hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to reauthorize and improve the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Restoration and Protection Program.

Bill: 108-s-829
Sponsor: Sen. Sarbanes, Paul S. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2003-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Authorization
Chesapeake Bay
Economics and Public Finance
Ecosystem management
Environmental Protection
Federal aid to water resources development
Government Operations and Politics
Habitat conservation
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Nonprofit organizations
Restoration ecology
Riparian ecology
Social Welfare
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 to modify the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Restoration and Protection Program. Permits the non-Federal share to include or be totally comprised of in-kind services. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a grant program for technical and financial assistance to local governments and organizations implementing cooperative tributary basin strategies which address habitat issues of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5065-5066)
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5062-5064)
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Forestry Program Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-830
Sponsor: Sen. Sarbanes, Paul S. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2003-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Chesapeake Bay
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Delaware
Department of Agriculture
District of Columbia
Economics and Public Finance
Environmental Protection
Environmental monitoring
Estuaries
Executive reorganization
Federal aid to water resources development
Forest conservation
Forest ecology
Forest health
Forestry research
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Governmental investigations
Habitat conservation
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Maryland
National forests
New York State
Nonprofit organizations
Pennsylvania
Restoration ecology
Riparian ecology
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
Urban affairs
Urban forestry
Virginia
Water pollution control
Water quality
Watersheds
West Virginia
Wetlands

Summary:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Chesapeake Bay Watershed Forestry Program Act of 2003 - Directs the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Forest Service, to establish a Chesapeake Bay watershed forestry program of grants and technical assistance for: (1) forest conservation in urban, suburban, and rural areas; (2) National Forest System management; (3) research, education, and planning activities; and (4) achievement of Chesapeake Bay Agreement goals.
Sets forth grantee and project eligibility criteria.
Authorizes a Bay State (Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia) to use funds to hire a State watershed forester to carry out watershed projects.
Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of watershed urban and suburban forests. Directs the Secretary to establish for the watershed a: (1) forestry research program; and (2) a forestry research strategy.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5066-5067)
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5062-5064)
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
NOAA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education, Training, and Restoration Act

Bill: 108-s-831
Sponsor: Sen. Sarbanes, Paul S. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2003-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Aquaculture
Authorization
Chesapeake Bay
Climate
Computer networks
Conferences
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Curricula
Distance education
District of Columbia
Economics and Public Finance
Educational accountability
Elementary and secondary education
Elementary education
Environmental Protection
Environmental assessment
Environmental education
Environmental protection groups
Executive reorganization
Federal aid to education
Federal aid to research
Federal-state relations
Forest conservation
Government Operations and Politics
Government publications
Habitat conservation
Higher education
Internet
Maryland
Nonprofit organizations
Pennsylvania
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Restoration ecology
Riparian ecology
Science, Technology, Communications
Scientific education
Secondary education
Shellfish
Social Welfare
Statistics
Stream conservation
Teacher education
Teaching materials
Teleconferencing
Virginia
Water Resources Development
Water quality
Watersheds
Weather
World Wide Web

Summary:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: NOAA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education, Training, and Restoration Act - Requires the Director of the Chesapeake Bay Office, within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to establish a Coastal Prediction Center.
Directs the Center to develop an Internet-based information system for integrating, interpreting, and disseminating coastal information and predictions concerning the Bay and its tributaries.
Requires the Director to establish programs for: (1) watershed education and training; (2) watershed stock enhancement and habitat restoration; and (3) shallow water monitoring.
Authorizes the Director to award grants to support education and training projects as well as aquaculture education.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5067-5068)
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5062-5064)
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Corporate Accountability in Bankruptcy Act

Bill: 108-s-832
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2003-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Accounting
Bankruptcy
Commerce
Corporate corruption
Corporate finance
Corporation directors
Crime and Law Enforcement
Debtor and creditor
Executive compensation
Fraud
Fringe benefits
Government Operations and Politics
Labor and Employment
Law
Limitation of actions
Loans
Securities regulation
State laws
Trusts and trustees

Summary:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: 
Corporate Accountability in Bankruptcy Act - Amends Federal bankruptcy law to permit a bankruptcy trustee to avoid any transfer made within one year before the date of the filing of the bankruptcy petition to an insider, officer, or director for bonuses, loans, nonqualified deferred compensation, or other extraordinary or excessive compensation.
 
Permits the bankruptcy trustee to avoid any transfer of specified assets made or obligation incurred on or within four years before the filing of the petition for relief, or that involves: (1) a violation of securities laws; or (2) fraud, deceit, or manipulation in either a fiduciary capacity, or in connection with the purchase or sale of registered securities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5068-5069)
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Public Lands Fire Regulations Enforcement Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-833
Sponsor: Sen. Allard, Wayne [R-CO]
Introduced: 2003-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal investigation
Emergency Management
Fines (Penalties)
Fire prevention
Fires
Forest fires
Forest management
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Law
Legal fees
Maintenance and repair
National forests
National parks

Summary:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Public Lands Fire Regulations Enforcement Act of 2003 - Revises penalties for violations of the rules regulating the use of fire by visitors of public lands if such violation results in damage to public or private property. Changes the maximum $1,000 fine to a minimum $1,000 fine with respect to public lands under the Bureau of Land Management. Changes penalties with respect to National Park and National Forest Systems from a maximum $500 fine and six months imprisonment to a minimum $1,000 fine and a maximum 12 months imprisonment.
Declares that the above fine amounts apply in lieu of the fines otherwise applicable under specified law pertaining to criminal procedure.
Makes money collected from fines imposed for violation of fire rules under this Act available for the purposes of: (1) covering costs to the United States of any improvement, protection, or rehabilitation rendered necessary by the action that resulted in the fine; (2) reimbursing the affected agency for the cost of the response to such action, including investigations, damage assessments, and legal actions; and (3) increasing public awareness of rules, regulations, and other requirements regarding the use of fire on public lands.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5069)
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5069)
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Tanya Andrea Goudeau.

Bill: 108-s-834
Sponsor: Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]
Introduced: 2003-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Private Legislation
Subjects: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Classifies Tanya Andrea Goudeau as a child for immediate relative status under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5069)
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Consolidation Student Loan Flexibility Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-835
Sponsor: Sen. Landrieu, Mary L. [D-LA]
Introduced: 2003-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Debtor and creditor
Economics and Public Finance
Federally-guaranteed loans
Finance and Financial Sector
Higher education
Interest rates
Student loan funds

Summary:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Consolidation Student Loan Flexibility Act of 2003 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow student loan borrowers to choose a lender for loan consolidation. (Eliminates the requirement that: (1) the consolidation loan lender must already hold an outstanding student loan of the borrower; or (2) the borrower must certify to having sought and been unable to obtain a consolidation loan with income-sensitive repayment terms from any holders of the outstanding loans selected for consolidation.)
Requires clear and conspicuous notice to be provided to student loan applicants, and to student loan borrowers at their exit interviews, describing the effects of using consolidation loans, and including specified information for applicants or borrowers respectively.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5069-5070)
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to extend by five years the period for the provision by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs of noninstitutional extended care services and required nursing home care.

Bill: 108-s-836
Sponsor: Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV]
Introduced: 2003-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Ambulatory care
Health
Home care services
Long-term care
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Extends through December 31, 2008, the period during which: (1) noninstitutional extended care services will be considered to be medical services required to be provided by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to eligible veterans; and (2) the Secretary shall be required to provide nursing home care to veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Amends the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act to require an additional report on the extended care services.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5070)
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies Act

Bill: 108-s-837
Sponsor: Sen. Brownback, Sam [R-KS]
Introduced: 2003-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Economics and Public Finance
Executive reorganization
Expedited congressional procedure
Federal employees
Government downsizing
Government spending reductions
House rules and procedure
Legislation
Performance measurement
Presidential appointments
Presidential commissions
Relocation
Senate rules and procedure
Waste in government spending

Summary:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies Act - Establishes the Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies to: (1) evaluate executive agencies and their programs; and (2) submit to Congress a plan recommending agencies and programs that should be realigned or eliminated and proposing implementing legislation.
Directs the President to: (1) establish a systematic method for assessing the effectiveness and accountability of agency programs; and (2) submit to the Commission assessments of not less than half of the programs that use such method. Prohibits the implementation of such method until it has been reviewed and accepted by the Commission, which shall consider such assessments submitted.
Requires the President to identify common performance measures for programs having similar functions and provide the Commission with data on such measures.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-06-20
text: Committee on Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce,  and the District of Columbia.
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5071)
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to waive the limitation on the use of funds appropriated for the Homeland Security Grant Program.

Bill: 108-s-838
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2003-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Crime and Law Enforcement
Department of Homeland Security
Emergency Management
Equipment and supplies
Federal-state relations
Government Operations and Politics
Grants-in-aid
Intergovernmental fiscal relations
Labor and Employment
Law
Planning
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Requires the Director of the Office of Domestic Preparedness of the Department of Homeland Security to allow any State to request approval to reallocate funds received pursuant to the State Homeland Security Grant Program among the four specified categories of equipment, training, exercises, and planning. Requires the Director to approve such requests in accordance with the State plan and any other relevant factors as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Nancy B. Wilson.

Bill: 108-s-839
Sponsor: Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2003-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Private Legislation
Subjects: Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Entitles Nancy B. Wilson to widow's insurance benefits under the Social Security Act.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Great Basin National Heritage Route Act

Bill: 108-s-840
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV]
Introduced: 2003-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Archaeology
Architecture
Arts, Culture, Religion
Commemorations
Commerce
Cultural property
Engineering
Environmental Protection
Federal-Indian relations
Historic sites
History
Indian lands
Industrialization
Infrastructure
Land use
Minorities
Natural areas
Nature conservation
Nevada
Outdoor recreation
Roads and highways
Sports and Recreation
Transportation and Public Works
Utah

Summary:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Great Basin National Heritage Route Act - Establishes the Great Basin National Heritage Route to provide the public with access to certain historical, cultural, natural, scenic, and recreational resources in White Pine County, Nevada, Millard County, Utah, and the Duckwater Shoshone Reservation in Nevada.
Designate the Great Basin Heritage Route Partnership as the Route's management entity and requires the Partnership to submit a management plan to the Secretary of the Interior. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Partnership regarding Route objectives and management. Authorizes the Secretary to provide technical and financial assistance.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5071-5073)
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5071)
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair Pay Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-841
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA]
Introduced: 2003-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Business records
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Civil actions and liability
Civil rights enforcement
Class actions (Civil procedure)
Commerce
Confidential communications
Congress
Congressional employees
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Damages
Disciplining of employees
Discrimination in employment
Dismissal of employees
Employers' liability
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Expert witnesses
Federal employees
Fees
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Government publications
Government publicity
Governmental investigations
Labor statistics
Labor unions
Law
Legal fees
Minimum wages
Pay equity
Position classification
Punitive damages
Racial discrimination
Right of privacy
Salaries
Sex discrimination
Small business
Wage restitution
Wage surveys
Wages
Whistle blowing
Women
Women's employment

Summary:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Fair Pay Act of 2003 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin. (Allows payment of different wages under seniority systems, merit systems, systems that measure earnings by quantity or quality of production, or differentials based on bona fide factors that the employer demonstrates are job-related or further legitimate business interests.)
Prohibits the discharge of or any other discrimination against an individual for opposing any act or practice made unlawful by this Act, or for assisting in an investigation or proceeding under it.
Directs courts, in any action brought under this Act for violation of such prohibition, to allow expert fees as part of the costs awarded to prevailing plaintiffs. Allows any such action to be maintained as a class action.
Directs the EEOC to: (1) undertake studies and provide information and technical assistance to employers, labor organizations, and the general public concerning effective means available to implement this Act; and (2) carry on a continuing program of research, education, and technical assistance with specified components related to the purposes of this Act.
Makes conforming amendments relating to congressional and executive branch employees to the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 and the Presidential and Executive Office Accountability Act.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-06-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6827)
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5074-5075)
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5073)
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Affordable Small Business Stimulus and Simplification Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-842
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2003-04-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Alternative and renewable resources
Business investment and capital
Capital gains tax
Computers and information technology
Corporate finance and management
Employment taxes
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental technology
Health care costs and insurance
Homeland security
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Securities
Self-employed
Small business
State and local government operations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Affordable Small Business Stimulus and Simplification Act of 2003 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the annual (section 179) business expensing limitation and the related phase-out threshold for each of 2003 through 2008.
Establishes a $500 standard deduction for electing sole proprietorships.
Increases the exclusion percentage when calculating the exclusion of gain on qualified small business stock. Provides 100 percent exclusion for critical technology corporation stock and specialized small business investment company stock. Makes corporations eligible for such exclusion levels. Defines "critical technology corporation." Decreases the required holding period. Increases the period in which purchased replacement stock will qualify for rollover status.
Reduces the recovery period for depreciation of computers, peripheral equipment, and software.
Permits a self-employed individual to deduct all health insurance costs unless he or she participates in an employer-subsidized health plan.
Permits the disclosure of Federal taxpayer identity information and signatures to State entities to carry out an approved combined employment tax reporting program.
Extends income averaging to fishermen. States that income averaging for farmers and fisherman will not increase their alternative minimum tax liability.
Excludes from acquisition indebtedness certain indebtedness incurred by a small business investment company licensed under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.
Allows a married couple co-owning a business and filing jointly to elect out of partnership status and file as sole proprietors.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5075-5076)
action_date: 2003-04-09
text: Introduced in Senate