hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to name the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Horsham, Pennsylvania, as the "Victor J. Saracini Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic".

Bill: 108-s-615
Sponsor: Sen. Santorum, Rick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2003-03-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Commemorations
Subjects: Aircraft pilots
Ambulatory care
Armed Forces and National Security
Clinics
Congress
Congressional tributes
Crime and Law Enforcement
Health
Names
Pennsylvania
September 11, 2001
Terrorism
Transportation and Public Works
Veterans' hospitals
Victims of terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Horsham, Pennsylvania, as the Victor J. Saracini Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-07-29
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Introduced in Senate
No Taxation Without Representation Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-617
Sponsor: Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [D-CT]
Introduced: 2003-03-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Congressional districts
Congressional elections
District of Columbia
Government Operations and Politics
Members of Congress
Residence requirements

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: No Taxation Without Representation Act of 2003 - Provides for full voting representation in Congress for the residents of the District of Columbia, including two Senators and as many Representatives as a similarly populous State would be entitled to under the law.
Treats the District of Columbia as a State. Prescribes a procedure for the first elections under this Act.
Entitles the District to one Representative until the taking effect of the next reapportionment.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-06-23
text: Committee on Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce,  and the District of Columbia.
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3734-3735)
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide for the transfer to the Secretary of Energy of title to, and full responsibility for the possession, transportation, and disposal of, radioactive waste associated with the West Valley Demonstration project, and for other purposes.

Bill: 108-s-619
Sponsor: Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2003-03-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Federal-state relations
Government Operations and Politics
New York State
Radioactive wastes
Transportation and Public Works
Transportation of hazardous substances

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: 
Sets a September 30, 2004, deadline for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to transfer to the Secretary of Energy title to and full responsibility for the possession, transportation, disposal, stewardship, maintenance, and monitoring of all radioactive waste (other than waste disposed of in the State-licensed disposal area) at the Western New York Service Center in West Valley, New York, in exchange for payment to the United States of all amounts held by the Authority for the maintenance of radioactive waste solidified under the West Valley Demonstration Project.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Introduced in Senate
College Fire Prevention Act

Bill: 108-s-620
Sponsor: Sen. Edwards, John [D-NC]
Introduced: 2003-03-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Building construction
Colleges
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Construction costs
Economics and Public Finance
Educational facilities
Educational statistics
Emergency Management
Equipment and supplies
Evidence (Law)
Federal aid to education
Fire prevention
Fires
Fraternal organizations
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Higher education
Housing and Community Development
Law
Smoke detectors
Student housing

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: College Fire Prevention Act - Amends title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to add a new part E, College Fire Prevention Assistance. Authorizes the Secretary of Education to make competitive grants to States, private or public colleges or universities, fraternities, or sororities for up to half the cost of providing fire sprinkler systems in student housing and dormitories.
Directs the Comptroller General to gather, and report to Congress, data on the number of college and university housing facilities and dormitories that have and do not have fire sprinkler systems and other forms of built-in fire protection mechanisms.
Provides that any application for assistance under this Act, any negative determination on the part of the Secretary with respect to such application, or any statement of reasons for the determination, shall not be admissible as evidence in any proceeding of any court, agency, board, or other entity.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3738)
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3737-3738)
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Children's Health Equity Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-621
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2003-03-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Economics and Public Finance
Families
Federal aid to child health services
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Health insurance
Insurance premiums
Medicaid
Medically uninsured
Poor children
Social Welfare
Welfare eligibility
Welfare waivers

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Children's Health Equity Act of 2003 - Amends title XXI (State Children's Health Insurance Program) (SCHIP) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to grant authority for qualifying States to use SCHIP funds for Medicaid (SSA title XIX) expenditures.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3739-3740)
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3738-3739)
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow Federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and to allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums.

Bill: 108-s-623
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, John [R-VA]
Introduced: 2003-03-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Annuities
Armed Forces and National Security
Federal employees
Finance and Financial Sector
Flexible benefit plans
Government Operations and Politics
Government employees' health insurance
Health
Income tax
Insurance premiums
Labor and Employment
Managed care
Medical economics
Military medicine
Military pensions
Retired military personnel
Retiree health benefits
Tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit: (1) Federal civilian and military retirees to pay Federal Employees Health Benefits Program and TRICARE supplemental premiums on a pretax basis; and (2) a deduction (available to itemizers and nonitemizers) for TRICARE supplemental premiums and enrollment fees.
Sets an implementation deadline of the first open enrollment period beginning not less than 90 days following enactment.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3742)
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3742)
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of the Russian Federation, and for other purposes.

Bill: 108-s-624
Sponsor: Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT]
Introduced: 2003-03-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Church property
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Congress
Congress and foreign policy
Congressional oversight
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Discrimination
Emigration
Employee rights
Ethnic relations
Expedited congressional procedure
Expropriation
Free trade
Freedom of the press
Government Operations and Politics
Governmental investigations
House rules and procedure
Human rights
Immigration
Import relief
Import restrictions
International Affairs
International agencies
Labor and Employment
Legislative resolutions
Local laws
Minorities
Most favored nation principle
Nongovernmental organizations
Normal trade relations
Political violence
President and foreign policy
Racial discrimination
Religion
Religious liberty
Russia
Senate rules and procedure
Tariff
Trade agreements
Violence
Visas

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Authorizes the President to extend nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of the Russian Federation.
Declares that it is the policy of the United States to remain fully committed to a multifaceted engagement with the Russian Federation, including by urging the Russian Federation to ensure that its laws and policies in conformity with Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) standards provide for the free emigration of its citizens and recognize human rights.
Declares that the trade agreement between the United States and the Russian Federation that entered into force on June 17, 1992, remains in force and provides the United States with important rights, including the right to use specific safeguard rules to respond to import surges from the Russian Federation. 
Requires the President to notify Congress not later than five days after the United States has entered into a bilateral agreement with the Russian Federation on the terms of its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Provides for congressional disapproval of such agreement.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3643-3744)
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3742-3743)
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Teacher Paperwork Reduction Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-626
Sponsor: Sen. Santorum, Rick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2003-03-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance
Administrative procedure
Computers
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Department of Education
Disabled
Economics and Public Finance
Educational research
Educational technology
Elementary and secondary education
Families
Federal aid to education
Federal-local relations
Federal-state relations
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Law
Legislation
Mediation
Parent-school relationships
School districts
Science, Technology, Communications
Special education
Student records
Teachers
Teaching

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Teacher Paperwork Reduction Act of 2003 - Directs the Comptroller General to study the causes of the paperwork burden of special education teachers and report to Congress with recommendations for reducing it.
Requires the Department of Education, along with State and local educational agencies, to reduce such burden by at least 50 percent within 18 months.
Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to make mediation mandatory (currently voluntary) for all legal disputes related to Individual Education Programs.
Directs the Department to use certain appropriations under IDEA part D to award grants to: (1) conduct research to determine best practices for successful mediation; and (2) provide mediation training support services.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3744-3745)
action_date: 2003-03-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Catch-Up Lost Retirement Savings Act

Bill: 108-s-629
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2003-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bankruptcy
Commerce
Corporate corruption
Crime and Law Enforcement
Employee ownership
Finance and Financial Sector
Income tax
Indictments
Individual retirement accounts
Labor and Employment
Pension funds
Tax credits
Tax deductions
Tax-deferred compensation plans

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Catch-Up Lost Retirement Savings Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow, until December 31, 2007, an individual who participated in a retirement plan under which the employer matched at least 50 percent of the employee's contribution with the employer's stock and whose employer filed for bankruptcy and was subject to a related prosecution resulting from business transactions to make three times the otherwise applicable deductible retirement contributions and to receive a credit for 50 percent for such contributions.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3805-3806)
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3805)
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
San Gabriel River Watershed Study Act

Bill: 108-s-630
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2003-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: California
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Drainage
Emergency Management
Environmental Protection
Flood control
Governmental investigations
Infrastructure
Mountains
Natural areas
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Rivers
Waste water treatment
Water treatment plants
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: San Gabriel River Watershed Study Act - Requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct and report to specified congressional committees on a special resource study of the following areas in California: (1) the San Gabriel River and its tributaries north of and including the City of Santa Fe Springs; and (2) the San Gabriel Mountains within the territory of the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy. Provides for the consideration of regional flood control and drainage needs and publicly owned infrastructure such as wastewater treatment facilities.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-05-13
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 108-59.
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3806)
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 39, United States Code, with respect to cooperative mailings.

Bill: 108-s-631
Sponsor: Sen. Santorum, Rick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2003-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Advertising
Commerce
Conflict of interests
Contracts
Nonprofit organizations
Postal service
Sales promotion
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Amends Federal postal law to apply certain reduced postage rates to specified mail matter (cooperative mailings) sent (or proposed to be sent) by or on behalf of an organization authorized to mail at non-profit postage rates even though it has a contractual or any other business relationship with an entity not so authorized.
Deems a conflict of interest creating a presumption against eligibility for use of such non-profit postage rates any contractual relationship between a qualified nonprofit organization with a commercial entity for solicitation of funds for or on behalf of the nonprofit organization, or for counseling services for the solicitation of funds. Exempts from this rule any such contract if the parties act severally and independently in forming it, or it is approved in advance: (1) by the governing body of the nonprofit organization, the controlling voting percentage of which is composed of persons other than officers, board members, principals, or employees of the commercial entity; or (2) by other persons authorized by such governing body to act on its behalf.
Allows a rebuttal of the presumption against eligibility even if a conflict of interest is found to exist, if it can be demonstrated to the Postal Service that the contract meets certain standards of the Internal Revenue Service under the Internal Revenue Code establishing a rebuttable presumption that a transaction is not an excess benefit transaction.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Amendment Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-632
Sponsor: Sen. Craig, Larry E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2003-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Agriculture and Food
Cardiovascular diseases
Cholesterol
Dietary supplements
Health counseling
Hypertension
Medical fees
Medicare
Nutrition
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Medicare Medical Nutrition Therapy Amendment Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to provide for coverage of medical nutrition therapy services for beneficiaries with cardiovascular diseases.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3806)
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Federal Contractor Safeguard Act

Bill: 108-s-633
Sponsor: Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2003-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Cost effectiveness
Economic research
Economics and Public Finance
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Government procurement
Marketing
Small business
Subcontractors

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Small Business Federal Contractor Safeguard Act - Amends the Small Business Act to modify contract consolidation requirements.
Replaces definitions of "bundled contracts" and "bundling of contract requirements" with definitions of "consolidated contract" and "multiple award contract."
Prohibits a Federal contracting agency from executing a procurement strategy that includes a consolidated contract valued at more than $2 million unless such strategy: (1) identifies benefits anticipated from consolidation and alternative contracting approaches that would involve a lesser degree of consolidation; and (2) includes a determination that the consolidation is necessary and the benefits justify its use. Provides that a procurement strategy that includes a consolidation valued at more than $5 million shall also: (1) be supported by market research demonstrating that such contract will result in cost savings, quality improvements, reduction in acquisition cycle times, or better terms and conditions; (2) include an assessment of impediments to participation by small businesses as prime contractors that result from such consolidation; (3) specify actions designed to maximize small business participation as subcontractors; and (4) not be justified by savings in administrative or personnel costs unless such savings are substantial in relation to the total cost of the procurement.
Allows a small business, if an agency head solicits offers for a consolidated contract, to submit an offer that provides for the use of a particular team of subcontractors. Requires equal evaluation of such an offer.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-05-21
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6795-6796)
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3807-3808)
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3806-3807)
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a study on the feasibility of designating the Trail of the Ancients as a national historic trail.

Bill: 108-s-634
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2003-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Archaeology
Arizona
Arts, Culture, Religion
Colorado
Commemorations
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Governmental investigations
Historic sites
History
New Mexico
Sports and Recreation
Trails
Utah

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Amends the National Trails System Act to direct the Secretary of the Interior to study the feasibility of designating the Trail of the Ancients, extending approximately 710 miles through Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona, as a national historic trail.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-05-06
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 108-47.
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3808)
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Rural Home Health Payment Fairness Act of 2003

Bill: 108-s-636
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2003-03-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Home care services
Housing and Community Development
Medicare
Rural health
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Rural Home Health Payment Fairness Act of 2003 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to increase payment by ten percent for home health services furnished in a rural area on or after April 1, 2003; but prohibits the Secretary from reducing the standard prospective payment system amount (or amounts) applicable to such services furnished during a period to offset the payment increase resulting from such requirement.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3808-3809)
action_date: 2003-03-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Health Insurance Tax Relief Act

Bill: 108-s-637
Sponsor: Sen. Boxer, Barbara [D-CA]
Introduced: 2003-03-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Finance and Financial Sector
Health
Health insurance
Income tax
Insurance premiums
Medical economics
Tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Health Insurance Tax Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the first $2,000 of health insurance premiums to be fully deductible regardless of whether or not the taxpayer itemizes deductions.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3883)
action_date: 2003-03-18
text: Introduced in Senate