Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income-based, one-time refundable tax credit for first-time homebuyers of ten percent of a principal residence's purchase price ($3,000 maximum credit, $6,000 maximum credit for joint filers).
H.R. 5565 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow purchasers of a single-family principal residence a one-time tax credit for up to $15,000 of the purchase price. Requires such a residence to be purchased after February 29, 2008, and before March 1, 2009, and that it be: (1) a new previously unoccupied residence for which a building permit has been issued and construction began on or before September 1, 2007; (2) an owner-occupied residence with a mortgage indebtedness in default on or before March 1, 2008; or (3) in foreclosure and owned by the mortgagor or the mortgagor's agent.
H.R. 5720 - Housing Assistance Tax Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code relating to the low-income housing tax credit, tax-exempt housing bonds, real estate investment trusts (REITs) and to provide assistance to first-time home buyers and home owners. Allows first-time home buyers a refundable tax credit for 10% of the purchase price of a principal residence, up to $7,500; and (2) individual taxpayers who claim the standard deduction an additional deduction from gross income for state and local real property taxes. Modifies rules relating to REITs to: (1) treat passive foreign exchange gains attributable to overseas real estate investment as qualifying REIT income; (2) increase from 20 to 25% the the maximum value of an REIT's total assets that may be represented by securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries; (3) revise safe harbor rules for the excise tax penalty on certain REIT sales activities; and (4) treat rental payments made by a health care facility to an REIT as qualifying REIT income.
H.R. 6049 - Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 -Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax incentives for energy production and conservation, to extend expiring tax provisions, and to extend tax benefits to individual and business taxpayers. This includes: the deduction of state and local taxes, use of mortgage bonds to refinance residences for veterans, 15-year leasehold improvement deduction, brownfield deduction, and includes a new standard property tax deduction of $350 ($700 for married individuals filing a joint tax return).
H.R. 6081 - Heroes Earning Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008 -Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax benefits and incentives for military personnel, makes permanent the exemption from the first-time homebuyer rule for veterans using mortgage revenue bonds to purchase a residence, increases the issuance limits on mortgage revenue bonds for veterans in Alaska, Oregon, and Wisconsin to $100 million after 2009, and revises the definition of "qualified veteran" for mortgage bond financing eligibility purposes to eliminate the pre-1977 active duty requirement and to reduce the eligibility period to 25 years.
H.R. 6275 - Alternative Minimum Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase and extend through 2008 the alternative minimum tax (AMT) exemption amounts; (2) extend through 2008 the offset of certain nonrefundable personal tax credits against regular and AMT tax liabilities; (3) treat net income and loss from an investment services partnership interest as ordinary income and loss.
S. 1078 - Housing America's Workforce Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow employers a business tax credit for up to 50 percent of the qualified housing expenses paid for the benefit of their employees. Defines "qualified housing expenses" to include homeownership assistance and rental assistance. Limits the amount of such credit to the lesser of $10,000 or six percent of an employee's home purchase price, or up to $2,000 for rental assistance. Excludes from employee gross income the value of employer-paid housing assistance.
S. 1361 - Leasehold Improvement Depreciation Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the accelerated depreciation of qualified leasehold improvement property (i.e., a 15-year recovery period); and (2) modify the rule for determining the adjustment to earnings and profits for depreciation of such property.
S. 1416 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make permanent the tax deduction for mortgage insurance premiums.
S. 1624 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat as corporations for income tax purposes certain publicly traded partnerships which directly or indirectly derive income or gain from providing services as an investment adviser (as defined by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940) or asset management services.
S. 1988 - First-Time Homebuyers' Tax Credit Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income-based, one-time refundable tax credit for first-time homebuyers of ten percent of a principal residence's purchase price ($3,000 maximum credit, $6,000 maximum credit for joint filers).
S. 2566 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow purchasers of a single-family principal residence a one-time tax credit for up to $15,000 of the purchase price. Requires such a residence to be purchased after February 29, 2008, and before March 1, 2009, and that it be: (1) a new previously unoccupied residence for which a building permit has been issued and construction began on or before September 1, 2007; (2) an owner-occupied residence with a mortgage indebtedness in default on or before March 1, 2008; or (3) in foreclosure and owned by the mortgagor or the mortgagor's agent.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Housing & Urban Development - Dept of (HUD)
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
MATTHEW |
ROBERTS |
|
|
|
JEFFREY |
KELLER |
|
|
19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
LOBBYING ACTIVITY. Select as many codes as necessary to reflect the general issue areas in which the registrant engaged in lobbying on behalf of the client during the reporting period. Using a separate page for each code, provide information as requested. Add additional page(s) as needed.
15. General issue area code VET
16. Specific lobbying issues
H.R. 551 - Home Ownership for America's Veterans Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the eligibility period of veterans for mortgage financing and requires annual inflation adjustments after 2010 to limits on state veteran bond amounts.
H.R. 2385 - 21st Century GI Bill of Rights Act - would extend and improve access to a number of benefits designed for veterans. This includes exempting Veterans from paying loan fees and expand opportunities for veterans to purchase, build, repair or improve a home by increasing access to low interest loans through the Veterans Affairs Home Loan Guaranty Loan Program for homes valued up to $625,000. The current program requires loan fees and is capped at the conforming loan rate of $417,000.
H.R. 3997 - Defenders of Freedom Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide tax relief and earnings assistance to members of the uniformed services, increase penalties for noncompliance with tax requirements, and make technical amendments and clerical corrections. Makes permanent the eligibility of veterans for mortgage bond financing of residences without regard to first-time homebuyer requirements. Increases to $100 million the veterans' mortgage bond limitation in Alaska, Oregon, and Wisconsin. Revises the definition of "qualified veteran" for mortgage bond financing eligibility purposes to make such definition applicable to veterans in all states.
H.R. 4884 - Helping Our Veterans to Keep Their Homes Act of 2008 would allow for 100% financing of certain VA home loans, would set limitation on the amount of fees that can be charged, and would increase the VA conforming loan rate to 150% of the conforming loan rate.
S. 1409 - 21st Century GI Bill of Rights Act - would extend and improve access to a number of benefits designed for veterans. This includes exempting Veterans from paying loan fees and expand opportunities for veterans to purchase, build, repair or improve a home by increasing access to low interest loans through the Veterans Affairs Home Loan Guaranty Loan Program for homes valued up to $625,000. The current program requires loan fees and is capped at the conforming loan rate of $417,000.
17. House(s) of Congress and Federal agencies Check if None
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S. SENATE
18. Name of each individual who acted as a lobbyist in this issue area
First Name | Last Name | Suffix | Covered Official Position (if applicable) | New |
MATTHEW |
ROBERTS |
|
|
|
JEFFREY |
KELLER |
|
|
19. Interest of each foreign entity in the specific issues listed on line 16 above Check if None
Information Update Page - Complete ONLY where registration information has changed.
20. Client new address
Address | |
||||||
City | |
State | |
Zip Code | |
Country | |
21. Client new principal place of business (if different than line 20)
City | |
State | |
Zip Code | |
Country | |
22. New General description of client’s business or activities
LOBBYIST UPDATE
23. Name of each previously reported individual who is no longer expected to act as a lobbyist for the client
|
|
||||||||
1 |
|
3 |
|
||||||
2 |
|
4 |
|
ISSUE UPDATE
24. General lobbying issue that no longer pertains
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS
25. Add the following affiliated organization(s)
Internet Address:
Name | Address |
Principal Place of Business (city and state or country) |
||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
|
26. Name of each previously reported organization that is no longer affiliated with the registrant or client
1 | 2 | 3 |
FOREIGN ENTITIES
27. Add the following foreign entities:
Name | Address |
Principal place of business (city and state or country) |
Amount of contribution for lobbying activities | Ownership percentage in client | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
|
% |
28. Name of each previously reported foreign entity that no longer owns, or controls, or is affiliated with the registrant, client or affiliated organization
1 | 3 | 5 |
2 | 4 | 6 |