Summary of November coin-related legislation

Cue the crickets…

There were no bills introduced, discussed or voted on by congress in November.

Regardless of the side of the political aisle you sit there is no denying that congress’s approval ratings being at an an all time low is not surprising. In the context of numismatics, congress decides what is produced making those of us interested in the numismatic market a watcher of congress as closely as the spot prices of precious metals. The monthly article describing the monthly legilsative activity in congress is from watching what may be in the pipeline for future products from the U.S. Mint.

Just so there is something to report, here is a list of the coin-related legislation and its status for the 113th congress:

Signed into Law

Believe it or not, there has been some law making in this congress. The following has passed both the House of Representatives and Senate and has be signed by the President of the United States into law:

H.R. 1071: To specify the size of the precious-metal blanks that will be used in the production of the National Baseball Hall of Fame commemorative coins.

Sponsor: Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY)

• This bill is a technical change to the National Baseball Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act.

• Signed by the President on May 17, 213

• This bill became Public Law 113-10

See the information about this bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr1071

Passed in the House of Representatives

Bills introduced and passed in the House of Representatives are sent to the Senate for consideration. The following bill passed the House and is awaiting action in the Senate:

H.R. 2754: Collectible Coin Protection Act

Sponsor: Rep. George “G.K.” Butterfield, Jr. (D-NC)

• To amend the Hobby Protection Act to make unlawful the provision of assistance or support in violation of that Act

• Introduced: Jul 19, 2013; Referred to House Energy and Commerce Committee

• Passed in the House of Representatives: Jul 30, 2013 (voice vote)

• Received in the Senate: July 31, 2013; Referred to Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

Track this bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr2754

Introduced in the House of Representatives

Coin-related bills introduced in the House of Representatives are usually referred o the House Committee on Financial Services. Bills referred to other committees are noted in the following list of bills introduced in the House:

H.R. 77: Free Competition in Currency Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep. Paul Broun Jr. (R-GA)

• To repeal the legal tender laws, to prohibit taxation on certain coins and bullion, and to repeal superfluous sections related to coinage.

• Introduced on January 3, 2013

• Referred to the Financial Services, Ways and Means, and the Judiciary Committees on January 3, 2013

Track this bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr77

H.R. 220: Stop the Coin Act

Sponsor: Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR)

• To limit the face value of coins that the Secretary of the Treasury may issue.

• Introduced on January 14, 2013

• Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services on January 14, 2013

Track this bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr220

H.R. 627: National Park Service 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act

Sponsor: Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN)

• To provide for the issuance of coins to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the National Park Service.

• Introduced: February 13, 2013

• Referred to the House Financial Services Committee on February 13, 2013

Track this bill at

H.R. 1218: Commemorative Coins Reform Act of 2013

Sponsor: Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI)

• To prohibit the payment of surcharges for commemorative coin programs to private organizations or entities

• Introduced: March 15, 2013

• Referred to the House Financial Services Committee on March 15, 2013

Track this bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr1218

H.R. 1653: Pro Football Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act

Sponsor: Rep. James Renacci (R-OH)

• Introduced: April 18, 2013

Track this bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr1653

H.R. 1719: Cents and Sensibility Act

Sponsor: Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH)

• To amend title 31, United States Code, to save the American taxpayers money by immediately altering the metallic composition of the one-cent, five-cent, dime, and quarter dollar coins, and for other purposes.

• Introduced: April 24, 2013

Track this bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr1719

H.R. 1905: Mother’s Day Centennial Commemorative Coin Act

Sponsor: Rep. David McKinley (R-WV)

• Introduced: May 9, 2013

Track this bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr1905

H.R. 2366: World War I American Veterans Centennial Commemorative Coin Act

Sponsor: Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO)

• Introduced: June 13, 2013

Track this bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr2366

H.R. 2633: Thirteenth Amendment Commemorative Coin Act

Sponsor: Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL)

• To require the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the Sesquicentennial Anniversary of the adoption of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which officially marked the abolishment of slavery in the United States.

• Introduced: July 9, 2013

Track this bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr2633

H.R. 2760: Panama Canal and Pan-Pacific Exhibition Centennial Celebration Act

Sponsor: Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

• To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition and the Panama Canal

• Introduced: July 19, 2013

Track this bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr2760

H.R. 2932: United States Coast Guard Commemorative Coin Act

Sponsor: Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT)

• To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the United States Coast Guard.

• Introduced: August 1, 2013

Track this bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr2932

H.R. 3146: Savings, Accountability, Value, and Efficiency (SAVE) II Act

Sponsor: Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-FL)

• To take steps to reduce the deficit of the Federal Government.

• Sec. 8. Prohibition On Non-Cost Effective Minting and Printing Of Coins and Currency

• Introduced: September 18, 2013

• Referred to many committees including the Committee on Ways and Means

Track this bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr3146

Sponsor: Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA)

• To improve the circulation of $1 coins, to remove barriers to the circulation of such coins.

• Introduced: October 22, 2013

Track this bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/hr3305

Introduced in the Senate

Even though financial bills are constitutionally required to begin in the House of Representatives, it is not beneath the Senate to introduce their own legislation or concurrent bills with the House. Coin-related bills introduced in the Senate are usually referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. The bills introduced in the Senate are as follows:

S. 94: To terminate the $1 presidential coin program

Sponsor: Sen. David Vitter (R-LA)

• Introduced on January 23, 2013

• Referred to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs on January 23, 2013

Track this bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s94

S. 203: Pro Football Hall of Fame Commemorative Coin Act

Sponsor: Sen. Robert “Rob” Portman (R-OH)

• A bill to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in recognition and celebration of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

• Introduced on January 31, 2013

• Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee on January 31, 2013

Track this bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s203

S. 768: Sound Money Promotion Act

Sponsor: Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT)

• A bill to treat gold and silver coins used as legal tender in the same manner as United States currency for taxation purposes.

• Introduced: April 18, 2013

• Referred to the Senate Committee on Finance

Track this bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s768

S. 1011: Boys Town Centennial Commemorative Coin Act

Sponsor: Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE)

• A bill to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the centennial of Boys Town

• Introduced: May 22, 2013

• Referred to the Senate Committee on Finance

Track this bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s1011

S. 1105: Currency Optimization, Innovation, and National Savings Act

Sponsor: Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)

• To improve the circulation of $1 coins, to remove barrier to the circulation of such coins

• Introduced: June 6, 2013

Track this bill at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/113/s1105

S. 1158: National Park Service 100th Anniversary Commemorative Coin Act

Sponsor: Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA)