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Protecting Americans’ Retirement Savings from Politics Act

USA118th CongressHR-4767| House 
| Updated: 12/19/2023
Bryan Steil

Bryan Steil

Republican Representative

Wisconsin

Financial Services Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Protecting Americans’ Retirement Savings from Politics Act This bill revises laws and regulations regarding shareholder proposals, the proxy voting process, and proxy advisory firms. (Public companies regularly hold shareholder meetings during which proposals, including those presented by shareholders, can be voted on by eligible shareholders. Voting is held in-person or by proxy. To vote by proxy, shareholders fill out proxy cards with voting directions and submit it to a designated representative. Proxy advisory firms provide voting services and advice to institutional investors.) The bill allows an issuer of securities to exclude certain shareholder proposals from its proxy materials, including proposals that address the same subject matter as a previously offered proposal or those related to environmental, social, or political issues. Passively managed funds (e.g., index funds) that vote shares on behalf of fund investors in proxy shareholder votes must adhere to requirements set forth by the bill, including by voting shares according to the instructions of the beneficial owner of the securities. The bill also creates new requirements for proxy advisory firms. Under the bill, a proxy advisory firm is prohibited from using robovoting and must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to provide proxy-voting advice to a client using interstate commerce. The bill establishes a private right of action against a proxy advisory firm and allows these firms to be held liable for failing to disclose material information or making false or misleading statements in the context of the sale or purchase of securities. The bill also requires various disclosures and reporting to the SEC.

Bill Text Versions

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2 versions available

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Timeline
Jul 20, 2023
Introduced in House
Jul 20, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Jul 27, 2023
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 29 - 21.
Jul 27, 2023
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Dec 19, 2023
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 263.
Dec 19, 2023
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 118-324.
  • July 20, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • July 20, 2023
    Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.


  • July 27, 2023
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 29 - 21.


  • July 27, 2023
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • December 19, 2023
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 263.


  • December 19, 2023
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 118-324.

Finance and Financial Sector

Related Bills

  • HR 118-4648: To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to provide for duties of certain investment advisors, asset managers, and pension funds with respect to voting on shareholder proposals, and for other purposes.
  • HR 118-4645: Empowering Shareholders Act of 2023
  • HR 118-4640: To authorize the exclusion of shareholder proposals from proxy or consent solicitation material if the subject matter of the shareholder proposal is environmental, social, or political.
  • HR 118-4589: To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to provide for the registration of proxy advisory firms, and for other purposes.
  • HR 118-4590: To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to provide for liability for certain failures to disclose material information in connection with proxy voting advice, and for other purposes.
  • HR 118-4662: Corporate Governance Examination Act
  • HR 118-4600: Protecting Retail Investors’ Savings Act
  • HR 118-4656: Protecting American’s Savings Act
  • HR 118-4641: Performance over Politics Act
  • HR 118-4657: To clarify that an issuer may exclude a shareholder proposal pursuant to section 240.14a-8(i) of title 17, Code of Federal Regulations, without regard to whether such proposal relates to a significant social policy issue.
Bank accounts, deposits, capitalCongressional oversightCorporate finance and managementEconomic performance and conditionsEmployee benefits and pensionsFinancial services and investmentsLicensing and registrationsPerformance measurementPolitical movements and philosophiesSecurities

Protecting Americans’ Retirement Savings from Politics Act

USA118th CongressHR-4767| House 
| Updated: 12/19/2023
Protecting Americans’ Retirement Savings from Politics Act This bill revises laws and regulations regarding shareholder proposals, the proxy voting process, and proxy advisory firms. (Public companies regularly hold shareholder meetings during which proposals, including those presented by shareholders, can be voted on by eligible shareholders. Voting is held in-person or by proxy. To vote by proxy, shareholders fill out proxy cards with voting directions and submit it to a designated representative. Proxy advisory firms provide voting services and advice to institutional investors.) The bill allows an issuer of securities to exclude certain shareholder proposals from its proxy materials, including proposals that address the same subject matter as a previously offered proposal or those related to environmental, social, or political issues. Passively managed funds (e.g., index funds) that vote shares on behalf of fund investors in proxy shareholder votes must adhere to requirements set forth by the bill, including by voting shares according to the instructions of the beneficial owner of the securities. The bill also creates new requirements for proxy advisory firms. Under the bill, a proxy advisory firm is prohibited from using robovoting and must register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to provide proxy-voting advice to a client using interstate commerce. The bill establishes a private right of action against a proxy advisory firm and allows these firms to be held liable for failing to disclose material information or making false or misleading statements in the context of the sale or purchase of securities. The bill also requires various disclosures and reporting to the SEC.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jul 20, 2023
Introduced in House
Jul 20, 2023
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Jul 27, 2023
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 29 - 21.
Jul 27, 2023
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Dec 19, 2023
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 263.
Dec 19, 2023
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 118-324.
  • July 20, 2023
    Introduced in House


  • July 20, 2023
    Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.


  • July 27, 2023
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 29 - 21.


  • July 27, 2023
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • December 19, 2023
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 263.


  • December 19, 2023
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 118-324.
Bryan Steil

Bryan Steil

Republican Representative

Wisconsin

Financial Services Committee

Finance and Financial Sector

Related Bills

  • HR 118-4648: To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to provide for duties of certain investment advisors, asset managers, and pension funds with respect to voting on shareholder proposals, and for other purposes.
  • HR 118-4645: Empowering Shareholders Act of 2023
  • HR 118-4640: To authorize the exclusion of shareholder proposals from proxy or consent solicitation material if the subject matter of the shareholder proposal is environmental, social, or political.
  • HR 118-4589: To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to provide for the registration of proxy advisory firms, and for other purposes.
  • HR 118-4590: To amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to provide for liability for certain failures to disclose material information in connection with proxy voting advice, and for other purposes.
  • HR 118-4662: Corporate Governance Examination Act
  • HR 118-4600: Protecting Retail Investors’ Savings Act
  • HR 118-4656: Protecting American’s Savings Act
  • HR 118-4641: Performance over Politics Act
  • HR 118-4657: To clarify that an issuer may exclude a shareholder proposal pursuant to section 240.14a-8(i) of title 17, Code of Federal Regulations, without regard to whether such proposal relates to a significant social policy issue.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Bank accounts, deposits, capitalCongressional oversightCorporate finance and managementEconomic performance and conditionsEmployee benefits and pensionsFinancial services and investmentsLicensing and registrationsPerformance measurementPolitical movements and philosophiesSecurities