PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Jan. 3, 2009.
Congressional Research Service
Version 18 · Reported to House amended, Part I · Aug 1, 2008
Holocaust Insurance Accountability Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Requires insurers of Holocaust-era policies to: (1) respond within 90 days to written inquiries from eligible persons regarding such polices; (2) provide to such persons all information in the possession of such insurer regarding whether such person is a potential beneficiary; and (3) notify the Holocaust Claims Processing Office (HCPO) immediately in writing of the inquiry, with a copy of all acknowledgments and information provided to such eligible person.
Terminates such requirement 10 years after enactment of this Act.
Instructs the Secretary of State to: (1) seek to enter into an agreement with each European country with which no appropriate agreement exists to facilitate such response requirements; and (2) report annually to Congress on implementation of this Act.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to enter into an agreement with the HCPO to: (1) monitor compliance with requirements of this Act; (2) notify the Secretary of the identity of any insurer not complying with this Act within 30 days after the failure to comply; and (3) notify the certain congressional committees annually, including the Secretary and the Secretary of State, of the identity of each non-compliant insurer.
Provides for the transfer of specified funds to the HCPO to implement its monitoring functions.
(Sec. 5) Instructs the Secretary to assess a civil penalty of not less than $5,000 for each day that an insurer fails to comply with the requirements of this Act.
Authorizes the Secretary to seek to attach a lien on any payment from a U.S. domiciliary subsidiary of any insurer based outside the United States from which the Secretary is unable to collect a penalty.
(Sec. 6) Sets forth a federal cause of action for any claim against an insurer arising out of or related to a covered policy.
(Sec. 7) Expresses the sense of Congress that claimants have the right to opt out of new or ongoing class action proceedings relating to claims based on Holocaust-era insurance policies.
(Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to instruct the U.S. Executive Director at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to use the voice and vote of the United States to create and advocate the policies of the Bank to encourage Eastern European countries to engage in and pursue restitution programs in compliance with this Act.
People & committees
Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-18] · R–FL
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Jan. 3, 2009.
House Committee on Oversight and Government Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Jan. 3, 2009.
House Committee on Foreign Affairs Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Jan. 3, 2009.
House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 3, 2008.
House Committee on Oversight and Government Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 3, 2008.
House Committee on Foreign Affairs Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 3, 2008.
House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 2, 2008.
House Committee on Oversight and Government Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 2, 2008.
House Committee on Foreign Affairs Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Oct. 2, 2008.
House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 29, 2008.
House Committee on Oversight and Government Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 29, 2008.
House Committee on Foreign Affairs Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 29, 2008.
House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 28, 2008.
House Committee on Oversight and Government Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 28, 2008.
House Committee on Foreign Affairs Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 28, 2008.
Referred sequentially to the House Committee on the Judiciary for a period ending not later than Sept. 26, 2008 for consideration of such provisions of the bill and amendment as fall within the jurisdiction of that committee pursuant to clause 1(k), rule X.
House Committee on Oversight and Government Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 26, 2008.
House Committee on Foreign Affairs Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 26, 2008.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 110-820, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 110-820, Part I.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Committee Hearings Held.
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by Unanimous Consent.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Foreign Affairs, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.R.1746 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.1746 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.1746 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.1746 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.