hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Homeland Security Education Act

Bill: 108-s-2299
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2004-04-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance
Armed Forces and National Security
Chinese language
Computer software
Computers
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Continuing education
Curricula
Distance education
Economics and Public Finance
Educational research
Educational technology
Elementary and secondary education
Engineering
Engineers
Federal aid to education
Federal employees
Federally-guaranteed loans
Finance and Financial Sector
Foundations
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Higher education
Information technology
Infrastructure
Interest
Japanese language
Labor and Employment
Laboratories
Language and languages
Mathematics
Mentoring
Research and development
Russian language
Scholarships
Science, Technology, Communications
Scientific education
Scientific instruments and apparatus
Secondary education
Social Welfare
Student loan funds
Teacher education
Teaching materials

Summary:
action_date: 2004-04-07
text: 
Homeland Security Education Act - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Secretary of Education to establish a program to forgive interest payments on guaranteed and direct student loans for selected borrowers in repayment status who have obtained undergraduate degrees in science (except the social sciences), mathematics, engineering, or specified foreign languages, as an incentive for study in such subjects.
 
Amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to direct the Secretary to establish a demonstration program of grants to eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) for building or expanding mathematics and science programs, upgrading laboratories, and purchasing equipment. Directs the Secretary and the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to assess long-term mathematics and science needs of the national security workforce and the larger Federal workforce.
Amends ESEA to authorize the Secretary to make grants to eligible partnerships for various authorized activities to encourage early foreign language studies. 
Directs the Secretary to make grants to institutions of higher education that develop innovative programs for teaching foreign languages. 
Amends the David L. Boren National Security Education Act of 1991 to: (1) include foreign language immersion programs and activities at sites overseas among authorized activities; and (2) increase the amount of authorized funds for the National Flagship Language Initiative. 
 
Directs the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the National Research Council to study the feasibility of establishing a National Language Foundation.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-04-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced:  CR S3933-3936)
action_date: 2004-04-07
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3932-3933)
action_date: 2004-04-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Defense of Medicare Act

Bill: 108-s-2300
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2004-04-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Capitation (Medical care)
Case mix (Medical care)
Commerce
Competitive bidding
Drugs
Economics and Public Finance
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government trust funds
Health insurance
Health maintenance organizations
Insurance companies
Insurance premiums
Managed care
Medical economics
Medical fees
Medicare
Metropolitan areas
Prescription pricing
Rebates
Social Welfare
Subsidies
Urban affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2004-04-07
text: 
Defense of Medicare Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in applying risk adjustment factors to payments to Medicare+Choice organizations under part C (Medicare+Choice) of title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act (SSA), to ensure that payments to such organizations are adjusted based on factors that ensure that the health status of the enrollee is reflected in such adjusted payments, including adjusting for the difference between the health status of the enrollee and individuals enrolled under the original Medicare fee-for-service program under Medicare parts A (Hospital Insurance) and part B (Supplementary Medical Insurance). Requires payments to such organizations, in the aggregate, to reflect such differences. 
 
Amends SSA title XVIII part C, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to: (1) revise the formula for determination of the minimum annual Medicare+Choice (Medicare Advantage) capitation rate for 2005 and subsequent years (making it the same as the minimum rate for 2004); and (2) eliminate the Medicare Advantage (MA) Regional Plan Stabilization Fund. 
 
Repeals the Comparative Cost Adjustment Program. 
 
Amends SSA title XVIII, as amended by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, to require the Secretary to ensure that each individual eligible for such program has available a choice of enrollment in at least two prescription drug plans (currently, at least two qualifying plans, which may be a prescription drug plan or a specified Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plan).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-04-07
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2004-04-07
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3937)
action_date: 2004-04-07
text: Introduced in Senate
Better Future for American Families Act

Bill: 108-s-2303
Sponsor: Sen. Edwards, John [D-NC]
Introduced: 2004-04-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Finance and Financial Sector
Income tax
Individual retirement accounts
Labor and Employment
Saving and investment
Tax credits
Tax refunds

Summary:
action_date: 2004-04-08
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: 2004-04-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4026-4027)
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4026)
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Reclamation Project Authorization Act of 1972 to clarify the acreage for which the North Loup division is authorized to provide irrigation water under the Missouri River Basin project.

Bill: 108-s-2304
Sponsor: Sen. Hagel, Chuck [R-NE]
Introduced: 2004-04-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Irrigation
Missouri River development
Nebraska
Water Resources Development

Summary:
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: 
Amends the Reclamation Project Authorization Act of 1972 to provide that the acreage for which the North Loup Division of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program, Nebraska, is authorized to provide irrigation water may be an approximation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-05-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 108-618.
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Prompt Payment of Health Benefits Claims Act of 2004

Bill: 108-s-2308
Sponsor: Sen. Corzine, Jon S. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2004-04-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Claims
Collection of accounts
Collective bargaining
Electronic data interchange
Employee health benefits
Federal preemption
Finance and Financial Sector
Fines (Penalties)
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Health insurance
Health maintenance organizations
Insurance companies
Interest
Interest rates
Labor and Employment
Labor contracts
Medicaid
Medical economics
Medicare
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
State laws

Summary:
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: 
Prompt Payment of Health Benefits Claims Act of 2004 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Public Health Service Act to require group health plans and issuers of group health insurance to: (1) acknowledge receipt of claims within ten days; (2) notify claimants, within ten days, of any deficiency in submitted claims and of additional information necessary to correct the deficiency; (3) pay complete and uncontested claims and any uncontested portions of claims within ten days if submitted electronically or within 30 days otherwise; and (4) pay escalating, monthly interest for failing to pay claims within such periods.
 
Provides that claims are deemed complete ten days after receipt if no notice of any deficiency is given to the claimant. Prohibits retaliation by the plan or issuer for claimants exercising rights under this Act. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to impose fines for willful and knowing violations of this Act or patterns of repeated violations of this Act.
 
Amends the Public Health Service Act to apply the provisions of this Act to plans issued in the individual market. Amends the Social Security Act to apply these requirements to Medicare Advantage plans, prescription drug plans, and Medicaid managed care plans.
 
Allows State laws that provide equal or more stringent requirements, standards, or implementation specifications than imposed under this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4046-4048)
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4046)
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Military Reserve Mobilization Income Security Act of 2004

Bill: 108-s-2309
Sponsor: Sen. Dorgan, Byron L. [D-ND]
Introduced: 2004-04-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Armed forces abroad
Armed forces reserves
Income tax
Iraq compilation
Labor and Employment
Military pay
National Guard
Tax credits
Tax refunds
Wages

Summary:
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: 
Military Reserve Mobilization Income Security Act of 2004 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow members of the National Guard or the Ready Reserve who have been activated for military duty a refundable income tax credit for the lesser of: (1) the excess of such reservist's daily civilian compensation over the reservist's daily military pay while on active duty or full-time National Guard duty; or (2) $54.80 per day. Includes the amount of such credit in the reservist's gross income.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4048-4049)
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to promote the national security of the United States by facilitating the removal of potential nuclear weapons materials from vulnerable sites around the world, and for other purposes.

Bill: 108-s-2310
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2004-04-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Arms control agreements
Congress
Congress and military policy
Congressional reporting requirements
Crime and Law Enforcement
Department of Energy
EBB Terrorism
Energy
Environmental Protection
Executive reorganization
Federal employees
Fissionable materials
Government Operations and Politics
International Affairs
International cooperation
Legislation
Nuclear facilities
Nuclear fuels
Nuclear nonproliferation
Nuclear security measures
Nuclear weapons
Plutonium
Presidential appointments
Storage
Strategic planning
Terrorism
Transfer of employees
Treaties
Uranium

Summary:
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) removing potential nuclear weapons materials from vulnerable sites around the world would reduce the threat that such materials would fall into the hands of al Qaeda and other groups and states hostile to the United States; and (2) such removal should be a top priority.
 
Directs the President to establish the Task Force on Nuclear Material Removal to ensure that such materials are entirely removed from the most vulnerable sites around the world as soon as practicable. Authorizes the Secretary of Energy to provide specified assistance to the Task Force, including funding for the cost of: (1) removing such materials, as well as arranging for their shipment to the United States or other countries willing to accept and secure them; and (2) upgrading security and accounting at sites where such materials will remain for an extended period.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4050)
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4049-4050)
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Introduced in Senate
SAFE-ID Act

Bill: 108-s-2312
Sponsor: Sen. Clinton, Hillary Rodham [D-NY]
Introduced: 2004-04-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Affiliated corporations
Business records
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Consumer protection
Damages
Department of Health and Human Services
Europe
European Union
Federal Trade Commission
Finance and Financial Sector
Financial statements
Fines (Penalties)
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Foreign corporations
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Government publicity
Health
Health care industry
Identification devices
Independent regulatory commissions
International Affairs
Law
Liability (Law)
Medical records
Names
Right of privacy
Social Welfare
Social security numbers
Subcontractors

Summary:
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: 
SAFE-ID Act - Authorizes a business to transmit personally identifiable information regarding a U.S. citizen to any foreign affiliate or subcontractor located in a country certified by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as having adequate privacy protection for such information. Prohibits such business from transmitting such information to an affiliate or subcontractor in a country without such privacy protection unless: (1) the business discloses to the citizen that the country does not have such privacy protection; (2) the business obtains the citizen's consent to transmit such information; and (3) the consent is renewed by the citizen within one year before the information is transmitted. Provides liability for businesses improperly transmitting such information.
 
Makes any business or organization that collects or retains personally identifiable health care information about consumers (health care business) liable for any damages caused by improper storage, duplication, sharing, or other misuse of such information by the health care business or any foreign affiliate or subcontractor that received such information. Prohibits a health care business from terminating an existing relationship with a consumer of health care services in order to avoid the consent requirement.
 
Directs the FTC to certify, and make a list of, those countries that have legal systems that provide adequate privacy protection for such information.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Nabil Raja Dandan, Ketty Dandan, Souzi Dandan, Raja Nabil Dandan, and Sandra Dandan.

Bill: 108-s-2314
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2004-04-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Private Legislation
Subjects: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: 
Makes Nabil Raja Dandan, Ketty Dandan, Souzi Dandan, Raja Nabil Dandan, and Sandra Dandan each eligible for issuance of an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident of the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act, upon payment of the required visa fees. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2004-11-16
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2004-10-11
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S11328-11329; text as passed Senate: CR S11328-11329)
action_date: 2004-10-11
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S11328-11329; text as passed Senate: CR S11328-11329)
action_date: 2004-10-04
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 767.
action_date: 2004-10-04
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Hatch without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2004-10-04
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Hatch without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2004-10-04
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Adoption Assistance Act

Bill: 108-s-2316
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2004-04-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Adoption
Annuities
Costs
Families
Income tax
Individual retirement accounts
Labor and Employment
Pension funds
Tax exclusion
Tax penalties
Tax-deferred compensation plans

Summary:
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: 
Adoption Assistance Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit withdrawals from an individual retirement account without penalty for certain adoption expenses. Limits the amount of such withdrawals, except for children with special needs, to the lesser of $10,000 or the excess of adoption expenses over the amount of the income tax credit for adoption expenses. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4053)
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to limit the royalty on soda ash.

Bill: 108-s-2317
Sponsor: Sen. Thomas, Craig [R-WY]
Introduced: 2004-04-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Commerce
Feedstock
Mining leases
Mining royalties

Summary:
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: 
Amends the Mineral Leasing Act regarding leases and royalties to provide that the royalty rate applicable to any soda ash lease shall be two percent during the five-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-07-14
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 108-702.
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Introduced in Senate
National Defense Energy Savings Act of 2004

Bill: 108-s-2318
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2004-04-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Administrative remedies
Cogeneration of electric power and heat
Computer software
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Defense contracts
Defense procurement
Department of Defense
Directories
Energy
Energy conservation
Energy efficiency
Fuel consumption
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Government publicity
Law
Maintenance and repair
Performance measurement
Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: 
National Defense Energy Savings Act of 2004 - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense to: (1) enter into an energy savings performance contract in order to achieve energy savings and ancillary benefits; (2) incur obligations under the contract to finance energy conservation measures so long as guaranteed savings exceed the debt service requirements; and (3) implement a pilot program to enter into up to ten energy savings performance contracts for the purpose of achieving energy savings, secondary savings, and incidental benefits, in nonbuilding applications.
 
Sets forth implementation guidelines, including contract terms and conditions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2004-04-08
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Renato Rosetti.

Bill: 108-s-2320
Sponsor: Sen. Nickles, Don [R-OK]
Introduced: 2004-04-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Private Legislation
Subjects: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2004-04-20
text: 
Declares Renato Rosetti to have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act upon payment of the required visa fee.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-04-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2004-04-20
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 32, United States Code, to rename the National Guard Challenge Program and to increase the maximum Federal share of the costs of State programs under that program, and for other purposes.

Bill: 108-s-2321
Sponsor: Sen. Byrd, Robert C. [D-WV]
Introduced: 2004-04-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Appropriations
Child health
Civics education
Compensatory education
Department of Defense
Dropouts
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Families
Government Operations and Politics
Grants-in-aid
Health
Intergovernmental fiscal relations
Labor and Employment
Leadership
Mentoring
Military training
Names
National Guard
Physical education and training
Sports and Recreation
Youth employment
Youth services

Summary:
action_date: 2004-04-20
text: 
Amends Federal provisions concerning the National Guard Challenge Program (a civilian youth opportunities program conducted by the Secretary of Defense) to: (1) rename it the National Guard Youth Challenge Program; (2) provide a maximum Federal matching funds level of 60 percent of the costs of operating the State program during FY 2004, 65 percent during FY 2005, 70 percent for FY 2006, and 75 percent for FY 2007 and beyond; and (3) authorize appropriations for the Program for FY 2005.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2004-04-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2004-04-20
text: Introduced in Senate