hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Taxpayer Abuse Prevention Act

Bill: 108-hr-5340
Sponsor: Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
Introduced: 2004-10-08 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts
Collection of accounts
Commerce
Commercial arbitration
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Debtor and creditor
Earned income tax credit
Electronic benefits transfers
Electronic data interchange
Finance and Financial Sector
Garnishment
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Income tax
Law
Loans
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
Tax refunds
Tax returns

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: 
Taxpayer Abuse Prevention Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that advance payments of the earned income tax credit are not transferable or assignable or subject to the claims of any creditors, except outstanding claims of the Federal Government.
 
Prohibits: (1) the collection of a debt from a debtor's Federal tax refund by means of a refund anticipation loan; and (2) mandatory arbitration as a condition of providing a refund anticipation loan.
 
Terminates the Department of Treasury Debt Indicator Program. 
 
Excludes tax returns that have been filed subject to a refund anticipation loan from any determination of whether goals for electronic filing of tax returns have been met.
 
Allows earned income tax credit benefits to be paid through electronic transfer accounts. 
 
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) develop and implement a program to encourage the greater use of the advance earned income tax credit; and (2) enter into cooperative agreements with federally insured depository institutions to provide low- and moderate-income taxpayers with the option of establishing low-cost direct deposit accounts using appropriate tax forms.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, 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.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
State High Risk Pool Funding Extension Act of 2004

Bill: 108-hr-5341
Sponsor: Rep. Shadegg, John B. [R-AZ-3]
Introduced: 2004-10-08 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Appropriations
Authorization
Department of Health and Human Services
Economics and Public Finance
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government insurance
Grants-in-aid
Health insurance
Insurance premiums
Medically uninsured
Standards

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: 
State High Risk Pool Funding Extension Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize funds for States to create and to operate existing high risk health insurance pools. 
 
Increases the maximum allowable premium in a qualified high risk pool to 200 percent of the premium for applicable standard risk rates. Defines &quot;standard risk rate&quot; as a rate that: (1) is determined under the State high risk pool by considering the premiums charged by other health insurers in the same market; (2) is established using reasonable actuarial techniques; and (3) reflects anticipated claims experience and expenses.
 
Expands the definition of &quot;qualified high risk pool&quot; to allow a State to meet the requirement to provide all eligible individuals with health insurance coverage by utilizing an acceptable alternative mechanism that includes a high risk pool as a component and: (1) that provides for risk adjustment, risk spreading, or a risk spreading mechanism (among issuers or policies of an issuer) or for some financial subsidization for eligible individuals, including through assistance to participating issuers; or (2) under which each eligible individual is provided a choice of all individual health insurance coverage otherwise available.
 
Amends the formula for appropriating funds to States to operate such pools to give one-half of the funds to eligible States equally and apportion the other half based on the number of uninsured individuals in each State and the number of enrollees in the State's qualified high risk pool. (Currently, all funds are allotted based solely on the number of uninsured individuals in the State.) 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
United States-Israel Energy Cooperation Act

Bill: 108-hr-5342
Sponsor: Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-27]
Introduced: 2004-10-08 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative energy sources
Commercialization
Department of Energy
Economics and Public Finance
Energy efficiency
Energy research
Executive reorganization
Federal advisory bodies
Federal aid to research
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
International Affairs
International cooperation in science
Israel
Joint ventures
Middle East and North Africa
Research and development
Research grants
Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: 
United States-Israel Energy Cooperation Act - Directs the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Policy and International Affairs to establish a grant program for joint ventures: (1) composed of either Israeli and United States private business entities, or of Israeli and United States academic persons; and (2) selected by the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundations (BSF), and the United States-Israel Binational Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation or BSF using criteria established by the International Energy Advisory Board (established by this Act). Requires such ventures to carry out projects that encourage cooperation between the United States and Israel on research, development, and commercialization of alternative energy, improved energy efficiency, and renewable energy sources.
 
 Establishes in the Department of Energy an International Energy Advisory Board to: (1) establish criteria for such grant recipients; and (2) determine the total amount of grant money to be awarded to all grantees selected by BIRD and by BSF for each fiscal year.
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
Safe Drinking Water for Healthy Communities Act of 2004

Bill: 108-hr-5344
Sponsor: Rep. Solis, Hilda L. [D-CA-32]
Introduced: 2004-10-08 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Chemicals
Environmental Protection Agency
Government Operations and Politics
Law
Potable water
Standards
Water Resources Development
Water pollution control

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: 
Safe Drinking Water for Healthy Communities Act of 2004 - Amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to require the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to promulgate a national primary drinking water regulation for perchlorate.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-11
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1908)
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
To authorize "Meth Watch" program grants.

Bill: 108-hr-5345
Sponsor: Rep. Souder, Mark E. [R-IN-3]
Introduced: 2004-10-08 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Chemical industries
Chemicals
Citizen participation
Commerce
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Criminal justice information
Drug abuse
Drug law enforcement
Drug traffic
Economics and Public Finance
Electronic government information
Environmental Protection
Federal aid to law enforcement
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Internet
Labor and Employment
Methamphetamine
Performance measurement
Police training
Public-private partnerships
Science, Technology, Communications
Telephone

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: 
 Authorizes the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to provide grants to States for the implementation and evaluation of Meth Watch programs, which shall have as their purpose to: (1) improve communication and cooperation between law enforcement agencies and manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of products that are frequently used in the production of methamphetamine; and (2) increase public awareness of the ways in which the illegal manufacturers of methamphetamine obtain precursor chemicals and equipment and of how the public may assist law enforcement agencies in stopping such activity.
 
Authorizes the use of grant funds by a State to: (1) hire and retain personnel to implement and manage a Meth Watch program; (2) pay for training expenses and technical assistance to law enforcement personnel and employees of manufacturers, distributors, or retailers of products that are frequently used in methamphetamine production; (3) obtain informational materials, such as posters or videos, designed to implement the the program; (4) establish and maintain an informational hotline for the reporting by manufacturers, distributors, or retailers to law enforcement agencies of suspicious transactions in methamphetamine precursor chemicals or equipment; or (5) make grants to subdivisions of the State to implement the program.
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
Shadow Wolves Border Defense Act

Bill: 108-hr-5346
Sponsor: Rep. Souder, Mark E. [R-IN-3]
Introduced: 2004-10-08 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Arizona
Armed Forces and National Security
Border patrols
Boundaries
Customs administration
Department of Homeland Security
Drug abuse
Drug law enforcement
Drug traffic
Executive reorganization
Federal law enforcement officers
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Government Operations and Politics
Immigration
Indian lands
International Affairs
Latin America
Mexico
Minorities
Salaries
Smuggling
Weapons of mass destruction

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: 
Shadow Wolves Border Defense Act - Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to transfer to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) all functions of the Customs Patrol Officers unit of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operating on the Tohono O'odham Indian reservation (commonly known as the Shadow Wolves unit).
 
Authorizes the Secretary to establish within ICE additional Customs Patrol Officer units. Requires such units to enforce the customs laws of the United States on Indian lands by preventing the smuggling of narcotics, weapons of mass destruction, and other contraband. Sets the rate of basic pay for journeymen Customs Patrol Officers in such units.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
Methamphetamine Abuse Prevention Act of 2004

Bill: 108-hr-5347
Sponsor: Rep. Souder, Mark E. [R-IN-3]
Introduced: 2004-10-08 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Commerce
Department of Justice
Drug abuse
Drug law enforcement
Drug traffic
Drugs
Federal preemption
Government Operations and Politics
Health
Judicial review
Law
Local laws
Methamphetamine
Packaging
Retail trade
State laws

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: 
Methamphetamine Abuse Prevention Act of 2004 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to: (1) reduce the retail sales threshold for the sale of products containing pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine products from nine grams to six grams; and (2) eliminate the &quot;regulated transaction&quot; exemption for any over-the-counter sale of such products (including blister packs) by retail distributors.
 
Prohibits any State, political subdivision, or State authorized entity from establishing any requirement for retail sales of any pseudoephedrine drug product that is different from the requirements that apply to such products under this Act. Makes this provision inapplicable to any requirement enacted prior to January 1, 2005, other than a requirement allowing any individual to purchase more than six grams of pseudoephedrine base in any single retail transaction. Allows the State to adopt penalties that are different from penalties that apply under this Act.
 
 Authorizes exemptions from this prohibition upon a determination by the Attorney General that pseudoephedrine drug products obtained in the State are being used as a significant source of precursor chemicals for illegal manufacture of a controlled substance for distribution or sale, that the requirement is likely to substantially decrease such use, and that the requirement will not unduly burden interstate commerce. Sets forth provisions governing judicial review. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Act

Bill: 108-hr-5348
Sponsor: Rep. Tauzin, W. J. (Billy) [R-LA-3]
Introduced: 2004-10-08 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Arts, Culture, Religion
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Commemorations
Cultural property
Economics and Public Finance
Environmental Protection
Federal-local relations
Government Operations and Politics
Grants-in-aid
Historic sites
History
Land use
Landowners
Landscape protection
Louisiana
Nature conservation
Outdoor recreation
Planning
Right of property
Sports and Recreation
Sustainable development
Water Resources Development
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Act - Establishes the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area in Louisiana. 
Designates the Atchafalaya Trace Commission as the local coordinating entity of the Heritage Area. 
Prohibits the use of Federal funds authorized under this Act to acquire real property. 
Requires the Commission to develop and implement a management plan, subject to the Secretary of the Interior's approval, that incorporates an integrated and cooperative approach to conserve, interpret, and enhance the resources of the Heritage Area. 
Establishes a procedure for the voluntary inclusion of private property in the Heritage Area.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
G.I. Bill Enhancement Act of 2004

Bill: 108-hr-5349
Sponsor: Rep. Terry, Lee [R-NE-2]
Introduced: 2004-10-08 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Armed forces reserves
Crime and Law Enforcement
EBB Terrorism
Education
Executive orders
Government Operations and Politics
International Affairs
Iraq compilation
Military pay
Military personnel
National Guard
Payroll deductions
September 11, 2001
Terrorism
Veterans' benefits
Veterans' education

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: 
G.I. Bill Enhancement Act of 2004 - Exempts from the mandatory payroll deductions ($100 for the first 12 months of active duty pay) under the veterans' basic educational assistance program, members of the Armed Forces and Selected Reserve on active duty between November 16, 2001 and the termination date of Executive Order 13235. Provides for reimbursement of payroll deductions taken prior to the enactment of this Act. Allows such members to withdraw an election not to receive basic educational assistance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-21
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Benefits.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
Enhancing Nutrition in Medical Education Act of 2004

Bill: 108-hr-5350
Sponsor: Rep. Udall, Tom [D-NM-3]
Introduced: 2004-10-08 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Agriculture and Food
Curricula
Diet
Dietary supplements
Eating disorders
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Educational accountability
Educational planning
Federal aid to education
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Government publicity
Health counseling
Health education
Herbs
Higher education
Medical education
Nutrition
Nutritionally induced diseases
Obesity
Preventive medicine
School administration

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: 
Enhancing Nutrition in Medical Education Act of 2004 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to schools of medicine to integrate innovative curricula on nutrition into medical education. Requires the Secretary to ensure that such curricula focus on preventive health measures, including : (1) education on the causes, treatment, and prevention of obesity; (2) office education and counseling to ensure an appropriate diet for mostly healthy people; (3) prevention and treatment of common nutritional deficiencies; (4) the appropriate and inappropriate use of herbs and supplements; (5) office recognition and treatment of common eating disorders; and (6) identification of special dietary needs, eating disorders, and appropriate routes of referral for medical nutrition therapy.
 
Requires grantees to: (1) develop innovative curricula; (2) integrate such curricula into the medical education at the school; (3) evaluate the results achieved with the curricula; (4) establish a multidisciplinary planning committee to develop the curricula; and (5) report to the Secretary on the developed curricula and results achieved.
 
Requires the Secretary to prepare a consolidated report on the curricula and results achieved by grantees and to disseminate such report to schools of medicine.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-11
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1922)
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
Office of Intellectual Property and Competition Policy Act of 2004

Bill: 108-hr-5351
Sponsor: Rep. Watson, Diane E. [D-CA-33]
Introduced: 2004-10-08 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Advice and consent of the Senate
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Congress
Copyright
Department of State
Executive reorganization
Government Operations and Politics
Intellectual property
Patents
Presidential appointments
Right of property
Technical assistance
Trademarks

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: 
Office of Intellectual Property and Competition Policy Act of 2004 - Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to establish an Office of Intellectual Property and Competition Policy in the Department of State. Transfers to the Office all functions of the Intellectual Property and Competition Policy (IPC) Division of the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs of the Department of State. Provides that the Office has primary responsibility within the Department of State to: (1) develop and implement policies to promote effective intellectual property rights protection worldwide; and (2) provide technical assistance to foreign countries to implement such policies.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Introduced in House