hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Railroad Security and Public Awareness Act of 2004

Bill: 108-hr-5217
Sponsor: Rep. Castle, Michael N. [R-DE-At Large]
Introduced: 2004-10-05 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Animals
Armed Forces and National Security
Bridges
Computer security measures
Crime and Law Enforcement
Dogs
EBB Terrorism
Economics and Public Finance
Electric power
Emergency communication systems
Employee training
Energy
Environmental Protection
Evacuation of civilians
Federal aid to research
Federal aid to transportation
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Health
Infrastructure
International Affairs
Labor and Employment
Light rail transit
Occupational health and safety
Private police
Psychology
Railroad employees
Railroad freight operations
Railroad passenger traffic
Railroad safety
Railroad terminals
Railroads
Research and development
Sabotage
Science, Technology, Communications
Security measures
Technological innovations
Terrorism
Transportation of hazardous substances
Transportation research
Tunnels

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: 
Railroad Security and Public Awareness Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and issue detailed guidance for a rail worker security training program to prepare front-line workers for potential threat conditions. Requires railroad carriers to develop a rail worker security training program that meets the Secretary's approval. Authorizes the Secretary to make grants to railroads (including intercity, heavy, and light rail), hazardous materials shippers, owners of hazardous materials rail cars, universities, colleges, and research centers, and State and local governments (for railroad facilities and infrastructure) for full or partial reimbursement of: (1) rail worker security training program costs; and (2) security upgrade costs incurred by a railroad to prevent or respond to acts of terrorism, sabotage, or other railroad security threats.
 
Directs the Secretary to develop a national plan for public outreach and awareness of measures that the general public, railroad passengers, and railroad employees can take to increase railroad security.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1807-1808)
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Introduced in House
To require the Attorney General to establish a Federal register of cases of child abuse or neglect.

Bill: 108-hr-5219
Sponsor: Rep. Kelly, Sue W. [R-NY-19]
Introduced: 2004-10-05 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Child abuse
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Confidential communications
Criminal justice information
Data banks
Directories
Economics and Public Finance
Electronic government information
Families
Federal aid to law enforcement
Federal-local relations
Federal-state relations
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Law
Right of privacy
Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: 
Directs the Attorney General to create a national register of cases of child abuse or neglect (abuse), with the information in the register supplied by States or political subdivisions. Requires the register to collect information on children reported as abused in a central electronic database.
 
Requires: (1) information provided to the Attorney General to relate to substantiated reports of abuse; (2) each State to determine whether such information also relates to reports of suspected instances of abuse that were unsubstantiated or unfounded, except that if a State has an equivalent electronic register of abuse cases, the information provided to the Attorney General shall be coextensive with information in such register; and (3) the information to be in a standardized electronic form and to contain case-specific identifying information.
 
Directs the Attorney General to establish standards for the dissemination of information in the national register that preserve the confidentiality of records in order to protect the rights of the child and the child's parents or guardians while ensuring that Federal, State, and local government entities have access to such information in order to carry out their legal responsibilities to protect children from abuse.
 
Makes compliance with this Act a condition precedent to receipt of funds under the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Introduced in House
Washington National Opera Commemorative Coin Act of 2004

Bill: 108-hr-5220
Sponsor: Rep. King, Peter T. [R-NY-3]
Introduced: 2004-10-05 in the House
Policy area: Commemorations
Subjects: Anniversaries
Coins and coinage
Copper
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Elementary education
Finance and Financial Sector
Law
Learning
Music
Secondary education
Silver
Trusts and trustees

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: 
Washington National Opera Commemorative Coin Act of 2004 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint, until December 31, 2010, coins in commemoration of the Washington National Opera. Provides for the issuance and sale of such coins.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic and International Monetary Policy, Trade, and Technology.
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Introduced in House
Native American Housing Enhancement Act of 2004

Bill: 108-hr-5221
Sponsor: Rep. Renzi, Rick [R-AZ-1]
Introduced: 2004-10-05 in the House
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Affordable housing
Block grants
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Economics and Public Finance
Families
Federal aid to Indians
Federal aid to housing
Federal-Indian relations
Federally-guaranteed loans
Homeless
Housing and Community Development
Housing discrimination
Housing finance
Housing subsidies
Indian children
Indian housing
Labor and Employment
Low-income housing
Minorities
Rental housing
Residential rehabilitation
Social Welfare
Youth employment

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: 
Native American Housing Enhancement Act of 2004 - Amends title V (Farm Housing) of the Housing Act of 1949 to state that federally recognized Indian tribes who exercise powers of self-government (or their instrumentalities) shall comply with the Indian Civil Rights Act (title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1968) when receiving assistance under title V. 
 
States that title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 shall not apply to tribes: (1) covered by the Indian Civil Rights Act (title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1968); or (2) tribes acting under affordable housing provisions of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996.
 
Amends the Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act to make Indian tribes, tribally designated housing entities, or other agencies primarily serving Indians eligible for Youthbuild grants.
 
Amends the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 to require Federal guarantees for tribal housing activities to guarantee repayment of 95 percent of the unpaid principal and interest due on the notes or other obligations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity.
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Introduced in House
Military Commissions Act of 2004

Bill: 108-hr-5222
Sponsor: Rep. Sanchez, Loretta [D-CA-47]
Introduced: 2004-10-05 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Appellate courts
Appellate procedure
Capital punishment
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Court records
Courts-martial and courts of inquiry
Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal procedure
Department of Defense
Due process of law
EBB Terrorism
Equality before the law
Espionage
Evidence (Law)
Exclusionary rule (Evidence)
Families
Fines (Penalties)
Government Operations and Politics
Homicide
International Affairs
Judges
Law
Minors
Officer personnel
Presidential appointments
Right to counsel
Self-incrimination
Sentences (Criminal procedure)
Supreme Court
Terrorism
Torture
Trials
War crimes
Witnesses

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: 
Military Commissions Act of 2004 - Amends the Uniform Code of Military Justice to permit a military commission to try any person, not a citizen of the United States, for one or more offenses against the law of war or in furtherance of terrorism. Permits only the President, or a person designated by the President, to appoint such a commission. Requires a commission to consist of not less than three members and not more than seven members.
 
States that trial and defense counsel shall be detailed for a military commission on the same basis as such counsel are detailed for a general court-martial.
 
Requires members of a military commission to deliberate and vote in closed conference.
 
Prohibits: (1) a military commission from finding a person guilty of an offense, and determining a sentence, except by the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present at the time the vote is taken; and (2) from sentencing a person to suffer death except by the concurrence of all the members as to the findings and as to the sentence.
 
Sets forth other requirements relating to a commission, including requiring the accused in a military commission to be given specified minimum rights and protections.
 
Outlines procedures for, and courts of, appeal.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Introduced in House
For the relief of Dylan Brian Benwell.

Bill: 108-hr-5224
Sponsor: Rep. Crane, Philip M. [R-IL-8]
Introduced: 2004-10-05 in the House
Policy area: Private Legislation
Subjects: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: 
Considers Dylan Brian Benwell to be a naturalized citizen of the United States and shall be furnished by the Secretary of Homeland Security with a certificate of such naturalization.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Claims.
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-05
text: Introduced in House
Telephone Tax Relief for Seniors Act

Bill: 108-hr-5225
Sponsor: Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-8]
Introduced: 2004-10-06 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Excise tax
Federal Communications Commission
Fees
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Independent regulatory commissions
Law
Poverty
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
Tax exemption
Telephone
Telephone rates
User charges

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: 
Telephone Tax Relief for Seniors Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt certified low-income senior citizens from communications excise taxes.
 
Prohibits telecommunications carriers from requiring the payment of universal service fees, subscriber line charges, or local number portability charges by such senior citizens who subscribe to telephone services.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Chairman.
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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: 2004-10-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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: 2004-10-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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: 2004-10-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Introduced in House
To respond to recent natural disasters adversely affecting agricultural producers.

Bill: 108-hr-5226
Sponsor: Rep. Neugebauer, Randy [R-TX-19]
Introduced: 2004-10-06 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Administrative fees
Administrative procedure
Agricultural conservation
Agricultural subsidies
Animals
Commerce
Crop insurance
Department of Agriculture
Disaster relief
Economics and Public Finance
Emergency Management
Environmental Protection
Finance and Financial Sector
Floods
Fruit
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Hurricanes
Law
Livestock
Losses
Lumber trade
Minorities
Native Americans
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Soil conservation
Soil erosion
Trees
Weather

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: 
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide emergency financial assistance to agricultural producers who have incurred qualifying 2003 or 2004 crop losses due to weather or related conditions. Permits producers with qualifying losses in both years to elect to receive payments in either, but not both, of such years. Makes producers ineligible for crop disaster assistance if they did not: (1) get Federal crop insurance for insurable commodities; and (2) file required paperwork and pay related fees for noninsurable commodities. Sets forth: (1) waiver provisions; and (2) payment limitations, including reductions for amounts received under the Florida Disaster Programs.
 
 Directs the Secretary to provide payments to livestock producers who have incurred 2003 or 2004 losses in an emergency-designated county, with discretionary set-asides for the American Indian livestock program. Permits producers with qualifying losses in both years to elect to receive payments in either, but not both, of such years. 
 
Directs the Secretary to provide assistance to commercial orchardists and tree farmers who have suffered losses during the December 1, 2003 through December 31, 2004 period.
 
Directs the Secretary to provide assistance to emergency conservation program participants.
 
Amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to limit Commodity Credit Corporation amounts available for the conservation security program for FY 2005 through 2014.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Introduced in House
To reduce temporarily the duty on 1-propene-2-methyl homopolymer.

Bill: 108-hr-5228
Sponsor: Rep. Weller, Jerry [R-IL-11]
Introduced: 2004-10-06 in the House
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Commerce
Polymers
Tariff

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: 
Amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to suspend, through December 31, 2007, the duty on 1-propene-2-methyl homopolymer.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to provide for automatic eligibility for free school lunch and breakfast programs to children of parents who are enlisted members of the Armed Forces on active duty.

Bill: 108-hr-5229
Sponsor: Rep. Baca, Joe [D-CA-43]
Introduced: 2004-10-06 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Congress
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Families
Military dependents
School lunch program
Social Welfare
Sunset legislation
Welfare eligibility

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: 
Amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to provide for automatic eligibility for free school lunch and breakfast programs for children of enlisted members of the Armed Forces on active duty or of the National Guard on active duty.
 
Provides that such amendment shall cease to have effect two years after enactment of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 49, United States Code, to ensure that the National Driver Registry includes certain information.

Bill: 108-hr-5230
Sponsor: Rep. Beauprez, Bob [R-CO-7]
Introduced: 2004-10-06 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Attorneys general
Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal investigation
Criminal justice information
Data banks
Driver licenses
Drug abuse
Drunk driving
Electronic government information
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Law
Public prosecutors
Science, Technology, Communications
Traffic accidents and safety

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: 
Amends Federal transportation law to require the National Driver Registry to include information that specifies if an individual has been convicted in the previous ten years of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of, or impaired by, alcohol or a controlled substance. Authorizes a State or local prosecutor and district attorney to obtain from the State chief driver licensing official certain Registry information about a driver who is under investigation for a traffic related offense.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Introduced in House
Piedras Blancas Historic Light Station Outstanding Natural Area Act of 2004

Bill: 108-hr-5231
Sponsor: Rep. Capps, Lois [D-CA-23]
Introduced: 2004-10-06 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Archaeology
California
Coastal zone
Commemorations
Federal-Indian relations
Historic sites
History
Indian lands
Land transfers
Land use
Landscape protection
Lighthouses and lightships
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Minorities
Native Americans
Natural areas
Planning
Religion
Research natural areas
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: 
Piedras Blancas Historic Light Station Outstanding Natural Area Act of 2004 - Establishes the Piedras Blancas Historic Light Station Outstanding Natural Area (Outstanding Natural Area) in San Luis Obispo County, California. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to manage the Outstanding Natural Area as part of the National Landscape Conservation System and to complete a comprehensive management plan to provide long-term management guidance for the public lands within the Outstanding Natural Area.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with Federal, State, and local agencies to implement the management plan in the Outstanding Natural Area and to continue partnerships with local communities and the Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument. Provides for the acquisition of State and privately held lands adjacent to the Outstanding Natural Area as additions to the Outstanding Natural Area.
 
Prohibits restrictions on overflights and law enforcement activities in the Outstanding Natural Area.
 
Directs the Secretary to ensure access to the Outstanding Natural Area by Indians and Indian tribes for cultural and religious purposes. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-08
text: comments requested from Department of Interior.
action_date: 2004-11-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands.
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Introduced in House
Restoring the Everglades, an American Legacy Act of 2004

Bill: 108-hr-5232
Sponsor: Rep. Foley, Mark [R-FL-16]
Introduced: 2004-10-06 in the House
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Economics and Public Finance
Ecosystem management
Emergency Management
Environmental Protection
Estuaries
Everglades
Federal aid to water pollution control
Federal aid to water resources development
Flood control
Florida
Infrastructure
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Reservoirs
Restoration ecology
Water quality
Water supply
Wetlands

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: 
Restoring the Everglades, an American Legacy Act of 2004 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to carry out the project for ecosystem restoration, water supply, flood control, and protection of water quality, Indian River Lagoon, South Florida, at a specified total cost, in accordance with the recommendations of the report of the Chief of Engineers, dated August 6, 2004. 
 
Deauthorizes certain projects authorized under the Water Resources Development Act of 2000 and the Flood Control Act of 1968. 
 
Authorizes the Secretary of the Army to carry out the project for ecosystem restoration, Picayune Strand, Collier County, Florida, at a specified total cost, substantially in accordance with the project implementation report for the project, and subject to the conditions recommended in a final report of the Chief of Engineers, if a favorable report of the Chief is completed not later than December 31, 2004.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Introduced in House
Better Future for American Families Act

Bill: 108-hr-5233
Sponsor: Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]
Introduced: 2004-10-06 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Finance and Financial Sector
Income tax
Individual retirement accounts
Labor and Employment
Pension funds
Saving and investment
Tax credits
Tax refunds
Tax-deferred compensation plans

Summary:
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: 
Better Future for American Families Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to rename the Credit for Elective Deferrals and IRA Contributions as the Saver's Credit. Revises the applicable percentage of an eligible individual's qualified retirement savings contributions for determining the amount of such credit. Makes the credit refundable and permanent.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-10-07
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1819)
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2004-10-06
text: Introduced in House